New Three Kingdoms Tales: Starting as the expressionless Liu Bei

Before Wang Yun could speak, the tall figure shot out from the dust and mist like a black lightning bolt.

Lu Bu's eyes were bloodshot, and the veins on his forehead bulged. His hand, trembling with rage, grabbed Wang Yun's collar and lifted him so high that his toes almost left the ground.

His voice was hoarse and trembling, filled with suppressed fear and rage, and it exploded in the silent courtyard.

"Wang Yun! Didn't you say you were keeping watch for me? How come that traitor Dong Zhuo sneaked into Fengyi Pavilion without a sound, and I didn't receive a single word?"

"He pierced my chest with his halberd and I almost died in that pavilion! I was so terrified that I fled in panic; I've never been so humiliated in my life!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, his fingers clenching tighter until his knuckles cracked, but his angry tone betrayed a fear he couldn't hide.

His voice suddenly lowered, as if someone was choking him, and even his lips were trembling.

"Miss Diao Chan is probably... her fate is unknown. And that traitor Dong Zhuo caught me in adultery; he will definitely not forgive me, yes! He will definitely not forgive me!"

He suddenly brought his face close to Wang Yun's, his bloodshot eyes almost spitting fire.

"Wang Yun, you've ruined me! How could I have believed you, you old bastard!"

Wang Yun was being held by the collar, his feet almost dangling in the air, but his old face remained unusually calm, without even a furrow of his brow.

He had long anticipated that Lü Bu would come knocking, and he had long anticipated that this fierce tiger would react in this way.

He calmly raised his eyes, gazing at Lü Bu's face contorted with rage, a slight smile playing on his lips, revealing a composed and confident demeanor.

"General Lü, what's the use of regretting now that things have come to this?"

He paused, his cloudy old eyes fixed on Lü Bu, and said, word by word, "I'll only ask you one question. Do you want to take Diao Chan back from Dong Zhuo?"

Lu Bu was stunned for a moment, and his grip on Wang Yun's collar loosened slightly involuntarily.

His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, as if the rage that had almost engulfed him was cleaved open by that one sentence.

He nodded heavily, his voice hoarse but resolute: "I want it, I dream about it! Diao Chan is number one in my heart. I'd rather never touch a drop of alcohol in my life than live without her!"

Wang Yun grabbed Lü Bu's hand, which was still clutching his collar, and laughed heartily:

"Excellent! Excellent ambition! In that case, let me ask you another question, General: if I had a way to allow you to both enjoy fine wine and have Diaochan in your arms, how would you repay me?"

Lu Bu paused for a moment, then abruptly loosened Wang Yun's collar, knelt down with a thud, clasped his hands in a fist, and said in a trembling voice, "Please, Godfather, guide me!"

Wang Yun reached out and helped Lü Bu up, then turned and pointed to the side, laughing, "The one who can help you isn't me, but this Mr. Chen Gongtai!"

He looked at the thin scholar and introduced him in a loud voice.

"Mr. Gongtai was knowledgeable in astronomy and geography, well-versed in the past and present, and possessed great strategic acumen. He was truly a genius of his time."

"We were just discussing the grand plan to eliminate Dong, Fengxian. If you can get Mr. Gongtai's help today, what is there to worry about in achieving your great undertaking!"

Lü Bu immediately turned around, knelt down straight before Chen Gong, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and pleaded earnestly, "Please, Master Gongtai, save me!"

Chen Gong bent down and helped Lü Bu up, looking the renowned Flying General up and down, and laughed loudly:

"General, everyone knows that among men, Lü Bu is the best, and among horses, Red Hare is the best. Add to that your halberd, and you'll be invincible!"

"But I wonder, General, do you possess the courage?" He paused, gazing at Lü Bu's eyes, which were gradually brightening, and added, "General, do you dare to confront that traitor Dong Zhuo with swords?"

Lu Bu fell into deep thought, a hint of struggle appearing between his brows.

Seeing his hesitation, Wang Yun immediately stepped forward, patted Lü Bu on the shoulder, his voice full of resentment and unwillingness:

"General, that Dong Zhuo has defiled my daughter, stolen your wife, and committed beastly acts, making him a figure of deep hatred for the people of the world!"

"I am old and frail, nothing to boast about. But you, General, are a hero of our time; how can you swallow such a humiliating disgrace?"

Chen Gong nodded, and in response to Wang Yun, took over the conversation and said loudly:

"Dong Zhuo deceived the emperor, wreaked havoc on the court, and is arguably the most heinous villain unheard of in the four hundred years of our Han Dynasty!"

"If the general can eliminate this traitor, he will not only wash away his shame and clear his name for the world, but also establish an unparalleled achievement unprecedented in the four hundred years of the Han Dynasty!"

Wang Yun stroked his white beard and said leisurely:

"Last night I observed the stars and saw that the giant thief star was dim and about to fall. This is a sign that Dong Zhuo's fate is sealed. He won't live much longer."

Lu Bu finally let out a long sigh, lowered his head, and his voice was full of helplessness and resentment:

"But, Godfather, Mr. Gongtai, my Red Hare horse and Fangtian Halberd have all been taken by that traitor Dong Zhuo, and I don't even know where they are now."

"Besides, even with the Fangtian Halberd and Red Hare in my hands, there's that damned soul chain binding me to him."

"If I use my supernatural powers to kill him, the chains will kill me too. But if I don't use my supernatural powers, I can't defeat him. It's a dilemma, a real dilemma!"

After listening, Chen Gong nodded thoughtfully, a calm smile appearing on his lips, and said casually:

"No problem, no problem. What the general is worried about is nothing more than trivial matters. I have a plan that will allow the general to live unharmed and take the head of that traitor Dong without losing a single soldier."

Lu Bu and Wang Yun's eyes lit up simultaneously. But Chen Gong calmly turned to the side, casting his gaze upon the dark shadows in the distance, and laughed loudly:

"Mr. Li Ru, stop hiding, I just saw you. Come out quickly, this good show can't be done without you."

Wang Yun and Lü Bu were both startled and followed Chen Gong's gaze toward the shadowy area.

A rustling sound of robes came from the darkness, and a lean figure slowly emerged from the shadows.

The man straightened his sleeves, then smoothed his official robes, which had been disheveled while he squatted in the corner, a calm smile appearing on his face. He bowed respectfully and exclaimed in admiration:

"Chen Gongtai truly deserves to be called the bravest general in the Central Plains; even when I was hiding in the shadows, I couldn't escape your eyes."

Chen Gong laughed and gestured for everyone to follow him into the house to talk.

After everyone had entered the room, he gently closed the door, turned around, and scanned the faces of Wang Yun, Lü Bu, and Li Ru one by one before slowly saying:

"Everyone is here. I can now reveal the entire plan."