36. A Reputation That Shakes the World (1)
36. A Reputation That Shakes the World (1)
Sun Jian and Yuan Shu suffered a crushing defeat.
The units that attacked the Yangren and Yangcheng areas failed to occupy them; instead, they were routed and forced to retreat by the Lu Bu army that sortied from Luoyang.
They lost a large number of troops.
Yuan Shu shifted all the blame onto Sun Jian, while Sun Jian, though remaining silent, harbored resentment toward Yuan Shu deep down.
"Geuhahaha!"
Sun Jian had been routed.
The hero whom the Coalition Army feared above all others had lost his troops and retreated.
Upon hearing the news, Dong Zhuo burst into loud laughter.
How could he not laugh?
Sun Jian, known as the Tiger of Jiangdong, had failed in his attack. Once this news spread, the morale of the Coalition Army would hit rock bottom.
It was as clear as day that the Coalition Army, which couldn't even break through Sishui Pass, would lose morale and fall apart.
"They say it's thanks to the General of the Feathered Forest fighting Sun Jian for several days."
"They say they fought six times over four whole days. I heard that Yangcheng is now a sea of corpses and blood due to those who died in the war."
The report delivered from Yangcheng contained no lies or exaggerations.
Even the generals of the Dong Zhuo army who had seen it in person were shocked, clicking their tongues and saying the sea of corpses and blood was reminiscent of hell.
"So he's on par with Sun Jian. I knew the guy had a sharp head, but I didn't expect him to be such a talent with martial arts as well."
"Isn't he a military officer of the Lu Bu army? I've heard that all the generals there are skilled in martial arts and possess exceptional strength."
Dong Zhuo nodded at Fan Chou's words.
Isn't he a warrior too good to be kept under Lu Bu?
A great general who excels in both civil and military affairs—he is a talent I must have. He is even bold enough to block a large army all by himself, so he is worth entrusting with a great task in the future.
"But he is a man whose loyalty cannot be trusted! He is a guy as cunning and treacherous as a wolf, so you must never keep him close."
General of the Left Dong Min intervened.
He poured cold water on the conversation by badmouthing Lee Seong-hwi.
In particular, he brought up how he had blocked the Dong Zhuo army's occupation of Luoyang in the past, saying he must still harbor distrust and hatred toward their allies.
That was also true.
Dong Zhuo's close aides were all from Xiliang. Having been burned once after favoring someone from Luoyang (Cao Cao), Dong Zhuo tried to avoid trusting those from Luoyang as much as possible.
"If he is a general whose loyalty cannot be trusted, isn't the problem solved by making him offer his loyalty somehow?"
Dong Bai, who had been listening, chimed in.
At this, Dong Min made an angry expression and stopped his granddaughter.
"This is no place for you to step in!"
"You are the one who will rule the world in the future, Grandfather. If a grandfather like you cannot keep a single talent by your side, what will the people of the world say?"
Dong Min shut his mouth at his granddaughter's sharp words.
If he said anything more here, it would only damage his older brother Dong Zhuo's reputation. Moreover, since Fan Chou and several military officers were watching, it was difficult to just make baseless accusations.
"Will rank and wealth work? It doesn't seem like that would work on him... If he were the type to covet rank and wealth in the first place, would he have followed that ignorant wench, Lu Bu?"
Even though Dong Zhuo had made Lu Bu his adopted daughter, he still didn't think much of her.
She is a woman who killed her adoptive father, Ding Yuan.
Although Dong Zhuo felt very reassured that Lu Bu had surrendered to him, he didn't truly consider Lu Bu his daughter.
What wouldn't a woman who killed her father do?
Even though Li Ru told him to keep the Unrivaled Under Heaven by his side and favor her, Dong Zhuo was very reluctant, fearing that just as Lu Bu killed Ding Yuan, she might kill him someday too.
'Rather than keeping the greedy Lu Fengxian close, it's better to keep someone who at least understands what I'm saying by my side.'
Dong Zhuo knew that his granddaughter Dong Bai had feelings for Lee Seong-hwi.
She had been singing songs about wanting to marry him.
He didn't know what she saw in him to like him, but he started to think that if Lee Seong-hwi swore loyalty to him in the future and performed many feats, there was no reason he couldn't make him his granddaughter's husband.
The current army wants capable talent.
Managing the world was a very daunting task. The more talent he had to help him, the better it would be.
"But Brother! Isn't he the guy who secretly helped when Cao Cao fled to Yan Province? We don't know when he might betray us. Do not keep a traitor by your side."
Dong Min said with concern.
At his younger brother's words, Dong Zhuo nodded, saying he didn't trust him completely.
The Lu Bu army moved to Sishui Pass as it was.
This was to support the Sishui Pass front, and because if the Coalition Army targeted Yangcheng and Yangren again, they could provide immediate support from Sishui Pass.
"Ugh, look at that face! He's a guy whose only redeeming quality is his face!"
