It's all your fault!

When Cao Mao learned the identity of the man before him, he fell into a slight daze.

In another timeline, this was the man who had killed him with a single spear thrust.

Afterward, Sima Zhao had ruthlessly abandoned him and ordered the extermination of his entire clan.

He and his elder brother had refused to admit guilt, stripped naked, climbed onto a rooftop, and cursed Sima Zhao until the armored guards shot them dead.

Cao Mao studied the fellow before him.

His looks were unremarkable, and he was not particularly tall. Even among these cavalrymen, he was far from the most robust.

But his eyes were full of arrogance, and his swaggering manner was thoroughly unpleasant.

The cavalrymen around him did not think much of him either.

They all believed Cheng Ji had secured such an important position only through his elder brother's connections.

His elder brother was exceptionally capable. Rising from the ranks, he had won the appreciation and patronage of Shi Bao, the General Who Rouses Martial Might, then caught Sima Zhao's attention. His career had soared, and his prospects were boundless.

Compared with his elder brother, Cheng Ji was simply too ordinary.

He probably knew what others said about him. He kept his distance from everyone and devoted himself to pleasing his superiors, throwing himself eagerly into every task. His desire to rise above the crowd was plain to see.

Yet, for some reason, Cao Mao felt neither hatred nor apprehension toward the man before him.

On the contrary, Cao Mao suddenly felt that this fellow was someone he could put to use.

Killing an emperor in the street was something no one but the most reckless of brutes would dare attempt.

Plenty of people dared to kill an emperor, but they usually used poison, or, failing that, strangled him. Such things had to be done in secret. If you killed an emperor in the street, whether you succeeded or not, three branches of your family could thank you in advance for your great kindness.

Yet sometimes, a brute like this could prove immensely useful.

Would someone who dared to murder his sovereign in the street also dare to murder the Grand General there?

But as he was now, Cao Mao had nothing with which to win people over or recruit them.

The only people he could draw to his side were merchants and Wanderers-the "lowborn rabble" those at the top despised.

Compared with the Sima Family, he had nothing to offer.

Even if he became emperor, the rewards he could promise would probably fall short of what the Sima Family could provide.

Still, Cao Mao possessed a surging drive and youthful vigor.

He had a stubborn streak that would not turn back even after smashing straight through the wall in his path. He paid these difficulties no heed. Even with only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he was willing to try.

If he acted, he might fail. If he did nothing, failure was certain.

"So you are Master Cheng. What a mighty warrior!"

"I have always loved martial arts. Seeing your extraordinary skill, and since there is nothing else at hand, might I ask you to give me a lesson?"

Cheng Ji shook his head, his expression decidedly cold.

"I would not dare raise a hand against Your Majesty."

"With your skill, surely you can control every blow at will. How could you hurt me? Please do not turn me away. We would merely be exchanging a few moves in private..."

Whatever Cheng Ji said, he could not shake off this sticky piece of candy. Left with no choice, he agreed.

Cao Mao brought out the wooden staffs he normally used for sparring, while several cavalrymen looked over curiously.

The two readied themselves and attacked at the same time.

Cheng Ji's attack was crisp and decisive. A powerful, heavy blow came cleaving straight down toward Cao Mao's face, far faster than Cao Mao's own strike. Cao Mao held his staff horizontally to block it and was driven back several steps.

At that moment, Cao Mao gained an initial understanding of Cheng Ji's strength.

This fellow's martial skill is not bad at all. My Wanderers would be no match for him!

He is far stronger than me, and fast, too. As I am now, I cannot beat him. I can barely exchange a few moves with him, but if this drags on, I am certain to lose.

Just as Cao Mao worked this out, Cheng Ji attacked again, sweeping his staff toward Cao Mao's legs. Cao Mao's expression changed in alarm. Unable to block in time, he was swept clean off his feet.

Cheng Ji withdrew his staff, looking slightly pleased with himself. "Are you unharmed, Your Majesty?"

Cao Mao hurried to his feet and clapped. "General, your prowess is incredible! Your valor is unmatched! Even the Hegemon-King of old could have done no better!"

Hearing this, Cheng Ji smiled as well. "Your Majesty flatters me."

"I have always loved martial arts and practiced often. I thought myself accomplished and took great pride in it. Only after meeting you today, General, did I realize how ashamed I should be..."

"General, could you offer me a little instruction?"

Cheng Ji was in excellent spirits now, so he said, "Your Majesty is agile, but your strikes are slow and lack economy. Martial arts are the art of killing. Whoever lands the first blow wins. Your techniques resemble those used by Wanderers in the streets and are unsuited to mortal combat. Take your attacks, for example..."

Cao Mao had only asked casually. He had not expected Cheng Ji to genuinely know a thing or two.

