Three Kingdoms Lords: Starting by walking into the mouth of a giant python

Chapter 103 Zhuge Liang, the Mountain-Driving Bell

Has Guan Yu already sworn brotherhood with someone?

Chu Tiankuo, Luo Meng, and the others were shocked and couldn't believe it.

Isn't it said that Lord Guan was inherently arrogant?

How come he's already sworn brotherhood with someone the moment he appears on stage?

Why did he refuse Zhang Fei's advances?

who is it?

Indigenous people? Or gamers?

Could it be that he met with Zhang Wenyuan of Yanmen early on, and the two of them formed a sworn brotherhood by burning incense and exchanging soil?

Or perhaps some unscrupulous player tricked them into giving up?

Zhang Fei's dream of the Peach Garden was shattered, and he still asked unwillingly, "Second...Brother Yunchang, who is your brother?"

In the reception room, everyone wanted to know the answer, so they all listened attentively.

Guan Yu replied, "Without my elder brother's permission, I cannot inform you."

Zhang Fei wanted to inquire about the details further, but Guan Yu kept his eyes closed.

Frustrated, Zhang Fei instinctively looked at Liu Bei.

At this time, Liu Bei was not yet eighteen years old, still at an age where he "enjoyed dogs, horses, music, and fine clothes." He did not yet possess the demeanor of a "descendant of royalty, a talent unparalleled in the world," but his magnanimous, generous, virtuous, and wise character was already beginning to take shape.

Having only been in Chicheng for a few days, he had already gained Xia Yu's high regard and got along very well with everyone in the [Kyoto Alliance].

Liu Bei felt a sense of loss, but still smiled and said, "My feelings at this moment are just like a line of poetry that Brother Tiankuo once wrote."

Chu Tiankuo asked curiously, "Which sentence?"

After Liu Bei entered the city, the two became very close. They talked about everything from astronomy and geography to poetry, songs, and historical records, and became good friends.

Liu Bei smiled wryly: "Zhang Wenchang's 'I regret not meeting you before I was married'."

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then they all burst into laughter.

The atmosphere in the hall became a bit more lively, but the chubby boy remained aloof and withdrawn. Liu Bei came over to comfort him, but he showed no sign of joy.

He only cheered up a bit when players came to ask him and Guan Yu for martial arts advice.

As evening fell, a grand banquet was held at the Alliance Leader's residence, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely.

-----

The next day.

Zhang Fei got up from his residence, rinsed his mouth with willow twigs and salt, and was about to go find Guan Yu to play when he heard a muffled drumbeat.

The sounds of people and horses drifted faintly from the north of the city.

Are the Xianbei people here?

Zhang Fei's spirits lifted, he raised his right arm and took off running, Zhang the butcher couldn't stop him.

The city was bustling with noise, yet orderly amidst the chaos. Men, women, and children, all under the command of the [Kyoto Alliance], were carrying swords and arrows, pushing carts and leading oxen, rapidly transporting supplies.

Zhang Fei jogged all the way to the North Gate.

After the banquet last night, most of the soldiers of Chicheng knew his identity and did not stop him from climbing the city wall.

Chu Tiankuo, Liu Bei, Xia Yu, Gongsun Zan and others were already standing there, looking towards the thousands of Xianbei cavalry several miles north of the city.

The banners and pennants fluttered and shrouded the area, inspiring awe and fear.

The Xianbei people set up camp on the spot.

Another 10,000 people emerged from behind the Xianbei cavalry, some riding mules, some pushing deer-drawn carriages, and some walking, coming in a grand procession.

They only stopped in disarray when they were just an arrow's throw from the city.

One after another, palanquins and deer-drawn carts were pushed out, unloading many loose pieces of machinery and equipment.

Ladders, wooden canopies, towers, and catapults were quickly assembled.

"Huzha, do you dare to fight Batu?"

A man below the city roared, his expression full of provocation.

The less-than-perfect Mandarin, mixed with a jumble of voices, carried over to the city wall. Luo Meng frowned and said, "They really are Outer Mongolians?"

