Chapter 8: The Death of Bo Sha

Lu Boshe was an impatient man; without waiting for Cao Cao's pleasantries, he ran outside, mounted a small donkey, and trotted along the forest path towards the western village. Wang Cai peeked at Cao Cao from outside the door, barked once, and then chased after Lu Boshe.

Oh, the greatest wish..." Lü Boshe stroked his beard with his hand, "is to train a dog that is the king among dogs, one that fears no one." He bent down and patted Wangcai's head, saying, "Just now it had some semblance of it, but I still feel it lacks a bit of spirit."

The large black dog, upon hearing the call of a person, immediately quickened its pace and ran towards the direction of the sound

Cao Cao, if he truly harbored murderous intent, would show no mercy in his actions. He immediately drew his Qinggang sword and leaped into the courtyard. The glint of the sword flashed everywhere, and the two brothers, who were merely pig farmers and had no knowledge of martial arts, did not even utter a sound before being pierced through the throat, falling to the ground lifeless.

The sound of sharpening knives. Cao Cao replied

"It is still acceptable," Cao Cao replied

Fortunately, moments later, Cao Cao swiftly leaped back into the courtyard, his blue steel sword already sheathed, and not a trace of blood was on him. However, at this time, there were no survivors among the eight members of the Lü family.

For instance, if a pig's tail swings left three times and then right three times, followed by a grunt, it is likely that the pig needs to defecate. If it grunts five or six times, it is probably constipated. What the two brothers find most unsatisfactory is that their understanding of pig language has remained limited to physiological needs and has not ascended to a spiritual level. They attribute this to the fact that they have yet to encounter a pig with a talent for learning and a proper attitude.

Oh, I have a friend who came with me; he was a bit rushed just now and couldn't keep up. Having said this, Cao Cao glanced at Wang Cai again and swallowed.

"Cao Gong, slow down, wait for me." Chen Gong, panting, followed in with two horses in tow

Indeed, come, come, come, sit with me for a while. I have moved here for several years, and this is your first visit.

Cao Cao felt a sudden jolt in his heart, and his face instantly stiffened

Jumping over to let you hug me is just foolishness, thought Chen Gong

Hurry up, stop wasting time, this guy is very sharp, don't let him notice.

Throughout the journey, Chen Gong continuously complained, while Cao Cao said little in response. The next morning, when Chen Gong awoke, Cao Cao was already gone, leaving behind a gold ingot and a handwritten letter.

Lü Jizhi nodded. He could not add to the psychological fear of this pig, with whom he had such a close bond, just before his death

"Why, why was the wrong person already killed, and why must there be another killing?"

Chen Gong was aware that his behavior yesterday had been inappropriate, causing Cao Cao to look down on him. He felt quite dissatisfied, thinking, "How can one make such a judgment about my lack of benevolent means based solely on this trivial matter?" However, he had no intention of pursuing Cao Cao any further and planned to seek another wise lord to realize his ambitions.

It's alright, Wangcai, go and bring the guests back home

Uncle, when I last left home, my father instructed me that if I were to encounter you, I should ask what your greatest wish is

After recognizing these points, the two brothers of the Lü family began their pig training career. After considerable hard work (do not ask me about the process, as I am not very clear on that either), the two finally gained a certain level of understanding of the language of pigs. However, that was merely a "certain level." It is similar to the weather forecasts in large cities today, where rain is discussed in terms of probability, and the same principle applies.

Wang Cai collided head-on with the sword body, unexpectedly breaking the Qing Steel Sword. Its momentum unabated, it forcefully kicked off the ground with its hind legs and leaped into the air towards Cao Cao, who was seated on his horse, its abdomen grazing the broken sword and immediately spilling a string of blood droplets.

Lu Bosha's death was an accident, and he hurried to comfort Wang Cai

Cao Cao cast a sweeping glance around, resembling a sharp blade, and saw only a lean pig wandering back and forth in the courtyard, with no one else in sight. Just as he slightly furrowed his brow, he heard someone calling out: "Eldest Young Master, Second Young Master, have you finished the killing?"

