Xiang Yu picked up the crystal core from the ground, then walked to Dian Wei's head and used his Overlord Divine Halberd to find another crystal core inside, which was slightly larger than Lu Bu's.
"They actually have something like this in their minds. No wonder they have such combat power."
"Perhaps if the Overlord eats these two crystal cores, he can also gain their strength." Hao Jiu thought for a moment, "But there are some risks involved, but compared to gaining power, these risks are worth taking."
Xiang Yu laughed, "Are they very strong?"
Chapter 607 The Fall
Xiang Yu carefully collected the crystal cores from Lü Bu and Dian Wei, but did not eat them.
Even if this thing could grant Xiang Yu magical powers 100%.
Xiang Yu, carrying the Overlord's Halberd and riding his black horse, slowly approached the gate of Wuchao City. The soldiers of the Trapped Camp around him had long since given up any thought of fighting to the death.
An opponent of this strength cannot be defeated simply by fighting desperately.
Even Lu Bu, with his earth-shattering power, was no match for Xiang Yu. His invincible body was chopped off, so what were they supposed to do defend?
Can the city walls stop it?
Can you kill someone with a bow and arrow?
One by one, they laid down their weapons. They stopped fighting; it was pointless anyway, and they weren't even bothered to run away.
Xiang Yu climbed to the top of the city wall and said to the kneeling Yuan army junior officer in front of him, "Take down the Yuan army flag and light the beacon fire."
"Your subordinate is willing to serve the general!" Yuan Jun's junior officer showed a fanatical expression and decisively clung to Xiang Yu's coattails.
In fact, even without lighting the beacon fires, the scouts who followed Xiang Yu already knew that Xiang Yu had won.
Some of the bolder ones slowly approached the gates of Wuchao City. The soldiers of the Trapped Camp outside did not stop them, and the Yuan army on the city wall had already laid down their weapons.
The next step should be to transport the supplies to Cao Cao's camp at Guandu. This battle was quite unexpected.
Just then, a rider came galloping in, it was Zhang Liao.
"You've come to see me?" Xiang Yu asked, looking at Zhang Liao below the city.
Zhang Liao wiped his sweat, looked up and shouted, "Overlord! Guandu has fallen! Cao Cao, under the protection of his generals, is retreating towards Luoyang!"
"Oh, so there's no need to transport the grain from Wuchao to Guandu." Xiang Yu showed no surprise whatsoever. Even if Cao Cao's generals were all in good health, they would never be a match for Yuan Tan.
Even if Zhang Fei, who had no effect on Xiang Yu's angry shouts and glares, went to Guandu, he could take on a large group of people by himself. Only Xu Chu, who was shirtless, could put up a fight.
If it were a demonized general like Lü Bu or Dian Wei, they could easily break through Cao Cao's army camp at Guandu by themselves.
But Xiang Yu had a small question in his mind: Yuan Tan had Dian Wei a long time ago, so why hadn't he been so high-profile in conquering the world before?
It seems I can only ask Yuan Tan this question in person when I meet him, or perhaps I've simply grown tired of playing with him.
When the god-like Yuan Tan descends upon this almost primitive indigenous world, it's quite fun to disguise himself as an ordinary person and conquer the world little by little. He only resorts to flipping the table when he can't win anymore.
Thinking back, Xiang Yu's initial confrontation with Lü Bu and others at Wuchao was quite normal. It wasn't until Lü Bu couldn't withstand the attack that he unleashed his demonic power and revealed his ultimate move.
If it were Cao Cao or his men who came to raid Wuchao for grain, Lü Bu would have easily dealt with them, and there would have been no need for him to reveal his demonic side.
However, after Lu Bu encountered Xiang Yu, he not only used his demonic ultimate move, but also received assistance from Zhang Fei and Dian Wei.
It is certain that Yuan Tan's initial plan did not include the deployment of Zhang Fei and Dian Wei to Wuchao.
It must be that Yuan Tan witnessed Xiang Yu's abilities through some means and believed that even the demonized Lü Bu was not guaranteed to defeat Xiang Yu, which is why he sent these two powerful reinforcements.
Moreover, they may have set off a long time ago, otherwise how could they have arrived so timely? Perhaps the sudden surge of power at Guandu was also related to Xiang Yu's appearance.
