Before long, the two boarded a small boat and headed through the night toward the Cao Army on the opposite bank.
At the Han Army's camp, atop the watchtower.
Zhuge Liang and Lü Bu watched their every move, watching the torchlight gradually recede.
"Wasn't Xu Huang the only one we were letting go back? Why did he go along too?"
"Could he really be planning to defect to the Cao Thief?"
Lü Bu sounded doubtful and alarmed. They had agreed to let only Xu Huang return; no one had said anything about letting Lu Su go with him.
Had the fellow turned their playacting into reality?
Zhuge Liang shook his head. "If Lu Zijing were that sort of man, why would His Majesty trust and value him so highly?"
"Presumably, Xu Huang demanded it. To win his trust, he had no choice but to return with him."
"But that puts him in danger."
With Lu Su accompanying Xu Huang to the Cao Camp in person, Cao Cao might well keep him there. Even if they defeated Cao Cao, Lu Su would have little chance of surviving.
"What do we do, then?"
Lü Bu was somewhat dumbfounded after hearing this.
Zhuge Liang sighed deeply. "Only Heaven knows."
The Cao Army's camp.
Although it was late into the night, Cao Cao had not gone to sleep-or, more precisely, could not sleep. He stood on the deck, gazing at the Han Army across the river.
"My lord, the night is bitterly cold. Put on another layer."
Xu Chu approached with an outer robe.
Cao Cao waved to indicate that he did not need it, then sighed and asked, "Xu Chu, do you think we can win this battle?"
"Of course!"
Xu Chu answered without even thinking, not hesitating in the slightest.