Chapter 84

Cao Biao showed a reaction beyond expectations to my provocation.

Seeing Cao Biao trembling with humiliation at the recent banquet, just like Zhao Shi and Jian Na, felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest.

Cao Biao shouted irritably.

“Forget the death penalty! It’s Tan-ki. We started with Tan-ki, so we’ll end with Tan-ki!”

“King Wei, please…!”

“Zhongda, do you not trust me? It’s decided with Tan-ki, so Zhongda, stop interfering!”

Watching Sima Yi’s frustrated expression, I secretly sneered.

If it were anyone else, I might not have been wary, but I had been keeping a close eye on Sima Yi ever since I stepped into the Department of the Prime Minister and saw him.

It wasn’t just anyone—it was Cao Biao and Sima Yi together. It would be stranger if they weren’t plotting something.

From the beginning, the so-called fair three-round match was suspicious. And when they decided the final match by drawing lots, my suspicion turned into near certainty.

The seemingly fair match was bait to lure me in. They probably designed it so Cao Biao would win no matter what.

So, I took the risk and proposed Tan-ki for the second match. There was a calculation that I could win, but the real aim was to block any manipulation in the final third match.

And my plan worked perfectly.

All my suspicions, hypotheses, and success were proven by the cold sweat dripping down Sima Yi’s troubled face.

‘Sima Yi made three mistakes.’

One, he failed to consider the possibility that I had already figured him out.

Two, he underestimated my potential in a physical game like Tan-ki.

Three, he trusted Cao Biao’s rationality too much.

The final Tan-ki match was one-sided, making the close second match seem insignificant.

With Cao Biao losing his composure and me perfectly adapted, the outcome was obvious. Even if I had calmly absorbed the techniques I showed, it would have been a close call, but with him charging recklessly…

I steadily knocked out Cao Biao’s white stones, one by one, and sometimes two at a time when the angles allowed.

Click.

Finally, the last white stone was struck by my black stone and flew far away.

“I’ve won.”

“……”

Cao Biao silently stared at the empty board in front of him. Tan-ki was supposed to be his strong suit, so the shock of defeat must have been significant.

“As promised, I trust you will allow me to meet Lord Zhao Tian and your two daughters.”

Even Cao Biao, who could easily go back on his word, was shackled by the fact that this was a banquet hall.

No matter how much Cao Biao wanted to silence everyone and bury what happened here, it was impossible. Even Zhao Yun and Bang Deok were watching this bet.

Rotten as he was, Cao Biao summoned his last shred of dignity as a king and replied.

“…A king does not go back on his word. I will send a messenger later to arrange the meeting.”

“I will trust and wait.”

Having received his confirmation, I got up without hesitation. I could have toyed with him all day, but provoking Cao Biao further would be unwise.

Given Cao Biao’s nature, which drove generals to suicide and caused Wugong to die of rage, this was a close call.

The fact that Cao Biao personally liked me and that I was an envoy sent by Liu Bei, not Wei, acted as shields protecting me. But Cao Biao was the kind of man who might do something crazy if things didn’t go his way.

Sure enough, as I was about to leave the banquet hall, Cao Biao called out to me.

“Wait a moment.”

“Do you have more to say?”

“…No. You may go.”

Cao Biao seemed to have a change of heart and trailed off after calling me. Just messing with people’s nerves.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

This time, Cao Biao didn’t stop me, so we left the Department of the Prime Minister. It felt like entering a tiger’s den and coming out alive.

Not only had I completed my duties as an envoy, but I also left behind a tale that would be recorded in history. Feeling proud, Zhao Yun asked,

“General, do you usually enjoy Tan-ki?”

“I’ve played it before, but using such tactics was a first.”

“Huh… So you improved that much in just one match?”

“I have the basics, so I just followed Cao Biao’s moves.”

“Just followed, huh. Easier said than done…”

Even Bang Deok clicked his tongue in disbelief.

To make such a bold attempt in a bet where my capture by Wei was on the line—Zhao Yun’s praise made my shoulders rise to the sky.

It was indeed reckless. Thanks to my past life’s experience, I was confident I could win, but to others, I must have looked like a complete beginner.

‘Zhao Yun and Bang Deok must have been on edge.’

But hey, a win’s a win.

“Let’s go and deliver this good news to Lord Liu Bei.”

