Chapter Twenty-Six: The Supreme Master

"You... you are truly ruthless, not content with besting your opponent but also injuring his body!" As Chen Rong came to his senses, he immediately pointed at Cao Hong and launched his accusation.

Cao Hong responded with a cold laugh, his entire being exuding a powerful aura. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, fixed on Chen Rong with a frosty smile. "Blades and swords know no mercy—how could I control their course? If not for Qingmang's insistence on this bout, would things have come to this?"

Speechless before Cao Hong's retort, Chen Rong could only fume in silence. Indeed, Shi A had brought this upon himself; there was no one else to blame. Shi A pressed his left hand against his right palm, where his severed finger had already ceased bleeding. He spared not even a glance at the finger lying on the ground, but instead stared intently at Cao Hong and asked, "Just now, we crossed swords for several exchanges, yet you only used three techniques. What are their names?"

With a slight smile, Cao Hong answered, "These three moves are called: Rings Encircling the Moon, Storm of Flying Blades, and Xiang River Sword Rain."

Shi A repeated the three names to himself, then suddenly dropped to his knees with a resounding thud and bowed deeply to Cao Hong. "A defeated man like me has no claim to courage. Yet your swordsmanship is truly a peerless art. If I, Shi Qingmang, could be so fortunate as to learn these techniques, I would have no regrets even in death! To master these three moves, I am willing to serve as your slave for thirty years—a decade for each technique!"

At these words, Zhang Miao and the three friends all turned pale. Shi A was their honored guest, yet now, for the sake of a few sword moves, he was willing to change his allegiance. This was truly a double loss.

Cao Hong looked toward Cao Cao, who responded with a gentle nod and a smile. Cao Hong understood at once; he needed skilled men at his side. At present, only Liao Hua was of any worth—none of the others merited mention. Though Shi A had lost the thumb of his right hand and could no longer wield a sword with it, his left-hand swordplay was still superior to Liao Hua's, given his deep foundation. Moreover, the swordsmanship Cao Hong had just displayed, though ingenious, was but the tip of the iceberg compared to all that Shi A knew. So he readily lifted Shi A from the ground and said, "Qingmang, your sword skills are superb. From now on, let us frequently exchange techniques."

Delighted by this, Shi A picked up his Qingmang Sword, sheathed it, and instead of returning to his seat, took up his place behind Cao Hong as a bodyguard.

Afterward, Zhang Miao and his three friends lost all interest in the banquet. After a few words of courtesy, Cao Cao declared the gathering over. To show his respect, Zhang Miao offered one of his finest guest houses for Cao Cao's use. Shi A, who had been staying with Zhang Miao, now packed his things and joined Cao Cao's entourage, much to Zhang Miao and his friends' dismay.

Upon returning to the guest house, Cao Cao immediately summoned Cao Hong to his room and laughed heartily. "Zilian, you did well today! You truly allowed your elder brother to vent his frustrations! Ha! Those like Zang Hong and Chen Rong wanted to see me shamed, but now, even Shi A has joined you. Let's see what tricks they have left!"

Cao Hong, ever the consummate mercenary, adept at dealing with employers, replied at once, "Shi A has aligned himself with you, elder brother, not with me."

Cao Cao waved his hand. "You are mistaken, my good brother. If not for you, with my current reputation, how could I recruit such a master? Yet after the upcoming battle with Dong Zhuo, that may all change!"

He paused, then continued, "Zilian, your swordsmanship is truly exquisite! I have three sons and three daughters—the daughters aside, my second and third sons are still young, but my eldest, Cao Ang, is already thirteen. He has practiced the family style, the Wenyi Thirteen Forms, with some proficiency. I have long wanted him to learn from a worthy teacher. With your skill, and as a member of the Cao clan, you would be the ideal instructor!"

Cao Hong's heart leaped—was he to become the heir's master? It seemed Cao Cao valued him highly. Since arriving in Chenliu and then Xiangyi, Cao Hong had only met Cao Cao's wife, Lady Ding; he had not yet seen any of the concubines or children. Now that Cao Cao wished him to teach Cao Ang martial arts, it was clear he was regarded with favor.

He replied, "My abilities are limited—I'm afraid I might not do your son justice."

Cao Cao laughed. "Yuanrang, though Miaocai's martial skills are exceptional, he does not have a capable closed-door disciple as a wife! Zilian, do not refuse!" Clearly, Cao Cao assumed Cao Hong had learned his arts from his wife.

Cao Hong had merely feigned humility. With Cao Cao's insistence, he agreed. After settling the matter, Cao Cao mused for a moment and said, "I sense that Mengzhuo has little heart for the Laba Festival now. He invited me here, but we must not neglect propriety. Tomorrow evening, after the banquet, we'll leave at once. The day to raise our banners draws near—we must make our preparations."

Cao Hong nodded his assent, then took his leave and returned to his room for the night. The next morning, while Cao Cao was still abed with several lovely maids, Cao Hong gathered Shi A, Shi Huan, and Liao Hua and went to the largest tavern in Chenliu County to welcome Shi A to their ranks. The tavern was famed for its fragrant brews, and its owner, a member of Zhang Miao's clan, had chosen a most cultured name for his establishment.

The tavern was bustling, every seat filled. As the four entered and found no space, Cao Hong was about to suggest they leave and find another place when a booming voice rang out, "Isn't that Brother Shi?"

Cao Hong turned to see a burly man, his face covered with a thick beard, sitting alone at a table with six large wine jars. He looked to be just over thirty, with two short halberds, each over a meter long, strapped to his back, and a ring of thirty-centimeter daggers at his waist. He stood well over seven feet tall, his fingers thick, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, his temples bulging, his forehead broad—he looked every inch a wild beast.

This man's cultivation was unfathomable, surpassing even the likes of Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan, nearly reaching the pinnacle of martial mastery. Even at his own peak, Cao Hong would only have been slightly superior. Since arriving in this era, Cao Hong had not met anyone with higher cultivation—this man was as close to the summit of martial arts as could be found.

Shi A smiled at the burly man and said to Cao Hong, "Young master, this is Dian Wei, bodyguard to Sima Zhao Chong under Prefect Zhang. He is not well used due to his odd temper, but his skills are formidable—on par with mine."

Dian Wei? No wonder his cultivation was so profound. He would later become Cao Cao's mightiest warrior, only to perish protecting him. Cao Hong smiled faintly and led the four over to Dian Wei. He was well aware that Dian Wei was still concealing the true extent of his power; otherwise, even at his best, Shi A would not be his equal.

Seeing them approach, Dian Wei stood up. Only then did he realize that Shi A was standing behind Cao Hong, and he froze for a moment, wondering why Shi A, who had been Prefect Zhang's honored guest, was now following this unfamiliar young man.

Sensing Dian Wei's confusion, Shi A laughed. "Brother Dian, I am now in service to Young Master Cao."

"Young Master Cao?" Dian Wei stroked his beard and smacked his forehead. "Ah! So you're the hero who wrote that proclamation! Brother Shi, that's not fair—how could you keep such a good opportunity from your elder brother?"

Cao Hong could only laugh wryly—so this fellow had mistaken him for Cao Cao...