According to him, Cao Mao's attacks contained many unnecessary little movements. They were neither simple nor direct enough.

Cao Mao earnestly committed his advice to memory, then practiced several thrusts and chopping strikes as instructed.

Cheng Ji nodded in approval. "That is exactly right."

Cao Mao was overjoyed. "General, you are truly gifted! How can such a fierce warrior serve as a mere Cavalry Commander? You deserve to command an army! I shall personally recommend you to the Grand General!"

Only then did Cheng Ji regain his composure, his expression turning cold again. "There is no need to trouble yourself, Your Majesty."

"Hahaha, there is no need to worry. I shall still be seeking your guidance in the days ahead. General, your future is surely boundless!"

Cao Mao then made Cheng Ji his principal target for winning over.

During this period, Cao Mao's martial skills also improved considerably under Cheng Ji's guidance.

Wang Su had failed to capture the culprits, but the citywide lockdown continued, and the cavalrymen no longer allowed Cao Mao to leave.

Fortunately, Sima Yan still came to visit Cao Mao from time to time.

He really did bring ingredients and a cook to treat Cao Mao to a meal.

Cao Mao remained as enthusiastic as ever, even demonstrating his considerably improved martial skills before Sima Yan.

He then had Cheng Ji summoned and told Sima Yan, "I have been learning from this man these past days. His valor is unmatched, and he has the makings of a formidable general. Anshi, after you return, you could recommend him to the Grand General. Having such a fierce warrior serve as a mere Cavalry Commander is truly a waste of talent!"

Cao Mao added, "But please do not tell the Grand General that I recommended him to you. Otherwise, the Grand General might mistakenly believe Master Cheng earned the recommendation by flattering me."

"With your recommendation, no worthy man need remain overlooked in the wilderness."

Cheng Ji was somewhat bewildered.

He had thought the other man merely wanted to win him over, or sow discord between him and his superiors.

But looking at him now, why did it seem as though he truly had Cheng Ji's interests at heart?

Sima Yan was equally doubtful and bewildered.

You know the Grand General is my uncle, don't you? What makes you think I would help you conceal anything from him?

The way you put it, you would think the two of us were the real family!

"Cao Mao!!!"

Just then, a furious roar suddenly erupted outside, and the noise of shouting and cursing carried into the room.

Cheng Ji instinctively drew his sword and stepped in front of the two men.

Soon, a cavalryman hurried inside and looked at Sima Yan.

"Young master, Guo Jian, the General Who Guards and Protects, has brought men to force his way into the residence. We have stopped them outside the gate!"

Sima Yan was stunned.

"Why would he do that?"

Cao Mao looked just as curious. "If my uncle wishes to come inside, why would he need to force his way in?"

"Anshi! Let us go and see!"

When the two walked out through the gate, the two groups were facing off. Guo Jian's eyes were bloodshot, his face filled with fury. He held a sharp sword pointed at the cavalrymen before him, looking violently agitated.

Seeing Cao Mao emerge, he immediately threw back his head and shouted, "Cao Mao! You caused my elder brother's death! I will never spare you!"

At these words, Cao Mao's heart sank, but he asked with a bewildered expression, "What happened? Uncle, why would you say such a thing?"

"It is all your fault! If not for you, how could my elder brother have been killed?!"

"I am going to kill you!!!"

"Eldest Maternal Uncle is dead?!"

Cao Mao's eyes widened, filled with shock-or perhaps grief-and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

"How could this happen? Who would dare kill my Eldest Maternal Uncle?!"

"Who was it?!"

"It was you! You wanted to clear Xiahou Xuan's name! My elder brother was implicated and killed unjustly. It is all your fault!"

Guo Jian was almost mad with rage.

Cao Mao's eyes filled with despair.

"My Eldest Maternal Uncle actually died because of me... How can I still have the face to cling to life in this world?"

He abruptly drew his sword. "Anshi! I shall go on ahead!"

Sima Yan felt his hair stand on end. He cried out, while Cheng Ji reacted swiftly and hurriedly seized Cao Mao in his arms. Cao Mao struggled without cease.

Sima Yan glared furiously at Guo Jian, who had nearly driven Cao Mao to his death, and shouted, "You dog of a villain! What do you think you are doing?!"

"The Duke of the Village has not even set foot outside his residence. How could he have killed your elder brother?!"

"Go after whoever did it! Why are you laying the blame on the Duke of the Village?!"

"If your elder brother died over Lord Xiahou's case, then he died a worthy death! Are you determined to ruin even his posthumous reputation?!"

Guo Jian stared fiercely at Sima Yan before him. His hands began to tremble, and the sword slipped from his grasp.

Then he broke down, dropped to his knees, covered his head, and wept bitterly.

If he truly had the courage to seek revenge on the real killer, why would he have come here?