Upon hearing of the unusual movements of the Xianbei people, the [Kyoto Alliance] dispatched several hundred scouts.

After losing nearly half their men, they brought back news—

Tan Shihuai personally led the western and central Xianbei southward. Accompanying him were millions of Outer Mongolians who had submitted to the Xianbei.

The more than ten thousand players now gathered below the city, sharpening their weapons and feeding their horses, are different in appearance and attire from both the Han and Xianbei people. They must be the Outer Mongols who dream of restoring the glory of the "Golden Family".

Chu Tiankuo nodded and waved towards the city.

The noose spun, the small gate of the barbican opened, and Guan Yu led Lü Yi and more than a hundred men out.

The Outer Mongolians raised their spears to meet the attack, and Nabatu even raised his scimitar to meet them.

Guan Yu, clad in heavy armor, brought down his sword, and Batu fell from his horse. The fully armored [Bamboo Rib Ox] then trampled him down with its hoof.

Batu's chest immediately collapsed, and he vomited blood like arrows and died.

The people of Outer Mongolia were terrified.

The next moment, a hundred horsemen charged into the formation, using Guan Yu as their arrowhead, and charged forward.

Severed limbs and broken arms flew about, and heads rolled down.

Blood gushed out like a waterfall, splashing onto the ground, the backs of horses, and people's faces, turning everything in sight a crimson mess.

The Outer Mongols were terrified and their will to fight vanished. In an instant, they no longer cared about mounting their horses and raising their flags to "show off the glory of the Holy Ancestor," and they all turned and fled back to the Xianbei encampment.

The hundred cavalrymen of Chicheng split into two groups: one group pursued the fleeing soldiers, while the other group followed Guan Yu to destroy the siege ladders and battering rams.

Ugh!

A deep, mournful horn sounded suddenly.

The Xianbei mounted their horses and slaughtered the Outer Mongols who had fled to the camp. The rest dared not escape and were driven back to the city like pigs and sheep.

Guan Yu ordered the hundred cavalrymen of Chicheng to return to the city, while he, alone with an ox, charged straight at them.

They cut through the howling and wailing Outer Mongolians and charged directly into the Xianbei army's ranks.

The Xianbei people were enraged to see a Han Chinese so arrogant, and they spurred their horses to surround him. They unleashed a barrage of spears, crossbows, and arrows, intending to kill the red-faced Han Chinese.

But how could they be a match for Guan Yu? He cut them down like melons and vegetables, killing fifty riders in a row.

The swords were all rolled up, and finally got stuck in the neck of a cavalryman.

Seeing this, the Xianbei cavalry seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack. Guan Yu shouted loudly and raised his sword high.

The Xianbei cavalry were startled and turned their horses to dodge, but the "human knife" had already crashed down.

Instantly, another large number of people were killed or wounded.

Guan Yu drew his horse-slaying sword, but seeing that most of the blade was broken, he simply discarded it and snatched two curved swords from Guan Yu's hand.

The blade flashed coldly, and although it was a bit awkward to wield, it still managed to behead dozens of enemies.

The Xianbei people lost all morale and, under the command of their leader, fought and retreated.

Guan Yu pursued and killed him relentlessly.

At the small gate of the barbican, an excited Gongsun Zan roared out, leading the 100 cavalrymen of Chicheng who had not yet returned to the city to charge.

The Xianbei suffered a crushing defeat, with countless deaths and injuries. Their leader was captured by Guan Yu and taken back to Chicheng.

Chu Tiankuo, Liu Bei, and Xia Yu came to greet them, and the whole city cheered, the sound echoing to the heavens.

Zhang Fei was extremely envious and wished he could take Zhang Fei's place.

Luo Meng imprisoned the Xianbei chieftain and sought the assistance of local civilians in the interrogation. Before long, he yielded results—

It turns out that these thousands of Xianbei and tens of thousands of Outer Mongolians were the vanguard of the Xianbei's southward march.

The sandalwood tree will arrive soon.

Upon hearing this, Chu Tiankuo and the others prepared for battle.

