Chapter One Hundred Forty-Four: Ma Chao Victorious

Outside the main camp of Liu Yao, on a stretch of open ground, Ma Chao and Ji Ling faced each other on horseback.

At that moment, the assembled lords, drawn by the commotion, all hurried over, some looking on in surprise at the scene before them.

“General, what is the meaning of this? Why has Yuan Shu’s man come into conflict with yours?” Cao Cao asked with some astonishment. Though Liu Yao had not allied with the coalition, he was still a significant force; such internal strife would surely dampen the army’s morale.

“It’s nothing much,” Liu Yao replied casually. “Yuan Gonglu controls the coalition’s provisions. I reckon he’s been lining his pockets and, having nothing better to do, decided to stir trouble with me for amusement.”

“Ah...” Cao Cao was momentarily stunned by Liu Yao’s words but quickly recovered, his face darkening with anger at Yuan Shu. It was clear that Yuan Shu, bored and overfed, had caused all this trouble.

Yuan Shu, upon hearing Liu Yao’s remark, was furious. He glared fiercely and retorted, “Hmph! Should your men lose, General, remember your own words.”

Liu Yao paid him no mind. Instead, his eyes settled on a towering figure standing behind Cao Cao—over eight feet tall, with an ugly visage, carrying two short halberds on his back. Seeing this man brought a name to Liu Yao’s mind.

“Mengde, who is this warrior standing behind you?” Liu Yao inquired.

Cao Cao was taken aback, puzzled at Liu Yao’s curiosity about one of his guards, but he explained, “This is a soldier I recently discovered under Zhang Miao’s command. His strength is extraordinary; he single-handedly lifted the Yamen banner, so I took him into my service as a guard. Dian Wei, pay your respects to the great lord.”

“Dian Wei pays respects to the General,” the man said stiffly, mimicking Cao Cao’s tone.

Hearing the name Dian Wei, Liu Yao’s heart trembled slightly, and he sighed. Years ago, when he had passed through Chenliu, he had failed to find Dian Wei. Now, at the Luoyang coalition meeting, they had once again missed crossing paths, and Cao Cao had instead brought him into his ranks.

“Mengde, do not underestimate this man. I believe he is not only tremendously strong but also a peerless warrior,” Liu Yao praised. Among the greats, Lu Bu, Zhao Yun, and Dian Wei were ranked first to third. Though Dian Wei was beneath Lu Bu and Zhao Yun on horseback, in foot combat, Lu Bu would be no match for him. Zhao Yun’s prowess on foot was less certain.

Cao Cao was stirred by this praise, casting a surprised glance at Dian Wei and valuing him even more. Liu Yao’s judgment was renowned, as was evident from the caliber of his generals.

Meanwhile, Ma Chao and Ji Ling had already begun their duel.

“You child, I am Ji Ling, a general under the Rear General Yuan Shu. This battlefield is no place for you. Better go home and drink your milk,” Ji Ling sneered at Ma Chao. Ma Chao was barely sixteen, even younger than Liu Yao.

Infuriated, Ma Chao quickly mastered his anger, tempered by years of training under Zhao Yun. Knowing words were futile against Ji Ling, he resolved to defeat him outright. Coldly, he said, “I am Ma Chao, also known as Ma Mengqi, under the command of the General of Cavalry. Remember this name.”

With that, Ma Chao spurred his horse toward Ji Ling, his tiger-headed golden spear striking like a venomous serpent at Ji Ling’s vital points. Ji Ling responded in kind, wielding his triple-pointed, double-edged blade with fierce energy, parrying Ma Chao’s strikes one by one.

They sparred casually for a few rounds before parting.

Ji Ling was shocked; his hands tingled and grew numb. He no longer underestimated Ma Chao. “I didn’t expect such a young commander under this general to possess such skill. I wonder what he will be like when he matures,” Ji Ling thought.

“Ma Mengqi, I, Ji Ling, will remember your name. I truly didn’t anticipate your prowess,” Ji Ling said solemnly. He respected Ma Chao’s skill, unlike the reckless Yuan Shu.

“You’re not bad yourself, but it won’t be so easy from now on. I’m going all out—don’t expect to survive,” Ma Chao warned. Others measure him an inch, he returns a foot.

Nearby, Yuan Shao exclaimed, “Ma Mengqi has such martial skill? I wonder about his origins.” Knowing his own brother Ji Ling’s abilities—almost on par with generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou—he was astonished that Ma Chao had yet to show his full strength. Yuan Shao, proud of his aristocratic lineage, immediately wondered about Ma Chao’s background when faced with such a fierce warrior.

“Miaocai, Xiaochong, how do you think Ma Chao’s skills compare to yours?” Cao Cao whispered to his kin, Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Chun, while standing with his back to Liu Yao.

“Brother, Ma Mengqi is young, but his skill rivals ours,” Xiahou Yuan admitted with some shame.

Cao Cao was greatly surprised; he had not expected Ma Chao to be so exceptional. Recalling Liu Yao’s praise of Dian Wei, he asked hurriedly, “Dian Wei, how do you compare to Ma Chao?”

Dian Wei scratched his head and replied, “My lord, Ma Chao is no match for me now, but the future is uncertain.”

Cao Cao was delighted. By Dian Wei’s own words, his skill surpassed even what they had just witnessed in Ma Chao. Acquiring Dian Wei was an unexpected boon, and Cao Cao resolved to employ him well upon returning.

The lords watched in amazement, marveling at the many formidable generals under Liu Yao’s command.

Liu Yao himself overheard Cao Cao’s quiet words, which, thanks to his keen hearing, sounded like they were spoken right beside him. He paid them no mind but naturally kept the relationship between Ma Teng and Ma Chao to himself—no one but his men yet knew Ma Teng had defected to him.

Meanwhile, Ma Chao and Ji Ling clashed once more. Ma Chao’s spear strikes grew faster by a third, aiming at Ji Ling’s waist. Ji Ling was startled, his hair standing on end. Unable to match Ma Chao’s speed, he hastily blocked the fatal strike with his triple-pointed blade.

Ma Chao’s speed increased further, and Ji Ling struggled desperately to fend off the relentless spear assaults.

Suddenly, Ma Chao roared, “Storming Pear Blossom Spear!” Before Ji Ling could react, Ma Chao’s spear tip hovered mere centimeters from Ji Ling’s neck. A slight move, and Ji Ling’s life would be forfeit. This spear technique was Ma Chao’s own refinement of Zhao Yun’s “Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix,” combining power and speed. When mastered, it rivaled Zhao Yun’s famed “Seven Probes Snake Coil Spear.”

Seeing Ji Ling defeated, Ma Chao withdrew his spear and said, “Thank you for the match.” Dismounting, he approached Liu Yao. “My lord, I have fulfilled my duty.”

Liu Yao nodded in satisfaction, and Ma Chao took his place behind him.

Ji Ling, humbled, pleaded, “I am unworthy, deserving of death. I beg your forgiveness, my lord.” He accepted his defeat without blame.

Yuan Shu, furious, stammered, “You...” But thinking of Ji Ling as his trusted aide who had saved his life multiple times, he could not bring himself to punish him. Casting a sharp glare at Liu Yao, he snarled, “Let’s go,” flinging off his cloak in anger and storming out of Liu Yao’s camp.

Liu Yao made no reply, seeing no need to argue with such a clown. He turned and returned to his tent.

The lords, having witnessed this spectacle, laughed and bantered as they departed, their respect for Liu Yao’s strength deepened.