Chapter 348 (1/2)

A golden armored warrior charged out with a golden trident in his hand. Who else could this be but Lu Bu? Following behind Lu Bu was the Wolf Cavalry, united in their intentions to kill Zhang Xiu as vengeance for their fallen comrades.

Zhang Xiu laughed bitterly never expecting to receive the appropriate retribution. Half a month ago, he and the Liu Bei’s Army ambushed and wiped out half of the Wolf Cavalry. At that time, Lu Bu had escaped. Now, their roles were reversed. His ten thousand Xiliang Cavalry was now left with three thousand men. Besides that, he now encountered Lu Bu.

“What do you want?” Zhang Xiu looked at Lu Bu unwaveringly, hoping to obtain the answer from Lu Bu’s expression. He knew that his chances to survive that day was low.

Lu Bu was indifferent. He looked at Zhang Xiu as though he was looking at a dead man. His expression made the prideful Zhang Xiu angry but Zhang Xiu had no way to deal with Lu Bu. “Surrender and we may be able to spare your life.” Lu Bu commanded with mercy.

“Surrender?” Zhang Xiu gripped his spear to supress the anger in his heart. “Lu Fengxian! Are you trying to take pity on me?”

“Do you have any other way out?” Lu Bu coldly asked back.

“Hahaha!” Zhang Xiu suddenly laughed. “Lu Fengxian! You underestimate me too much! I, Zhang Xiu, can surrender to anyone except you!” Zhang Xiu was afraid of death but he loved his pride more. He could not accept being humiliated by Lu Bu constantly. He would be willing to surrender to anyone else but refused to accept Lu Bu’s mercy.

“Lu Fengxian. I got a counter offer. Would you accept it?” Zhang Xiu asked as he narrowed his eyes at Lu Bu.

“Speak!”

“The choice is, I, Zhang Xiu will rush out of here and escape! Men of the Xiliang Cavalry! Follow me!” Zhang Xiu raised his spear and galloped his horse.

“Haha! You have guts! I truly have underestimated you!” Lu Bu smiled at Zhang Xiu with admiration. If Zhang Xiu had chosen to surrender, Lu Bu would have spared Zhang Xiu but he would also have taken away Zhang Xiu’s military ability. At that time, Zhang Xiu would have been better off dead. On the other hand, Zhang Xiu’s choice would at least allow him to die in battle with dignity.

Lu Bu had admiration for Zhang Xiu. However, he had a duty to his fallen Wolf Cavalry comrades. “Zhang Xiu, I will give you a chance! Three thousand men against three thousand men! If you win, you may leave! If you lose, you die here!” Lu Bu knew that Zhang Xiu was never convinced. The Wolf Cavalry and the Xiliang Cavalry always had this relations.h.i.+p even when serving under Dong Zhuo. During that time, Zhang Xiu was still youthful and had provoked Lu Bu. The then proud and powerful Lu Bu would have killed Zhang Xiu then and there if Zhang Xiu’s uncle, Zhang Ji had not stopped Lu Bu. If Zhang Xiu refused to admit it, Lu Bu would beat Zhang Xiu up until he admits.

“Lu Bu! You overestimate yourself!” Zhang Xiu fearlessly faced his enemy head on. “I will die if I lose here! If I win, the one that would die here is you!” Zhang Xiu had his own pride. He shouted as he waved his spear. “Xiliang Cavalry! Charge!”

“Wolves! Do you remember what happened half a month ago? That day, we loss half our brothers at Hefei! They fought to the death to cover our retreat! General Zhang Fan had perished with them! Today, our sworn enemies are right in front of us! What do we do with them?” Lu Bu asked with his charismatic influence.

“Tear them apart! Kill them!” The Wolf Cavalry chanted.

“That’s right! Kill them all! Avenge General Zhang Fan! Wolf Cavalry! It is time to hunt!” Lu Bu ordered. The others roared, “Kill! Kill!”

Two mighty forces clashed without any tricks or strategies. Their only intentions were to use their own martial prowess to tear apart their enemies. For the sake of survival, the Xiliang Cavalry showed astonis.h.i.+ng strength. For the sake of vengeance, the Wolf Cavalry showed their fearsomeness.

“Lu Feng Xian!” Troops against troops. Generals against generals. Zhang Xiu’s target was only Lu Bu.