Chapter 58: Have You Calmed Down?

An old saying goes: "One's crimes should not implicate one's family."

Perhaps, in the eyes of those scions like Huang She, Cao Peng was merely a trivial figure. But Cao Peng was himself, and his family should not be dragged into this. In truth, he had encountered such things before. In his previous life, his stubbornness and persistence led to the ruin of his family... Yet he never expected, after rebirth in another world, to face the same blow once again.

Huang She had abducted Cao Ji and his wife, as well as Cao Nan, clearly intent on eliminating them all. In his past life, Cao Peng had been unaware and thus failed to save his parents; but in this life, he would never stand by and let history repeat itself.

He rose and strode toward the door.

"Afou, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to find Huang She. His quarrel is with me, not with father, mother, or my sister. I'll find him and make him release them."

Deng Ji stood up tall. "Tiger Head, stop him!"

Before Wang Mai could act, Dian Wei and Wei Yan rushed forward, grabbing Cao Peng's arms, one on either side. Both men were tall, lifting Cao Peng off his feet as he kicked and twisted, struggling furiously.

"Let me go! I want to confront Huang She!"

Deng Ji quickly stepped forward and slapped Cao Peng across the face.

"Are you going to reason with him? You're walking into death. Do you think your appearance will persuade Huang She to release your parents and sister? Those people care nothing for the lives of others. If you rush in, even if you die, Huang She won’t spare them."

"Why? He’s only targeting me!"

Cao Peng stiffened his neck and demanded loudly.

Deng Ji replied coldly, "Have you never heard of 'removing the weeds by the roots'?"

Would Huang She care about killing people?

The answer was obvious.

If Cao Peng died, his parents would suffer the pain of losing their son. What then? Huang She feared neither Cao Ji nor his wife, but he wouldn't hesitate to kill them to prevent future trouble.

Deng Ji said, "As long as you remain hidden, your parents, your sister, and her unborn child will be safe. But the moment you appear, their lives are forfeit. Are you trying to save them, or doom them?"

"I..."

Cao Peng felt as though a heavy stone was blocking his breath. The suffocating feeling tormented him deeply. He stamped his foot, let out a cry, and crouched down in misery.

Life or death, neither seemed an answer—so what could he do?

Dian Wei and Wei Yan stepped aside, watching Cao Peng's anguished face in silence, unsure how to comfort him.

Deng Ji spoke true: Cao Peng's absence meant safety for his family, but his presence spelled disaster.

Wei Yan generally understood the situation. As an innocent victim, Huang She had sacrificed the Yiyang warriors without hesitation—so his character could be guessed. This man was ruthless, utterly merciless.

He too wished to kill Huang She, but compared to Cao Peng, Wei Yan was clearly more composed.

Deng Ji exhaled deeply, weary, and sat on the bed, closing his eyes. He had been prepared to die, but Cao Peng’s sudden arrival forced him to reconsider. Dian Wei, Wei Yan, and the accountant Xiahou Lan were all formidable men.

And including Wang Mai on their side...

With so many together, perhaps they could risk everything for a chance?

In the grand scheme, Cao Peng had the innate advantage of a traveler from another world—no one could match him. Yet in terms of strategy and detail, Deng Ji surpassed him. Years in the public house had honed Deng Ji’s skills for suppressing others.

"Afou, don’t be hasty!" He gently stroked his face to remain alert, then after much thought, Deng Ji spoke in a low voice: "News from Deng Fan says that Kuai Zheng, though he has seized your parents, has not mistreated them. This shows Kuai Zheng acts under duress, compelled by circumstances... As long as he remains in Jixian County, your parents and sister are not in immediate danger. We can take our time and plan."

"How do we plan?" Cao Peng raised his head, eyes bloodshot, voice icy.

Deng Ji looked coldly at him. "First, calm yourself. When you’re clear-headed, we’ll discuss how to rescue them."

Cao Peng lowered his head.

He truly could not calm himself now, so he got up and walked out of the hall.

Wang Mai wanted to follow, but Deng Ji stopped him. "Tiger Head, let him be. He needs to think on his own, and he will calm down."

"But..."

"Don't worry; he can control himself."

With Deng Ji's assurance, Wang Mai didn't follow. In fact, his confidence in Cao Peng surpassed even Deng Ji's. Earlier, Cao Peng had told him that Cao Cao would surely lose. Now, Cao Cao had indeed been defeated and retreated from Nanyang, just as Cao Peng had predicted. With such foresight, how could Wang Mai not trust him?

He believed, if Cao Peng could calm himself, he would surely find a solution.

Deng Ji felt the same, and hope stirred in his heart.

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Cao Peng found an ancient peach tree beside a well.

