"Hahaha, I thought it was someone else, but it's you, my defeated foe."
Dian Wei pointed his dual halberds at Lu Bu...
Defeated foe?
Hearing these four words, Lu Bu's eyes turned cold. He was a proud man, and fighting Dian Wei to a draw the first time had kept him awake all night!
But the second time, he directly lost to Dian Wei, his crescent-shaped Fangtian Huaji even being shattered. Such humiliation was no different from becoming Lu Bu's nightmare.
He had waited and longed for so long, and finally... the chance to conquer this nightmare had arrived!
"Since when did the Ancient Fierce Growl only rely on sharp words? This Marquis will surely tear you to shreds today! Take my halberd!"
The piercing Fangtian Huaji, carrying a powerful gust of wind, roared towards Dian Wei!
The flying halberd collided with the painted halberd;
A fair duel between the Ancient Fierce Growl and the Peerless Warrior commenced, its prelude sounded on this bloody plain as dawn approached.
Guan Yu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun on the side tacitly withdrew their weapons.
The soldiers of both sides who had been fiercely fighting also retreated, their eyes fixed on the two men confronting each other in the center of the battlefield.
Everyone knew...
The clash of peak martial arts of this era between Lu Bu and Dian Wei... their victory or defeat was enough to determine the success or failure of this battle!
If Lu Bu won, then the Bingzhou troops, with their unstoppable momentum, would only need time to annihilate Guan Yu's legion!
But if Dian Wei won, then without a doubt, today would turn into a nightmare for the Bingzhou troops!
"Clang, clang, clang..."
The battle began, both Lu Bu and Dian Wei striking with full force.
"Boom..."
The Fangtian Huaji smashed down, carrying the momentum of heaven and earth collapsing, forcefully suppressing Dian Wei's flying halberd that was about to be raised!
"Clink!"
Dian Wei's eyes widened in fury, as if they were about to burst.
In the first exchange, Dian Wei discovered that with his strength, he could not shatter Lu Bu's weapon, the flying halberd made of fine steel. This surprised him greatly.
But...
His reaction was swift. He abandoned the flying halberd with one hand, reached back, and drew a "dagger" tucked behind his waist. To be precise, it was a short saber, slashing towards Lu Bu's face.
This dagger was the first fine steel dagger forged by Cao Mu in the forging workshop!
It was also because of this dagger that the era belonging to the Long Xiao Camp, and to him Dian Wei, was ushered in. It held profound significance, hence Dian Wei often wore it at his waist.
He never expected it would actually be put to use!
The sharp edge of the dagger whistled through the air as if tearing it apart.
"Clink"... with a crisp sound, the dagger collided with the crescent of the Fangtian Huaji, forcing Lu Bu to rein in his horse and retreat, preventing Dian Wei from closing in with continuous assaults!
"Again..."
"Come on!"
This time, Dian Wei picked up the flying halberd and once again crossed and clashed with Lu Bu's Fangtian Huaji.
The flying halberd pierced Lu Bu's chest armor. If he hadn't reacted quickly enough, this halberd would have pierced his body. Dian Wei was not spared either. Lu Bu gritted his teeth and swung his halberd, his immense strength, like a breached river dam, carrying a sharp edge that severed one of Dian Wei's dual halberds!
With a bang...
The flying halberd, forged from fine steel, shattered into pieces, scattering across the bloody plain!
"Heh..."
Looking at Dian Wei, who was left with only one flying halberd, Lu Bu, enduring the pain in his chest, sneered:
"The Ancient Fierce Growl is nothing more than this. Your flying halberd is broken, do you still dare to fight?"
Strangely, there was a hint of camaraderie in his tone.
Perhaps, only peak warriors truly understand peak warriors, and thus feel a sense of mutual admiration!
"Why would I not dare?" Dian Wei flexed his wrist, gripping one halberd in one hand and the dagger in the other, charging forward again.
"Boom..."
The weapons clashed, once again igniting brilliant sparks.
Simultaneously, both Lu Bu and Dian Wei were changing their moves.
"—Take my halberd!"
"—If you do not die, how can there be Peerlessness?"
Almost at the same time, Dian Wei and Lu Bu roared, their weapons plunging into each other's armor at the same time, in almost the same position. The blades slid from their collarbones to their chests. Both of them bore a two-inch long wound, still spewing blood that appeared so crimson and tragic under the faintly brightening sky.