After a while, Lu Boshe came out and said, "I am truly sorry, but we have run out of good wine. I will go to Xicun to buy two jin and return. In the evening, we shall drink heartily."

"Truly... truly a divine dog," Chen Gong sighed

Cao Cao raised his forearm to block, and Wang Cai bit down on Cao Cao's arm, using all its strength in its mouth, its teeth sinking deep into the flesh, thus hanging in mid-air.

The sound of the grinding knife continued unabated, and Cao Cao felt increasingly annoyed. He said to Chen Gong, "Let us go and see what is happening."

Chen Gong opened his mouth wide, making a "he he" sound in his throat

Along the way, they encountered several bandits, but with Cao Cao's skills, as long as he did not meet a truly formidable opponent, he would not regard ordinary mountain bandits as a threat, relying on the Tianyi true energy within him and an ordinary blue steel sword in his hand. It was only due to his identity as a "benevolent person" in Chen Gong's eyes that he refrained from indiscriminately shedding blood. On this day, the two arrived at Chenggao

"Shh, be quiet, don't let it hear you," Lu Jiyi said softly

What does 'still acceptable' mean? Chen Gong's heart became uneasy

However, dogs do not simply appear out of nowhere. For several consecutive days, Cao Cao had not caught a whiff of a dog, leaving him feeling quite dejected. Therefore, when the large black dog suddenly appeared before him, Cao Cao's eyes immediately lit up, and every pore in his body rejoiced. Moreover, Cao Cao felt that this dog looked very familiar, evoking a sense of déjà vu.

The horse they were riding continued to move forward at a leisurely pace, while beside them, Chen Gong also lowered his head and rode alongside Cao Cao. Lü Boshe, puzzled, watched the two pass by and called out again: "Noble nephew"

Chen Gong felt a pang of discomfort in his teeth and asked, "What is that sound?"

Cao Cao withdrew his gaze and smiled at Lü Boshe, saying, "This dog king is indeed far superior to the past"

The half-man tall Wangcai fell to the ground with a "bang," slowly turned over, and under the counterforce of Tianyi's true energy, it was uncertain how many bones in its body had been broken. Even an ordinary strong man would have died twice over, yet Wangcai still managed to crawl back to Lu Boshe's side with great difficulty, extending its tongue to lick its master's face before finally tilting its head and passing away.

"Really, do we really have to kill it?" Lü Jizhi asked his elder brother

Sigh, I really don't want to, but... there is no other way.

Chen Gong could only stand by and watch in a daze, unsure of what to do for the moment

One may have the intention to practice benevolence, but without the means to do so, it ultimately proves to be futile. Do you agree with this, sir? Since you and Cao have differing interests, it is best to part ways here. Regarding yesterday's events, if you believe you have no regrets, you may freely speak of Cao's injustices, as you see fit.

Chen Gong's exhibition of calligraphy

"Wang Cai, Wang Cai, where are you?" a person shouted from the front

Chen Gong staggered into the courtyard and saw the two brothers lying on the ground, blood gushing from their throats. He could not help but cover his forehead with his hand, unable to bear to look any longer

Cao Cao held Wang Cai up with his left hand, gazing into its unwavering eyes. The blood flowing from Cao Cao's hand and the blood trickling down from Wang Cai's abdomen formed two red lines in the air, falling into the dust of the path.

Sharpen the knife a bit more, and when the time comes, be precise with your cut, so as not to let it suffer too much

Cao Cao dismounted and bowed three times before the corpse of a man and a dog, then simply bandaged the wound that was deep enough to see the bone, before mounting his horse and heading straight for Chen Liu

Wang Cai, upon seeing Cao Cao, unexpectedly ceased his previous fear and began to bark incessantly. Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, fixating on the black dog, his gaze emanating a chilling murderous intent. Wang Cai showed no signs of weakness, his large round eyes glaring fiercely at Cao Cao, his fur almost standing on end.

