A Land in Chaos - Book of Water

[LordBloodySoul]

Dynasty Warriors - A Land of Chaos
by LordBloodySoul

Author Prologue

This Fan Fiction is based on the storyline of the Dynasty Warrior game series. I use the places and characters mentioned in the game and add new characters and places, when the time comes. This Fan Fiction is a collection of self-created characters stories. Every story and character is somehow connected to each other. I might change character appearances when Koei releases new ones.

The stories are differing into Four Books. Water = Wei / Wind = Shu / Fire = Wu / Earth = Warriors Orochi

I hope you enjoy reading!

 

[LordBloodySoul]

A Land in Chaos - Book of Water / Wei

Story 1: - The Firestorm

Chapter 1 – "The Blaze and the Yellow Dragon"

184 AD.

Within the kingdom of China, the peace slowly crumbled and chaos spread throughout the land. Many people died at the hands of rebels, who fought against the corrupted government. Within the flames of these crisis's, warriors were born. Fighters who made themselves names for centuries to come. Men and women alike.

This story is about an unusual woman, who made her way throughout history, but not like she was at birth. The world only knows her as “The Firestorm”. One lonesome warrior fighting bandits, pirates and thieves all around China. Strong like a savage, wild beast and so fast on her feet that no rider would ever escape her. Yet, she never will be seen as who she really was.


The Han emperor sent his men out to destroy the threat that is known as the Yellow Turban bandits. Many soldiers responded to the call of the emperor. Soldiers, generals and many volunteers. All gathered to slay Zhang Jiao and his Rebel force. Great people like Cao Cao, Sun Jian and even strong warriors like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei came to destroy the rebellion once and for all. And so she came too...

