The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 466 Ragnarok, the Martial Saint's Farewell

The north wind, sharp as a knife, swept across the vast, desolate frontier plains.

The swirling sand and sleet, mixed with not-yet-completely-melted snowflakes, struck the tattered Han army flags with dull thuds.

In the distance, the Han beacon tower and outpost, which represented hope for survival, was reduced to a blurry outline in the dim light of the day.

It seems within reach, yet it is separated by thousands of mountains and rivers.

Behind them stood the main force of the Xianbei army, personally led by Tuoba Liwei.

Like a black tide sweeping across the heavens and earth, the sound of horses' hooves was deafening, and the dust they raised blotted out the sky.

It surged forward with an aura of annihilation.

The remaining two thousand or so Han soldiers, whose hope had just been ignited by the sight of the outpost, were almost extinguished in an instant by the overwhelming wave of despair.

They were dressed in rags, and their armor was torn.

Many of them had dried or still bleeding wounds, and their faces were filled with exhaustion and fear.

And a numbness that is nearing its limit.

A brief commotion broke out in the ranks, and a sense of despair spread like a plague.

"General! The main force of the Xianbei is catching up!"

"Quick! We'll protect you and rush into the outpost!"

"Once we join forces with the border troops and rely on our fortifications, we will surely be able to repel these barbarian hordes!"

Deputy General Zhao Leiqiang suppressed his panic and rushed to Guan Yu's horse.

His voice sounded a little hoarse from anxiety.

He was Guan Yu's longtime subordinate.

From Qingzhou to Yuzhou, and now to this harsh and cold frontier region, I have always followed you.

"Yes, General! Let's go!"

"We swear to protect our general and help him break through the encirclement!"

The surrounding generals and soldiers also shouted, though their voices trembled.

But their determination to protect the head coach has never wavered.

They automatically tightened their formation, protecting Guan Yu in the center, and all eyes turned to their commander.

We await his command to make the final sprint.

however,
To everyone's surprise, Guan Yu sat calmly on Red Hare and did not make a decision immediately as usual.

His usually sharp, almond-shaped eyes looked somewhat unfocused at this moment.

It was as if we were piercing through the surging tide of enemies before us and looking towards a distant and hazy past.

He gently stroked Red Hare's neck, which trembled slightly from tension, his movements slow and carrying an indescribable melancholy.

After a long while, amidst a backdrop of urging and shouts of battle drawing ever closer.

Guan Yu suddenly spoke, his voice unusually calm.

He turned his head to look at Zhao Lei, whose hair and beard were already streaked with gray, beside him:

"Zhao Lei, how many years have you followed Guan...?"

Zhao Lei was taken aback by this sudden question. With the military situation at its most critical, why would Guan Yu suddenly ask this?
But he dared not be negligent, and after a moment's thought, he respectfully replied:
"Reporting to the General, I joined the army of the late Emperor and the General in Zhuojun during the Zhongping era."

"It has been thirty-eight years since then."

"Thirty-eight years..."

Guan Yu murmured the number repeatedly, his gaze growing increasingly distant.

"In the first year of Zhongping, the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, and the world was in turmoil."

"Guan followed his elder brother... and the late emperor, and swore brotherhood in Taoyuan, Zhuojun, and raised an army to punish the rebels."

"From then on, we fought across the Central Plains, resisted Cao Cao in the north, pacified Jingzhou and Xiangyang in the south, and conquered Bashu in the west..."

"In the blink of an eye, forty-nine years have passed."

His voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to carry the weight of time, pressing down on the hearts of every listener.

He paused, then suddenly let out a long sigh.

That sigh was filled with a kind of loneliness after achieving success and a deep-seated weariness.

"Now, Mr. Guan is over seventy years old."

He was appointed Grand General, granted the authority to command troops, and enfeoffed as Duke of Hanshou.

"He held the highest position among ministers, achieving great success and fame."

"With children and grandchildren around my knees, the family prospers, and I can be said to have enjoyed the bliss of family life."

