Within Puyang City, inside the South Gate.
Four-sided flames surged towards the heavens, accompanied by the blare of drums and the earth-shattering roars of battle.
War halberds clashed against war halberds.
Warhorses collided with warhorses…
*Clang! Clang! Clang!* Two brilliant sparks, reaching the zenith of their radiance, met and intertwined beneath the night sky!
As the sparks died, Cao Xiu, leading seven hundred Dragon Riders, had slaughtered the first wave of Bing Province Wolf Cavalry before them. The ground was strewn with corpses and shattered armor, the land immediately stained red.
And the steel halberds in the hands of the seven hundred Dragon Riders…
Blood from their enemies continuously dripped from their sharpened edges.
The Bing Province Wolf Cavalry in the rear… hadn't yet grasped the situation, instinctively wielding their spears, lances, and war halberds to block… but in an instant, their weapons were severed from the middle!
Hundreds of men were split in two from the chest, countless warhorses, bathed in blood, still spun around in confusion, unsure of which way was forward.
This…
What in the world is happening?
The three thousand Qing Province soldiers in the rear were utterly stunned. These Dragon Riders were just too fierce!
Charging into a hail of arrows and clashing with the Bing Province Wolf Cavalry… in one exchange, they had annihilated two enemy formations…
And that's not even the main point…
The main point is that the Bing Province Wolf Cavalry were no match for them. Their weapons couldn't even pierce the armor of the Dragon Camp warriors, and their arrows, striking the Dragon Camp knights' armor and horse armor, felt like a mere tickle.
Let alone the clash of blades…
Shattered, their enemy's weapons were instantly broken!
And the Dragon Camp warriors' war halberds… as if carrying the force of mountains and seas, cleaved through men and their weapons alike!
Fierce…
This is too fierce!
In the eyes of the Qing Province soldiers, even seven hundred Xiahou Duns wouldn't be this fierce!
The crucial question is… we seem to have fallen into an ambush!
But it seems no one cares, and with ease, with a calm demeanor… the Dragon Camp had counter-killed the ambushing enemy?
Next… it seems the relationship between hunter and prey is about to change?
Indeed, inspired by the valiant charge of the Dragon Riders, the Qing Province soldiers also inexplicably roared and charged forward with their spears and war halberds, following the Dragon Riders…
…
"This…" Chen Gong on the city wall was somewhat bewildered. What in the world was going on?
What was the deal with this Cao army cavalry?
Chen Gong felt as if he had seen a ghost…
Sharp arrows couldn't penetrate?
Fierce spears couldn't pierce through…
That dark armor? That black horse armor, what was it, Chen Gong didn't know, but he knew… tonight, this armor would become the eternal nightmare of the Bing Province soldiers!
How could this possibly be fought?
More importantly… the Cao army's weapons were also unreasonable!
Chen Gong felt that the Cao camp knights fighting today were entirely different from the Cao army they had fought before… their combat effectiveness had increased by more than tenfold!
The ones before him… they were simply like undying Asuras, Yakshas, that had emerged from hell!
"When did the Cao army become so well-equipped?" Chen Gong couldn't help but ask…
The civil official beside him scratched his head. "It seems… in terms of weapon sharpness and armor sturdiness, even… even our Elite Guard would be slightly inferior!"
*Hoo…*
Chen Gong let out a long sigh, his entire being felt off…
More than five thousand Bing Province Wolf Cavalry, and under an ambush situation, using the cover of arrows covering the sky… but… they were forced to retreat by this few hundred cavalry!
This… this had completely surpassed Chen Gong's understanding of troop types and equipment. Damn it, today's problem was beyond the syllabus, and he didn't know how to solve it.
"Where is Wen Hou?"
"Where is General Wen Yuan?"
"Where is the Elite Guard?"
Three urgent questions in a row… Chen Gong's face was as pale as paper. At this moment… his heart was continuously feeling uneasy, panicky!
…
Just then…
At the point of engagement between the Dragon Riders, Qing Province soldiers, and Bing Province Wolf Cavalry, on the flanks of the Cao army… three formations continuously roared out from different alleys.
"Lu Bu is here, Cao's dog, take your life…"
"Zhang Wen Yuan is here… eat my blade!"
"Break the enemy formation, capture the villain general alive!"
The voices of Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun echoed out, and the most elite units of the Bing Province soldiers finally appeared.
However, what they hadn't expected was that the Cao army, numbering only a few thousand, could force the five thousand Bing Province Wolf Cavalry into a desperate situation.
For a moment, looking down from the heavens…
One could see the intermingling of black and yellow…
The troops of Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun, like a sharp dagger inserted from behind into the Cao army formations, the three thousand Qing Province soldiers in the Cao army's rear… fell in droves under their charge.
It seemed… the situation was under control!
