Mythical Three Kingdoms

"Thanking me is useless. I can cover for you with your father, but sooner or later he will find out. So, if you want to avoid trouble in the future, it’s best to make Zhao Zilong strong, strong enough that your father can’t defeat him, then there shouldn’t be any issues." Diao Chan could only advise Lyu Qiling in this way.

Lyu Qiling nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, but whether she truly understood was another matter.

"You were all focused on talking about your Zhao Zilong, why did you come to Chang’an?" Diao Chan saw Lyu Qiling was like this and chose not to say more.

Compared to others, Diao Chan grasped Lyu Bu’s character very well. If Lyu Qiling were to actually marry Zhao Zilong, Lyu Bu might explode with anger, but at most, he would severely injure Zhao Yun, incapable of really killing him.

Of course, if Ma Chao or Pang De secretly oppressed Qiling, Lyu Bu could be very likely to kill them, whereas Zhao Yun might suffer but is unlikely to be killed. However, if Lyu Bu accidentally did, then there would be no remedy.

Qiling explained to Diao Chan the various major events that had occurred since Lyu Bu had ascended, inevitably mixing in many details involving Zhao Yun, none of which she noticed, although Diao Chan, as the stepmother, had already realized Qiling was a lost cause.

"Now, you’ve grown up; I won’t say more. Do what you want to do, but remember to maintain yourself. Don’t strive; many people are watching behind you. As long as you don’t strive, Zhao Zilong will surely give you an explanation, no matter how difficult it might be. But if you strive, you’ll lose everything." Diao Chan solemnly said, patting Qiling’s head.

Qiling scratched her head, not quite comprehending Diao Chan’s words, as such solemn advice was indeed rare from her.

"Remember, do not strive. With your father’s lingering prestige, and for the sake of General Gao, General Zhang, and Strategist Chen, the Ma Clan, even if displeased, will grudgingly accept." Diao Chan formally explained to Qiling.

Qiling nodded, half-understanding.

"About Ma Mengqi, your father told me he’s a person much like himself. He might seek you out impulsively; at that time, remember to ask him where his martial arts came from." Diao Chan worried Qiling might suffer, and, after hesitating, informed her of potential scenarios.

"Could Yun Lu’s brother bring trouble to me?" Qiling inquired confusedly.

"He will, because it involves the Ma Clan’s face. Zhao Zilong won’t overly wrong you for your father or your two uncles’ sake. The greatest possibility is Empress Ehuang sharing a husband with Lady Ying, which would wrong the Ma Clan." Diao Chan’s understanding, influenced by Wang Yun, was far deeper than Qiling’s.

"Will Zilong be in trouble? If that’s the case..." Before Qiling could finish, Diao Chan covered her mouth.

"He will be troubled, but in exchange, he will gain Bingzhou’s support. Liu Xuande and Chen Zichuan might also be willing to facilitate this. Their Elder Faction members, except for Zhao Zilong, all have their own forces, whereas Zhao Zilong, as the Elder used to harmonize various forces, is too weak alone." Diao Chan said with a slight sigh.

"Of course, the Ma Clan will naturally be disgraced by this. Even if other Ma Clan members can understand, Ma Mengqi can too, but understanding doesn’t mean letting go, so before your wedding, he’ll surely seek you out." Diao Chan said to Qiling, noting that she was deeply entrenched already.

Lyu Qiling listened, understanding only half, as Diao Chan chose not to explain further, some words being sufficient at that level.

At Zhao Yun’s level, though love might be involved, it inevitably intertwines with interests, politics, and various reasons. Under such circumstances, discussing love itself is already an extravagant behavior.

"Stepmother, where have you been these past two years?" Qiling, showing interest in the so-called Immortal Realm, inquired curiously.

"I wanted to take you there, but you refused. It’s far away, but as for location, I can only say it’s in the south, because your father helped take me there. Without him, your stepmother, I really couldn’t travel between Asia and Australia." Diao Chan self-deprecatingly said.

While Diao Chan and Lyu Qiling discussed Ma Chao and Zhao Yun, far outside of Chang’an City, Ma Chao was sparring with Zhao Yun, seeking his future brother-in-law, though Zhao Yun understood why; since Ma Chao only mentioned sparring, Zhao Yun found him even more likable.

Thus, he planned to let Ma Chao witness some real killer moves, like those Zhao Yun developed using his formidable perception based on the Celestial God Mode, tailored for himself.

"Meng Qi, when you flew over earlier, did you sense someone watching?" Zhao Yun asked after landing.

