Chapter 45

Chapter 679: Encounter (2)

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Even after a hundred exchanges, the confrontation between Luo Shi and Huang Bosong remained unresolved.

These two men were grateful to the heavens just for the fact that there was an opponent they couldn't easily defeat, even when giving their all.

"Luo Shi's dual-sword technique is still sharp, having matched the renowned Huang Bosong."

"I'm not as good as I was in my prime."

"Do you think you are?"

"I suppose I'm not. Time is merciless."

Though they conversed as if they had all the time in the world, both men knew that continuing the exchange would be difficult. They probably wanted to stop the fight at this point if they had an excuse.

Both men sensed that the final exchange was about to begin, as if they had made a pact. They shouted at each other and charged forward on their horses. After one last exchange, they passed each other.

Huang Bosong's helmet soared into the air and then crashed to the ground. Without the helmet, his head would have suffered the same fate. Huang Bosong's right ear was half-severed and dangling.

Seeing the blood on his neck, the soldiers led by Sa Yuan rushed forward with the red banners.

"Protect the lord!"

Seeing Sa Yuan's troops charging, Luo Shi turned his horse and entered the gate.

"Wow~!"

The soldiers of Luo Shi's army seemed to think he had defeated Huang Bosong and erupted in cheers.

The cheers of Luo Shi's soldiers distorted Huang Bosong's expression.

"Sa Yuan! Why? Why did you intervene?"

Huang Bosong burst with anger. But Sa Yuan remained silent, having anticipated the reprimand.

Huang Bosong didn't scold Sa Yuan further, knowing he had acted for his sake.

Instead, he focused his gaze on the path where Luo Shi's horse had passed. Sa Yuan did the same, and after a moment, he bowed deeply.

* * *

Inside the gate of Hanguan.

As soon as the gate closed, Luo Shi fell off his horse.

Inside the gate, his loyal guards, including Zhang Chao, were waiting, ready to fight if necessary.

"General!"

Zhang Chao rushed to Luo Shi.

Luo Shi, despite the urgency, raised his index finger to his lips.

"Be quiet. There's no need to cause a commotion."

"General, your injuries are severe..."

"Can you hear the cheers of the soldiers? We mustn't let the troops know I'm injured."

"But the blood..."

It seemed impossible to hide his injuries, as the ground where he had fallen was soaked with blood.

"Ugh!"

Zhang Chao carefully undid Luo Shi's armor.

A groan escaped Luo Shi's lips, though it was not very loud. It's unlikely anyone standing a step behind Zhang Chao would have heard it.

"Fortunately, it's not too deep. Just a long cut."

Zhang Chao lied to reassure Luo Shi.

Of course, the injury wasn't life-threatening, but it was serious enough to require immediate treatment and rest.

"I know my injuries well. But we are facing a large enemy force. A commander must never show weakness."

"I can't hide injuries like this."

"I'll handle it. You keep your mouth shut."

Luo Shi seemed to be an exceptional figure.

Despite his severe injuries, he regained his composure and began to devise a plan.

With Zhang Chao's support, he stood up and had his armor tied back on. Then, he suddenly slashed his sword at his horse.

Both Luo Shi and Zhang Chao were drenched in the horse's blood.

Luo Shi waved his sword to clear the way.

As he walked confidently, it was hard to tell he was injured.

Luo Shi strode forward and shouted heroically.

"Take care of my horse properly, but don't give it any meat!"

It looked to everyone as if Huang Bosong's sword had struck Luo Shi's horse.

This way, Luo Shi could naturally hide his injuries from his troops.

'Indeed, the old ginger is still spicy. General Luo is completely unfazed despite his severe injuries. Moreover, he's managing the morale of the troops with such a strategy. He is a hero worthy of one of the three great generals of Donghan.'

Zhang Chao couldn't help but admire Luo Shi's boldness and wit.

Luo Shi, still bleeding, climbed the watchtower and raised his hand high to the troops.

"Wow~!"

The morale of the troops soared to the sky.

Luo Shi had to maintain this momentum. The enemy was a large force, and the troops defending Hanguan were woefully few.

The only way to hold off the Guanxi army was to rely on morale.

"This Hanguan is guarded by me, Luo Shi. Do not let a single enemy soldier set foot on the walls!"

Just as the cheers of Luo Shi's troops erupted again, Huang Bosong, who had returned to the main camp, pointed at Hanguan and shouted.

"Attack!"

Huang Bosong's voice echoed through the cheers of the thousands of troops at Hanguan, and the Guanxi army's assault began.

"Attack, forward!"

"Break through Hanguan!"

Blow! Blow!

With the sound of the horn, the Guanxi army surged toward Hanguan.

Soldiers carrying long ladders to climb the high walls and others pushing battering rams advanced with determination.

