Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter Twenty-Seven: I Have Dian Wei, Who Can Slay Hua Xiong

Just as Liu Heng was criticizing the situation in his heart, a scout rushed into the tent: "General Yu has been slain by Hua Xiong in fewer than three rounds."

The moment these words were spoken, the previously relaxed crowd in the tent erupted into an uproar.

"That Yu She was a fierce general under General Yuan Shu; how could he be so incompetent?"

"This Hua Xiong is truly formidable! No wonder he was able to defeat Sun Wentai!"

...

Then, Han Fu, the Governor of Jizhou, stood up and said, "I have a top general named Pan Feng who can slay Hua Xiong."

*Oh! Here we go, General Pan Feng has arrived!* Liu Heng shouted inwardly.

Yuan Shao hurriedly ordered Pan Feng to engage. Pan Feng turned and stepped out of the ranks, bowed in acknowledgement, then grabbed a large axe and rode out of the tent.

Before long, another scout came galloping in: "Pan Feng has also been slain by Hua Xiong."

The tent was in chaos once more!

Yuan Shao said with a look of regret, "It is a pity that my top generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, have not yet arrived! If either of them were here, there would be no reason to fear that Hua Xiong!"

Liu Heng had been keeping a side-eye on Guan Yu, fearing he might steal the spotlight. Noticing that Guan Yu was about to speak, Liu Heng hurriedly stood up and declared, "My general, Dian Wei, courtesy name Junming, can slay Hua Xiong!"

The moment Liu Heng’s voice rang out—"My general, Dian Wei, courtesy name Junming, can slay Hua Xiong!"—the noisy tent fell into an instant, dead silence.

Every gaze shifted from the regretful Yuan Shao and the astonished warlords toward the hulking figure standing behind Liu Heng!

Hearing his name, Dian Wei took a fierce step forward. His eyes radiated a murderous light: "My Lord! I, Dian, am willing to go!"

There was a hint of excitement in Dian Wei’s voice. After all, ever since he pledged his loyalty to Liu Heng, he had watched Xu Huang and Chen Shuzhi hold their own territories, and Zhao Yun gain fame among the warlords by defeating Ma Teng and killing Niu Fu. He alone, serving as the Lord’s personal bodyguard, had remained obscure. Now that his Lord had brought only him, and with such an opportunity to make a name for himself, Dian Wei was naturally thrilled.

"I will surely bring back that dog’s head, Hua Xiong!"

The tent was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Yuan Shao looked at Dian Wei’s exceptionally robust physique and the almost palpable killing intent radiating from him; a flash of suspicion and wariness crossed his eyes. He had never seen such a formidable warrior! Judging by his stature alone, even Yan Liang seemed slightly inferior.

Yuan Shu’s expression was particularly ugly. He had just lost Yu She and, seeing Liu Heng volunteer, felt a mix of jealousy and resentment. He couldn't help but sneer, "Heh, the Colonel of the Sili Commandery certainly has no shortage of talent! But this Hua Xiong has just slain two great generals, Yu She and Pan Feng; his momentum is at its peak. Do not let your ‘beloved general’ be lost as well, only to become a laughingstock!"

Cao Cao, however, stared intensely at Dian Wei as if admiring a great beauty, then glanced at the calm and collected Liu Heng, deep in thought.

Liu Heng ignored Yuan Shu’s taunts and smiled faintly, turning his gaze to Yuan Shao. "Leader, military matters are as urgent as fire. Hua Xiong is arrogant; we need a thunderous blow to boost the morale of the army! Dian Wei can slay him!"

Yuan Shao took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "Splendid! Since General Dian is willing to fight, he shall be granted wine to bolster his spirit!"

He signaled his personal guards to fetch wine.

"No need!"

Dian Wei waved his large hand, his voice booming like a bell. "For a mere Hua Xiong, what need is there for a departure toast? Wait until I have slain that wretch and returned; we shall drink then! Just keep the wine warm!"

With that, he turned sharply and strode out of the tent! Every step he took felt like a hammer blow to the hearts of the warlords present, especially Cao Cao, who watched him leave with intense focus.

Outside the tent, guards had already brought over Dian Wei’s own exceptionally large warhorse.

"Bring me my halberds!"

Dian Wei roared, his voice shaking the gates of the camp! A soldier from the Black Armor Cavalry stepped forward to hand over the two short halberds.

Dian Wei reached out and grabbed them, then leaped onto his horse with a speed and fluidity that belied his massive frame!

"Open the gates!"

Dian Wei roared again, the sound rolling like thunder.

The guards, intimidated by his ferocious aura, scrambled to open the gates.

"Hyah!"

Dian Wei dug his heels into his horse’s flanks. The steed let out a neigh, and he charged alone, straight toward the direction where Hua Xiong was shouting his insults!

The atmosphere inside the tent was strange and tense. Yuan Shu wore an undisguised sneer, harboring a malicious desire to see a failure. Most of the other warlords were suspicious and uneasy, their eyes darting between the tent entrance and Liu Heng’s calm face.

Cao Cao’s eyes flickered, as if he were rapidly calculating something.