But as the slaughter deepened, Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun clearly felt that the few hundred cavalry leading the charge of the Cao army possessed incredibly fierce combat power, and their armor… even the most elite spears of the Elite Guard could not penetrate it!
For a moment…
Thousands of Bing Province soldiers surrounded the Dragon Camp, the entire Dragon Camp formation was instantly scattered, and the sound of small-scale cavalry fighting echoed everywhere near the South City.
Lu Bu had more troops, while the Cao army had more refined equipment. For a time, both sides fought ferociously!
…
On the city wall, Chen Gong finally let out a long sigh…
It was unexpected; the Cao army's combat power and the sharpness of their weapons both exceeded his expectations, but… fortunately, with the bravery of Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and the advantage in numbers, the situation could still be stabilized.
In the short term… perhaps they couldn't devour this valiant Cao army, but… in the long run, victory was still firmly in their grasp.
Even if it was a costly victory…
Chen Gong muttered to himself, after this battle was over, he must strip these Cao army weapons and armor and examine them closely.
How did these war halberds manage to cut iron like mud?
And why was this armor so indestructible?
Just as Chen Gong was lost in thought…
*Thump, thump, thump…*
The sound of footsteps approached.
"Mr. Chen… Mr. Chen…"
Chen Gong looked towards the sound, and saw several messengers from the Bing Province soldiers, but… they were now panting heavily, their faces ashen…
No… their faces were not merely ashen, but like dead ashes, ten times whiter than dead ashes!
"Report… Mr. Chen, this is bad, very bad…"
The armored soldiers scrambled up the city wall. Upon seeing Chen Gong, they immediately knelt down. "The… the West City Gate… the West City Gate has been attacked. Tens of thousands of Cao army soldiers are attacking the city. The defenders of the West City Gate are… are almost unable to hold on!"
What…
Upon hearing this, not only did the armored soldier's face turn ashen, but Chen Gong's own face also became deathly pale, chillingly so!
Cao army attacking the city? Attacking… the West City Gate? Why… why would they attack the West City Gate at this time?
Before Chen Gong could ponder further…
"Report… Report…" Two more armored soldiers scrambled up the city wall. "The East City Gate has been attacked. Tens of thousands of Cao army are attacking the city!"
"Report… the North City Gate has already… has already been breached by the Cao army general Xiahou Yuan!"
Xiahou Yuan was the most impatient, and his soldiers were the fastest. Moreover, the defense of the North City Gate was the weakest!
While these guards were still drowsy, Xiahou Yuan's troops had already erected cloud ladders and were scaling the city walls…
Let alone an hour, from the beginning of the attack on the North City Gate to its complete opening, it didn't even take fifteen minutes.
And at this moment, Xiahou Yuan had already divided his forces to attack the East and West Gates, attacking from both inside and outside… in less than fifteen minutes, all three city gates, East, West, and North, would fall completely!
"Wh… what?"
Rarely, the usually calm and composed Chen Gong panicked at this moment. He was truly panicked.
His eyes flickered continuously… in his gaze, a look of horror grew more profound.
With a *bang*, Chen Gong clenched his fists and slammed them heavily onto the city wall! "Damn it, we've fallen into that Cao Ah Man's trap!"
Yes…
Turning the enemy's strategy against them… that's right, turning the enemy's strategy against them.
If this were a mille-feuille cake, Chen Gong would be on the second layer of "turning the enemy's strategy against them." He thought Cao Cao was on the first layer, being tightly sandwiched by him. But it turned out Cao Cao was already on the third layer, sandwiching him tightly!
*Hoo… hoo…*
Chen Gong stood there blankly, looking at the battle within the city;
Watching the troops of Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun surround these few hundred Cao army cavalry, yet being helpless…
At this moment, his eyes became vacant. This battle was so ironic… this battle was like slapping Chen Gong himself in the face.
Unwilling tears flowed down the corners of Chen Gong's eyes at this moment…
Melting away the pride and ecstasy on his cheeks, melting away his inevitable victory, and melting away the stiffness on his face upon hearing the bad news.
At this moment… his tears seemed unstoppable, falling like broken pearls, *pata pata*.
Having meticulously planned… but… but ultimately, was he destined to become a stray dog?
One breath…
Two breaths…
After a full ten breaths of silence, Chen Gong opened his mouth. He wanted to say something, but due to the agitation in his heart, he didn't know how to begin.
Watching helplessly as the few hundred Cao army soldiers below the city wall resisted…
How ironic. Now… who exactly was the one "resisting stubbornly"?
Finally… Chen Gong spoke.
"Immediately… you must immediately escort Marquis Wen's family out of the South City Gate. Furthermore… tell Marquis Wen, tell General Zhang, General Gao… tell them to evacuate from the South City Gate. Quickly… this is… this is the only chance!"
