Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Hmph, isn’t it just cavalry? I, Ma Chao, have led the Qiang Tribe with over a hundred thousand mounted soldiers. Just three to five thousand cavalry, there’s no way to fight the Huns without me, Ma Chao!” Ma Chao finished his drink in one gulp and stood up, looking directly at Sun Ce.

”What use is a hundred thousand miscellaneous soldiers? They’re merely accolades for others. I only need five thousand of the best fighters.” Sun Ce waved his hand, indicating he didn’t need that many people.

Having been the leader in Eastern Wu for so long, Sun Ce understood that quality troops are more valuable than quantity. A massive army is only for intimidation, and just the consumption of food and stipends is enough to drive someone crazy. Instead, the combination of elite troops leading miscellaneous soldiers works well.

”Alright, then we’ll go to the Sanfu Region to select people,” Ma Chao, who was decisive by nature, decided without much thought after Sun Ce’s provocation.

Glancing at the spirited Ma Xiu, Ma Tie, and Ma Dai, Ma Chao immediately decided, ”Our Ma Clan travels throughout Xiliang, how can men lack military achievements? Even the youngest, Dai’er, at sixteen, should experience the battlefield.”

”Hmm, their physique is not bad. With hard work, there’s hope for Inner Qi Manifestation,” Sun Ce assessed the three with satisfaction and said, ”Good, you three can follow me.”

Sun Ce fully adopted the role of leader, and the three brothers, Ma Xiu, looked excitedly at their new leader, saluting. Indeed, Sun Ce’s handsome appearance, intimidating aura, and formidable strength easily influenced these young ones whose worldviews were yet to form.

”Ahem, Meng Qi, it’s best to inform Lord Cao about this kind of thing.” Even though Pang De was somewhat impressed by Sun Ce, he maintained rationality unlike Ma Chao and the others who were swept up by Sun Ce’s rhythm, losing their heads.

”Oh, no problem, I’ll go to Lord Cao in a moment.” Ma Chao’s response was still thoughtless, not understanding what Pang De meant. Simply put, after being led by Sun Ce, his already questionable intelligence was now almost incompetent.

Pang De was helpless but couldn’t speak bluntly. After all, Ma Chao was the King of Qiang, holding absolute command over the Qiang People. Moreover, as much as Sun Ce seemed foolish, his words made sense; the Han Dynasty citizens armed and ready for a northern campaign to attack the Huns wasn’t wrong in any aspect.

After Ma Chao and Sun Ce finished eating and drinking, they prepared to go to Cao Cao to inform him of the plan to attack the Huns. However, Sun Ce, in a moment of impulse, said he wanted to go along.

”You want to go too?” Ma Chao smirked, although influenced by Sun Ce, his basic intelligence remained. What was Sun Ce thinking, going alone to see Cao Cao?

”I heard Cao Cao is quite ugly, I want to see for myself.” Sun Ce’s words almost choked Ma Chao. What kind of reason was that? Didn’t he know he was the leader of the opposing side? Although both sides recently heard about an alliance, they were certainly not on such cordial terms yet.

”What if you get discovered?” Ma Chao, still with some sense, couldn’t accept Sun Ce’s reckless behavior.

”What could be discovered?” Sun Ce rolled his eyes, ”Let’s go, let’s go, openly go see Cao Cao. To be honest, I haven’t met him yet.”

”If you seek death, don’t blame me,” Ma Chao said in exasperation, realizing he seemed more normal compared to Sun Ce!

”If I’m not afraid, what are you afraid of?” Sun Ce replied as he walked outside. Ma Chao quickly followed, not noticing that he was now unconsciously walking slightly behind Sun Ce. After two steps, he caught up again.

Leading a stranger to Cao Cao’s residence, Dian Wei habitually asked a few questions, but said no more, personally taking Ma Chao and Sun Ce to meet Cao Cao.

After all, Ma Chao often visited Cao Cao to spar with Dian Wei. Cao Cao was accustomed to it, not only not stopping it, but also somewhat encouraging it as a means of alliance.

Thus, when Dian Wei saw Ma Chao bringing a young man, he didn’t overthink it. Since they were going to meet Cao Cao, Dian Wei escorted them himself. As for any particular thoughts the young man trailing Ma Chao might have had, Dian Wei wasn’t worried at all.

As a body specialist, Dian Wei had no equals in explosive power and endurance. As long as he was by Cao Cao’s side, no single assassin could succeed in assassinating Cao Cao. Confident and respectful to Ma Chao, Dian Wei didn’t interrogate them.

”This is General Dian, Old Leader Dian, this is a distant brother of mine, very skilled.” After a few steps, Ma Chao introduced Dian Wei to Sun Ce.

Dian Wei, seeing Ma Chao’s expression, understood that Ma Chao wanted him to measure the newcomer’s strength. So Dian Wei grinned, stretched out his large hand, and patted Sun Ce’s shoulder three times before withdrawing it.

Dian Wei looked at Sun Ce, who was still standing straight, and said, ”Hmm, not bad, Little General, your build is solid.”

Sun Ce felt his shoulder almost going numb, staring at Dian Wei in shock. He was capable of the Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation, able to exchange a hundred moves with Guan Yu, and a top-tier expert.

Yet under this seemingly rough and foolish giant’s hands, without using Inner Qi, just by patting his shoulder, it felt numb. Could this truly be human strength?

”Greetings, General Dian,” Sun Ce said, twitching his eyes. Although having great power doesn’t mean great skill, power to this extent could indeed overpower all techniques.

”Old Dian, I didn’t use much strength, and you’re too honest. Why not use Inner Qi?” Dian Wei scratched his head, feeling like he bullied a primary school student. In this world, nearly all capable of Inner Qi Manifestation without using Inner Qi would be beaten to death by him.

Sun Ce felt his face twitching. Was this his idea of not using much strength? How strong was he really, after all? A truly intimidating brute.

”What’s your maximum strength?” Sun Ce asked after a moment of silence. Having never encountered such a body specialist, Sun Ce was genuinely curious.

Dian Wei scratched his head, casually swung a fist, creating a sonic boom, the air distorting into an umbrella shape in front of his fist due to the punch’s force.

Sun Ce felt his previous twenty years were futile. There was someone able to unleash such fierce power without using Inner Qi Manifestation. Moreover, it was clear this was merely a casual move.

”Isn’t it terrifying? But you’ll get used to it,” Ma Chao laughed. His prior awe of Sun Ce considerably lessened; indeed, Sun Ce needed someone to overshadow him.

Ma Chao and Sun Ce arrived just at the right time. Cao Cao had no pressing matters, thus letting Dian Wei bring them in.

Cao Cao glanced at Ma Chao but mainly focused on the unfamiliar face that seemed familiar.

It wasn’t that Cao Cao had met Sun Ce before; it was just that he felt a certain aura from Sun Ce, an aura that felt incredibly familiar.