Cao Xianzhi, I hope you have been well. The speaker was none other than the foremost dog trainer of Qiao County, who had once trained the hunting dog known as the King of Hounds, which Cao Cao had dealt with in three days. He was also a sworn brother of Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, and his surname was Lü, with the given name Bocha.

Upon hearing such a response, Cao Cao was momentarily taken aback and murmured, "Such a wish, indeed." As soon as the words left his mouth, the light of the sword in his hand surged violently.

Every time Cao Cao saw Chen Gong frowning while eating barbecued food, he would always comfort him: "Just bear with it for now, I can't cook these things well, but as long as I can catch a dog, I have seventeen or eighteen ways to turn it into an exquisite delicacy." Cao Cao spoke these words with great confidence; as the recognized terminator of dogs in Qiao County, he indeed had a unique approach to cooking dog meat.

Chen Gong felt a shiver and, upon looking up, found that Cao Cao's figure had already vanished

It is said that the dog trainer, Lü Bosha, had two sons. The elder brother was named Lü Jiyie, and the younger brother was named Lü Jizhi. Naturally, this naming was intended to hope that the two would inherit his exceptional dog training skills. These two brothers were quite promising; from a young age, they were very fond of dogs. Their best friend, a dog named "General", grew up before their eyes over the course of three years. Under Lü Bosha's training, General became increasingly intelligent and imposing. Whenever they went out to play, General would bark "Woof Woof", drawing the attention of passersby, showcasing a great presence. However, one day, General was taken by Uncle Cao and renamed "A Huang". Three days later, the tragic news arrived—A Huang had passed away from excessive fright.

After sitting down in the outer room, shortly thereafter, Wang Cai brought in Chen Gong. Lü Boshe had a very good relationship with Cao Song. Upon seeing that Cao Cao was well, he was filled with joy and inquired about Cao Cao's recent situation, then said: "Noble nephew, please sit for a moment." He then turned and entered the inner room

Cao Cao flicked his wrist, and the blue steel sword flew out, embedding itself in the ground right next to Wang Cai's nose

Cao Cao also harbored doubts in his heart, but as the saying goes, those with great skills are bold. In truth, Cao Cao cannot be considered highly skilled; although the True Qi of the day was a renowned internal martial art, Cao Cao's heart was not in it, and he only practiced it to a mediocre level. He always believed that to be a great hero in chaotic times, charisma should come first, political acumen second, strategic insight third, and martial prowess should be ranked last. Therefore, Cao Cao's abilities were only slightly superior to those of ordinary experts. However, when he focused intently, the penetrating light in his eyes possessed a captivating power that could enthrall others. Many individuals with similar skills would feel unsettled under Cao Cao's gaze, and those slightly less capable might even find their True Qi fluctuating unexpectedly, much like the several generals at Wang Yun's banquet that day. Moreover, Cao Cao's lightness skill, akin to oil beneath his feet, was not something ordinary people could match.

Chen Gong silently recited the name of Amitabha Buddha a few times and hurriedly set off with Cao Cao

The large black dog with a shiny coat stared at Cao Cao with wide eyes, and its fur suddenly bristled, before it turned and fled. Cao Cao was unwilling to let it go, so he unleashed his lightness skill and chased after it. Thus, the earlier scene unfolded.

If he returns home and sees the tragic situation, it would be worse than death. Rather than living in suffering, it is better for me to end it with my own hands. This is my compassion. I have already said, if I do not enter hell, who will enter hell.

"Will it ... ... will it ... ..." After all, that is a senior of Cao Cao, so one cannot suspect people recklessly

After a long while, Cao Cao let out a soft sigh, channeling his vital energy, and his arms instantly became stronger than steel. With a loud "bang," Wang Cai was sent flying.