On the ninth day of the sixth month, the Xianbei army arrived.

Their troops split into two groups.

The Xianbei from the west, along with 100,000 Mongols, blocked the south gate of the city.

Tan Shihuai personally went to the north gate of the city and immediately took up siege towers, ladders, and catapults to launch an attack on the city.

Fortunately, Chicheng was well-stocked with supplies, including bows and arrows, logs and rolling stones, molten gold and hot oil.

Despite the relentless attacks of the Xianbei, Chicheng was well-prepared.

The next day, the Xianbei attacked again.

Luo Meng and Xia Yu were stationed on the north and south city walls respectively. Guan Yu, Liu Bei, Gongsun Zan, and Chu Tiankuo led their troops across the small hill outside Chicheng and attacked the Xianbei formation from the rear.

Guan Yu was invincible, unmatched by ten thousand men. Liu Bei's [Gu Ying Sword Technique] was unparalleled. Gongsun Zan possessed the [Trait of Extinction], making him extremely lethal against other races.

Chu Tiankuo wielded the [Immortal Grade: Mountain-Driving Bell], and with a wave of his hand, rocks and stones fell, dust flying everywhere.

--------

"Mountain-Driving Bell"

[Rank] Corpse Dissection Immortal

[Attribute] Shaking this bell can move stones and mountains.

[Description] Zhongshan Mountain in Yichun has a gorge stretching for dozens of miles, its waters being the Yichun River. The river meanders, its waters crystal clear and unfathomably deep. Once, a fisherman, while fishing, found a golden lock. Pulling it several hundred feet, he found a bell, shaped like a chime. The fisherman lifted it, and a sound like thunder resounded, darkening the daytime sky. The mountains and rivers trembled, and over five hundred feet of Zhongshan Mountain collapsed on one side, causing the fishermen to sink their boats. The collapsed section of the mountain is as if sheared, and it still exists today. Some knowledgeable people say that this is the chime used by Qin Shi Huang to drive away mountains. — *Yu Tang Xian Hua*

--------

This bell was only recently created, and it can only be used once every three years to [move mountains]. However, there are no taboos regarding its ability to move stones.

Chu Tiankuo, carrying his bell, marched forward, with mountains and rocks as his vanguard, his momentum no less than that of Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and Gongsun Zan.

The four men each had their own strengths and were evenly matched in offense and defense, making it difficult for the Xianbei to withstand their sharpness.

The situation only changed when Tan Shihuai arrived with several thousand Donghu soldiers.

The Donghu soldiers were elite Xianbei troops, described as having "large crowns like winnowing baskets and swords reaching past their chins," and their rank was among the Xuanhuang class. In a fierce, blood-soaked battle, Guan Yu and his men found it difficult to gain the upper hand for the time being.

Not long after, a commotion broke out in the Xianbei army ranks.

More than ten shamans wearing deer antlers and bear skins arrived, carrying staffs, mirrors, drums, and bells.

In an instant, over a hundred Donghu soldiers, their eyes bloodshot and roaring like wild beasts, threw down their greatswords and charged straight at them.

Guan Yu killed a soldier with a slash, and as he raised his sword, he saw that the dead Donghu soldier was tightly biting the blade, and he could not shake him off no matter what he did.

Guan Yu stomped on the broken piece, drew his ring-pommel sword with several yellow teeth, and slashed at another Donghu soldier.

Unlike Guan Yu, who was able to handle the situation with ease, Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan were caught in a difficult situation as the Donghu fought fiercely.

Seeing that the situation was not going well, Chu Tiankuo moved a row of rocks to repel the enemy and led his men to retreat up the mountain.

The Donghu soldiers pursued relentlessly, and Guan Yu slashed down more than ten men in succession. Only when the shamans changed the sound of their drums and bells did the soldiers give up the chase.

On the third day, the Outer Mongolians mixed together poisons such as aconite, croton, wolfsbane, and arsenic with saltpeter and charcoal. They wrapped the mixture in cloth, lit it with oil, and launched it at Chicheng using a catapult. However, a player in Chicheng used [Mysterious Grade Light and Fire Technique] to catch the poison and throw it back, causing heavy casualties.

