Volume 1, Chapter 510 – Sword Saint

Hearing Guo Jia’s words, Cao Cao’s eyes lit up.

Now that those at the absolute peak had fallen, top heroes had at once become the mightiest force in the world. They could rampage unchecked through armies, with nothing to restrain them.

There were not many in the entire Nine Provinces who could be called top heroes. They were scarcely more numerous than those at the absolute peak had been. Of those with the greatest fame, there was only one: Lü Bu, the Ghost God.

Among the fierce generals under Cao Cao’s command, only one had touched the threshold of herohood, and that was his personal guard, Dian Wei.

The rest could only dominate among first-rate generals; they were fundamentally incapable of contending with figures of that level.

“What do you think of what they just said, Fengxiao?”

“My lord already has plans in mind, so why ask me?” Guo Jia closed the heavenly book in his hand, a faint smile hanging at the corner of his lips as he shook his head slightly.

Cao Cao fell silent for a moment, swept his gaze across the civil and military officers, and slowly said:

“So long as the Great Han still stands, we are still Han subjects.”

“Report!”

Before the gathered officials and generals could speak, a lightly armored soldier rushed into the tent, dropped to one knee, and presented a jade slip with both hands.

“Urgent news from Luoyang! Lü Bu has led the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry through seven successive passes and launched a surprise assault on Luoyang. At this very moment, his army has already reached the banks of the Luo River!”

Cao Cao sprang to his feet at once, his brows knitted tight. He paced back and forth behind the commander’s desk for a moment before issuing a loud order:

“To eat a ruler’s salary is to share a ruler’s burdens. Pass down my command! Break camp at once and march to Luoyang to capture and kill the traitor Lü Bu!”

…

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…

News that Luoyang was in danger sprouted wings and spread across the whole of Yuzhou almost instantly. Countless feudal lords moved at the first hint of it, raising troops, pulling up camp, and heading for the divine capital.

No matter what schemes they harbored in their hearts, the banner they all raised was the same: punish the traitor and uphold the Great Han.

In the coastal lands, above a marshy kingdom of waters, hundreds of warships crossed the sky. Azure battle banners bearing the character “Sun” towered among the clouds, thrusting straight into the heavens.

On the flagship.

“Gongjin, the world is about to fall into chaos.”

Two figures stood at the end of the deck. One of them stood upon the rail, facing into the wind. His fitted battle garb clung close to his body, his long hair was neatly tied back, his complexion was somewhat fair, his features handsome, and his gaze was as sharp as a blade.

At his side stood a man of similar age in splendid robes, one hand braced against the railing, his eyes concealing a cold pool whose depths could not be seen through.

“In troubled times, great men are bound to emerge. To live in an age alongside so many heroes is both a blessing and a misfortune.”

Zhou Yu’s expression was calm. Leaning against the rail as he gazed toward the divine capital in the distance, he said meaningfully:

“Only the capable may contend for the Central Plains and enter the seat of power under heaven. Do you have that confidence?”

“In the past, when Xiang Yu crossed eastward, he led eight thousand sons of Jiangdong and still shattered the Immortal Qin iron cavalry, forging a great dominion. If he could do it, why can I, Sun Bofu, not become a second Xiang Yu?”

Sun Ce let out a loud laugh, his youthful spirit and heroic boldness on full display.

“Even someone as powerful as Xiang Yu was defeated by the Great Han’s founding emperor. Only one who possesses the Heavenly Mandate can possess the world.”

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Zhou Yu shook his head slightly and lifted his gaze to the sky.

“Under the Heavenly Dao, even those at the absolute peak are as ants, much less the two of us. One must understand that what is too rigid breaks easily. Slowly laying plans is the orthodox kingly path.”

“The Great Han’s national fortune has already been severed. That only proves the Heavenly Dao intends to choose a new Son of Heaven.”

Sun Ce leapt down from the rail and strode along the deck toward the interior of the warship.

“If I beat the whole world into submission, then I’ll be the Son of Heaven!”

…

…

The divine capital, Luoyang.

Outside the city, the mighty Luo River surged for ten thousand li, its immense waves carrying the grand, unbroken bearing that ran across all Nine Provinces. Reflecting the great sun hanging in the vault of heaven, it cast forth boundless divine radiance.

Several hundred thousand Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry were arrayed along the banks of the Luo River. The blood on their armor had not yet dried. The surrounding wilderness was silent, and the baleful aura shooting into the sky shattered the layers of clouds for ten thousand li.

