Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss — Chapter Twenty-Nine: Three Heroes Battle Lu Bu

The next day, before the Sishui Pass.

Liu Heng reined in his horse at the forefront of the coalition line, squinting at the fire-red charger below the pass. The rider atop it wore a purple-gold crown with three pheasant tails, a red brocade robe embroidered with flowers, and armor adorned with beast-headed motifs and interlocking plates. At his waist hung a belt of exquisite lion-shaped buckles, and in his hand, he gripped a halberd—it was none other than Lu Bu, the unrivaled warrior among men.

"Lu Bu of Jiuyuan is here! Who dares to challenge me?"

The voice exploded, causing the coalition's warhorses to neigh in agitation.

Liu Heng watched this peerless warrior with a sense of shock. Lu Bu was truly… the description in *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms* was not exaggerated in the slightest. He was tall, handsome, and possessed an indescribable aura that made him seem terrifyingly formidable.

Beside him, Liu Bei sighed softly, "His presence is truly chilling."

Before Liu Heng could respond, a man dashed out from behind Zhang Yang, the Prefect of Shangdang, shouting, "Do not be so arrogant, Lu Bu! I am Mu Shun!"

Liu Heng shook his head slightly. He recalled this moment from the *Romance*; Mu Shun would not survive three bouts against Lu Bu.

As expected, they clashed for barely three exchanges before Lu Bu’s halberd struck like a venomous serpent emerging from its lair. A spray of blood bloomed at Mu Shun's throat, and his corpse plummeted from the saddle.

"Who else comes to seek death?" Lu Bu brandished his halberd, his Red Hare stallion rearing up with a piercing whinny.

A general from behind Kong Rong, the Prefect of Beihai, charged out wielding a pair of iron hammers, "Lu Bu, cease your insolence!"

Liu Heng felt a twinge of pity looking at the sturdy man. To speak frankly, there were only three men present who could actually trade blows with Lu Bu, and this general was clearly not among them.

The two fighters engaged, iron hammers and halberd clashing in a shower of sparks. It had to be admitted that this general of Kong Rong’s was capable; he managed to hold his own against Lu Bu for nearly ten bouts.

Just as the coalition troops were about to cheer, Lu Bu shifted his technique. With a miserable scream, the general had his right hand and wrist sheared off by the halberd. He slumped over his horse and fled back to the lines in shambles.

*Ah, I know who that is now—Wu Anguo! Not many people survive a fight with Lu Bu.*

"You insolent, arrogant fool!"

Gongsun Zan, seeing this, spurred his horse forward with his spear leveled, "Lu Bu, stop your madness!"

Liu Heng’s gaze faltered. Gongsun Zan was also a man of great courage. It was truly impressive; among all the warlords present, he was the only one brave enough to charge onto the field himself.

Dressed in silver armor on a white horse, Gongsun Zan charged out. His long spear was heavy and powerful, aiming straight for Lu Bu’s face.

After a dozen bouts, a trace of impatience flickered in Lu Bu’s eyes. His halberd moved like lightning, striking first despite being the second to act. With a resounding "clang," he deflected Gongsun Zan’s spear. The immense force left Gongsun Zan’s arms numb, his chest feeling as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer, and his white horse neighed as it retreated several steps.

Lu Bu swung his halberd in a follow-up, the blade cutting through the air with a piercing screech, intending to cleave man and horse in two!

At this critical moment, a roar thundered like a lightning strike across the plains.

"Three-surname slave, cease your arrogance! Zhang Yide of Yan is here!"

The sudden, violent shout made Liu Heng jump. *Damn, Zhang Fei’s voice is truly earth-shattering. No wonder he could scare a general under Cao Cao to death with a single roar.*

Lu Bu caught a glimpse of the dark serpent spear striking like a venomous dragon toward his back, and his heart tightened.

He could no longer spare the effort to end Gongsun Zan. Twisting his waist, he turned, his halberd sweeping like a silver dragon’s tail to intercept the incoming spear with pinpoint precision.

"Clang!"

The spear and halberd collided with a deafening crash. Zhang Fei felt a massive force travel up his shaft, his arms vibrating violently, and his horse neighed as it retreated, its hooves carving deep furrows into the muddy ground.

