Chapter 94 of 100
Chapter 94
6 min read1,524 words
Chapter 728: Behind the Son of Heaven (1)
--------------
Cheng Gongying couldn't quite believe the situation.
Having personally experienced how formidable Lu Bu's bravery was, he truly felt that he couldn't match him alone.
However, Yan Xing's offer to help was truly surprising.
After Hua Xiong left Guanxian to join Lu Bu, Yan Xing had become a renowned warrior.
He was so confident in his abilities that he called himself the "First Warrior of Guanxian," and no one in Guanxian could match him.
After all, he was the one who had knocked out Ma Chao, known as the strongest in the Ma clan, with his bare hands.
However, after losing face in a battle against the unknown warrior Zhang Fei in Dongguan, his mindset had changed significantly. It was during this period that he witnessed Lu Bu's bravery.
In any other situation, he would have charged in alone to face the enemy. But now, things were different. He had decided to team up with Cheng Gongying to face Lu Bu.
"Do you think you can handle me with your combined strength?"
Lu Bu taunted them, wiggling his fingers.
Cheng Gongying and Yan Xing's movements became more frantic.
Thud, thud, thud!
Despite never having coordinated their movements before, they seemed to have an unspoken agreement to flank Lu Bu from both sides.
However, even their agile footwork was useless against Lu Bu.
Lu Bu had no intention of letting them gain a favorable position. He retreated gracefully, countering their combined attacks.
'You need to draw them in a bit more.'
Lu Bu had his sights set on something bigger than just defeating these two. The battle that started in the center of the village couldn't end there. He needed to draw the Guanxian forces deeper into the village to set the perfect trap.
"Uaaaaah!"
"It's a ghost! A ghost has appeared!"
Just as Cheng Gongying and Yan Xing were focusing on attacking Lu Bu, the high bamboo soldiers, who had been hiding in the houses in the village center, poured out.
The enemy soldiers, who felt an overwhelming pressure just from seeing the ghost masks, retreated in fear.
Of course, those who were too close and couldn't escape in time fell victim to the short daggers of the high bamboo soldiers.
The high bamboo soldiers moved through the enemy ranks like ghosts without feet, striking and causing chaos.
They didn't kill their enemies outright but inflicted multiple wounds, letting them die slowly in pain and despair.
Mo Taibai, the leader of the high bamboo soldiers, grabbed an enemy soldier from behind and thrust his dagger into his back, making the blade emerge from his chest.
"Ugh!"
Mo Taibai twisted the dagger, causing the enemy soldier to shudder and then die with his eyes rolled back.
"Leave no one alive!"
At Mo Taibai's command, the high bamboo soldiers began to wreak havoc.
* * *
While the battle between the Han Shu army and the high bamboo soldiers raged on, Lu Bu's fight continued.
'How could I have missed such an obvious trap...!'
Cheng Gongying felt a sense of self-loathing. While Yan Xing was only interested in fighting, Cheng Gongying was different. He was like Fang De of the Ma clan, skilled in both martial arts and strategy.
Under normal circumstances, he would have realized that there was an ambush when Lu Bu appeared. Although Lu Bu had used his brain, the plan was poorly executed.
Since Lu Bu had revealed himself, who wouldn't have suspected an ambush?
However, the long journey and the chaos caused by the soldiers had prevented him from thinking that far.
Fortunately for the Han Shu army, Lu Bu's ambush was not as large as expected.
"Yan Jia! This time, we must take Lu Bu's head! The small number of ambushers suggests that heaven is giving us a chance."
"Agreed! Let's give it a try!"
Cheng Gongying and Yan Xing were dreaming of the impossible. They approached Lu Bu, unaware of the danger. However, as they closed the distance, Lu Bu retreated.
"You! I'll skewer you in one go!"
Frustrated by Lu Bu's refusal to engage, Yan Xing threw his spear.
Clang!
Lu Bu easily deflected Yan Xing's spear with his halberd. However, Cheng Gongying's crescent saber flew towards Lu Bu in the meantime.
The moment Yan Xing's spear embedded itself in a wall, Lu Bu's halberd and Cheng Gongying's crescent saber clashed.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of the crescent saber's chain was quite distracting for Lu Bu.
However, that was the nature of the crescent saber. To quickly defeat Cheng Gongying or break the chain, he had no other choice.