“Hey, maid!”, a soldier shouted after a woman, passing by toward the volunteer camp. She doesn't turn around but stopped to hear the man out. “Bring me another drink, woman. I'm nearly desiccated.” The soldiers around the wider man began to laugh in amusement. She turned around and walked over to the table, the man was sitting at. She took a jar and forced it over the soldiers head. “What the--?!”, the man screamed, enraged and got a kick for that. He rolled over the sand and hit a line of barrels. The soldiers stared at the woman, who was covered in black clothes. Fine, thin leather and thick wool. Her shorts grabbed tightly around her legs, looking like they were going to rip any moment. The torso dressing wasn't so open. The right arm got no cover, nor did the left. The sleeve was wide and long. Her hands were armed in iron, decorated by silk-bands, formed to flowers around the wrists. The woman was moving away, drowning her leather boots into the sand and shouldering a long thin leather bag. While she waved her long, white ponytail toward her back, she warned the rest: “Never decide a woman's place on look alone, moron.” A single look back, with anger flaming in her dark brown eye. The right was covered by an eye patch, decorated with ornaments of dancing horses inside a fire circle. She continued her way, leaving the shocked and silenced crowd of soldiers behind. Some officers watched her passing by as she reached the tent of the volunteers’ leader. “So who's the leader of this sorry bunch of soldiers?”, she asked while facing three men, who seemed to be discussing the plan for the attack. They looked at her with questioning, confused eyes. The smaller one came up at her, greeting the woman: “I am Bei of the Liu family. I organize the volunteer army. With whom do I speak, if I may ask, milady?” The woman aggressively answered back at the young boy. Holding her fist under his nose. “Listen, boy! I am not a lady, got it? They call me the Firestorm and I expect the same of you! Even if you're going to be leading us.” One of the greater men laughed slightly. He hold his belly and grabbed after a flask hanging on his belt. “Hahaha. This woman really has fire, boys. She's really stingy.” “Hey! Watch it, fat guy, or you're going to eat sand before these bandit fools!” “Who do you call fat?!” The last of the three men enjoyed the little fighting. He caressed his impressive, long black beard. “Your right, Zhang Fei. She is stingy.”, he laughed slightly, “But not that alone. I know of the name -Firestorm-.” Liu Bei looked up to this giant of a man, interested in his knowledge. “You know something, Guan Yu?“ “A skilled hunter of pirates, bandits and other criminals. Most people tell legends about a single person chasing men on horses only on foot. The name, so told, came by the fact that no prey ever escaped the rampage of this fighter.”, he then laughed again, “Hmhm. But they never said that this -Firestorm- was a woman.” The lady stared furiously around the three men before her. “Got a problem with that?!”, she asked angered. “Not at all.”, Liu Bei answered friendly and bowed again before her, “It's an honor to have such a valiant warrior with us.” The woman smiled approving. She also bowed before the three men: “It's an honor to serve, Master Liu Bei, though I doubt that anyone will ever be able to tame my fire. I, Umi Mari, known as the Firestorm swear to bring this rebellion to an end. I won't hesitate, nor will I fail. And... .”, she raised her head grinning, “...no enemy shall escape my blade!” Zhang Fei looked at her, but couldn't find any weapon. He took a sip of his flask bottle. “What blade are you talking about?”, he then asked her. She posed her leather bundle before the three and opened it. Inside was a weird construction made of red wood, bamboo and a long steel blade. She bound it on her right arm with leather belts and snapped open it up. The blade rushed one half arm lengths over her hand. She smiled and was filled with a sparkling battle spirit. “That's my weapon, big guy. I call her -Revenant-, because she comes at you again, even if you hit her away.”, she explained, “The Longsword blade is just distraction. See?” She pointed at the wooden part of the weapon. “This one is a nice crossbow. Small, I know, but in near range more deadly than those stupid longbows at miles away from the enemy.” She clutched her fists together. “So let it start! I can't wait for my hunting!” “I see...”, another calm voice came from the back. At the tents entrance stood a man veiled in a blue robe. The upper part was tight around the chest and wide on the arms. He covered his hands in dark iron claws. The robe was open beneath the belt. It fell to both sides and looked like it was made of thousands of crane feathers. The tip of each end was sparkling, like it was covered with ice. His pants were simple and blue and his boots clutched in iron as well. He waved his impressive long, black hair aside. The skin was dark, making him look like covered with dirt. The cold frozen sky - colored eyes stared at the group of four and he bowed with a smile. “May I have a moment of your time, Master Liu Bei?”, he said with a strange calm voice. It was soft and kinda jokey, but there was a freezing twinkle in every word. “My lord, Cao Cao, sent me to get you for the war council. The other officers wish your presence.” “Of course.”, the young man answered with a friendly nod, “I will attend immediately.” The man smiled and left the tent again. “Who was that, brother?”, Zhang Fei asked, “He was kinda...weird.” Liu Bei turned over to him and explained. “I met him when he arrived together with Lord Cao Cao's forces. He refers to himself as one of his servants, but he wanted to be assigned as volunteer. His name is Hanleng.” “Hanleng?”, Umi Mari asked curious, “One thing is certain. He's no normal man. I saw many men in my life and all sorts of guys stumbling around with sword and spear, thinking that they could call themselves warriors... . But he is somewhat different.” “I agree.”, the tall man with the beard said, “There was a strange cold in his eyes...” “Like a predator on a hunt.”, she finished and smiled, “It seems that this will be an interesting battle after all.”

The man, Hanleng, went outside. The sun was very bright today, he thought and smiled anew. His boots thundered over the ground getting everyone's attention. He passed the soldiers camps and went towards a fireplace on the other side. He walked over to a lone man sitting next to the fire, drinking a cup of wine. “The leader of our volunteers will be at the meeting, sir.”, he said and bowed with both fist pressed together in front of his chest. “And you still want to follow them... ?”, the man answered and tugged at his beard, “You're a most odd man, Hanleng.” He joined his comrade with laughter, waving at him. “And you still try to figure me out, Cao Cao. But you're still as smart about me, like you were back to the day I joined the forces at Luo Yang.” The bearded man looked inside his cup. His black hair was twinkling under the hot sun and his determent eyes tried to break the reflection. “What makes you think you could accomplish more on the side of common people?” “Never would I ask you to trust me before seeing my capability first hand.” “Then why would you avoid me by joining them?” Hanleng looked at him. His calmness against the determination of Cao Cao. His smile against the puzzled and searching mind of his Lord. “My... Still full of questions, my dear Lord Cao Cao.” “And you still avoid them with mockery and jokes... .” “By the heavens, no!”, he played shocked before his Lords eyes, “I would never dream of mocking you. I just simply don't feel the need for answering questions.” He laughed again and joined Cao Cao on the bench near the fireplace. The man looked at his amused comrade, but was irritated, rather than pleased. “But if you like...”, Hanleng further said, “...I will answer one question before you leave for the war council, Lord Cao Cao.” “Humph... . Fine. Then say... What do you try to achieve?” Hanleng laughed and hung his head surprised. “Oh! You always ask the hard questions first, right?” Suddenly he became silent and stared across the camp. His gazing was empty and saddening. “There are three things I have to do... . First – I have to find and guide people on their ways to a better future. Second – I have to find two individuals. And third – I have to kill those two... .” “What?” “Don't try. The next question I answer if we get out of this alive. Deal, my Lord?” Cao Cao smiled not surprised about this answer and took the jug of wine, waving it at him. “So I can't ask you to join me for my last cup today?” Hanleng laughed and took a cup himself. Cao Cao served him and they both enjoyed the aroma of sweet wine before the upcoming dust storm of battle.