Lu Bu’s Red Hare only dipped slightly before standing as steady as a mountain. Lu Bu’s eyes narrowed—the strength of this dark-faced man far exceeded the so-called "famous generals" he had faced earlier!

"Ring-eyed thief! You have some mettle!"

Lu Bu roared, his fighting spirit ignited. The Red Hare, sensing its master’s boiling intent to kill, lunged forward. The halberd danced in the air, creating deadly silver arcs—slashing, chopping, thrusting, and parrying. His movements were grand yet cunning and vicious, shrouding Zhang Fei’s vital points.

Zhang Fei’s hair stood on end, his roars shaking the wilderness: "Three-surname slave! Take this!"

The serpent spear in his hands transformed into a roaring black python, its shadowy form surging with dark light. He fought blow-for-blow, yielding not an inch. Every thrust carried a desperate, suicidal intensity, holding off Lu Bu’s storm-like onslaught. Every collision between spear and halberd erupted in thunderous noise and blinding sparks.

The two horses circled as they traded blows at breakneck speed. Within the blink of an eye, they had fought over thirty rounds, kicking up a sky-filling cloud of dust that shrouded the two tiger-like warriors. One could only hear the clashing of metal like a torrential downpour, a sight that left onlookers both mesmerized and terrified.

Cao Cao, hand on his sword hilt, locked his gaze on the swirling dust. He muttered, "Lu Bu’s courage is truly well-deserved; he is no ordinary man. This Zhang Yide is also a rare warrior. Liu Xuande has truly gained a fine brother!"

As soon as he spoke, another roar erupted: "Lu Fengxian, how dare you bully my brother!"

With a deep, cold, and commanding shout, a figure charged out from the coalition ranks!

Guan Yu appeared, his face as red as a ripe jujube, his silkworm eyebrows arched, and his phoenix eyes wide open. His long beard flowed in the wind, and he dragged the Green Dragon Crescent Blade—a long, slender weapon with an edge as thin as a cicada's wing.

Lu Bu, atop his Red Hare, felt an intense, peerless blade intent wash over him like a frozen river, locking onto him instantly. A warning chime rang in his heart!

With a sharp whistle, the Green Dragon Blade descended like a streak of light! This strike was fast, fierce, and accurate, aimed directly at Lu Bu’s neck!

The timing was impeccable—it fell at the very instant Lu Bu’s halberd was pushed aside by Zhang Fei’s spear.

Lu Bu’s pupils constricted, a long-forgotten chill creeping up his spine. The Red Hare, in tune with his master, reacted as if it had a mind of its own, lunging half a step back at the tug of the reins. That half-step was all it took to narrowly evade the lethal blade that could have split a mountain.

*Rip!*

The cold edge of the blade grazed the ornate beast-headed armor on Lu Bu’s chest, the screech of metal on metal setting one’s teeth on edge. A piece of the iron plating was sheared clean off. Lu Bu felt a chill on his chest; though his skin remained unpierced, the bone-deep terror left him drenched in a cold sweat.

"Red-faced thief! What a fast blade!"

Lu Bu was enraged and shocked. He roared as his halberd flipped like a venomous dragon, thrusting backward at Guan Yu’s flank! Guan Yu’s phoenix eyes flashed with cold light; he dropped the hilt of his blade, its heavy guard accurately knocking against the crescent branch of the halberd. With a loud "clang," the tip was deflected.

Zhang Fei regained his breath, his spirit soaring. His serpent spear struck out like a venomous python, returning to the fray to thrust at Lu Bu’s throat. He continued to curse, "Three-surname slave! Give me your life!"

Lu Bu was suddenly caught in the pincer of two world-class warriors!

Guan Yu’s blade technique was heavy, ancient, and grand; every strike seemed to contain the weight of a mountain. The wind of his blade forced Lu Bu to defend with all his focus. Zhang Fei’s spearwork was fierce and ruthless, focusing on the lower body, the shadows of the spear dancing like a swarm of vipers. A moment’s carelessness would mean disembowelment.