Behind Gongsun Zan, Zhang Fei’s round eyes were wide with excitement and anticipation, muttering, "What a killer! That’s got some spirit!"

Guan Yu’s phoenix eyes narrowed, his brilliance hidden within. He had intended to step out himself, but the young Lord had snatched the opportunity first. Liu Bei remained as gentle and composed as ever.

Liu Heng, however, acted as if nothing had happened. He even had the leisure to tell his attendant, "Go, keep this pot of wine on my table warm. When Junming returns, it will be just the right time to drink this hot wine."

The attendant obeyed and left.

Seeing this, Yuan Shu sneered even more, "The Marquis of Yangwu has such refined tastes! Let us hope you can still drink this wine later!"

Liu Heng didn't even lift his eyelids, as if he hadn't heard.

Time slipped away in silence. Outside the tent, the thunderous sound of drums could be heard faintly, but it seemed distant and unclear. Every change in the rhythm of the drums tugged at the heartstrings of those inside.

Yuan Shao sat in the seat of honor, appearing steady, but his fingers, tightly gripping his wine cup, betrayed his inner anxiety.

Yuan Shu was restless, hoping for Dian Wei to fail so that Liu Heng would lose face, yet secretly terrified that Dian Wei might actually slay Hua Xiong—which would be another heavy blow to his own prestige! This Liu Boyu had been at odds with him ever since entering the camp!

Only Liu Heng remained calm, even closing his eyes slightly, his fingers tapping gently on the table as if enjoying a rhythm.

Suddenly! The thunderous drums and shouts outside were cut off as if by an invisible hand!

An instant, dead silence followed!

This sudden silence was even more heart-wrenching than the previous noise! Everyone in the tent felt their hearts leap into their throats!

"Report—!!!"

A sharp, strained voice approached from a distance.

A scout scrambled into the tent, pointing toward the outside, babbling incoherently, "Report! Report to the Leader! Dead… he’s dead! Hua Xiong… Hua Xiong is… dead!"

"What?"

"Dead?"

"How did he die?"

The tent exploded instantly! Yuan Shao stood up abruptly; Cao Cao, Yuan Shu, and the others also turned pale!

The scout’s voice was filled with excitement: "That… General Dian… he… he charged out… just one strike! Just one strike!"

The scout held up a finger, gesturing with trembling excitement: "Hua Xiong was cut down from his horse!"

"Hiss—!"

A collective gasp echoed through the tent!

Dead silence returned.

Yuan Shu’s expression was ugly, his lips twitching slightly; he could not utter a word.

Yuan Shao’s facial muscles twitched; shock, ecstasy, and an indescribable emotion were intertwined.

Cao Cao gripped his wine cup tightly, his eyes gleaming. He pondered inwardly that this Liu Heng was truly not simple; no wonder Dong Zhuo had given him the title of "Colonel of the Sili Commandery."

Being a young man who was already the Administrator of Zuofengyi and in actual control of the Three Auxiliary regions, Liu Heng would not care for the title of a mere Prefect. Dong Zhuo was unwilling to grant a high-ranking regional governorship, and besides, this Liu Heng… was too young! Dong Zhuo likely weighed his options carefully before granting the "Colonel of the Sili Commandery," a position that had nothing to do with guarding a specific region.

Zhang Fei slapped his thigh in excitement, nearly shouting, but was held down by Guan Yu.

Liu Bei looked at Liu Heng with complex eyes. This young member of the imperial clan, besides that Zhao Yun, actually possessed such a fierce general!

Just then!

Heavy footsteps, accompanied by the scent of blood, approached once again and drifted clearly into the tent!

The tent flap was flung open!

Dian Wei’s iron-tower-like figure reappeared at the entrance! He was drenched in blood—naturally, the blood splattered when he slew Hua Xiong.

Dark red blood still dripped from the tip of his short halberd, creating small puddles on the ground.

In his left hand, he held a head with bristling hair, eyes wide open, and a face frozen in a look of absolute horror—it was the Western Liang general, Hua Xiong! From the severed neck, blood was still bubbling out!

Dian Wei’s fierce gaze swept across the tent and finally settled on Liu Heng.

He grinned, revealing ivory-white teeth. Combined with his blood-stained face and the gruesome head in his hand, the smile looked somewhat chilling: "My Lord! Hua Xiong’s dog head is here! Is the wine… still warm?"

His voice was still loud and full of killing intent, but his eyes were fixed on the pot of wine on Liu Heng’s table, which was just now releasing wisps of steam.

Liu Heng finally revealed a genuine smile, filled with the composure of one who controlled everything. He personally lifted the warm wine pot and filled a goblet; the liquid rippled in the steam.

"Junming, you have worked hard."

Liu Heng raised the goblet, his voice clear: "The wine is still warm, just in time!"

Dian Wei laughed wildly! He stepped forward and tossed the bloody head into the center of the tent like a piece of trash. The head, with its eyes fixed in a dead stare, rolled a few times and stopped right in front of Yuan Shu’s table, its wide-open eyes seeming to glare at him!

Yuan Shu, caught off guard, scrambled backward, his face full of disgust, though his retreat looked quite pathetic.

