After Lü Bu returned to his formation, he couldn't help but roar with satisfaction, his face full of pleasure.
For a top martial artist like him, after a long period of inactivity, finally having an opponent worthy of his skill was a genuine joy from the bottom of his heart.
Although Ma Chao had only feinted a move and hastily returned, Lü Bu knew very well that Ma Chao hadn't fully exerted his strength.
From Ma Chao's demeanor and condition, it was clear he hadn't rested well and hadn't reached his peak.
So, even though he seemed to have the upper hand in this encounter, he didn't let down his guard in the slightest.
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, seeing Lü Bu so happy, also stepped forward to converse with him.
Lü Bu enthusiastically shared the various intricacies and crucial points of the battle, and the generals listened attentively, all believing that anyone Lü Bu considered an opponent must possess extraordinary strength.
After Ma Chao hastily returned to his formation, he looked somewhat anxious, jogging quickly to immediately greet Dong Zhuo.
When Dong Zhuo saw Ma Chao return, his usually stern face instantly filled with ecstatic joy.
He quickly walked forward, tightly grasped Ma Chao's hand, his eyes full of concern and affection, and gently said to Ma Chao, “Mengqi, you're finally back.
You had this old man worried sick.
Was the journey smooth?
Are you injured?”
Ma Chao respectfully replied, “Thank you for your concern, Dong Gong.
I am perfectly fine.”
Following that, Ma Chao carefully presented the letter Dong Bai had entrusted him to deliver to Dong Zhuo.
Dong Zhuo happily took it, eagerly unfolding the letter and reading it carefully.
After finishing, his fleshy face broke into a wide smile, as he now understood that Dong Bai had fallen deeply in love with him, and also with Ma Chao.
And Dong Zhuo looked at Ma Chao, the fondness in his eyes growing even stronger, thinking to himself, “This Ma Chao is not only skilled in martial arts but also handsome.
He is truly a good match for my son-in-law.”
So he patted Ma Chao's shoulder and said with a smile, “Mengqi, this old man understands Dong Bai's feelings for you.
This old man is very pleased, haha…”
Upon hearing this, Ma Chao's face flushed slightly.
He considered Dong Bai as a younger sister, but it was not appropriate to say so directly at this moment.
He merely lowered his head, a little embarrassed.
He didn't realize what Dong Zhuo was thinking; at this moment, his mind was entirely on the situation within the city.
Ma Chao looked up, his face anxious, and asked Dong Zhuo urgently, “Dong Gong, what is the situation in the city now?
Why has such a situation arisen?”
Seeing Ma Chao's urgency, Dong Zhuo patiently explained to him in detail, point by point: “Mengqi, the situation is very complicated now.
That Emperor Liu Bian was taken away by your master.
Alas, I don't know what his intentions are.”
As he spoke, Dong Zhuo sighed deeply.
Then he continued, “This old man thinks your master is very likely to betray, to betray the imperial court.”
Ma Chao would never believe this.
He frowned and said firmly, “Dong Gong, your son absolutely does not believe Master would do such a disloyal and unrighteous thing.
There must be a misunderstanding.”
Afterward, when Dong Zhuo saw Ma Chao continue to inquire about his master's current situation, Dong Zhuo hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, “Mengqi, the White Horse General went to rescue the Emperor and took your master away.
We couldn't catch up, so we don't know where he went.”
While Dong Zhuo was still speaking, Ma Chao's heart tightened.
He silently murmured to himself, “Master, you must be alright.”
His face was full of worry, deeply concerned about his master's current condition.
Subsequently, Ma Chao anxiously inquired about Lu Zhi's family.
Seeing Ma Chao so concerned about Lu Zhi's family, Dong Zhuo said with a smile, “Mengqi, don't worry.
Because of you, this old man has not harmed Lu Zhi's family in the slightest.
They are all safe and sound.”
Upon hearing Dong Zhuo's words, Ma Chao quietly breathed a sigh of relief, muttering to himself, “That's good, that's good…”
After Ma Chao heard Dong Zhuo's words about Lu Zhi's family, he felt somewhat relieved, then continued to ask Dong Zhuo about what he was currently doing.
