"Are you Cao Ying's general Xiahou Dun?"
"Die!"
Indeed, Cao Xing recognized the charging general. He spat fiercely, a cold smile forming in his icy gaze.
As the arrow left the bowstring, this smile grew, as if he were about to become the key figure in reversing the tide of the battle.
*Whoosh...*
The familiar sound of air being torn.
Indeed.
By the time Xiahou Dun reacted, the arrow was already close to his face.
His subconscious reaction was to block, but his long spear was already held by the enemy general Cheng Lian, and his body's reaction speed couldn't keep up with his thoughts, let alone the speed of the incoming arrow.
"Bad..."
A silent curse, it was too late to dodge...
But in that lightning-fast moment,
Another sound, coming from nowhere, reached him. Before Xiahou Dun could even react, he heard a "crack" beside him. It was an arrow, entirely black, shot from right to left, directly striking the previous arrow that had been shot!
This arrow, with its momentum undiminished, carried the previous arrow forward, embedding itself into the city wall!
"Hiss!"
Countless soldiers who witnessed this scene, friend and foe alike, displayed expressions of sheer terror.
Such an accurate shot, such immense force!
Was it a coincidence?
How could it be... someone could shoot down an already loosed arrow with another? How proficient must one be in archery, how familiar with the speed and trajectory of arrows? To perform such an incredible feat?
"Da da da..."
Hoofbeats sounded in the distance, the synchronized rhythm drawing everyone's attention. Everyone turned to follow the sound of the approaching horses.
Banners fluttered, bearing the large characters "Long Xiao." It was the Long Xiao Cavalry!
A name carries weight, and the very name Long Xiao Cavalry struck terror into the heart of the Great Han. Even more terrifying was the fact that the Bing Province Wolf Cavalry had been utterly defeated in their encounters with the Long Xiao Cavalry!
In an instant, a dark cloud of dread descended upon every soldier of Bing Province!
"Hiss...!"
About a hundred paces behind Xiahou Dun, a warhorse reared up on its forelegs, neighing and whinnying towards the sky. Unfortunately, the sky had only just begun to dawn, and the rider's face was unclear. However, his long, white beard was exceptionally striking and brilliant even amidst the crowd.
And this person held a powerful bow, nocked an arrow, the bow drawn like a full moon, the arrow like a thunderbolt!
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
Those nearby could clearly see the bowstring still trembling continuously.
"Buzzing" sounds, like muffled thunder.
"Attacking with hidden arrows, hmph, young master Lu was right. The enemy general is truly dishonorable!"
A strong, resonant voice echoed through the air.
Who else could it be, drawing his bow and releasing such a thundering sound, but Huang Zhong!
Initially...
When Lu Yu warned him, the enemy generals were described as petty individuals who resorted to hidden attacks. Dealing with them required no adherence to chivalry!
Huang Zhong hadn't thought much of it. If the enemy fought openly, he would meet them openly.
But if the enemy was despicable and cowardly, resorting to hidden attacks!
Heh heh... hidden attacks?
Huang Zhong was curious. Hidden attacks? Were they faster than his arrows? More accurate than his arrows?
For this reason, Huang Zhong had remained vigilant, observing the entire battle.
Being skilled with a bow, he could spot any position from which a hidden attack might be launched at a glance.
Cao Xing, heh heh, his skill was too shallow.
"Heh heh, daring to launch a hidden attack in front of this old man, very good!"
The bowstring continued to tremble, its sound like thunder!
"Ah..."
A series of screams erupted from Cao Xing's companions, followed closely by the sound of his five personal guards falling to the ground.
Without exception, each had an arrow through their throat, most passing clean through. Such a death was brutal, preventing them from even a final, desperate cry.
Thud thud...
Bing Province soldiers fell in pools of blood.
Huang Zhong's appearance had, in an instant, changed the course of the battle, sending shockwaves through everyone, including Xiahou Dun.
Waking from his shock, he gasped for air!
He scratched his head, bewildered that the Long Xiao Cavalry, his "second brother's" forces, were tailing his own cavalry.
As expected, ha ha... Second brother is still second brother, his plans are infallible, invincible!
Of course, that wasn't the point!
The point was that had it not been for Huang Zhong, had it not been for his timely arrow, the enemy's hidden attack would have pierced his cheek, and he might even have faced death!
"How dare you attack me with hidden arrows, I will repay you tenfold!" Xiahou Dun swept his long spear, forcing back the enemy general Cheng Lian, then turned his warhorse and galloped directly towards Cao Xing.
Cao Xing dared not linger. His human shields, his personal guards, were all dead. If he didn't run now... his own head would fall.
And at this moment...
The entire Bing Province army, awestruck by Xiahou Dun's spear and Huang Zhong's arrows, stood frozen, bewildered, and afraid to make a move.
