The next morning, at the first hint of dawn, Lü Bu’s fervent heart could no longer contain his surging excitement. After quickly seeking instructions from Ding Yuan, he bravely and spiritedly arrayed his forces beneath the walls of Luoyang and loudly challenged his opponent.
On the other side, after a night of meticulous rest, Ma Chao had completely recovered his full strength, and his heart was firmly prepared for an earth-shattering battle with Lü Bu. Immediately, he calmly ordered his soldiers to open Luoyang’s heavy city gates, and then personally led his troops to array their forces in an orderly fashion.
When the two armies faced each other on the battlefield, both Lü Bu and Ma Chao displayed extraordinary demeanor. They formally and solemnly announced their names.
Lü Bu, majestic and awe-inspiring, held the renowned Fangtian Halberd. With a solemn expression, he cupped his hands and spoke in a resounding voice, “I am Lü Bu, Fengxian of Wuyuan! I have come today to request a battle!”
Ma Chao, with a stern expression and eyes like lightning, powerfully swung the gleaming long spear in his hand and responded with imposing grandeur, “Ma Mengqi of Western Liang is here!”
Lü Bu was tall and mighty, with sword-like eyebrows and bright, piercing eyes that revealed a sharp and domineering gaze. He wore a three-pronged purple-gold crown, dazzling and resplendent, its ornaments shimmering in the sunlight, adding to his formidable appearance.
His face had distinct contours, as if carved by a knife and chisel, handsome with a touch of wildness. He wore a red brocade robe from Xichuan adorned with a hundred flowers, the luxurious robe embroidered with exquisite and vibrant floral patterns, fluttering like colorful clouds in the wind.
He was clad in beast-faced, devouring-head linked armor, its cold, hard plates carved with ferocious beast faces, showcasing powerful defense and majesty. A finely crafted lion-headed belt was cinched at his waist, highlighting his strong, thick waistline.
A bow and arrows were at his side, ready to deliver a fatal blow to any enemy. He held the Fangtian Halberd, its blade gleaming with a cold light, exuding extraordinary dominance. The only slight imperfection was that, though his mount was also extraordinary, it was not as divine as Ma Chao’s steed.
Ma Chao was a dashing young general with sword-like eyebrows and bright, sharp eyes, seemingly containing endless heroism and ambition. His facial features were refined, his nose bridge straight, and his thin lips tightly pressed, giving him a resolute and decisive aura.
His silver helmet and armor gleamed with a cold light in the sunlight, the helmet’s ornaments simple yet exquisite, complementing his stern demeanor. The silver armor fit his slender yet robust physique perfectly, tightly encasing him and showcasing his form.
Ma Chao wore a silver-white brocade robe, its exquisite fabric adorned with delicate and elegant flowing cloud patterns, shimmering like silver waves as it danced in the wind. In his hand, a long spear gleamed with a cold light, its shaft straight and its tip sharp, as if it could easily pierce through any obstruction.
His mount was a white steed, the Horse King Aurora. Aurora was pure white as snow, its fur soft and lustrous, and when it ran, it was like a white lightning bolt, carrying Ma Chao into battle with unparalleled momentum and speed.
At this moment, all the soldiers from both sides focused their gaze on the two awe-inspiring, god-like figures at the front of the array. They were all awestruck by the captivating aura of the two men, and for a moment, everyone seemed to lose the ability to speak, staring blankly, even unconsciously holding their breath.
Every heart was filled with tension and anticipation for the fierce battle that was about to unfold.
Lü Bu and Ma Chao clashed, like two brilliant meteors colliding violently. Lü Bu’s Fangtian Halberd whirled with the force of a tiger, each strike seemingly carrying the power to split mountains and rocks, attacking Ma Chao with unparalleled dominance, the halberd cutting through the air with a sharp whistle.
Ma Chao showed no fear; his long spear moved like a dragon or a snake, its tip flashing with cold glints, constantly thrusting at Lü Bu from extremely tricky angles. Every move and every stance perfectly combined agility and ferocity.
The soldiers on both sides watched, dumbfounded and extremely excited, their hearts seemingly gripped by the fierce battle. Dust flew across the battlefield, and the two figures appeared and disappeared within it, each collision erupting in dazzling sparks.
On this side, Zhang Liao vigorously beat the war drum for Lü Bu, the drumbeats shaking the heavens and earth, as if to imbue Lü Bu with endless strength. And on that side, Hua Xiong was not to be outdone, rushing forward to also beat the drum and cheer for Lü Bu.
