Chapter 124: Pawn or Player?

The name Guo Mo was like a thorn, piercing Wei Ba’s nerves with sudden, sharp pain.

He had heard from Meng Da that the reason Sima Yi had arrived so quickly—so quickly that he was caught completely off guard—was because of a man named Guo Mo. This man was a confidant of Zhuge Liang who had feigned defection to reveal the secret plans between Meng Da and Zhuge Liang to Shen Yi, ultimately driving Meng Da into a desperate trap.

If Zhuge Liang were to pull the same trick on him, he would likely suffer the same fate as Meng Da—no, he would die even more miserably. Meng Da at least still had a few thousand troops, while he had only Dun Wu by his side.

"Do you understand now?" Peng Heng looked at Wei Ba with a mocking sneer.

Wei Ba quickly calmed himself and nodded faintly. "If I were truly feigning defection, that would indeed be dangerous."

"Whether you are feigning it or not, your life is in someone else’s hands," Peng Heng retorted coldly.

"On the contrary, I do not have the strength of Meng Da, nor do I pose any danger to anyone. At best, I simply fail to gain others' trust; how could I possibly lose my life?" Wei Ba replied with a cold smile of his own. "If things were as you say, would there be any defectors left in the world? I believe the General of Pacifying the West has his own judgment and will not simply parrot others or be unable to distinguish right from wrong."

"Self-deception." Peng Heng reached out a hand. "Give the jade back to me."

"What jade?"

"The piece that the village rustic Zhuge gave you."

"Why should I give it to you?"

"Because it belonged to my family in the first place." Peng Heng said each word with deliberate weight. "It is my family heirloom. The village rustic Zhuge slandered my father and caused his death, which is how this jade ended up in his hands."

Wei Ba took the jade from his robe, examined it, and couldn't help but laugh. "Are you saying Prime Minister Zhuge killed your father over a piece of jade?"

"I did not say that." Peng Heng shook his head. "He killed my father not because of the jade, but because of jealousy."

Wei Ba was stunned for a moment, but he couldn't help but burst into uproarious laughter. Pointing at Peng Heng while he laughed, he said, "You really are a comedian."

Peng Heng watched Wei Ba coldly, saying nothing until the laughter died down. Only then did he continue. "Don't think that the village rustic Zhuge is the person Liu Bei trusts most. On the contrary, he never was."

"Could it be that the person Liu Bei trusted most was your father? That would be strange. Why would he kill your father instead of keeping him alive to entrust his son to him later?"

"I knew you wouldn't believe it. In fact, never mind you—no one would believe it. If I hadn't seen this letter, I wouldn't have believed it either." Peng Heng pulled a yellowed piece of cocoon paper from his robe and slowly pushed it toward Wei Ba. "Even my father didn't know who he was pleading to for help."

Wei Ba took the paper suspiciously and began to read.

"...In the past, I served the feudal lords, thinking Cao Cao was tyrannical and Sun Quan was unprincipled. Zhenwei was weak and dim-witted. Only my lord possessed the ambition of a hegemon, capable of restoring greatness and bringing peace, which is why I made a sudden move. When you came west, I used Fa Zheng to promote myself, and Pang Tong mediated, thus I was able to meet you at Jiameng... Heaven is bright and the earth is discerning; the spirits have eyes. What more can I say! I hope you, my noble envoy, will understand my true heart. Go now, strive hard, and take care of yourself!"

It was a letter from Peng Yang to Zhuge Liang, hoping he would intercede with Liu Bei. However, Wei Ba still didn't understand why Peng Heng claimed Zhuge Liang was the true culprit behind Peng Yang's death. Peng Yang had sought help from Zhuge Liang, and Zhuge Liang failed to save him; perhaps that was why Peng Heng harbored a grudge. It seemed like blaming the pillow for a sleepless night or holding someone else accountable for one's own misfortune.

"The reason I say my father didn't know is that he was unaware the very person he was pleading to—the village rustic Zhuge—was the one intent on destroying him. Seeking help from him was no different than asking a tiger for its hide, which only hastened his own death." Peng Heng slowly took back the letter and tucked it away. "Through various connections, I investigated the circumstances of that time. My father was demoted not for any other reason, but because the village rustic Zhuge was jealous that my father was heavily relied upon by Liu Bei, fearing he would usurp his own influence. That was why he slandered my father, claiming he had ulterior motives and would eventually make the Yizhou faction too powerful. Even the casual conversation between my father and that brute Ma Chao was embellished by him and reported to Liu Bei as proof of treason, leading to his imprisonment. His final death was also the result of his relentless instigation."

Peng Heng’s eyes turned red, his teeth grinding in hatred, the resentment clear on his face. "From beginning to end, my father's death was driven by him. The reason is simple: my father’s military talent surpassed his. If not suppressed, he would have become an unstoppable rival, just like Fa Zheng. So, he exploited Liu Bei’s fears regarding the Yizhou faction to defame him. It is a pity that my father, who prided himself on his intelligence, was completely oblivious to this and instead treated him as a trusted ally, seeking his help."

