634. Ma Chao Arrive At Xiapi

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While warlords debated and strategized, a young warrior was making his way toward Xiapi. Ma Chao, heir of the Ma family, had disguised himself and a small entourage as commoners, slipping through Hulao Gate unnoticed by Cao Cao's guards.

Traveling alongside merchant caravans, he moved cautiously, ensuring that no Imperial agents detected his movements. He had made his decision.

The news of Lie Fan's growing influence had reached him through traders and travelers. The fact that great scholars had pledged themselves to Xiapi spoke volumes about the kind of ruler Lie Fan was. To Ma Chao, this was an opportunity.

His family had been ostracized by Cao Cao and treated differently even though they had pledged their allegiance, and their treatment was far inferior compared to Han Sui. From the treatment they were receiving, it was only a matter of time before Cao Cao dismantled the Ma Clan and absorbed them.

Ma Chao knew that without strong allies, his family would never achieve their goal of becoming the independent force they were previously. And so, he chose to seek out Lie Fan, after being given the options between Liu Zhang, Liu Bei, and Lie Fan.

At this time, Ma Chao and his entourage entered Chenliu under the guise of weary travelers, their bodies aching from the long journey from Wuwei. Their disguises were convincing enough for common passersby, but the moment they stepped into the city, unseen eyes took notice.

The Oriole Agents stationed in Chenliu had been trained to observe everything and miss nothing. Their presence in major cities across the land ensured that any unusual movements did not go unchecked.

The moment Ma Chao and his group entered an inn to rest, an Oriole agent disguised as a seemingly unremarkable scholar sitting in the corner, immediately signaled his companions.

They moved swiftly yet discreetly, blending into the background as they tailed Ma Chao's group, listening in on conversations and noting every detail. It did not take long for them to recognize the young warrior's true identity. Ma Chao's reputation preceded him, and though he was disguised, his aura as a warrior could not be hidden.

The agents quickly pieced together his journey, realizing that he had come all the way from Wuwei, passing through Cao Cao's domain in secrecy. This alone raised suspicions.

When one of the agents overheard Ma Chao subtly inquiring about the safest route to Xiapi, their suspicions turned into certainty.

"He seeks Lord Lie Fan," the lead agent murmured, scribbling the details onto a small parchment. Within the hour, the information was sealed in a letter and sent through the Oriole's hidden courier network. The message traveled swiftly, carried by a relay of skilled messengers who rode day and night until it reached Xiapi.

At that very moment, Lie Fan was conducting an inspection of Xiapi alongside Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang, and Lu Xun. His entourage was small but heavily guarded, accompanied by three Yellow Ghosts and a handpicked unit of elite warriors from the Lie Clan.

As they rode through the streets, Lie Fan took note of the city's condition. Under his rule, Xiapi had flourished, its roads well maintained, its granaries stocked, and its people bustling with activity.

Order and discipline were evident in the way guards patrolled the streets, and the recent reforms spearheaded by Zhuge Liang had significantly improved the administration.

Sima Yi, observing the city, spoke as they passed a crowded marketplace. "The merchants here have grown bold. Trade is thriving, but with it comes the risk of hidden dangers, spies, thieves, and perhaps even assassins."

Zhuge Liang nodded. "It is fortunate that we have the Oriole Agents stationed throughout the city. Their vigilance ensures that we remain several steps ahead of our enemies."

Just as he spoke, a rider approached at full speed, bearing the hidden seal of the Oriole Agents. Recognizing the urgency, one of Lie Fan's guards took the letter and handed it to him. Lie Fan unrolled the parchment and scanned the contents swiftly.

His expression remained unreadable, but his mind was already racing. "Ma Chao... the son of Ma Teng... seeks me?"

Lu Xun, noticing the change in Lie Fan's demeanor, asked, "What is it, my lord?"

Lie Fan passed the letter to his advisors. As Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi read it, their eyes gleamed with understanding.

Zhuge Liang was the first to speak. "A tiger has come to seek some help in our domain. If we manage to control it, it will become a mighty asset for us in checking Cao Cao. If we mishandle it, it may become a dangerous pawn."

Sima Yi smirked. "Or worse, a tool for the Ma Clan to regain their independence from Cao Cao's hand, and become an independent power once again."

Lu Xun stroked his horse thoughtfully. "The Ma Clan are indeed in a precarious position. Even though they have pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, they have been mistreated and ostracized by Cao Cao. If Ma Chao has chosen you my lord over Liu Bei and Liu Zhang, it means he sees something in your power and influence that the others lack."

Lie Fan exhaled slowly, weighing his next move. "If he truly seeks my aid, then I will grant him an audience. But first, we must ensure what his intentions are and control him and the Ma Clan, becoming our pawn to keep Cao Cao busy."

