Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Just as everyone was at their wit's end and filled with anxiety, they suddenly received a message that the Emperor Liu Bian's entourage had arrived to meet them. Yuan Shao and his men, while putting on a show of effort, temporarily put aside their thoughts and rushed to greet the Emperor Liu Bian and Xing Yuan.

Emperor Liu Bian and Lu Zhi, closely guarded by Zhao Yun, were seen slowly approaching the tent, accompanied by their uncle Liu Bei and the two generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Everyone hurried forward to pay their respects, and Emperor Liu Bian smiled as he helped Yuan Shao, Gongsun Zan, and other key generals to their feet one by one.

Emperor Liu Bian looked at the crowd and spoke gently, "My dear ministers, I know it was not easy for you to capture Sishui Pass. This is a great achievement, and I am very pleased."

Yuan Shao and the others quickly knelt and said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the compliment. This is our duty."

Emperor Liu Bian then smiled again, glanced at the crowd, and asked, "How is the war progressing now?" Everyone looked at each other, unsure how to respond. Then, someone stepped forward and gave Emperor Liu Bian a general overview of the current situation. While Emperor Liu Bian remained calm, his thoughts seemed to wander deeper as he listened. This behavior truly revealed the deep scheming of Emperor Liu Bian. While he appeared friendly, his true thoughts and intentions were difficult to grasp.

Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly, and a curious look gradually emerged on his face. Then he slowly swept his eyes over the crowd and asked everyone in a slightly inquiring tone: "Oh? Is Lu Bu really so brave?" When the generals heard this, they immediately echoed Lu Bu's bravery one after another, and described Lu Bu's miraculous performance on the battlefield vividly, as if Lu Bu was invincible like a devil.

Meanwhile, Liu Bian sat at his ease, his gaze calmly yet sharply fixed on the princes in the hall. After a moment, he gently opened his lips and said leisurely, "Uncle." Although his voice was not loud, it seemed to have a strange penetrating power, echoing clearly within the tent.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei hurried forward with a nervous yet respectful expression. He quickly bowed and said in a slightly hurried but firm voice, "Your Majesty." Liu Bian fixed his eyes on Liu Bei and said in a seemingly calm but meaningful tone, "Uncle, I have heard that your generals Guan and Zhang are both very brave. I would like to know if it is possible to let them fight Lü Bu."

When Liu Bian said this, Liu Bei's heart couldn't help but tremble violently. His face instantly became extremely serious, and his eyes revealed a determination. He replied loudly without hesitation: "I obey the emperor's order." This short and powerful answer echoed in the tent, as if carrying a heavy weight.

This exchange between the two men invisibly elevated the emperor's status. At this moment, the princes within the tent, listening to this exchange, felt a strange sensation within them. They felt a sense of invisible oppression from the emperor's words and demeanor. While they were at their wits' end against Lü Bu, the emperor's calm and composed command made them fully aware of their own incompetence and insignificance. The emperor used this opportunity to silently accuse them of their previous disdain for him, while also subtly consolidating and enhancing his authority in the hearts of the people. Under this pressure, they could not help but feel awe towards the emperor.

After hearing what Liu Bian said, the two generals Guan and Zhang immediately clasped their fists and stepped out. They looked solemn and determined. After respectfully paying homage to the emperor, they looked down at the princes in the tents in the hall with a hint of arrogance in their eyes, and then strode out of the tent with determination.

At this point, Liu Bian smiled faintly and said, "All of you may go to the front of the formation and watch the battle." With that, Liu Bian, accompanied by Zhao Yun and Lu Zhi, led the way out of the tent. Liu Bei, Yuan Shao, and the others followed suit, and then Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan also walked out of the tent. The other nobles in the hall looked at each other, and finally their eyes fell on Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao gritted his teeth, and although he was extremely reluctant, he had no choice but to follow the others out to watch the battle. For a moment, everyone's mood was extremely complicated. In this tense atmosphere, it seemed that a decisive battle was about to begin.

In the intervening seconds, Lü Bu had already returned to his main formation, about to personally confront Generals Pan Feng and Wu Anguo. But just then, from outside the formation, Zhang Fei's thunderous roar reached him: "Lü Bu, I've heard you're a formidable martial artist. Come out and fight your Grandfather Zhang for 300 rounds!" Lü Bu's fury was uncontrollable. Instantly, he seized his Fang Tian Hua Ji, mounted his Red Hare, and charged at the front of the formation like lightning. Zhang Fei's excitement at the sight of Lü Bu's appearance unfurled, his eyes blazing with passion. Brandishing his Zhang Ba Snake Spear, he charged at Lü Bu like a tiger descending a mountain, and in the blink of an eye, they were engaged in combat.

