The Falling Star of Xuzhou
“Colonel, as you ordered, we’ve built the dikes and gathered the river water.”
“Don’t forget to have the engineers create a proper channel so the flow reaches Xiapi cleanly.”
“Yes, Colonel.”
Yue Jin carried out my commands with absolute fidelity. The winter flow was meager, but once it was compressed and stored, that icy water would come crashing down on Xiapi like a hammer.
I left the final task in Yue Jin’s hands, returned to camp, and made my report.
“Uncle, we have built dikes along the Si and Qi rivers and collected the water exactly as you ordered. We can breach the dam at any moment.”
“Good. How long until it’s ready?”
“The volume is lower than expected, so it will take some time.”
“Excellent. Then what should we do while we wait?”
The sudden question made me pause. I considered what preparation would serve us best.
“What if we increased the distribution of padded foot wraps and winter gear to the troops?”
“What?”
“Even after the flood, they won’t surrender right away. To crush the will of soldiers already shivering in this bitter cold, shouldn’t we show them that our army has prepared properly for winter?”
It was an idea spoken on impulse, yet such things often landed perfectly.
“Hoh, so while the enemy trembles, our men strut about in thick coats, living comfortably right before their eyes?”
“The things men see with their own eyes cut far deeper than anything else.”
“Hmm. Cheng Yu, gather every fur pelt and blanket available for wintering in the Xiaopei and Pengcheng regions at once.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Cao Cao accepted the suggestion without hesitation.
“Good. We will finish this within the month. Until then, watch for frostbite and prepare for the final assault.”
“Yes, my lord.”
While the army made its battle preparations, Guan Yu stood silently on the battlefield, gazing at Xiapi Castle. Months had passed since the Blue Dragon Blade he hurled had embedded itself in the castle’s watchtower. Several officers had tried and failed to pull it free.
“I will be the one to kill Lu Bu.”
“With Uncle’s skill, it should be more than possible.”
“Indeed. If it is Brother Yunchang, it is more than possible. I could do it as well.”
“!”
Before anyone realized, Zhang Fei had appeared beside us. Arms folded, he stared at Xiapi with a gaze like frozen steel. He looked every bit the giant with a wild beard who might have stepped out of a legend, yet one thing was different. This Zhang Fei was frighteningly cold, terse, and radiated an aura that chilled everything around him. Guan Yu of fire and Zhang Fei of ice—polar opposites, yet when they stood on our side, no one could feel more reassured.
“Aigoo~ It’s freezing. Why are you all standing out here?”
“Ah, Uncle Xuande.”
Liu Bei approached with his usual relaxed expression, waving his long arms in greeting. The three sworn brothers—Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei—gazed together at Xiapi, where the cold waters would soon burst forth.
“The day is not far off when the man once called the greatest warrior under heaven will die.”
Liu Bei’s words were meant for Lu Bu, still inside the castle.
“You said the day he will die?”
“That’s right.”
The absolute certainty in Liu Bei’s voice when he declared Lu Bu’s death felt strangely ominous. I asked, just to be sure.
“Even if Lu Bu offers to surrender?”
“If Brother Mengde accepts Lu Bu’s surrender, I will personally draft a memorial to the court demanding his execution.”
“!”
“The ruler, teacher, and father are one body. Lu Bu drew his sword against the late emperor, murdered his adoptive father Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo, and abandoned his political mentor Wang Yun to traitors before fleeing. How could we possibly embrace such a man?”
The Liu Bei who usually wore a gentle, affable face now revealed something truly terrifying. No matter how benevolent he appeared, his heart had always burned with the great cause of the Han and the principles of righteousness and loyalty.
“You are correct. That Lu Bu is a scourge the world cannot be allowed to keep alive.”
Guan Yu nodded fiercely in agreement, never taking his eyes off the Blue Dragon Blade he had planted.
“Besides, Lu Bu as the greatest warrior under heaven? That nonsense only exists because they have never faced this Yunchang in proper combat.”
“Hahaha, yes, yes. My brother Yunchang would never yield to Lu Bu.”
For the first time, the peerless Guan Yu allowed himself a small smile.
I listened quietly, fingers brushing the sword at my waist.
“I too fought Lu Bu twice. I had hoped to deliver the final blow myself, but…”
“Now, now. What does it matter who takes him? In the end, that traitor will die by our army’s hand.”
Liu Bei clapped me on the shoulder with a grin.
“It’s cold. Instead of standing here, shall we warm ourselves with a drink? You, our disciple Ziyue, along with my sworn brothers.”
“Ha, haha… Yes.”
Just as Cao Cao had once said, the only true heroes under heaven seemed to be Cao Cao and Liu Bei. Liu Bei possessed a gentle charisma completely opposite to Cao Cao’s, yet one that naturally drew people in.
BOOOOM—!
CRAAAAASH—!
RUMBLE-RUMBLE-RUMBLE—!