"No, and flying over Chang’an, being observed isn’t odd; under previous circumstances, Cloud Qi would’ve automatically activated. Had there not been dozens of Inner Qi Manifestation practitioners in Chang’an City now, flying over would not be permitted." Ma Chao said indifferently.

"That wasn’t an ordinary gaze. If it weren’t for them just observing without attacking intent, I might not have restrained myself. Could there really be such strong individuals?" Zhao Yun pondered internally.

"Watch out!" Ma Chao himself wanted to fight Zhao Yun, but in terms of age, experience, and strength, he indeed had a gap compared to Zhao Yun, so seeing Zhao Yun distracted, he charged directly.

Unfortunately, Zhao Yun was completely overwhelming Ma Chao. Although Ma Chao had the upper hand initially, Zhao Yun countered within thirty moves, and for some reason, Zhao Yun occasionally seemed distracted and made some errors.

"I’m done!" After exchanging hundreds of moves with Zhao Yun and finding no way to best him, along with Zhao Yun clearly not in form, Ma Chao grew increasingly frustrated, lacking the previous bold fighting spirit.

"Zilong, what’s going on with you today?" Ma Chao said, displeasure written all over his face. Not questioning Lyu Qiling had been a gesture of goodwill, yet Zhao Yun seemed ungrateful.

"I keep feeling a deep malice surrounding me, as if something particularly dangerous is about to happen." Zhao Yun spoke with a stiff expression.

"Huh?" At this moment, Sun Ce also joined in. He originally intended to spar, but it was clear Zhao Yun was off, varying in strength during the exchange.

"I don’t know why, but I just feel like things are taking a turn for the worse." Zhao Yun said solemnly, leaving Sun Ce and Ma Chao puzzled, wondering what could be the cause. They turned to Zhao Yun, the three handsome men staring at each other.

"Zilong, do you really believe in this?" Ma Chao asked, confused.

"Not exactly, but once you become stronger, reach new heights, and absorb the Heaven and Earth Essence, suddenly you’ll perceive things crucial to yourself." Zhao Yun contemplated before explaining to Ma Chao.

"So, is there something happening related to you?" Sun Ce pondered and said, "That’s quite an impressive ability."

"I don’t know, I just feel a massive shadow looming over me, causing me to fall short." Zhao Yun sighed, "Forget it, no sparring today, I’ll teach you some technique tricks."

"Doesn’t your mentor mind you teaching others?" Sun Ce asked curiously, but although asking, if Zhao Yun dared to teach, Sun Ce dared to learn; if there’s a chance, he wouldn’t miss it.

"He doesn’t mind, my mentor will teach anyone unless they’re Hu People; he’s not picky about his students." Zhao Yun responded indifferently.

"Oh, I’ll make sure to visit him if I get the chance." Sun Ce thought aloud; if Tong Yuan took issue with him learning these things, Sun Ce would, instead, learn harder to spite him, yet with such generosity, Sun Ce felt a bit embarrassed.

Then Zhao Yun, worry on his mind, began teaching Ma Chao and Sun Ce some special techniques, completely unaware that his future father-in-law had already scouted his residence.

"Hmm." Lyu Bu wandered aimlessly around Chang’an City looking for Guo Huai when he inadvertently saw a familiar face, a genuinely troublesome acquaintance.

"Since you’re here, why not show yourself?" As Lyu Bu entered the courtyard, Li Jin, originally reading, suddenly closed his book and spoke.

Lyu Bu looked at Li Jin’s back, feeling two distinct powers from him: one the loathsome Immortal aura, the other tangible Inner Qi.

Knowing well now what Immortals are, Lyu Bu realized Li Jin wasn’t an Immortal, or perhaps had forcibly attained Immortal powers through some method.

Li Jin, seated, was under immense pressure, not daring to turn, fearing any flaw would let the opponent seize the chance.

[What a pity, reaching Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation is your limit. Once troublesome, but now stagnated, you won’t progress further; a pity, one less rival.]

Lyu Bu glanced at the wary yet unmovable Li Jin, then erupted his aura in Li Jin’s direction before turning away, easily seeing through Li Jin’s little tricks.

[In this world, only a few remain to challenge me. Alas, the urge to unleash my Inner Qi without restraint is strong; it’s been long since I gave my all, with no strong opponents, I’ve grown rusty, unsure of my own power.] Lyu Bu thought while flying away.

Though Lyu Bu diligently trained in Australia, compared to the brutal scenarios in Central Plains where groups often attacked, Australia’s training seemed trivial.