Downfall (1)
Chen Gong hurried toward the general's quarters. All the commanders had finished preparing to sortie immediately, but the one who was supposed to lead them at the vanguard was nowhere to be found.
"Where has General Lü gone?!"
"...His second wife is ill, they say."
Zhang Liao gave a bitter smile and pointed toward Lü Bu's residence. The other generals wore equally uncomfortable expressions. They had families too, and a will to live. And having rolled in the dirt of battlefields for so long, they had a keen sense for these things.
If they stayed put like this, they would die. If they didn't make a move, they would die. If survival odds were a probability, that probability shrank toward zero with every passing day. There was a world of difference between clinging to a thread of hope and having no hope at all, no chance of victory. To grasp that hope, they should have marched out today—right now. With Lü Bu, all the generals together had to tear down the walls the enemy was building.
"The people of Xiabi are all saying it: Are we just going to drown and die like this?"
"Damn it, we're starving already—what happens if they flood us too?"
"Teacher Chen, let's at least go out and fight. Tell General Lü to stay here guarding his wife; we can handle it ourselves, right?"
Several generals urged Chen Gong on. But she saw through the desperation underlying their words.
"Why? So we can scatter like chaff against overwhelming odds?"
"......"
Chen Gong insisted on taking Lü Bu because of one simple reason: only he could control these generals. Lü Bu might lack tactical insight, but his ability to command soldiers was unmatched. When an overwhelmingly powerful warrior charged ahead, those behind naturally felt their hearts pound and their blood surge. That's why Lü Bu was essential. Morale boost. Nothing rallied the troops like the supreme commander charging straight into the enemy lines.
The Lü Bu army itself was drawn from those captivated or cowed by his sheer strength. If he didn't show that power, he meant nothing.
"Teacher Chen, let's be honest. If we keep this up, we're all dead."
"So what do you propose? Sneak Lü Bu off to Cao Cao as a gift?"
"N-no, not that! Do I look insane?! But..."
The generals' anxiety deepened.
"If we're going to die either way—sitting here or fighting—shouldn't we at least go out while we're still in decent shape?"
"......"
Chen Gong fell silent. It wasn't just morale eroding in real time. Grain supplies, medical provisions, the faith of Xiabi's people, loyalty to Lü Bu, the chance of victory—all were crumbling. The only thing growing was the air of defeat. Good or ill, a decision had to be made.
"If we just go without him..."
"I'll try persuading General Lü one last time. If that fails, we'll go together."
Chen Gong clenched her fist. It trembled so violently that the other generals could only watch in pity, speechless.
"Has the Peerless Warrior ever sent his subordinates out alone to attack? Especially in a situation like this."
Thud, thud. Chen Gong led Pale Spear toward Lü Bu's house, with the other commanders in tow. Red Hare, meant to thunder across battlefields, stood idly tied in the courtyard. The air inside reeked of boiling herbs.
"......Ha."
Chen Gong bit her lip at the medicinal scent and strode inside.
"Teacher Chen."
A middle-aged woman blocked her path—Lü Bu's first wife, Lady Yan. Behind her stood Lü Bu's daughter, Lü Lingqi.
"Lady Yan, step aside."
"I can't. You'll only make things worse if you go in now."
Lady Yan gripped Chen Gong's hand and shook her head firmly.
"Ever since that day, Wang Yun cast some spell over the general's eyes. The man inside is just a fool lost to that wench Diaochan. If you go in now, you'll end up treated like me."
"I'll speak even if it's unfair."
Chen Gong growled, pointing deeper inside.
"I seek to uphold the bond of ruler and minister with General Lü—how can he see me as some lust-maddened harlot?!"
"......."
Lady Yan had no retort. Normally, the principal wife asserted dominance over concubines, but Wang Yun's daughter had ousted her and claimed Lü Bu's side. Objectively, Diaochan's beauty outshone hers. The only woman in the Lü Bu army who could compare was Chen Gong herself.
"Step aside. If I convey my true heart, it will reach him."
"Sister, enough."
Even Lü Lingqi stepped forward from behind her mother—despite Chen Gong being the one who'd tried to force her into marriage with Yuan Shu's son. She gestured back, urging Chen Gong to stop.
"Dad's lost his mind over Diaochan right now. He's just... repeating the folly of kings ruined by their harems."
Drip, drip. Tears streamed from Lü Lingqi's eyes. At her daughter's sobs, Lady Yan turned and embraced her, weeping bitterly.
"Ha... while chaos reigns outside..."
