Chapter 1200: The Ambition of a Warlord and a Hero

While the Northern Xiongnu began to snowball, integrating the northern nomads left leaderless by the death of the Xianbei Chanyu and Lian, Guan Yu was preparing to conclude his time in Chang'an.

"Zhou Cang, bring the betrothal gifts," Guan Yu said as he donned his inner robe and replaced it with a suit of black soft armor. Over that, he wore the dignified attire of a marquis, and after pulling on a pair of soft-soled boots, he took the Green Dragon Crescent Blade in hand and called out to Zhou Cang.

"Rest assured, Marquis! I’ve already prepared the betrothal gifts, and Jiang Gong has arranged for the proper ceremonial music," Zhou Cang replied, laughing heartily. After all, they were delivering the betrothal gifts for Zhang Fei’s future wife.

It should be noted that Guan Yu had taken in many former Yellow Turban officers, such as Gan Ning, due to their loyalty. Among them, Zhou Cang, now Guan Yu’s personal bodyguard, was the strongest. The others, for the most part, had reached the Qi Refining into Steel stage, which placed them in the ranks of formidable Yellow Turban warriors.

"Let’s go!" Guan Yu commanded as he stepped outside, mounted his horse, and rode toward the Xiahou residence. By now, the Xiahou family no longer had any real objections to Xiahou Juan marrying Zhang Fei. While Xiahou Yuan remained displeased, at most, he simply wore an unhappy expression and did not refuse the marriage.

With the sound of joyous suona music, Guan Yu soon arrived at the Xiahou family’s door, where high-ranking officials from Cao Cao's faction were waiting.

"Zhang Yide, the newly appointed Marquis of Zhuo County, presents his gifts," called out the announcer at the Xiahou family’s entrance after seeing Guan Yu dismount.

Two ceremonial blade-bearers carried in a chest containing thirty-six auspicious gifts through the main door of the Xiahou residence. It was no small feat for Guan Yu to gather all thirty-six symbolic gifts, a far cry from his own simpler wedding preparations in the past.

The Xiahou family had clearly long been prepared to marry off their daughter, so shortly after, a woman emerged and handed a letter to one of the maidservants accompanying Guan Yu. This was the document containing Xiahou Juan’s birth date and astrological details.

Guan Yu himself did not handle this letter. It was carried by the maidservant and would later be presented to Zhang Fei’s elders. However, since Zhang Fei was essentially alone in the world, it would be Guan Yu’s wife, Lady Hu, who would check the auspiciousness of the match.

As for the maidservant who handled the letter, she would become Guan Yu’s concubine. Guan Yu had not fully grasped the intricacies of this process, so he simply chose a maidservant from those who had been serving him in Chang'an to fill the role—someone who would suffice for appearances.

Afterward, twelve musicians led the group out, playing the ceremonial music. Guan Yu then stepped into the Xiahou residence. Initially, Guan Yu had thought he would be able to take Xiahou Juan back with him, but upon inquiring, he learned that they had not yet completed all the necessary steps of the traditional Three Letters and Six Rites.

Thus, he had to proceed step by step, as the Xiahou family insisted that the full process be followed for Xiahou Juan. Guan Yu, being a man of his word, had no choice but to comply and go through the formalities.

During his visit, Guan Yu also met his future sister-in-law, who seemed gentle and demure. After contemplating for a while, he found himself unsure of what gift to present to her, so he postponed the decision.

Of course, from Xiahou Juan’s perspective, Guan Yu seemed like a cold and aloof elder brother who was difficult to approach. She felt overwhelmed and didn’t know what to say.

As Guan Yu entered the residence, he glanced at Cao Cao’s gathered civil and military officials. He recognized each one, knowing that those who could manifest their own fortune imagery were not to be underestimated. Both the civil and military officials present were top-tier talents, and had it not been for unfortunate circumstances, things might have been different for them.

At this, Guan Yu couldn’t help but think of Chen Xi. A slight smile appeared on his lips before his gaze fell on Liu Ba, and his expression turned cold.

