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Dong Zhuo ordered the departure back to Maiwu that day, and all the officials and military leaders gathered outside the city to see them off. The procession was grand, with banners blocking out the sky, dust swirling in the air, and an imposing atmosphere like a mountain. Diao Chan sat in a luxurious carriage, a corner of the curtain slightly lifted as she searched through the gap in the fabric for familiar faces in the crowd. Sure enough, she spotted Lü Bu standing deep among the throng, his gaze burning as he looked towards her carriage, as if trying to penetrate the layers of obstruction to meet her.
Diao Chan bit her lip lightly, concealing her face, her hands pressed against her chest as if suppressing a surge of emotions. After a moment, she deliberately turned her head away, partially hiding her face and feigning a sobbing demeanor. Her shoulders trembled slightly, causing the maid beside her to show a hint of confusion but not daring to ask further.
The carriage continued forward, the wheels rumbling as it gradually distanced itself from the city gate, eventually fading into a blurred shadow at the edge of sight.
Lü Bu remained standing at a distance, gripping the reins but remaining motionless for a long time. His gaze closely followed the dust cloud left by the departing carriage, filled with endless sorrow and regret. He took a deep breath but felt as if a heavy stone pressed against his chest, as if all his feelings were blocked by that curtain.
He mounted his horse and rode up to a small hillock, gazing towards Dong Zhuo's convoy, his eyes lingering on the vanishing dust trail. He sighed softly, "Why is fate so cruel? I cannot save her from this fire and water..."
At that moment, a low voice came from behind him: "Why does Wen Hou not accompany the Grand Tutor? Why remain here sighing at the dust?"
Lü Bu jolted and turned to see Wang Yun standing not far away, dressed in court attire with an expression full of meaning. His gaze was sharp and calm, as if he had already seen through everything.
Lü Bu dismounted and approached Wang Yun, his expression tinged with helplessness and restraint. Wang Yun looked at him with a weak smile that carried concern in his tone: "Old Man has been slightly unwell recently and has stayed indoors for some time without seeing General. Today, as the Grand Tutor departs for Maiwu, I did not wish to come out to see him off; however, duty compelled me to come despite my illness. I did not expect to encounter you here. But I see you are furrowing your brow—why do you sigh alone?"
Lü Bu remained silent for a moment before quietly saying, "It is about the Daughter of the Minister of Works."
Wang Yun feigned surprise upon hearing this and frowned: "What? Has she not returned to you for quite some time?"
Lü Bu's expression darkened as anger and pain seeped into his voice: "That old scoundrel has long since taken her for himself, showering her with affection day and night! How could she possibly return to me?"
Wang Yun's eyes widened in shock, disbelief evident in his tone: "Is this true? The Grand Tutor is truly so shameless?!"
Lü Bu was filled with grievances and indignation as he recounted his experiences to Wang Yun, from the abduction of Diao Chan to the secret meeting at Fengyi Pavilion, and finally to Dong Zhuo's humiliation. His voice grew increasingly somber, hands clenched tightly, and his eyes were filled with helplessness and shame.
After listening, Wang Yun sighed deeply, his face etched with sorrow and anger, remaining silent for a long time. Eventually, he shook his head and spoke in a low voice, "I never imagined that the Grand Tutor would commit such beastly acts! This... this is an unparalleled disgrace!"
With that, Wang Yun stepped forward, grasping Lü Bu's hand with a meaningful tone. "General, this is not the place for discussion. Follow me to my humble abode, and we shall deliberate further." Lü Bu nodded and left with him.
Upon arriving at Wang Yun's residence, Wang Yun led Lü Bu into a secret chamber where he set up a banquet and personally poured wine for him. Though his demeanor was respectful, there was a hint of calculation in his brow.
Lü Bu lifted his cup, lowering his gaze as he spoke heavily about the details of his encounter with Diao Chan at Fengyi Pavilion. Each word carried an unbearable pain, as if he were peeling back the scars of his heart.