"Hahaha..." Both men retreated. Dian Wei casually tore off a piece of cloth to wrap his wound. He shouted, "So exhilarating, so exhilarating! Lu Bu, you brat, your painted halberd is much more resilient today!"
"Hmph." Lu Bu snorted. "Ordinary Fangtian Huaji are only for killing chickens. Today's Fangtian Huaji is meant for capturing tigers! Naturally, it must be sharp! Again! Again!"
Engrossed in the battle, addicted, truly addicted!
Lu Bu's voice almost tore through the sky, and blood continuously flowed from his shoulder!
Did it hurt? Of course, it hurt!
But compared to encountering such a formidable opponent, this pain was far less significant than the excitement in his heart!
"Hahaha..." Hearing this, Dian Wei also grew excited.
However, amidst his excitement, Dian Wei pointed to Xiaopei city behind Lu Bu. "Actually, I haven't had my fill yet, but my young master ordered me to just hold you off. Otherwise, today... I would have fought you for another three hundred rounds."
Before Dian Wei could finish speaking!
"What?" Lu Bu's brow furrowed...
Young master? Hold off?
This... At this moment.
"Dada-da," the sound of horses' hooves echoed.
Not far away, dust and stones flew as a troop of riders fled in panic. The leading rider spotted Lu Bu and immediately shouted at the top of his lungs, "Marquis Wen, bad news, bad news..."
"Cao's army... Cao's army, and the Long Xiao Cavalry... They... They are reinforcing. They are cooperating with Liu Bei from the inside, and our army... Our army is defeated!"
Xu Xu's appearance was extremely disheveled. No... To be precise, this entire cavalry troop was in utter disarray.
"Report..."
Just then, a few more scouts rushed over. They were late, as if... Xiahou Dun and the Long Xiao Cavalry's galloping speed was far greater than theirs.
"Reporting to Marquis Wen, Cao's vanguard has arrived for reinforcement. Following them, Cao Cao himself is leading a hundred thousand troops and is about to... is about to reach Xiaopei City!"
Boom...
Rumbling!
These two consecutive reports undoubtedly struck Lu Bu like a bolt from the blue.
Xu Du City was three hundred li away from Xiaopei. Even with the fastest cavalry, it would take more than five days. How could Cao Cao arrive at this time?
If Lu Bu had a sliver of luck regarding the appearance of the Ancient Fierce Growl, perhaps it was a coincidence.
But... Cao Cao's hundred thousand troops were about to arrive at the city gates, and precisely at such a sensitive time.
This...
Could it be?
Was the surprise attack on Xiaopei leaked in advance? Cao Cao's army had marched out five days ago!
A bold thought entered Lu Bu's mind.
It couldn't be, right?
After all, Lu Bu had only informed Wei Xu and Chen Deng of this operation. Even Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, and every legion under the Eight Valiant Generals, only knew about it on the day of their departure.
But... Cao Cao had arrived, and Cao Cao's hundred thousand troops were indeed advancing like a storm!
It was leaked, the intelligence must have been leaked!
—Chen Deng, Wei Xu!
Lu Bu had no time to think further.
At this moment...
"Hahaha..." Dian Wei roared with laughter, "Lu Bu, you brat, are you still fighting?"
This...
Lu Bu looked coldly at Zhang Liao and Gao Shun.
"General, this place is not suitable for staying long. Let's... let's retreat to Xiapi City first to discuss!" Zhang Liao urged.
At this moment, as if due to the sudden change in mood, Lu Bu's face turned pale, and the blood on his shoulder seemed to become even redder.
"It seems General Lu still wants to fight a bit longer!"
The Green Dragon Crescent Blade was raised again, Guan Yu's eyes were cold. "Then I, Guan, also want to seek some advice! General Lu is wounded, so I shall use only one hand!"
The favorable turn of events made Guan Yu revert to his usual calm and disdainful demeanor, the second honorable Guan!
"Hmph... Hmph... Dian Wei, Guan Yu, we shall see!" With a cold snort, Lu Bu immediately commanded, "Retreat! The entire army retreats to Xiapi City!"
"Yes!" The generals shouted in unison.
Dada-da...