"Logically speaking, what more could Guan ask for in this life?"

"Be content..."

Everyone looked at each other.

I have absolutely no idea why Guan Yu would utter such a sentiment at this critical moment.

Only a few of Guan Yu's longest-serving subordinates, such as Zhao Lei, vaguely sensed an ominous premonition hidden beneath Guan Yu's calm tone.

Guan Yu seemed oblivious to the confusion and anxiety on everyone's faces, and continued speaking to himself.

It was as if he was speaking to the public, or perhaps questioning his own heart.

"However, in recent years, Mr. Guan has often felt..."

"A loneliness that runs deep into the bones."

"How long is a person's life? Seventy is considered a long life, and that is already a great blessing from heaven."

"If you continue to cling to your remaining years and insist on extending your lifespan."

"Wouldn't this go against the natural order and incur divine wrath?"

"Guan Yu!"

"General Guan!!"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned pale with fright and knelt down on the ground.

Zhao Lei banged his head on the ground, his voice trembling with tears:

"General, why do you say such things! Please take care!"

"Though the Xianbei are numerous, they are nothing but clay chickens and earthen dogs!"

"The outpost is just a stone's throw away, and the border reinforcements will arrive in no time!"

"As long as we unite in one place, we will surely defeat the enemy!"

"General, you must not entertain thoughts of suicide!"

Guan Yu slowly shook his head, seemingly ignoring the advice around him.

He closed his eyes, and the wrinkles on his forehead appeared even more pronounced by the frost and wind.

His thoughts seemed to drift back to the bustling yet suffocating imperial court of Luoyang.

It seemed as if the voice of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, always carrying a sense of weighing options and offering words of comfort, could be heard again in my ears.

And then there was the advice of Li Yi, a man of profound wisdom who always seemed to create a distance between him and others—

"The cloud is long, but if it is too rigid, it will break easily; if it is too soft, it can overcome the rigid."

"In the imperial court, sometimes it is necessary to be tolerant and to compromise."

"This is common practice in interpersonal relationships, and it's also a way to protect oneself..."

Tolerance? Compromise?
Guan Yu frowned slightly, a feeling of indescribable annoyance and resistance welling up inside him.

He was upright and honest throughout his life.

I only seek to act with a clear conscience; I have never learned those roundabout ways and petty schemes.

He never understood,

Why is it so difficult to be an upright person, honest and upright, standing tall and proud?
Why always have to consider those deeply entrenched interests and those insincere personal relationships?
Looking back on his life, he felt as if he had always been bathed in the unconditional trust and protection of his elder brother Liu Bei.

Even the unfathomable Li Yi mostly indulged and protected him.

It was this pampering that allowed him to unabashedly maintain his innate pride and integrity.

But because of this, he has unknowingly offended far too many people.

Because he offended so many people, everyone kept their distance from him.

Those old friends with whom I used to share drinks and fight side by side.

Now we are scattered across the world, some have passed away, and others have grown distant.

In his later years, the higher his status, the greater his power.

But they found that there were fewer and fewer people they could truly connect with.

He was surrounded by awe and flattery.

Or like the generals of Liaodong, they were allies united by shared interests.

A profound loneliness, like a cold, venomous snake, had already begun to gnaw at his soul.

until……

Until he once again took up his sword, mounted his horse, and arrived in this harsh and cold land beyond the Great Wall.

Facing the most direct enemy, engage in the purest battle.

These battles with the Xianbei were fought on the edge of a blade, filled with bloodshed and the joy of revenge.

It seemed to temporarily rescue him from that suffocating loneliness and depression.

He suddenly realized why he should bother with those annoying schemes and deceit.

Why force yourself to adapt to rules that you're not good at?
He just wanted to rediscover that initial feeling, to go back to forty-nine years ago.

The garden in Zhuojun where peach blossoms are in full bloom.