Chen Gong drew the Qinggang sword, holding it against his chest, lowering his brows and averting his gaze, feigning the demeanor of a master, which indeed exuded a certain aura. After a while, his hand grew sore, he coughed softly, and discreetly switched to the other hand, secretly hoping that Cao Cao would return soon

At that time, there was already the ancient saying "Do not enter the forest when it is raining." However, Cao Cao disregarded this, for he saw a dog

Cao Cao reined in his horse, turned his head back, and his expression had already calmed down

I have never heard of a master sharpening his knife before killing, so even if there is real danger, I am more than capable of handling it, content to sit quietly and watch the changes unfold. Chen Gong does not possess the same confidence as Cao Cao

Sometimes, the two brothers are troubled by their inability to communicate freely with the pigs, so they squat in front of the pigs, looking at them earnestly for a long time. The pigs seem to be quite enchanted, occasionally grunting softly. As a result, when the two brothers stand up, they often have a face full of pig saliva.

To avoid unnecessary complications, the two traveled day and night towards Qiao County, gradually moving out of Dong Zhuo's sphere of influence

The blue steel sword is stained with crimson blood, one drop, two drops, three drops

With a joyful bark, Wangcai dashed away

Cao Cao scoffed: "Hmph, look at them running away from me just the same. If you have the guts, jump over here and let me give you a hug. Old Lu's dog training skills are getting worse and worse." As he spoke, he swallowed another mouthful of saliva

Wang Cai circled around the corpse of Lü Boshe, extending its front paw to push Lü Boshe's hand. Seeing that its master did not respond, it went to lick its master's face, but instead licked the fresh blood that was gushing from Lü Boshe's throat.

With a sudden sound, Cao Cao leaped off his horse and dashed into a thicket.

Cao Cao saw Chen Gong's demeanor and immediately lowered his opinion of him by three points, saying: "Perhaps Mr. Chen should take a look himself."

Cao Cao cast a cold glance at Chen Gong and said: "If I return and raise the banner of righteousness, if this matter gets out, how can there be any righteousness? The endeavor will surely fail."

Suddenly, a roar was heard. Cao Cao focused his gaze and saw Wang Cai rushing over like the wind.

Not long ago, two brothers acquired a new pig, which was thin yet spirited, running around energetically all day long. The brothers believed that this pig had great potential and decided to train it well, aiming to achieve ordinary skills such as walking upright for thirty steps, guarding the house, catching mice, and picking up bones within three months, while also venturing into the new domain of addition and subtraction within 4 (the pig has four hooves)

No wonder it looks a bit familiar; it turns out to be the dog you trained

Lü Bosha only felt a dazzling brilliance, a chill in his throat, and suddenly lost all strength in his body, collapsing softly from the donkey. The donkey let out a loud bray and fled away.

Lu Boshe, upon hearing Cao Cao praise the dog, was overjoyed and said: "Oh, not at all, but why is my esteemed nephew in such a hurry to leave? I have already had my two sons slaughter the best pig at home, and the wine has also been purchased. No matter what, you must stay with me for at least one night"

Lu Boshe felt a sense of relief; had he arrived even a moment later, his carefully nurtured new generation of hunting dogs, the best of the best, would have been lost. Noticing that Cao Cao's gaze kept darting to his back, he felt a chill run down his spine and hurriedly said, "It is good that my esteemed nephew is unharmed. I have heard that your father has already taken refuge in Chenliu."

Cao Cao heard this sound and couldn't help but pause for a moment, his speed also slowing down. Following the sound, he saw a middle-aged man dressed in blue cloth standing at a distance, while a black dog hid behind him, not daring to even poke its head out.

Chen Gong said mournfully: "Is this your 'benevolence', your 'Amitabha'?"

Chen Gong listened to these few words in the corridor, feeling alarmed and terrified. He pushed Cao Cao forcefully and said, "Lord Cao, Lord Cao, what shall we do? We have encountered a black shop."

However, the distance between the person and the dog is gradually narrowing. In the blink of an eye, the large black dog is about to be captured. The dog barks "Woof, woof," its voice filled with a sense of urgency.

Not far from the edge of the forest, the two unexpectedly encountered Lü Boshe, who was returning on a small donkey.

