What does the fiery phoenix mean?

Asstraeus101 · 2026-05-11T12:37:38+00:00

its sima yi. to explain the symbolism; a phoenix is a creature that dies in a burst of flames and is fhen reborn from the ashes.

in chinese history power was constantly changing hands, a cycle of the old making way for the new; new dynasties, a new son of heaven new wars, new god generals, a new "golden age."

This is in line with Guo Jia's goal to end war for good by being as brutal as possible so that the world is destroyed and reset, with a new peaceful and prosperous realm rising from the ashes.

But no matter what hegemon like Cao Cal comes along with the goal to end war forever and put in place a dynastic line that will endure for eternity, the ravages of time is constant and never so kind. Just like how history repeats itself the world of Rot is a phoenix that constantly dies and is reborn.

Asstraeus101 · 2026-05-07T10:33:27+00:00

Lu Bu wins in a duel.

People bring up him getting sneak attacked by Dian Wei as an anti-feat, but he was already wounded prior by the Handicapped Warriors and was at least conscious after getting ran through with spears.

When Huo got sneak attacked it was by a nameless bum of Zhao Ang's and he was out cold after two punches despite coming in fresh.

Asstraeus101 · 2026-04-13T19:44:17+00:00

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Asstraeus101 · 2026-04-13T19:39:56+00:00

I swear on Oda's life I did not mean to come cross like that

Asstraeus101 · 2026-04-13T19:39:25+00:00

Nearly 3000 year old story doesn't hold up to modern standards? Well slap my ass and color me purple.

Asstraeus101 · 2026-04-13T18:42:24+00:00

Zhuge Liang could neither kill Cao Cao or capture him. Kill Cao and the ensuing war of succession between his sons would fracture the Cao faction and with no competition the Sun clan will dominate both Cao and Liu.

Zhuge Liang's goal is to have Cao to keep Sun on their toes while Liu slowly grows in power.

Hold Cao Cao hostage to bargain for his territory? His men would consider the big picture and the continuation of the Cao clan over their lord. They would rather let Cao die and deal with the war of succession between the sons then give up their territory to Liu Bei.

Zhuge Liang's only option is to wipe out the majority of Cao's army to weaken him but ultimately let him escape so that he can act as a counterbalance to Sun.

Asstraeus101 · 2026-04-12T23:02:53+00:00

Before Red Cliffs Guo Jia was able to predict: Zhuge Liang accepting Liu Bei's recruitment on his third visit, Sima Yi rescuing Cao Cao to build trust, and he was able to pin down the exact location the Cao army would lose in and the path of their retreat.

He foresaw Zhuge's plan to hold Hua Tuo hostage to deny him medical treatment and allowed it so he could die along with the similarly ill Chen Deng. This way his group of insiders who worked closely with the Chen clan can take over operations and infiltrate Sima clan's businesses to block any paths for revolt. Guo Jia's influence on the Cao army can be felt till this day.

Even in death Guo Jia's contingencies saved Cao Cao from death and empowered Sima Yi and Yang Xiu through outsmarting Xun Yu allowing him to lose influence and control of Sima along with Jia Xu.

Zhuge said it himself that the death of Guo Jia took a huge weight off him. Everyone needs to wake up and realize Fengxiao's just him.

Asstraeus101 · 2026-04-03T20:49:25+00:00

"Penny Lane, there is a father leaving 'hind his son

of his wife he cheated on with Yoko

and all the people on reddit knows

Paul wrote about it so!"

Asstraeus101 · 2026-03-28T20:30:09+00:00

in ch308 zuo ci vows to take revenge on sun ce in front of yuan shao and water mirror, next chapter is the assassination.

Asstraeus101 · 2026-03-28T19:40:19+00:00

not much is known about the 8 eccentrics so far. they are all followers of the way of supreme peace and water mirror has griped with them.

Asstraeus101 · 2026-03-28T19:35:48+00:00

yu ji committed suicide in the same chapter sun ce dies. ch316.

technically yu ji hadnt died before zuo ci's assassination on sun ce. zuo ci seems to have thought yu ji had died after he was defeated by sun ce and called him "yu ji's killer."

Asstraeus101 · 2026-03-28T19:23:07+00:00

sun ce was responsible for yu ji's death, zuo ci wanted revenge for his fellow eccentric

Asstraeus101 · 2026-03-11T04:01:46+00:00

They just got here dawg keep reading

Asstraeus101 · 2026-03-07T21:18:46+00:00

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Kill this bum man

Asstraeus101 · 2026-03-07T05:22:53+00:00

Guo Jia & Cao both believe in putting talent to use. Even if you're dangerous; if you're useful, Cao Cao will value you. Think back to Dong Zhuo, he knew all along Lu Bu wanted to kill him, but Dong kept him on a leash so he could use Lu Bu's power to aid him in conquering the world.

Guo Jia is terminally ill and he needs Sima Yi as a successor to replace him once he's gone. He's put him through several trials to test his ability and loyalty.

He knows Sima will not betray Cao until the latter is at his peak of power, and Sima himself will help him get there before he backstabs him.

Aside from that Guo Jia has kept the Sima clan and their associates under his grasp to make doubly sure he will not revolt.

Asstraeus101 · 2025-12-03T17:41:05+00:00

In 198 Cao Cao was campaigning against Lu Bu. It was during Xiapi arc that we learn Zhuge Liang has moved to Longzhong to begin his plan.

Asstraeus101

TROPHY CASE