Just then, Huang Zhong drew his bow again, this time aiming at Cao Xing!
"Guards, guards... protect this general!"
Cao Xing was completely panicked. In his frantic cries, there was no trace of the dignity of the Eight Valiant Generals under Lu Bu, who once shook the Central Plains.
Now, he was like a pathetic wretch whose life hung by a thread!
However, his cries only made the personal guards who were still surrounding him scatter and flee. Facing disaster, no fool would act as a shield!
They ran, making their escape!
In an instant... most of Cao Xing's personal guards fled, fearful of being caught in the crossfire. Only two remained, still standing in front of Cao Xing!
"Whoosh..."
The arrow sliced through the darkness. Cao Xing's eyes widened in terror. Fortunately, there were still two people in front of him, but... in an instant, muffled sounds erupted. A long black arrow shot through, piercing the throats of both men simultaneously. The powerful force sent them flying back two steps...
Blood splattered!
Cao Xing collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, his face pale, cold sweat pouring down his brow.
The nearby Bing Province soldiers and generals could only tremble in place, afraid to move... lest the next arrow loosed from the bow pierce their chests!
Terrifying...
Silence, coldness, stillness!
The entire battlefield was enveloped in an inexplicably tense atmosphere.
Who would have thought that Huang Zhong alone, by shooting just a few arrows, could completely demoralize the enemy, leaving every soldier and general on the enemy side with "terror" written all over their faces.
"Da da da..."
Hoofbeats approached from afar.
Xiahou Dun had already reached Cao Xing.
"Scoundrel, take your life!"
A hoarse, low voice emerged. Xiahou Dun did not hesitate, thrusting his long spear forward...
"Ugh..."
Cao Xing's pupils contracted, his heart tightened, and then... in a single breath, Cao Xing's head was completely pierced, entering from the front and exiting from the back. Blood gushed out, the scene unspeakably gory and brutal.
"Attacking with hidden arrows, I hate people like you the most!"
Xiahou Dun continued to roar...
Cao Xing's large head flew high, then rolled back to the ground, maintaining the terrified expression he had in his final moments!
Blood splattered the surrounding city walls, adding to the already blood-red color of the East Gate of Xiaopei City, making it even more terrifying and horrifying!
And the true slaughter had begun!
...
Xiahou Dun's reinforcement;
Huang Zhong's divine arrows;
Cao Xing's death without resistance;
Fast, too fast... so fast that the psychological defense of the Bing Province soldiers was shattered in the blink of an eye.
It felt somewhat unreal.
But when linked with the words "Long Xiao Cavalry," everything that felt unreal became exceptionally reasonable!
A single stone stirred up a thousand waves...
Cao Xing's death sent the morale of all Cao's army and Liu Bei's forces soaring. The morale of the entire Bing Province army had already collapsed. Even their newly appointed commander, Wei Xu, was the first to flee in panic, fearing he would become the next Cao Xing!
As for Cheng Lian and Song Xian, they fled faster than rabbits!
It seemed... they realized that staying meant only one outcome—death!
With these generals fleeing, how could the remaining tens of thousands of Bing Province soldiers still have the will to fight?
They routed, a great rout!
"Hahaha, good! Reinforcements have arrived, brothers, follow me and kill, wa ya ya ya!"
Zhang Fei raised his Serpent Spear and pursued fiercely.
The other Liu Bei soldiers followed suit, charging alongside their general Zhang Fei, striking the fallen dogs. Just a few hours ago, the Bing Province soldiers had caused them no end of trouble, but now, they were like a crumbling wall, easy to defeat!
The situation on the battlefield changed so rapidly...
One moment, victory was assured!
The next moment, one could fall into the abyss of eternal damnation.
The seven hundred Long Xiao Cavalry weaved through the battlefield, their heroic spirit resonating through the heavens, their imposing aura filling the air!
Beneath the black night, by the city gate.
Their sharp weapons, gilded by moonlight, flickered on the ground.
Under the night sky, chaos, blood, and the clash of steel converged into a triumphant horn, echoing and reverberating over Xiaopei City, no... over Xu Province, and even over the Central Plains!
...
Not far from Xiaopei City, on a slope.
Countless armored soldiers were still locked in fierce combat, their fighting spirit burning!
"You are no match for me, retreat quickly!" The Green Dragon Crescent Blade swung out, its cold glint forcing Generals Gao Shun and Zhang Liao back repeatedly!
It was evident that even the usually stoic Guan Yu's face was now cold, his brows tightly furrowed.
He was anxious...
His elder brother and third brother were still inside Xiaopei City. From a distance, he could see that the battle in Xiaopei was dire, with several city gates breached. Although his eldest son, Guan Ping, had broken through, with his limited abilities, how could he rescue his elder brother and third brother?
