Battle

Lu Bu didn't even look at him. Sensing Wang Yue's killing intent approaching, he quickly raised the Fangtian Halberd to intercept Wang Yue's attack, thrusting the halberd head straight towards Wang Yue's chest.

When Wang Yue leaped to attack Lu Bu, it seemed impossible for him to turn and reposition while in mid-air. Lu Bu's Fangtian Halberd was about to strike Wang Yue, and the soldiers watching were already preparing to applaud Lu Bu.

Wang Yue, being the great swordsman he was, managed to twist in mid-air, lowering his body to evade Lu Bu's halberd. The precious sword, abandoned by Lu Bu, now aimed at the Red Hare. Wang Yue had astutely observed that Lu Bu had a deep affection for the Red Hare, and he intended to exploit this weakness.

Creating an illusion of a full-force attack on Lu Bu, Wang Yue deceived Lu Bu. Lu Bu's previous interception failed, and he could only watch as Wang Yue's sword approached the Red Hare.

The Red Hare was highly intelligent and had sensed Wang Yue's ill intentions. Seeing the sword approaching, it jumped more than three feet high, narrowly avoiding Wang Yue's lethal strike. Filled with resentment towards Wang Yue's malice, the Red Hare lifted its hind legs and delivered a fierce kick, sending Wang Yue flying a yard away.

Wang Yue touched his back and felt a large lump from the powerful kick the Red Hare had delivered.

Seeing that Wang Yue intended to force him into an on-foot battle by targeting his mount once again, Lu Bu, feeling pity for the Red Hare, decided to dismount. He had the Red Guard protect the Red Hare, preparing to engage in a foot battle with Wang Yue.

However, Lu Bu harbored fear for Wang Yue's elusive movements and swift swordsmanship. Unable to show weakness in front of all the soldiers, he reluctantly put aside the long halberd unsuitable for a foot battle, drew the Seven Star Sword, and prepared to confront Wang Yue.

Just as Lu Bu found himself in a difficult position, a hearty voice suddenly rang out, "Master Swordsman Wang, why are you enemies with my son-in-law?"

Wang Yue turned his head and saw that it was none other than Yan Mu, a prominent merchant in Bingzhou and a good friend.

Twenty years ago, Wang Yue had traveled in Bingzhou, exhausted his money, and almost sold the Qingming Sword. Fortunately, Yan Mu generously helped him out of the predicament.

Relying on Yan Mu's support, Wang Yue came to Luoyang seeking an official position. Many years had passed, and Wang Yue had not obtained a prominent official position. Avoiding Yan Mu out of embarrassment for not being able to repay his kindness, Wang Yue hadn't met Yan Mu for many years.

Wang Yue inserted the Qingming Sword into its scabbard, a somewhat ashamed expression on his face. He half-bowed and said, "Brother Yan, I am ashamed. I've wasted half my life, squandering the efforts you put into me. I truly have no face to see you."

Yan Mu approached and helped Wang Yue up, walking into the tent together. "Brother, why speak like this? When I helped you out of trouble, it was based on your chivalrous spirit, defending justice and helping the people. I didn't expect anything in return. Why should Brother avoid me for a temporary predicament? We are not strangers."

Seeing that the battle couldn't continue, Lu Bu ordered the Red Guard to clean up the aftermath. He slung the Seven Star Sword and followed these two old men into the tent.

The more Yan Mu praised him, the more ashamed Wang Yue felt. He had to change the subject. "Brother Yan, earlier you mentioned that Lu Bu is your son-in-law?"

Yan Mu chuckled, "Ten years ago, my daughter married. I sent someone to invite you, but the servant reported you had gone to Helan Mountain."

Wang Yue's face revealed a trace of resentment. "Ten years ago, our Great Han army was fighting the Qiang rebels with difficulties. The emperor was furious, so I decided to ease the emperor's worries. I rode alone to Helan Mountain, intending to bring back the head of the Qiang tribal leader as an offering to the emperor, hoping to soothe his benevolent heart. Who could have expected that, because I didn't have money to bribe the Ten Eunuchs, they denied that it was the head of the Qiang leader. They even drove me out with sticks. I was dismissed from my previous position as Tiger Guard Lieutenant."

Lu Bu nodded inwardly. He had been curious about why Wang Yue, who had achieved great merit by killing the Qiang tribal leader, didn't secure a decent official position. Now, the hidden truth was revealed.

Yan Mu smiled and said, "Now that the eunuchs have been eliminated, there are no more villains in the court. Brother, your day to rise is not far."

Shaking his head, Wang Yue, disheartened, said, "Over the past ten years, I've seen the true faces of the Yuan family and other aristocratic clans. They only see me as a mere warrior, fit only for guarding their homes and instructing their children in martial arts. All promises of official appointments are empty, never fulfilled, simply because I come from a humble background!"

Though he had spent only a short time with Wang Yue, Yan Mu understood his old friend well. Patting his shoulder, Yan Mu smiled and asked, "My son-in-law, Lu Bu, also comes from a humble background. Why is he in such a high position as the Glorious Vanguard?"

Wang Yue looked at Yan Mu in confusion. "Brother Yan, isn't it because he coincidentally saved the Empress Dowager, the Young Emperor, and the Prince of Chenliu?"

Yan Mu, with a somewhat resentful gaze, looked at Wang Yue. "Brother, if you had saved the Empress Dowager and the others, would you not have been granted the title of Glorious Vanguard?"

Lu Bu lightly shook his head. No wonder this guy, Wang Yue, couldn't secure any official position despite half a lifetime of effort; his political acumen was too lacking.

After some hesitation, Wang Yue said, "I suppose I would have been rewarded, especially for saving the Empress Dowager and the others. That's a great achievement."

Shaking his head, Yan Mu said, "Brother, if you want to be an official, you have to understand the dynamics within the court. General-in-Chief He Jin was plotted against by the eunuchs, and after the eunuchs were eliminated by Yuan Shao's faction, now Dong Zhuo in the west of Luoyang is eyeing treacherously. Yuan Shao's faction gathers day and night, attempting to control the court. Without the protection of General-in-Chief He Jin and the eunuchs, the imperial power is weakening. To protect herself, the Empress Dowager had no choice but to rope in Lu Bu, who possesses a military force not under the control of Yuan Shao's faction. In addition to Lu Bu's merit of saving the Empress Dowager and others, the Empress Dowager, with a strategic move, appointed Lu Bu as the Glorious Vanguard and tasked him with controlling the remnants of He Jin and He Miao. Only then could the Empress Dowager safeguard the imperial power from being exploited by Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao, and others."

As a mere merchant, Yan Mu naturally couldn't comprehend such a situation. It was the information that Lu Bu had shared with him a few hours ago. He reiterated the information to Wang Yue.

Even with Yan Mu's clear explanation, Wang Yue only realized it now. "Everyone is just a pawn on the chessboard. My personal swordsmanship is far from enough to become a pawn for certain individuals, so I wasn't highly regarded. Take Dong Zhuo, for example. Although he comes from a wealthy family, he is a commoner, not a noble. The court needs him to counter the Qiang tribes, so he was entrusted with an important task. Zhu Jun, also a commoner, gained prestige through meritorious deeds in the military. Therefore, the court is eager to win him over."

Nodding, Yan Mu said, "Brother, today you've understood. I'm happy for you."

Wang Yue, always proud of his exquisite swordsmanship and considering himself highly talented, had been unwilling to serve in the military, leading to half a lifetime of missed opportunities. If he had joined the military and followed Lu Bu, his future would have been limitless.