Mythical Three Kingdoms

Sunx Quan shot an annoyed glance at Sunx Ce, thinking to himself that he must make Zhou Tai his escort if given the chance. Sunx Ce really displeased him.

"I'll take a look. You guys be careful," Sunx Ce leaped into the large pit, and after a burst of crackling sounds, Sunx Ce's hair stood on end. "There's actually lightning on his body. Could he really have dealt with Yu Ji just now?"

Sunx Ce placed his hand on Ma Chao's body, triggering another burst of crackling electric sparks. This time, even Sunx Ce felt a slight sting. However, these lightning bolts were like rootless trees; after sparking for a while, they vanished.

"He seems to be about my age." Sunx Ce mused, stroking his chin, as he reached out to hoist Ma Chao up. As for Lifeisha, he could tell it was an extraordinary horse, but Sunx Ce felt no greed for it.

After Sunx Ce carried Ma Chao out, Zhou Yu looked on with curiosity. He had seen the fierce lightning earlier, and after the lightning struck, this figure fell. It seemed highly likely he was struck by lightning, but the fact that he survived a lightning bolt strong enough to instantly kill Yu Ji was surprising.

[An Inner Qi Manifestation expert, might even be stronger than Bofu.] Zhou Yu instantly guessed Ma Chao's prowess.

"Gongjin, shall we wait here for now, or...?" Sunx Ce reached out playfully to Ma Chao's hair, enjoying the static effect. Zhou Yu, unable to bear it, slapped his hand.

"Summon the troops. As for this gentleman, at least he's helped us slay the hero Yu Ji. He seems badly wounded; we should take him back and let Dr. Zhang treat him," Zhou Yu stated calmly, ready to win Ma Chao over with gratitude, though he didn't know who Ma Chao was.

As Zhou Yu was speaking, Hann Dang arrived with nearly a thousand men. Although Zhou Yu hadn't explicitly explained the situation, Hann Dang's instincts as an old general told him that whatever made Zhou Yu cautious must be significant. Naturally, he had been preparing ever since Zhou Yu entered the Jingbei defense zone.

"Lord, Gongjin, Zhongmou, are you alright?" Hann Dang saluted with a fist, glanced at Sunx Ce and Zhou Yu to ensure there were no issues, then spoke.

"Thanks to Youping's valiant efforts, we narrowly escaped disaster. Please prepare vehicles to take us to Xiangyang for a rest," Sunx Ce gazed at Zhou Yu, showing respect for the old general left by his father.

"Youping suffered such severe injuries," Hann Dang clicked his tongue at Zhou Tai, who lay on the ground with scabbed wounds. However, he wasn't worried; Zhou Tai was breathing, and it seemed to him like mere superficial wounds.

"The adversary was strong, but now things are resolved. Strengthen patrols in the fields outside the city and prepare to build official roads to avoid such occurrences again," Zhou Yu indicated to Hann Dang to drop the subject; he would explain later, now wasn't the time.

Hann Dang clearly understood Zhou Yu's signal and didn't ask further. He ordered vehicles prepared for quick evacuation. Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao had many questions, but in the haste, didn't know how to ask.

When Zhou Yu led Little Qiao away, Sunx Ce stopped Da Qiao, and many words melted away in the tender scene between Zhou Yu and Sunx Ce.

Days later, amid a faint humming sound, Ma Chao slowly opened his eyes, immediately hearing the maid's exclamation beside him, "Young Master, you're awake."

Ma Chao slowly turned his head, observing the scenery outside the door. Blue brick floors, Falling Red Path, small stone steps, intricately carved overhangs and Moon Gates, portraying a Southern elegance completely different from the rugged, harsh land of Northern Xiliang.

Turning his gaze inside, he saw an ancient guqin hanging on the east wall, a copper burner on the stand emitting a slight fragrance, next to which a vine had grown over a man's height, coiling around the stand, while the pot's soil was covered with a layer of plush moss, looking lush.

The west wall featured two pieces of calligraphy and paintings, one a forceful script, the other a simple ink-and-wash bird and flower painting, indicating the home he was in was certainly noble, elegant, yet discreetly revealing strands of wealth.

At that moment, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were preparing to leave. Hearing the maid's call, they exchanged a glance, then holding hands, appeared before Ma Chao.

"Thank you, ladies, for saving my life," Ma Chao was momentarily stunned upon seeing Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, instantly realizing these two weren't maids. He rose with humility.

At this moment, Ma Chao even lowered his voice a little, for people are instinctively attracted to beauty, let alone to Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, who were famously stunning beauties.

"No need for such formalities, you saved my husband and brother-in-law's lives with your last strike," Da Qiao gently curtsied, gracefully patient.

"I also thank you~" Xiao Qiao chimed in, her personality slightly different from Da Qiao, showcasing a lively girlishness.

"..." Ma Chao instantly felt a pang in his heart, realizing his unstarted romance had ended. Yet he grew more respectful, having been made aware they were married, he dared not be imprudent.

"May I know your name?" Da Qiao queried, rising from her curtsy, seeing Ma Chao's increasingly respectful demeanor. Da Qiao felt calmer, not wanting her husband's followers to be lecherous.

"Ma Chao, Ma Mengqi," Ma Chao simply replied. He was not yet the famous Divine Might General; with Jingzhou so far from Xiliang, he supposed few would know his name.

"Is this Xiliang's Ma Mengqi after General Fubo?" Xiao Qiao, usually clinging to Zhou Yu, knew of Ma Chao's name, having heard her husband mention it.

"Lady, you know my name?" Ma Chao was surprised, looking at Xiao Qiao. In this era where travel was challenging, few people would recognize someone beyond ten miles, and a hundred miles was considered noted, with Xiliang over a thousand miles away.

"I've heard my husband mention the general's name as the youngest top-tier expert in the land," Xiao Qiao continued, her eyes unmistakably pure, devoid of any deceit…

Ma Chao was naturally pleased, but laughed, saying, "I'm unworthy, unworthy. The land is full of experts; I'm just a minor figure, unworthy of such praise."

The urge to impress in front of beauties seems to be inherent in all men, differing only by the beauty's allure. Both Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were bewitching, and Ma Chao had no defenses, quickly coaxed by Xiao Qiao to reveal his thoughts. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)