Chapter 430 – End Game Preparation
The death of Khan did not just influence the result of Zitong's battlefront. At Hanzhong, Ma Chao was alarmed.
He was in a panic for a minute before his real memories returned. The brainwashing effect from Khan's skill worn off.
However, Ma Chao remembered everything that Khan had ordered him. All previous memory about his time under Khan's rules remained, including the death of his father, Ma Teng.
The hatred of Zhang He and Tong did not disappear along with Khan's brainwashing effect.
'I'm free, but Zhang He and Zhang Tong are my enemies. I have to revenge for my father!'
Ma Chao tried to operate the clan chat again, but his clan had been disbanded. No game-like interface appeared in front of him again.
'I no longer have communication power. I guess I have to take these men and flee to somewhere else … Somewhere else or a lord that is willing to fight against Zhang Tong and his men.'
Ma Chao turned toward the east.
In his mind, he had four choices, Cao Cao, Liu Biao, Sun Ce, or Liu Bei.
From what Ma Chao knew, Cao Cao was working as Tong's vessel state that controlled the central plain. Although he was the strongest overlord among all choices, Ma Chao could not trust this man. Therefore, this choice was eliminated from the list.
Liu Biao was a Han loyalist and possessed the [Liu] surname. Ma Chao did not know if Liu Biao was Tong's ally or not. But from what Han Sui had reported, they seemed to be working together, and Liu Biao might mobilize his army to occupy Yi Province soon. Thus, this was not a good choice.
Sun Ce's stance was dubious. He might be an upstart young lord, but he might also be Tong's ally. Since Ma Chao could not determine Sun Ce's stance on Tong, he postponed the decision for now.
And the last lord, Liu Bei, was the only lord that had sent an invitation letter to him in secret. Because of Khan's brainwashing skill, Ma Chao had disregarded the letter. But now, he remembered it.
The letter said that Liu Bei would offer a position under his wings, and he wanted to fight against Tong, who was a false emperor of the Han Dynasty. The right successor of the Han Dynasty should be someone with the [Liu] surname and inherited the authentic bloodline of the first Han Emperor, Liu Bang.
Although the letter did not say who the right successor was, Ma Chao could guess that Liu Bei referred to either himself or Liu Biao.
'Liu Bei is currently serving Cao Cao as a governor of Hongnong. Well, I'll occupy Chang'An as planned, and I'll ask to join him. Maybe he can declare independent from Cao Cao and fight against Zhang Tong.'
.
When Zhang He had taken over Chang'An and moved toward Hanzhong, Liu Bei's spies already reported their movements to their lord.
Liu Bei, who had been appointed as the new governor of Hongnong by Cao Cao, saw a chance to break free from Cao Cao's leash. He borrowed the men from the city, numbered 30,000 soldiers, including Guan Yu's cataphracts, to move west.
He claimed that they would assist Zhang He and Lu Bu.
Cao Cao saw through Liu Bei's plan, but he allowed this greedy traitor to move freely. However, he did not allow Liu Bei to use [Cao] banners, but Liu Bei had to use his [Liu] instead.
Liu Bei did not think much. He accepted this opportunity and marched to Chang'An with Zhang Fei, leaving Guan Yu to protect Hongnong.
Without trouble, they stole Chang'An from Zhang He's men.
In late September, Ma Chao and his 95,000 cataphracts reached Chang'An and found Liu Bei's forces.
Liu Bei was not panicked when he saw Ma Chao's men. He rode out with a broad smile as he recalled the memory of his alternate dimension.
"Welcome, General Ma! I've been expecting you!"
Ma Chao frowned as he did not like the overly familiar attitude of Liu Bei. After all, he wanted to use this man to seek vengeance for his father.
"Tell me, Liu Bei. Are you willing to fight the emperor?"
Liu Bei smirked, "Obviously. As the successor of the great emperor Liu Bang, I won't allow someone with other surnames to sit on the throne. The Han Dynasty belongs to [Liu], not [Zhang]!"
Ma Chao snorted. He did not like Liu Bei's excuse.
Still, he felt a strong presence behind this long-ear man.
Zhang Fei, who had already awakened three wings, rode behind his sworn brother as his bodyguard. He peered at Ma Chao, scanning him from head to toes.
"Weakling," Muttered Zhang Fei.
Ma Chao heard the insult, but he could not retort. His instinct cried that he was no match against this person.
Humiliated, Ma Chao gritted his teeth and bowed to Liu Bei.
"If you're willing to fight Zhang Tong, then I'll help you."
Liu Bei laughed and hugged Ma Chao, "Good! Then, little brother, let's bring your troops inside. Last month, I had just accepted a few young men to my ranks, and they have great talent and insight. Come, we'll talk to them."
Ma Chao led the 95,000 soulless cataphracts inside Chang'An and integrated them into Zhang Fei's Army. Then, Zhang Fei led Ma Chao to the palace, where Liu Bei and his new young strategists were waiting inside.
Xu Shu and Pang Tong were there!
As Liu Bei remembered these people, he did not mind their current age and look. He planned to utilize them properly in this life.
.
.
Back in time,
That day after Tong killed Khan, Medusa, Friday, and Tong gathered for a private meeting.
The agenda was the current Heaven Festival game, which almost reached its ending. By killing Liu Yang, Pu Jing, and Sun Fang, the game would be over.