Lu Bu applied the ointment generously.
It was being applied without a shred of care, as if molding clay.
However, Lee Seong-hwi didn't feel bad.
He was being treated by the woman he loved. Of course, the treatment was a mess, but he endured it steadfastly while feeling Lu Bu's touch on his face.
Indeed, the power of love was great.
Even though she was slathering the medicine on his face like she was applying a facial mask, Lee Seong-hwi was actually happy.
"Beating Sun Jian, that's impressive."
"To think he fought for several days and beat Sun Jian! When I first saw him, I thought he was just a bookworm."
The Dong Zhuo army generals also rated Lee Seong-hwi highly.
Even they, who had looked down on the Lu Bu army generals, calling them 'faithless' and 'Bing Province bumpkins,' were greatly impressed by the news that he had pushed back Sun Jian even while engaging in a duel.
It also became a huge topic at Sishui Pass.
To boost the morale of their own troops, they widely announced the victory in the battles of Yangcheng and Yangren, and the soldiers remembered the name of Lee Seong-hwi, who had defeated Sun Jian.
"So, how is the war situation? Surely we're winning, right?"
After applying medicine to Lee Seong-hwi, Lu Bu demanded a report on the war situation from Dudu Hua Xiong.
"This cheeky...!"
"Even if she is the adopted daughter of the Chancellor of State, how dare she be so rude to the Dudu!"
Hua Xiong's military officers showed great rage at Lu Bu's behavior of treating him like a subordinate.
In terms of rank, Hua Xiong was superior to Lu Bu.
Although she was a Xiaoqi Xiaowei, one of the Five Colonels, Hua Xiong was the Dudu who had been delegated all authority for all fronts by Dong Zhuo.
"Enough."
Hua Xiong raised his hand to stop them.
And then, he told Lu Bu about the front line.
"On all fronts, our forces are greatly overwhelming the enemy. Unless the enemy grows wings, they will never be able to cross this pass."
Hua Xiong revealed strong confidence.
It could be seen as overconfidence in his own martial arts, but he seemed to believe in the bravery of the generals and soldiers who followed him.
The Dong Zhuo army is invincible.
He did not doubt that if they relied on Sishui Pass to block the enemy, they would record a hundred victories in a hundred battles.
"Really?"
Lu Bu turned her head to look at the Coalition Army.
Despite the numerous casualties in the Sishui Pass battle, the Coalition Army was still showing off a large military force.
That military force stretched beyond the horizon.
It boasted a significant number of troops, so many that they couldn't all be seen even from the high Sishui Pass. Seeing that, Lu Bu harbored the thought of wanting to rush out of Sishui Pass right now and slaughter them all.
"Is there really no one else to fight in the Coalition Army besides Sun Jian? With so many soldiers, it's rare to find someone with excellent martial prowess."
An opponent worth risking her life to fight.
Lu Bu was wishing for such an opponent. She needed a strong person worthy of the name Unrivaled Under Heaven.
Sun Jian had already been defeated by Lee Seong-hwi.
Of course, he might appear on the battlefield again, but she intended to leave Sun Jian to Lee Seong-hwi. It was a very rare consideration for Lu Bu, who usually rushed at any strong person she saw.
'I have to protect his pride. He must be thinking about a revenge match, so if I kill Sun Jian first, what would that do to his face? You should consider yourself lucky, meeting such a considerate lord. Who knows, maybe later he'll realize my consideration and kneel down begging me to marry him.'
Of course, that wouldn't happen.
Right now, Lee Seong-hwi was just agonizing over how to conquer Sun Jian's daughters, Sun Ce and Sun Quan, while thinking of their beauty.
If Lu Bu had realized Lee Seong-hwi's thoughts, she would have gone down from the castle wall immediately and split that damn lecher's head with her bare hands.
"I heard Sun Jian retreated to the rear for a while. Yuan Shu won't step forward either, perhaps to tend to the wounds of defeat."
Hua Xiong said.
At those words, Lu Bu declared that she would step forward.
She would go in front of the enemy lines and challenge them to a duel.
She decided to step up, saying she would check if they were truly just a rabble, or if there was anyone among those numerous troops who could fight well.
Even Hua Xiong could not stop her.
Since Lu Bu always acted according to her mood, there was no one who could stop such a headstrong woman.
"Watch from there. Watch with those two eyes of yours just how strong your lord is! Since my subordinate stopped Sun Jian, I, the lord, shouldn't just stay still."
Lu Bu shouted at Lee Seong-hwi.
At that, Lee Seong-hwi replied that he would watch from atop the high castle wall.
Lu Bu nodded.
Tying up her blonde hair that reached her waist, she finished her preparations by putting on her guards and picking up the Painted Halberd.
She mounted the Red Hare.
Generals like Zhang Liao and Gao Shun said it was reckless, but Lee Seong-hwi said it would be an opportunity to show the world what the Unrivaled Under Heaven was.