The Red Hare was a magnificent steed, and under Lu Bu’s masterful control, it darted and shifted. The halberd transformed into a sphere of silver light, blocking and parrying, allowing Lu Bu to hold his own against the storm-like assault for another fifty rounds!

"My Lord!"

Dian Wei stared intensely at the fierce battle, his hands instinctively gripping his pair of gleaming iron halberds, desperate to charge in, "Let me go and chop off that three-surname slave's head!"

Liu Heng sat atop his horse, his expression uncommonly calm and unruffled. His gaze drifted past the three men fighting and toward the distant, disciplined black tide of Dong Zhuo’s army.

Dong Zhuo’s banner, marked with the character "Dong," snapped in the wind. Beneath it, a sturdy, somewhat obese figure could be vaguely seen, surrounded by layers of guards.

Hearing Dian Wei, Liu Heng did not turn his head, merely raising a hand.

"Little Lu Bu! Grandfather Dian Wei is here!"

The voice arrived! The horse arrived! The man arrived! The halberds arrived!

Dian Wei used the momentum of his horse to bolster his own power. The heavy iron halberds felt weightless in his hands. He raised his right halberd high, descending upon Lu Bu with the terrifying power of a mountain-splitting strike! His left halberd acted like a scorpion’s tail, hidden at his waist, ready to strike.

Dian Wei’s arrival increased the pressure on Lu Bu tenfold. Though Lu Bu was exceptionally brave, two fists could not fight four hands. Guan Yu’s blade was heavy and powerful; Zhang Fei was fearless, fighting for his life with every move. Now, with Dian Wei added to the mix, the shadow of death finally loomed over Lu Bu!

For the first time, a look of hurried anxiety appeared in Lu Bu’s eyes! He dodged a heart-piercing thrust from Zhang Fei, then swung his halberd at Guan Yu. Guan Yu hurriedly blocked, but Lu Bu was merely feinting. He instantly withdrew his halberd to strike at Dian Wei. Just as Dian Wei dodged, Lu Bu yanked the reins of the Red Hare!

"Neigh—!"

The Red Hare let out a long cry! The psychic steed unleashed unprecedented potential, its hooves kicking off the ground with incredible speed and at an impossible angle, springing diagonally backward! Seeing this, Dian Wei swung his left halberd, which slashed past the edge of Lu Bu’s helmet with a violent force!

*Crack!*

The brilliant purple-gold crown on Lu Bu’s head was struck and shattered instantly! Fragments of the gold crown, mixed with several strands of severed hair, flew everywhere!

Dian Wei’s strike had missed! The heavy blade of the halberd carved deep into the mud where Lu Bu had just been standing.

"Three-surname slave! Where are you running!"

Seeing the cooked duck fly away, how could Dian Wei let it go? He roared and prepared to urge his horse to charge again!

"Junming!"

Liu Heng’s clear and majestic voice arrived, carrying an unquestionable command: "Do not pursue a desperate foe! Return!"

Dian Wei’s massive frame jerked to a halt. He looked back at Liu Heng, who sat tall on his horse, his eyes full of unwillingness, but he ultimately yanked his reins hard.

Dian Wei glared at Lu Bu’s retreating, disheveled back and growled, "You’re lucky, you three-surname slave!"

Only then did he turn his horse around in frustration.

Within the coalition ranks, after a brief silence, a mountain-shaking cheer erupted!

"We won! Lu Bu has been defeated!"

"Three heroes fight Lu Bu! Lu Bu flees in shambles!"

"General Dian Wei is mighty! Generals Guan and Zhang are mighty!"

The fear and humiliation that had been suppressed for so long were released in this moment, transforming into earth-shaking joy. Countless soldiers waved their weapons, their faces flushed with excitement. No one questioned the three-on-one nature of the fight; it seemed only natural that the three of them should face Lu Bu together.

Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and the other warlords were also filled with shock and ecstasy.

Cao Cao clapped and laughed, "Magnificent! Magnificent! With these three tiger-like generals, why worry that the traitor Dong will not be extinguished?"

