Chapter 22: Meeting Cao Cao

  This series of system announcements is like a blockbuster bombshell. I think the power of this blockbuster bombshell is no less than when it was first announced that I would become Emperor.

  I can imagine all players stopping what they were doing at that moment, quietly listening to the system announcement, weighing the significance of the system announcement.

  But I couldn't think about all this for now because my sister had already come out.

  "Little brother, congratulations, you can now have a normal player's gaming life. Please give your alternate account a name."

  "Nankezi. The 'Nan Ke' of Nanke Dream, the 'Zi' of son."

  "Nankezi." My sister murmured, "The 'Nan Ke' of Nanke Dream, the 'Zi' of son."

  I saw my sister's gaze drifting into the distance. This was the first time I had seen her show emotion. What was she thinking about? Her past? Her son?

  "Sister."

  Sister heard me calling her and suddenly jumped out of her daze, only then realizing she had been distracted: "Oh, now add potential points for yourself."

  I still allocated potential points as I did when I first entered the game. My sister asked me to choose a birthplace again, and this time I chose Huayin Village.

  "Just listen to your sister say: 'Alright, I'm still your guardian angel. Go have fun.'"

  The scene changed and I fell into Huayin Village.

  Just then, the annoying male voice sounded again:

  "System Announcement: Player Zhuge Zhan's Assassin permission has been frozen by the system. The player's account will be dynamically entrusted to the system until the conditions for unfreezing are met in the game."

  "System Announcement: Player Zhuge Zhan's current imperial authority has been frozen by the system. All related interests of this player will be dynamically entrusted to the system until the conditions for unfreezing are met in the game."

  "System Announcement: In order to compensate player Zhuge Zhan, the system will create a duplicate character for this player. This account cannot receive any assistance, including trades, from Zhuge Zhan's other characters or other players' characters."

  "System Announcement: In compensation for player Zhuge Zhan, the system has reserved Zhuge Zhan's special skills for this player's alternate role."

  "System Announcement: In order to compensate player Zhuge Zhan, the system will allow this player to use a player clone character to communicate with other players as Zhuge Zhan, but only within the Taian City Imperial Palace."

  "System Announcement: As compensation to player Zhuge Zhan, the system will give Xiahou Xinquan Castle to this player as a territory, managed by Zhuge Zhan's alternate character. Xiahou Xinquan Castle is set by the system as unattackable and will be bound to Zhuge Zhan's territory until his account freeze is lifted."

  "System Announcement: As compensation to player Zhuge Zhan, the system allows Zhuge Zhan to establish ten cities. The established cities belong to player Zhuge Zhan and are managed by Zhuge Zhan's alternate role, but the alternate role cannot use the city's revenue for itself. These ten cities will be set as non-attackable and bound to Zhuge Zhan before his account is unfrozen."

  Another blockbuster bombshell. Most players now almost thoroughly understand that Zhang Haogu and Zhuge Zhan's current vested interests, although preserved, have lost many opportunities for development. Now everything has to start all over again. The originally easily expandable forces finally got restricted.

  It's actually within my expectations. Since I'm temporarily frozen, it's natural that Zhuge Zhan, who benefited from me, should also be on the list of being frozen. However, since the system said it was only a temporary freeze, then it's not a punishment but rather a natural plot in the game.

  "Awesome!"

  Standing in Huayin Village, I look up at the sky and laugh loudly. Only such a challenge can be called a real game. The system is really too considerate of people's wishes, giving me whatever I want.

  Because I had issued a decree when I ascended to the throne, I now directly possess a full set of white plate equipment. Satisfied with my gear, I prepare to head towards Toy Pig.

  Unexpectedly, when he looked up, he saw Liu Bang. This guy hasn't left yet. Maybe from now on, Liu Bang will become an NPC in Huayin Village. Since that's the case, why not go and accept his quest.

  Liu Bang obviously doesn't seem to recognize me anymore. However, he should be pretending. I know that some NPCs are aware of all my details. But Liu Bang didn't respond to my usual greeting as an old friend and only asked what task I wanted to accept.

