Transmigrating to the Three Kingdoms as Lu Bu: I Have a Pseudo-Apocalypse System

Liu Bei was deeply shocked by the sight of Lü Bu's Imperial Guard heavy cavalry.

The equipment of these heavy cavalrymen was far superior to what he had imagined.

Not only were the knights fully armored, but their faces were also protected by iron plates, and even the horses were fully armored, making them virtually invulnerable to swords and spears.

What's even more chilling is that these thousand cavalrymen marched in neat formations, their military bearing impeccable, with only the muffled thud of their iron hooves striking the ground like drumbeats in everyone's hearts.

These are truly battle-hardened elites.

The Imperial Guards stopped in front of the slope.

Mount Red Hare, Lü Bu raised his eyes to look at the army formation on the slope, his gaze landing on the large banner bearing the character "Liu" in the center. He spoke loudly, his voice like thunder, echoing across the surrounding fields: "Liu Xuande, an old friend from Hulao Pass has come to visit. Why not come down the slope for a chat?"

On the slope, Liu Bei took a deep breath, spurred his horse forward, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei followed closely behind. The three of them reached the front of the slope, fifty paces away, where they faced Lü Bu from afar.

"Lu Bu," Liu Bei said calmly, bowing slightly. "It's been several years since we parted at Hulao Pass. How have you been?"

Lü Bu laughed loudly: "Thanks to Lord Xuande's good fortune, I am now the Grand Marshal, the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, the Commandant of the Capital Region, and the Duke of Jin, wielding absolute power in the court. Of course, I am safe and sound. But Lord Xuande, you have been wandering and drifting all these years, without a fixed abode, and are still living under someone else's roof. Have you ever regretted it?"

Liu Bei said solemnly, "I am a member of the Han imperial family, and I only know how to be loyal to the country. Although Fengxian holds a high position, he holds the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords. How is he any different from Dong Zhuo?"

"What a fine display of loyalty to the country," Lü Bu sneered. "Then why did you rush to Cao Cao's aid under the cover of night? Cao Cao manipulates his troops to eat people, incurring the wrath of Heaven and the resentment of the people. I am acting on the Emperor's orders to punish him and appease the people. By aiding Cao Cao, you are aiding and abetting evil!"

Zhang Fei couldn't help but curse, "You traitor Lü Bu, stop pretending to be benevolent! If you want to fight, then fight! Do you think I, Zhang Yide, am afraid of you?"

Even with Zhang Fei's arrogance, he no longer verbally calls Lü Bu a "slave of three surnames."

Guan Yu also said, "The battle at Hulao Pass was undecided; today is the perfect time for another fight!"

Lü Bu glanced at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, a fighting spirit flashing in his eyes: "Yunchang, Yide, how have you been? Battles between armies only increase casualties. These soldiers are mostly sons of Han; why send them to their deaths in vain?"

Liu Bei frowned: "What do you mean, Fengxian?"

Lu Bu pointed his halberd and said, "At Hulao Pass, you three brothers fought me alone. Do you dare to fight again today? I've heard your martial arts have improved over the years, and I'd like to test your skills once more. If you win, I will withdraw from Pengcheng and hand it over to you. If you lose, you will surrender and submit to the court. What do you say?"

These words caused an uproar both on and off the slope.

Zhang Fei was overjoyed: "Is this really true?"

Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes, pondering to himself, "Given Lü Bu's current esteemed status, how dare he gamble with this?"

Liu Bei's heart sank.

Lu Bu dared to propose such a wager, so he must have been extremely confident. If he wasn't, he could have simply led a thousand heavy cavalry in a charge; why risk a one-on-one duel?

With a thousand heavy cavalrymen charging into his five thousand infantry and cavalry rabble, it would be like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, and victory would be easy. Why did Lü Bu choose to fight the general alone?

But given the current situation, does he have a choice?

If he refuses, the two armies will clash, and his five thousand lightly armed infantry and cavalry will be no match for Lu Bu's one thousand heavy cavalry. He will undoubtedly be defeated and suffer heavy casualties.

If we accept, there's at least a glimmer of hope...

"Brother, agree to his request!" Zhang Fei urged. "We won at Hulao Pass, and we can win today too!"