Soon the battle began. Hanleng prepared in his tent. He put some armor on. Something light with few metal plates and chains. He wore a robe over his armor, took two swords from his desk and went outside. “Are you ready, mister mystery?”, someone asked. Hanleng turned to his left and spotted two men approaching. The first one was taller than the other. Both had purple – blue like uniforms. One was armed with a saber and the other with a bow. The smaller, round man grinned at him. Hanleng smiled and raised his shoulders. “And who do we have here?”, he said and walked over to them, “The Xiahou cousins! You two are like water and ice. Alike in the depth of their being, but still different in so many ways...” “Sometimes I wonder if you'll ever answer a question straight, Leng.”, the taller, more serious looking one said and took off with his horse. Hanleng was fascinated by his cold nature and smiled anew. “He still doesn't trust me, does he?”, he asked the other man. “You know, Dun. It will take much more than just talk to convince him to trust you, even if our cousin Cao Cao seems to.” “Well... It can't be helped, Yuan.”, he agreed and looked behind the round man. He had two horses with him and handed one over to Hanleng. “Still going to help the volunteers?”, Yuan asked and climbed onto the back of his horse. “Yes. There is something I have to do before joining you all...” The mysterious man climbed the back of his given horse and went off as well. “Don't worry, my friend. We'll see each other soon enough on the battlefield.”

The field of battle was near a hill. Long ago a temple was built on its top, with little villages around it. The rebels used this place as hideout and base. Hanleng entered the battlefield riding on a black mare, pale grey eyes and white mane. The saddle was simple. Dark brown leather, no ornaments and even a bit dirty. He joined Liu Bei and the volunteers. “Ha! You even need a horse, old man?”, Umi Mari laughed at him as he approached. “Oh, my lovely mare is not for me, mistress.”, he laughed back at her. “Hm?” “All life serves a purpose...” The woman did not understand what he said, but with the battle ahead she, cared even less. Bound on her right arm, Revenant awaited its prey. Liu Bei gave the command, waving one of his swords forward. “Charge!”, he shouted, “Let us bring peace back to the land!” Hanleng went off and took the lead fast. His mare was swift and ran right through the first troop of rebels. Right behind him was Umi Mari. It took her only a few more jumps and she overhauled his horse. The rebel soldiers tried to surround those two, but soon after them the rest of the volunteer force reached their battle ground. Hanleng literally danced around the back of his mare, kicking the villains to the faces and shoulders. His boots sharp edged ends pierced right through their armor. “Impressive, old man.”, the Firestorm praised him. She went through the enemy line and dodged every of their attempts of stopping her run. Her blade, Revenant, sliced their spears and shields to pieces. She slithered beneath their swings and shot at several rebels, leaving a small walkway of corpses behind. “Stop them!”, the rebels shouted, but no one dared to make the first move against them. “Come and try!”, Umi Mari shouted and rushed right after the terrified horde of fleeing foes. Hanleng waited for Liu Bei. He saw him encircled by rebels and decided to aid him. He jumped off his horse, sending it away. Then, he ran for the foes and lunged into one, right at the neck. His gloves clawed themselves straight on the back of the rebel’s throat. He fell into the circle and rolled over the corpse, engaging Liu Bei back to back. “Say, lord Liu Bei?”, he asked while fighting off the rebels around them, “These two giants that are with you... . Lord Guan Yu and Lord Zhang Fei... You three seem very close. Why is that?” Liu Bei struck down another enemy soldier and went back to back with the mysterious servant of Cao Cao. Both circled around the enemies, ready to parry every single blow. “They are my sworn brothers. Duck down!”, Liu Bei answered him dodging a spear. Hanleng behind him duck down and performed a marvelous split. His fists clutched around the spear dragging the foe right into Liu Bei's attack range, which killed him. “I see.”, he answered and smashed the spear pole right onto the head of another soldier. Two rebels grabbed the pole, trying to get control of the situation. Hanleng dragged them towards himself. He rolled onto his back, placed his legs forward and kicked them both back into the crowd. He then jumped up, still smiling. “Sworn siblings are rare in these troubling times... . You're a very lucky man, my Lord.” Suddenly two waves from left and right drove the enemies off their feet and send them flying like leaves in the wind. It was the doing of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei with their impressive strength. The Blue Dragon and the Snake Spear were shining under the burning sun.

