Wang Kuang waved his flag, turning to shout angrily, "Which soldier dares to face the enemy?" Before his words faded, a burly general from the rear galloped forward and declared loudly, "I am Fang Yue, willing to take the head of Lü Bu!"
Wang Kuang glanced back and recognized Fang Yue, the renowned general from Hanoi. Clad in gleaming steel armor, he brandished a spear that glimmered coldly as he charged straight toward Lü Bu.
The two horses faced off, and before they could close the distance, Lü Bu let out a cold laugh and brandished his Decorated Halberd to engage. In the center of the battlefield, the sounds of neighing horses and clashing weapons echoed through the air as the two men exchanged deadly strikes. Fang Yue thrust fiercely at Lü Bu's chest, but his attack was easily deflected by the Decorated Halberd. With a fierce roar, Lü Bu unleashed a swift counterattack; the halberd flashed with cold light as he struck back, and Fang Yue let out a cry as he fell from his horse, his chest pierced and blood staining the ground.
Lü Bu let out a long howl and charged forward with his halberd like a raging fire sweeping through. Seeing their general fall, Wang Kuang's troops were thrown into disarray. He urgently commanded his soldiers to confront the enemy, but it was already too late. Lü Bu descended upon them like a tiger among sheep, sweeping left and right with his halberd, each strike resulting in splashes of blood. The Kuang army cried out in panic and scattered, their formation collapsing as the battlefield turned into a scene of chaos.
Wang Kuang hurried back to regroup but saw Lü Bu pursuing him on horseback, exuding an overwhelming killing intent. His face turned pale as he shouted hoarsely, "Retreat! Quickly retreat!" Just then, distant horns sounded as Qiao Mao and Yuan Yi's forces rushed to their aid, banners blocking out the sky and drums thundering. Seeing reinforcements arrive, Lü Bu snorted coldly, pulled on Red Hare's reins, and turned his horse around while slashing at the remaining soldiers as he slowly withdrew.
Wang Kuang's face was ashen as he looked at the corpses and scattered weapons on the ground; anger and fear intertwined within him. He clenched his fists and spoke in a low voice, "The humiliation of today will be avenged in the future!"
Qiao Mao rode forward and asked solemnly, "Governor Wang, how is Lü Bu?"
Wang Kuang sighed helplessly, "This man possesses unparalleled martial skills and strength that can lift a cauldron; there is no one in our army who can stop him. He is like a fierce tiger descending from the mountains—anyone who stands in his way will surely die."
Yuan Yi frowned and said, "If that is the case, how can we break through Tiger Prison? Have other lords arrived?"
News returned to the allied camp that all remaining lords had gathered; the atmosphere inside was chaotic. Wang Kuang reported on the battle situation alongside Qiao Mao and Yuan Yi, leaving everyone exchanging glances. Some gritted their teeth in anger while others remained silent; many felt deep apprehension toward Lü Bu.
Cao Cao stared at the map with a furrowed brow and said quietly, "If we allow Lü Bu to rampage unchecked, we will be unable to move an inch. His single-handed bravery can overpower our eight armies; he is indeed a great threat."
Yuan Shao pondered for a moment before looking over everyone present. "Lü Bu may be formidable, but if we unite as Righteous Army, what do we have to fear from one man's courage? Someone send word for all generals to discuss strategies to defeat this enemy."
The tent gradually quieted down; however, the atmosphere grew heavier as everyone understood that this battle would determine their fate. Who among them would dare to raise their weapons against Lü Bu?
Just as they were debating without resolution, a young officer hurried into the tent to report urgently: "Lü Bu has arrived outside the pass and is challenging us!"
Upon hearing this news, Yuan Shao slammed his hand on the table and declared sternly, "Since he dares to provoke us, you all must unite against this bandit!"
The Eight Route Lords received their orders and donned their armor before mounting their horses to form eight divisions against the enemy. The war drums thundered as troops surged toward Hu Lao Pass. From afar, they saw Lü Bu standing atop a high mound surrounded by iron cavalry in formation with battle flags fluttering like an iron wall.
"This man is incredibly bold to challenge our lords alone!" Mu Shun, a subordinate of Governor Zhang Yang from Shangdang couldn't contain himself any longer; he spurred his horse forward with spear raised and shouted angrily, "Let me take his head!"
Mu Shun galloped fiercely toward Lü Bu with spear strikes like dragons and an imposing aura. However, Lü Bu merely smiled coldly as he raised his Fangtian Halberd. The two clashed for only a few exchanges before Lü Bu delivered a powerful blow; the halberd flashed with cold light as it pierced Mu Shun's throat. Blood sprayed forth as Mu Shun fell heavily from his horse—dead in an instant.
The lords were taken aback, halting their cavalry and exchanging glances.
"Indeed, Lü Bu is ferocious. Who dares to advance?" Kong Rong, the Governor of Beihai, wore a serious expression. At that moment, his general, Wu Anguo, rode out, raising a heavy iron hammer with both hands and shouting, "Let me test this ruffian's skills!"
Wu Anguo charged at Lü Bu, swinging the hammer like a windmill as he aimed it downwards. Lü Bu remained calm, positioning his halberd horizontally. As their horses brushed past each other, the blade of the halberd struck directly at Anguo's wrist. A sharp crack echoed as Anguo let out a pained groan, dropping the hammer to the ground. He gritted his teeth against the agony and turned his horse to flee back to his own lines.
"Shameless scoundrel, do not think you can escape with your life!" Lü Bu sneered, spurring his horse to pursue, the decorated halberd aimed at Wu Anguo's back.
