Vol 5 Chapter 25 (2/2)

“Haha, don’t come and act all polite with me.” I laughed as I held her hands.

Her hands were trembling, and her hands touched me, I felt a distinct chill on my arms. What cold hands. They are so much colder than how they usually are.

“Hai~ I’m really envious of the cold hands Feng Xiao has. When summer arrives, it would be great to have Feng Xiao by my side.”

“Haha, my lord really knows how to joke. How could I possibly last till summer?”

Feng Xiao only laughed self-deprecatingly as my words of support and bent down to help me up.

“I’m actually very happy that my lord has come to see me. I have the important mission of conquering Wuhuan after this so I’m afraid I won’t be able to see everyone again.”

“Feng Xiao, you don’t actually have to bother with Wuhuan. Just stay and rest. I’ll put someone else in charge.” As I finished, I wanted to gesture to summon a subordinate general in but Feng Xiao grabbed my hand and stopped me.

“No, this is the path I have chosen. Even if I have come to the end of it, I will keep walking.” Feng Xiao smiled and set aside her usual sarcastic, mocking look, revealing a kind expression for the first time. She then continued as she looked at me, “Come on my lord, you should smile. This face doesn’t seem like you at all.”

I don’t know what kind of face I have on now but it’s probably a difficult and uneasy one. Showing a natural-seeming relaxed expression can sometimes be impossible.

“…” I sank into silence, and didn’t want to accept the reality before me. If it weren’t for my status and the need for face, I would have thrown a tantrum and made a scene by now.

But, I am Cao Cao.

“Alright, I got it, I won’t stop you. If you want to go to Wuhuan then go.” I smiled and grasped Feng Xiao’s hands as I resolved myself to give her a final farewell.

“My lord, before I set off, I have some words of advice.”

“Un, go ahead, Feng Xiao.”

“First, Xun Yu and Cheng Yu are extraordinarily talented individuals. They should be promoted and can be relied on when I’m not around anymore. Secondly, though this battle may have ended in a draw, the north is more or less ours. I advise you to focus on Jing state in the south before taking Xichuan and thereafter Sun Wu. Thirdly Liu Bei may seem unremarkable but he will definitely leave his mark in history and you must guard against him. The world is still in chaos and whatever path you should take, whatever is right or wrong; in the end, it is my lord’s decision…”

*Ke*!! *Ke* *Ke*!!!

After finis.h.i.+ng everything she wanted to say in 1 breath, Feng Xiao violently coughed and blood flowed out from between her fingers as she tried to cover her mouth.

At this, I could only hug Feng Xiao tightly and silently rub her back.

“Un, I got it. You don’t need to say any more…”

Feng Xiao’s coughing continued for a while, and eventually stopped but she continued to tremble uncontrollably.

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