The passion and purity he felt when he swore brotherhood with his elder and third brothers and vowed to support the Han Dynasty!
Let's go back to those glorious years when we rode horses together, fought side by side, and shared life and death!
Thinking of this, Guan Yu suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes!

All the confusion, loneliness, and weariness in those phoenix eyes vanished instantly.

Instead, there is a sense of relief and resolve burning like a raging fire!

A long-lost, carefree and unrestrained smile even appeared on the corners of his mouth!

"You all... retreat to your posts!"

Guan Yu's voice suddenly became loud and clear, carrying an undeniable majesty.

"Guan Yu will remain here and fight this final battle against the barbarians!"

"what?!"

"General, you mustn't!"

"Absolutely not!"

Zhao Lei and the others were struck dumb, utterly terrified.

They kowtowed to the ground, pleading desperately:
"General! If anything happens to you, we, your humble servants, will be condemned even to the point of death!"

"How can we explain this to the court and His Majesty?!"

"This is a military order!"

Guan Yu shouted sharply, his voice like thunder.

But then he looked at his old brothers who had followed him through thick and thin, and who were now in tears.

His tone softened again, revealing a sincerity that transcended all barriers of identity and was almost like entrusting one's heart to someone.

"My brothers... are all men who have shared life and death with me, Guan Yu."

"Today, I, Guan, will say a few words from the bottom of my heart to you."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the familiar yet sorrowful faces, and slowly said:

“Even before the expedition to Silla, I… was already seriously ill, but I was just putting on a brave face.”

"Since returning to Liaodong, I have felt my illness worsening day by day."

"His energy is not what it used to be... I'm afraid his days are numbered."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked and pale.

They stared in disbelief at their general, whom they considered as majestic as a god.

A complex smile appeared on Guan Yu's face.

There is helplessness, there is pride, and there is also a stubbornness that refuses to let others see your weakness.

"Throughout my life, Guan Yi was invincible, and the world revered me as the 'Martial Saint'."

"How could I... how could I let anyone see me lying on my sickbed, in such a wretched state?"

"Rather than lingering on without dignity and ultimately dying in bed..."

"Why not choose to die on the battlefield while you still can wield a sword?"

"To die on the battlefield is the most glorious and dignified end for us warriors!"

His voice carried a sense of detachment from life and death.

My gaze turned south again, as if I had traversed thousands of mountains and rivers.

I saw the Han Dynasty palace where he had served his entire life.

He saw his sworn brother, who had passed away.

“Lately, I have been missing the late Emperor more and more… I miss my elder brother in heaven.”

His voice lowered, with a barely perceptible sob.

Then the mood brightened again, "Li Xiang once wrote a poem: 'To repay your kindness on the Golden Terrace, I would wield the Jade Dragon and die for you!'"

"...Today, I, Guan, am able to fight one last time for the Han Dynasty and for my elder brother."

"Then I'll go to the underworld in glory to meet him. What more could I ask for?"

"What more could you want?!"

These words were like a final verdict.

Everyone understood that Guan Yu's actions were not impulsive.

Rather, their minds were made up.

The loneliness of his later years, and his weariness of the power struggles in the imperial court.

The torment of illness had already pushed this proud veteran to his physical and mental limits.

He chose to end his legendary life in a way that was most befitting of his status and most heroic.

For him, death was not a tragedy.
Rather, it is liberation, a final destination, and the ultimate ritual for fulfilling one's martial arts beliefs.

Zhao Lei knelt on the ground, his body trembling with intense emotions.

He looked up at Guan Yu's green robe fluttering in the wind.

That resolute profile, as sharp as a stone carving.

Finally, he kowtowed heavily, his voice hoarse and sorrowful:
"This subordinate...understands!"

General Guan... take care!

"General Guan, please take care!"

The other soldiers understood Guan Yu's intentions and wept and bowed to the ground, their voices blending into a solemn farewell.

More than ten hot-blooded veterans suddenly stood up, drew their swords, and roared with red eyes:

"We are willing to follow the general! We will fight the barbarians to the death!"

