Su Ming: What gives you the right to take what belongs to me?

For years, Huang Zu had served as governor in Jiangxia, and he had amassed a considerable fortune during his tenure. The dozen or so large carts brought by Deng Long were still not enough to carry all the gold and silver treasures from Huang Zu’s mansion. Even the carriages belonging to Huang Zu’s household were packed to bursting with valuables. The wives of Huang Zu sat inside, each clutching heaps of jewels and precious metals in their arms.

People die for wealth as birds die for food. Had Huang Zu moved a bit faster, he might have escaped tonight. But his greed for riches had cost him dearly; he had wasted too much time gathering his possessions.

By now, Su Ming had already led his troops to the gates of the official residence. Deng Long, commanding a squad, escorted Huang Zu, his family, and their treasure-laden caravan toward the southern city gate. Since Cao’s army had stormed in from the north, the southern gate was the safest route.

However, at that very moment, Su Ming and his men arrived at the mansion. Just as Huang Zu’s group burst out with their carriages, they collided head-on with Su Ming’s force. The atmosphere was immediately tense and awkward.

Seeing how swiftly Cao’s troops had arrived, Huang Zu felt panic rising in his chest. Deng Long leaned in and whispered, “My lord, they don’t have many men. They shouldn’t be able to stop us. I’ll lead the charge and carve out a bloody path.”

The invading Cao army consisted entirely of the two thousand Leopard Riders under Cao Hong. Of those, Cao Hong himself led fifteen hundred to seize the granaries and treasuries throughout the city, leaving Su Ming with only five hundred cavalry. Deng Long’s contingent, bolstered by Huang Zu’s personal guards, far outnumbered the group Su Ming commanded.

Observing the small number of enemy troops, Huang Zu felt a surge of confidence. “Deng Long, go ahead and break through. I promise you’ll be well rewarded!” Huang Zu wasted no time in making promises.

Jiangxia comprised thirteen counties. Though Xiling had fallen, Huang Zu could not believe Cao Cao could seize all thirteen in one night. Even in the worst case, if Jiangxia were entirely lost, he could retreat to Jingzhou and seek refuge with Liu Biao.

Deng Long eyed Su Ming, pondering the odds. The young commander before him was only in his twenties—how formidable could he be, even if he’d trained since birth? Yet Deng Long was a sly man; he’d heard that the Chancellor Cao was surrounded by both brilliant scholars and mighty generals. To avoid any unexpected misfortune, he decided to first inquire about Su Ming’s identity.

“Hey!” Deng Long shouted, “Cao’s general on the other side, dare you state your name?”

Deng Long thought, if the opponent was a renowned warrior, he’d turn tail and flee; surely they’d prioritize capturing Huang Zu and wouldn’t bother with him. But if the adversary was unknown, he’d attack and claim a victory, earning merit before Huang Zu.

Su Ming rode forward and declared, “I do not change my name when walking or sitting; I am Su Ming.”

Hearing this, Deng Long mused, “Su Ming? Never heard of him.” In ancient times, information traveled slowly. Though Su Ming had defeated Guan Yu at the Yellow River crossing, his fame had not yet reached Jiangxia. Thus, Deng Long did not recognize him.

He concluded, “Never heard of this man—he’s fair game.”

But Deng Long did not know that even the famed Guan Yu was no match for Su Ming. Had he known, he would have fled immediately.

“Su Ming?” Deng Long scoffed, “Just an unknown nobody—clear the road, and I’ll spare your miserable life!” He truly had no sense of his own insignificance, and charged straight at Su Ming.

Su Ming remained calm, unruffled by Deng Long’s furious approach. Men of Deng Long’s caliber hardly warranted Su Ming’s attention. To die by Su Ming’s hand would be a stroke of luck for him.

Deng Long, brandishing his spear, spurred his horse and thundered toward Su Ming. In the blink of an eye, he was upon him. Truly, Deng Long seemed in a rush to meet his fate—as if a moment’s delay would deny him a favorable reincarnation.

Since the man was so eager, Su Ming was happy to oblige.

Deng Long’s spear thrust straight for Su Ming’s heart—a plain, uninspired attack, the mark of a third-rate warrior. Su Ming didn’t even bother to look; he simply swung his gilded phoenix-winged lance forward, using only thirty percent of his strength.

A resounding clang of metal echoed—the blow sent Deng Long, horse and all, flying several yards. Su Ming wanted to say, “I barely used any force, and you’re already down?”

With just a fraction of Su Ming’s power, Deng Long was smashed aside. His spear was bent, its twisted shaft pressing against his chest, the immense force breaking his ribs and driving the weapon deep into his organs. Deng Long lay on the ground, lifeless, blood bubbling from his lips.

“Lord... Lord, General Deng Long is dead!” a soldier checked the body and reported to Huang Zu.

Huang Zu stared, dumbfounded. Just one move—one exchange—and Deng Long was dead? He felt like screaming, “Deng Long, you’re playing me for a fool! I should report you for throwing the match!”

“You... Who are you, really?” Huang Zu pointed at Su Ming and demanded.

Su Ming replied, “I do not change my name when walking or sitting. I am Su Ming.”

Huang Zu thought, “Su Ming? Still never heard of him. Cao Cao’s reputation is well-earned—an unknown lieutenant this formidable.” With that realization, his will to fight evaporated. Now, he only wanted to escape.

“You… If you let me go, I’ll share half my treasure with you. What do you say?” Knowing he stood no chance, Huang Zu tried to bargain with Su Ming.

Hearing this, Su Ming regarded Huang Zu with the pitying gaze one reserves for the simple-minded. He thought, “Isn’t it possible that, if I kill you, all of this becomes mine anyway?”

“By what right do you presume to divide my spoils?” Su Ming retorted, full of righteous indignation.

Huang Zu was stunned. Years of accumulated wealth, now claimed by another just like that? Still, he wasn’t foolish—he understood Su Ming’s meaning: he was being dismissed as irrelevant, his possessions already considered lost.

“Boy, don’t push your luck! My soldiers are not just for show!” Huang Zu drew the saber hanging from his saddle, preparing to fight his way out.

But Huang Zu was nothing—Su Ming hardly spared him a thought. In Su Ming’s eyes, only one man under Huang Zu was worth facing: Gan Ning, the Pirate Captain with the Brocade Sails. Unfortunately, Gan Ning’s background made Huang Zu distrust him, so Gan Ning was not at his side now.