Chapter 149: Snatching Zhen Mi Away, Cao Peng Returns

As Cao Peng was drawing near to the place where the main army was encamped, a sequence of synthesized electronic voices echoed clearly within his mind.

"Congratulations to the host for successfully intercepting Zhen Mi. Reward acquired: Gunpowder Formula."

This reward instantly invigorated Cao Peng's spirit.

For the impending battles, this item would undoubtedly prove to be a devastating divine weapon.

Observing the beaming smile on Cao Peng's face, Zhen Mi asked with a perplexed expression, "General, have you thought of something joyous?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Peng reached out, grasped Zhen Mi's delicate, snow-white hand, and replied, "I was just thinking that to have a beauty accompany me through life, this lifetime is already complete."

Her face flushing with shyness at his words, Zhen Mi leaned her burning cheeks against Cao Peng's back.

...

In Guandu, within the central military tent where Cao Cao's forces were garrisoned.

Having arrived at the front lines in person once again, Cao Cao stared at the latest confidential report in his hand, his brows tightly furrowed.

Below his commander's desk, the civil and military officials stood divided into their respective rows.

"That reckless brat! To dare march deep into enemy territory with a mere five hundred men—does he simply hold his life of no consequence?!"

He had originally come to the front lines himself precisely because he was uneasy about the war situation, yet no sooner had he arrived than Cao Peng presented him with such a massive "surprise."

Guo Jia also wore a wry smile. He had previously thought Cao Peng was daring enough, but he never expected this fellow could be even more audacious.

This piece of intelligence had been dispatched by the Brocade Guard several days prior.

Counting the days, Cao Peng had surely clashed with Yuan's forces countless times by now!

"Let us hope he does not ruin the grand enterprise..." Cao Cao sighed.

Cao Peng was currently the most brilliant rising star under his command.

Cao Cao desperately hoped he would not throw away his life so foolishly over such an irrational maneuver; that would be an absolute tragedy.

Should Cao Peng lose his life, it would deal a devastating blow to the currently favorable strategic situation.

The morale of the soldiers alone would likely plummet by more than half.

Neither Cao Cao nor anyone else could fathom how Cao Peng expected to fight his way out of an army of over one hundred thousand Yuan soldiers with a mere five hundred men.

Cao Ren stepped forward and said, "Lord, why don't we dispatch troops to assist him?"

"Dispatch troops? Why? Were my previous words not clear enough? The timing is simply not right," Guo Jia countered.

However, Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "Cao Ren, tell us then, why do you suggest sending out troops?"

Cao Ren replied, "If the young general truly possesses the valor of the heavenly gods, our troops can link up with and reinforce him. If General Cao Peng is unfortunately slain, our dispatch will allow us to naturally avenge him."

Cao Cao tapped his fingers lightly against the table, his expression hesitant and undecided.

"Very well. All generals, return to your units, whip the troops into shape, and prepare to march out upon the coming day!"

Before Cao Cao's voice had even faded, a shout rang out from outside the tent.

"Reporting to the Prime Minister! General Cao Peng has returned at the head of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry!"

The civil and military officials inside the tent were shaken, an uproar erupting among the crowd.

"What?!"

Even Cao Cao, who was usually unflappable, blurted out in sheer shock.

Yet the doubts they held quickly dissipated shortly thereafter, for Cao Peng had strode into the tent followed by Zhao Yun and Guan Guanyu.

Cao Cao stepped forward and asked, "Anmin, did you sustain any injuries on this campaign?"

"Hahaha..."

Cao Peng laughed. "Uncle worries too much. They were merely a couple of petty thieves, already thoroughly manipulated in the palm of my hand."

Cao Ren's complexion turned the ugliest shade of all.

No matter how he racked his brain, he could not comprehend how Cao Peng could be so formidable. With a mere five hundred men, he had made a round trip deep into Jizhou's heartland and returned completely unscathed.

"Then what spoils did General Cao Peng bring back from this campaign?" Cao Ren asked, still somewhat unconvinced.

Unexpectedly, Cao Peng replied, "The harvest this time wasn't particularly large. I merely cut a path into Jizhou, thoroughly humiliated Yuan Tan, and then made Yuan Shang and him enemies once again."

Hearing Cao Peng speak with such modesty, Guan Yu—standing nearby—spoke up, "The General is being too modest. Along this entire journey, we have slain countless enemy generals..."

Zhao Yun also chimed in, "The General even mapped out a detailed military distribution chart of Jizhou as our intelligence harvest this time."

These tidings left even Cao Cao utterly astounded.

The tent descended into yet another wave of uproar.

In truth, even discounting these achievements, the mere feat of leading five hundred men deep into the heart of Jizhou and returning completely whole was a feat worthy of utmost pride.

Once this news spread, Yuan's forces would undoubtedly lose even more of their fighting spirit and will to resist.

At this moment, standing beside Cao Cao, Xun Yu—who was normally impervious to shock—saw a brilliant, shifting light ignite within his eyes.

"This young man's future is truly boundless..."

"Anmin, bring the map forward so that I and the heavy sword may examine it and better plan our next course of action."

Cao Peng smiled and presented the map. Since Cao Cao had already arrived at the front lines in person, he naturally had no reason to continue monopolizing the supreme command.

Yet upon examining this marching map, a roar of laughter from Cao Cao resounded through the tent.

"Anmin, you have truly given us a colossal surprise! You have rendered a monumental service this time!"

Observing the ecstatic Cao Cao, Cao Peng smiled without a word. Out of the corner of his eye, he could already see several figures beside Cao Cao whose expressions bore deep envy and resentment.

For instance, Xu You and Cao Ren.

Xu You had long harbored a grudge against him for stealing the glory of Wuchao, while Cao Ren had consistently treated him as an imaginary rival.

Ah yes, there was also the Xiahou clan; Cao Peng noticed they wore the exact same expression.

Did these fellows genuinely mistake him for someone without a temper, someone they could bully and manipulate at will?

Just wait!

Cao Peng coldly vowed in his heart.

"It seems Anmin's mastery of warfare is truly unprecedented, unmatched by any before or since. Even the legendary Military Sage himself would fall vastly short of your achievements!"

"We were all too shortsighted before, completely blind to your terrifying prowess."

While showering Cao Peng with praise, Cao Cao implicitly disparaged everyone else present.

A wave of shame washed over the faces of the assembled generals and strategists.

It seemed they had indeed misjudged Cao Peng before.

"Not at all, not at all. Everything is thanks to Uncle's teachings, which allowed me to achieve what I have today," Cao Peng said modestly.

These words greatly pleased Cao Cao.

Sensing that certain individuals were deeply uncomfortable, Xu You inwardly cursed him for being utterly shameless.

"Well then! General Cao Peng has rendered such monumental service, surely he deserves generous rewards!" Guo Jia suggested.

"Quite right. Come, everyone help me consider what titles and awards are fitting, and I shall immediately memorialize the Emperor."

Yet Cao Peng smiled and said, "There is no need for you all to trouble yourselves on my account. I have no use for such empty honors. However, for my brothers who fought through life and death under my command, I ask the Lord to bestow upon them proper rewards. Furthermore, as for the dozen or so brothers who perished in battle, their families must be granted the finest care and preferential treatment."

"Anmin is a true hero indeed." These words came from Xu Chu.

This simple-minded warrior merely relied on his own straightforward perception to evaluate Cao Peng's actions this time.

Cao Peng smiled and said, "Zhongkang, you flatter me. Matters of rewards can wait; the next war is about to begin immediately."