Three Kingdoms Mythology World.

Chapter 2657 Chen Gong and Chen Gongtai

But why would Hua Tuo be here? And why would he take the initiative to treat Cao Cao? That's really strange!

"My destiny has been shattered by this person..."

“I shouldn’t have met him today… I suddenly changed my route on a whim… Now I’ve become involved in this man’s fate, and Heaven has stirred up my own fate instead… This is destiny!” After leaving the courtyard, Hua Tuo paused, turned around and looked at the courtyard gate, and sighed softly.

He knew that his journey through the world was coming to an end, and he would soon be involved in the cruel and ruthless struggle between the feudal lords!
"Zhongjing, we each serve our own masters!" Hua Tuo thought of Lin Mu and then Zhang Ji.

He knew in his heart that once this tribulation began, it would be like a raging torrent, unstoppable, and the only option was to face it!

At this moment, he was constantly thinking of ways to deal with the situation, but since this calamity was related to Cao Cao, how could he easily see through the variables involved?

He had a keen eye for people and was extremely good at observation. The moment he saw Cao Cao, he knew from his actions and expressions that this man was suspicious by nature.

While his act of taking the initiative to treat him may have been due to divine intervention and the benevolence of a healer, Cao Cao might have had ulterior motives in his eyes.

"The Heavenly and Earthly Divine Heroes Ranking... all the divine titles have changed, and so have their fates... whether it's a blessing or a curse is not predetermined!" With a soft sigh, Hua Tuo moved slightly and disappeared in an instant.

Cao Cao watched Hua Tuo's departing figure, somewhat suspicious, but when his gaze fell on the small box on the ground, he couldn't help but pick it up. Opening the box, a pill emitting a strange light appeared before his eyes, its fragrance filling the air, seemingly easing the pain in his body somewhat.

Although he was suspicious, he was seriously injured at the moment and couldn't care less about such things. After taking the pill, he immediately felt a warm current flowing through his body, and his wounds began to heal at a visible speed, and his strength gradually returned.

His earlier statement to Xiahou Dun that the problem wasn't serious was a lie. He was genuinely severely injured, with his internal organs displaced, and he had vomited a lot of blood along the way.

"This Hua Tuo is actually a divine master!" Cao Cao raised an eyebrow, exclaiming in surprise. He had taken the elixir and could experience its different effects on his recovery. Only the divine power of a divine master could refine such an elixir.

In his territory, the number of Grandmaster-level talents was already considered top-tier, and the number of Divine Master talents could be counted on one hand.

He secretly praised Hua Tuo, while simultaneously filled with curiosity about the old man who had appeared so suddenly and left so hastily. He immediately ordered his men to inquire about Hua Tuo's whereabouts, wanting to express his gratitude properly. Unfortunately, the man was already far away…

He seemed to be a gift from heaven, without origin or source, coming and going in a hurry...

"Alas... what a pity, we've missed out on such a talented person!" Cao Cao slapped his thigh in regret.

If I hadn't been so 'arrogant' and wary, but instead treated him with respect, I might have been able to recruit him.

After his injuries had fully healed, Cao Cao began preparing for the rest of his journey. He knew that this minor calamity was over, but neither Yiren nor Dong Zhuo would let him off easily, and the road ahead would inevitably be even more perilous.

“Zhongmu City has definitely laid a trap…” Cao Cao looked eastward with a solemn expression.

Zhongmu City is the closest city to this place and a necessary route to Chenliu. The forces of the otherworldly will undoubtedly set up numerous checkpoints here, so every step must be taken with extreme caution. As for Dong Zhuo, he has directly issued a huge bounty; the local garrison soldiers are certainly eager to take his head!

Entering Zhongmu City is a perilous journey with only a slim chance of survival!
However, he had to enter Zhongmu City.

So he began to carefully devise a plan. This time, he would not travel alone.

He directly formed a temporary caravan, recruited several chivalrous individuals in the city with a large sum of money, and disguised them as ordinary caravans heading towards Zhongmu City.

Cao Cao changed into ordinary brocade clothes, concealed his sword among the goods, and disguised himself as the owner of a caravan. Throughout the journey, they endured wind and rain, sleeping in the open, never daring to slacken their vigilance. When encountering checkpoints and inspections, Cao Cao always remained calm and composed, cleverly dealing with the situation with his wit and eloquence, turning danger into safety time and time again.

However, as they drew closer to Zhongmu City, the atmosphere grew increasingly eerie. Strange figures roamed the mountains and fields, searching for something, as if countless eyes were secretly watching their every move.

About ten miles from Zhongmu City, they encountered a patrol of soldiers. These soldiers had sharp eyes and were checking passersby very carefully.

Cao Cao's heart leaped into his throat, but he maintained a calm facade. This force was none other than the Bingzhou Iron Cavalry!
Led by Lü Bu, the Bingzhou Iron Cavalry decisively defeated three veteran generals, Lu Zhi, Huangfu Song, and Zhu Jun, capturing two of them and becoming famous throughout the capital.

Cao Cao lowered his eyes, avoiding direct eye contact, but his gaze never left the leading general.

Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan!

That's right, the leading general was none other than Zhang Liao, Lü Bu's confidant!

Cao Cao also held Zhang Liao in high regard. The two had a brief encounter when they were at the General's residence.

But I never expected to run into him here.

Zhang Liao completely overwhelms him in terms of martial prowess and strength!
Cao Cao stepped forward without showing any emotion, a fake smile on his face, and said politely with his hands clasped, "Sir, we are a merchant caravan from Xiliang, and we want to do some small business in Zhongmou City."

The leading soldier looked him up and down and said coldly, "Open the cargo and inspect it."