Resolve this quickly...
All Guan Yu could do was to finish this quickly!
However...
Facing the combined might of Gao Shun and Zhang Liao!
How could he achieve a quick victory?
"Yun Chang has excellent martial arts, we cannot defeat you! But we will not let you break through so easily to reinforce Xiaopei!"
Zhang Liao once again raised his crescent halberd, preparing to fight again...
Gao Shun remained silent, but he silently tightened his grip on his long spear.
Only those who had fought Guan Yu could truly understand the pressure brought by his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, which was like an overwhelming tide.
Fortunately, Gao Shun and Zhang Liao's weapons were forged from brand-new fine steel...
These were smelted from the Long Xiao Cavalry halberds captured in the past. With the sharpness of their weapons, the two of them could barely fight Guan Yu to a draw.
This showed how unfathomable Guan Yu's martial arts were!
"Good!" Guan Yu said coldly, "Then Guan will not be polite. Where I go, who can stop me?"
As he spoke...
The Green Dragon Crescent Blade swept horizontally, and Guan Yu spurred his horse forward, once again facing two opponents!
"Eat my spear..."
"Hmph..."
Gao Shun and Zhang Liao showed no fear, charging forward again. The three blades were about to converge and clash, and brilliant sparks seemed inevitable.
Just then.
"Hahaha..."
A hearty laugh echoed through the heavens and earth. On the slope, a figure leaped into view.
He wasn't on horseback...
But his mighty, tall physique made him look even stronger and taller than a mounted warrior. His build was like that of an ox!
"The Ancient Fierce Wolf... Dian... Dian Wei?"
As Zhang Liao recognized the face of the approaching figure, he exclaimed. His eyes widened, and his mouth instinctively fell open.
The Ancient Fierce Wolf - Dian Wei!
He was no stranger to him. In the past, when intercepting Cao Song along the way, he had witnessed this man's strength. With a mere wave of his hand, he had effortlessly dispatched dozens of bandits.
At that time, Zhang Liao had lamented that even two of himself combined might not be a match for this fellow.
And later, in the fierce battle at Chenliu City, and in the battle of Xiapi City...
Dian Wei had fought evenly with the peerless Lu Bu, even winning one encounter. His flying halberds struck fear into the hearts of all who heard of them.
It could be said that after recognizing the approaching figure, a trace of fear surfaced in Zhang Liao's heart.
"The Ancient Fierce Wolf?" Gao Shun's brow also furrowed. "Why is he here? If he is here... then... the Long Xiao Cavalry?"
Gao Shun had never directly fought Dian Wei, but who else in this era, capable of fighting Lu Bu to a draw or even winning against him, existed besides this Ancient Fierce Wolf?
Moreover, the Ancient Fierce Wolf Dian Wei was the personal bodyguard of the Long Xiao Cavalry commander, Lu Yu. If he was here, then the Long Xiao Cavalry, and Lu Yu... must also be here!
This was the crucial point that sent a chill down Gao Shun's spine.
Instinctively...
Gao Shun tightened his grip on his long spear. The friction between his palm and the spear shaft made it inexplicably stiffen by a fraction.
"Hahaha..." Dian Wei raised his twin halberds and roared with laughter, "Ridiculous, ridiculous! Are all of Lu Bu's subordinates cowards? The two of you fighting one person, and you can't even win? And you call yourselves Lu Bu's top generals? I'm ashamed for you."
As he spoke, "thump thump..." exceptionally solid and heavy footsteps echoed across the land.
Dian Wei rotated his wrists and neck, making "crack crack" sounds.
"Guan Yunchang, may I lend you a hand?"
Whoosh...
As these words left his mouth, Guan Yu was slightly taken aback. He recognized the speaker. The name of the Ancient Fierce Wolf Dian Wei resounded throughout the land. Guan Yu had naturally heard of him, and even seen his portrait!
But it seemed Dian Wei shouldn't know him? They had never met before.
"Do you know me, sir?"
Guan Yu looked up at Dian Wei...
Dian Wei laughed heartily, "My young master said, anyone with a long beard and a poker face, who looks like they're owed money by everyone they see, is Guan Yunchang. Hahaha... My young master sent me to help you."
Uh...
Hearing this, Guan Yu was stunned. It sounded as if the Ancient Fierce Wolf was here to insult him!
On this side, Guan Yu hadn't recovered...
But as soon as the voice fell.
The burly Dian Wei surged forward. Despite his imposing physique, his steps were exceptionally agile, making him a nimble "fat man"!
And in his hands, a pair of flying halberds led the way, almost tearing through the air!
One must know...
Normal weapons prioritize length, "an inch longer, an inch stronger," but these flying halberds went against this principle, "an inch shorter, an inch more perilous!" With these fine steel-forged flying halberds, Dian Wei had already perfected their use to the peak of mastery!
