The Art of Deception (OPEN)

[Cao Pi]

Si Province
182AD Summer

"Hmph.." Cao Pi's feet stood at akimbo. The reflection of his dark green eyes in the pristine steel. The blue cape fluttered in the summer breeze as the particles of dust rolled before him. The central parting of his hair became more apparently as the gust slowed.. and faded. There was crunch upon the dry soil as others were pacing, a leathery touch upon the hard terrain. The man closed his eyes, the blade lowering in front of his body.

Within a moment, he came to life. His whole body language and posture changed without a moments warning. "Now!" he roared issuing an order. There was a rustling from a nearby location. He ducked low, gripping a plank of thick wood which had been buried beneath the hard turf. The noise escalated to whistling sound, like something cutting through the air. Cao Pi cocooned himself beneath the shield allowing the wood to completely cover him from above. Within seconds of constant thudding and splitting arrow-heads and bolts lay scattered all around.

His foes could only watch as the arrows rained upon them. All of them riddled with holes collapsed in agony.. some more fortunate than others and managed to die first time. Others struggled on the floor for a few moments. Cao Pi firmly broke the arrows of the wooden plant he had used as a shield off before tossing it to one side. "Why do they even bother?" Cao Pi brushed the dirt off of his battle garments as he strode across the arrow plagued battle site. "Fool." he drove his blade into one of the stragglers putting the man out of his misery. 

The soaked blade was wiped against the dead man's rags, cleaning it. "Pathetic.." his eyes rotated in complete boredom. It wasn't even a challenge. 

"Mi'lord.. are you okay?" yelled a concerned lieutenant from above the ridge, the question didn't need a response as clearly the Prince of Wei was the only man standing. "Bring me my horse.. immediately." and with that the man followed his orders. The reunited brigade headed back to camp having successfully put down the raiding party of the enemy.

---

"A great victory.." yelled one of the soldiers as they headed back to camp. "My lord you are truly a hero.." the celebrations were cut short when smoke stemmed from the hills in the direction of the camp. "My lord... could it be?" Cao Pi grimaced, how could he have been so foolish? The enemy had used a ruse to distract him and seized the opportunity to claim their camp and supplies. "Oh heavens - it cannot be..." the small force sunk into doubt. "The Gods have forsaken us.." growled another "truly the work of a demon!"

Tagged: Jia Xu