There was no denying it—Cao Cao was a man of overwhelming personal charisma. Every word and gesture naturally drew others closer, causing them to unconsciously lower their guard. With such presence, success seemed inevitable. Founding the Wei Dynasty and achieving the status of an imperial dynasty proved his remarkable talent and strategy. The only pity was that fate played its tricks.
Even with the collapse of the Wei Dynasty looming, Cao Cao could still laugh and converse at the banquet, showing just how tenacious his heart was.
The conversation lasted a long while, and the dishes on the table were unknowingly cleared. Palace maids entered, taking away the empty plates and soon bringing in a variety of rare and exotic fruits.
"If the Great Wei Dynasty truly falls, I wonder—what plans does King Wei have?" Yi Tianxing asked.
With someone as deep and calculating as Cao Cao, he surely wouldn't sit back and wait for death, not when he knew the empire couldn't be saved. He would have prepared another path for himself. The path of an imperial dynasty could only be taken once.
Anyone who embarked on this path and lost their dynasty would forever lose the opportunity to walk it again. Once an imperial dynasty is destroyed, the chance is gone for good. But that didn't mean the end of all roads. A fallen dynasty didn't equate to death. It simply meant the end of ruling as a destiny-bound sovereign.
"If my Great Wei is to fall, then I, Cao Cao, will make sure the world remembers it well. Don't worry—I have no intention of dying just yet. Dying with one's country may be tragic, but only the dead will remember it. Living, however, allows one to be engraved into history... or to haunt it with fear."
Cao Cao sneered coldly, his face brimming with wild ambition. His tyrannical nature was fully exposed.
Perishing with the empire? Living in disgrace? That was nonsense. Only cowards lacked the courage to live on. Living meant the chance to rise again, to become a threat to enemies. Death was final—Cao Cao understood this well. He would not sit by and watch the Wei Dynasty crumble without making his move.
"If there's anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to ask. So long as it's within my power, I, Yi, will not refuse. We are of the same human race—how could I stand by and watch our people be bullied by others?"
Yi Tianxing nodded firmly.
"Weizhou is too dangerous now. The Great Yi Dynasty you established is the foremost imperial dynasty of our race. It must not be jeopardized. As long as the Great Yi stands, our people have a pillar of hope. Your safety is far more important than the Wei Dynasty. After relocating the people, I urge Your Majesty to leave Weizhou."
Cao Cao spoke again, sincerely.
The Great Yi had twice been praised by the heavens—first as the founding dynasty of the human race, and then as the first to ascend to imperial status. Even Yi Tianxing didn't realize how significant his dynasty had become. It wasn't just a country—it was a symbol, a beacon of hope, and the greatest support for the struggling human race.
So long as the Great Yi endured, the people's will to fight would not die out.
The Wei Dynasty was beyond saving. Naturally, Cao Cao hoped the Great Yi would live on and grow stronger, sheltering more humans. That was why he persistently urged Yi Tianxing to leave. This was the eye of the storm—staying posed great danger.
"Rest assured, Brother Cao. Since I dared to journey out, I have full confidence in my own safety. So long as I intend to leave, there's no one in Weizhou who can stop me. If danger truly becomes unavoidable, I will consider retreating."
Yi Tianxing smiled calmly, his belief unwavering.
"Very well. Then please, Your Majesty, prioritize your safety."
Cao Cao nodded, understanding that someone with Yi Tianxing's mind was not easily swayed.
He picked up a wine jug and poured a cup for Yi Tianxing. This wine was extraordinary—Monkey Wine, a divine brew found in the wilderness. Yi Tianxing had some in his possession but rarely drank it, saving it for special occasions. Its golden liquid emitted a unique, intoxicating fragrance.
Yi Tianxing didn't hesitate. With fine wine before him, he naturally enjoyed it.
He didn't overthink it, lifting the cup and drinking it down.
One cup after another, they continued, and before long, the jug was empty.
"How is the Monkey Wine, Fellow Daoist Yi? Still as fine as before?" Cao Cao asked with a smile.
"Excellent. It's a wine fit for immortals. I've tasted it before, but not in such quantity. It's truly a pleasure to enjoy it again today."
Yi Tianxing responded with a pleased smile. But then—he felt something off. A wave of dizziness struck him, his body warming uncontrollably. His eyes grew hazy. He shook his head and muttered, "Something's wrong. Monkey Wine shouldn't be this strong. With my tolerance, I couldn't possibly be drunk. This wine…"
He glanced at the cup, then at Cao Cao. A suspicion rose in his heart.
At that moment, an elegant figure quietly entered his view.
"Jie'er, the Emperor of Yi is drunk. Help him to the bedchamber to rest. Serve him well—do not slack."
Cao Cao said calmly.
A girl of seventeen or eighteen stepped forward. She was stunningly beautiful, brimming with innocence and nobility. Her delicate frame invoked pity and affection. Truly a rare beauty.
"Yes, Father!"
The girl bit her lip, hesitated, but nodded and stepped forward to support Yi Tianxing, helping him toward the palace.
As they left the observatory, Cao Pi approached.
"Father… isn't this price a bit too high? Jie'er is only seventeen. Isn't this too cruel for her?"
"You know nothing. Marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers. And besides, the one I've chosen for her is no ordinary man. With Emperor Yi, she'll be far better off than you. This is the backup I leave for the Cao family."
Cao Cao sneered and waved his hand, standing and staring at the clouds beyond.
"How are the preparations I instructed you to make?"
"They are complete. Just give the order, and everything can begin."
"Good. Prepare to assist Emperor Yi in relocating the people starting tomorrow. As for the Wei soldiers—if they wish to leave, let them. If not, do not force them."
Cao Cao took a deep breath.
"Yes, Father."
Cao Pi bowed and retreated.
…
Yi Tianxing felt like he was dreaming—a beautiful spring dream.
In the dream, he and a young girl were locked in passionate union, lost in waves of sensation. The feeling was beyond words.
Then, within him, the Heavenly Emperor's Dragon Taming Scripture began to circulate naturally. A refined force of creation took form as a Dragon Pearl, coursing through his body and opening a Life Aperture.
As the aperture formed, he fully awoke.
Looking around, he saw a weeping beauty curled in his arms. The snowy white skin beneath the covers made his throat dry.
"This Cao Cao… he really is a cunning tyrant. He'd even pull something like this."
Yi Tianxing felt both annoyed and amused. His face turned from red to green. How could he not understand what had happened?
There had been something in the wine—a drug, no doubt something aphrodisiacal. He'd been tricked into this.
Of course, as a man, it wasn't exactly a loss. What truly irked him was being calculated by Cao Cao.
But the deed was done. Complaining was useless.
"The Heavenly Emperor's Dragon Taming Scripture really can open Life Apertures without pills... but the key is union with a virgin, triggering the creation force and condensing the Dragon Pearl. This aperture…"
His focus turned inward.
The Life Aperture had formed at his throat—Heavenly Voice Aperture. It was similar to Cai Yan's, though each person's aperture varied.
The divine powers born from it could be drastically different.
Now integrated into his Fate Diagram, it empowered the dragon within with powerful sound attacks—a significant enhancement.
Still, looking at the girl in his arms, Yi Tianxing felt a headache coming on.
He was supposed to be in closed-door cultivation in Da Yi. And now? He'd somehow "cultivated" a woman into existence. Just the thought of explaining this later made his head throb.
Drip.
A teardrop landed on his chest.
Seeing it, Yi Tianxing sighed and gently said, "Don't worry. What's done is done. I, Yi Tianxing, will not shirk responsibility. From now on, you are my woman."