Vol 9 Chapter 70 (2/2)

“Yaa!” I roared out as I charged into the fray, throwing enemies left and right. After about several dozen paces in, I was completely surrounded.

“Lord Li Dian!” When they saw me charge in, the troops who had hung on desperately until now followed and helped me beat back the surrounding enemies, tearing a small hole into the surround.

“Haa!”

“Lu Xiang?!” I yelled out in surprise as I saw Lu Xiang charge and hack past me, dual-wielding a spear and a sword just as I did, as she led her cavalry into a charge.

“Follow behind, everyone! There is no use maintaining the defensive lines!” Sensing hope, I yelled to the troops behind, “Charge! The enemy is only 5-6,000 strong! Breaking through is only a matter of time!”

“Ohhhh!!!”

Though I said as much, all this was just to boost troop morale. It would be much easier if we had more cavalry but my troops now are almost entirely heavy infantry, so they are slow. So slow in fact that the hole that we just tore has begun to shrunk because the troops behind were not fast enough to continue pouring in. They were also exhausted from the battle before. Now they have been caught in a pincer and their fates are practically sealed.

The cavaly, has the cavalry not charged in yet?!

I looked over and saw that there was no commotion over there. If the cavalry is unable to draw enough attention away from us, it will be very difficult to break through the surround. By my estimates, we will be completely decimated in less than an hour.

Including both Lu Xiang and I.

“Lord Li Dian, we meet again.”

Un?! Just then, a stern and righteous voice came from the side. Even though she could have just attacked me, she still greeted me first.

I raised my hat to get a good glimpse as sweat streamed down my face. When I saw a green gown, a head of red hair and the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, I closed my eyes and spat out a sigh.

“It’s been a while, Lord Guan Yu.” I returned the greeting and saluted while Guan Yu saluted back. We were surrounded by troops from both sides but all that we saw was each other. I dealt with any incoming enemies with my periphery vision while no troops from my side dared to approach Guan Yu. Even when any of them did try, they would be stopped short by her domineering aura as she pointed her glaive at them.

That glaive of hers does seem to be very solid though. If I get cut by that, I will probably be split in half.

“You lot have lost your lord. Won’t you surrender? Imperial Chancellor Cao will definitely treat you all well.”

I had to try even though I knew it was hopeless as it was 1 of my primary missions after all. At the very least, it afforded me the opportunity to calm myself down.

“The Imperial Chancellor did treat me very well but my place is here.” Guan Yu said with a chilly look in her eyes that nearly made me pull my reins and gallop in the opposite direction, “Now that you lot have come here to do battle with us, even if big brother is not around, I will fight till the last drop of blood leaves me.”

When she finished, Guan Yu raised her glaive and readied her stance. Looks like she intends to let me make the first move.

However, at this time, I do not have the leisure to do battle with her. But it’s not like I can evade her and continue charging forth to break through the surround either.

“Yaa!” I roared as I charged for Guan Yu with my spear ready to stab at her. Guan Yu stared at me motionlessly until my spear was about to reach her horse.

*Dang*!

She swung her glaive upwards, sending my spear flying up. This made me confirm for a second time that my strength was incomparable to Guan Yu’s. Unlike with Lu Xiang, the difference is completely insurmountable.

“Haa!” She yelled as she swiveled her glaive and slashed down. I hurriedly tugged on the reins and narrowly dodged the attack.

*Si*!

Eh? At the same time, a tearing sound filled my ears and all of a sudden, it seemed like my field of vision widened considerably. I blinked and when I regained my senses, I saw the 2 halves of my hat floating down.

To think that I was still cut. Was it the aura from her glaive?! I was shocked and hurriedly touched my forehead. As expected, there was a shallow wound there. It’s only been 2 bouts too…

“You’re not focused.” Guan Yu scolded and looked at me with eyes filled with pity, “While desiring to avoid battle with me, you tried to think about how you could escape the surround as quickly as possible. Did you never think of stabbing me before charging through?! Do you not even have that resolve in you!”

Kuh! I do not want to admit it but what Guan Yu said is what a warrior ought to be. Compared to her, my martial path is a lot longer.

… No, perhaps this is where my path ends.

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