After speaking, Chen Gong thought of something else.
"Also… also… set fire to all the grain and provisions stored in Puyang City!"
As the words fell, a night breeze gradually rose, and mist ascended…
Looking at the rising flames and the clashing sounds of battle in the Puyang City before him… to Chen Gong, all of this felt like a dream.
Still unwilling, Chen Gong stood like a statue. Initially, he was bent over, but eventually… he stumbled and knelt on the ground.
After a long time, his lips trembled, and he reached out a trembling hand to grasp the city wall before him, wanting to support himself.
And in his mouth, he kept murmuring softly: "Cao Ah Man… why, why am I, Chen Gong, always tricked by you? Why, why is this?"
Of course, Chen Gong would not know that it was not Cao Cao who had tricked him.
It was a refined young man in the Cao camp who had predicted Chen Gong's prediction!
…
At this moment, Lu Bu's face was relaxed, completely unaware of the impending disaster.
Looking at the battlefield visible in the alleys of the South City, he narrowed his eyes… The key to capturing a thief is to capture its leader. The immediate priority was to capture Cao Cao.
And according to the known information, Cao Cao was currently inside Puyang City.
*Da da da…*
*De de de…*
The sound of horse hooves and the neighing of warhorses mingled together. Lu Bu rode his Red Hare horse, charging left and right…
Seeing isolated friendly troops, he didn't rush to raise his halberd, but instead tapped their helmets with his Sky-Piercing Halberd and asked, "Where is Cao Cao?"
Without exception… the answers from the Bing Province Wolf Cavalry were identical – "The one riding the yellow horse ahead is Cao Cao!"
Lu Bu urged his horse forward in pursuit…
And the one riding the yellow horse and wearing a red cloak ahead was speeding madly into the alleys.
"Kill, kill, kill…"
"Da da da…"
Inside Puyang City, the battle grew more intense, the sounds of killing and horse hooves converging. Every moment, there were heart-wrenching screams, some from the Bing Province Wolf Cavalry, and some from the Cao army!
The pure white moonlight permeated the city, permeated this bloody battlefield…
…
"Where is he?"
Lu Bu, wearing a golden crown with his hair tied up and a hundred-flower battle robe, urging his Red Hare horse, pursued "Cao Cao" through several alleys. These alleys were very secluded, far from the South City Gate… As a result, the sounds of killing in the surroundings had inexplicably diminished.
As Lu Bu looked around… the yellow horse and red cloak flashed again!
Lu Bu urged his horse in rapid pursuit…
While chasing, he roared, "Hmph, Cao's dog, if you think you can escape through this small alley, I advise you to give up on that idea!"
After all, the Red Hare horse was fast. At a deserted mountain god temple, Lu Bu caught up with "Cao Cao."
But…
How could this be Cao Cao?
Upon closer inspection, what greeted his eyes was a burly, well-built man. And that crimson cloak was clearly a bit small, unable to completely envelop the man's body.
This… why did the person change?
Lu Bu's heart was surprised, but he tried to ask, "Cao's dog?"
"Hahaha…" Unexpectedly, the burly man burst into laughter and turned his horse around.
Instantly, a ferocious and terrifying face appeared in Lu Bu's eyes. And this face… how could Lu Bu not be familiar with it?
This was… the man from before… the strong man with whom he had fought dozens of rounds without a clear winner at Chen Liu Commandery!
Lu Bu had specifically inquired about this person. He heard that he was under Cao Cao's command, the commander of the Dragon Camp, a martial arts instructor, nicknamed "The Ancient Valiant," and his name sounded extremely fierce – Dian Wei! Dian Wei's "Dian," Dian Wei's "Wei"!
How… could it be him?
Lu Bu's brows immediately knitted together.
"Hahaha…" Dian Wei continued to laugh heartily. He reached back and pulled off the cloak behind him.
This slightly smaller cloak, still needing to hide his body, was arranged by Young Master Lu Yu, and the task was truly uncomfortable!
However, his wish was granted…
Being able to "spar" with Lu Bu again, the previous frustration and discomfort vanished instantly.
"Lu Bu, you little brat, hahaha, last time there were too many people around, and it wasn't a good fight. Today… with no one around, let's fight for three hundred rounds! Whoever runs is a grandson!"
"You…" Realizing he had been tricked, Lu Bu glared furiously, his sharp eyes fixed on Dian Wei.
Don't look at Lu Bu's pleasant demeanor in front of Chen Gong, he was never a good-tempered person. How could Lu Bu tolerate being toyed with by Dian Wei?
"Looking for death…"
Lu Bu let out a stern roar… He thrust his Sky-Piercing Halberd forward to his chest, preparing to create space and strike consecutively!
"Hahaha… Come on…"
Dian Wei showed no fear. He drew his twin halberds from behind him. "I was just looking to have a good fight with you, you three-surname slave!"