§

After the storm passed and Chang-ran disappeared like a soft breeze, the people gathered in the banquet hall were left sitting on pins and needles.

That Cao Biao, who boasted so much about Tan-ki, had been defeated by Chang-ran, who initially seemed like a beginner.

While others held their breath, bracing themselves, Cao Biao finally spoke.

“Zhongda.”

“Yes, King Wei.”

“What happened?”

What followed was a blame-shifting.

If they had followed Sima Yi’s original plan, they would have won by securing the third match. But it was Cao Biao himself who deviated from Sima Yi’s strategy.

The root cause was Cao Biao, but blaming Sima Yi for the plan’s failure was both ugly and irresponsible.

Yet, Sima Yi, who had every right to feel wronged, prostrated himself and pleaded guilty as if it were truly his fault.

Sima Yi knew better than anyone how to handle Cao Biao.

“All of this is due to my negligence. Please punish me!”

“Enough. How could I punish you, Zhongda? I’m not here to punish you, so speak your mind.”

“…In my humble opinion, it seems King Wei was not deceived by Chang-ran.”

To Sima Yi, Chang-ran didn’t seem like a hidden Tan-ki master. If she were, she would have taken both matches in a row and ended it there.

So, Chang-ran’s skill must have grown at an unbelievable rate during the first match, overwhelming Cao Biao…

‘Even so, how is that possible for a human?’

Sima Yi, who was more brains than brawn, couldn’t help but doubt the feasibility of such a thing.

But there was no other explanation. Hearing Sima Yi’s explanation, Cao Biao found it hard to accept but somewhat understood. It was better to believe that Chang-ran’s talent was absurdly immense than to admit he had been fooled.

“Then what should I do now? This can’t be the end, can it?”

“Of course not.”

“Exactly. That’s why you’re Zhongda. I want to hear your thoughts…”

Cao Biao’s eyes scanned the banquet hall, still filled with people.

“Too many ears listening.”

At Cao Biao’s hint, Wu Ji, who could read Cao Biao’s mind like a book, stood up and shouted.

“The banquet is dismissed! Everyone, return home, and the attendants, clean up the hall!”

Following Wu Ji’s lead, Zhu Shuo also rolled up his sleeves and started cleaning, quickly emptying the Department of the Prime Minister.

Only Cao Biao and Sima Yi remained. As Cao Biao remained silent, Jin Jun respectfully bowed.

“I shall take my leave as well.”

“Me too!”

Jin Jun, who knew when to step in and out, left first, and Wu Ji, who had been blinded by greed, hastily followed.

Left alone with Sima Yi, Cao Biao finally parted his heavy lips.

“Now, speak.”

“First, delaying Zhao Tian will be difficult now.”

“True. You did say that.”

“Then we should borrow the Son of Heaven’s power.”

“Borrow the Son of Heaven’s power?”

As Cao Biao showed interest, Sima Yi revealed his second plan.

“Liu Bei and his followers, though rebels, dare to claim loyalty to Han. This strengthens their justification but also binds them.”

“Explain in detail.”

“Submit a petition to His Majesty to grant Chang-ran an official position. As someone who claims loyalty to Han, Chang-ran cannot easily refuse.”

“Ah, grant her a position to keep her in check. What position would be suitable?”

“Chang-ran has both military and civil skills, so the position of Sanqi Shangshi would be appropriate.”

Sanqi Shangshi was a position close to a civil official, riding alongside the emperor’s carriage to offer advice. In the original history, Cao Biao had granted this position to Meng Da.

“Not a bad idea. Very well. I will submit the petition to the emperor.”

Cao Biao found Sima Yi’s proposal plausible and was satisfied, but Sima Yi believed it wouldn’t work.

‘At least we can recover some of the lost justification.’

With the plan already failed, this was the best Sima Yi could do. And by the time Zhao Tian concluded, Cao Biao would regain his rationality and make a sound judgment.

Having navigated the immediate crisis, Sima Yi left the Department of the Prime Minister and, on his way home, paused to look toward the envoy’s residence where Chang-ran was staying.

“With talents like Liu Bei and Sun Quan, the chaotic times are far from over.”

Though his tone lamented the state of the world, Sima Yi’s heart held something entirely different.

‘Keep struggling. So that I, Sima Yi, can rise above you and stand tall over the realm.’