After saying that, Lie Fan signaled for the Oriole Agent courier to relay his message to the Oriole Agents in Chenliu, which was to keep an eye on Ma Chao and his entourage while at the same time assessing what Ma Chao intention truly was, and ensure that they wouldn't do anything suspicious.

The night was quiet in Chenliu, but within the city's unseen underbelly, a silent battle of wits had begun. The Oriole Agents, now aware of Lie Fan's direct interest in Ma Chao, intensified their surveillance.

Meanwhile, Ma Chao, despite his exhaustion, could not shake the growing sense of unease that gnawed at him. The feeling of unseen eyes trailing him, the hushed whispers that ceased when he walked past, and the occasional shadow that flickered in his peripheral vision, all of it pointed to one thing which was that they were being watched.

His warriors, hardened men of the northwest, sensed it too. One of them, a veteran named Lan Fu, muttered under his breath, "Young Lord, we've been followed ever since we entered the city."

Ma Chao nodded, keeping his expression calm. "I know. But we cannot act recklessly. If we draw our blades without proof, we will only expose ourselves further."

A younger warrior, Hu Bao, clenched his fists. "Could it be Cao Cao's men? If they have discovered us—"

"Then we'd already be dead," Ma Chao interrupted. "No, this is different. If it were Cao Cao's Black Ice agents, we wouldn't have been given time to breathe. This... this is a watchful presence, not a hostile one."

The implication was clear, someone was observing them, but not to kill. Ma Chao exhaled deeply. If not an enemy, then who?

He did not have the answer yet, but his instincts screamed at him to move.

"Make sure everyone and our horses are well rested," Ma Chao finally commanded. "We leave at first light. I don't like staying in one place for too long."

The entourage did as told, but even as they prepared to leave, the sensation of being watched never faded.

At the break of dawn, Ma Chao and his warriors mounted their horses and departed Chenliu. They rode swiftly, avoiding the main roads whenever possible.

Yet, no matter how fast they went or which path they took, the eerie presence remained.

The Oriole Agents followed from the shadows, unseen yet ever-present. Though Ma Chao's warriors were skilled in the ways of the battlefield, they lacked the training to counter such seasoned spies.

Each time Ma Chao stopped to let his men rest or adjust their course, that same feeling of being observed gnawed at him. It was an invisible weight pressing against his senses, and no matter how hard he tried, he could never pinpoint exactly where the eyes were.

After a full day of hard riding, Hu Bao finally spoke up. "Young Lord, this is unnatural. We've changed paths five times, avoided all major roads, and even doubled back once. Yet the feeling of being watched never leaves."

Lan Fu agreed. "I have fought against Xiongnu raiders who could move like ghosts, but even they would have shown themselves by now. This... this is something else."

Ma Chao exhaled, eyes narrowed. "I don't believe we're being hunted. If that were the case, we'd have already been forced into an ambush. No, this feels like an evaluation, as if someone is testing us."

His words sent a chill through his men. Then Ma Chao smirked, a fire igniting in his eyes. "If they want to watch, let them. But we will see if they can keep up."

With that, Ma Chao spurred his horse forward, launching into a full gallop. His warriors followed suit, and the group thundered across the countryside, dust kicking up behind them like a storm.

The Oriole Agents, ever vigilant, did not falter. They had anticipated this move and were already in place to track their every step, not allowing Ma Chao and his entourage to leave their sight.

Several days passed by, and Ma Chao and his entourage reached the outskirts of Xiapi, the eerie sensation that had plagued them for days suddenly disappeared.

The young warrior exhaled, easing his grip on the reins, but the tension in his shoulders remained. His men, equally exhausted, exchanged wary glances, their hands still hovering near their weapons.

Hu Bao, rubbing his tired eyes, muttered, "It's finally gone… whatever was following us, it stopped at least I don't feel it anymore."

Lan Fu, much more cautious, frowned. "Or perhaps it has merely shifted tactics. We should still be on guard."

Ma Chao nodded, but his thoughts were already moving ahead. Whatever force had been tracking them, it had done so with an unnatural persistence. It was no mere band of highwaymen or even enemy scouts no, this was something far more disciplined. And then, as the road curved, Xiapi came into view.

The sight of the city stunned them all. Xiapi was unlike any city Ma Chao had ever seen. Even Chang,'An, the fallen capital of the Western Han, and Luoyang, the current seat of power of the Eastern Han, paled in comparison. The walls of Xiapi were massive, taller, thicker, and far more formidable than anything he had encountered before.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Overlord Of The Central Plains

Age: 33 (200 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 1325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 951 (+20)

VIT: 613 (+20)

AGI: 598 (+10)

INT: 617

CHR: 96

WIS: 519

WILL: 407

ATR Points: 0