Wang Yun listened quietly until Lü Bu finished. He set down his cup, his expression darkening as he spoke in a slow but sharp tone of reproach. "The Grand Tutor has violated my daughter and taken the General's wife. This is not merely an insult to him; it brings shame upon us all! What will they say? They will mock the Old Man for lacking dignity and laugh at a hero like you being subjected to such disgrace!" He paused for a moment, looking deeply into Lü Bu's eyes with increasing sorrow. "The Old Man may be old and insignificant, but what about you? The unparalleled Lü Fengxian—how can you endure this humiliation?"
Hearing Wang Yun's words ignited a fire in Lü Bu's eyes. He slammed his hand on the table, causing the wine cups to rattle as he thundered, "This unparalleled disgrace I cannot bear any longer! I swear to kill that old scoundrel and avenge my shame!"
Wang Yun was startled and quickly raised his hand to stop him, speaking urgently. "General, hold on! It was the Old Man who misspoke; please calm your anger and do not alarm others!"
Lü Bu stood up abruptly, his chest heaving violently as he clenched his fists tightly. His voice trembled with suppressed rage. "A true man born between heaven and earth cannot live in such despair and suffer humiliation beneath others! As the unparalleled Lü Fengxian, how can I allow this old scoundrel to suppress me for a lifetime?"
Seeing Lü Bu's fury unabated, Wang Yun understood that the moment had come. He softened his tone slightly, adding a hint of indulgent humor. "What you say is true. With your courage and talent, how could someone like Grand Preceptor Dong control you?"
Lü Bu fixed his gaze on Wang Yun, struggling with pain and conflict in his eyes. "But after all, he bears my father's name. If I act against him, I will inevitably be criticized by future generations for being unfilial!"
Wang Yun smiled lightly at this remark, his gaze deepening with a hint of sarcasm and provocation. "General, loyalty and filial piety should be based on genuine feelings. You are Lü Bu; he is Dong Zhuo—there is no divine mandate connecting you. On that day at Fengyi Pavilion when you threw your spear, he sought to end your life; the father-son bond is nothing but a false facade. Is there any true paternal affection to speak of?"
Lü Bu was taken aback, a flicker of shock crossing his eyes. His gaze shifted from anger to determination, his clenched fists relaxing and then tightening again, as if he had suddenly seen through a long-concealed truth. He nodded vigorously, his voice low and resolute: "What the Minister says is absolutely correct! I almost let this empty title deceive me. If I do not avenge this grudge, how can I, Lü Bu, call myself a man!"
Wang Yun saw that Lü Bu had made up his mind, a glimmer of relief and expectation flashing in his eyes, though his tone remained somewhat probing: "If the General can rid the Han Dynasty of this great threat posed by Dong Zhuo, he will be a Loyal Minister, destined to be remembered in history and praised for generations. But if you assist Dong Zhuo in his treachery, you will be labeled a traitor and face the scorn of countless generations. Have you thought this through?"
Upon hearing these words, Lü Bu's expression grew serious. Suddenly, he stepped down from his seat and knelt on both knees, his demeanor resolute: "My mind is made up! Please do not doubt me any longer!"
Wang Yun nodded but still harbored some concerns. He sighed softly: "The General's loyalty is something I naturally trust; however, this matter is extremely perilous. If you are not careful, it may lead to your own demise."
Without hesitation, Lü Bu unsheathed the dagger from his waist and swiftly slashed it across his own arm. Blood immediately gushed forth, dripping onto the ground. His expression was steadfast, his gaze fierce; his voice rang out powerfully: "Today, with this blood as my oath, if I do not slay Dong Zhuo, I vow I shall not be human!"
Seeing this, Wang Yun was greatly shaken. He quickly knelt down and clasped his hands together in excitement: "If you can restore the Han Dynasty and slay this Traitor, it will all be thanks to the General! Heaven bless the Han Dynasty; it all lies in your hands!"
Lü Bu sheathed his dagger and reached out to help Wang Yun to his feet, speaking in a low and firm tone: "Rest assured, Minister; this matter will not be leaked. If you have any plans, please inform me when the time comes."
Wang Yun stood up and gazed deeply at Lü Bu, his eyes reflecting both relief and a hint of worry. He slowly nodded and said softly: "The General is brave; I dare not say much more. I will wait until the time is right to inform you of our actions."
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