Cao Cao's face showed a hint of tension, but his heart remained calm. He gestured to his men to open the goods one by one.

Zhang Liao also came over to watch. When the goods were opened, Zhang Liao glanced at them, but then didn't react.

Those goods were indeed all specialties of Liangzhou. Cao Cao paid great attention to such details.

Cao Cao served by the side of the soldiers, constantly trying to ease the atmosphere in a humble tone.

After a quick check, nothing unusual was found. Then, everyone was checked one by one to see if their appearance was disguised…

After a thorough inspection, Cao Cao was still not exposed.

After that, we successfully passed this hurdle.

However, as Cao Cao continued his journey with the caravan, a voice that sent chills down his spine rang out: "Brother Mengde, take care." Zhang Liao had recognized him! But why hadn't he exposed him?!

Cao Cao continued on his journey, filled with doubt and apprehension.

However, the next challenge almost made his soul fall out.

Cao Cao thought that he had passed Zhang Liao's checkpoint, and since Zhang Liao seemed to treat him well, the subsequent checkpoints would be easy, so he swaggered on towards Zhongmu City.

In a pavilion three miles from Zhongmu City, a team surrounded them and arrested them all without hesitation, including Cao Cao.

Cao Cao and his men kept shouting that they were innocent, that they had arrested the wrong people, and why they were being arrested... but to no avail. They were all arrested on the spot.

Cao Cao was bound hand and foot and forced into a pavilion, where a man in brocade robes was waiting: "I am the magistrate of Zhongmou County. I've kept you waiting..."

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Your Excellency. You’ve been waiting for me all this time. I am but a merchant, how could I possibly deserve to make Your Excellency wait for me?”

"Also, wasn't the magistrate of Zhongmu County captured by the strange people? Were you released by them?" Cao Cao asked three questions in quick succession.

"The former magistrate of Zhongmu County was corrupt and lawless, and was supposed to be imprisoned, but the situation was delayed due to the upheaval in the imperial court. I just happened to be the one to take his place. After he was captured by the strange man, I took office directly," the magistrate of Zhongmu County said quietly. His tone was very calm, and he appeared very peaceful and polite.

Afterwards, the magistrate glanced around, frowned, and then, without waiting for Cao Cao to say anything more, waved his hand and the team set off to return to Zhongmu City.

On the way to Zhongmou City, Cao Cao was extremely anxious. He knew that his identity had likely been exposed. This guy, who seemed to have just taken over as the magistrate of Zhongmou City, was very mysterious, giving Cao Cao a creepy feeling.

He secretly observed the surrounding environment and the soldiers' defensive weaknesses, looking for an opportunity to escape.

However, a sudden thought flashed through Cao Cao's mind. After that, he was quietly led into Zhongmou City.

Resistance... is possible, and he might escape, but what awaits him is a raging storm.

Why not let them force him into the city and complete the Heavenly Dao mission along the way... without having to worry about anything along the way.

Sure enough, they encountered many obstacles along the way, and the group was stopped seven or eight times by several extremely rampant supernatural beings. If it weren't for the layout similar to that in Xingyang City, he might have been surrounded by supernatural beings again.

However, thanks to the magistrate's intervention, the group did not clash with the strange man.

Soon, the group returned to a mansion. The plaque above the mansion's gate clearly read: Chen Mansion!
The magistrate ordered Cao Cao to be taken to the back hall, and then dismissed everyone else, leaving only the two of them in the main hall.

"How should I address you, Lord County Lord?" Cao Cao looked at this man with unclear intentions, his eyes filled with a mysterious light.

"Haha... My surname is Chen, my given name is Gong, and my courtesy name is Gongtai," the magistrate introduced himself.

Chen Gong! It really is Chen Gong! If Lin Mu were here, he would definitely envy Cao Cao, because this epic historical strategist was delivered directly to Cao Cao's door.

Chen Gong suddenly called out, "Cao Cao!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao was startled, but quickly waved his hand dismissively, saying, "You've mistaken me for someone else. My surname is Huang."

Chen Gong said calmly, "Why hide it? I recognized you, Cao Cao, when I went to Luoyang to seek an official position. No matter how you change your appearance, I will still recognize you."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao realized something was amiss. Seeking official position, recognizing...

"Stop your nonsense. Now that you've captured me, you should take me away to claim your reward," Cao Cao said bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Gong smiled slightly and said, "How did you know I was going to ask for a reward?"

Cao Cao scoffed and said, "A reward of a million gold pieces and a title of marquis with a million households—isn't that enough? You'd go to Luoyang to beg for a mere county magistrate position; you must be extremely envious of this reward... It could save you thirty years of hard work!"

Chen Gong chuckled and shook his head, saying, "A million taels of gold is indeed a lot for a mere county magistrate like me, and a marquis with a million households is something I wouldn't even dare to dream of. However, today, in front of everyone, I could have exposed your identity and immediately escorted you to the capital to earn merit and be rewarded. Why did I instead bring you back to the city to be alone?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's heart stirred: "Do you mean to release me?"

Chen Gong asked meaningfully, "How do you know I'm determined to release you?"

"Sir...may I speak frankly?" Cao Cao couldn't help but ask.

"Where will you flee to?" Chen Gong asked.

"Dongjun in Yanzhou." Cao Cao still held back a plan.

"My whole family is there."

“Oh… so Brother Mengde is from Dongjun. I am also from Dongjun,” Chen Gong said with a smile.

"So we're from the same hometown!" Cao Cao was overjoyed upon hearing this.

When the fellow sees the fellow, tears well up.

This instantly brought the two of them closer together.

(End of this chapter)