Every one of the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry was a ferocious veteran, elite among elites, the kind chosen one in ten thousand. With Lü Bu at their head, these several hundred thousand wolf riders represented absolute invincibility, enough to crush any army in the world within the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

“So this is the Luo River…”

At the front of the army formation, gazing at the raging, wave-churned Luo River, Lü Lingqi was momentarily dazzled. This river held within it a power far greater than that of the boundless sea.

The divine capital of Luoyang lay quietly beside the Luo River, thick Dao resonance suffusing the air, carrying a hint of eternal stillness that had never changed, as if it could contain all the clamor of the world.

Soldiers stood in dense ranks atop the towering city walls. The gates were tightly shut, and before the gate tower stood a lone old man.

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He wore cloth shoes, plain robes, and a blue cap, with a long sword strapped to his back.

His frame was gaunt and thin, yet it was as if he alone blocked the entire divine capital, forcing several hundred thousand wolf riders to not dare move a single step.

“Lü Bu pays his respects to the Sword Saint.”

Across the river, Lü Bu held the Fangtian Halberd in one hand and the reins in the other. He inclined his head in greeting, showing respect to a senior of the Martial Dao. The gilt lion reliefs on his shoulder armor gleamed brilliantly.

“The whole world knows that the Great Han’s fate is drawing to a close. Sword Saint, why insist on defying heaven’s will and trying to hold back the tide?”

“No need for more words. Today, either Red Hare enters the divine capital by trampling over my corpse, or you lose your head beneath my sword. There is no third possibility.”

Wang Yue spoke in a low voice, yet every person present heard it clearly.

Zii—

The long sword on his back rose under an invisible force and slid from its sheath inch by inch. His breathing grew slower and slower, yet the flow of blood and qi within him became ever more violent.

Sword qi tore through the earth, and the surging Luo River was cut off for an instant, opening up a broad avenue.

“Soul-Extinguish!”

Before the long sword had even fully left its sheath, a shrill howl exploded from the end of the opposite bank. Wrapped in endless baleful qi, the Fangtian Halberd soared up and split open heaven and earth.

Lü Bu leapt into the air, monstrous blood and qi winding around him like divine flames as he seemed more demon-god than man.

“Sword Saint, your Dao fruit has been severed. Even if I win, it would still be an unfair victory. But anyone who blocks my path must die!”

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Wang Yue’s expression did not change in the slightest. He raised a hand to the hilt, gripped it, and drew his sword with an outstretched arm.

Boom!

Sword light swept forth, blotting out heaven and earth. The Fangtian Halberd flew spinning away, and a line of sword-light appeared across Lü Bu’s chest. Like paper being ripped open, it pierced through his armor and split open his chest, faintly revealing the wildly pulsing heart within.

“If you have not reached the absolute peak, then in the end you are only an ant.”

The indifferent voice echoed over the battlefield. Amid the several hundred thousand Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, a sharp collective intake of breath suddenly rang out, and a current of fear began to spread.

“You had your Dao fruit severed and still dare call yourself someone at the absolute peak?! Half your ruined body is already in the grave. How many more swords can you draw, and you still dare speak such wild words!”

Though he had been wounded in a single exchange, Lü Bu let out a loud laugh. There was not the slightest fear in his expression; his eyes were filled only with madness. He paid no heed to the blood splashing wildly from his chest. The pounding of his heart grew ever fiercer, the blood and qi coiling around him soared explosively, and his overwhelming might eclipsed the blazing sun.

“Die!”

The Fangtian Halberd rose once more and came crashing down with unmatched force.

Wang Yue’s brows drew together slightly. His grip on the sword tightened, his breathing sank, and instead of taking the blow head-on, he twisted aside to avoid it. His figure flashed across the sky like a phantom and shot straight toward Lü Bu.

A savage grin appeared on Lü Bu’s face. He suddenly released the Fangtian Halberd from his hand, his eyes crimson as blood, his body swelling by a full circle. He allowed Wang Yue’s blade to pass through his waist and abdomen while he clenched both fists and smashed them down at Wang Yue like meteors crashing upon the vast earth.

“Farewell, Sword Saint!”

Roar—

A piercing neigh tore through the heavens. Blazing heat ignited the void as a divine steed wrapped in crimson mane came screaming in, sealing off heaven and earth.