Chapter 42: breakout

Lu Bu's fury burned like a raging fire as he turned his attention to the relentless pursuit of the leopard-headed warrior, Zhang Fei. His determination to break through the encirclement was unwavering, and he was prepared to face Zhang Fei head-on.

Zhang Fei, with his imposing presence and formidable martial skills, was not to be underestimated. He had a reputation as one of the most fearsome warriors of his time, and he was determined to capture or defeat Lu Bu.

As the two legendary warriors clashed, the battlefield shook with their fierce combat. The clash of their weapons sent sparks flying, and the earth trembled under the weight of their horses. It was a battle of titans, a duel between two of the greatest warriors of the era.

Lu Bu's Fang Tianhua halberd danced like a whirlwind, its arcs of light leaving trails in the air. He attacked with precision and power, aiming to break through Zhang Fei's defenses. Zhang Fei, on the other hand, wielded his serpent spear with incredible speed and ferocity, creating a deadly dance of steel in response to Lu Bu's every move.

The clash between these two warriors was a sight to behold, a symphony of battle cries and clashing weapons. Both fighters were pushed to their limits, each trying to gain the upper hand in this deadly dance of combat.

Back at the encirclement, Hua Xiong and the Xiliang Iron Cavalry were doing their best to open a path for Lu Bu's escape. Their powerful charge and relentless assault were causing chaos among the Qingzhou and Bingzhou armies, exploiting the weaknesses in their formations.

Tao Qian, Kong Rong, and Zhang Yang struggled to maintain order in their troops as the Xiliang Iron Cavalry wreaked havoc. They had not anticipated such a swift and daring breakout attempt by Lu Bu. With their forces in disarray, they found it challenging to mount an effective defense.

Lu Bu's relentless pursuit of Zhang Fei continued. The two warriors were evenly matched in skill and strength, and neither was willing to yield an inch. The outcome of their duel remained uncertain, but Lu Bu knew that time was of the essence. He needed to break through and regroup with Hua Xiong and the Xiliang Iron Cavalry to stand a chance against the coalition forces.

Meanwhile, Gao Shun led the Northern Army in a desperate escape, exploiting the chaos caused by Hua Xiong's charge. Their path was fraught with danger, as they had to navigate through the disordered enemy forces to reach safety.

The fate of Lu Bu and his forces hung in the balance. With the coalition forces closing in, their determination and battle prowess would be put to the ultimate test. The outcome of this pivotal moment in history would shape the destiny of these legendary warriors.

Zhang Fei's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched his prized serpent spear, the weapon that had accompanied him through countless battles, being taken by Lu Bu so effortlessly. It was a shocking turn of events, and he was left dumbfounded.

With the serpent spear secured on Chitu's back, Lu Bu turned his attention to the other two brothers, Guan Yu and Liu Bei, who had rushed to Zhang Fei's aid. The two brothers were a formidable duo, known for their unwavering loyalty and martial prowess.

Lu Bu knew that facing all three brothers simultaneously would be a daunting challenge, even for a warrior of his caliber. With the serpent spear in his possession, he had achieved one of his objectives – disrupting the unity of the three brothers. Now, he needed to find an opportunity to break free from their pursuit.

As Guan Yu and Liu Bei approached, Lu Bu calculated his options. He couldn't afford to waste too much time on this skirmish, as the coalition forces were closing in, and he needed to regroup with Hua Xiong and the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.

Making a quick decision, Lu Bu raised his halberd, creating a defensive stance. He used his formidable combat skills to fend off the attacks of Guan Yu and Liu Bei. Although he was outnumbered, Lu Bu's mastery of martial arts and his legendary Red Hare mount gave him an advantage in mobility and agility.

The battle raged on, with Lu Bu desperately defending against the relentless assaults of the two brothers. He aimed to create an opening that would allow him to break free and escape the encirclement.

In the distance, the chaos caused by Hua Xiong and the Xiliang Iron Cavalry continued to disrupt the coalition forces' formation. Tao Qian, Kong Rong, and Zhang Yang struggled to regain control of their troops as they faced the relentless assault.

Lu Bu knew that time was running out, and he needed to make a decisive move. With a burst of strength and speed, he executed a series of lightning-fast strikes, putting tremendous pressure on Guan Yu and Liu Bei. The brothers were forced to focus on their defense, giving Lu Bu the opportunity he needed.

In a daring maneuver, Lu Bu urged Chitu forward, breaking through the gaps in their defenses. With the serpent spear in his possession and Gao Shun leading the Northern Army, he charged toward the chaotic battlefield where Hua Xiong was wreaking havoc.

The three brothers, now separated from each other, watched as Lu Bu and his forces made their escape. They knew that this encounter was far from over and that their paths would cross again in the future.