"Cao Zhang?"
Bai Pu frowned.
Cao Zhang is the second son of Cao Cao, known for his yellow beard, whom Cao Cao affectionately called "Huang XuâEr".
Historical records indicate that Cao Zhang was quite brave, fond of fighting fierce tigers before reaching adulthood, with extraordinary arm strength. In the 23rd year of Jianâan, he led a successful campaign against the Wuhuan.
Now it is the 13th year of Jianâan (208 A.D.), and Cao Zhang is still not even twenty years old, yet to show his true potential.
It is speculated that Cao Zhangâs strength should not surpass the well-established veterans of the Cao Wei army, possibly at the Leader Level template.
The Overlord Team chooses to hunt down Cao Zhang, definitely not a random choice.
Perhaps after killing Cao Zhang, they might obtain an extremely rare and powerful item? Which would translate into a massive score, enabling the Overlord to surpass Bai Pu in one fell swoop?
Bai Pu got up, deciding to prevent this.
He is now determined to secure the top score in the college entrance examination!
Not to mention the huge benefits brought by fame, the generous rewards for the top scorer alone are what every Awakened is envious of!
"How are you planning to stop him?" Cuttlefish asked in confusion, "The Overlordâs strength is too formidable, even though most of the core members of his team were cleared out by Blood Spider, his personal strength shouldnât be much weaker than Blood Spider!"
Blood Spider, although expelled by Bai Pu from the Three Kingdoms Plane, her power was indeed intimidating. If not for Gan Ning and two of his subordinates attacking simultaneously, this fearsome woman might have truly been unbeatable.
Overlord and Bai Pu are in the same camp, as long as he doesnât commit severe crimes like betrayal, Bai Pu definitely cannot use the might of Eastern Wuâs generals against him.
Moreover, Overlord has been deeply involved in the main battlefield storyline, with his reputation and position in Sun Quanâs Army steadily increasing! Although the time has been short, he has risen to the Camp Commander Level (Hundred-man General), not the type of low-level soldier that can be easily manipulated.
"Stopping the Overlord doesnât necessarily require a direct confrontation. I just need to ensure he doesnât gain the highest combat contribution for killing Cao Zhang." Bai Pu calmly stated. "Achieving this isnât difficult; for instance, I can guide great generals like Gan Ning there, surely he would be interested in the head of Cao Caoâs bloodlineâ"
Cuttlefishâs eyes widened as if a new world had opened before him. "With Native involvement in the kill, the Spoils Treasure Chest will significantly shrink. So you were planning this all along! If the Overlord finds out, heâll be hopping mad."
"It wonât help him to be angry, after all, we are in the same camp; if he unjustly attacks me, itâs tantamount to betrayal, and strong Natives will not stand idly by." Bai Pu said nonchalantly. "In terms of strength, Iâm the weaker side; being in the same camp is actually a good thing, it provides protection for me!"
...
Bai Pu quickly found Gan Ning.
This fierce tiger general from East of the River had already replaced Huang Gai in the historical tale, accomplishing the feat of burning Caoâs Camp.
Now Gan Ning was returning to camp with his troops, resting, drinking wine, and eating meat, quite content.
"With the major event pending and achievements yet to be made, why is the general so idle?" Bai Pu smiled and asked.
Gan Ning waved his hand and said, "My fire strategy broke Caoâs Camp; I should claim the first credit! Resting is not a problem."
Bai Pu shook his head, "The generalâs achievement in burning and breaking ships is indeed significant. But when it comes to rewarding merit, itâs likely that the plan for feigned surrender set by the Grand Commander will take precedence. In the eyes of Eastern Wuâs generals, the general merely seized the opportunity."
Gan Ningâs tiger eyes widened; Bai Puâs words stabbed at the most sensitive thorn in his heart!
If Bai Pu wasnât from a Famous Family, a charming scholar, Gan Ning might have lost his temper.
"General, do not be angry. Since Iâve joined under your command, naturally I want to help you establish great achievements." Bai Pu made clear his relationship first, then softly said, "Cao Cao has been defeated and deserted. Itâs like a coconut that has just cracked its hard shell, an opportune time to savor its nectar! Is the general content with just cracking the shell while watching others savor it?"
Given the presence of coconut trees along the Eastern Wu coast, Gan Ning understood the metaphor well.
He suddenly stood up, "Were it not for Bo Yueâs reminder, I nearly made a mistake myself! I shall gather my troops to cross the river and hunt down Caoâs remaining forces!"