Guan Yu nodded in agreement: "This is a golden opportunity. If we win, we can take Pengcheng and, together with the remaining troops of Xuzhou, perhaps stop Lü Bu's eastward advance."

Liu Bei looked at his two sworn brothers, then at the five thousand soldiers behind him, and finally gritted his teeth:

"Alright, I agree, but you must swear an oath as proof!"

Lü Bu laughed loudly: "I swear in the name of the Duke of Jin: if I am defeated by Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, I will immediately withdraw from Pengcheng without hesitation! If you are defeated, you must lead your people to surrender and not break your promise!"

"It's a deal!"

Once the agreement was reached, both sides' soldiers retreated a hundred paces and cleared the battlefield.

On the slope, Liu Bei's soldiers were discussing the matter animatedly.

"Are the three generals going to fight Lü Bu again?"

"General Guan and General Zhang are both warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men, and Lord Liu is also exceptionally skilled in martial arts. Lu Bu was once defeated by these three at Hulao Pass; they will surely win this time as well!"

"If we win, we'll get Pengcheng!"

However, some veterans worried: "The rumors surrounding Lü Bu have become increasingly legendary in recent years, making him potentially difficult to deal with..."

Down the slope, the Imperial Guard heavy cavalry stood silently.

The company commander rode up to Lü Bu and whispered, "My lord, why take such a risk? With a single charge, Liu Bei's army will surely be routed."

Lü Bu shook his head: "Liu Bei, though his forces are weak, is very popular. A direct attack might win him, but casualties are inevitable, and it would be difficult to win his heart. Today, I will subdue him by force and let the world know that I, Lü Bu, am the true number one in the world."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Besides, I also want to see how much Guan Yu and Zhang Fei have improved over the years."

After saying that, he spurred his horse slowly toward the center of the battlefield.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei also rode their horses into the arena.

Guan Yu's green robe fluttered, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade dragging diagonally on the ground; Zhang Fei's black armor was as black as ink, his eighteen-foot spear pointing straight ahead; Liu Bei wore simple armor, his twin swords drawn, one long and one short.

The two sides met in the center of the battlefield, ten paces apart.

Lu Bu's gaze swept over the three men, finally landing on Liu Bei: "Xuande, it's not too late to surrender now. I can appoint you as the Governor of Xu Province, in charge of all government affairs in Xu Province."

Liu Bei shook his head: "I would rather die than serve a traitor."

"Hmph, ungrateful wretch." Lü Bu said no more. "Then let's have a battle!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhang Fei, with his impatient nature, took the lead and launched an attack.

"Lu Bu, take this!"

The eighteen-foot spear, like a black dragon emerging from its cave, pierced straight at Lü Bu's face. This spear strike was both swift and ruthless, its tip whistling through the air.

Lu Bu neither dodged nor flinched, but raised his halberd.

"clang--"

Spears and halberds parried, sparks flying.

Zhang Fei felt an immense force coming from the spear shaft, his arms trembled violently, and his hands went numb. He was horrified: Lü Bu's strength was more than twice as great as it had been at Hulao Pass.

Almost simultaneously, Guan Yu made his move.

The Green Dragon Crescent Blade drew a streak of azure light, slashing down on Lü Bu from left to right. The blade's momentum was heavy and fierce; even before the edge arrived, a powerful gust of wind swept over him.

Lu Bu swept his halberd back, the crescent blade striking the sword precisely.

"clang--"

Another loud bang.

Guan Yu grunted, his sword strike halted, and he and his horse were jolted half a step to the side. A look of surprise flashed in his eyes: Lü Bu's reaction speed far exceeded his expectations!

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Liu Bei cut in from the right, thrusting his double-edged swords up and down at Lü Bu's ribs and legs. This was a combined attack technique honed over many years by the three brothers, specifically targeting areas where the opponent could not defend simultaneously.

But Lü Bu merely twirled his halberd.

The halberd swayed like a nimble snake, first deflecting the upper sword, then parrying the lower one. The movements were fluid and effortless. In Lü Bu's hands, the ninety-nine-pound halberd truly achieved a level of effortless mastery.

Liu Bei felt a tremendous force coming from the sword, and both swords were involuntarily shaken off course, almost slipping from his hands.