Chapter 59

It is a pity that Liu Bei will soon be a fugitive on the run.

"Wang Yun is using the beauty trap to send Dong Zhuo to Changancheng; I still have time."

Liu Bei pondered in his heart.

"Wang Yun has the grace of raising Diao Chan; I still need to find a pretext to make Wang Yun willingly offer her up!"

After Liu Bei left the backyard, Diao Chan walked out from behind a pillar, her eyes sorrowful as she bowed gracefully.

"Alas, will I only be able to see him once in this lifetime? Take care, Lord Liu."

The live stream chat was flooded with many more comments.

"The girl is very beautiful, but why is her judgment so poor? That Big-Eared Thief is no good man!"

"Diao Chan, dear, please be more careful."

"The Big-Eared Thief might not be a jackal, but he is definitely a lecher!"

"Such a beautiful young lady; I will be very sad if I can't see her anymore."

"Why are there no beauties in other live streams? Every time I click on the Big-Eared Thief's, there's one!"

Liu Bei did not know that because of Diao Chan, the popularity of the Xia Kingdom's live stream had surged significantly!

As Liu Bei walked out of the inner courtyard, he happened to see Wang Yun enthusiastically seeing Cao Cao off from the secret chamber.

The three of them looked at each other, all somewhat surprised!

Wang Yun: "?? That direction seems to be my backyard!"

Cao Cao hurriedly hid the Seven-Star Precious Sword in his sleeve!

Liu Bei coughed once.

"Minister Wang, your estate is too large; I was drunk and took the wrong turn."

One must always find an excuse when walking out of someone else's backyard.

Wang Yun and Cao Cao both scoffed; Liu Bei's tolerance for alcohol was famously good—who was he trying to fool!

Cao Cao thought to himself.

"Last time Liu Bei took the wrong turn, he met Lady Cai; what about this time?"

The live stream also exploded.

"The expressions of these three could be turned into memes."

"Haha, too funny. Wang Yun's expression seems both fearful and angry!"

"Boss Cao is discussing major affairs of the world, preparing to assassinate Dong Zhuo, while the Big-Eared Thief is picking up girls—what a huge gap!"

"I didn't expect Cao Cao to be such an angry youth; he's a bit impulsive."

"Old thief Wang Yun is treacherous, instigating others to do this while hiding behind to reap the benefits!"

"I'm starting to support the Big-Eared Thief in tricking Diao Chan away."

The three of them, each harboring their own ulterior motives, laughed loudly before returning to their respective homes.

Liu Bei returned home.

"Zhang Yide, Zhao Zilong, prepare yourselves; we may leave Luoyang at any time."

"Understood!"

The next afternoon.

Cao Cao, clutching the Seven-Star Precious Sword, arrived at Dong Zhuo's mansion, feeling both excited and somewhat anxious.

As soon as he entered the door, he ran into Li Ru.

Cao Cao's heart skipped a beat, though he remained calm on the surface.

Li Ru smiled.

"Meng De has come again today; the Prime Minister is in the small pavilion."

He cursed inwardly; between Cao Mengde and Liu Liu Xuande, the bootlicking was so competitive that even he, Dong Zhuo's son-in-law, was being outdone!

Cao Cao cursed inwardly.

"Old thief Dong Zhuo must have harmed someone again last night."

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

Unexpectedly, just as he reached the entrance of the pavilion, he was met with a heavy blow.

The burly Lu Bu stood at the entrance, holding his Painted Halberd...

"With Lu Bu here, I cannot succeed!"

Although Cao Cao wanted to assassinate Dong Zhuo, he wasn't hot-headed enough to want to die himself.

"Meng De, why are you late today?"

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

Cao Cao had a flash of inspiration.

"My lord, it is only because my mount is weak and unable to travel quickly, which is why I am late."

Dong Zhuo laughed heartily.

"Why didn't you say so earlier if your horse was weak? Good horses are the one thing we have plenty of in Xiliang."

"Fengxian, my son!"

"Present."

"Go and personally select a fine Xiliang horse for Meng De."

"Understood!"

Lu Bu strode forward.

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

Soon, Dong Zhuo began yawning repeatedly.

"Meng De, I will sleep for a while. When Liu Xuande arrives later, we shall 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 moment had arrived; he looked around, and there was no one 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 a bronze mirror into Dong Zhuo's eyes.

"Meng De? 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 perish with Dong Zhuo!

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

Lu Bu happened to walk in as well!

Fortunately, Cao Cao was quick-witted and changed his stabbing motion to holding the sword up with both hands.

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

Dong Zhuo groggily took the sword.

"A fine sword, a fine sword!"

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

Sweat was already beading on Cao Cao's forehead; he forced himself to remain calm, though he was regretting it to death inside!

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

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

The two simpletons were half-convinced.

It wasn't until Li Ru arrived to offer 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 had ridden a fine Xiliang horse and left the city with Hu Ren carrying shields, claiming he was on official business for the Prime Minister!

Dong Zhuo was furious, his heart completely broken.

"Cao Mengde, despite how well I treated you, you actually wanted to kill me!"

"Quick, lead men to pursue and kill Cao Cao! I want to execute this thief myself!"

"Guandong people cannot be trusted!"

Lu Bu, Li Jue, and others whipped their horses frantically, leading men to pursue Cao Cao.