Bai Pu replied, "Iâve devised a simple technique for making Emergency First Aid Ointment, completing our previous agreement. When the general sets out, I hope to accompany you." Bai Puâs favorability with Gan Ning rose sharply, reaching the "familiar" level swiftly.
He chuckled, "Alright! As promised, I shall report to the Grand Commander and appoint you as a general under my command, serving as my deputy!"
Not long after, Gan Ning obtained his orders and marched his troops out. Notably, the Overlord was also summoned by Gan Ning and incorporated into the troop. It seems the Overlordâs performance during this period also earned Gan Ningâs recognition.
Bai Pu stepped onto the warship. He finally met the Overlord but didnât see the Overlordâs team.
The Overlord Team had already fallen apart at this point.
Bai Pu speculated that it was likely Blood Spiderâs assassination of several core members had led to the loss of cohesion in the team.
There were actually more detailed reasons that Bai Pu was unaware of.
The Overlordâs decision to hunt down Cao Zhang was made against strong opposition, and he explicitly demanded that he must be the main force in killing Cao Zhang, while other members were only to assist and block Cao Zhangâs personal guards.
From the Overlordâs perspective, this was to enhance the combat evaluation for killing Cao Zhang, aiming for a higher probability of drawing what he wanted.
However, the Overlord failed to account for human nature!
Though team members obeyed his command for these ten days, it was because the Overlord could lead them to deeply engage in the storyline and reap plentiful rewards.
At the last moment, with only one or two days of free exploration time left, the Overlord asked team members to make sacrifices for him...
Sorry, who are you?
Overlord? Iâm really not familiar with you!
The members who were slain by Blood Spider were all core members who followed the Overlord to feast on meat and drink soup, akin to the middle management in a company! Their elimination by Blood Spider effectively drained the teamâs cohesion, and with slight disruption, dissolution was the inevitable outcome.
Gan Ningâs side now had a new face serving as deputy general, naturally drawing the attention of other Awakening candidates, their eyes focusing on Bai Pu.
Those with Investigation Skills soon discovered that Bai Pu was an Awakened, not a Native.
"Is that âGangxinâ?"
"Thatâs him! The top-ranked powerhouse on the leaderboard, and only Level 3?!"
The Overlord stepped across the deck and walked up to Bai Pu.
"You are Gangxin?"
The Overlordâs appearance should have been transformed by the Spirit Realm Will, not his real visage. But his physique and aura were quite distinctive.
Standing two meters tall, with a sturdy and muscular body, a straight posture, and a slightly raised chin, looking down on everyone.
No wrong name, only a miscalled designation.
Amidst calm composure lay a proud dominance, his aura almost identical to what people imagine the Overlord of Chu, Xiang Yu to be! He seemed as though he stepped straight out of the history books.
Bai Pu wasnât fazed by the Overlordâs aura; his own posture was straight too, smiling as he said, "Yes, I am."
Overlord stared at Bai Pu like a tiger hunting its prey, "Why did you persuade Gan Ning to set out again?"
"Since youâve figured it out, why bother asking?" Bai Pu replied indifferently.
"... You truly are here to ruin my plans!"
The Overlord frowned and said coldly, "I advise you, know when to stop! Youâve already secured first place, leading by 60 points; what are you still worried about? Even if I kill Cao Zhang, I canât surpass you!"
The lead was previously 80 points, but the Overlord had been actively participating in battles these past few days, with his score consistently rising!
The gap initially closed to about 20 points, but Bai Pu was swiftly promoted to deputy general! The increase in official rank and position was converted into points, now leading the Overlord by 60 points.
Bai Pu smiled and asked, "Can you tell me why you chose Cao Zhang?"
The Overlord hesitated and said, "Cao Zhang is Cao Caoâs son; killing him should earn more points. Regardless, it wonât bridge the 60-point gap between us."
Bai Puâs smile faded, "Goodbye."
"What do you mean?" Overlord was both shocked and angry; since entering the Three Kingdoms: Chibi Plane scene, he hadnât been treated this way by an Awakened candidate!
"You take me for a fool; why should I show you courtesy?" Bai Pu sneered, "Iâm being quite polite not to tell you to get lost."
"Stop!" Seeing Bai Pu about to leave, Overlord took a deep breath and, enduring his temper, said, "I admit I was hiding something. How about this, Iâm willing to make a deal with you!"