A webcomic which retells the story of the Wei clan and Cao Cao. It's notable for not demonizing the Wei, unlike many adaptations of the story of the Three Kingdoms.
This story contains examples of:
- Action Girl: Cao Dianya and Himiko can be vital in fights.
- Adaptational Heroism: Several stories about the period show Cao Cao and the Wei as evil. This story doesn't.
- Adaptational Villainy: Compared to his portrayal in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhang Fei is this, being a complete sociopath who exploits Liu Bei's trust in him to commit atrocities.
- Anti-Hero: Cao Cao is portrayed in a positive light, but he is still flawed and manipulative.
- Asshole Victim: Several people who are put at the stocks, awaiting execution from the Emperor, had bullied him severely in the past, which Cao Jie is aware of and encourages revenge.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Cao Jie persents himself as an honest advisor who only wants the best for the Emperor. In reality, he is a selfish, treacherous man.
- Civil War: The comic is based on the events of the Three Kingdoms, and doesn't shy away from showing the rivalry between all the factions.
- Deliberate Values Dissonance: Two lesbian characters have to hide their sexuality, while the beliefs that Eunuchs Are Evil are very popular.
- Eunuchs Are Evil: A popular belief in-universe. Cao Jie plays it straight by being an Evil Chancellor.
- Gonk: Some of Yuan Shu's officers are inbred bandits, and it shows as they stand out for their ugliness. Dou Wu also is drawn as hideous.
- Guile Hero: While the hero of this adaptation, Cao Cao is still a manipulator and can outmanuever scumbags through his wits.
- Hate Sink:
- Dou Wu. Everything, from his appearance to his ego and sexism makes him repulsive to the readers.
- Yuan Shu is a self-important scumbag, who overestimates his importance and is creepy to Bian Yuexiang. Getting punched by her is a cathartic image.
- Impoverished Patrician: The extended membership of the Liu family, which makes them have deep trouble with their debts.
- Smug Snake: Kong Rong has a big ego he can only back up in terms of his political and religious position.
- Surrounded by Idiots: Kong Rong often feels very done with the others.