"Who are you calling a three-surname slave!" Lu Bu was enraged…
"Hahaha…" Dian Wei laughed heartily. "My young master said that you, damn it, are surnamed Lu, then you recognized the Ding family as your father, and later you recognized the Dong family as your father, and even killed them all. Isn't that being a three-surname slave?"
"Hahaha, I think my young master is quite right!"
The story of the three-surname slave was specifically told to Dian Wei by Lu Yu, with the aim of provoking Lu Bu during their duel…
In a battle between masters, calmness was paramount. Once provoked…
Their movements would often become wide and sweeping, creating openings.
These… Lu Yu had also reminded Dian Wei of these things when he had nothing else to do.
Of course, Lu Yu did not understand martial arts. These common sense tips for one-on-one duels were mentioned in "Mr. Zha's" *Flying Snow Shoots White Deer*, and Lu Yu did not know if they were truly effective!
"Take my halberd…"
As expected, Lu Bu, enraged, swung his halberd horizontally. Because of his anger… this strike was not thought through, and he did not create distance as originally planned… it was a completely powerful blow!
"Hahaha… Come…"
Dian Wei still laughed, swinging his twin halberds simultaneously. He met Lu Bu's Sky-Piercing Halberd head-on… he was least afraid of brute force!
Both had astonishing strength…
Such a collision of immense power, theoretically, should have ignited brilliant sparks on both weapons…
But… an accident occurred.
*Crack… Crackle!*
*Dong… Scraaaaaaall!*
A series of shattering sounds echoed… Half of the crescent moon at the edge of the Sky-Piercing Halberd's blade actually shattered when it collided with Dian Wei's twin halberds…
Iron fragments scattered in the air. Lu Bu, witnessing all this, was repeatedly shocked.
His Sky-Piercing Halberd was forged from the finest profound iron.
Indeed… in his previous clashes with the Dragon Camp knights, Lu Bu could feel the sharpness of their weapons… but with his strength and skill, Lu Bu could still easily defeat them. Occasional clashes of weapons were far from this situation…
But… when encountering an evenly matched opponent…
With the immense force of the collision, how could Lu Bu have imagined that his profound iron Sky-Piercing Halberd… would shatter in an instant? Although it was only half a crescent moon, the key to victory or defeat was almost one-sided!
Dian Wei's martial arts skills were no less than his. If he also had the advantage of his weapons… then…
Before Lu Bu could react, Dian Wei's twin halberds thrust forward again.
"So fast… so steady…"
Dian Wei's swift as wind, fierce as waves, enraged, and murderous moves were actually thrust from horseback!
Lu Bu felt immense bitterness and regret. He felt as if he had encountered a ghost today…
What was going on? The last time he dueled with Dian Wei, his movements on horseback were extremely clumsy, but this time… he was as agile as if he were walking on flat ground!
Under the moonlight, Lu Bu naturally did not notice the iron stirrups on Dian Wei's feet.
But… after dodging and blocking, Lu Bu and the Red Hare horse were in an extremely sorry state. The last time they fought for dozens of rounds without a clear winner, but this time… after only a few rounds, Lu Bu was already showing signs of defeat.
"Lu Bu, you little brat, aren't you very powerful… Come on, don't just dodge, poke that 'broken iron head' of yours at me too!
Dian Wei's words were unintentional, but the "shrimp and pork heart" of it all made Lu Bu want to cry… Damn it, this Dian Wei was truly infuriating!
Just then.
"Feng Xian, don't fight anymore… The Cao army has attacked from the other three gates!"
The speaker was Zhang Liao. It was clearly visible that the crescent halberd in his hand was also dented and scratched… It was obvious that the sharp edge had been smashed to pieces. He had barely managed to find Lu Bu at this mountain god temple!
Upon hearing his words…
Lu Bu reined in his horse and retreated rapidly, his pupils suddenly widening.
"What?"
"Feng Xian, we've been tricked… these Cao army soldiers were just to delay us. The other three gates… that's Cao Cao's real objective!"
Zhang Liao tried his best to calm his emotions. "Feng Xian, your family's strategist has already sent people to escort them out of the South City Gate. If we don't evacuate from the South City Gate now, we'll become Cao Cao's prisoners!"
Hearing this, Lu Bu felt his pupils constrict, and his heart tightened…
Puyang City, had Puyang City… had it fallen… already?
Before he could react, Zhang Liao whipped the Red Hare horse with his riding crop. *De de de*, with the neighing of the Red Hare horse, Lu Bu and Zhang Liao retreated rapidly!
And Dian Wei still looked somewhat bored…
– "Damn it, I haven't had enough yet, why are you running…"
– "Brothers, stop him… the one riding the red horse is Lu Bu!"
…
…