Chapter 28: Zhang Liao Battles Lü Bu (Part 1)

  "Then we'll just have to wait for news of your victory."

  As the voice faded away, Chen Gui's carriage emerged from the city gate, its wheels rumbling as the coachman lightly swung his whip, and the two fine horses drawing the carriage came to a stop in front of Lü Bu, catching his eye.

  Chen Gui's face turned slightly red with anger, but Lü Bu only looked at the fine horses pulling the carriage and didn't notice Chen Gui himself, which was truly impolite. Chen Gui turned his head to look at Jia Xu, stood up straight in the carriage, stroked the carriage railing, and smiled haughtily: "Chen Gui of Xiapi has manners, I wonder how you should be addressed?"

  Jia Yu reluctantly dismounted and walked forward two steps: "Chen Jun, please don't be polite. I am Wu Wei Jia Yu, courtesy name Wen He."

  "He was originally from Liangzhou, no wonder his riding skills are so excellent." Chen Gui stroked his beard and smiled slightly, ignoring Jia Xu, and turned to Lü Bu: "Lü Zhongshi, I have come under the order of General Tiger Guard Yuan, to welcome you. General Yuan has set up a banquet in the mansion, inviting famous scholars and heroes from the capital, just waiting for you to defeat Zhang Xiu, then please come to the mansion to drink, we won't leave until we're drunk."

  Lü Bu was initially displeased, as Chen Gui had ridiculed Jia Xu for riding a horse instead of a carriage, calling him an ignorant and boorish man from the borders. Wouldn't that make Lü Bu also be looked down upon by Chen? However, now he heard that Yuan Shu was hosting a banquet in the mansion to celebrate his victory, and had invited famous scholars and heroes from the capital, which made him feel very proud, and his earlier displeasure vanished.

  He burst out laughing and with a heroic air waved his hand: "Trouble Chen to reply to Yuan, spread the word and let's go."

  "We await your esteemed arrival." Having said that, Chen Gui smiled at Jia Yu and sat back down, lightly patting the carriage shaft to signal the coachman to set off.

  The outcome is already decided, there's no need to entangle with Jia Yu anymore. Chen Guiyang walked away with a long stride. The crisp sound of the whip echoed in the air, as if it was slapped on Jia Yu's face. Jia Yu remained expressionless, but his eyes showed some helplessness.

  There's no way, this is the prestige of the Yuan family. So many heroes gathered at the Yuan Mansion, they have already shown their attitude, supporting the Yuan family rather than the Emperor. Lv Bu's thoughts are probably similar, he now only thinks about defeating Zhang Liao and then going to the Yuan Mansion to enjoy everyone's admiration.

  Zhang Hua, you must defeat Lü Bu, at least don't lose.

  ……

  Liu Bian stood on the palace wall, watching Lü Bu and his party approaching from a distance.

  No purple gold crown, no hundred flower robe, no red mane horse, but Lü Bu is equally majestic and awe-inspiring, with a heroic spirit that presses upon people.

  Lü Bu was very tall, about nine feet or more than two meters. He looked handsome and elegant, with a well-proportioned face, bright eyes, and a short beard under his chin that was neatly trimmed. Although he didn't have the pale complexion of a scholar, he had a strong masculine aura, and with his casual and carefree air, even Liu Bei couldn't help but admire him, let alone women who adored heroes.

  Lü Bu held a unique cross halberd with two crescent blades, rather than the usual single one, somewhat resembling the cross spear of later fiction, possibly the original form of the Fang Tian Hua Halberd.

  Red Hare was still in Liu Bei's stable, while Lü Bu rode a ordinary red-maned horse. Its build wasn't as exaggerated as Red Hare's, but it was also taller and more robust than average horses. Carrying Lü Bu, the horse didn't seem to be exerting itself at all.

  Lü Bu was followed by a group of about ten horsemen, each one looking robust and majestic. However, next to Lü Bu, they all paled in comparison.