He used all his strength with each drumbeat, the drum sounds exploding like thunder on the battlefield, echoing the fierce battle between Lü Bu and Ma Chao. The entire battlefield was enveloped in this intense atmosphere, as if only this epic battle remained between heaven and earth, stirring up blood and awe.
Lü Bu roared, his arms suddenly exerting force, and the Fangtian Halberd, with the momentum of overturning mountains and seas, slammed fiercely towards Ma Chao.
Seeing this, Ma Chao’s eyes narrowed. He gripped his long spear tightly, holding the shaft horizontally in front of him, and forcefully blocked the thunderous strike. The immense impact caused his feet to carve two deep marks on the ground.
Immediately after, Ma Chao let out a fierce shout, thrusting his long spear like a dragon emerging from the sea, piercing towards Lü Bu. Lü Bu dodged to the side, and with the momentum, swept his halberd horizontally, colliding with the long spear again, producing a deafening metallic clang.
Lü Bu fought with increasing vigor, his halberd whirling impenetrably, each strike as heavy as Mount Tai pressing down, seemingly twisting the surrounding air. Ma Chao did not fall behind; he moved nimbly between Lü Bu’s attacks, his long spear constantly thrusting out, each strike carrying immense power, and every clash between the spear tip and the halberd sparked dazzling fire.
Both sides’ moves were grand and open, full of power, as if they would tear this world apart.
Dust flew across the battlefield, and the figures of the two men appeared and disappeared in the dust, clashing fiercely like gods of war. The soldiers on both sides watched enthralled, cheers and shouts rising and falling.
Zhang Liao and Hua Xiong’s drumbeats also grew more urgent and intense, perfectly integrating with this fierce battle. Lü Bu suddenly leaped high, his halberd descending with immense force from above. Ma Chao did not retreat, his long spear thrusting upwards, colliding heavily with the halberd.
The immense impact caused both men to retreat a few steps, but after a brief adjustment, they immediately lunged at each other again like fierce tigers, continuing this breathtaking battle.
The reactions of the soldiers on both sides were different.
Lü Bu’s soldiers, seeing his immense bravery, were filled with admiration and confidence. They cheered and shouted for Lü Bu’s every attack, the drumbeats like thunder, their morale soaring. They believed that under Lü Bu’s leadership, victory was assured.
And Ma Chao’s soldiers were equally proud of his heroic performance. They cheered and shouted, encouraging Ma Chao, their voices rising in waves. They deeply knew Ma Chao’s strength and believed he could contend with Lü Bu.
In this fierce battle, the emotions of the soldiers on both sides were fully aroused. Their cheers, shouts, and encouragement intertwined, forming a powerful momentum that spurred Lü Bu and Ma Chao to fight even harder.
Lü Bu and Ma Chao had battled for one or two hundred rounds without realizing it. Both followed a path of extreme ferocity in combat, each move delivered with immense power and grandeur, their intense clashes seemingly capable of shattering mountains and rivers.
Neither had yet shown signs of exhaustion; they remained as vigorous as dragons and tigers, their eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit, their weapons whirling with powerful force, their moves fierce and domineering, and the battle remained indecisive.
But just then, Lü Bu’s mount gradually began to show signs of fatigue. The originally robust steed now appeared somewhat overwhelmed, constantly panting heavily under the prolonged, high-intensity battle, its steps beginning to falter, no longer able to carry Lü Bu majestically as it had at first. This sudden situation instantly made Lü Bu’s predicament somewhat delicate.
Ma Chao, seeing Lü Bu’s horse tiring, did not wish to take advantage of the situation. So, he gradually reined in his moves, slowly lowering his long spear, and spoke loudly to Lü Bu, “Your mount is exhausted. Let us resume our battle after you have changed horses.”
Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Lü Bu’s eyes, which was then replaced by admiration for Ma Chao’s magnanimity. He was slightly moved, cupped his hands, and solemnly bowed in thanks to Ma Chao, saying, “Thank you for your noble conduct, Mengqi. Lü will remember this.”
With that, both men turned their horses and returned to their respective formations. The atmosphere on the battlefield became somewhat peculiar for a moment; the soldiers on both sides watched this scene, their respect for the two men growing even further.
They quietly watched the two depart, as if still immersed in the breathtaking battle that had just concluded, now only awaiting the next, even fiercer confrontation.