Lu Boshe's home is situated in the woods, consisting of several rooms and a large courtyard. Although it cannot be compared to the mansions of nobility in the capital, it is not considered small in the countryside.

The two brothers were deeply affected and subsequently lost interest in dog training. It is no wonder, as their father's three years of hard work was accomplished by others in just three days. However, fueled by a lifelong passion for animals, the two brothers channeled their enthusiasm into a completely new field—pig training

In recent days, due to being in Dong Zhuo's territory, the two dared not travel openly on the official roads, nor did they dare to enter the city for a lavish meal. They could only rely on Chen Gong to buy some dry rations at roadside stalls, choosing to travel through desolate and uninhabited areas. If they wanted to eat well, they had to find a way to catch wild animals themselves. Chen Gong was a scholar; not only could he not catch wild beasts, but he also did not know how to cook the ones that were already caught. Cao Cao, on the other hand, had the ability to catch them, but he was equally inept in cooking. Over the past few days, they had a meal of roasted wolf, a meal of roasted fish, a meal of roasted fox, and a meal of roasted frog. Cao Cao had a remarkable grasp of the fire control, which made Chen Gong feel that the taste of these animals when roasted was quite similar, with no significant difference.

Two people were sitting idly in the outer room, while strange sounds emanated from within. Cao Cao's expression changed slightly.

The dog seemed to realize that it had reached a critical moment of life and death, unleashing all its potential. It leaped with all four legs, covering a distance of ten feet in a single bound, and often, just when it was about to be caught, it would make a sudden turn, displaying extraordinary agility, which surprisingly prevented Cao Cao from capturing it for a moment.

Who would have thought that the heavens would bring unforeseen storms? Just now, father came in and said that a distinguished guest has arrived, wanting to slaughter a pig, specifically requesting a lean one, and has named this promising pig for the task. The two brothers knew that father had long held a grudge against this pig. Three days ago, during the training of the pig to walk upright, it collapsed after taking twenty-nine steps, falling over and crushing Wangcai, who was squatting nearby to watch the commotion. Later, Wangcai, upon seeing this pig, fled and told Lü Boshe that the pig had done it on purpose. The two brothers were aware that father had long disapproved of this pig. Three days ago, during the training of the pig to walk upright, it collapsed after taking twenty-nine steps, falling over and crushing Wangcai, who was squatting nearby to watch the commotion. Later, Wangcai, upon seeing this pig, fled and told Lü Boshe that the pig had done it on purpose. Yesterday, Lü Jiyi even suggested to his younger brother whether they should move this pig away to hide for a few days to avoid the storm, and return once father’s anger had subsided. Unexpectedly, disaster could not be avoided; since father has officially spoken, they must slaughter the pig, no matter how unwilling they are.

Cao Cao was taken aback: "Chen Liu?"

Pigs are good friends of humanity, found everywhere, and they are larger than dogs, with strong and powerful limbs. More importantly, the size of a pig's head indicates that its brain is much larger than that of a dog. If this animal does not display as prominently as dogs, it can only be interpreted as a sign of great wisdom hidden beneath a humble exterior, unwilling to show off, possessing an air of superiority, and having significant untapped potential

Sharpening the knife? Recently, I have been on the run, constantly hiding. In the past, Chen Gong often said that a person of integrity need not fear shadows, but now he is particularly timid. Thinking back to when Lu Boshe went to the inner hall for quite a while, my face turned pale, and I asked: "Lord Cao, what is your relationship with Lord Lu?"

Cao Cao felt quite troubled in his heart; he did not wish for such a relationship with Lü Boshe, yet he could not escape it. Listening to Chen Gong chattering in his ear, a surge of anger arose within him. Aren't you supposed to be "benevolent"? Why not use "benevolence" to address the violence at this moment? It turns out you are merely a scholar after all

It has been a while since we last met

Chen Gong smiled bitterly: "I am merely a scholar with no strength to even bind a chicken..."