LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 22 - Dong Zhuo's Legendary Sword
Chapter 22: Dong Zhuo’s Legendary Sword
“What? The Si Shui Gate has fallen?!”
“Yes, word has arrived that Hua Xiong has been defeated.”
Dong Zhuo slammed his fist onto his knee, his fury evident.
Hua Xiong wasn’t someone who should have died so easily.
He was a crucial asset, a shield and sword alongside Lü Bu, and a loyal vanguard of Dong Zhuo’s army.
But now, Hua Xiong had been slain?
“Nonsense! That can’t be true!”
“M-my lord… However, the coalition forces have already occupied Si Shui Gate and are now heading toward Hu Lao Gate…”
“Damn it! How dare these traitors mock me like this! Those damned rebels!”
“If they manage to enter Luoyang, even with our massive army, it won’t be easy to stop their advance.”
Indeed.
The warlords were all highly capable military leaders, renowned for their strategic prowess.
Moreover, the fact that they had killed Hua Xiong indicated their strength, making it impossible to dismiss the threat.
Dong Zhuo pondered.
Though a tyrant, he was a shrewd thinker, and it was his cunning that had brought him this far.
Dong Zhuo knew well that throwing a tantrum wouldn’t help in such a situation.
“…Though we possess a legendary sword, its blade could dull at any time. We must prepare a backup plan.”
“You’re absolutely right, my lord.”
Li Ru, clasping his hands respectfully, agreed with Dong Zhuo.
“Then, is it necessary to hold onto Luoyang at all costs?”
“…What do you mean?”
“I am the very heavens themselves—why would I concern myself with a mere city like Luoyang?”
“…Ah, truly wise words!”
Li Ru clapped his hands together, his face lighting up with joy.
“We’ll need time to regroup. However, Luoyang is still swarming with remnants of the White Wave Bandits.”
The remnants of the Yellow Turbans were still around.
They had been causing trouble around Bing Province, always eyeing Luoyang for an opportunity.
“In that case, we’ll move the capital to Chang’an.”
“Wherever you lead, my lord, we shall follow.”
By relocating to Chang’an, the White Wave Bandits wouldn’t be able to follow easily, and the coalition army, lacking provisions, wouldn’t have the resources to pursue them.
This would buy them a considerable amount of time.
“My lord, shall I summon that child?”
“Yes, Hu Lao Gate is critical. We cannot allow it to fall. We’ll need Fengxian for this. Bring her here immediately.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Dong Zhuo took a moment to fix his disheveled robes and returned to his seat of power.
His massive body always left him exhausted after bouts of anger like this.
Once a mighty warrior, Dong Zhuo had aged, and his former strength was no longer what it had been.
Though power didn’t only stem from physical might, when Dong Zhuo reminisced about his past glory, a look of sorrow would unconsciously cloud his eyes.
He would call for a peasant to fight a life-or-death duel with him during his drinking bouts, taking the spoils of war to mock their wives and kill their children.
He could drink every day without consequence, burn anyone he disliked to ashes.
Though he no longer possessed his former strength and intellect, he could still do all this.
The reason for this?
It was thanks to that woman.
“Why did you call me? I was sleeping.”
Red hair, sharp fangs, and fierce eyes. .
A shiver ran down Dong Zhuo’s spine as if he were facing a wild beast.
“Fengxian, my child. Isn’t this an overreaction to your father’s call?”
“What the hell are you blabbing about, old man? Get to the point already.”
“You insolent—! How dare you speak to the lord like that!”
“Huh? What did you just say, brat?”
At Lü Bu’s arrogant attitude, Li Ru flinched and stepped back slightly.
Dong Zhuo, however, simply laughed heartily.
“Li Ru, she’s special. Don’t be too harsh.”
“Spare me the useless chatter. Is there something you need done?”
“Hua Xiong has fallen. The coalition army is now advancing toward Hu Lao Gate.”
“So, you want me to defend it. I knew that fool was doomed from the moment he started showing off. In the end, weaklings always have big mouths.”
“As expected, you are wise. I will reward you greatly once this is over.”
Whenever Li Ru witnessed Dong Zhuo’s interactions with Lü Bu, it sent shivers down his spine.
Normally, Dong Zhuo was violent and hot-tempered, but when he dealt with Lü Bu, he transformed into a kind father.