The sound of hooves echoed. In this battle, Lu Bu lost soldiers and generals, and even he, the peerless war god, suffered serious injuries.
Defeated, was the army truly going to collapse like a mountain?
And Xiapi City...
—It would be his last barrier!
...
...
Ahead lay Xiaopei City.
Cao Cao and Lu Yu, leading the army, did not slow down, only a day behind Xiahou Dun's vanguard. Counting the day of combat, Cao Cao arrived just as the battle concluded.
"Big Brother, oh, haha... Second Brother is here too!"
Seeing Cao Cao and Lu Yu enter the city, Xiahou Dun eagerly stepped forward to greet them.
However, Xiahou Dun's address of "Big Brother" and "Second Brother" sounded extremely awkward to Lu Yu. It felt as if Old Cao was one, Lu Yu was two, and Xiahou Dun was stuck in the middle at one-point-five, not knowing whether to advance or retreat!
Before Lu Yu could think further, Xiahou Dun's voice continued.
"A great victory! This battle was truly exhilarating!"
"The Bingzhou troops inside Xiaopei City have been completely annihilated. This battle saw the elimination of five thousand enemies and the capture of over three thousand prisoners. It can be considered a great victory!" "Haha, I never imagined that General Huang Zhong of the Long Xiao Camp possesses such exquisite archery skills! With his bow, every shot is accurate. Truly formidable! Hahaha..."
It seemed that Xiahou Dun, who had often suffered defeats, was quite excited to have won a battle.
Of course, he was also astonished by Huang Zhong's god-like archery. He even felt that within Cao's camp, when it came to archery, no one could match this Huang Zhong!
"Well done!" Cao Cao patted Xiahou Dun on the shoulder with a smile, then looked at Lu Yu... "Scribe Lu, indeed, Lu Bu has lost soldiers and generals in this battle, haha... Next..."
Before Cao Cao could finish speaking, Lu Yu's eyes twinkled, and he interjected, "Next, we will proceed according to our plan. I have already sent Long Xiao Cavalry riders to inform Yang Xiu!"
Speaking of this, Lu Yu smiled slightly and added.
"—This will be a beautiful coincidence."
When he mentioned a beautiful coincidence, Lu Yu smiled charmingly, and Cao Cao also smiled, his laughter particularly bright.
It seemed... the two of them were plotting something.
Indeed, all the way... Lu Yu had already revealed his subsequent plan to Cao Cao, which was even more miraculous than this plan of catching a turtle in a jar!
Trapping Lu Bu was never an overnight affair; it required a chain of calculations, a series of deadly traps!
Of course, Xiahou Dun knew none of this. He could only scratch his head and join in the laughter. It seemed that in the past, when Big Brother Cao Cao laughed, fortune or misfortune was hard to predict, but when Lu Yu laughed, someone was always bound to suffer.
However, amidst the laughter, a hint of doubt flickered in Cao Cao's eyes. "Scribe Lu, are you really not planning to have Yang Xiu and Chen Deng withdraw from Xiapi City?"
"Please rest assured, Cao Sikong. Everything is within the plan. Chen Deng and Yang Xiu will be fine. On the contrary... it is likely Chen Gong, Chen Gongtai, who will be in trouble. Just watch, Cao Sikong!"
Speaking of this, Lu Yu blinked. He exuded an air of absolute confidence.
At this moment...
"Second Brother, where is my Second Brother?"
Not far away... Liu Bei's voice rang out, immediately capturing Cao Cao and Lu Yu's attention.
"General Guan... General Guan, he is surrounded by the enemy, and his life... his life is uncertain!"
"I must go save my Second Brother!" Liu Bei became agitated...
"My Lord, you cannot go... My Lord, you absolutely must not go!" His subordinate soldiers repeatedly advised, but Liu Bei pushed their hands away and was about to mount his horse.
"If my Second Brother dies, I will not live alone! Let me go save him!"
Hearing this, Cao Cao's eyes narrowed. He first looked at Liu Bei, then turned back to Lu Yu. Lu Yu gestured for him to proceed, and only then did Cao Cao restrain his smile and walk towards Liu Bei.
Tramp, tramp...
His steady steps, just like his current mood!
Liu Bei's eyes were hazy, reflecting his current state of mind. His Second Brother's fate was unknown.