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, his face etched with fury. He held his zhangba snake spear in hand and, roaring like a black whirlwind, charged at Lü Bu. His momentum was unstoppable, like a tiger descending from a mountain. Undaunted, Lü Bu, a flicker of pride in his eyes, brandished his halberd to meet his blow, and the two engaged in a fierce battle. Each of Zhang Fei's strikes was powerful and devastating, his spear shadows lashing out at Lü Bu like a raging storm. Each thrust carried overwhelming force, the gleaming cold light from the spearhead threatening to rend the very air. Lü Bu's moves were fierce, his halberd dancing like a dragon, whistling like the wind. He stabbed, deflected, and parried, effortlessly neutralizing Zhang Fei's surging onslaught.

After a short battle, Zhang Fei began to feel the strain, his spearmanship becoming somewhat erratic. After all, Lü Bu's bravery was unmatched. Seeing this, Guan Yu's eyes widened, a gleam of brilliance. He held up his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, its eighty-two-jin blade gleaming with a chilling light in the sunlight. With a roar, Guan Yu charged forward, joining the fray like a flash of lightning. Guan Yu's swordsmanship was unparalleled, each strike carrying a powerful force that seemed to shatter the heavens and earth. The sound of the blade piercing the air resembled the roar of a dragon and the roar of a tiger. Guan Yu's entry instantly intensified the situation. He and Zhang Fei attacked Lü Bu from both sides, their swords flashing and spears intertwining in a fierce battle. Lü Bu remained unfazed by the combined attacks, his expression stern as he responded calmly. His painted halberd wielded like a dragon, attacking and defending, he engaged Guan and Zhang in a fierce, chaotic battle.

However, after a prolonged battle, Lü Bu still held his ground. At this point, Liu Bei, wielding a double-edged sword, also rode out and joined the fray. His swordsmanship was agile, and he coordinated seamlessly with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. The three surrounded Lü Bu, engaging in a revolving battle.

On the battlefield, the four figures intertwined and tangled like a whirlwind. Lü Bu's face was grim, and the halberd in his hand emitted bursts of cold light. Each strike was incredibly powerful, as he attempted to break through the encirclement of the three heroes.

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, roaring furiously. His Zhangba Snake Spear, like a venomous snake, stabbed at Lü Bu's vital points repeatedly. The gleaming cold light from the spear tip was like a star-speckled astral image, each strike imbued with immense ferocity and brutality. Guan Yu, with a solemn expression, wielded his Azure Dragon Crescent Blade with vigorous force. Each strike seemed to split mountains and split rock. His mighty aura pressed down on Lü Bu like a mountain bearing down on him.

Liu Bei was also calm and composed. His double-sword moves were dense and seemed light but contained hidden secrets. Sometimes he would stab at Lu Bu's flaws, sometimes he would disrupt his rhythm, and he worked closely with Guan and Zhang.

Lü Bu fought back with all his might, his halberd wielding a series of phantoms that clashed with the weapons of the three, sending forth countless sparks. He dodged sideways, then swiftly struck back, each movement a ghostly specter. The four men's horses also galloped fiercely, their hooves kicking up clouds of dust that seemed to shake the very world upside down.

As the battle dragged on, Lü Bu felt the pressure mount, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. But he was a peerless warrior, and he wouldn't give in easily. With a roar, he unleashed his full strength, swinging his halberd with all his might. A swift, swift blast of energy swept forth, forcing Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to retreat slightly. But Liu Bei quickly countered with a piercing thrust of his double-edged sword, forcing Lü Bu to once again respond with all his might.

At this moment, the atmosphere on the battlefield was extremely tense, and everyone stared at this thrilling battle with wide eyes. The four of them fought back and forth, and the battle was difficult to determine.

Under the combined might of the three generals, even Lü Bu, a formidable warrior, was gradually losing his resistance. Zhang Fei's serpent spear was like a raging dragon emerging from the sea, Guan Yu's crescent-shaped blade pierced the air like thunder, and Liu Bei's twin swords resembled spirit snakes. The three generals' attacks were as intense and fierce as a torrential downpour.

Lü Bu's face was grim, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, and his movements began to sluggish. Just then, Zhang Fei swept his spear across with tremendous force. Lü Bu hurriedly blocked it, but the overwhelming force still staggered him. Guan Yu seized the opportunity and slashed with his sword. The wind whistled, and Lü Bu narrowly dodged it, but a pheasant feather fluttering overhead was swept away. The feather fluttered and fell, as if symbolizing Lü Bu's current predicament.

Lü Bu knew he couldn't continue in this stalemate, so he fought and retreated, trying to find a chance to break free from the three men. He seized a gap and swung his halberd vigorously, forcing the three men back a small step. Then, taking advantage of this brief moment, he turned his horse and galloped towards his own formation like a gust of wind.