Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ma Chao hurried dustily toward the capital. The closer he got, the more news flooded in, pounding his mind. Doubt and confusion filled Ma Chao's heart. He heard that General He Jin had been killed. A little further on, he heard that the Ten Eunuchs had been executed. Then came word that the emperor was missing. And then there was news that Lu Zhi, a traitor, had abducted the emperor. This flurry of news exploded in Ma Chao's mind like thunder, further fueling his already anxious and complex emotions.

Ma Chao rode at top speed, barely pausing. His face grew increasingly haggard, his once handsome features now veiled in a haze of fatigue. His eyes were bloodshot, revealing a deep worry and anxiety. His hair was tangled from the journey, and his clothes were stained with dust, making him look disheveled and dejected. But he ignored all this, determined only to reach Luoyang as quickly as possible and find out what was happening. His appearance was both heartbreaking and inspiring, a testament to his perseverance and determination.

Outside Luoyang, Dong Zhuo's forces and Ding Yuan's army remained locked in a tense standoff. Lü Bu, atop his warhorse, galloped proudly back and forth in front of the city walls, provoking them with unbridled provocation. Faced with this situation, Dong Zhuo's forces within the city were deeply demoralized. However, in a duel of generals, they were no match for Lü Bu. Several of Dong Zhuo's generals were defeated one after another, completely unable to withstand this invincible god of war.

Dong Zhuo, on the other hand, could neither abandon the safety of Luoyang nor engage in a large-scale battle with Ding Yuan's army outside the city, nor could he cope with the immense pressure posed by Lü Bu. As for Ding Yuan, he also refused to allow Lü Bu to lead his troops in a true siege, leaving the two sides in a daily stalemate. This situation gradually made Lü Bu increasingly restless, secretly annoyed that he could never fight to his full potential, unable to unleash his full strength. This stalemate left him extremely frustrated.

Each time he returned from a retreat, Lü Bu would report back to Ding Yuan with a displeased expression, eagerly stating that if he had been allowed to fight to the hilt, Luoyang might have been taken long ago. However, Ding Yuan would mercilessly rebuke Lü Bu as a mindless wretch, accusing him of being a mere warrior, who only knew how to fight and kill. Lü Bu would feel a surge of resentment at hearing these rebukes. His prowess was well-known, even frightening Dong Zhuo's army. Yet, Ding Yuan turned a blind eye to all this, assigning him a civilian position while constantly calling him a mere wretch.

Lü Bu would often privately vent his frustrations to Ding Yuan, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun. Zhang Liao, a thoughtful and thoughtful person, would often come to his aid, patiently urging him to be patient. Gao Shun, on the other hand, was a reserved man, offering no soothing words. He would simply silently accompany Lü Bu, keeping him company and calming his restless heart. With their companionship, Lü Bu's annoyance would only be slightly alleviated, but the resentment he felt within him would never dissipate.

Ma Chao finally arrived in Luoyang, exhausted and dusty. From afar, he saw two armies clashing outside the city walls, their cries of battle resoundingly high. On one side, the attacking army, led by Bingzhou Governor Ding Yuan, bore the fluttering banner of his troops, eager and furious. On the other side, the defenders, led by Dong Zhuo of Xiliang, fluttered in the wind, their troops braced for battle. However, the situation on the battlefield was puzzling. No matter how the attackers challenged them, Dong Zhuo's army simply stood still, watching Lü Bu with hushed defiance. Ma Chao was momentarily bewildered.

Finally, under the relentless provocations of Ding Yuan's men, Dong Zhuo's forces could no longer hold back and opened the city gates. From afar, a general led his troops charging out. This man was none other than Hua Xiong, formerly the foremost general of Xiliang. Leading a tidal wave of troops, Hua Xiong charged fiercely onto the battlefield, his horse's hooves kicking up clouds of dust as he and Lü Bu collided instantly. The two engaged in a fierce clash, the clash of weapons and the cries of battle intertwined in a breathtaking display.