With Yuan Tan overturning the table, Xiang Yu was also out of luck. Sun Ce's plan to unify the south and then fight Yuan Tan had failed. It's true that plans can't keep up with changes.
"Zhang Liao, why have you come to find me? Yuan Tan has occupied Wuchao. Didn't you secretly help him? Or perhaps you were moved by Cao Cao and sincerely pledged your allegiance to him? You should have gone to Luoyang with him then," Xiang Yu suddenly asked.
Zhang Liao had originally planned to recount the details of the fall of Guandu after Xiang Yu had recovered from his surprise, but Xiang Yu showed no interest whatsoever. "Well, I have heard of the Hegemon-King's deeds and am deeply impressed, which is why I have come here."
"In that case, then obey my command." Xiang Yu heard about Zhang Liao's awkward situation, so he didn't expose it, but he had to admit that Zhang Liao had once again made the right important choice in his life.
"Your humble servant obeys!" Zhang Liao said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
"The soldiers in Wuchao City who are willing to follow me can be incorporated into my army, and those who are not can leave. The city has plenty of food and fodder, so hold this position for now and wait for my return." After saying this, Xiang Yu leaped off the city wall and landed right on his horse, Wuzhui.
"Where is the Overlord going?" Zhang Liao hadn't expected that Xiang Yu would leave so soon after they met, before they could even exchange a few words.
"Guandu." Xiang Yu said, and left Wuchao City without looking back.
Zhang Liao wanted to go with Xiang Yu, but he couldn't disobey Xiang Yu's orders, so he had to stay in Wuchao City.
The situation in this city is quite complicated, including the enemy's elite troops left behind by Gao Shun, Yuan's soldiers and Qingzhou soldiers, as well as the five hundred Cao scouts brought by Xiang Yu. It will be quite difficult to integrate these people into an army.
No one dared to rebel while Xiang Yu was here, but that might not be the case after he left. This gave Zhang Liao a chance to prove himself.
Zhang Liao was well aware of this. What use was there in keeping an incompetent person? Xiang Yu could not possibly rely on him and make him a trusted confidant based on just a few words.
Xiang Yu passed by the battlefield and looked at Zhang Fei's injuries. A normal person would have died long ago from such injuries, but Zhang Fei was still alive, and his injuries even showed signs of improvement, although his recovery speed was much slower than Dian Wei's.
Nevertheless, Zhang Fei may still recover his mobility in half a day or even less, and staying in Wuchao could be a variable.
Killing him would have been the end of it all, but he was still a famous general, and Xiang Yu had used him to block Lü Bu's ultimate attack.
After a moment's hesitation, Xiang Yu used his Overlord Halberd to lift Zhang Fei up and took him to Guandu.
Inside the Guandu camp.
Guan Yu and Liu Bei were finally reunited. Overjoyed, they embraced each other warmly, talking as they walked, and soon arrived at a secluded place.
"Brother, where is our third brother?" Guan Yu hadn't forgotten Zhang Fei.
A look of infatuation immediately appeared on Liu Bei's face, "Oh~ it's my lord sending my third brother..."
"My lord? Why does my brother address someone else as my lord? Is it Yuan Tan?" Guan Yu's expression instantly turned incredulous.
Liu Bei gave a wry smile. "Our lord is young and promising, a model for our time, and possesses unfathomable abilities that I cannot match. This empire will surely belong to you sooner or later. Second brother, listen to my advice and come with me to assist our lord."
"Well, let's discuss this later. Where did Third Brother go?" Guan Yu had summoned Liu Bei to such a remote place because he was afraid Liu Bei wouldn't tell the truth, but the truth he received was something Guan Yu couldn't accept for a moment.
What happened to Liu Bei's lofty ambitions back then? As a powerful and ruthless figure, how could he be content to be subservient to others?
"Third brother went to Wuchao." Liu Bei was somewhat displeased that Guan Yu had not listened to his advice.
"What!" Guan Yu exclaimed in surprise. He had already heard about Xiang Yu's whereabouts. "Could it be that he went to Wuchao to escort grain supplies?"
"No, it's not that. It's Lü Bu who's escorting the supplies. My lord was worried about Lü Bu's safety, so he specially sent my third brother and the Iron-Faced General to provide support. Don't worry, both Lü Bu and the Iron-Faced General are invincible warriors in this era. My third brother is perfectly safe with them!" Liu Bei said proudly.
