That's right.
Cao Zhengchun.
The loyal eunuch who devoted himself completely to the young emperor.
Liu Hao thought to himself, The young emperor could not use his people properly and ended up being manipulated by Zhu Wushi. But my fate… will only be controlled by myself.
The great river flows endlessly eastward, washing away countless heroes through the ages.
By the time the inheritance of the Prince of Jiangdu reached Liu Hao's generation, all that remained was a single large residence and several fields. The noble title had long been stripped away.
The most valuable thing left to him… was this loyal old servant.
Don't transmigrators always get some kind of cheat ability? Where's mine?
Forget it. Even if I don't have one, since I've come to this world, I'll leave my own mark on history.
Liu Hao's eyes grew clearer and more determined.
Meanwhile, Cao Zhengchun quietly observed his young master and smiled inwardly. Something about his lord felt different today.
In the past, encountering Yellow Turban bandits would have frightened his master half to death.
Yet today, Liu Hao had faced more than ten bandits calmly and even killed two of them himself.
It was truly impressive.
But no matter how much he changed, Liu Hao was still his master.
"By the way," Liu Hao suddenly asked, "Dian Wei, Uncle Cao… can I learn your martial arts?"
They were already sitting inside a carriage.
Thinking of Dian Wei slaughtering enemies as easily as cutting grass, and Cao Zhengchun's elegant sword strikes that could kill within ten steps, Liu Hao almost began drooling.
"My lord," Dian Wei replied honestly, "my martial art doesn't suit you. It requires strength like that of a thousand-pound force. Anyone without sufficient power who tries to practice it will only injure their own bones and tendons."
Liu Hao's face darkened.
He turned to look at Cao Zhengchun.
If Dian Wei's couldn't be learned, what about Cao Zhengchun's?
That speed was unbelievable—like the legendary ability to run across grass without leaving a trace. Even the fastest sprinters from Liu Hao's previous world would look slow in comparison.
If he could learn that technique, protecting his own life would be easy.
Cao Zhengchun sighed and shook his head.
"Unfortunately, my martial art also isn't suitable for you, my lord. Practicing it requires severe bodily sacrifice and will damage one's life foundation."
"Then forget it," Liu Hao said quickly.
A chill ran down his spine.
That sounds suspiciously like some forbidden manual that requires… certain sacrifices.
No way.
Martial arts might be precious, but beautiful women were even more valuable.
Cai Wenji.
Diao Chan.
Zhen Ji.
The two Qiao sisters.
All these legendary beauties were waiting somewhere in this world.
With Dian Wei protecting him, Liu Hao already felt extremely secure. There would always be time in the future to find another supreme martial art to cultivate.
"My lord will surely practice an unparalleled divine skill," Cao Zhengchun said with a gentle smile. "When my lord comes of age, I will present a great gift."
Inwardly he thought, My lord possesses the bearing of a dragon among men. Perhaps the imperial martial art passed down by his ancestors will see the light of day once again.
Liu Hao sat in the carriage as it rocked along the road, deep in thought.
If he truly wanted to wake with the power of the world in his hands and fall asleep beside beautiful women, he needed his own forces.
In simple terms—
Money.
Food.
And soldiers.
Although he was a descendant of the Prince of Jiangdu, generations had passed and the family's wealth had gradually declined. It was still better than Liu Bei's humble life selling straw sandals, but there was no official title left.
Without rank, there was no right to command troops.
In this chaotic era, noble lineage meant nothing.
Only strength mattered.
Only absolute power could command fear and respect.
The end of the Eastern Han Dynasty was a desperate age.
But it was also the best age.
Only in chaos could true heroes rise.
Liu Hao felt a surge of excitement.
If he wanted to rise in this world, sooner or later he would have to face figures like Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan—the future overlords of the age.
While these thoughts raced through his mind, a cold mechanical voice suddenly sounded inside his head.
"Beep. Detecting fluctuations in the host's ambition. The Supreme Overlord System has been activated. Beginning binding process."
"System binding in progress."
"System? What the hell?"
Liu Hao froze and quickly looked around.
The carriage was empty.
Dian Wei sat at the entrance holding his iron halberds, while Cao Zhengchun sat across from him.
Neither of them seemed to notice anything.
"My incompetence has caused my lord to suffer!" Cao Zhengchun said sorrowfully.
Seeing Liu Hao's shocked expression, the old man assumed he had been frightened by the earlier attack and nearly burst into tears.
"It's fine, it's fine," Liu Hao said quickly. "I want to rest. Uncle Cao, please go outside and help with the carriage."
Cao Zhengchun nodded and stepped outside with Dian Wei.
Then the cold voice spoke again.
"There is no need to search. This system exists within the host's mind."
Liu Hao calmed himself and asked silently,
"What exactly does this system do?"
The voice responded.
"This system is called the Supreme Overlord System. It exists only within the host's consciousness and cannot be detected by outsiders. The host meets the activation requirements. The system will assist the host on the path to becoming the ultimate overlord."
Liu Hao suddenly noticed a glowing sphere appearing within his mind as streams of information flowed into his consciousness.
Then another notification sounded.
System Notification:
Congratulations!
You have received a Beginner Gift Pack.
Would you like to open it?