Chapter 88: Royal Kin and Nobles

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Xu Tiger, Xu Chu?
Is this young man Xu Chu’s son?
Cao Peng was puzzled as the youth approached, “A Man, haven’t seen you much lately. Heard you’ve been busy helping your father forge swords?”
“Xu Yi, what are you doing here?”
“Why shouldn’t I be here?” the boy replied, grabbing Dian Man and pushing forward through the crowd. As he walked, he said, “My father got me a fierce fighting dog—it’s won thirteen matches in a row... hehe, hurry up, it’s about to take the stage.”
It seemed Xu Yi and Dian Man were quite familiar.
In fact, before the Battle of Wancheng, Dian Wei and Xu Chu had a good relationship.
At that time, Xu Chu had just joined Cao Cao and was junior in both experience and rank to Dian Wei, so they got along well.
But after the Battle of Wancheng, when Dian Wei’s fate was uncertain, Xu Chu took his place.
Then Dian Wei returned, which planted a thorn in both their hearts. Xu Chu had replaced Dian Wei’s position; when Dian Wei came back, though there was no open contest, he suddenly became the Commander of the Tiger Guards, once again Xu Chu’s superior, overshadowing him.
There were many other factors involved.
For example, Dian Man’s transfer of the Tiger Guard Manor wasn’t exactly forced by Xu Chu, but many believed Xu Chu had pressured Dian Man into it.
Both Dian Wei and Xu Chu said little on the surface but felt uneasy inside.
Xu Yi was Xu Chu’s only son, immensely strong and fierce in combat. Previously, he and Dian Man were close, being similar in age and both from martial backgrounds. Xu Yi had a prestigious lineage, but Dian Wei’s official rank was higher than Xu Chu’s, balancing things out, so no one was truly superior.
To be honest, the awkward tension between Dian Wei and Xu Chu had many causes—some human meddling and Cao Cao’s tacit approval. Cao Cao favored both but more so Dian Wei. Yet, this didn’t mean he could allow Dian Wei to dominate the imperial guards alone.
Cao Cao needed someone to check Dian Wei’s power, and Xu Chu was the perfect candidate.
Whether Xu Chu liked it or not, Cao Cao would push him forward to oppose Dian Wei. This was not something he could change.
Their rivalry also created distance between the next generation.
Xu Yi and Dian Man were once close, but the conflict between Dian and Xu naturally drove a wedge between them.
This didn’t mean Dian Man was smarter than Xu Yi.
It was just that after experiencing the pain of losing his father, Dian Man matured and began to think more deeply.
As for Xu Yi?
Xu Chu was at the height of his fame, and the Xu clan was powerful.
So he could not understand Dian Man’s feelings...
In the dog fighting arena, a scarred Shar Pei dog proudly withdrew.
On the sandy ground lay a dying dog, twitching lightly and whining lowly. Blood soaked the sand beneath it, glaringly vivid. Around the arena, some cheered, others cursed, the atmosphere growing heated.
Cao Peng frowned and sighed inwardly.
Humans are born bloodthirsty creatures; even the gentlest and most refined hide a savage streak...
They seek their own pleasure, indifferent to the suffering of other beings.
Watching the Shar Pei, Cao Peng felt a surge of emotion.
“A Man, listen, my dog’s name is Black Weasel, very fierce. Thirteen victories in a row... ha, today we’ll surely win big. Want to bet? You can pick any dog here; if it beats my Black Weasel, I’ll give you a fine horse. But if you lose, you owe me a good sword... hehe, I hear your father’s made many fine blades.”
He recalled when Li Su persuaded Dong Zhuo to surrender Lü Bu, he said: Lü Bu, a hero of his time, desired only high rank, beautiful women, gold and silver. Beyond these, only a fine steed or a legendary weapon could move his heart...
Fine horses, treasured swords.
It sounded like a fair deal.
Dian Man was tempted, his eyes darting to Cao Peng.
“Who is this...” At first, Xu Yi thought Cao Peng was Dian Man’s servant due to his plain clothes. But seeing Dian Man’s expression, he realized the slender youth was no ordinary person.
“I am Cao Peng.”
“Cao Peng?”
“The fine swords Xu brother spoke of were forged by my father.”
“Ah?” Xu Yi’s eyes lit up. “You’re the son of the great Cao family?”
At some point, Cao Ji had risen from being a ‘master’ to being called a ‘great expert.’ The difference was slight, but ‘great expert’ sounded more affectionate and denoted a unique status.
For example, Cai Yong of the late Eastern Han was called ‘Great Cai’ for his unparalleled talents.
Not just anyone could earn the title ‘great expert’; only the best among them deserved it.
Xu Yi’s simple address reflected how most in Xudu regarded Cao Ji.
In such a short time, so many treasured swords had been made... each said to cut through iron and matched to the stars.
Though no one had seen the thirty-six Heavenly Gang Swords, their fame spread across Xudu.
Cao Peng bowed, “Xu brother, it’s not that A Man is stingy, but these Heavenly