"presumptuous!"

Guan Yu turned around abruptly, his eyes wide with fury, and roared:
"You are all in the prime of your lives, and you still have parents, wives, and children waiting at the door for you!"

"How dare you follow this old man to your death? Retreat at once!"

"This is a military order! Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

His voice was like thunder, carrying his final authority, which stunned the dozen or so soldiers into standing still.

They looked into Guan Yu's resolute eyes.

In the end, all they could do was retreat step by step, tears streaming down their faces.

Zhao Lei took one last look at the figure that stood as tall as a mountain, then abruptly turned around.

He roared with all his might:
"All troops, listen up! Protect the wounded and retreat to the outpost! Quickly!"

The surviving Han soldiers, with tears in their eyes, helped the wounded.

Filled with endless grief and reverence, they staggered southward, like the receding tide, towards that last hopeful land.

On the desolate plains, in the blink of an eye, only Guan Yu remained, alone on horseback.

He gently spurred the horse's belly, and the Red Hare, as if sensing its master's intention, seemed to understand.

It let out a long, mournful cry and strode forward with steady and firm steps.

Instead of heading south, they turned their horses around to face the tens of thousands of Xianbei cavalry rolling in like dark clouds.

The gale whipped up his long beard and billowed his dark green battle robe.

He held the Azure Dragon Blade upside down with one hand, its cold blade still gleaming with a chilling light in the dim light.

His spine was straight, and his gaze was calm and distant.

It was as if they were not going to their deaths, but going to a long-awaited, destiny-bound rendezvous.

Behind them lay the path to survival and the promise of fame.

It is all the entanglements of the mortal world.

Ahead lies a dead end, and a formidable enemy.

It is the ultimate battlefield of glory for martial artists.

Without the slightest hesitation, he urged Red Hare forward, and the man rode alone.

Like a lone phoenix rushing towards the raging flames, or like the last wave crashing against the reef.

Without hesitation, they faced the black tidal wave that swept across the land.

The world is vast and desolate, with only the howling wind and the neighing of horses remaining.

And the poignant yet unregretful silhouette of an era drawing to a close.

……

On the land where yellow sand and remnants of snow intertwine.

Guan Yu's solitary figure was approaching the overwhelming Xianbei army with an almost ritualistic slowness and determination.

Guan Yu's green robe was stained with the dust of battle and dark brown bloodstains.

The golden armor reflected a somber light in the dim sunlight.

He rode alone on his horse, holding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade upside down.

Red Hare strode with steady steps, each step seemingly tapping to the beat of destiny.

There was no massive crowd, no deafening shouts.

Alone on horseback, he exuded an aura of dominance over the world and fearlessness in the face of death.

Like a lone peak standing before raging waves.

This created an invisible, heart-pounding sense of oppression in the massive army formation of tens of thousands of Xianbei cavalry on the other side.

A scout had already galloped into the Xianbei central army, panting as he reported:
"Great Khan! The Han army... the Han army has only sent one man and one horse!"

"It seems to be...it's Guan Yu!"

"One person and one horse?"

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Liwei, who was sitting upright on his fine horse, raised his thick eyebrows and showed an expression of disbelief.

He spurred his mount forward, surrounded by tribal leaders, and galloped out to the front of the battle, gazing into the distance.

Sure enough, on that empty battlefield, there was only that familiar figure.

At this moment, he was walking unhurriedly toward his massive army formation.

The afterglow of the setting sun outlined the man's towering figure, though he was all alone.

The oppressive force that had once caused him so much suffering now seemed to solidify, transcending space and pressing heavily on his heart.

It made him gasp for breath.

Tuoba Liwei regained his composure. Gathering his inner strength, he shouted loudly, his voice carrying on the wind:
"Guan Yu! Are you perhaps deserted by your followers, at the end of your rope, with not a single person willing to die with you?"

He tried to use words to break down the other party's momentum and explore the reasons behind this strange situation.

however,
Only the howling north wind answered him.