The halberd and the crescent saber clashed several times, sparks flying. During this time, Yan Xing drew his sword and joined the fray.
As the three engaged in a fierce battle, Lu Bu's halberd seemed to dance in his hands.
It would wrap around his waist and then strike like an axe, or extend like a spear, creating a terrifying whistling sound as it deflected attacks.
Occasionally, Lu Bu's kicks, which were as powerful as iron maces, made Yan Xing and Cheng Gongying's hearts race, but they had no intention of backing down.
Thud!
Yan Xing tripped on the base of the halberd and fell backward awkwardly.
As the halberd fell like an axe, Yan Xing felt as if time had slowed down. His body couldn't move, but his mind raced with thoughts.
'Is this the end? If I fall, Cheng Gongying won't be able to face this monster alone...'
Yan Xing was more worried about Cheng Gongying being left alone than about his own death. Despite not being the type to worry about others, his concern was a testament to Lu Bu's formidable strength.
* * *
Clang!
Cheng Gongying's crescent saber intercepted the falling halberd.
Frustrated at missing a chance to end the fight, Lu Bu fiercely attacked Cheng Gongying.
"Uraaaaaah!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The halberd moved so fast it left afterimages, raining down attacks on Cheng Gongying.
Cheng Gongying was quickly on the defensive, overwhelmed by Lu Bu's relentless assault.
He couldn't think of anything else. He could only focus on blocking Lu Bu's attacks.
He felt the immense strength in each strike through the handle of his crescent saber.
He wanted to drop the saber, but doing so would mean certain death. So, he gritted his teeth and held on.
Lu Bu switched from continuous strikes to a powerful thrust.
Cheng Gongying felt as if the halberd's blade had pierced his chest.
He quickly raised his crescent saber to block the thrust.
The metal chain connecting the blade and the crescent moon engaged with the halberd. However, the force behind the halberd was so strong that Cheng Gongying was pushed backward.
Lu Bu, pressing Cheng Gongying against the wall, increased the pressure on the halberd.
But Lu Bu was using only one hand.
Cheng Gongying, with his back against the wall, used his other hand to support the crescent saber, but it was still a struggle.
The tip of the halberd was gradually getting closer to Cheng Gongying's chest.
The halberd's blade scratched his armor, pushing through.
"Ugh!"
A groan escaped Cheng Gongying's lips.
His armor, which was already weak, couldn't stop the halberd's blade. It cut into his flesh, though not deeply. If left unchecked, it would pierce his heart.
At that moment, Yan Xing came to Cheng Gongying's rescue.
Aiming for Lu Bu's back, Yan Xing leaped. Lu Bu's figure stretched like dough as he moved to intercept Yan Xing.
Moving his hand down the halberd's shaft, Lu Bu retreated, and with a powerful kick, sent Yan Xing flying backward.
Blood trickled from the corner of Yan Xing's mouth.
However, with Cheng Gongying's life in immediate danger, Yan Xing ignored the pain and immediately charged at Lu Bu again.
'These guys are quite something. They make the fight interesting.'
Fighting Cheng Gongying alone was boring, but with Yan Xing's addition, Lu Bu found the battle more engaging.
Like savoring a delicious meal, Lu Bu didn't want to end the fight quickly.
* * *
Cheng Gongying, who had been in a dire situation, caught a breather. With Yan Xing persistently countering Lu Bu, the pressure from the halberd slightly eased.
However, Cheng Gongying still couldn't overpower the halberd with sheer strength.
'How could heaven appoint such a monster as our opponent?'
Seeing Lu Bu wield the halberd with one hand, Cheng Gongying felt despair. He was known for his bravery, equal to Yan Xing, and feared nothing in Guanxian.
But even with all his strength, he couldn't match Lu Bu's one hand. How could he not feel despair?
Managing to push the halberd away, Cheng Gongying barely escaped. He reached for Yan Xing's spear, which was embedded in the wall.
The crescent saber and the halberd were stuck in the wall.
Seizing the opportunity, Cheng Gongying pulled out Yan Xing's spear and began his counterattack. However, the halberd was stuck too deeply in the wall.
'You used your strength to oppress me, but now it will be your downfall.'
Cheng Gongying thought Lu Bu