With a thunderous roar like heaven splitting open, the fierce winter waters of the Si and Qi rivers poured down from the barren mountain straight into Xiapi Castle. No matter how tall or sturdy the walls, they could not stop the flood that poured through every gap.
“Oh~ It flows beautifully. If we had used a water attack during the rainy season, the entire city would have drowned.”
Cao Cao clapped his hands in delight, chuckling at the sight of Xiapi being swallowed by water. Once the attack began, the enemy would suffer more than twice as much.
“Ziyue.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“When should we launch the attack?”
“Ten days from now.”
“Ten days?”
“That will be exactly when frostbite has spread through their ranks and they begin dying in droves.”
“Oho~ So we simply wait quietly from now on?”
“If we station our troops in thick winter coats right in front of Xiapi, pile up mountains of fur pelts and blankets, and light bonfires while roasting meat in plain sight, the enemy will fall into even greater despair.”
“Hahahaha! This boy is both brave and devilishly cunning.”
Although Xun You had first suggested the water attack, the psychological blow against the enemy had been my contribution. I needed to demonstrate how to raise our army’s morale while utterly crushing the enemy’s spirit.
Cao Cao accepted my advice. He deliberately dressed the soldiers in thick coats, had them warm themselves by roaring bonfires, and openly roasted skewered meat while openly mocking the defenders of Xiapi. Day by day, we watched the enemy’s morale crumble.
Three days passed. Then five. On the tenth day, in the dead of night, a small group slipped secretly out of the castle.
“Wh-who is this? This face looks familiar. Isn’t he from Yan Province?”
“We offer the traitor of Xiapi Castle to His Excellency the Chancellor of Han.”
Lu Bu’s generals Song Xian and Wei Xu had captured Chen Gong and surrendered.
When Cao Cao saw Chen Gong bound and stuffed inside a sack, he burst into loud laughter and greeted him warmly.
“Gongda, how have you been all this time? How cold must Xiapi have been for a wise man like you to end up living inside a sack?”
“Mmph! Mmph!”
“Untie his mouth.”
At Cao Cao’s command, I cut the rope and removed the gag.
“Haa… haa… haaa…”
Once freed, Chen Gong panted heavily. He looked around at the camp and gave a bitter laugh.
“Hahaha… Hahahahaha! So it has come to this after all.”
It seemed Chen Gong had already resigned himself to everything.
“Master Gongda, you must have suffered terribly in this cold. Quickly, change your clothes and warm yourself with hot water.”
“How much more humiliation do you intend to heap on me? Why not simply cut off my head at once?”
“Hmm~ There is still time. We can pass judgment after Xiapi falls. Besides, who knows? Your thoughts may change before then.”
“That will never happen, so cut off my head quickly.”
“Take him away and lock him in the prisoner’s cell.”
“Yes, Chancellor.”
After Chen Gong was led away, Cao Cao looked at Wei Xu and Song Xian, then took each of their hands.
“You have done well to come. All of you have done well.”
“Chancellor, there is a man named Hou Cheng still inside the castle. He says he will open the gates the moment the sun rises tomorrow morning.”
“That friend also wishes to surrender to you. We beg you to accept him with a generous heart.”
“Oho, is that so? This Cao Cao has always treated those who surrender with respect.”
Declaring that everything was now in place, Cao Cao treated them to hot water and steaming meat dishes to warm both their bodies and hearts.
“Ziyue.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“It is this morning. Prepare at once!”
“Yes, Uncle!”
I saluted Cao Cao with spear in hand.
The sturdy gates of Xiapi Castle swung open, and Cao Cao’s army surged inside like a tidal wave.
“All units, charge! Five hundred taels of gold to whoever captures Lu Bu!”
I too rushed through the gates, searching for enemy commanders. Thanks to the sudden betrayal from within, the castle gates had opened while the soldiers—already suffering from frostbite caused by the flood—had lost all will to fight. They collapsed without resistance. A one-sided slaughter continued. The only ones who still held out were the armored officers.
With a clean slash, I took the head of an unknown enemy commander and climbed the wall to look for greater prey. In one corner, I spotted a unit fiercely resisting.
“Hmm?”
“Colonel, that is Gao Shun.”
Just as Yue Jin said, the remnants of the Camp Crushing Unit and Gao Shun had formed a barricade and were fighting to the bitter end.
“Perfect timing!”
I charged straight into their formation with spear in hand. Gao Shun spotted me and raised his own weapon, but I was faster. Without mounting a horse, I sprinted through the melee, leaped, and cut down the Camp Crushing Unit soldiers one after another. Then I thrust my spear toward Gao Shun.
“General, this is checkmate.”
“You bastard!”
Gao Shun charged with bloodshot eyes. The two spears clashed, throwing sparks. He was a steadfast warrior who had risen this far on nothing but loyalty to Lu Bu. I fought him with everything I had. Our spear tips danced, each seeking the other’s throat.
“Keut!”
I drove forward with raw power. The moment Gao Shun’s back slammed against the wall, I twisted the shaft and swept his legs out from under him.