Peng Heng looked up with a sneer. "My father died in prison, the Yizhou faction suffered a major blow, Fa Zheng died in his prime, Meng Da defected to Cao Wei, and the Eastern Province faction collapsed. Guan Yu was defeated at Xiangfan, Zhang Fei died at the hands of petty men, and the original followers’ faction withered away. Now the Jingzhou faction dominates alone, yet he is still not satisfied. He ousted Li Yan and demoted Liao Li. Who is next?"

*It is my father, Wei Yan,* Wei Ba thought to himself. A monstrous storm was raging in his heart, but his face remained impassive, save for a faint, calm smile as he watched Peng Heng.

"It is your Wei family," Peng Heng huffed. "Originally it was just your father, Wei Yan, but now, with you, the talented young man, added to the list. Wei Ba, do not think this is just a scheme. To be precise, it is indeed a scheme, but you are not the one planning it; you are the one being schemed against."

"I can only say that although you didn't grow up in the supply camp, your mind is even darker than your sister's." Wei Ba suddenly laughed out loud. "In your eyes, everyone else is a fool, and only you are the clever one who sees the truth. Very well, I am feigning defection. Go and report me to the General of Pacifying the West."

"I will not report you. I will watch as you are destroyed by the village rustic Zhuge." Peng Heng reached out. "Return the jade to me."

"If you have the ability, come and take it." Wei Ba pocketed the jade and said nonchalantly, "Your sister stole it from me once; you can let her try again. I said earlier, bring her to me, or you won't be leaving here today."

Peng Heng’s eyes tightened, his expression one of disdain. "You seem to have forgotten where this is."

"No matter where this is, what I say will always hold true." Wei Ba stood up and slowly drew his ring-pommel saber from his waist. He stared at the blade, which shimmered like a pool of autumn water, lost in thought for a long moment before looking up at Peng Heng with a slight smile. "Are you going to hand over Little Jade, or are you prepared to die here with us?"

Peng Heng’s expression changed instantly. He asked nervously, "Are you threatening me?"

"I am not threatening you; I am informing you." Wei Ba pointed the blade at Peng Heng. "With your intelligence, you should be able to see that I am not joking."

Peng Heng looked at the sharp blade, feeling a chill run down his spine. He could see that Wei Ba was not joking; he was playing for keeps. Yet, was this man truly insane? He had come to Chang'an with a vital mission—how could he act so crazily over a maid who had already betrayed him—a maid who wasn't even beautiful?

"Why?" Peng Heng asked hoarsely. "Don't tell me you’re in love with my sister?"

"I don't know," Wei Ba said coldly. "I just feel that rather than letting her go with you, it would be better for her to stay as my maid. Honestly, I am disappointed in you. Your shoulders are too weak; you cannot carry the Peng family, nor can you carry her."

"What the Peng family does has nothing to do with you!" Peng Heng gritted his teeth, veins bulging. "Aren't you overstepping your bounds?"

"The Peng family is none of my business. But Little Jade is. I was the one who redeemed her from the supply camp, and I spent a fortune in grain to make her look healthy and plump. I won't let you ruin that. If she is to die, she will die by my hand."

Peng Heng was left speechless. He didn't know what kind of logic this was, or rather, it was sheer unreasonableness. But he was still recovering from severe injuries and was no match for Wei Ba. Even if his four attendants were outside, they would surely be unable to save him from Wei Ba and Dun Wu. Dun Wu had killed his best fighter with a single strike, and now that he was under Wei Ba’s blade, he had no chance of retaliation.

Wei Ba was likely trying to scare him, but he dared not take the risk. Who could guarantee that Wei Ba wouldn't actually go insane?

Peng Heng regretted his actions. Before he came, his sister had advised him not to meet Wei Ba under these circumstances, let alone try to provoke him, for the consequences were unpredictable. He hadn't taken her seriously, always feeling he held the winning hand, believing that in both wit and martial strength, Wei Ba would have no room to resist. Ending up in this position was completely beyond his expectations.

Peng Heng quickly weighed the pros and cons, gritting his teeth. "That is your idea, not my sister's."

"Very well, let Little Jade come and tell me herself." Wei Ba pressed the saber against Peng Heng’s throat; the sharp, icy blade nicked the skin, causing goosebumps to rise. Wei Ba’s voice was as cold as the steel. "Hurry, I’m worried my hand might shake. While I have some small talents, if a blood vessel is severed, I don't know how to reattach it."

"My sister..."

"I’ll count to three." Wei Ba tightened his grip, the blade sinking into the skin of Peng Heng’s neck, cutting him off. "One! Two!"

Peng Heng was terrified, his eyes widening involuntarily.

"Young Master, please spare him!" A flurry of hurried footsteps sounded from the adjacent room. Peng Xiaoyu appeared at the doorway, looking pale and nervous. She gripped the doorframe, breathing heavily. "Young Master, do not kill my brother." She had barely finished the sentence before tears began to stream down her face. "He is the only brother I have left."

"Incorrect. You still have me, your Young Master." Wei Ba sheathed his blade and gestured. "Come here, you silly girl, and explain yourself. Why did you try to betray me? I never mistreated you. You were the one who volunteered to be my maid. Although I have you wash my feet every day, I’ve treated you better than most masters treat their servants. Why did you conspire with these people to set me up, leaving me in such a miserable state? Speak! If you cannot give me a reasonable explanation, I will send both of you siblings to reunite with your parents."