As night fell, the moonlight poured down, and the entire sky seemed to exude an eerie, oppressive, and tense atmosphere.

In the darkness, countless torches lit up as teams converged on Shangdang County.

Cao Cao also defied expectations, launching a night raid on Shangdang County with 300,000 troops.

But when they reached Shangdang County, they found torches lit on the city walls and even oil lamps hung up.

Cao Cao recognized Lu Li at a glance from afar. He saw Lu Li sitting upright on the city wall with a zither in front of him.

Upon seeing this, Cao Cao frowned slightly, wondering what Lu Li was up to now.

More importantly, Shangdang County has left its gates wide open, seemingly inviting people into a trap.

Cao Cao stared at Lu Li on the city wall, and suddenly felt that something was wrong.

Who is Lu Li? He is all about taking precautions; how could he possibly take any risks?

"My lord, let's attack!" Xiahou Yuan said.

"No, there must be an ambush in the city!"

"My lord, we have an army of 300,000. Even if there are ambushes in the small Shangdang County, so what?" Xiahou Yuan said disdainfully.

"It's too risky!" Cao Cao still shook his head and refused.

His suspicious nature resurfaced, for no other reason than that he had idolized Lu Li too much!

Just then, Lu Li began to play a piece of music, its melodious sound drifting through the silent night sky.

"Clang~ Clang~ Clang~~"

The music was melodious, like a mountain spring flowing, crisp and pleasant, melodious and gentle, lingering and tender.

Then, the music became more and more urgent and soaring, like a thousand horses galloping.

Cao Cao's expression changed drastically, and he shouted, "Be on guard! Be on guard!"

There was no movement around him, but the more this was the case, the more Cao Cao was terrified and felt a strong sense of crisis.

"Rumble..."

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came, accompanied by a cloud of dust. A cavalry unit came galloping like lightning, moving at an incredible speed.

"Oh no, we've fallen for their trap! Retreat!!!"

Cao Cao reacted instantly, his face filled with terror, and he roared as he turned his horse around and fled.

The other soldiers were stunned and didn't react at all.

Ma Dai led 10,000 cavalrymen straight into the center of Cao Cao's army, slaughtering them and sending blood and flesh flying everywhere. Cao Cao's soldiers screamed in agony, unable to withstand the might of the cavalry.

Although Cao's army was numerous, it was no match for the Xiliang cavalry and was repeatedly routed.

Upon witnessing this scene, Cao Cao turned pale and trembled all over, muttering, "Lu Li, I will never forgive you!"

"Kill them!"

The shouts of battle continued all night. Cao Cao fled all the way to the foot of a mountain where there was a lake. He scrambled to the lake and drank several mouthfuls of water.

By this time, it was already dawn. He and his army had been separated, and he was left with less than three thousand cavalrymen.

"My lord! Slow down!" Cao Ren quickly helped Cao Cao up.

After catching his breath, Cao Cao looked at Cao Ren and said, "The Xiliang cavalry are indeed brave. Your defeat to Ma Chao earlier is understandable!"

After saying this, Cao Cao patted Cao Ren's face and laughed.

"My lord, why are you laughing?" Cheng Yu asked from the side.

"I laugh at Lu Li for being nothing special!" Cao Cao said disdainfully.

"Huh? What do you mean by that, my lord?" Cheng Yu asked, puzzled. They had been chased all night, and their 300,000-strong army had been decimated. Why was his lord mocking Lu Li for being nothing special?

“Zhongde, look at the terrain here. If I were Lu Li, I would definitely have a troop of soldiers lying in ambush here!” Cao Cao said.

Cheng Yu carefully observed the terrain and soon noticed something unusual, exclaiming, "What my lord says is absolutely right!"

"Haha, that's why I laughed at Lu Li, saying he's nothing special! I've over-mythologized him."

No sooner had Cao Cao finished speaking than a thunderous sound of hoofbeats was heard.

A cavalry unit was galloping towards them, led by Ma Chao.

"Oh no! There's an ambush! My lord, mount your horse quickly!" Xiahou Yuan exclaimed in alarm.

Cao Cao's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected there to be an ambush here. At that moment, he felt cold all over and his palms were sweating.

"Cao Cao, don't leave! Ma Mengqi has been waiting for you for a long time on the orders of my master!"

Not leaving? Only a fool wouldn't leave! Cao Cao mounted his horse and began to gallop, trying to escape the Xiliang cavalry.

Cao Cao and Xiahou Yuan galloped away on their horses, one on each side, trying to shake off the Xiliang cavalry behind them as soon as possible.

"Hmph! Today I will surely kill you all!" Ma Chao roared, his legs gripping the horse's belly tightly, brandishing his eighteen-foot spear, and his Red Hare neighed and transformed into a phantom as it charged towards Cao Cao.

"The one in the red robe is Cao Cao! Hunt down Cao Cao!" Ma Chao roared to his soldiers.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The Xiliang cavalry roared excitedly, brandishing their weapons and speeding up to chase after Cao Cao.

"Protect our lord!" Xiahou Yuan shouted anxiously.

Cao Cao was terrified.

"My lord, quickly give me the red robe!" Xiahou Yuan roared.

He immediately took off his red robe and threw it to Xiahou Yuan.

The Xiliang army immediately gave chase to Xiahou Yuan, as the red robe was too conspicuous a target.

Ma Chao, however, noticed something amiss again and shouted angrily, "The one with the long beard is Cao Cao! Hunt down Cao Cao!"

Upon hearing this, the Xiliang cavalry turned around and chased after Cao Cao.

"Damn it!" Cao Cao cursed.

His face was grim, his teeth were clenched, and he seemed to want to devour Ma Chao alive. Then, he drew his Qinggang sword, cut off his long beard, shook it off forcefully, and plunged into the crowd. The Xiliang army once again lost their target.

"The man with the short beard is Cao Cao! Hunt down Cao Cao!!!"

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