On the other edge of the battlefield, Umi Mari was fighting off another wave of rebels. She suddenly caught the cries of desperate people. “Help! Someone!! Help!” The screaming was nearby. She shoved her blade into the attackers behind her and turned around swiftly. She spotted Hanleng enclosing on his horse again. “Come on, old man! I heard somebody!”, she said and went to the northeast of her position. “Ah... . So the time has come.”, he answered and looked back to Liu Bei, “My Lord. Stay with your brothers and continue onward. We shall take care of these people. Don't worry.” Before Liu Bei could answer him, the man and the Firestorm went on their way. They carved their way through the enemy ranks and passed a gate into a plain of farmlands. Peasants were running into their houses, followed by rebel forces. A tall man with a pike slashed through the panicked crowd laughing. “b*****d!”, Umi Mari yelled furious, “Come and fight someone your own size, dog!” She charges at him. The man was totally surprised by her arrival and even more at the moment her legs embraced his neck. She pulled him over with her might and send him on his back on the ground. Her blade cut his throat and she rose for the next attack. “Show me what you're made of, you worthless fiends!” Her fearsome appearance and her determined voice extinguished the rebels fighting spirits. First they attacked her with hesitation. Five more were offered to her blade. The fear grew stronger within the rebels. Ten more fall to her skill. Two of their generals, too. The rebels started to flee, throwing their weapons on the ground. Hanleng was amused by this show. “Marvelous.”, he said and applauded her. “You maggots! Worthless, all of you!”, she shouted after them. “We got one cornered here!!”, the peasants shouted, “Look out! He's got swords!!” Hanleng rode his mare straight after the shouts. Umi Mari followed him curious. They went around the houses and found a crowed of peasants surrounding a rebel at the well. “Move aside!”, Leng ordered and guided his horse into the circle, towards the rebel. A small person with yellow clothes made of leather and silk. A scarf covered half of the face and the Turban on the head marked him as rebel. Despite the two short swords he possessed, the rebel looked very scared and timid. “What is that?”, Umi Mari asked surprised by the small foe, “A....child?!” “Indeed.”, Hanleng answered her and got off his horse. He walked up to the rebel. “D...Don't come any closer! I..I warn you!!”, the rebel stuttered and pointed his blades at him. “Watch out! He might be dangerous!”, the peasants warned him too. Leng did not care about it and came closer. He grabbed the blades with his metal claws and pressed them together in his palm. He came closer and the rebel screamed frightened to the bone. Hanleng embraced the little one and put his other hand on the rebel’s head. “It's fine... . You're save, little girl.” “Girl?!”, Umi Mari said even more surprised, “What the--?!” Even the peasants couldn't believe their ears. It was quite shocking for them. Hanleng's voice nearly became a whisper. It was like dripping water. Calming and trusting. “Don't worry... . You're time hasn't come yet... .” “Y...you're not killing me?”, the girl asked with tears in her eyes. “No.”, he answered, “I'm here to save you from the wrong actions of your father... .” “You...know father?” “In a matter of speaking, I have never met him before, but I saw enough to know him well... .” “What will you do to me?”, the young girl asked fearfully as she let go of her swords. Hanleng pulled the turban off of her head and gave her spiky, blond hair freedom. He threw the turban to the side in despite of its meaning. Then he forced the blades into the ground and took off his robe. He covered the girl in it and smiled. “Don't take the robe off. No one will notice you.” He brought the swords back and gave them to her, guided her towards his mare. With a swift push he helped her onto his horse and took the bridle rein off. “Don't worry, little girl. My mare will take you to a place where you can start a life on your own. Trust it and hold on to it.” He looked at his mare and strokes its cheeks. “Guide her, my dear friend. Take her to the place where the peach tree blooms throughout the winter and the silver wolf stands watchful.” The horse seems to understand this strange riddle and turned around. It ran off and left the farmland to the west. “But--!!”, the peasant weren't pleased with this decision. “Are you sure this is right?”, Umi Mari asked him and looked at the two disappearing fast. “What? To let a child gain more time of her life? Or to watch peoples desperation grow so strong that they're willed to sacrifice their children to the cause... .” “You never answer straight, old man.”, she said displeased. “Then let me apologize in my way. If we win today, I want you to go to a specific place, find and protect three young people and guide them back to me.” The woman was quite curious. This man was mysterious like nothing she ever encountered. “How should that help gain me anything?” Hanleng smiled and walked back to the battlefield. “If you do so, I will give you the strongest man known to the world, so you could fight and maybe beat him.” “Sounds interesting.”, she said smirking and followed him. “You guys better move somewhere save.”, she said to the peasants and waved goodbye. Both warriors went back to the battlefield.