That night, the Outer Mongolian [Morgen] swung a [Xuanpin Lasso] of varying lengths, capturing more than ten guards on the city wall. At that moment, Liu Bei was inspecting the city wall and almost fell victim to his lasso as well.

Late at night, with the help of Jian Yong's divination techniques, Guan Yu and his men launched a surprise attack on the enemy camp, achieving excellent results.

On the fourth day, Tan Shihuai's son, He Lian, led countless wild beasts to attack the city. Then, he suddenly transformed into a two-zhang-tall silver giant and smashed open the small gate of the barbican.

Fortunately, Lü Yi launched the "Fire Donkey Formation" to hold him back for a moment, and Guan Yu arrived in time to defeat He Lian, but unfortunately he escaped.

That night, Guan Yu and his men launched another attack on the camp.

They encountered a three-eyed, red-faced Outer Mongolian who could withstand a blow from Guan Yu without being injured.

On the fifth day, the Xianbei people cursed the Han people outside the city, saying they were cunning and always resorted to sneak attacks. They said that if the Xianbei leader [Tuoba Tuiyan] from the west were to come here, he would definitely not let the Han people get away unscathed.

In Chicheng, Chu Tiankuo, Guan Yu, and others discussed the abilities of He Lian and San Yan Chi Lian'er.

A player from Inner Mongolia in the [Kyoto League] said that Nahelian must have received the favor of [Jiangri] Manahan.

[Jenggri] is a deity who governs heaven and earth in the oldest myths of various Central Asian peoples.

Manahan, also known as Khan Bayan Manihan, is the god of the hunt. He appears as a giant with a body of gold and silver, possessing the characteristics of a master spirit of the earth, and is therefore called the "god of the earth and space." He is the ruler of the forest, especially wild animals.

As for the three-eyed, red-faced player, his name is Suhebalu, and he is currently ranked nineteenth on the [Strength Ranking].

It is said that he was very lucky and entered the world of [Moonlight Scroll - Great Flood of Uen].

Uen is a warrior in Mongolian mythology who slew a dragon during a great flood and shot down eleven suns while carrying two mountains on his shoulders.

He was originally an ordinary person, but after consuming the nine tiger-faced creatures and a dough ball from the lama in the stone house on the mountainside of Hada, he transformed into a three-eyed, red-faced man with immense strength.

Sukhbaatar replicated Uen's fate. Although he could not shoot down the sun and slay the dragon, he still possessed immense strength and barely managed to withstand Guan Yu's blade.

On the sixth day, the Western Master [Tuoba Tuiyan], whom the Xianbei people were so proud of, finally arrived.

However, Chu Tiankuo and the others clearly saw through their binoculars that [Tuoba Tuiyan] was lying on his horse, his life hanging in the balance.

A large goose swooped down from the sky, and several Xianbei people fought desperately to protect Tuoba Tuiyan.

Then, He Lian led a thousand elite Xianbei cavalry to welcome Tuoba.

Arrows rained down, swarming high into the sky.

With a flap of its wings, the arrows in the sky paused for a moment, then turned and flew back towards Tuoba Tuiyan and his men.

A Xianbei man leaped onto the horse's back with great effort, instantly becoming covered in quills, but this also blocked Tuoba's deduction.

When He Lian and others arrived, the goose, seeing that the situation was hopeless, flapped its wings and flew towards Chicheng.

The soldiers guarding the city wall were startled when they saw the large bird fall and raised their crossbows to shoot. Chu Tiankuo and Guan Yu quickly stopped them.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, the goose transformed into human form—

He was eight feet tall, with a face like jade, wearing a turban and a crane-feather cloak, holding a feather fan in his hand, and had the air of an immortal.

Guan Yu, Liu Bei, Xia Yu, and other original inhabitants have not yet reacted. Chu Tiankuo, Lü Yi, Luo Meng, and all the players at the city gate are stunned.

"Zhuge Liang!"

Sorry, I've been struggling with siege warfare these past two days.

(End of this chapter)