* * *

In the Zhongtian Prefecture Office, in Lü Bu's quarters, Lü Bu was tapping his fingers on the desk, showing signs of impatience. Guo Jia asked casually.

"Is there something you're worried about?"

"Worried...? Yes, many things. Master, I'm curious if Chaoxian is doing well. General Luo must have started fighting Huang Bosong's forces at Hanguan by now. I wish I could go somewhere, it's a pity."

"I understand your concern for Lady Chao and General Luo. But there's no need to worry."

"I sent Zhao Zilong with Chaoxian, so there's no problem there. But I'm worried about Hanguan because the troops are few."

Lü Bu was concerned that Zhao Zilong might cause trouble. Of course, he was also worried about Luo Shi, who had to fight a large force with few troops at Hanguan.

"Once the matters here are resolved, you must go to Sanbao to cut off their supplies."

"How long do I have to wait? What's left to do here?"

Just as Lü Bu's patience was wearing thin, Guo Jia revealed a bit of his strategy.

"General, it seems the time is ripe."

"What time is ripe?"

"Originally, I didn't plan to send General Zhao Qinglong, but the situation in Jizhou became complicated, so I had to send him."

"Even if Zhao Qinglong were here, he wouldn't make much of a difference. Our army is strong enough without him."

Lü Bu valued Zhao Qinglong only for his bravery and martial skills.

But Guo Jia was different.

He intended to fully utilize Zhao Qinglong's former position under Huang Bosong.

The problem was that his plan had been disrupted by the events in Jizhou. However, Guo Jia always had a backup plan.

"I originally planned to use him to capture Dongguan. But the situation has changed. So, I left a few of his subordinates behind instead of Zhao Qinglong."

"Zhao Qinglong wouldn't have been much help. What do you plan to do with his subordinates?"

"Today, I plan to send one of them to Zhang Xi."

Lü Bu waved his hand.

"I have many soldiers who haven't been married yet. I don't want to give Zhang Xi to Zhao Qinglong's soldiers."

"That's not the point. I plan to use Zhang Xi as bait. Do you remember Sa Jian, the supply officer of the Guanxi army?"

Lü Bu nodded repeatedly.

"I remember. But where is he? I remember capturing him, but I can't recall where I put him."

"I have him locked up in the prison of this Zhongtian Prefecture Office."

"What do you plan to do with him?"

"Let me explain..."

* * *

Deep into the night.

An uninvited guest sneaked into Zhang Xi's quarters.

He was none other than Xue Miao, a captain of Zhao Qinglong's troops, who had been left behind in Zhongtian.

Zhang Xi, unaware of the intruder, was busy preparing to visit Lü Bu.

She applied powder, painted her lips red, and stared intently at the mirror.

'Do I lack charm? Why hasn't Lü Bu taken me yet?'

Zhang Xi had never thought her reflection in the mirror was anything but beautiful.

Yet, Lü Bu had not taken her. She was a concubine, and her duty was to dance and sing for her master, and if he wished, to be embraced by him.

Previously, she had dressed up for Huang Bosong, but now she thought only of Lü Bu.

'If I don't establish any merit, Lord will forget me...'

Unable to be embraced by Lü Bu, Zhang Xi's heart had long been consumed by frustration.

They say that as the body grows distant, so does the heart. Zhang Xi was worried about this.

'If only I could gather some information, but even that is impossible...'

Zhang Xi had no way to send messages to Huang Bosong. Those who could have returned had already left.

In this place, which was like a dragon's den, even Zhang Xi, skilled in martial arts, had no way to escape.

So, how could she possibly send important information to Huang Bosong?

Tap!

A sound came from the window frame.

Zhang Xi's sword hand twitched. A sudden, ominous premonition swept over her. In these chaotic times, the only thing she could trust was the sword in her hand.

She gripped the hilt of her sword.

Tap!

Hearing the sound again, Zhang Xi drew her sword and moved slowly.

"Who's there?"

Zhang Xi realized someone was intentionally throwing small stones to get her attention. She asked in a low voice rather than shouting to alert others.

But there was no response. Perhaps it was natural. However, her curiosity got the better of her, and she quietly opened the window.

As if waiting for this moment, a small stone with a message tied to it flew over the window.

Zhang Xi unfolded the message without thinking. The paper, crumpled and stained with blood, bore a few hastily written characters.

[Captain Xue Miao of General Zhao Qinglong's army requests an audience.]

The message was short, but its intent was clear.

'Xue Miao... Xue Miao... Captain Xue Miao of General Zhao Qinglong's army...'

Zhang Xi was very interested in military affairs. She had trained in martial arts to the point of regretting her birth as a woman.

Moreover, she was a person who moved according to her ambitions, so she remembered Xue Miao.

After all, Zhao Qinglong himself was a figure of interest in the Guanxi army.

"Captain Xue, there's no one inside. I'll leave the door open, so please come in."