The Alliance forces broke through the ranks and managed to reach the hills. Cao Cao and his cousins reached an outskirt and spotted the enemy ahead on top of the cliff. “Let none escape!”, Xiahou Dun told his men raising their spirits for the next assault. Suddenly a howling voice struck down from above. “Fools. Your time is finished. See before you the might of the yellow turbans. The wrath that the heavens have forced upon you, sinners!” Cao Cao ignored the intimidating voice and rushed up ahead on his horse. Suddenly giant rocks came falling down from above. The horse backed up, but couldn't dodge the approaching boulders. “Cao Cao!!” “Cousin!” The Xiahou cousins rushed towards him. Yuan shot three arrows at once and changed the direction of one rock on the left. Dun passed by his cousin, Cao Cao, and slashed down a nearby tree, directing all the remaining boulders off the edge. Then one rock jumped passed the tree and was right above Cao Cao. He closed his eyes and bent his head. Suddenly a driblet of water touched his cheek. He opened the eyes again and looked up. Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan were looking at it, too. Both stared and could not believe their eyes anymore. Hanleng was jumping straight through the boulder, cleaving it in half like a blade. What's more, the edges of his boots were covered in a thin veil of water. One could hardly see it, but when it broke free and was touched by the sun, the surface started to glitter like a river. The boulder broke apart and went to each side, leaving Cao Cao unharmed. Hanleng landed in front of Dun, but he went off right away. Dun was sure he saw the devil straight into his face as Leng raised his head and stared passed him. He jumped over the tree and ran up the hill. Now the water was gone, like it wasn't there to begin with. A small puddle dried slowly on the other side of the tree. Leng screamed as he attacked the surprised rebels on top of the hillside. He pushed them over and hauled them around as he reached out for their commander. The rebel soldiers flew over the edges and fell down the hill. Hanleng was caught in some kind of fury. He spotted the commanding officer, as he tried to flee the field. Leng's claws grabbed around his throat and he lifted him up to the sky. “Hehehe... .”, he laughed at him, “What a nice speech you gave us there, ...Zhang Bao... .” The rebels were confused and frightened by him. The commander, a man with a tunic above his armor, was quite shocked by his knowledge and even more by the cold of his eyes. “How--!? Who are you?!” He struggled and tried to break free of the grip. Hanleng laughed slightly. It was not the calm and friendly voice he always had. It was quiet and suppressing. A cold, sharp whisper guided by a strange hissing noise. “He...hehe...heheheheh... .” He looked for Cao Cao, ensuring that he was far away. His lord was still behind the tree and, not surprisingly, still shocked by all the hasty actions from before. Hanleng turned his eyes back on Zhang Bao. “I've got a present for you... .”, he said and his smiling faded, “It's from your daughter... .” “What?!” He shook his arm strong and crushed the man to the ground hard. He lifted his grip and looked down on him. The eyes covered in gloom. “A last farewell... ...for she has found...hm...a more suitable family...and future... .” As his words passed, he raised his right leg and forced the boots edge straight at the commander’s face. The power behind that stomp was like a hammers blow. Bones crunched as the boot struck the commander’s head. “Pitiful... . Your so called magic... .”, he laughed anew. He rose his gaze and stared at the rebels. “Anyone want to join him?”, he teased them in his evil, cold spirit. The rebels dispersed and ran frightened further up the hill. The boulders stopped coming down. The rebels left their posts and ran for safety up the hill. The Xiahou cousins finally reached Hanleng and looked at the mess he produced. “Urgh. That's nasty.”, Yuan said. Hanleng lifted his boot up and seems to play dumb. “Oh? Did I step in something?”, he said and laughed calmly and friendly like ever. “More ON someone, old man.”, Yuan answered him a bit shocked. Xiahou Dun gazed at him curious and a bit suspicious. “Well, it seems so. Does it not?”, he laughed and looked at Dun. “Who are you, really? What's with this jester's face?! I want answers, Hanleng!” The mysterious man chuckled slightly and spotted Cao Cao approaching on his horse. “I too would like to know something, Leng.”, he said and looked at him, “What happened with the water?” “The water?”, he asked back and laughed slightly, “Hahaha. My, my... . You're all so very curious. It's adorable.” He turned around and looked up the next road. “We're still in the middle of this battle, my dear Lords. Let's win it, survive it and I may answer all your little questions and riddles. Shall we?” “What are you up to, Leng?!”, Dun asked once more, even more aggressive than before. Hanleng still smiled at him carefree and friendly. “My dear Lord Xiahou Dun... Does it really matter?” The eyes of Dun nailed him and were determined to press the answer out of the man. Hanleng turned away once more and laughed again. “Hehehe. Well, if you insist. You want to know what I am up to. I tell you, my Lord.” He looked over his shoulder and at Xiahou Dun. “I simply stabilize the road ahead of us.” “Us?” “Yes... . And there are still so many obstacles in the future... .” As Hanleng went on, Cao Cao spotted something odd about him. Something that was missing, but he didn't realized it until now. “Leng, wait! Where did you leave your cloak and horse?” The man just laughed quietly and soft and didn't turn around once more. “Hehehe... . I...lend them to someone... For the sake of my Lord and his future... .” The last words were more like whisper and Cao Cao couldn't understand them.