Dong Zhuo hesitated for a moment, but still slowly revealed his intention to enthrone Liu Xie as the new emperor.
Ma Chao was greatly shocked upon hearing this and hurriedly advised Dong Zhuo, “Dong Gong, how can we, as subjects, casually speak of deposing and establishing an emperor!
A slight misstep in this matter could bring disaster to the family, leading to eternal damnation.
Do not be used as a pawn by others!
Dong Gong, this matter is absolutely impermissible!
Deposing and establishing an emperor is an act of great rebellion.
Since ancient times, have any who performed such acts ever met a good end!
Dong Gong, you must not act so rashly!”
Dong Zhuo frowned, then slowly analyzed the current situation for Ma Chao: “Mengqi, you do not know, the gentry assassinated Dong Zhong and did not put my Dong Clan in their eyes.
And now your master has taken the Emperor and is nowhere to be found.
If we do not establish another emperor, the court will be unstable, and our authority will be illegitimate.
Furthermore, Liu Xie was personally supported and nurtured by our Dong Family.
Only in this way will it best serve our family's interests.”
Upon hearing this, Ma Chao's brows furrowed, and he fell into deep thought.
He still refused to give up and continued, “Dong Gong, even if it is as you say, this matter of deposing and establishing an emperor ultimately goes against heavenly principles and moral order.
It will be scorned by the world.
Are you not worried about bearing eternal infamy?
Throughout history, those who have carried out acts of dethronement, which one of them did not meet a tragic end?
Do you really want to take this risk?”
Dong Zhuo heard Ma Chao's persistent obstruction, and although he was somewhat displeased, he still patiently said, “Mengqi, this old man naturally knows the gravity of this matter.
But the current situation forces us to this point.
If we do not act this way, how will our Dong Family establish itself?
Liu Xie is already close to our Dong Family.
Supporting him to the throne will bring a hundred benefits and no harm to our Dong Family.
This old man is also considering the long-term interests of the family.”
Ma Chao still looked worried, and said earnestly, “Dong Gong, but the risk is truly too great.
If it triggers great chaos, the consequences would be unimaginable.
I hope Dong Gong reconsiders!”
Dong Zhuo sighed, patted Ma Chao's shoulder, and said, “Mengqi, this old man has made up his mind.
You need not say more.”
Ma Chao was extremely anxious but didn't know how to persuade Dong Zhuo to change his mind.
Ma Chao realized that what Dong Zhuo was currently planning completely contradicted his long-held educational beliefs, which plunged him into a state of extreme inner conflict and struggle.
On the one hand, he felt deep gratitude for Dong Zhuo's efforts to save the Ma family and his exceptional regard for him; he felt he couldn't easily betray Dong Zhuo's profound kindness.
On the other hand, he truly found it difficult to agree with what Dong Zhuo intended to do, which left him in a dilemma, unsure of what to do.
Seeing Ma Chao's conflicted and troubled expression, Dong Zhuo was also somewhat moved.
He didn't want Ma Chao to be overly troubled or conflicted, so he laughed heartily and took over the conversation, deciding to host a banquet to welcome Ma Chao and ease the somewhat awkward and tense atmosphere.
Just then, Ma Chao suggested that he wanted to meet Lu Zhi's family.
Dong Zhuo, however, used the excuse that it was getting late, gently advising Ma Chao to rest first, claiming it wouldn't be too late to meet after he had recuperated.
Although Ma Chao was somewhat unwilling, he couldn't insist further and had no choice but to give up, accompanying Dong Zhuo to the banquet with a mind full of worries.
During the banquet, the topic somehow shifted to the perception of Lü Bu, and Ma Chao earnestly stated that if they fought with full effort, he and Lü Bu should be evenly matched.
Dong Zhuo knew very well that Ma Chao was not one to boast, and at this moment, he was also deeply worried about the upcoming developments.
Ma Chao clearly saw the anxiety on Dong Zhuo's face, so he temporarily put aside his other thoughts, secretly thinking to first do his best to help Dong Zhuo resolve this thorny predicament.