Moreover...
What was even more tragic was that although this battle seemed to have been won, in reality, it was more terrifying and tragic than losing!
Xiaopei was gone, and Liu Bei's life was now... firmly in Cao Cao's hands.
All of this, all of this was because of what?
"Xuan De, do not panic. Scribe Lu has already dispatched Dian Wei of the Long Xiao Cavalry to reinforce your Second Brother. He should be safe!"
This...
Liu Bei's eyes were now fixed. Of course, he knew his Second Brother was safe. Cao Cao had arrived, and if Lu Bu wasn't kicked by a donkey, he would have already fled in panic.
But, who could understand Liu Bei's mood at this moment? His sadness, his anger, was never about Guan Yu, but rather, it was about the current situation!
What he was venting was merely seeking an excuse to release it all, to vent!
Lost, from strategy, from tactics, from the overall situation... he had been completely defeated by Cao Cao. The current predicament—the cleaver and the chopping block, he was the fish!
"Cao Gong..."
"It is my fault." Cao Cao extended his hand and patted the dust off Liu Bei's body. He deliberately put on a look of extreme shame. "If I had arrived a step earlier, I wouldn't have let my sworn brother fall into such a predicament."
Hoo...
Liu Bei gritted his teeth. He wanted to punch Cao Cao in his heart. This emotion was reflected in his cheeks and his words. He asked fiercely.
"These past few days, when Lu Bu attacked the city, he mentioned that he had captured a letter stating that Cao Gong had invited me to cooperate from within, plotting to take Xiapi City, but he intercepted it. Is there such a letter?"
"Yes!"
Cao Cao answered very readily, his eyes glancing at Lu Yu. "There is such a letter, but this letter was intentionally written for Lu Bu to see."
Cao Cao looked at Lu Yu because, although this stratagem was not directly planned by Lu Yu, the grand strategy of sowing discord between Lu Bu and Liu Bei was formulated by him.
Liu Bei's current pathetic state, Yu'er had contributed greatly!
But as soon as these words left his mouth, Liu Bei's eyes widened in fury. 'As expected, you deliberately designed this, inciting Lu Bu to attack me, while you... reaped the benefits!'
"Hahaha..."
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao laughed heartily. After his laughter subsided, Cao Cao deliberately lowered his voice.
"My dear brother Xuan De, it is said that in war, all stratagems are fair. You have just achieved merit by campaigning against Yuan Shu and received commendation from the court. If I did not use such methods, how could I have taken Xiaopei into my possession? How could I have severely damaged Lu Bu and opened the gateway to Xiapi City! Hahaha, brother Xuan De, please judge, how is this plan?"
This...
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's eyes seemed about to burst into flames. He clenched his teeth, and his words were drawn out, one by one.
"Cao Cao! Do you know how ruthless you are?"
"Your wicked scheme not only caused me to lose my city but also led my Second Brother into a desperate encirclement, his life and death uncertain!"
"I know!" Cao Cao laughed heartily. "Xuan De, you don't need to be sad. You will be fine, and your Second Brother will also be fine. Lu Bu surprised attacked you, and I will avenge this hatred for you. I will also take the city for you. If anything unfortunate happens to your Second Brother, then I, Cao Cao, am also your brother! If we join forces, what great cause can we not achieve? Come, get on your horse..."
As he spoke, Cao Cao waved his hand and patted Liu Bei heavily on the shoulder. "Let's go. Watch how I deal with Lu Bu and pacify this Central Plains!"
Killing the heart!
What is killing the heart? Every word, every sentence from Cao Cao was piercing Liu Bei's heart!
Pain, heart-wrenching pain!
It seemed that Liu Bei's aspirations, Liu Bei's efforts over the years, had vanished into thin air at this moment.
At this moment...
"Dada-da..." The sound of horses' hooves echoed. In the distance, not far from Xiaopei City, several hundred riders were galloping towards them.
"Big Brother, Big Brother!" The person in the lead shouted.
Before Liu Bei could recover, Zhang Fei, not far away, became excited. "It's Second Brother, it's Second Brother..." Saying this, he broke into a run towards Guan Yu.
That's right, the person arriving was Guan Yu Guan Yun Chang. Besides him, behind him... was Dian Wei, and the hundreds of remaining cavalry under his command.