Yuan Shao stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes glinting with a flicker of satisfaction, yet also a hint of deep, hidden calculation. It was one thing for Liu Heng to have such a fierce general, but how did Liu Xuande also have two such brothers?

Yuan Shu merely hummed, his expression shifting uncertainly.

Guan Yu sheathed his blade and reined in his horse, his phoenix eyes narrowed as he stroked his long beard, watching the direction Lu Bu had fled, "Lu Bu is indeed fierce."

Zhang Fei yelled loudly, pointing his serpent spear at the Sishui Pass gate: "It angers me so! Just a little bit more! I let that three-surname slave run!"

Liu Heng sat on his horse, his face lacking the wild joy of victory, showing only a calm depth. His gaze swept past the cheering coalition soldiers and settled on the slowly closing Sishui Pass gate and the "Dong" banner atop it.

Dian Wei had returned to his side, still breathing heavily, his chest heaving, his ox-like eyes glaring fiercely at the Sishui Pass as if he could pierce the gate with his gaze alone.

"My Lord," Dian Wei said in a low, unwilling voice, "Why didn't you let me pursue? That wretch was at his limit; with a little more effort, we surely could have..."

Liu Heng raised a hand, stopping Dian Wei. His gaze remained locked on the Sishui Pass, his voice calm and ripple-free: "Junming, though Lu Bu is brave, he is but a claw of Dong Zhuo. If we kill one Lu Bu, Dong Zhuo still has Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, Fan Chou, and others; the foundation of the Xiliang cavalry remains untouched. Our army has just won, and the morale is usable, but if we rashly attack the city, we will surely face their desperate struggle, only increasing our casualties. This is not the best strategy."

He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over the surrounding coalition warlords who were still in the midst of their celebration, a hint of mockery curling his lips: "Furthermore, look at these warlords. Now that they are celebrating, how many are truly willing to throw their elite forces against the sturdy walls of Sishui Pass? In this Suanzao alliance, I fear there are many who harbor their own hidden agendas."

Dian Wei heard this, understanding only half of it, but seeing Liu Heng’s unfathomable eyes, the restless killing intent in his heart gradually subsided. He only muttered, "I don't understand those twists and turns; I do whatever you say, My Lord! It's just a shame for that three-surname slave!"

Liu Heng smiled slightly and said no more, his gaze casting deeper into the west—toward the direction of Chang'an.

The night was as black as ink. The earth-shaking slaughter and cheering of the day had long since dissipated, leaving only the sound of the sentries' clappers and the heavy footsteps of patrolling soldiers echoing in the air. In the central camp area, most of the lights had been extinguished; only in the inconspicuous tent where Liu Heng resided did a single candle flicker, casting two heavy shadows on the tent fabric.

Inside, Liu Heng had removed his armor, wearing only a dark, deep-colored robe. By the candlelight, he leaned over to carefully examine a detailed map of the Sili region spread out on a low table. His finger traced the course of the Yellow River, finally stopping at the small characters for "Tong Pass," tapping them gently as he fell into thought. The flickering candlelight accentuated the sharp contours of his profile.

Dian Wei remained like a wooden statue, cradling his pair of iron halberds stained with the dust of battle, sitting cross-legged in the shadows inside the tent entrance. His massive frame blocked nearly half the entrance, his breathing long and deep, yet his eyes were not fully closed; occasionally, they would open, a flash of light sweeping across the deep night outside with vigilance.

The regret of failing to take Lu Bu’s head during the day seemed to have settled into this silent guardianship.

Outside the tent, the cold wind whistled, whipping up dry grass and dust against the fabric. Suddenly, a sound—extremely faint, yet as fast as a storm—of horse hooves approached from the distance and reached into the tent!

Dian Wei’s cross-legged frame tightened instantly, like a leopard ready to pounce, his halberds emitting a soft hum. He snapped his eyes open, light bursting forth as he growled, "My Lord, someone is coming!"

Liu Heng raised his head at the sound, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He stood up quickly and said in a deep voice, "Go and see who it is, and let them in!"

Before the words were finished, the tent flap was violently thrown open by a long, powerful hand! A figure wrapped in biting cold, heavy night dew, and the dust of the road entered the tent!