【No scholar who seeks military assistance can be underestimated. However, the depth of their foresight varies greatly.】 Guan Yu’s gaze swept over Liu Ba with icy disdain. Liu Ba had once entered Liu Bei’s service, only to later join Cao Cao’s ranks. Guan Yu was especially displeased at losing such a valuable talent.

"Lord Cao," Guan Yu’s eyes finally landed on Cao Cao, who was seated among the group. Though the two of them could talk freely, they both knew that they were destined to face each other on the battlefield again.

Cao Cao, seeing Guan Yu, also felt conflicted. He was confident that had Liu Bei not been in the picture, Guan Yu would have undoubtedly served under him. But alas, this world does not deal in "what ifs."

"How have you been lately, Yun Chang?" Cao Cao inquired kindly, putting away his more complex feelings. 【No matter how much we admire each other, war between us is inevitable. What a pity.】

"I’ve come to bid farewell, Lord Cao. I came to Chang'an to pay my respects to the Emperor and to arrange for my brother’s marriage to Lady Xiahou. Now that all matters have been settled," Guan Yu clasped his hands in salute and glanced around the room, taking note of every face present.

【If we meet again on the battlefield, I must not mistake them again.】 Guan Yu thought coldly to himself, though his aloof expression betrayed none of his inner thoughts.

"Yun Chang, should we meet on the battlefield in the future, what would you do?" Cao Cao suddenly asked.

"I would kill you, Lord Cao," Guan Yu replied solemnly after a brief pause, his tone firm and authoritative. He had no desire to disguise his intentions or deceive Cao Cao. No matter how well they got along, their opposing allegiances meant that their paths were irreconcilable.

"As expected of Guan Yun Chang," Cao Cao said, sighing with admiration before adding with a faint smile, "Take care."

Guan Yu noticed the fury in the eyes of Cao Cao’s followers and slowly clasped his hands in a farewell gesture. "Next time we meet, I will show no mercy to any of you."

"Neither will I!" Dian Wei, clenching his fist, raised it toward Guan Yu in response.

Without looking back, Guan Yu left. Since it was now impossible to meet the Emperor in Chang'an, there was no longer any reason for him to remain. He still needed to oversee the situation in Yuzhou and Xuzhou and keep Sun Ce in check in Yangzhou. For now, he couldn’t afford to move freely.

As they watched Guan Yu depart, Cao Cao let out a long sigh, turning to look at Xun Yu, Xun You, Chen Qun, Mao Jie, and the others. There was no escaping a clash of arms. Cao Cao didn’t believe that Liu Bei would tolerate his presence for long. The world was only so big, and in the end, only one of them could dominate it.

Likewise, Cao Cao couldn’t see himself allowing Liu Bei to remain. If he won, he could accept all of Liu Bei’s talented civil and military officers, but as for Liu Bei himself? That was another matter entirely. In Cao Cao’s view, Liu Bei must be thinking the same way about him.

The minds of warlords are often alike, Cao Cao mused. As for the notion of a hero, Cao Cao never believed that a hero could survive in times of chaos. Heroes were too naive, destined to be manipulated or outwitted by others.

"Ever since that day, we’ve been on the defensive in many ways," Cao Cao said with a sigh as he stood in the courtyard of the Xiahou residence, watching Guan Yu leave.

"Perhaps it’s for the best. Let’s see how far Dong Cheng can go," Mao Jie said after a moment of silence. He had once been loyal to the Han Dynasty, but after meeting Emperor Liu Xie, his loyalty had wavered. In these turbulent times, not only do rulers choose their ministers, but ministers also choose their rulers.

"Are we really just going to let him leave?" Cao Hong asked in confusion.

"Wait a minute… Isn’t Guan Yun Chang heading in the wrong direction?" Xiahou Yuan, whose spirits had been somewhat dampened, suddenly noticed the direction Guan Yu was heading and called out in surprise.

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