However...
More riders had fallen on that bloody plain!
In fact, if it weren't for Dian Wei's timely appearance, facing Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and Lu Bu... it was a huge unknown whether he, Guan Yu, could have escaped today.
"Second Brother... Second Brother..."
Seeing Guan Yu, Liu Bei hesitated for a moment, then a relieved smile appeared on his lips.
He also quickened his pace towards Guan Yu.
Tramp, tramp...
The sound of hurried footsteps, but Liu Bei's thoughts did not stop. He calmed down and regretted his earlier conversation with Cao Cao.
He was always good at hiding his emotions, but why did he reveal all his dissatisfaction just now?
Too excited, too agitated!
Thinking about it now, it was dangerous, extremely dangerous!
Now, with Second Brother Guan Yu safe, he must... he must show goodwill to Cao Cao!
"Second Brother!" Liu Bei grasped Guan Yu's hand and said loudly, "You are safe, and your elder brother... your elder brother is relieved!"
"Hahahahaha..." Zhang Fei laughed and shouted, "I just told Big Brother that Second Brother is invincible in the world, so what is there to fear? Even if he is trapped in an ambush, what can that mere Lu Bu do to him?"
Mentioning Lu Bu... mentioning the ambush.
Guan Yu's expression changed slightly.
"Big Brother, Third Brother!" Guan Yu quickly pointed to Dian Wei behind him. "If it weren't for the valiant warrior Dian of the Long Xiao Camp intervening, I might have been in mortal peril on that plain!"
Speaking of this, Guan Yu turned and bowed to Dian Wei.
"Many thanks, valiant warrior Dian!"
Liu Bei and Zhang Fei also bowed. "Many thanks, valiant warrior Dian!"
"Hey..." Dian Wei scratched his head, then waved his hand. "Why are you thanking me? I am acting on my young master's orders. If he told me to save you, I saved you. If you want to thank someone, thank my young master!"
Saying this, Dian Wei dismounted and stood beside Lu Yu, like a personal bodyguard.
This...
Zhang Fei didn't think much of it, but Liu Bei and Guan Yu were startled.
After all... the Long Xiao Cavalry was renowned throughout the Nine Provinces, and their commander Lu Yu's name was as thunderous as a mighty roar!
Moreover, his strategies and vision, all of them made Liu Bei and Guan Yu sigh in admiration.
But... seeing him today.
Lu Yu was merely a refined young gentleman in his early teens. No matter how one looked at him, he seemed ill-suited to be the renowned commander of the Long Xiao Cavalry, a divine strategist with infallible plans.
But... being able to stand beside Cao Cao!
And having the Ancient Fierce Growl, Dian Wei, stand by his side, carefully escorting him, this young gentleman?
If not Lu Yu, then who else could it be?
With this thought in mind...
Liu Bei immediately quickened his pace and approached Lu Yu. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also followed.
"Liu Bei thanks Young Master Lu! If it weren't for Young Master Lu dispatching the Long Xiao Cavalry to rescue us, Liu Bei, Second Brother, and Third Brother would most likely have perished in Xiaopei City!"
Liu Bei bowed...
Guan Yu also bowed.
"Guan also thanks Young Master Lu! I will never forget this life-saving grace! Should you ever require my assistance in the future, Guan will surely go through fire and water to repay this kindness!"
With his two elder brothers speaking...
Zhang Fei scratched his head and also bowed to Lu Yu. "I don't know what to say. In short, I'm the same as my brothers!"
Heh...
This sudden wave of gratitude caught Lu Yu by surprise.
Liu Bei and Zhang Fei's lukewarm gratitude was one thing, but Guan Yu's proactive mention—that he would repay this kindness if ever needed in the future, did this count as owing him a favor?
Good heavens, Lu Yu's eyes narrowed. One must know that Guan Yu's favors were quite valuable.
However...
Lu Yu currently had no time to concern himself with this.
In fact, even his perfunctory pleasantries were not enough for him to chat at length with the Liu, Guan, Zhang brothers.
Lu Yu was busy...
As the saying goes, one surge of energy leads to decline, and a second surge leads to exhaustion.
For Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian, who was fleeing like a drowned rat, the second plan was already in motion and on its way. As always, this time he would trap Lu Bu beyond redemption!
...
...