He drew a bucket of water and washed his face. The icy water cleared his muddled mind at once.

Huang She had ordered Kuai Zheng to detain Cao Ji and his wife, intending to lure Cao Peng into a trap.

But how long could he wait?

With the battle at Wancheng settling, Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao had renewed their alliance. The camp at Nine Maidens City now had only the task of transporting provisions.

In other words, Huang She could not remain at Nine Maidens City forever—sooner or later, he would return to Jiangxia.

After all, the Huang family's roots lay in Jiangxia. Keeping Huang She in Nanyang indefinitely was unrealistic—and not in Liu Biao's interest.

Once Huang She was reassigned, what would he do?

Two options: take Cao Ji and his wife away, or dispose of them on the spot.

"Child, have you calmed down?"

An ancient voice interrupted Cao Peng’s thoughts.

He looked up and saw a white-haired elder coming from the stable nearby.

He remembered Deng Ji and Wang Mai called him Old Mao. Cao Peng dared not be disrespectful, as the man had given them shelter, and Zhang Ji was Deng Ji’s savior. For this kindness alone, Cao Peng could not be rude. He quickly clasped his hands and bowed. "Old Mao!"

"Who was your master?"

"Ah?"

"That Tiger Head boy’s martial arts are quite good—he says you taught him. I’m curious: who taught you?"

That one question made Cao Peng look at Old Mao with new respect.

"Don’t be afraid, child, I’m just a bit curious."

Old Mao also drew a bucket of water to wash his hands before gently stretching. Suddenly, he clasped his hands in a strange gesture and let out a deep roar.

At once, Cao Peng felt a powerful pressure emanating from Old Mao. His hunched body seemed to grow robust, with a strong aura swirling around him, making it hard to breathe.

Cao Peng had felt this before—from Dian Wei.

But he could tell, Dian Wei’s aura was not as strong as Old Mao’s.

Old Mao’s hand gesture was odd, nothing special at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it resembled a wild beast.

His eyes flashed, Old Mao exhaled, the sound like distant thunder.

He slowly released his hands and looked at Cao Peng with a half-smile. "Did you see anything?"

As Old Mao spoke, the oppressive aura vanished instantly, along with the swirling energy.

Suddenly, a memory from his past life surfaced—an old martial master’s words:

"People say all martial arts come from Shaolin... nonsense! How old is Shaolin, and how old is China? Our ancestors fought for survival, battling nature—what did they rely on? Since history began, wars and killings never ceased—did they use mere brawling tactics? Opportunists, all!"

The old master had told him: combat skills arise for a reason.

In the struggle with nature, ancestors invented all manner of miraculous techniques.

Among them were beast imitation arts, similar to later generations’ stance training. Mimicking animals, combining ancient medical classics, they created deadly moves: to prolong life, nurture strength, refine energy, or fortify the spirit.

"Beast imitation boxing?"

Old Mao’s eyes brightened, his smile deepening.

He hunched, turned, and walked away. "Child, Meng Ke said: 'When Heaven is about to confer a great task upon a man, it first tests his will and exhausts his body.' All hardships are Heaven’s trials. Don’t lose heart, don’t grieve—fix your direction and stride forward! If obstacles arise, kick them aside... Haha, should you meet your master someday, tell him Mi Xiong from Bazhong sends his regards."

Bazhong, Mi Xiong?

Wasn’t he called Old Mao? Even if his surname was Mi, what did 'Xiong' mean? Yet his movements did resemble a bear... Wait, perhaps his beast imitation art mimics the mighty bear?

Cao Peng was puzzled, but didn’t pursue him. He knew Old Mao was a man with stories—if he did not wish to speak, asking would be fruitless.

Extraordinary people act in extraordinary ways...

Such is their nature.

Cao Peng scratched his head and returned to the hall.

"Afou, have you calmed down?"

Seeing Cao Peng enter, Deng Ji asked in a deep voice.

"Brother-in-law, I’ve calmed myself... Let’s discuss how to rescue father and mother. I’ve had an idea I’d like to share with you."

Deng Ji nodded with satisfaction, motioning him to sit.

"General Dian, see? He’s all right now."

Dian Wei smiled, silent.

It seemed they had already exchanged some words.

Deng Ji coughed lightly and leaned back, weary. "Afou, before we discuss our plans, there’s something you should know."

Cao Peng paused. "What is it?"

Deng Ji’s face showed a peculiar smile. "Tiger Head made some inquiries. In Nanyang’s Zhang family, there is no woman named Zhang Shuo. There is a Wan Zhen, but she’s not surnamed Zhang and is already over forty—she’s Mr. Zhongjing’s stepmother..."

"What?"

Cao Peng was stunned.

Could it be that the Zhang Shuo he met was a ghost?