Chapter 17: Dark Lu Bu (Part 1)

"Lu Bu, the general is asking for you!" a former comrade sneered as he approached Lu Bu, his tone dripping with condescension.

The envious ones are always the weakest!

This was a truth that Lu Bu had learned over the past five years. In this camp, he had contributed the most, yet he was the most disdained. But that was fine. After this battle, everything would change!

Ignoring the taunt, Lu Bu stood up slowly and strode towards the center of the barracks. In his mind, he recalled the time when he gave a gift to Li Zheng at his father's suggestion. If he hadn't been so eager for quick success, would the outcome have been different?

Thinking of Yingzheng's unpleasant face, Lu Bu's determination to stand his ground only grew stronger. There were some people in this world who were simply incompatible with each other.

"Lu Bu, are you certain this is the safest position?" Yingzheng held a map and frowned when he saw Lu Bu approaching. Xiaoqinghe was located in the wilderness, with no significant terrain features nearby. In winter, the Xiaoqing River froze over, making it far from a safe location.

"The general's intention is for our army to draw the enemy deeper in, not to find safety," Lu Bu replied, paying little attention to the map. After participating in numerous battles over the past five years, he had become familiar with the terrain within a radius of hundreds of miles. Although Xiaoqinghe was not strategically significant, it was hard to go unnoticed if people were present. This was Lu Bu's way of exacting revenge for his battalion, and it was his last chance for the battalion to achieve anything. If he couldn't gain recognition through his life, then he would use his life to turn this battalion into a powerful force!

"What is the meaning of this?" Yingzheng stared at Lu Bu, his eyes unusually sharp today, making him even more repulsive. The open disdain in those eyes made Yingzheng feel as though he had been outwitted by a petty thief.

"In the past five years, I've fought in seventy-six battles, and in every battle, I've been at the forefront. During these five years, I've killed 367 people, including thirteen Hu clan centurions. These merits are more than sufficient to make me a battalion officer in your place. However, for the past five years, all you've done is suppress and exploit me!" Lu Bu looked at Yingzheng, a trace of disdain in his eyes. He also knew they had time to rest at home. The border only went south for border closure, and before that, the border officers and soldiers could take turns to rest.

Lu Bu hadn't had a single day off in the past five years. He knew that no one would care about him not being promoted, but he couldn't face going home without success.

"Lu Bu, do you think you're the only one capable of fighting in this army!?" Another powerful general standing beside Yingzheng stood up and pointed at Lu Bu, shouting angrily.

"I don't care whether I'm the only capable one or not, but you'll find out very soon. Although Xiaoqing River isn't the only route for Hu cavalry to pass through, if there are people here, the Hu will surely detect it. If you don't hold this position, the Hu cavalry's supply lines will be at risk." Lu Bu's mind was unusually clear at this moment, and the anger that had been suppressed for five years erupted. He looked at the crowd and said with a smirk, "This battalion is here to lure the enemy's main force."

"Lu Bu, do not spout nonsense. Everyone acknowledges your contributions over the years," one of the team members hesitated, looking at Lu Bu and saying, "After this battle, I will make sure the general knows about your merits."

"Kill him!" Lu Bu pointed at Yingzheng, his face twisted with hatred.

"Lu Bu, killing a comrade is a grave offense!" another team member stated firmly.

"Then I'm already a grave offender. Since death looms on both sides, why should I help you avoid punishment?" Lu Bu finished speaking, inserted his knife into the ground, and sat down cross-legged. It was ironic that his best skills were with bows and arrows and longer weapons, yet Ying Zheng had relegated him to being a swordsman.

"Do you even have the heart to let these brothers live and die here with you!?" the first team member who had spoken said angrily.

"You've been with me for five years. You're part of the military now. Who would dare say Lu Bu hasn't contributed?!" Lu Bu suddenly raised his head, his cold eyes flashing with a chilling light in the darkness. He sent shivers down everyone's spines. "Today, what you owe me must be repaid. If you want to live, you'll make a cut on him. If you manage to survive this battle, we'll be brothers bound by life and death when we return. But if you're unwilling, then stay here and die with Lu Bu!"

"Lu Bu, you..."

"You owe me!" Before anyone could finish their sentence, Lu Bu abruptly raised his head and gazed at everyone. "Today, you have only two choices: either kill this man with a thousand cuts, or I'll wait here and die alongside you!"