264. The Coming Of An End?

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The tide of the battle shifted, as Lu Lingqi, Zhang Liao, and the remnants of Lu Bu's forces seized the opportunity created by their leader's burst of strength. The clash unfolded in a flurry of steel and determination, the outcome hanging in the balance as Lu Bu fought with unparalleled resilience against the formidable trio fighting through the pain that was coursing through his body due to the poison.

Xu Chu, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan facing the sudden outburst of Lu Bu's prowess were taken aback for a while not expecting Lu Bu who was already weakened and even threw up some black blood still had this kind of strength.

An opening was revealed for Lu Bu's Army as Lu Lingqi and Zhang Liao managed to best Zhang Fei and Guan Yu albeit costing them a large amount of energy as they then directed Lu Bu's Army to continue their march alongside Chen Gong's support.

Losing their strongest generals on the frontline due to Lu Bu, Lu Lingqi, and Zhang Liao taking out or stunning Xu Chu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan causing Cao Cao and Liu Bei's combat power in pursuing Lu Bu's Army.

Lu Bu told Lu Lingqi and Zhang Liao to leave first while he pursued Cao Cao and Liu Bei's Army back alongside his elite unit, where he received heavy protest from Lu Lingqi and Zhang Liao since Lu Bu was in a critical health situation.

Lu Lingqi told her father to hurry and follow them since the generals who were pursuing them were Yue Jin, Li Dian, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong whose combat power was much below all of them individually or combined.

Shaking off the ominous feeling that weighed on his warrior instinct, Lu Bu couldn't shake the regret of not seeing his wife's face for the last time. However, he found solace in the fact that he could still look upon the face of his beloved daughter, Lu Lingqi.

Sensing her father's resolute gaze and feeling an impending sense of finality, Lu Lingqi acted on her instincts. Without hesitation, she forcefully dragged Lu Bu, her indomitable father, away from the intense battleground, guiding him to the rear of their army. Lu Lingqi's urgency reflected the gravity of the situation, a daughter's instinct resonating with a sense of impending doom.

As they moved, Zhang Liao, perceptive to the frantic actions of Lu Lingqi, positioned himself as a stalwart defender. With a determined stance, he shielded Lu Bu and Lu Lingqi as they navigated through the rear of their army, providing a protective barrier against potential threats.

Meanwhile, on another front, Lie Fan, aware of the unfolding crisis, swiftly issued orders to his army. He orchestrated the mobilization of his troops, preparing to move and reinforce Lu Bu and his army in the critical moments they were facing right now.

Under the watchful eyes of Xun You, Zhuge Jin, Man Chong, and Lu Zhi, Lie Fan's army moved with precision and purpose. Encampments were dismantled, soldiers readied their weapons, and the air was charged with the anticipation of impending movement.

The orchestrated preparation caught the attention of Cao Cao and Liu Bei, who, alongside their advisors, had been overseeing the situation from Beihai. The shifting dynamics on the battlefield did not escape their notice, and the sudden activity within Lie Fan's ranks raised their suspicions.

The air in Beihai was charged with a mix of curiosity and concern as Cao Cao and Liu Bei exchanged knowing glances. Lie Fan's unexpected maneuver raised suspicion, prompting the commanders to consider the implications carefully. If Lie Fan were to launch an attack on Beihai, it would necessitate a recall of their forces currently pursuing Lu Bu.

As the encampment preparations concluded, Lie Fan, flanked by Taishi Ci, issued the decisive order for their army to set forth toward Lu Bu's location. The urgent march aimed to reinforce Lu Bu's forces, ensuring the safety of both Lu Bu's army and family.

As for Lu Bu, just like Lie Fan's original plan, they will let Lu Bu's life be decided by heaven and Lu Bu himself, if he asks for Lie Fan's help then Lie Fan will help him because that means heaven has decided for Lu Bu to live.

Lie Fan would help Lu Bu if only Lu Bu asked for it himself, if not then Lie Fan would only save his family and his bloodline like how Lie Fan's mission requirements, either have Lu Bu or his family be saved.

Cao Cao and Liu Bei see that Lie Fan's army is heading toward Lu Bu's location, fearing that their army that is pursuing Lu Bu will be implicated by Lie Fan's arrival there, after discussing with their advisors the two of them agree to lead the rest of their force to support their any that pursued Lu Bu and his army.

With both Lie Fan's army and reinforcements from Cao Cao and Liu Bei's army that pursued Lu Bu and his army, the landscape of the battle expanded into a larger scene where the winner would be decided in this next battle.

Back East of Beihai, Lu Bu was being dragged by Lu Lingqi and put onto his horse the famous Red Hare, and after getting on her horse, together with Zhang Liao they rode their horse to flee faster from Cao Cao and Liu Bei's army that was pursuing them.

Lu Bu: "*cough* Qi'er and Wenyuan you two ride ahead of me first! I *cough* don't think I could ride that fast with my condition right now!"