One commander's mutter made Chen Gong glare at the room until blood trickled from her clenched fists.
The shadow in the lamplight merely gazed at the woman lying on the bed.
"General Lü!! Can you hear me!!"
Chen Gong screamed toward the room.
"That woman doesn't love you! She wants your ruin! That's why she's luring you to wither inside these walls!"
Crash!! Something shattered inside. The shadow finally stirred, rising. The other generals rushed to restrain Chen Gong.
"S-stop! Teacher Chen, that's touching his reverse scale!"
"He's scared Diaochan might die while he's out—terrified of this sickly woman keeling over! When she's not even dying!!"
"Shut your mouth—!!"
The lion's roar from within froze everyone. Thick killing intent, once reserved for enemies, filled the air. The door flew open, and Lü Bu advanced on Chen Gong.
"How dare you, how dare you speak such nonsense?"
"...Then kill me."
Lü Bu's Sky Piercer pressed against Chen Gong's throat.
"I can't live with this injustice. We had a chance to dominate the realm! It's heartbreaking to see you, cowed by a woman's tears, abandon your claim to the world!"
"Watch your words. Even you, Teacher Chen, won't be forgiven for speaking so recklessly."
"And what will you do if you don't forgive me? Behead me? I'm only stating the facts. That woman in there—"
Thud. A shadow emerged through the open door. If Lü Bu hadn't flung aside his halberd and lunged, she might have tumbled forward and smashed her head on the ground, dead.
"Xian!!"
"......!!"
Diaochan looked on the verge of death. Her face was ashen, drenched in cold sweat, veins bulging blue across her body like poison. She seemed moments from expiring. If this was acting, Diaochan was unparalleled in the world.
"General... go..."
"Xian!!"
"You must... lead them yourself..."
Diaochan clutched Lü Bu's hand with her dying visage.
"Listen to Teacher Chen. Though... haa... I don't know her heart... it must be the same as mine for you..."
"W-what...!!"
The same heart. It wasn't.
"Even born a woman, my feelings for General Lü aren't a woman's whims!!"
"Don't... push yourself like that, sob... denying your heart only hurts your body."
"Y-you... guh...!"
Chen Gong clutched her neck and collapsed. Lady Yan and Lü Lingqi rushed to support her, but Lü Bu watched with conflicted eyes.
"Your feelings for me aren't a woman's..."
Lü Bu embraced Diaochan tighter, glaring coldly down at Chen Gong.
"Listen well, Teacher Chen. Don't commit the folly of rashly deploying the troops. Once winter passes and Xian recovers, I'll lead with my Sky Piercer myself."
"It's too late by then! The enemy could attack today—now!"
"Let them come! Zhang Liao, Gao Shun! To the walls—hold the enemy! That's an order!"
"...Understood."
As Zhang Liao and Gao Shun—the pinnacles of the Eight Commanders—obediently complied, the others bowed helplessly.
"Please, General! We must act now! It's not too late!"
"...You're hopeless. Lü Lingqi! Escort Teacher Chen home."
"General!"
"Defy me, and I'll have Song Xian and Wei Xu confine you by force. This is my final mercy toward a woman."
Imprisoned by men. Realizing further persuasion was futile, Chen Gong slumped to the ground. Lü Lingqi, face twisted in frustration, helped her up, while Lü Bu carried Diaochan back inside.
Creeeak. Pale Spear led Chen Gong and the others out. Lü Lingqi had followed unwittingly and scratched her head, gesturing back.
"Sorry, everyone. You all prepared to march, and now this."
"No, but what illness is it? At least tell us the name."
The generals felt stifled by Diaochan's ailment—and Lü Bu's obsession with her.
"...That woman."
Chen Gong wiped the blood from her nails with her sleeve, breathing raggedly.
"She's not sick. Not possessed by evil spirits either—objectively speaking."
"But with our own eyes..."
"Teacher Chen, as a warrior, I say Diaochan is truly ill."
Chen Gong squeezed her eyes shut at Zhang Liao's words.
"Not just the surface—her breathing, pulse, complexion, gait. Everything screams sickness."
"You're saying Diaochan's really ill?"
"Yes. I wish she were faking it. Then we could just kill the bewitching demon deluding our lord. But..."
Zhang Liao smiled bitterly.
"What do you do with someone truly suffering?"
"...Then it's decided."
Chen Gong laughed hollowly, head drooping.
"Heaven has abandoned us."
Who? No need to say it.
And then.
Rumble, rumble.
A massive vibration echoed from afar.