The other man, his feet bare, walked to the bank, his eyes locked on the two of them. Sun Ce wanted to lead his horse out of the water as well.
“You aren’t with the Liang Province troops?” Zhou Yu asked before Sun Ce could move.
“Answer my question first.” His gaze shifted from Zhou Yu to Sun Ce before moving on to their horse.
Sun Ce immediately realized—he could be on their side, one of their own! He must have been sent here.
“Is the general from the allied troops? How should this one refer to you?” Sun Ce asked. “I am under the command of the Changsha Prefect Sun Jian—”
He was interrupted as someone darted out of the forest. Zhou Yu’s and Sun Ce’s expressions instantly changed, and they and their horse clambered speedily up onto the bank.
“Still trying to escape, brats?!” a voice called from within the trees.
The martial general picked up his silver spear and stepped forward.
Words rang out from another martial officer, this one wearing a set of fully black armor, as he charged out, riding a prized Akhal-Teke horse. The warhorse released a long whinny as it reared back, remaining on the northern bank of the creek. Over a hundred archers faded in behind him.
“None of you shall escape!” he roared.
The bare-chested martial general stepped in front of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, shielding them.
From the southern bank, a dense mass of white-armored archers appeared, pointing their arrows at the forces on the opposite side. The two armies, separated by the creek, stood in a temporary stalemate.
It was obvious to Zhou Yu why they hadn’t been able to escape their pursuers. It wasn’t because Sun Ce’s horse was slow, but rather because their luck was as bad as it could be.
The man was wearing a set of black scale armor, his head clad in an iron helmet that bore a pheasant plume. He was over seven feet tall and held the famed Fangtian Halberd. His nose was hooked like an eagle’s beak, and his eyebrows were as sharp as a sword’s edge. A resentful expression rested in his gaze, and the horse he rode was exactly one of the five that could catch up with Sun Ce’s: the divine Akhal-Teke breed, the Red Hare that could race even the wind.
Were they destined to fall into Lü Bu’s clutches this time? Who would have thought he would chase after them in person?
Zhou Yu turned his head carefully, studying the other side, his hands slick with sweat. He worried the white-armored troops were not Lü Bu’s enemies. Then he remembered what he’d seen just as he entered Sikang. Weren’t these white-clad soldiers part of that army he witnessed crossing swords with Lü Bu’s cavalry?
Sun Ce didn’t know the two sides had fought before.
In a grave tone, he spoke to the bare-chested martial general in front of him. “General, this is the General of the Household, Lü Bu. You must be extremely careful.”
The martial general who was protecting them seemed to hardly register his words. Under the light of the midday sun, his kind eyes held not even a trace of fear as he faced Lü Bu.
The corners of Lü Bu’s mouth twitched slightly, and his eyes narrowed. With a single command, both sides would rush at each other, hacking and slashing, dyeing the waters of the creek red. But he did not give the order.
Instead, he let out a cold chuckle. “Zhao Zilong, you want to go another round? Why don’t you get dressed first?”
The martial general gripped his silver spear. “You shall not take these two away, for they are my allies. But if the General of the Household wants to attack, then this general will naturally meet you in kind.”
That provoked an uproar from both sides, but Lü Bu stepped forward. He pointed his Fangtian Halberd right at Zhao Zilong.
“The other one can go, but this general will take Sun Jian’s dog of a son. Hand him over and we can pretend that you and I never saw each other here today.”
“No,” Sun Ce said. “I won’t go back with you.”
“Shouldn’t you call me Shifu, disciple?” Lü Bu asked, menacingly.
Zhou Yu started, turning an incredulous gaze to Sun Ce, who merely cupped his hands and bowed. “Shifu, this disciple cannot go with you.”
“You’re the disciple of the General of the Household?” Zhao Yun watched Sun Ce warily.
Sun Ce could only grit his teeth and carry on.
Lü Bu said coldly, “Sun Jian promised he would send his son to join my riders, so he could learn their skills. But he changed his tune, and very quickly at that. I’ll keep his son hostage and let you all go, so go.”
Lü Bu’s words were arrogant.
“I’ll take his place,” Zhou Yu said.
“It’s you again,” Lü Bu said, looking at Zhou Yu. “Who exactly are you?”
“You will not.” Sun Ce stopped Zhou Yu.
“General of the Household,” Zhao Yun said sternly, saluting him firmly but modestly, “this cannot be settled until I return and report to General Sun and the commander of the alliance. I cannot release them until then. If I do not make my report, neither can leave with you. I apologize for the offense.”
Lü Bu flew into a rage, but Zhao Yun remained as steady as a mountain, standing in front of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu like a protector god.
He continued slowly, “If the marquis wants to force my hand, let us have a showdown. Three rounds. If the marquis is able to win, then I will step aside and remove myself from this situation. How does that sound?”
Lü Bu had fought as he pleased for over ten years, and no one had yet dared to challenge him to a fight. But he had suffered defeat at the foot of Hulao Pass, and now this arrogant fledgling with barely any reputation here was asking for a beating. How could he let that go?
“This marquis will fight three rounds with you! All of you, step back!” Lü Bu hollered.
All the troops retreated, and Zhao Yun lifted his long spear, walking into the shallows. Zhou Yu and Sun Ce held their breaths.
Before Lü Bu could attack, a messenger stepped up, hurriedly whispering a few words into his ear. His expression immediately darkened.
“Looks like these three rounds must wait. I will allow them to leave with you today, but we will decide the victor of our bout one day in the future! Men! Move out!”
True to his word, Lü Bu and his men left, withdrawing into the trees like they had never been there in the first place. Zhao Yun kept his hand on his silver spear, eyes trained on Lü Bu’s shrinking silhouette, as if expecting him to rush back. It wasn’t until he confirmed the Liang Province troops had indeed retreated that he released a breath of relief.
“Were you the decoy meant to lure him away?” Zhao Yun asked Zhou Yu.
“We weren’t.” Zhou Yu was very confused.
“Someone else probably ambushed that procession,” Sun Ce guessed.
Zhao Yun finally went to put on his clothes. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu thanked him, but Zhao Yun waved away their appreciation.
“It cost me next to nothing to do, so no need to mention it. Since we are allies, naturally we should help each other.”