And the ever-approaching, rhythmic sound of hooves.

Guan Yu seemed not to hear, his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze calmly traversing space.

The gaze fell directly on Tuoba Liwei, devoid of any emotion.

There was neither anger nor fear.

There was only a bottomless, cold indifference.

This disregard made Tuoba Liwei feel more annoyed by being slighted than any insult or provocation.

And a barely perceptible palpitation.

He reined in his horse and returned to his camp, where he quickly discussed matters with his trusted leaders.

"What is Guan Yu's intention in coming here alone?"

"Could it be a trap?"

One of the leaders asked in confusion.

The other person pondered:
"Judging from their demeanor, it doesn't seem like a trap."

"It's more like... he's prepared to die."

Tuoba Liwei's eyes flickered as he rapidly calculated in his mind.

Although he did his utmost to block Guan Yu and hated him for killing his beloved son Tuoba Luguan, he still retained his rationality.

There was no actual declaration of war between the Xianbei royal court and the Han Dynasty.

Large-scale border trade continues, and a semblance of peace is maintained at the official level.

This conflict stemmed from Guan Yu's repeated cross-border attacks, representing an escalation of localized friction.

If we could kill Guan Yu, the great general of the Han Dynasty who was renowned throughout China, here, we could certainly avenge our momentary grievances.

But the consequences would be unimaginable.

This will surely enrage the entire Han court and invite devastating retaliation.

The head of the Xianbei people, and even the entire Xianbei, may face annihilation.

With this thought in mind, Tuoba Liwei took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to avenge his son, and said in a deep voice:
"Guan Yu was the military god of the Han Dynasty, and his status was extremely revered."

"If we can capture him alive... his value far surpasses that of killing him!"

A glint of greed and ambition flashed in his eyes.

"Send word: Capture Guan Yu alive!"

"In this way, not only can I spread the fame of my Suotou chieftain across the grasslands and subdue all the tribes, but I can also help to unify the Xianbei!"

"Furthermore, we could use this hostage to extort a huge ransom from the Han emperor—"

"Gold, silver, silk, ironware, grain—you name it, we have it!"

"At that time, what worries will I have about not prospering with my head?"

Upon hearing this, the leaders' eyes lit up, and they all nodded in agreement.

The allure of capturing him alive far outweighs the thrill of killing him.

Having made his decision, Tuoba Liwei immediately gave the order:
"Order the entire army! No arrows are to be fired!"

"We must capture Guan Yu alive!"

"Anyone who harms their life will be severely punished!"

The orders were relayed down through the ranks.

Tuoba Liwei then selected a ten-man squad and ordered them to go forward and persuade the enemy to surrender.

The ten cavalrymen cautiously approached, unarmed. Their leader shouted in broken Chinese:
"General Guan! My Great Khan has given an order."

"If you are willing to dismount and surrender, you will be treated with the utmost respect..."

Before he finished speaking, Guan Yu's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he walked slowly!

He suddenly spurred his horse, and the battle-hardened Red Hare accelerated like an arrow released from a bow!
A bluish-green blade of light appeared like a fleeting glimpse of a startled swan, drawing a deadly arc in the air!

Before the ten Xianbei cavalrymen could react, they felt a chill on their necks.

He was already decapitated and fell from his horse!
The whole process was incredibly fast.

By the time everyone could see clearly, Guan Yu had already reined in his horse and turned back.

The Azure Dragon Blade pointed diagonally at the ground, and fresh blood slowly dripped down its cold blade.

He remained silent, but the overwhelming killing intent emanating from him was as tangible as if it were real!
An uproar erupted in the Xianbei ranks, and fear appeared on the faces of many soldiers.

Upon seeing this, Tuoba Liwei flew into a rage and gritted his teeth, saying:
"Well done, Guan Yu! He won't listen to reason, so he'll have to drink the penalty shot!"

"Charge! Send a hundred men!"

"We must capture him alive! Let's see how long he can keep up this act!"