However, they were not ready to end the game … yet.
Friday snorted, "Should we end the game now? Tong, I think you can just fly to Pu Jing, Liu Yang, and Sun Fang to kill them all right now. With your six wings, no one should be your match anymore, right?"
Medusa sighed, "Not yet."
Tong had a wry smile on his face, "I'm sorry. We're not ready yet."
"But why!? We could have ended this farce years ago!"
Tong pointed at the sky, "… Lilim."
Medusa nodded, "Yeah, Lilim."
"Lilim?"
"Do you remember how many wings she has?"
"Ugh … ten, right?"
"That's right. Ten wings. Also, there's that Zou Ci with 8 wings."
Friday frowned. She still did not understand Tong's point.
Medusa patted her daughter's head, "Defeating all otherworlders is not everything. There're several beings that we have to deal with in the aftermath. We also don't know what has happened to the other side, so we have to prepare a sizable army and be ready for it."
"I don't understand."
Tong drew a picture of two worlds on the table before them.
"Your mother and I have talked about this many times. We think that we will need an army of immortals when the portal opens again."
"???"
Tong drew a tunnel from one world to the other world.
"You see, Friday. This festival is rigged in unusual ways. Our enemies are not just the otherworlders. We believe that several immortals back home want us dead, and they will ambush us or try to kill us when we return. That might be why Morning Star is waging war against Heaven."
"How did you know?"
"Just a theory. But that's not the point."
Medusa took a book and opened it on the table. It was a record of their great generals, vice generals, and other officers, who had a cultivation manual, which listed all of their wings and their attributes.
"We're planning to let these generals gaining more experience in the battlefield in this world, so they can rediscover themselves and obtain more power."
"You two are using this world as a training ground for them? But what for … Ah!" Friday finally understood their hidden agenda.
Tong was relieved that Friday finally understood it.
"We're preparing a back-up army when the dimension gate reopens. If Morning Star defeats the angels, we might don't have to use them. But if he lost, those hypocrite angels and gods will be in on us."
Both Medusa and Tong continued to explain their plan about their goal after their unification of their country.
First, when the year 200 AD arrived, many citizens and soldiers should have been able to grow wings, and a new chaotic age might begin. Tong suspected that other countries also had many immortals with many wings, just like Vida, whom Lu Bu had reported. The unification of China was just a start as the real world struggle would soon begin from that year.
Secondly, they would train their generals and officers to the point that the weakest of them would have at least four wings. As for the great generals, they should have 7 or 8 wings. If anyone had the potential to grow more than 8, Tong and the two demonesses would nurture them into someone that could rival the gods.
Third, when the dimension gate reopened, Tong should advance his power to the 12-winged demon tier at the minimum to prepare for the worst-case scenario had the gods wanted all demons dead. With 12 wings, Tong should be able to square against the gods and first-generation archangels like Michael.
And lastly, Lilim and Lilith might be a hidden threat that could ruin them at any moment without prior notice. After all, they were in control of the system and the dimension laws. To be safe, they wanted to draw the battle royale game for a bit longer to buy times for their growth. They did not know that once the game ended, Lilim might do something absurd again.
"You two are preparing for a netherworld war or what?"
"Nah, we're trying to survive."
"But what about the unification plan? So is this why we're not progressing at all?"
"Not really. We're progressing just fine, but I need suitable playgrounds for my generals to play. After all, toying with the historical figures like Cao Cao and Liu Bei is fun."
Tong turned to the country map, which was hung on the wall behind Tong's seat in the room. He pointed at Liang Province.
"Right now, I'm leaving Liang Province vulnerable for a reason. I also allowed Zhang He to contact Liu Biao for the sake of this plan."
Tong took a token of Liu Bei and marked it at the Liang Province.
"I'm giving this province to Liu Bei, and Yi Province will be devoured by Liu Biao."
With two more factions expanded their power, the country was splitted into five factions;
Liu Bei, whom Tong predicted that he would be expanding to Liang Province soon.
Cao Cao, the overlord of the central plain.
Sun Ce, the little conqueror of Jiangdong.
Liu Biao, who would rule Yi and Jing Province.
And Tong, the current emperor.
"Soon, Liu Bei will breakout from Cao Cao as he always did in history. Well, instead of stealing the Xu Province, he will attack our Chang'An and steal our newly occupied Liang Province."
Medusa nodded, "That's why you didn't bother sending any civil officer there or trying to develop those regions?"
"Yeah."
"What about Zhang He and Lu Bu's legions? They will get isolated there."
"I have a new mission for them. I'm planning to make them switch side to Liu Biao and test his loyalty."
"Can you trust them?"
Tong grinned, "Zhang He is a good boy. Lu Bu will throw a tantrum, but he won't betray me."
Friday tilted her head in confusion, "Why?"
Medusa rolled her eyes, "Lu Lingqi. This bastard promised to take her as his new concubine. All historical women in this world are like pokemon to him. Gotta catch 'em all. No … Gotta fuck 'em all."
Tong sweated bullets while his expression turned into a poker-face meme.
"… You sure are having fun in this realm, Tong," Friday pouted as she took off her clothes, "You've been with Wang Yi long enough. Impregnate me now, or I'll severe your junk permanently! Make me the empress already! I've had enough!"
