The atmosphere in the Wei army command tent was stifling.
At its center, a massive, armored man with a single eye stood before a map, his hands clasped behind his back. This was Xiahou Dun, one of Cao Cao's most trusted generals.
Flanking him were five towering figures, each strikingly similar in appearance—they were the Zhao Five Brothers, formidable warriors renowned for their brute strength.
Near the tent's entrance stood two soldiers, Qin Ming and Ghost Lady, stiff and silent. A battered ssenger with a broken arm knelt nearby, and between them lay a corpse.
Though their target was right before them, neither Qin Ming nor Ghost Lady dared to make a move.
The reason? Outside the tent, a veritable army of Tiger and Leopard Riders—Cao Cao's elite special forces—stood guard.
Tiger and Leopard Riders: Stats
Strength: 25
Constitution: 25
Agility: 15
Spirit: 15
Skills:
Tiger-Leopard Armor (B)
Fierce Tiger Strike (C)
Long Spear Charge (C)
Even these supposed "elites" weren't ordinary enemies—they were essentially small bosses, each boasting terrifying power and discipline.
Qin Ming silently marveled at the sheer strength of this force.
Xiahou Dun broke the tense silence, his low voice cutting through the air.
"So, you're saying you ca from General Li Dian?"
The injured ssenger nodded hurriedly, retrieving a letter from his sleeve with his good arm.
"Yes, General Xiahou! General Li Dian asked to deliver this ssage to you. He warns that the enemy is likely planning sothing big and advises against rash action. He says the enemy's supply lines are severed, and they won't last long!"
Xiahou Dun glanced at the Zhao brothers, and the eldest among them, Zhao Ming, stepped forward to accept the letter.
As Xiahou Dun read its contents, a sardonic smile tugged at his lips.
"Li Dian thinks I'm the type to rush in recklessly, does he? What do you think of that?"
The ssenger stamred but wisely chose not to respond.
Xiahou Dun waved him off.
"Go. Zhao Chu, give him a hundred taels of silver for his trouble. Let's not have him say we don't value our n."
The grateful ssenger bowed and left, the tension in the tent montarily lifting.
After a mont of quiet, Xiahou Dun turned his attention to Qin Ming and Ghost Lady.
"I hear you two encountered Wei Yan and even managed to fight him off?"
"Yes, General!" Qin Ming replied, stepping forward with a sharp salute.
"Impressive. But tell this—why did you knock that ssenger off his horse when he was fleeing for his life?"
Qin Ming's voice was steady as he replied, "Because I didn't know who he was."
"He was wearing our uniform, wasn't he?"
"General, if anyone can wear the uniform and claim allegiance, what's to stop from donning Shu armor and saying I'm one of Liu Bei's n? Until I confirm soone's identity, I'll block anyone from entering the gates."
Xiahou Dun set down the fire poker he had been tending coals with, his single eye narrowing as he stepped closer to Qin Ming.
"So if I were the one being chased, you'd block too?"
"If I couldn't confirm your identity from a distance? Yes."
A fiery glow lit up the tent as Xiahou Dun grabbed the red-hot poker and thrust it toward Qin Ming's face.
The searing heat ca dangerously close to his eyes, but Qin Ming didn't flinch.
"Why don't you dodge?" Xiahou Dun asked, his voice icy.
Qin Ming hesitated briefly, then removed his sunglasses, eting Xiahou Dun's gaze head-on.
"Because I wasn't expecting it."
"And now?"
"Because I'm not afraid!"
The fire poker hovered re inches from his face.
"Not afraid? Why?"
Qin Ming wanted to explain that the silver-grade sunglasses he wore would easily deflect the poker and that his nearly impenetrable defense made him immune to such attacks. But considering the imposing Xiahou Dun and the Zhao brothers glaring at him, he opted for a different response.
"Because I'm not afraid, General. That's just how I am."
For a mont, the tent was silent. Then, Xiahou Dun suddenly laughed.
"Good answer! No wonder you had the guts to chase after Wei Yan. You've got real backbone!"
Tossing the poker back into the coals, Xiahou Dun clapped Qin Ming on the shoulder.
"That's the kind of nerve I like to see in my soldiers. Tell your na!"
"Hyena. Qin Hyena."
"What sort of na is that?" Xiahou Dun muttered before shaking his head. "No matter. From this day forward, you're a centurion. I expect you to serve well."
The sound of the Nightmare Space notification chid in Qin Ming's ears.
To his surprise, the system inford him that he had now joined the Wei Army—on top of already being aligned with the Shu forces.
For a brief mont, Qin Ming stood frozen.
Dual allegiances? Was this even possible?
His mind whirled with the implications. As a mber of both factions, he had access to double the resources, information, and opportunities.
More importantly, this unexpected developnt presented a new angle to outwit the formidable Xiahou Dun and secure the blue-grade title quest.
(End of Chapter)
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