One hundred elite Xianbei cavalrymen received the order and let out strange cries.

He brandished a lasso and an unsheathed saber, but did not draw it for fear of harming him.

The crowd surrounded Guan Yu from all directions.

Facing an enemy a hundred times their size, Guan Yu showed no fear.

Instead, it let out a long roar, like a dragon's cry echoing across the vast marshland!

He brandished the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, urged the Red Hare on, and charged into the enemy ranks!
The blade flashed, like a green dragon surging.

With each swing, a Xianbei cavalryman and his horse were cleaved to the ground!

He didn't consider defense at all; every move he made was a desperate gamble, pushing his martial arts skills to the limit!

Although the Xianbei cavalry were numerous, they were intimidated by Guan Yu's fearless and unparalleled aura of selflessness and dominance.

No one dared to actually get close enough to fight them to the death.

They were just loitering on the periphery, looking for opportunities.

Instead, Guan Yu seized upon their weaknesses and killed them one after another!

Tuoba Liwei's face turned ashen as he watched from the front lines; he had never imagined Guan Yu could be so brave and fierce.

He hardened his heart and kept issuing orders:

"Charge! Charge again! I refuse to believe that he alone can defeat our thousands of warriors!"

"Use a war of attrition! Wear him down!"

then,

The Xianbei army surged towards that proud, solitary figure like a tidal wave.

One hundred fall, another hundred rise, two hundred...

Guan Yu was surrounded and fought his way through the enemy lines.

The Azure Dragon Blade transformed into a whirlwind of death, sweeping away everything in its path.

Men and horses were thrown about, blood splattered, and severed limbs were scattered everywhere.

He seemed tireless and fearless.

He had only one thought in his mind—kill!

For the sake of that lost vow made in the Peach Garden,

For the final resting place of that lonely soul,
For the most glorious final chapter for martial artists!
The fierce battle lasted for nearly two hours.

As the sun gradually set in the west, it dyed the horizon a poignant, blood-red hue.

The once desolate wasteland is now littered with corpses and rivers of blood.

The air was thick with a nauseating stench of blood.

The corpses of the Xianbei soldiers piled up in layers, forming a horrifying circular heap around Guan Yu!

Guan Yu, however, continued to fight.

However, human strength has its limits.

The continuous high-intensity fighting, coupled with his advanced age and declining health, had left him physically exhausted.

Even more fatal was his soulmate—his magnificent Red Hare.

After two hours of repeated sprints and maneuvers.

Finally, it let out a weary cry, and its speed noticeably slowed down.

A fearless Xianbei soldier seized the opportunity and rolled suddenly in front of the horse.

He swung his sword and slashed hard at Red Hare's foreleg!

"Hercules—!"

Red Hare let out a long, heart-wrenching neigh, its front legs buckled, and it collapsed to the ground with a thud!

Caught off guard, Guan Yu on horseback was thrown off by the immense inertia and crashed heavily into the cold pile of corpses!
"Caught!"

Upon seeing this, the Xianbei soldiers let out a joyful shout, and more than ten of them immediately rushed forward.

They threw out the leather hooks they had prepared beforehand, attempting to lasso Guan Yu.

"Go away!"

Upon landing, Guan Yu let out a deafening roar, like a wounded lion!

He suddenly exerted force with both arms, his muscles bulging, and actually broke several hooks and chains that were attached to his body!
He then flipped and leaped up, though his steps were somewhat unsteady.

But he still wielded the Green Dragon Blade with the speed of the wind. With a flash of light, another group of Xianbei soldiers who had surrounded him were instantly cut down!
All the Xianbei people who witnessed this scene were horrified and instinctively took several steps back.

Where are the people here?
He's clearly a god of death from hell!
Tuoba Liwei saw it from afar and was also deeply shocked.

This further solidified their resolve to capture him alive.

He shouted again, his tone even carrying a hint of pleading that he himself didn't realize:
"General Guan! You are truly a divine being!"

"Given the current situation, even if you possess extraordinary abilities, you will find it difficult to escape the encirclement!"