"Well said. Yes, I must show them what the Unrivaled Under Heaven is. So that those warlords can see my name, and the whole world can see it! It's a chance to show everyone that I am strong!!"
Everyone will be watching me.
Lu Bu vowed to herself that she would show the whole world just how much a village girl from Wuyuan, Bing Province, could rampage.
"Let's go!"
Lu Bu urged the Red Hare.
Before long, the gates of Sishui Pass opened, and Lu Bu began her sortie.
"Dudu, the drums and trumpets."
Lee Seong-hwi suggested to Hua Xiong.
At that, Hua Xiong nodded silently and ordered the soldiers to sound the drums and trumpets loudly.
Dung! Dung! Dung! Dung! Dung! Dung!
Buuuuuuuuuuu--!!
It was a signal announcing an attack.
Hearing that sound, the Coalition Army raised an emergency alarm, saying the Sishui Pass was opening and the enemies were attacking.
However, the enemy's large army was not visible.
Only a single female general riding the Red Hare and approaching their camp was visible.
A slender woman wearing red armor.
She stood right in front of them, as if provoking the Coalition Army, with her heavy and wicked Painted Halberd slung over her shoulder.
Holding the reins of the Red Hare, Lu Bu burst out with a voice from the depths of her chest and let out a lion's roar.
"I am the Unrivaled Under Heaven, Lu Bu! Is there anyone among you who can kill me and take the name of Unrivaled Under Heaven! Those with courage, those who boast of their strength! Come out before me and let's test our skills!!"
She appeared alone.
It was a challenge to a duel without any tricks or strategies. At Lu Bu's sudden appearance and challenge to a duel, the warlords began to stir.
"What on earth is she doing... Did she really come here alone to challenge us to a duel?"
"That damn bitch! To think she's running wild relying only on her personal martial prowess. Hey, who will show that arrogant bitch a taste of pain!!"
The warlords were greatly enraged.
As if they hadn't already swallowed the bitter cup of failure in occupying Sishui Pass, she was now coming alone to demand a duel as if to mock them!
If they just let that woman go, it would affect the morale of the soldiers.
They must never let that bitch go alive.
The warlords gritted their teeth and revealed their murderous intent, saying they would send their favorite generals to kill Lu Bu.
"You arrogant bitch! I am the general Mu Shun! This old man will fix that habit of yours first!!"
Mu Shun, a general under Grand Administrator of Shangdang Zhang Yang, rushed forward.
I will kill that woman and become the Unrivaled Under Heaven.
Mu Shun, who rushed forward alone to face Lu Bu, swung his sword boldly.
However, Mu Shun was no match.
He died with his body split in two by the blow Lu Bu swung.
"Th-that, oh my god!"
"The brave general that the Grand Administrator of Shangdang boasted about, killed in a single blow!"
He fell miserably in the blink of an eye.
The sight of the large man, whose physique was more than enough to cover Lu Bu's body, dying in a single blow was even shocking.
"I am Wu Anguo of Beihai!"
After Mu Shun, Wu Anguo stepped forward.
As a general under Grand Administrator of Beihai Kong Rong, he was famous for repelling numerous enemies while wielding a heavy iron mace weighing 50 geun.
Wu Anguo is a man worth entrusting with this.
After Mu Shun was killed in action, while the warlords were agonizing over who to send, they thought Wu Anguo could defeat Lu Bu.
However, even Wu Anguo didn't last long.
"Kuaaaack!!"
Lu Bu threw her Painted Halberd with all her might.
Then, Wu Anguo, who was rushing in while swinging his iron mace, was pierced through the body by the Painted Halberd before he could even get close to Lu Bu and died.
"Hmph."
Lu Bu approached on her horse. Then, she snorted while lifting the Painted Halberd that had pierced Wu Anguo again.
'Is this it in the end? They acted all high and mighty as if they were a large army of over a hundred thousand, but there isn't a single opponent to make me nervous! And they were going on about killing the traitor Dong Zhuo! In the end, was there no hero in the Central Plains who could take down Dong Zhuo.'
Lu Bu crumpled her face.
The warlords who set out to kill the traitor who was throwing the world into chaos all looked like trash. Seeing their subordinates, she felt she knew the quality of the lords they served well enough.
"Hey! You bitch with three fathers!!"
A young girl holding a heavy Snake Spear appeared.
The girl spewed out profanities that were scary to even mention, stimulating Lu Bu's nerves.
"Instead of the weak old Ding Yuan, did you taste Dong Zhuo's crotch too! If Dong Zhuo gets old and withered, are you going to kill him again and find a new father?"
It was a girl with her hair in buns.
She had wrapped a cloth around her red hair that came down to her shoulders, which was tied up.
She looks too young to be fighting while wielding a weapon.
However, Lu Bu gritted her teeth, saying that even if she was a brat, now that she had insulted her with words that were hard to even mention, she would definitely kill her.
"Alright, I'll kill you."
Lu Bu said, filled with rage.