Dian Wei didn't even look at him. He reached out his blood-stained hand, grabbed the wine goblet Liu Heng handed him, and downed it in one gulp!

"Good wine! Satisfying!"

Dian Wei slammed the empty goblet onto Liu Heng’s table, his eyes sweeping the tent, radiating a fierce light: "Is there anyone else who is dissatisfied? I, Dian, will go and cut them all down!"

The tent was deathly silent!

All the warlords, including Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, looked at this previously unknown general under Liu Heng who had just returned with Hua Xiong’s head, and then at the calm Liu Heng, who seemed to have done something trivial. An indescribable chill rose from the depths of their hearts.

This Colonel of the Sili Commandery, Liu Heng… was unfathomable! And his subordinates… actually possessed such talent!

Yuan Shu, feeling the sting of Dian Wei’s gaze, felt a chill and turned to look at Yuan Shao as if by chance.

Cao Cao’s eyes flashed, staring fixedly at Liu Heng and Dian Wei, as if he wanted to carve these two into his very bones. He suddenly picked up his own wine cup, left his seat, and walked to Liu Heng with a sincere and eager smile: "Brother Boyu actually has such a fierce general; it is truly a blessing for the Han Dynasty! Cao, I toast you, General Dian! I toast you, Brother Boyu!"

He drained his cup, placing himself in a very humble position.

Liu Heng looked at the man who was destined to be his opponent in the future, but his face remained calm, raising his goblet in acknowledgement: "Brother Mengde, you flatter me. Eliminating traitors for the sake of the country is merely my duty."

He drank his wine, but his gaze drifted past Cao Cao, back toward the east outside the tent. Hua Xiong’s death was merely a small climax in this great drama.

Dong Zhuo’s anger and the warlords’ schemes had only just begun. And his name, Liu Heng, would shake the East of the Pass after today! The sickle that had been sharpened in the Guanzhong region for so long was now one step closer to being swung.

In the first year of Chu-ping, the Suanzao camp was no longer noisy.

Liu Heng stood alone in front of his unassuming tent, wearing only a half-worn black robe. In the distance, the flickering bonfires in the deep night reflected the long shadows of the patrolling soldiers, casting a chilling aura over the vast coalition camp.

Recalling the thunderous cheers from earlier that day when Dian Wei warmed the wine and slew Hua Xiong, it now felt distant and surreal. He had finally established a foothold in this chaotic world, and the plot had shifted to another main thread because of his arrival.

Liu Heng took a deep breath, the cold air stinging his lungs, which slightly sharpened his spirit.

The so-called "Righteous Army"? The warlords of the East, with their high-sounding rhetoric, had gathered at Suanzao to denounce Dong Zhuo and restore the Han Dynasty. The slogans were loud, and the camps were fortified like mountains.

Those heroes from all directions were mostly calculating how to carve out a sufficiently fat piece of land for themselves on these ruins of a crumbling empire.

Inside the tent, the oil lamp stretched his shadow, projecting it onto the rough tent cloth, swaying slightly. He, Liu Heng, Liu Boyu, Marquis of Yangwu, Colonel of the Sili Commandery, wearing the halo of the Han imperial clan, had entered this dragon’s den of Suanzao with only fifty cavalrymen.

This step was a dangerous gamble, a lone throw of the dice. Liu Heng had to see clearly: beneath this glorious banner of "Righteousness," how many wolfish ambitions that were never recorded in history books were lurking? And perhaps, could he find a few sincere hearts that the historians had failed to document?

A faint sound of footsteps came from behind, almost inaudible, but with a deliberate, restrained steadiness.

"Boyu has such refined interests; the night is deep and heavy with dew, yet you are still observing the stars?"

A clear voice, tinged with its habitual smile, broke the silence in front of the tent.

Liu Heng did not turn back, but the corners of his mouth tugged upward slightly.

He had heard this voice clearly during the day; it was none other than the General of Rapid Might, Cao Cao, Cao Mengde, who had spoken so eloquently and denounced Dong Zhuo among the warlords. This man’s mind was as quick as lightning; he was indeed the first to lose patience.

"Has Brother Mengde not yet retired for the night?"

Liu Heng turned around, his tone flat, his gaze falling calmly on the man.

Cao Cao wore simple, dark-colored attire with a half-worn cloak, a smile on his face as if everything were under his control. Only his long, narrow eyes shone startlingly in the dim light, like a hawk waiting for its moment.

He was followed only by a sturdy personal attendant who stood with a sword at his side.

"Haha, the heroic warrior under Boyu’s command who warmed the wine and slew Hua Xiong today shook the entire group of heroes. My heart was surging with excitement, making it difficult to sleep!"

Cao Cao laughed aloud, walked a few steps to Liu Heng’s side, stood shoulder to shoulder with him, and looked out into the silence: "However…"

His tone shifted, dropping a few notches, carrying a playful tone of worldly insight: "The heroes stand together, the camps are like iron, yet they are like clay statues and wooden carvings. Now that Hua Xiong is dead, no one dares to follow up the victory and strike west to Luoyang! Boyu, don’t you think the atmosphere in this camp is quite strange?"