The reason for this was Lü Bu’s overwhelming talent.
She possessed an unmatched martial prowess.
Strategy, numbers, command—none of it mattered in front of her.
That was the power of the woman known as the Peerless Warrior of the World.
Under heaven, there was no living being that could stand against her.
Whether human or beast, nothing could defeat her.
Lü Bu ran her hands through her red hair, sighing deeply.
“This is such a pain.”
“Isn’t it strange? I thought you enjoyed slaughter. All I’m doing is preparing a battlefield for you to play in.”
“Enjoy? Yeah, right. You made me do it. Not that I hate fighting or anything.”
Lü Bu didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic.
Seeing his daughter, who was usually eager for battle, act so disinterested surprised Dong Zhuo, though it also brought a bitter smile to his face.
“However, Hu Lao Gate must be defended at all costs. We are relocating the capital to Chang’an, and we need time to complete the move.”
“You don’t need to explain so much. I know I have to do it whether I like it or not, you damn old man.”
“You’re welcome to call me father. Though we aren’t bound by blood, we share the same rebellious spirit.”
Their nature was one of defiance and greed.
No matter what the world declared as right, they would follow their own paths.
For their own safety, they would even betray their own families.
Both Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu knew that they could betray each other at any moment.
“Fine, fine. I’ll handle the bugs swarming Hu Lao Gate like you want.”
“Ah, truly, my legendary sword.”
Dong Zhuo still wore a kindly smile, though it was merely a façade.
“I’ll give you 30,000 soldiers. Sweep away those bugs. When you return to Chang’an, I’ll welcome you with joy.”
“Yeah, yeah. You just want me to kill them all.”
“It won’t be easy. Even though Hua Xiong suffered several defeats, the enemy’s forces still number over 200,000.”
“Bugs are bugs, no matter how many there are. What difference does their numbers make?”
“Yes! That’s exactly why I like you, Fengxian!”
Lü Bu stuck out her tongue in disgust, then slung her *Fang Tian Hua Ji* over her back.
Watching her depart, Li Ru let out a deep sigh of relief.
“I’ll begin preparations immediately.”
“Wait.”
Dong Zhuo called after Li Ru, a different smile now playing on his lips.
It was the kind of smile that made anyone uncomfortable just by looking at it.
“Wouldn’t it be dull if things went on as they are? When a hero departs, a banquet must follow.”
Dong Zhuo drew the sword from his waist and slammed it into the table.
“Start a fire. And prepare plenty of food. Ah, and anyone associated with the Yuan family would especially enjoy such festivities. Hurry and prepare the banquet.”
Li Ru didn’t bother replying and simply bowed his head.
He too wore a sly smile.
It was time for a celebration.
***
“Sister, you don’t look well.”
“I’m just not feeling it… everything’s so dull…”
“This is the war you love so much. What could possibly be bothering you?”
Zhang Liao watched Lü Bu, who was slouched over like a corpse, worry evident on his face.
Lü Bu, however, didn’t care for his concern and simply sighed heavily.
“There’s no thrill.”
“Thrill?”
“Yeah. Thrill. The ones I want to kill aren’t bugs like this.”
“…Even with 200,000, we could still die if we’re not careful.”
Zhang Liao had a point.
Even for Lü Bu, taking on such a massive force wasn’t something to be done carelessly.
Charging in blindly wouldn’t end well.
Yet, something about it lacked excitement.
She was tired of battles that only risked her life.
The sight of blood splattering was satisfying, and screams were pleasant to hear on occasion, but she yearned for something more, something to truly satisfy her desires.
Yes, it all started when she met *him*.
“I can’t wait to see him again…”
She wanted to kill him.
She wanted to kill all those precious to him, then laugh in his face.
To see the despair in his eyes.
To watch him tremble in fear, knowing defeat was inevitable.
Would he break down and cry? Or maintain his dignity to the end?
Or perhaps, would he beg for his life?
Ah, when that moment comes, maybe she could take him as a subordinate.
That would make him realize how wrong he was.
Yes, power is everything.
Warriors, draw your swords.
And betray.
To survive, abandon even your family if you must.
Kill and kill again.
That was Lü Bu’s understanding of the world.
“Well, Sister, try to get excited.”
Compared to all that, this was…
“Haa…”
It was dull after all.