“Keok!”
Crack—! I struck the staggering Gao Shun’s back with the butt of my spear, knocking him flat, then drove the blade down.
“…”
“I said you’re a general, didn’t I?”
The blade stabbed into the ground right beside Gao Shun’s head. Completely subdued, he quietly closed his eyes.
“Kill him.”
“Becoming a prisoner comes first.”
Having lost Gao Shun, the Camp Crushing Unit naturally lowered their weapons and knelt in despair. Yue Jin led soldiers forward and secured them all.
“Enemy general Gao Shun has been captured by Cao Ziyue!”
After shouting the announcement, I moved on with spear in hand.
“Colonel, where are you going now?”
“Now I’m going to catch Lu Bu!”
I searched for Lu Bu amid the chaos inside Xiapi. Seeing a large cluster of soldiers holding position, I knew instinctively. He was there. I pushed through them, forcing my way deeper, and found him exactly as expected.
“Huff… huff… You pathetic worms have come all this way just to take this Lu Fengxian’s head?”
Lu Bu stood there. He was already pierced by several arrows and breathing heavily, yet dozens—hundreds—of corpses lay piled around him. He had personally slain every Cao Cao soldier who charged him, holding this ground alone.
“A monster truly is a monster. To fight this well without even a horse, in nothing but his own body…”
I raised my spear, intending to put the final seal on the Xuzhou campaign.
But at that moment—
“EVERYONE CLEAR THE WAY!!!”
“!?!”
A roar so thunderous it seemed it could shatter even the winter ice of Xiapi. The soldiers flinched and parted at once. I turned toward the familiar voice.
“Hmph!”
With a violent crack, Guan Yu wrenched the Blue Dragon Blade free from the watchtower pillar and strode forward.
“Ziyue!”
“!”
“Whatever else happens, I declared that I would take that bastard.”
“…”
I tried to step forward again, but Guan Yu passed me and spoke.
“Fighting a wounded opponent brings no honor. I have no need for military merit. I will kill him, so go and claim that you beheaded Lu Bu.”
Guan Yu declared he would take only Lu Bu’s life and yield all the credit for the capture to me.
“But Uncle Yunchang! That bastard is—”
“How dare the disciple try to claim first what his master has already marked?”
He raised the Blue Dragon Blade before Lu Bu.
“A warrior’s end must not be captivity. Lu Bu, are you prepared to die fighting?”
“Haa… haa… So you are the brother of that long-eared man. You alone think to take this Lu Fengxian?”
“Of course.”
“What a shame. Had we fought at full strength, I would have taken your head at once and turned that beard of yours into a writing brush!”
Thud. Thud. Guan Yu tore off his own armor with his bare hands.
“?????”
After discarding even his metal belt and scabbard, the only thing left covering his body was a single thin robe. He hurled it to the ground and shouted at Lu Bu completely unarmed.
“Is this sufficient?”
“…!”
“I wear no armor. A single cut, even by a hair’s breadth, will kill me.”
“Khk… Khkhkhkhk…”
Lu Bu seemed genuinely stunned. He pulled every arrow from his body, revealing his blood-drenched, gleaming armor, and raised his Fangtian Huaji.
“Madman!”
Lu Bu charged with every ounce of strength he possessed. Guan Yu swung the Blue Dragon Blade with muscular arms bulging with veins and terrifying eyes.
BOOOOM—!
To witness such a battle with my own eyes was a privilege beyond words. Two dragons rampaged wildly, exchanging blows that could bisect a man in an instant. Lu Bu displayed every martial technique he possessed. Guan Yu, fighting without armor, took a halberd thrust to the shoulder and suffered countless wounds, yet he ignored them all and continued aiming for his opponent’s neck.
After dozens of exchanges, Lu Bu’s Fangtian Huaji pierced Guan Yu’s side, spraying blood.
“…!”
In that instant, Guan Yu’s Blue Dragon Crescent Blade rose high into the sky, its edge flashing, then came crashing down. Lu Bu realized the danger and desperately tried to pull his halberd back to block, but—
SLASH—!
The steel shaft of the Fangtian Huaji snapped in two, and the blade continued into Lu Bu’s neck.
“…It was a long fight.”
“Kuaaagh…!”
CLANG—! The broken Fangtian Huaji fell onto the cold castle wall. Blood gushed mercilessly from Lu Bu’s severed neck. He clutched the wound and staggered.
“This… this Lu Fengxian of Wuyuan… to the likes of… you…”
He dropped to his knees, then collapsed powerlessly to the side. His breath ceased. Even in death, his eyes remained wide open, glaring at Cao Cao’s army until the very end.
A slave who once held three castles. A tragic hero whose single iron halberd shook the world. A lecher who seduced his adoptive father’s maid. A monster who could reverse the tide of battle single-handedly. Amidst countless infamous and dishonorable titles, Lu Bu’s final moment was, at least, that of a true warrior.