—"Eat my halberd!"
Buzz buzz...
The air seemed to rip...
For a fleeting moment, the twin halberds seemed to tremble with excitement, eager to unleash a torrent of carnage!
All the surrounding armored soldiers saw...
Dian Wei's bloodshot eyes deepened, and an incredibly immense killing aura emanated from him, as if a vast sea of blood were churning violently!
The most direct feeling it gave was... as if the Ancient Fierce Wolf, he... was never just a person, but a Yama-like demon sprung from a hellish slaughterhouse!
"Wen Yuan, let me face him first!"
Gao Shun was not one to be intimidated. Seeing Dian Wei surge forward, although he felt some fear in his heart, he still furrowed his brows and charged forward on his horse.
But...
In an instant, Dian Wei casually swung his twin halberds. At their sharp, cold edges, it was as if infinite malevolence was released, enveloping Gao Shun, sending a chill through his heart.
Closely following...
"Uwa..."
Gao Shun spat out a mouthful of blood. He felt the overwhelming pressure from Dian Wei's twin halberds, almost shaking his internal organs to pieces through his long spear!
Dian Wei's momentum did not decrease, and his twin halberds struck again.
One force conquers ten skills...
In the face of absolute strength, all techniques were mere paper tigers, easily torn apart!
As dawn approached, "Ah..." a piercing cry echoed through the sky, sending shivers down one's spine.
In just one exchange...
Gao Shun was shaken by Dian Wei's strength and fell from his horse. He clutched his chest, his mouth filled with blood, but even so, he still held his long spear in his other hand, muttering defiantly, "Again, are you afraid of me!"
It seemed... as if he remembered something.
Gao Shun coldly uttered another sentence, and this sentence sounded more like a farewell—"The will to charge forward, no life without death! Come on... Come on! Others may fear you, but this general does not fear you!"
Preparing to fight again...
On the side, Zhang Liao's brows were tightly knitted.
He murmured to himself...
"The Ancient Fierce Wolf... is even stronger than before."
His pupils constricted, his breathing became rapid and suppressed.
"General Gao, let me help you!"
Zhang Liao bit his lip. He couldn't describe his current feelings. He couldn't let Gao Shun face the "Ancient Fierce Wolf" alone; this would be a battle with ten deaths and no life!
But... even if the two of them teamed up, they might not be a match for Dian Wei, let alone... there was more than just Dian Wei here!
Indeed!
"General Zhang, your opponent is Guan!"
Guan Yu charged forward on his horse...
Dian Wei's appearance? The two-on-one battle seemed to have finally become somewhat fair! But it also seemed unfair to Zhang Liao and Gao Shun.
Although Zhang Liao's martial arts were not weak, in Guan Yu's eyes, he could kill Zhang Wen Yuan with his blade within ten moves.
Buzz buzz...
The sound of air being torn echoed through the firmament again!
The Green Dragon Crescent Blade descended from above. The unstoppable momentum, combined with the overwhelming pressure, was about to clash with Zhang Liao's crescent halberd again, once more igniting brilliant sparks.
"Take your life!"
With a roar.
Suddenly... to everyone's shocked gaze, a Heaven-Praising Halberd was swung upwards. The Heaven-Praising Halberd and the Green Dragon Crescent Blade clashed fiercely in mid-air, emitting dazzling sparks. Then, before everyone's eyes, another general joined the battlefield.
No...
To be precise, he couldn't be called just another general.
Because he had an exceptionally illustrious title, the Peerless Flying General—Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian!
"Crack..."
After the sparks...
Guan Yu reined in his horse and retreated a few steps, while Lu Bu's Red Hare horse remained as steadfast as ever.
Lu Bu held his Heaven-Praising Halberd horizontally, his cold gaze fixed on Guan Yu, then on Dian Wei!
Especially Dian Wei...
To this day, he was the only one who had ever defeated Lu Bu!
But today, heh heh... Lu Bu looked at the newly smelted Heaven-Praising Halberd in his hand, and he thought to himself, "Ancient Fierce Wolf, this time, in terms of the sharpness of our weapons, we are on equal footing! I will definitely slay you!"
With this thought in mind...
Lu Bu raised his Heaven-Praising Halberd, its tip pointed at the two men before him!
He shouted, "Guan Yunchang, Ancient Fierce Wolf, good! Even if the two of you attack me together, you will never be my match!"
"Come on... I have waited for this day for a long time, ha ha ha, come on!"
Lu Bu's appearance.
The situation on the battlefield turned again...
"Heavenly Demon's Rampage" was about to clash with "Ancient Fierce Wolf," and also "Righteousness Beyond Heaven"!
...
...