"Why don't we lay down our weapons and sit down for a proper talk?"

"Everything is negotiable! I, Tuoba Liwei, swear in the name of the Great Khan that I will never harm your life!"

He really didn't want to kill Guan Yu anymore.

Not only because of the ransom and prestige, but also because deep in their hearts they felt a complex sense of awe for the old general.

He feared that killing Guan Yu would create an irreconcilable feud with the Han Dynasty.

However, all that responded to him was Guan Yu's even fiercer blade!
He was completely blinded by rage.

All that remained in his mind was the instinct to fight and the desire to destroy all living things around him.

Every swing of the Azure Dragon Blade carried his life's martial arts skills and his last bit of life energy.

The more renowned warriors and generals in the Xianbei army rushed forward.

They were often killed before they could even exchange a single blow!

A general rushed to Tuoba Liwei in a panic, reporting with a sob in his voice:
"Your Majesty! This can't go on any longer!"

"Guan Yu... Guan Yu has already killed dozens of my officers and soldiers!"

"Many of them are key brave soldiers from various units!"

"If he keeps killing, he'll cut off the very foundation of my head!"

Tuoba Liwei gazed at the figure still standing and fighting amidst the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, his face twitching, his heart filled with helplessness and anger.

He gritted his teeth and hissed:
"Send! Keep sending warriors!"

"We must wear him down, but we must capture him alive!"

As the sun set, it finally sank below the horizon, casting a blood-red haze over the world.

The battlefield at this moment was so horrific that it was breathtaking.

Centered on Guan Yu, the corpses were piled up like a small mountain!

And he stood atop this mountain of corpses!

He was covered in blood, and his green robe had long since turned dark red, its original color no longer discernible.

He gripped the still-dripping Azure Dragon Blade tightly in one hand, the hilt almost glued to his palm by congealed blood.

With his other hand, he gently stroked the long beard under his chin, which was also stained red with blood, in an almost elegant manner.

His eyes were wide open, but the madness in them was gone.

All that remains is a majestic aura that overlooks all living beings and is awe-inspiring and inviolable.

Like the deities enshrined in a temple!

The murderous aura and domineering presence emanating from him blended together, forming an invisible barrier.

The number of Xianbei soldiers surrounding the foot of the mountain of corpses remained large.

But their hands, which were holding weapons, were trembling, and their eyes were filled with fear and awe.

No one dared to easily step onto the staircase to death, made up of the corpses of their companions.

Nomadic peoples of the grasslands admire strength the most.

At this moment, in their eyes, Guan Yu was no longer an ordinary person.

It is not the arrival of the God of War, but the incarnation of a god!
Tuoba Liwei rode his horse to the front of the formation and looked at the statue-like figure at the top of the mountain of corpses, feeling a mix of emotions.

Anger, sorrow, shock, awe...

In the end, all emotions transformed into a profound sense of admiration.

He dismounted and straightened his robes.

Then, facing the mountain of corpses, he bowed deeply with utmost solemnity.

As he moved,

The Xianbei generals around them, as well as the soldiers who could still stand, seemed to be infected by an invisible force.

They dismounted or remained where they were.

They all bowed respectfully towards the blood-red figure.

At this moment, there were no orders.

Only the deepest, most heartfelt respect for the absolute strongest.

Tuoba Li straightened up and spoke loudly, his voice exceptionally clear in the silent battlefield:

"General Guan! He is truly a god!"

"Liwei...I'm impressed!"

"Only today do I realize that the Central Plains has such a hero!"

"I, Tuoba Liwei, hereby swear that from this day forward, Suotoutou will never again dare to be an enemy of the Celestial Empire!"

"We dare not take another step south!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a slight but intense tremor suddenly came from the ground!

Immediately afterwards, the thunderous sound of horses' hooves came from the south!
On the horizon, thick smoke and dust billowed.

Countless Han army flags fluttered in the wind, surging towards this place like a torrent of steel!

