Cao County.
At the city gate.
A sea of people, a din of voices.
Today is a good day!
After three days of preparation, Cao Zhi's "Purple Armored Army" has completed coordinated training and become a true "Dao Army."
Today is the day the "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers" march out.
Cao Zhi, mounted on an extraordinary "demon beast armored horse," stood at the forefront of the formation.
His gaze was deep, his expression resolute, and he exuded an aura of "superhuman valor."
The young women and wives in the crowd were smitten with Cao Zhi.
"Ahhh, Brother Cao, you're so handsome!"
"General Cao, I'm willing to bear your children!"
"So handsome, I'm going to faint from your handsomeness!"
...
The entire "send-off scene" was like a "fan meet-and-greet."
It couldn't be helped; Cao Zhi's charm was too powerful!
Not only women but even men were deeply attracted to him.
"If I had the chance to serve under General Cao, I'd do it even without pay!"
"Yes, a true man should be like this, following General Cao to protect our home and country, what does death matter?"
"We weren't selected in this recruitment, but don't be discouraged. We'll go home and continue training, striving to be chosen by General Cao next time!"
...
A group of "stalwart men" clenched their fists, eager to join Cao Zhi's "Purple Armored Army" and fight for him.
Cao Man, looking at the "spirited" Cao Zhi, felt a surge of pride.
He couldn't help but sing.
"The wind howls and the Yi River is cold, the warrior departs, never to return..."
This "melodious" singing, carried by the east wind, quickly spread.
Everyone outside the city gate heard it clearly.
The common folk
o( (⊙_⊙) )o
The Purple Armored Dao Soldiers
o( (⊙_⊙) )o
Stunned!
Bewildered!
What in the world was Old Master Cao singing?
"The warrior departs, never to return"...
Holy cow!
The "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers" were speechless.
Did Old Master Cao have something against us? Did he want us not to return?
The corners of Cao Zhi's mouth twitched.
"Father..."
It was only then that Cao Man realized his inspiration had gone astray. He coughed to cover his embarrassment.
"Cough, cough... just a little joke! Don't mind me!"
Oh, so it was a "little joke"!
If you hadn't reminded us, we wouldn't have been able to laugh.
Well, we still can't laugh now!
Where's the humor in it?
Cao Zhi, being a "filial son," played along enthusiastically. No matter how unfunny the "little joke" was, he stretched his facial muscles into a "brilliant" smile.
"Heh heh, Father, you're as humorous as ever. Your jokes are so funny!"
The others, seeing this, couldn't hold back.
The "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers."
Their lord has laughed, and if we don't, it would be disrespectful.
Laugh!
Hahaha...
The "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers" erupted in "hearty laughter."
The common folk.
Holy cow!
Is it really that funny?
Never mind, everyone is laughing, especially "Young General Cao." We can't appear out of sync. Let's laugh!
Hahaha...
The common folk burst into "roars of laughter."
Ahahaha...
Ahahaha...
The entire city gate was enveloped in a "bizarre atmosphere."
Everyone was laughing, each person laughing "very hard," "very inspiringly."
Cao Man was "taken aback."
Am I really that humorous?
...
After a long while, everyone recovered from the "laughter."
Everyone was tired from laughing.
Cao Man's long-prepared "farewell speech" had no opportunity to be delivered. If the army didn't move soon, they would miss the auspicious time.
So, Cao Man gave Cao Zhi a few brief instructions.
"Zhi'er, remember, you must uphold your original intention and not be swayed by the rebels!"
Cao Man bestowed his "best wishes" upon Cao Zhi.
Cao Zhi dismissed it with a wave.
He chuckled softly.
"Father, rest assured, my lifelong ideal is to serve the court. I will never be swayed by the rebels!"
With that, Cao Zhi waved his hand, full of heroic spirit.
"Purple Armored Army, heed my command, the entire army advances!"
With this order, the army moved!
The "Purple Armored Army" turned into a steel torrent, kicking up clouds of dust, and swept towards the distance.
Slay the villains!
Cao Man watched Cao Zhi's retreating back, his expression complex.
Pride!
Expectation!
And more than anything, worry!
"Zhi'er, you must uphold your original intention and not be swayed!"
Cao Man murmured softly.
For some reason, after saying this, his mood became even heavier, and his worry grew!
The matter of the three Gao brothers kept flashing in his mind...
[Beep! Faction: Imperial Court. "Dragon Tiger Heavenly Sect" prodigy disciple, "Cao County Magistrate Cao Man's" third son, "Cao Zhi," is leading his "Purple Armored Army" to attack your eldest disciple, "Liu Xiu'er."]
In the cave.
Hao Ren's mind suddenly flashed this "dynamic message."
The corners of his mouth twitched.
Speak of the devil?
He had only just thought of "Cao County Magistrate Cao Man."
Now, Cao Man's third son, Cao Zhi, was coming to attack Liu Xiu'er.
Where could he even complain about this?
Hao Ren remained calm about it.
Was it necessary to worry about a "cheater" like Liu Xiu'er? Clearly, it wasn't.
Instead of worrying about Liu Xiu'er, he should worry about Cao Man and Cao Zhi.
Cao Zhi was likely "bringing warmth to the countryside."
A hero departs, never to return!
Liu Xiu'er was about to gain a formidable subordinate and a combat-effective "Purple Armored Army."
As for Cao Man, alas...
Cao County would likely experience rain again.
Cold, icy rain lashed against his face...
He wondered how much blood the County Magistrate Cao would vomit this time?
...
The sun began to set.
The afterglow was like blood.
Cao Zhi, leading his "Purple Armored Army," charged into the territory of the "Rebel Army's small city" with fierce killing intent.
Kill!
Slay the rebels!
The "Purple Armored Army," numbering less than nine hundred, was like a rolling steel torrent, ravaging and sweeping forward, determined to crush all obstacles in their path.
Then, they saw...
A large group of demon beasts!
Over five thousand of them.
The aura emanating from the "demon beast horde" was like an abyss, immensely terrifying.
Cao Zhi's "demon beast armored horse king," as well as the "demon beast armored horses" of the "Purple Armored Knights," were in better condition, merely trembling in fear and unwilling to charge further.
But the "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers" rode ordinary warhorses. How could they withstand the powerful and terrifying aura of the demon beasts?
Neigh!
The warhorses were all frightened and lay prostrate on the ground, daring not to move.
Some warhorses even threw off the "Purple Armored Dao Soldiers" on their backs.
The once imposing and murderous "Purple Armored Army" was instantly thrown into disarray.
An unfortunate start!
Why were there so many demon beasts here?
Cao Zhi's eyes narrowed as he looked towards the direction of the "demon beast horde."