Are We Teammates

The first version Lu Ze presented was the original "Legends of the Three Kingdoms" with only the standard card pack.

The character cards were few, and the mechanics were simple.

It was perfect for an introductory tutorial match.

At this point, the group still didn’t fully grasp how the game worked, let alone understand the character skills.

They could only choose based on personal preference.

Zhao Wendao, unable to pick Zhuge Liang, settled for Zhou Yu instead.

Lin Qingxuan chose Hua Tuo, another healer like himself.

Zhou Qiaoling, who had come in place of Li Moran, picked the visually striking Zhen Ji.

After some deliberation, Zhou Yue went with Huang Gai.

"Brother Zhou, why Huang Gai?" Zhong Yi asked curiously.

He remembered chatting with Zhou Yue about "Legends of the Three Kingdoms" before—the other man had always admired virtuous figures like Liu Bei.

"I saw his skill... 'Bitter Endurance,'" Zhou Yue replied, his eyes burning with fervor and determination.

"Life is about enduring hardship before tasting sweetness... I feel like he and I are alike!"

Zhong Yi paused for a moment.

Recalling the trials Zhou Yue had faced in the illusion realm recently, he nodded in understanding. "Alright, alright."

Once all eight players had chosen their characters,

a massive, translucent projection of each character’s original artwork appeared behind them.

Then, suddenly,

lines of white text began scrolling across the sky.

[Wow, is this Junior Brother Lu’s new illusion realm?]

[Damn! These characters look so cool!]

[Is that Zhao Zilong? Guan Yu? Zhuge Liang?]

[The art style is so spot-on—you can tell who they are at a glance!]

[What kind of illusion realm is this? A torture session?]

[With so many elders inside, how could it be torture? Does Junior Brother Lu have a death wish?]

...

Staring at the floating text, the group was utterly baffled.

"Junior Brother Lu, what is this...?"

"It’s a new feature for the livestream—called 'danmu.' These are messages sent by disciples watching the broadcast outside," Lu Ze explained.

Over the past few days, aside from developing "Legends of the Three Kingdoms," he had devoted considerable effort to the livestreaming function.

To expand the game’s influence, live broadcasting was indispensable.

And once it caught on, the revenue from virtual gifts would be substantial.

The group unanimously praised the "danmu" feature.

The match officially began.

Each player was dealt four cards.

As the Lord, Zhong Yi took the first turn.

"So, at the start of your turn, you draw two more cards?"

Zhong Yi muttered to himself, looking at his six cards before scanning the table for potential rebels.

"Brother Zhong, someone as righteous-looking as Zhao Zilong couldn’t possibly be a rebel, right?"

Mu Yawen quickly waved his hands, trying to clear his name.

"Disciple, why are you looking at me like that? Do you suspect your own master of being a rebel?"

Zhao Wendao glared at him.

"Brother Zhong, I picked Zhen Ji—same faction as you, Wei Kingdom! We’re allies!"

Zhou Qiaoling raised two fingers in a solemn vow.

...

After surveying the table,

good grief—everyone claimed to be a loyal minister.

Zhong Yi stared at the two "Strike" cards in his hand, momentarily at a loss.

"Fine, let’s try something else."

After skimming the effects of each card, he played a scheme card.

"Creation of Opportunity!"

A classic male voiceover rang out, perfectly capturing the vibe.

The next moment—

"Nullification!"

Another scheme card flew from Mu Yawen’s hand, shattering Zhong Yi’s "Creation of Opportunity."

"???"

Zhong Yi stared at Mu Yawen in disbelief.

"Didn’t you say you were a loyal minister!?"

"The card just lit up—I didn’t know what it did, so I played it," Mu Yawen replied, blinking with utmost sincerity.

"You—"

Zhong Yi’s lip twitched. Now convinced of his target, he immediately used a "Strike" on Mu Yawen.

"Strike!"

The commanding voiceover sent a jolt of energy through everyone.

"Dodge!"

Though Mu Yawen didn’t fully understand, he tapped the glowing card and evaded Zhong Yi’s attack.

"You little—"

Zhong Yi gritted his teeth.

He still had another "Strike," but the game wouldn’t let him play it again, so he had to pass.

After equipping his "Dawan" steed, Zhong Yi ended his turn.

"My turn now?"

Mu Yawen grinned at the extra cards in his hand.

"Brother, are we teammates?"

He turned to Zhong Yi, puzzled.

"Do we look like teammates to you...?" Zhong Yi shot back irritably.

"But the role card says the Lord and loyal ministers are on the same side?"

Mu Yawen grew even more confused.

"You really are a loyal minister? Then yes, we’re teammates!"

Faced with such blatant roleplay, Zhong Yi chose to believe him.

Mu Yawen was simple-minded and the least scheming of the group.

"If we’re teammates, then good... Strike!"

Mu Yawen exhaled in relief, then cheerfully played a "Strike" on Zhong Yi.

[Indomitable] activated.

[Dodge] instantly transformed into [Strike].

"I am Zhao Zilong of Changshan!"

Zhong Yi had no way to evade.

"Warriors of Wei, to me!"

He triggered the Lord’s skill, "Royal Guard."

His sole Wei ally, Zhou Qiaoling, promptly turned her face away.

Great, another liar.

With a sharp crack, the Cao Cao projection behind Zhong Yi flickered.

One of the five health gems above his head vanished.

"???"

Zhong Yi’s smile froze.

"What are you doing!?"

"We’re teammates. You attacked me earlier, so I’m just following your lead."

Mu Yawen stood his ground.

Though he hadn’t fully grasped the game’s mechanics,

he figured that since he and Zhong Yi were teammates, mimicking his actions was the way to go.

Zhong Yi had used "Strike" on him, so "Strike" must be how teammates interacted.

Watching Zhong Yi’s "Cunning Overlord" skill activate and claim his "Dodge," Mu Yawen had a rare moment of clarity:

"Brother, if I attack you, you get my cards?"

"Yep."

"Then I’ll send you more later."

"Send nothing!! Go find the rebels to attack!!!"

Zhong Yi clutched his forehead, his composure starting to crack.

Just then, he noticed a "Quick Voice" function, where one line in particular resonated with him. His finger moved on its own.

The Cao Cao behind him sighed:

"When hearts are divided, the team is hard to lead!"