It was the main force of Liaodong, assembled by Cao Xing, Cheng Lian, and others, that finally arrived!
Tuoba Liwei's expression changed.

He knew that the advantage of the steppe cavalry lay in their mobility, rather than in their ability to fight head-on against the main force of the Han army, which was well-prepared for battle.

Without hesitation, Tuoba Liwei immediately mounted his horse and loudly gave the order:

"Retreat! The entire army retreats!"

The horn sounded.

The well-trained Xianbei cavalry quickly withdrew from the battlefield like the receding tide.

They fled towards the vast northern grasslands, disappearing into the twilight in the blink of an eye.

Cao Xing, Cheng Lian, Zhao Lei and others led their troops to the edge of the battlefield, and were all stunned by the sight before them!
Corpses piled up like mountains, and blood flowed like rivers.

The setting sun, like blood, dyed everything into a hellish scene.

In the heart of this blood-red landscape, atop the small mountain piled with corpses, a familiar figure stands tall and imposing!

"General Guan!"

Zhao Lei shouted hoarsely and rushed up the mountain of corpses without regard for anything else.

He approached Guan Yu, only to find Guan Yu still in that same posture—

He held a knife in one hand and stroked his beard with the other.

His eyes were wide open, glaring angrily ahead.

A sense of foreboding welled up in Zhao Lei's heart. Trembling, he reached out and gently checked Guan Yu's breath...

"General Guan...!"

Zhao Lei let out a mournful wail, his knees buckled, and he knelt down at Guan Yu's feet.

Cao Xing, Cheng Lian, and other generals followed closely behind and climbed the mountain of corpses.

Upon seeing this scene, everyone was moved to tears and knelt down.

General Guan... he died standing up!

He died with his eyes open!
He died stepping over the corpses of countless enemies!
He fought until the very last moment of his life.

They never fell, they never yielded!
Zhao Lei suppressed his grief and recalled Guan Yu's dying wish.

He ordered that the Red Hare, the horse that had also died in battle and had accompanied Guan Yu for many years, be skinned.

They carefully wrapped up Guan Yu's still upright and unyielding body.

Then, the generals joined forces, with an almost pilgrimage-like piety and solemnity.

Guan Yu's body was slowly lifted down from the mountain of corpses and placed in a luxurious coffin that had been prepared beforehand.

On the way back to Liaodong, Zhao Lei gently opened the coffin lid again.

He wanted to prepare the remains of the lord so that he could pass away peacefully.

He reached out, wanting to close Guan Yu's still wide-open and majestic eyes.

However, just as his fingers were about to touch those cold eyelids, he suddenly froze.

In the flickering light of the torch, he could see clearly.

On that blood-stained face, yet still resolute and unyielding.

At the corners of his tightly pursed lips, a symbol of his lifelong pride.

Surprisingly... a very faint, extremely faint arc was vaguely outlined.

That was a smile!
A relieved, satisfied smile, as if all burdens had finally been lifted and wishes had been fulfilled.

Zhao Lei's hand froze in mid-air, tears blurring his vision once again.

As he gazed at that smile, all the sorrow in his heart seemed to be replaced by a more complex emotion.

He understood, he understood completely.

For Guan Yu, dying on the battlefield wrapped in a horse's hide was not a tragedy.

Rather, it was the most perfect and glorious destination that he actively chose.

He has no regrets in this world.

He slowly withdrew his hand, gently straightened Guan Yu's blood-stained battle robe, and then closed the coffin lid.

The group continued their journey in silence, with only the north wind still howling across the wilderness.

It was as if the legend of a martial saint, his last and most glorious one, was being sung.

……

It is:

The spear pierces the clouds, letting go of a lifetime of worries.

Gazing at the icy moon, he rode alone, speechless with the question of life and death.

The wind swept away the hordes of riders, tearing their armor apart, and blood stained the vast yellow sands.

Success and failure are but a matter of laughter, yet they leave their mark on history.

(End of this chapter)