Lu Lingqi: "No Father we can't leave you behind! We don't need to ride at a faster speed than our current speed, as long as we can keep a distance from Cao Cao and Liu Bei's generals we will be fine!"

Zhang Liao: "My Lord I agree with what the Young Lady said, don't worry if there's a danger coming for you My Lord or the Young Lady, I will protect the two of you with My Life!"

Lu Bu: "You two fool! *cough* Those men combined aren't the people to uteo can handle! Xu Chu alone could defeat Zhang Liao, while Zhang Fei could take you on Qi'er and the rest of them will overwhelm the two of you!"

Lu Lingqi: "They can do the same to you Father! Right now you are injured and even poisoned, you're in a critical condition and your strength isn't at peak condition, if it's an attrition duel Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan can defeat you!"

Lu Bu: "But at least I can buy you *cough* two sometimes, even tho- Watch Out!!"

Lu Bu who was trying to persuade Lu Lingqi and Zhang Liao suddenly felt an oncoming threat coming from the back, and it was heading toward Lu Lingqi so he shouted for Lu Lingqi to watch out and used his halberd to block the incoming threat.

Lu Bu's halberd came in touch with an arrow that flew toward Lu Lingqi at a very high speed, and by the sound of the deflection made when it came to contact with Lu Bu's halberd, it came from a very skilled archer.

Lu Bu, Lu Lingqi, and Zhang Liao turned their head to their back at the same time, and the three of them saw Xiahou Yuan putting down his bow after seeing that his arrow was deflected by Lu Bu.

Since they turned their head they stopped their horse momentarily from sprinting which buys time for Cao Cao and Liu Bei's general to catch up with them, especially Xu Chu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.

Seeing the incoming trio of Xu Chu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, Lu Bu told Lu Lingqi and Zhang Liao to run ahead of him and don't look back, because it looked like they couldn't escape if they went together and no one held them off.

Zhang Liao who heard this immediately volunteered to replace Lu Bu to hold off Xu Chu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, while Lu Bu and Lu Lingqi could leave the area but Lu Bu denied his request and told Zhang Liao to protect Lu Lingqi until his last breath.

Lu Lingqi who heard this immediately felt an ominous feeling she grew larger and larger by the second when she saw Lu Bu turn his head toward her and tell her to protect her mother Lady Yan and tell her that he was sorry that he could take care of the two of them anymore.

When Lu Lingqi heard this she immediately shed some tears and told Lu Bu that he would come home with her to take care of her mother and see her grow up until she grew old with the two of them.

Lu Bu seeing his daughter crying felt pain inside his heart, but after saying sorry once again and that he lived there, he knocked out Lu Lingqi by hitting her on the back of her neck after approaching her acting like he wanted to hug and console her.

Zhang Liao who saw this immediately wanted to stop Lu Bu but was pushed back by Lu Bu, who then gave Lu Lingqi toward her and told Zhang Liao that from now on he would replace him to protect Lu Lingqi and Lady Yan, not as a father figure or a husband figure but part of his family since their early years together.

Zhang Liao was touched by Lu Bu's words and tried to persuade Lu Bu one last time, but Lu Bu ignored him and rode his horse the red hare holding his halberd in his hand heading toward Xu Chu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei while shouting for Zhang Liao to leave with Lu Lingqi.

Hearing the absolute order from Lu Bu's voice, Zhang Liao doesn't have any choice but to bring Lu Lingqi alongside him and leave the area, but before he managed to do so Lie Fan's army arrived followed by reinforcement from Cao Cao and Liu Bei that come alongside the rest of their army.

Seeing the arrival of Lie Fan, Zhang Liao brings Lu Lingqi alongside him toward Lie Fan where he meets Lie Fan, Lie Fan's advisors and generals requesting for Lie Fan to come and help Lu Bu.

Lie Fan and his retainers who heard Zhang Liao's request, will accept his request on the condition that Lu Bu asked for it himself, and when Zhang Liao wanted to urge Lie Fan to help Lu Bu immediately they heard the sound of weapon clashing.

On the other side, Lu Bu was dueling 3-on-1 against Xu Chu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei which immediately took a heavy toll on his body, while that happened he heard and saw Lie Fan and his army had arrived.

Lu Bu then took a deep breath and shouted in Lie Fan's direction telling Lie Fan to not help him, and asking that he take care of his family, and said that he was talking not as a lord to a lord but as a man to a man, a father to a father, and a husband to a husband all while taking the oncoming attack from Xu Chu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei with a heavy body and depleting energy that can stop his ferocity anytime soon.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 27 (194 AD)

Level: 15

Next Level: 938.000

Renown: 645

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 571.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 906 (+20)

VIT: 598 (+20)

AGI: 583 (+10)

INT: 587

CHR: 93

WIS: 509

WILL: 397

ATR Points: 0