After just a few rounds, Hua Xiong was steadily losing ground under Lü Bu's immense offensive power. His moves seemed powerless against Lü Bu's, and he was quickly and easily defeated. The attacker in this battle was none other than the immensely powerful Lü Bu, his towering, imposing figure standing out on the battlefield. Lü Bu, having long lost his patience in the repeated provocations and duels, now gleamed with murderous intent in his eyes. He wielded his Fang Tian Hua Ji and pursued Hua Xiong relentlessly, determined to slay him.

There was a cold murderous intent flashing in Lu Bu's eyes as he drove his warhorse in relentless pursuit. The Fang Tian Hua Ji was swung with a whistling sound. It seemed that Hua Xiong was about to die under this terrifying attack.

At this crucial moment, Ma Chao, like a flash of lightning, leaped onto his horse, spear in hand, charging into the battle array with unstoppable momentum. His white robe rustled in the wind, his silver spear flashing with a cold gleam. In an instant, he reached Lü Bu and, with a flick of his spear, deflected Lü Bu's Fang Tian Hua Ji, which was about to strike Hua Xiong, successfully saving him. Everyone on the battlefield was stunned by this sudden turn of events. For a moment, a brief silence fell, as all eyes were focused on the brave young general, Ma Chao.

Ma Chao arrived like a brilliant meteor, his arrival like a sudden, blazing fire in the darkness. The already low morale of the Western Liang army surged like a volcano, giving it an unprecedented boost. The soldiers gazed at the awe-inspiring Ma Chao, their eyes gleaming with excitement. They shouted his name at the top of their lungs, their voices resounding and surging, their voices piercing the heavens.

Hua Xiong was so excited that he couldn't control himself. His face turned red with extreme excitement, and he kept expressing the gratitude in his heart that was as surging as a tide in a trembling voice.

The moment Lü Bu laid eyes on Ma Chao, his gaze instantly lit up, and he felt a deep interest in Ma Chao's arrival. After a brief exchange with Ma Chao, Lü Bu was deeply moved. He clearly and keenly perceived Ma Chao's mastery of martial arts, reaching such an awe-inspiring level that he was undoubtedly a formidable opponent. An indescribable surge of excitement and joy welled up within Lü Bu, realizing that an opponent worthy of his full effort and serious consideration had finally appeared. His blood began to boil, and every cell in his body seemed to rejoice. He knew that a battle with such a peer would be a thrilling and exhilarating one, and this supremely skilled warrior was filled with anticipation and excitement.

Lü Bu suddenly and abruptly shouted his challenge, a voice that resonated across the battlefield like a thunderbolt from the blue sky, carrying with it an unparalleled aura and majesty. Ma Chao, preoccupied with the battle situation, had no time to exchange words with Hua Xiong. Without hesitation, he accepted Lü Bu's challenge and immediately confronted him face to face.

The two men, their expressions serious and stern, briefly exchanged names before launching into a fierce, swift exchange of blows. Their figures moved like the wind, their weapons wielded with lightning speed. Every clash sent sparks flying, and the clash of spears and halberds echoed relentlessly across the battlefield like thunder. In the blink of an eye, they had already engaged in forty or fifty rounds of blows, yet neither side had yet determined a clear winner. But in this clash of masters, every moment was filled with thrilling danger, every round fraught with peril, and the slightest misstep could lead to a desperate situation.

In the midst of this fierce battle, Dong Zhuo, alarmed by Ma Chao's arrival, hurried to the city walls to observe the fray. As his gaze fell upon the fierce battle between the two, perceiving the dangers lurking at every turn, he was overcome with deep concern for Ma Chao's safety. He quickly and decisively ordered his troops to retreat. Upon hearing the urgent call to retreat, Ma Chao knew he could no longer fight. He quickly feinted at Lü Bu, then, like lightning, turned and galloped towards Luoyang. Lü Bu, fully aware that he could not truly defeat Ma Chao in his current situation, did not pursue him. Instead, he brazenly displayed his might and prestige before returning to his own camp, his pride and arrogance fully displayed.