After the Xuanyuan Cauldron's momentum swept across the land, Cao Cao in Yongliang began to accelerate his actions.
At the same time, Sima Lang had already utilized special channels to enter Liangzhou, preparing to activate the contingencies he had laid down before, now that Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and Liu Bei had all made their moves.
Meanwhile, the relationship between Ma Teng and Hann Sui had significantly improved, owing not only to the deterrence of Pang De and Ma Chao under Ma Teng's command, but also to the camaraderie that remained from enduring hardships together in the past.
They had together suffered losses at the hands of Fan Chou and Zhang Ji, shared defeats, nursed their wounds, and endured the most painful periods. Much of the former enmity between the two had already dissipated.
