Liu Bei POV

Hei! Hei!

Whip after whip landed on the horse as Ben Chu galloped at full speed for Wu Chao. Even Zi Long’s white stallion was unable to keep up.

After I called out to her over and over, she finally realised that the troops behind couldn’t keep up and slowed her pace.

Ben Chu’s expression was a lot calmer now, and her disposition seemed a lot more normal.

“Xuan De, I’m sorry for letting you see so many of my embarra.s.sing failures.”

“No, you can’t really predict for sure how a battle would go in the first place.” I said as I worriedly looked at Ben Chu.

To be honest, given what I know, it is impossible for Ben Chu to win the Battle of Guandu.

It was only just now that I remembered this– That though this history was not the one I knew, it would not be too different.

Even though Yan Liang didn’t die, and was sent to guard Wu Chao, could Ben Chu really win the Battle of Guandu like this?

As I thought so, I looked at Ben Chu. She seemed exhausted even though it was just a few hours since the battle began, and her energy was spent.

This was normal though. Even someone like me who didn’t do anything was fighting to stay alert.

“Zi Long, are you alright?” I couldn’t help but be worried for Zi Long as I thought so.

Zi Long didn’t turn back, and shrugged her shoulders as a gesture that she was alright as she said, “I’m not you so I won’t tire so easily. Xuan De needs to train a lot more. You’re like a little old man.”

“Little…”

“Hahaha,” Ben Chu suddenly laughed when she heard this, “If only I had a relations.h.i.+p with my subordinates like you earlier.” Ben Chu sighed as she said so.

Her sudden words took me off guard and I didn’t know how to reply her at that moment.

“You and Meng De are right. I am really different from when I was younger.” Ben Chu seemed more relaxed as she said so, and began to speak about the past, “I don’t know if you’ve heard this from Zi Yuan, but us 3 were quite an impressive faction in the Court then! The official positions I and Meng De had then were low. We had capability but no authority to follow though, but the help Xu You rendered us was great, and enabled us to deal with the Ten Attendants marvellously. Back then, we were all friends, and there was nothing we couldn’t talk about with each other.”

Ben Chu’s eyes reflected the scenes from years back as she reminisced about the past.

“Back then, I and Meng De were really compet.i.tive and we hatched a lot of schemes against each other, and argued a lot too but our relations never soured. Only when we had established ourselves, and formed our own positions on certain matters did we really begin to grow distant. And now here we are at Guandu. I have many reasons for fighting, be it a desire to be the one who supports the Son of Heaven, or a dissatisfaction to be second to Meng De. But–”

Columns of smoke rose slowly to the sky not far off in front of us.

That, was Wu Chao,

“But this showdown will decide things once and for all!” Ben Chu said and swung her reins.

Meng De POV

I bent my knees and gathered strength as I leapt out and lunged for Yan Liang with my sword aimed at her through.

My sword was deflected with a clatter by the glaive and the force of the attack knocked me aside several paces.

Yan Liang, you’ve been had!

“Ha!!” Hong suddenly appeared behind Yan Liang and roared our with fury, making Yan Liang frantic as she hurriedly leapt from her horse and dodge Hong’s attack by a hair’s breadth. Hong’s broadsword landed on the horse’s back and reached its heart, killing it instantly.

*Sou*– Yan Liang who had now regained her balance slashed at Hong with her glaive who dodged just barely in time and retreated to where I was.

“Haa… Haa… Haa…” Only now did I dare to relax a little and calm my breathing.

“Haa… Big sis, looks like we finally got her off her horse.” Hong was clearly exhausted. Just forcing Yan Liang off her horse required 30 minutes of attacks from both I and Hong.

Yan Liang, you’re far more formidable than I thought you were. Be it martial prowess or bravery, you are definitely one of the strongest generals in the world.

Perhaps she is just talented, or perhaps she seeks vengeance. But no matter what, I have to admit that I and Hong are not a match for Yan Liang.

“Hmph! Looks like you both are nothing much after all. Since your Grand Marshal flag is here, then one of you both must be Cao Cao!” Yan Liang smiled darkly, and readied her stance to attack, “I can’t tell who is Cao Cao, so I’ll just have to take both your heads!”

“!” As she finished, she lunged right for me before I could even react.

Ah! No!

*Clatter*– *Ding*!

Kuh! My sword’s been knocked away!

I hurriedly jumped back as I was disarmed.

Ah!

But who knew that I would land with one foot in a pothole, “Ah…” The world seemed to slow as I lost balance and fell, and in my eyes was that glaive swinging down at me.

“Ha!! Eat this blade from me, Cao Cap!” All of a sudden, an enraged bellow came from my left and a longsword stabbed at Yan Liang who turned her blade to block it.

I looked and saw that it was Hong who saved me.

But…

Cao… Cao…

“Cao Cao?!” Yan Liang asked the question I wanted to ask and before I could react, Yan Liang’s attention was all focused on Hong.

No!

“Cao Cao! Die!!” Flames erupted in Yan Liang’s eyes as she slashed down at Hong, who was impersonating me.