At that critical moment, the Eight Route Lords' army surged forward with a thunderous war drumbeat. Countless arrows whistled through the air, forcing Lü Bu to rein in his horse and retreat back to the high ground to regroup.
Once the army settled down, Yuan Shao and the others returned to their camp, each face marked with concern. The atmosphere in the tent was tense; everyone understood that Lü Bu's might had already instilled fear in their hearts. Finding a way to break through became an urgent matter.
After a moment of contemplation, Cao Cao stood up and said solemnly, "Gentlemen, if this continues, our morale will surely falter. Although Lü Bu is strong, he is still only human. If we Eight Route Lords unite and devise a good strategy together, we can certainly capture this enemy. Once we have Lü Bu in our grasp, Dong Zhuo will be as easy to deal with as paper!"
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement; the atmosphere lightened slightly. Yet a profound sense of crisis still lingered in the tent, as if Lü Bu's shadow would loom over them again at any moment.
Just as the lords were fervently discussing strategies, a military lookout rushed in with urgent news: "Lü Bu is leading his troops to challenge us again!" Yuan Shao was furious and slammed his hand on the table: "Everyone follow me to battle!"
Hearing this command, all the generals quickly donned their armor and prepared for battle. The Eight Route Lords arranged their troops at the front of the pass. The war drums thundered while banners fluttered in the wind; the ground shook like thunder.
Suddenly, Lü Bu on his Red Hare dashed towards them like a red shadow from within the enemy ranks. In his hand, the Fangtian Halberd gleamed coldly with murderous intent. He led the charge alone while his cavalry followed closely behind like a surging tide.
"Impudent!" Gongsun Zan glared angrily and brandished his long spear as he galloped forward to meet Lü Bu. The two weapons clashed with a resounding clang that echoed through the battlefield. The blades sparkled ominously as soldiers around them retreated in fear.
As their horses crossed paths, Lü Bu let out a cold laugh and slashed with his halberd, producing a piercing sound that cut through the air. Although Gongsun Zan was strong, he was forced back several steps under Lü Bu's relentless assault. Realizing he was no match for him, he pulled on his reins to retreat.
"Thinking of escaping?" Lü Bu scoffed as he squeezed his legs against Red Hare. The horse surged forward like lightning, racing after Gongsun Zan like an arrow shot from a bow.
Seeing the distance closing rapidly, Gongsun Zan's heart raced like thunder. He glanced back and saw Lü Bu raising his Fangtian Halberd aimed directly at his back. In a panic, he urged his horse faster but knew escape was nearly impossible; fear washed over him.
Just then, a voice roared like thunder: "A Slave to Three Masters! Do not flee! Zhang Fei is here!"
The furious shout echoed across the battlefield, startling Lü Bu momentarily as he turned to look. A fierce warrior charged forth on horseback—standing nine feet tall with wide eyes and bristling whiskers—holding an Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear radiating overwhelming battle intent. His steed galloped like a tempest and boldly positioned itself between Lü Bu and Gongsun Zan.
Lü Bu let out a cold laugh and released Gongsun Zan, shaking his Decorated Halberd as he charged at Zhang Fei. "You do have some courage; come and meet your death!"
Zhang Fei, filled with bravado, spurred his horse forward. The Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear shot out like a venomous dragon emerging from the sea, aimed directly at Lü Bu's face. He bellowed, "A Slave to Three Masters, watch as I turn you into a beehive!"
Lü Bu was not to be outdone; he wielded his Fangtian Halberd like lightning, parrying the serpent spear and swiftly countering with a thrust aimed at Zhang Fei's chest. The clash of their weapons rang out like thunder, the sound deafening. The soldiers surrounding them were awestruck by their fierce momentum and dared not approach.
In the center of the battlefield, Red Hare and Zhang Fei's steed circled each other, their neighs echoing. The Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear danced like a dragon, while the Fangtian Halberd descended like a fierce tiger from the mountain. Each strike was lethal, neither giving an inch. Dust swirled around them as blades flashed in the sunlight, obscuring everything.
After more than fifty exchanges, neither side had gained the upper hand. Observing from a distance, Guan Yu chuckled heartily at the sight. "Though my second brother is brave, Lü Bu's strength is astonishing. Allow me to lend a hand!"
Before he finished speaking, Guan Yu galloped forward, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade glinting in the sunlight. He charged into the fray and swung his blade down with a fierce wind that carried an intimidating aura, aiming for Lü Bu's flank.
Startled, Lü Bu quickly blocked with his halberd and shouted angrily, "Guan Yu, you red-faced man dare to join in?"
"I want to see if Lü Bu is truly as invincible as the rumors say!" Guan Yu replied solemnly, unleashing three consecutive slashes with his Green Dragon Crescent Blade that pressed fiercely against Lü Bu without mercy.
At that moment, Liu Bei saw that even with his brothers' combined efforts they could not suppress Lü Bu and knew he could no longer stand by idly. He mounted Yellow Mane Horse, wielding Twin Sabers, and called out loudly, "Xuan De also wishes to test Lü Bu's Fangtian Halberd!"
Lü Bu snorted coldly; facing the three-pronged assault did not faze him in the slightest. He blocked Zhang Fei's serpent spear with his left while parrying Guan Yu's Qinglong Yanyue Dao with his right. Suddenly spinning to evade Liu Bei's Twin Sabers from behind, he maneuvered his Fangtian Halberd in a seamless defense that held firm.
The three horses circled and fought amidst flying dust and debris; everyone was dazzled by the scene. Sword edges clashed with blade glimmers and halberd shadows intertwined, igniting countless sparks that roared like rolling thunder across the battlefield, striking fear into the hearts of all nearby soldiers.
Comment 0 Comment Count