The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

Guo Jia's expression was serious. His usually smiling, almond-shaped eyes were now fixed on him, devoid of any hint of jest. "Ah Hao, you must understand, if you possess an all-pervasive intelligence network, it means that all the world's secrets and intrigues will have nowhere to hide from you. This will make you a thorn in everyone's side. They will fear you, want to use you, and control you, and if they can't even do that..."

Guo Jia paused here, the meaning of which was self-evident.

If I can't do all that, I will destroy you at all costs.

Xun Hao's heart felt as if it were being gently grasped by a warm hand, a strange warmth spreading from his chest. He was used to being the last resort, used to bearing the historical burden of a hundred years later, but never had anyone peeled away all the shells of interests and calculations like Guo Jia, telling him so frankly—I'm worried about you.

"...I know." After a long pause, Xun Hao finally managed to squeeze out two words. He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting a faint shadow beneath them, obscuring his emotions.

Seeing his obedient appearance, Guo Jia's inexplicable irritation and worry subsided slightly.

He couldn't help but reach out and ruffle Xun Hao's soft hair, his tone returning to its usual lazy manner: "Good to know. In the future, do as little of this kind of supernatural stuff as possible. If you really have to do it, make sure your brother Fengxiao isn't around first."

The carriage smoothly crossed the ferry, leaving the group of Xiliang soldiers, who were trembling with fear, far behind.

Inside the carriage, Xun Hao did not push away Guo Jia's hand that was still on his shoulder, but instead found a more stable position.

His eyes were closed, and his long eyelashes cast faint shadows on his pale face, as if he were asleep.

The closer one gets to Luoyang, the more oppressive the atmosphere becomes on the official road.

Squads of Xiliang soldiers, clad in full armor, galloped past on horseback. Their faces were fierce, their language crude, and their gazes toward the passersby were filled with undisguised contempt and greed.

Guo Jia lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked at the rapidly receding scenery outside the window; the smile on his face had long since vanished.

"It seems that old scoundrel Dong Zhuo has caused quite a bit of trouble in Luoyang."

Xun Hao didn't open his eyes, but simply hummed softly through his nose. He felt somewhat tired; the seemingly easy response at the ferry crossing had actually taken a toll on his mental energy.

At this moment, the warmth emanating from Guo Jia was his greatest comfort.

Finally, at dusk, the majestic city of Luoyang appeared on the horizon.

At the city gate, the inspection was more stringent than at any previous checkpoint. Because their "caravan" had Wang Ermazi's documents, they didn't encounter too much trouble. They were simply subjected to a rough search and then given a large sum of "toll money" before being allowed to enter.

Contrary to expectations of a desolate scene due to national mourning, Luoyang was still bustling with activity.

The Xun family's stronghold in Luoyang was an inconspicuous dye house.

An ordinary-looking man in plain clothes was bowing his head and reporting to Xun Hao. He was the head of the Xun family's intelligence network in Luoyang.

"My lord, last night, Lu Bu, a general under Ding Yuan, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, beheaded Ding Yuan and led the Bingzhou army to surrender to Dong Zhuo."

"This is troublesome." Guo Jia put down his teacup, his voice turning somber. "With Ding Yuan dead, Dong Zhuo has no more constraints in the capital. The Bingzhou army is valiant, and Lü Bu is a formidable general of our time. Dong Zhuo is now truly a tiger with wings."

The guard leader's face also turned extremely grim: "Young master, with our limited manpower, rescuing someone under Dong Zhuo's very nose is probably..."

Lü Bu's killing of Ding Yuan signified the complete defection of the Bingzhou army to Dong Zhuo. The last armed force acting as a check on Luoyang had vanished. Dong Zhuo now held not only absolute power but also overwhelming military might.

"What are you thinking about?" Guo Jia leaned closer and touched his forehead with the back of her hand. "You don't have a fever, so why aren't you saying anything?"

"I was thinking about my brother's situation," Xun Hao replied.

Guo Jia pondered for a moment, his peach blossom eyes unusually devoid of a smile: "Given Brother Wenruo's temperament, he probably already launched an attack on Dong Zhuo this morning at court."

Guo Jia's predictions have always been accurate.

At this very moment, in the Luoyang Imperial Palace.

The atmosphere inside the hall was oppressively tense. Dong Zhuo, dressed in court robes with a sword at his waist, stood before the officials, his corpulent body gleaming with a fierce light in his small eyes.

This caused the temperature in the entire hall to drop several degrees. Yesterday, Lü Bu killed Ding Yuan, and the Bingzhou army surrendered. He was now the only fierce tiger in this capital city.

"His Majesty is too young to rule the world. The Prince of Chenliu is intelligent and capable of inheriting the throne. I intend to depose the young emperor and install the Prince of Chenliu in his place. What do you all think?"

Dong Zhuo's voice was rough, and every word was like a stone hitting the hearts of the officials.

"No!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Xun Yu, dressed in court robes, stepping out from the ranks. He was tall and handsome, with the bearing of a true gentleman.

"Grand Commandant, you are mistaken! His Majesty is the eldest son of the late Emperor and has committed no wrongdoing. How can you speak of deposing or installing a new emperor? As a subject, Grand Commandant, instead of thinking of supporting the state, you are following the example of Yi Yin and Huo Qubing. Does this not chill the hearts of the people?"

Xun Yu's voice was not loud, but every word was resounding, like metal and stone falling to the ground, echoing in the silent hall.

Dong Zhuo's face instantly darkened. He narrowed his eyes, sizing up the reckless young man, a cruel smile spreading across his lips: "Who are you? How dare you speak so presumptuously here?"

"Your humble servant is Xun Yu, a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate."

"Xun Yu? From the Xun clan of Yingchuan?" Dong Zhuo sneered. "I respected your Xun family as a prominent clan, but I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful. What, do you want to follow in the footsteps of that ungrateful He Jin and have me send you on your way?"

The blatant threat made the air in the hall even more stagnant. Some timid officials began to feel their legs go weak.

Xun Yu remained unfazed, looking directly at Dong Zhuo with neither servility nor arrogance: "If the Grand Commandant were to depose and install an emperor, he would be a traitor to the state. Though I am unworthy, I know the principles of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country, and I will never associate with a traitor!"

"Good! What a fine display of loyalty to the emperor and service to the country!" Dong Zhuo laughed in fury, drawing his sword sharply from his waist, the tip pointing directly at Xun Yu's throat. "I'll see if your neck is harder, or my sword!"

The cold blade was less than half an inch from Xun Yu's skin. He could feel the bloody scent emanating from the blade, but he still stood ramrod straight, without even blinking.

"Grand Commandant, wait!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young official, also dressed in court attire, step out from the queue, walk slowly into the hall, and bow deeply to Dong Zhuo.

It is Xun You.

Xun Yu's cousin, a young man who was usually taciturn and seemed to have no presence.

Dong Zhuo paused, squinting as he sized up the fearless newcomer. "Another one surnamed Xun? What, did the Xun family of Yingchuan conspire to come here and die together?"