  When I saw the task options, I knew why Liu Bang wanted to help me complete it directly last time. It turned out that all his plot tasks were newbie tasks. No wonder the rewards were all trash. The hidden task can't be triggered now, and doesn't need to be triggered, because the special skill has already been brought over by me.

  What I need now is actually those trash. After all, I'm still a novice with a blank slate, not even having any trash. This hateful system doesn't even allow trading, otherwise I would have gotten benefits from any of my split selves long ago. But only this way can I fully experience the feeling of taking one step at a time.

  Liu Bang offers me five optional plot tasks:

  Go see Cao Cao.

  2. Went to see Liu Bei.

  3. Went to see Sun Jian.

  4. Went to see Zhang Lu.

  Work hard for Liu Bang for a month.

  After finishing the five tasks, just as he was about to make a choice, Liu Bang said: "The first four tasks are very difficult and your level is too low. Generally, big shots don't want to see you. The last one is much easier to do. However, you can also take it and go have a look. If it doesn't work out, you can still come back and exchange for another one. You can exchange as many times as you like."

  I thought to myself, the first three were all my hidden ones, although they are now entrusted to the system, I still have to give some face. Without saying another word, I chose to go see Cao Cao.

  Transported himself to Xuchang, he directly arrived at the governor's mansion and walked in front of two gatekeeping soldiers: "Excuse me."

  The soldier guarding the gate looked at me in my white armor and snorted: "What's up?"

  I cupped my hands and said, "I am Nan Kezi, I heard that Lord Cao is recruiting talents everywhere, so I came to ask for an audience." After finishing speaking, I raised my head and puffed out my chest, looking at the two soldiers with a dignified expression.

  The soldiers didn't know anything about me and immediately went in to report.

  Before long, Cao Cao personally came out to greet him.

  This is still my first time seeing Cao Cao. I think he looks more like the Cao Cao played by Bao Guoan in the TV series. His eyes are sharp and shining, but his actions are humble and courteous, gentle and amiable.

  I first called out the name of the character who was hiding on him. Cao Cao didn't react at all. I silently cursed the system, it must have frozen my other characters as well.

  "Sir, what do you want to say? I didn't quite catch it." Meanwhile, his eyes had already rolled several times.

  I thought to myself, so this is the Cao Cao originally designed in the game. It seems that the designers were also worried that players would hide behind NPCs too early, greatly reducing the charm of the game, which is why they set up this "freezing system".

  I made a fist and bowed to Cao Cao, saying: "I've long heard that you're eager for talented people like a thirsty man. I came to see it for myself, and indeed it's true. Now, there's a friend from Huayin Village who asked me to meet with you, sir. My friend said that upon meeting you, things will naturally become clear, but in my heart, I'm not entirely sure what's going on. Please enlighten me."

  Cao Cao's eyes rolled a few times, then he suddenly sneered: "I know who your friend is. He just let you come and tell me that he knows what I'm going to do. Hmph!"

  I took a look at the situation and thought Cao Cao was going to get angry, but unexpectedly Cao Cao said: "Alright, your task is completed. Mr., are you willing to stay in Cao's place as an official?"

  "I thanked him, saying: 'Your Excellency's intention is truly delightful. However, I have received someone else's entrustment and must return to report back to that person. Another day we shall meet again, and I will certainly serve Your Excellency.'"

  Cao Cao burst out laughing and said: "Good fellow! I, Cao, admire you. Let's have a drink together."

  Then came the sound of a man's voice that I disliked:

  "System Message: Player Nan Ke Zi has gained favor with NPC Cao Cao. Morality increased by 10, Reputation increased by 10, Favorability with Cao Cao increased by 10%."

  I was stunned at once. I didn't expect a whiteboard role to be like this either.

  But since Cao Cao invited me, I won't be polite, eating and drinking heavily, talking nonsense. Cao Cao seems to enjoy chatting with me like this, and our favorability increases by 20% as we chat.

  Just as the wine was half drunk, Cao Cao suddenly said: "Although Mr. has good morals, unfortunately his literary and military skills are slightly inferior. If you don't despise this humble place for being small, would you first stay for a few days to make some improvements? What do you think, sir?"

  As a newcomer to the whiteboard, what could be better than this, I naturally agreed with alacrity.