Chapter 16: The beating of the world

"No, you're the only son of our family. You haven't taken over the family line yet. What's the point of joining the army?" Father Lu was shocked by the idea of Lu Bu enlisting in the army. He couldn't fathom why, after the family's situation had finally improved, Lu Bu would want to join the military.

"I don't want to spend my entire life just farming. I want to join the army, make a name for myself, and rise above," Lu Bu declared firmly. Regardless of whether he was in the dream world or the real world, Lu Bu was not an ordinary person. Perhaps he sought recognition and admiration from others, or perhaps he was driven by a natural inclination for risk-taking. Regardless, he was unwilling to live a mundane life where he could predict his every move.

The allure of the life simulator was strong. Even though he understood it was a dream, Lu Bu found himself unconsciously becoming more deeply entrenched in the world. He integrated into the world and its rules, even without realizing it.

"Farming won't put your life in danger," Father Lu countered. "If you die in battle, who will carry on our family line? Who will inherit the incense?"

"What's the difference between men and women? They're both human. Besides, I might not die in battle," Lu Bu argued, a hint of anger in his voice.

"She's a woman! When she marries and has children, her descendants will carry a different surname. How will that reflect on our family?" Father Lu, who had always been kind and gentle, took a firm stance.

"If I'm stuck in this life forever, what's the point? Without control over my own fate, why bother coming to this world at all?" Lu Bu's voice grew louder.

"Pa~" Father Lu's hand slapped Lu Bu's face. However, his eyes held no anger; instead, they revealed an emotion that Lu Bu had never seen before. Human eyes were complex, conveying layers of feelings. In that moment, Lu Bu could sense a deep loneliness.

"You're free to go if you wish. First, leave behind an heir for the Lu family. After that, I'll have nothing to do with you," Father Lu said, his expression conveying a sense of solitude. With those words, he walked into the house.

Lu Bu's heart was a mixture of emotions. Watching Father Lu's retreating figure, he felt an indescribable unease in his chest. At the same time, a sense of relief washed over him. He was finally free to pursue his ambitions.

Thus, Lu Bu no longer resisted matchmaking. He diligently farmed, hunted, and prepared betrothal gifts. From the various prospective brides, he selected the most attractive based on some semblance of affinity. Even in his dreams, he maintained some standards.

Despite the family's modest progress, they couldn't afford the extravagance of wealthy households. With Li Zheng and Lu Hong as witnesses, Lu Bu married the most beautiful woman from a neighboring village. She proved to be a diligent and filial daughter-in-law, caring for her in-laws and Lu Bu's younger sister. Lu Bu felt she was a good woman. Three months after their marriage, she became pregnant. Lu Bu initially considered leaving, but his father's firm opposition made him reconsider. He agreed to wait until after the child was born.

Lu Bu grudgingly acknowledged his father's reasoning. As reluctant as he was, he couldn't be callous towards his own family. Despite his personal feelings, he resolved to ensure his wife lived a good life. For the next year, Lu Bu remained by her side. Their son was born during that time. After making sure his wife and child were well taken care of, Lu Bu decided it was time to leave.

Determined to join the army, Lu Bu actively sought information about nearby military conflicts. To stand out, he selected the most dangerous battlegrounds. He aimed to earn his own merits and gain recognition through hard work and determination.

However, he seemed to forget that, despite his remarkable archery skills, he lacked real combat experience and courage. The brutal reality of war hit him hard. As a new recruit, Lu Bu's leadership skills were limited, and he was assigned to be a sword and shield soldier.

In the military, without the advantage of real-world skills and connections, ascending the ranks was challenging for Lu Bu. He participated in dozens of border battles, but his efforts often went unrecognized. The credit for his accomplishments fell to others, and promotions eluded him. His contentious relationship with Shangguan further hindered his prospects. Even when he attempted to promote his subordinates, it was never his turn.

Lu Bu felt a growing resentment. Despite being the strongest, he was constantly overshadowed by less capable individuals. He struggled to accept this reality. The more he fought, the less recognition he received. Comrades who had previously criticized him transformed into different people upon promotion, offering no assistance and even suppressing him alongside others.

Five years later, at the border fortress of Xiaoqinghe (a fictional location), Lu Bu and his unit camped, waiting for orders. Their mission was to lure Hu cavalry into attacking them, then lead the enemy into a previously set ambush.

From a distance, their superior berated the officer who had orchestrated this mission. He was sending them to their deaths!

Or was he?

Sitting beside a bonfire on the outer edge of the camp, Lu Bu stirred the flames with a knife. The flickering light painted his face with an uncertain glow. Instead of the vitality he had five years prior, he now appeared gloomy and resentful. Despite his exceptional prowess, he was merely an ordinary soldier in this dream world, unable to stand out among his peers. He relied on hard work to earn military achievements, yet his accomplishments rarely led to recognition. He exchanged his life for promotions, but no one ever expressed gratitude.

He thought of his wife, his children, and his parents. Violent thoughts stirred within him, but he suppressed them. He had been a vanguard for five years, promoted only within his unit. Despite enduring the scorn and mockery of those who joined the army after him, he fought in silence, with a single purpose: to transform his unit into a formidable force in the eyes of others.

Over the past five years, he had offered valuable insights to his superiors multiple times. His predictions had consistently been accurate, helping their unit pinpoint enemy vulnerabilities. Consequently, their unit gained a reputation as a formidable force. However, in this campaign, Hu forces were advancing south, and their strongest unit, led by Shangguan, known as the "Tiger of the Border," was positioned where strength was needed most.