A Secret Meeting Uncovered
Night fell softly over Zhaoling, but Wei Yun did not rest.
He moved like a shadow through the alleys behind the eastern barracks, following the flicker of a lantern's glow. From behind a crumbling stable wall, he watched and listened—five men huddled together, whispering in fear and ambition.
"I gave her the map," said one. "Marked the weak points in the inner wall."
"Once Lady Mei sees that, she'll know how to strike."
"We'll be spared," said another. "She promised."
Wei Yun's fingers clenched around the hilt of his sword. He could not believe it—not in Zhaoling, not now. After all they had sacrificed?
By dawn, the five traitors were dragged into the town square, bound and bloodied. A crowd had gathered, murmuring in confusion and rage.
Lü Bu stepped forward, calm but cold. He read the parchment aloud—the traitor's letter to Lady Mei.
Gasps rippled through the townsfolk.
"You gave her our defenses…" Lü Bu said, his voice steady. "You were ready to let this town burn to save yourselves."
One of the traitors fell to his knees.
"We were scared! You're leading us into a war we can't win!"
"Then run," Lü Bu said sharply. "But don't betray your own to survive."
Silence.
"If I let this go unpunished, what happens next time?" he asked, turning to the people.
A murmur of understanding spread.
Wei Yun stepped forward.
"The people need to see that Zhaoling protects itself—not just from outsiders, but from within."
Lü Bu stared at the men—cowards, yes. But once they were farmers, merchants, survivors.
Could he blame them for fearing death?
Yet mercy without justice was weakness.
He turned to the crowd.
"I will not rule with fear. But I will not tolerate betrayal."
"One of these men will live. The others will face justice."
"Let this be a warning—and a lesson."
He pointed to the youngest traitor, barely more than a boy.
"You. You'll serve in the kitchens. Your blood will not be spilled today. Earn your place. Prove it can be done."
The other four were taken away in silence.
Zhaoling had changed
It was no longer a village
It was becoming a nation.
System Update:
[SYSTEM QUEST COMPLETE – "Root Out the Betrayal"]
✅ Objective Complete: Confront the traitors
🎖 Rewards:
Authority +10
Inner Circle Loyalty increased
New System Feature Unlocked: Code of Law (Zhaoling)
You may now define Zhaoling's core rules and values.
Lü Bu paused, reading the system window.
"A land without law is only temporary."
He turned to Wei Yun.
"We'll write our own law. Not from fear… but from fire."
Arrival at the Gate
As the day ended and the air cooled, the guards shouted from the eastern watchtower.
"RIDER APPROACHING!"
Lü Bu and Wei Yun climbed to the wall. A lone horseman rode hard, his cloak torn, flying a white flag of peace. His face was covered, but his voice was clear.
"I bring a message from the North. My lord wishes to meet the one they call Lü Bu."
He raised a sealed scroll.
"He sends this… and an offer."
Lü Bu took the scroll in silence. The seal was a wolf's fang. His brow furrowed.
"So the real war begins…"
In the war room, Lü Bu unfolded a larger map of the northern territories. Red markers showed hostile forces. Yellow dots marked potential allies. A black ink circle surrounded Zhaoling.
But in the far corner of the map… a new symbol had appeared.
A wolf's head—representing a powerful warlord in the North.
Wei Yun leaned in.
"You think it's a trap?"
"No," Lü Bu said. "I think it's an invitation."
He gripped his halberd, a storm rising in his gaze.
"And I don't intend to go quietly."