Chapter 50: Dian Wei

The roar had come from the riverside, and it struck terror into several soldiers who hadn't flinched during yesterday's battle. When Lu Bu approached, the riverside had emptied, leaving only a few still-unconscious corpses lying in place.

For most people, a sighting of a tiger might never happen in their lifetime. Lu Bu himself had been born in the borderlands and had only encountered wild beasts like wolves. But now, for the first time in his life, he faced a real tiger.

Perhaps it was his fearless nature as a martial artist, or perhaps he had simply grown accustomed to danger. Lu Bu felt no fear upon encountering the tiger. He still appeared imposing and powerful, and he'd heard that tiger meat was highly nourishing, though he had never tasted it.

"Ow~" The tiger bore several prominent scars on its body, indicating previous battles. Now, as it saw Lu Bu approaching, it instinctively opened its mouth and roared.

"General, watch out!" A soldier from the Northern Army, who likely had experience with tigers, issued a loud warning. "An injured tiger is even more dangerous."

Lu Bu was well aware of this fact. Just as an injured wolf beyond the Great Wall was more aggressive, an injured tiger was similarly dangerous. However, Lu Bu felt no immediate threat. While he had eaten some horse meat the previous night, it wasn't enough. Seeing a fierce tiger early in the morning, Lu Bu's first thought was to capture it, roast it, or cook it.

Yet, at this moment, Lu Bu was more curious about the tiger in the wilderness. He had heard countless stories about the tiger's strength, but this was his first time witnessing it. The tiger's wounds were still fresh, and they seemed more like injuries inflicted by humans rather than the result of a battle with other animals.

Given that it could be injured by humans, Lu Bu began to doubt the legends surrounding the tiger's invincibility. It shouldn't pose a threat to him, but it was still a formidable creature with a powerful physique.

On the other side, the wounded tiger eyed the creature before it with a wary expression. It couldn't discern the intentions of these strangers, and it didn't dare to move. Periodically, it bared its teeth at Lu Bu, trying to intimidate him into retreating.

"What do you say we take this evil tiger back to town and cook it later?" Lu Bu turned to Gao Shun, who was following closely.

"General, please be cautious!" Just as Lu Bu turned his head, the wounded tiger suddenly crouched to the ground and then leaped high into the air, directly pouncing toward Lu Bu. Startled soldiers shouted out warnings, and some rushed towards the scene. But simultaneously, Lu Bu spun around and revealed that the Fang Tianhua halberd had appeared in his hand. In an instant, he thrust the chilling weapon into the tiger's open mouth, impaling it.

With a forceful push of the halberd, Lu Bu killed the fierce mountain tiger.

Though the tiger was mighty and robust, it lacked the cunning of the hungry wolves beyond the border. If it had been a wolf, it might not have been so easily deceived by a sudden turn. However, this tiger had leaped directly into Lu Bu's reach.

Following a signal from Hua Xiong, Lu Bu had his men secure the tiger's carcass and transport it to Junyi County. After a strenuous day of battle followed by a night spent in the open, catching a fierce tiger was an ideal way to rejuvenate.

"Om~"

Just as everyone was preparing to collect the tiger's corpse and transport it to Junyi County, Lu Bu's ears twitched, and he turned his head suddenly. From across the riverbank, an iron halberd flew through the air with a sharp whistling sound and landed squarely on the tiger's corpse.

In the depths of the jungle, a towering figure emerged, exuding an aura of unbridled fierceness. This aura surpassed even the tiger's presence moments ago. As the figure drew nearer, his appearance gradually became clear to everyone. His hair was disheveled, his temples jutted out like steel needles, and his thick, slanted eyebrows framed cold and domineering eyes that were impossible to conceal.

Much like Lu Bu, this was a person who didn't seem to possess an easygoing nature.

Lu Bu gently stroked Chitu's mane but didn't mount his horse. He observed the approaching figure with interest, and his instincts told him that this person was a formidable adversary.

"Traveler, this tiger was chasing after you," the visitor remarked, not answering Lu Bu's unspoken question. He simply greeted them with clasped fists. His voice was grating and monotonous, sending shivers down the spines of those who heard it, reminiscent of the black-faced man from Hulao Pass.

Lu Bu's gaze shifted to the iron halberd lodged in the tiger's carcass. He had noticed the tiger's scars earlier, but now it became evident that the injuries had been inflicted by this iron halberd. The tiger had been driven in their direction by this man.

"Impressive skill," Lu Bu commented as he pulled the iron halberd from the tiger's body. This one-handed halberd was hefty, not lightweight. Lu Bu regarded the man and said, "With your abilities, you would be more than a match for hunting tigers in the mountains. Would you consider joining my forces?" Lu Bu's eyes held a rare smile as he looked at the newcomer. He didn't often smile, as there were few things in the world that brought him joy. But today, encountering such a formidable general filled him with happiness. Whether as an adversary or a comrade, this individual was a valuable encounter.

The visitor remained silent and frowned at the tiger's corpse. He then lifted his gaze to meet Lu Bu's and asked, "Did you kill it?"

"That's right," Lu Bu confirmed, unapologetic. He wasn't one to be modest, and he didn't consider this act something worth being humble about.

"The general's skills are truly remarkable," the newcomer, Dian Wei, remarked with a slight frown. "But I don't know the general's name."

"I am Lu Bu. Have you heard of me?" Lu Bu asked.

"General Lu Bu, your name resounds far and wide. Of course, I've heard of you," Dian Wei replied, his brow furrowing. "May I inquire as to why the general is here?"

Lu Bu's reputation, whether good or bad, was well-known by now. However, as a general under Dong Zhuo, it was unusual to see Lu Bu here.

"Yesterday, I engaged in a battle with the coalition forces and ended up here after losing my way. We were in search of directions," Gao Shun interjected for Lu Bu.

Dian Wei didn't respond to Gao Shun's explanation. Instead, he focused on the tiger's corpse, and then he looked back at Lu Bu, asking, "If I join the general's ranks at this moment, what position can I expect?"

Gao Shun's words were clearly untrue. This location could be considered deep within the coalition forces' territory, and it was unlikely that Lu Bu had simply gotten lost. Given the circumstances, if Dian Wei were to join Lu Bu at this time, he might have a future. Of course, the key was whether they could return to Luoyang together.

The notion of respecting or worshiping someone upon first meeting was rarely the case. They had just met and didn't yet know each other's true characters. At this moment, practicality was the priority. They could decide whether to respect or worship later, depending on future actions and deeds. In situations involving battle and life and death, such niceties were often overlooked.

"Now, I hold the rank of General in the Central Plains. If I have the authority, I will appoint you as a Military Marquis. If you contribute in battle and we return to Luoyang, someone will present your achievements to the court," Lu Bu replied, still wearing a rare smile. He didn't consider himself a master, but he was willing to recognize and reward talent. Dian Wei's worth remained to be seen, but for now, knowing his martial prowess, Lu Bu was prepared to confer upon him a lofty rank.

Although Lu Bu wasn't adept at governance, he had picked up some knowledge of how to manage border territories as a general in the simulated world.

"All right, I'm willing to follow the general," Dian Wei agreed upon hearing this. Contrary to their first impressions, mutual respect and worship weren't the foremost concerns at this juncture. At this moment, they focused on the practicalities of the situation. If Dian Wei followed Lu Bu and demonstrated his value, then he would earn respect and reward naturally.

Lu Bu mounted his horse and entrusted Dian Wei to Gao Shun for guidance. He ordered the soldiers to collect the tiger's corpse and proceed to Junyi County.