Chapter 117

He cursed inwardly; one Cao Mengde, one Liu Xuande—their flattery was so intense that even he, Dong Zhuo's son-in-law, was being outdone!

Cao Cao cursed inwardly,

"Old scoundrel Dong Zhuo, he must have harmed someone again last night."

He arrived at the small pavilion and found it exceptionally quiet—a perfect opportunity to strike!

Unexpectedly, just as he reached the door of the small pavilion, he was hit with a blow.

The burly Lu Bu stood at the door, holding his Heavenly Halberd...

"With Lu Bu here, I cannot succeed!"

Although Cao Cao wanted to assassinate Dong Zhuo, his brain wasn't so overheated that he wanted to die himself.

"Mengde, why are you late today?"

Dong Zhuo clearly hadn't rested well and was a bit groggy.

Cao Cao had a flash of inspiration.

"My Lord, it is only because my mount is thin and weak, unable to be driven, that I arrived a step late."

Dong Zhuo laughed loudly.

"If your horse is weak, why didn't you say so sooner? The one thing we don't lack in Western Liang is good horses."

"Fengxian, my son!"

"Here."

"Go and personally pick a good Western Liang horse for Mengde."

"Understood!"

Lu Bu strode forward.

Seeing Lu Bu leave, Cao Cao felt much more settled and began chatting with Dong Zhuo.

Soon, Dong Zhuo was yawning repeatedly.

"Mengde, I'll sleep for a while. When Xuande arrives later, we'll continue drinking!"

Cao Cao hurriedly helped Dong Zhuo lie down, his heart secretly rejoicing—what a heaven-sent opportunity!

Dong Zhuo soon began to snore!

Cao Cao knew the time had come. He looked around—no one was outside!

He quietly drew the Seven-Star Precious Sword.

Unfortunately, Cao Cao was just a novice assassin; the Seven-Star Precious Sword was too shiny, and a beam of white light reflected off the bronze mirror into Dong Zhuo's eyes.

"Mengde? What are you doing!"

Dong Zhuo opened his eyes abruptly.

Cao Cao trembled all over, breaking out in a cold sweat; he didn't want to die with Dong Zhuo!

Besides, Dong Zhuo was a warrior by trade; Cao Cao might not even be a match for the fat Dong!

Lu Bu happened to walk in!

Fortunately, Cao Cao was quick-witted, changing his strike into holding the sword with both hands.

"Chancellor, I recently obtained a Seven-Star Precious Sword and wish to present it to you."

Dong Zhuo, still groggy, took the sword.

"Good sword, good sword!"

Lu Bu was somewhat suspicious; Cao Mengde's presentation of the sword just now didn't seem very genuine.

Cao Cao's forehead was already sweating, but he forced himself to remain calm, regretting his actions to death!

Cao Cao could no longer care about the failed assassination or the loss of a good sword; he made an excuse to go see the horse Lu Bu had chosen and bolted out of the Chancellor's mansion, running toward the city gate!

Lu Bu's reaction arc was a bit long; his brain only just caught up, and he reported the incident to Dong Zhuo.

The two simpletons were half-believing and half-doubting.

It wasn't until Li Ru arrived with a plan, suggesting that if they summoned Cao Cao now and he didn't dare to come, it would prove his guilt.

Not long after,

scouts reported that Cao Cao was riding a good Western Liang horse and had left the city with foreign tribesmen carrying shields, claiming he was on business for the Chancellor!

Dong Zhuo was furious, his heart broken.

"Cao Mengde, I treated you so well, and you actually wanted to kill me!"

"Quick, you must lead men to pursue and kill Cao Cao! I want to kill this scoundrel with my own hands!"

"People from Guandong cannot be trusted!"

Lu Bu, Li Jue, and others whipped their horses frantically, leading men in pursuit of Cao Cao. ===== CHAPTER 118 =====