Chapter 608 Junyi
Guan Yu could tell that Liu Bei's praise for Lü Bu and the Iron-Faced General was heartfelt.
Who would have thought that not long ago, the three brothers were mortal enemies with Lü Bu, but now they have become comrades-in-arms who stand together through thick and thin?
Lu Bu was strong, but he was definitely not as strong as Xiang Yu.
However, if we add the legendary Iron-Faced General and Zhang Fei, even if the Overlord went, there wouldn't be too much of a problem.
"In that case, I am relieved," Guan Yu nodded.
"Ah~ that's right!" Liu Bei suddenly patted Guan Yu on the shoulder as he spoke.
"Hiss..." Guan Yu gasped, as Liu Bei's slap landed squarely on his wound.
Soon, blood seeped through the robes.
"Second brother, you're injured!" Liu Bei exclaimed in surprise.
"It's just a minor injury, nothing to worry about," Guan Yu said, taking a step back and bowing.
Liu Bei grabbed Guan Yu's hand, "Is this just a minor injury? Come quickly, let's go see our lord. Besides his literary and military talents, he is also a divine physician of our time."
Guan Yu couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to go with Liu Bei to find Yuan Tan.
However, to Guan Yu's surprise, Yuan Tan healed his arrow wound in just a short time.
Not only that, after Guan Yu took Yuan Tan's medicine, he felt as if he had boundless strength.
"Thank you, Lord Yuan." Guan Yu thought for a moment, but still didn't call him "Lord Yuan."
Liu Bei, standing to the side, cupped his hands and said, "My lord, my second brother is a little shy and can't quite get used to how he addresses people. Please don't take offense."
Yuan Tan, dressed in fine clothes, held a black chess piece in his hand, seemingly pondering where to place it next.
"It's alright. I know Yun Chang is a hero. Whether he calls me 'Lord' or not is secondary. I have Uncle Xuande to assist me, that's enough."
"Rest assured, my lord, I will do my utmost to assist you!" Liu Bei said respectfully.
Guan Yu sighed inwardly, but turned his gaze to the person playing chess with Yuan Tan.
The man waved a feather fan, glanced at Guan Yu with a smile, and then said to Yuan Tan, "My lord, this miraculous medicine that can instantly heal injuries is extremely precious. If it weren't for Xuande's sake, I doubt you would have taken it out so easily, would you?"
Yuan Tan smiled and said, "I will naturally take care of Xuande's sworn brother. However, even without Xuande's sake, I will not stand idly by. Besides, Yun Chang is a man of great righteousness and knows how to repay kindness. If I don't help him, who else should I help?"
Just then, a soldier came to report.
"Reporting to my lord, someone outside is challenging us, specifically asking you to go out and face your death."
"Who goes there? How dare they!" Liu Bei roared in anger. "My lord, allow me to lead the troops out to meet the enemy and capture this arrogant scoundrel!"
Yuan Tan waved his hand, "Uncle, please calm down. There are so many fierce generals in the army, how can we trouble you? Where is Zilong?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's expression changed slightly, and he quickly said, "My lord! Zilong has just made great contributions in the capture of Guandu, and he must be exhausted. Why don't we let him rest more? I can handle this madman!"
After a moment's hesitation, Guan Yu also stepped forward, saying, "I am willing to go with my brother."
"What does the strategist think?" Yuan Tan asked.
"There's no problem with the general leading the troops, but we don't know how many soldiers the enemy has?"
"It seems there are only two people, one of whom is seriously injured."
"Oh? This is interesting. In that case, officers, come with me to see who dares to be so arrogant as to think my army is without talent!" Yuan Tan stood up. "Gather ten thousand soldiers and come with me into battle!"
Everyone agreed in unison and followed Yuan Tan out of the tent.
Liu Bei stroked his beard. "Someone has come to challenge my lord. I'm afraid there's a trap involved. Second brother, you won't just stand by and watch, will you?"
"Brother, rest assured, I will go and capture the enemy to repay Yuan Tan's favor." Guan Yu vaguely felt that something was wrong, but he really didn't want to owe Yuan Tan a favor.