Chapter Twenty-Nine: Beneath Hulao Pass

When the fine, hair-thin threads of energy streaked across the sky, everyone finally understood that the handsome man trailing behind Liu Bei was a master of the highest order. Their opinion of Liu Bei rose once more.

"Did you land the hit, Zilong?" Zhang Fei asked, excitement brimming in his voice. While others might not grasp the significance of those delicate filaments, a master like Zhang Fei could clearly sense the power within each one—a force capable of slicing through metal and shattering jade.

Zhao Yun shook his head. "At best, I could only cause him a moment of disarray had he been careless. It is impossible to truly wound him."

As Zhao Yun predicted, although Lu Bu had not expected such a swift counterattack, his instincts as the world’s greatest warrior allowed him to effortlessly deflect the strike. Yet, the shockwaves from their collision still pulverized a section of the battlement on the gatehouse, leaving pin-sized holes scattered across the surrounding structure.

"A decent attack," Lu Bu remarked. He gazed toward the coalition of eighteen lords, making no further move. He stood silently, waiting for his opponents to arrive; only such masters were worth the effort of slaying.

Hearing Zhao Yun’s words, Zhang Fei realized his own chances of defeating Lu Bu had dropped even lower. He knew well that if Zhao Yun’s attack had fully connected with his own head, he would have been flayed alive—and yet, even if Lu Bu were caught off guard, he would only be mildly inconvenienced.

Still, Zhang Fei felt no fear. Instead, his fighting spirit soared, and he tightened his grip on his serpent-headed spear. Only by fighting the strong could he become stronger; a warrior’s destiny was to die on the battlefield, and if he could cross blades with the world’s greatest before that day came, he would have no regrets. More importantly, Zhang Fei knew his path was one of constant advance, never retreat. To step back was to lose his conviction, which would see him stagnate, or worse, see his strength diminish as his physical prowess peaked.

With a firm grip on his spear, Zhang Fei radiated a surging battle intent. He was declaring his readiness. He would challenge Lu Bu, even knowing he might not win. Defeat was not terrifying; what was terrifying was losing the courage to even raise one's hand after witnessing the enemy's might.

Under Yuan Shao’s command, the coalition made no attempt to conceal their advance. As they arrived at Hulao Pass, Dong Zhuo sat atop the gate, Lu Bu standing beside him with his halberd in hand. After a brief exchange of insults, both sides agreed that only force would decide their standing.

"Fengxian, it is up to you!" Dong Zhuo waved his hand, signaling the impatient Lu Bu to annihilate the rabble below.

Lu Bu leaped from the gatehouse, which stood nearly twenty zhang high. He plummeted heavily to the ground. Any warrior who had tempered their qi into solid force could perform such a feat, but what followed left the knowledgeable among the observers chilled to the bone.

Including the height of the wall, Lu Bu had fallen from over a hundred meters, his speed deliberately increased. Yet, shockingly, the impact did not shatter the earth. There was only a slight tremor, as the force of his descent was perfectly dispersed across the surrounding area, causing no collateral damage.

Zhang Fei was stunned, Guan Yu’s eyes narrowed, and Hua Xiong shielded his brow. Only Zhao Yun frowned slightly. They all understood one thing: Lu Bu’s terror lay not just in his raw power, but in his horrifyingly precise control over every ounce of his strength.

With a long whistle, a streak of fire descended from the horizon to Lu Bu’s side. Red Hare, appearing as if wreathed in flames, snorted. Lu Bu mounted his steed, halberd in hand, and glared at the hundreds of thousands of troops across the field, his overwhelming presence radiating outward as he openly provoked the entire army.

Zhang Fei surged with anger, ready to charge, but Guan Yu held him back. Seeing the cold, arrogant look on Guan Yu’s face, Chen Xi knew he was in a foul mood as well. Looking at Zhao Yun, he saw the same irritation. It was only natural; any master would feel insulted by Lu Bu’s blatant dismissal, as if he were saying, "Come at me all at once." Pride was everything to such men, and Lu Bu was slapping their faces in front of the entire world.

Unable to bear the humiliation, and before Yuan Shao could speak, Wang Kuang shouted, "Who dares to fight?" A man galloped out—Fang Yue, a famous general from Henei. Before Wang Kuang could even offer praise, a massive, arcing blade flashed. Fang Yue, who hadn't even had the chance to announce his name, vanished from the world.

The generals swallowed hard. Lu Bu’s cruelty was beyond description; to reduce a man to mist was a sign of a truly ruthless heart.

Before Chen Xi could intervene, another reckless soul charged out: Mu Shun, a subordinate of Zhang Yang. He threw three strikes, only to be cut in two, horse and all, before Lu Bu even moved his mount.

"I have enjoyed the grace of Wenju for ten years. Why not repay it with my life?" The tall man behind Kong Rong licked his lips, then bowed to his master and rode forward.

"Anguo, be careful!" Kong Rong nodded, deciding to let Wu Anguo fight; he was the only capable general under his command.

Wu Anguo rode slowly toward the center. Unlike the fools before him, he knew he was no match for Lu Bu. But as he had said, he owed Kong Rong a debt he could only repay with his life.

Wielding a hammer weighing hundreds of pounds, Wu Anguo charged silently. His horse was fine, but burdened by the massive weapon, it could not move quickly—though speed was not what he needed.

With a dull, thunderous crash and a roar of "Taste my hammer!", the battle began. There was no lightning-fast movement, but the sheer force behind the blows made Lu Bu’s arm go numb. It was rare to encounter someone whose strength surpassed his own.

Without need for technique or speed, Wu Anguo swung his hammer in wild, crushing arcs. As for Lu Bu’s counterattacks, the massive hammer, which acted as a shield covering half his body, blocked them all. He could not read Lu Bu’s strikes, but his weapon was enough to intercept them from any angle.

"Zichuan, do you see now why I hate those born with divine strength?" Guan Yu remarked to Chen Xi.

"I see it now," Chen Xi replied, speechless. "This is just too shameless. It’s pure brute force—it doesn't matter where the attack comes from, he just swings that hammer and smashes everything."

Twenty bouts passed, and Wu Anguo stood firm, swinging his hammer without a hint of fatigue, as if he were hammering raw iron.