  I don't know if Zhang Liao and Gao Shun are among these people. Liu Bian's heart beats a little faster. Not only because he saw the legendary fierce general, but also because it relates to whether his plan can be realized. Whether he can win over the Bingzhou army is the first step in ensuring his most basic safety.

  Surrounded by Yuan brothers and their followers all day, Liu Bian felt very insecure.

  Lü Bu's attendants held the reins at a distance, and Lü Bu came forward alone. Zhang Liao, who had been well prepared in advance, rode his horse forward and saluted from afar: "Brother Lü, how have you been?"

  Lü Bu curled his lip, waved his hand in disdain: "Zhang Liao, I don't have time to reminisce with you. Yuan Zhonglang has already prepared a banquet, and I'll be attending it soon. Let's begin, let me see what insights you've gained recently that make you so bold as to challenge me."

  Zhang Hua's smile froze on his face. He didn't expect Lü Bu to be so disrespectful, with the Emperor watching from the palace above. Lü Bu was lecturing him like a child, and if he didn't show some respect, what would the Emperor think?

  Zhang Liao reined in his warhorse and stopped advancing. Since Lü Bu didn't give him any face, he didn't need to eagerly approach the other's cold buttocks.

  "Alright, let's get started then." Zhang Xiu sneered: "However, there's no good feast, Yuan Shu's wine is probably not that delicious."

  "That's something else." Lü Bu smiled complacently: "Whether it tastes good or not, we'll talk about that after you're lucky enough to be invited. Zhang Liao, if you can bring out something today that impresses me, I might take you along with me. In my presence, Yuan Zhonglang may let you enter the hall and share a drink together."

  Zhang Liao was furious and forced a smile, no longer speaking, he turned his horse's head around and stood still about 100 paces away from Lü Bu.

  The two simultaneously raised the weapons in their hands.

  Zhang Hu held the Hegemon Spear, his expression stern, and a faint aura burst out of his body, following the spear handle to the tip, like a giant python coiling around the Hegemon Spear. Feeling this aura, Zhang Hu's confidence greatly increased, and he fiercely kicked his warhorse, charging forward.

  "Dangdangdang, dangdangdang......" The sound of horseshoes grew more urgent, Zhang Liao leveled his spear and quickly approached Lü Bu.

  Lü Bu grasped his halberd, exuding an aura of murder. Unlike Zhang Liao, he was not cautious and seemed somewhat disdainful. With just one glance at Zhang Liao, he knew that the latter had made progress, but this was still insufficient to make him a worthy opponent. He was confident that he could defeat Zhang Liao in a single round.

  Lü Bu saw the green canopy on the city wall and knew that the Son of Heaven was watching from there. He believed that Yuan Shu would also send people to watch from a distance, and even he himself would be present, only not approaching too close. Lü Bu decided that he not only had to win but also wanted to win beautifully and easily.

  So he waited for a while and saw that Zhang Hua had already forced his way to the front fifty steps, before he began to urge his horse to speed up.

  The red-maned horse suddenly darted forward, Lü Bu grasped the reins with one hand and held his halberd with the other, charging forward. He didn't even lower his body, and his expression didn't seem like a life-or-death duel, but rather like a master instructing his apprentice, not taking Zhang Xiu seriously at all.

  Liu Bian saw Lü Bu's arrogance and also saw his carelessness, and couldn't help but shake his head.

  "Pride goes before a fall, I believe Zhang Liao will win."

  Wang Yue did not speak, he carefully looked at Lü Bu's expression, his eyebrows slightly furrowed: "Your Majesty, it is not entirely so."

  "What? Is Lü Bu not human, but a god?"

  "He's not a god, but he's half a god." Wang Yue let out a soft sigh. "This person is absolutely the number one master of this generation."

  Liu Bian had no time to speak, Zhang Liao and Lü Bu were already closing in. The Halberd of Power and the Trident of Ten Directions had not yet clashed when a series of light sounds suddenly burst forth in the air.

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