"Cough, cough..."
"Cao Man" gave a dry cough, waved his hand, and said solemnly.
"Pi'er, Father is talking about important matters with you, don't make such a silly joke. 'Heavenly Realm Foot Spa' or whatever, I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"Cough, cough... Getting back to business, Technician Number Seven is Gao Ren's nickname. His true identity is the seventh ranked assassin on the Heaven Roll... In short, Technician Number Seven, Gao Ren, has also defected..."
"After Technician Number Seven, Gao Ren, defected, another top performer from the Heaven Roll, Gao Chao, appeared..."
Cao Pi's mouth twitched upon hearing this.
"Top performer from the Heaven Roll," well, that style really matches "Technician Number Seven" unexpectedly!
They both have the strong flavor of "Heavenly Realm Foot Spa"!
And "Gao Chao" (meaning "superb" or "high and beyond") as a name, is it really appropriate?
If someone were looking for him, they would ask like this:
"Hey, brother, do you know where Gao Chao... is?"
Where is Gao Chao, where is Gao Chao, Gao Chao is in springtime...
Heh, this scene is "too much for the eyes"!
It's unbearable!
While Cao Pi was lost in these nonsensical thoughts, "Cao Man" had already finished talking about "Gao Chao."
"...In short, the top performer from the Heaven Roll, Mr. Gao Chao, has also betrayed us, joining the rebels and becoming a lackey of the bandit leader Liu Xiuer!"
"Father thought it would end there, but unexpectedly, your third brother, Zhi'er, has returned. He volunteered to lead the Purple Armored Dao Soldiers to encircle and suppress the rebels..."
Then, "Cao Man" regretfully recounted how Cao Zhi had "defected to the righteous army," feigned capture, and tricked "Cao Man" out of a large sum of "ransom."
Pfft, pfft, pfft...
He couldn't take it anymore, he couldn't! Just mentioning this matter caused "Cao Man's" primordial power to erupt again, and he couldn't help but start spitting blood.
Cao Pi was also furious!
He roared.
"Third brother is foolish!"
Saying that, he quickly comforted his father.
"Father, don't worry, I'll go and capture third brother for you and make him kneel before you and beg for forgiveness..."
Upon hearing Cao Pi's intention to "suppress the righteous army," "Cao Man" forgot even about spitting blood.
He widened his eyes, grabbed Cao Pi's arm, and shouted.
"No, absolutely not!"
"Cao Man" felt completely unwell, and he recalled the days of being dominated by fear.
"Pi'er, you don't know, those rebels are poisonous, truly poisonous. If you go, you'll be like your third brother and never return!"
The more "Cao Man" said this, the more it ignited Cao Pi's competitive spirit.
His eyes shot out brilliant light, and he said in a deep voice.
"Father, don't worry, I am already a mature man. I am not comparable to an unstable child like third brother! The rebels can bewitch him, but they cannot shake my conviction!"
Saying that, he added angrily.
"Third brother has gone too far this time. I must bring him back to kowtow and apologize to Father!"
Cao Pi turned around and ordered his eight hundred "Tiger and Leopard Dao Soldiers."
"All soldiers, heed my command! Follow me to attack the rebel camp and bring back my little brother!"
"Yes, sir!"
The eight hundred "Tiger and Leopard Dao Soldiers" responded in unison.
Their roars of assent were like a tidal wave, exuding immense presence!
"Cao Man" was immediately intimidated.
So, so elite!
Compared to them, Cao Pi's "Tiger and Leopard Dao Soldiers" indeed seemed superior to Cao Zhi's "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers."
Cao Pi himself was also very pleased.
He had been on the battlefield and experienced the baptism of blood and fire. He was a "real man."
At this point, "Cao Man" knew that it was useless to stop him. He could only urge Cao Pi to be careful, careful, and more careful.
It didn't matter if he couldn't suppress the "rebels."
It didn't even matter if he couldn't rescue Cao Zhi.
He just prayed that Cao Pi would return safely and not be bewitched by the "rebels."
Cao Pi was full of confidence and patted his chest to guarantee.
"Father, don't worry, my will is the strongest, I will never be bewitched!"
Hearing Cao Pi's assurance, Cao Man did not feel relieved but rather more uneasy.
He had a feeling something bad was about to happen!
"Pi'er, can you not go?"
"Father, why are you like this again? Don't worry, I will return triumphantly!"
"Uh, alright then, you should eat first. I'll have someone arrange a meal for you. What do you want to eat?"
"Thank you, Father. Heh, I suddenly really want to eat meat buns..."
Pfft, pfft, pfft...
"Cao Man" started spitting blood again.
He couldn't bear to hear the words "meat buns."
"Throwing a dog a meat bun" (meaning to waste resources on someone who won't appreciate it), it's a one-way trip with no return!
Too inauspicious!
...
Outside the small city of the righteous army.
The sounds of shouting and killing shook the heavens.
A fierce battle was underway.
Well, perhaps instead of a fierce battle, it was a one-sided slaughter.
The "imperial army," though numerous and even boasting three "Golden Core Generals," was no match for their opponents, who were too fierce and too powerful.
Cao Zhi, leading his "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers," was charging ferociously.
After half a year's absence, Cao Zhi's "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers" had been reborn, becoming incredibly powerful!
Firstly, the number of "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers" had more than doubled, reaching two thousand men.
Dao soldiers' numbers were not increased arbitrarily; it depended on the "commander's" leadership ability.
About three months ago, the "Purple Armored Tome" that Cao Zhi cultivated had made a major breakthrough, more than doubling his leadership capacity.
Why did this happen?
To put it precisely, it was magical and overpowered!
It was a day with gentle wind and beautiful sun, clear skies as far as the eye could see.
Cao Zhi was in a great mood.
He was cultivating the "Purple Armored Tome" in his "quiet room."
His lord, "Liu Xiuer," had something to discuss with him.
Since the "righteous army" was still in its "startup company" phase, the structure was somewhat crude, and the rules were not so strict.
Normally, when a lord sought out a subordinate general, he would send a servant to invite them, and then the two parties would formally meet...
In the "righteous army," there was no need for such trouble.
"Liu Xiuer" directly went to Cao Zhi's "quiet room" to find him, only to discover Cao Zhi was cultivating.
"Liu Xiuer" didn't want to disturb Cao Zhi's cultivation, so he chuckled and prepared to leave.
Just before "Liu Xiuer" left, he glanced at the cultivating "Cao Zhi." He saw that "Cao Zhi" was surrounded by purple light, exuding an imposing aura, and faintly, the sounds of clashing armies could be heard.
Good, very good!
"Liu Xiuer" said casually.
"Cao Zhi's cultivation of the Purple Armored Tome is going very well. I believe he will break through before long!"
Heaven bears witness, "Liu Xiuer" truly said it casually, much like asking "Have you eaten?" after meeting someone, with no real significance.
Then.
Rumble!
A loud bang echoed.
Countless auspicious purple clouds gathered from the heavens, rolling and surging like a banner unfurling in the wind...