“Let's go, my lord. You wanted to see me perform on the battlefield, right?”, Hanleng said and took the lead. Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan followed him with their troops. “What about the volunteers, old man?”, Yuan asked him. “Don't worry about them. Lord Liu Bei is in save care and my major obligation is fulfilled. So now I can concentrate on performing for my Lord Cao Cao.” “I still don't trust your intentions, Leng.”, Dun said and kept a close eye on the mysterious warrior. He just laughed anew and continued running up the mountain. “I wouldn't want you to do so, Lord Xiahou Dun. It's what makes you even more fascinating.” “What?!” “Ahh... . Don't mind my rambling, my Lord. Hahaha.” The four approached a road surrounded by high cliffs. Yuan spotted the enemy up ahead. “There they are!”, he said and aimed for them. His arrows jumped off the bows string, but they got caught up in a strong wind. “What the--?!” The gale was so strong, that the horses and soldiers had to back away. Hanleng stood firm in front of the edging storm. First his expression turned surprised and slightly angered, but then it fell back into a mood of disappointment. “Hanleng!”, Cao Cao shouted at him and woke the man up. “Hm?”, he wondered and looked to him, “Oh, sorry. ... ... . I should stop dreaming with my eyes open. Ah, this fighting and running makes me very sleepy. Hahaha.” He went silent for a moment and listened to the preaching of the commanding officer atop of the mountain road. “The heaven has blessed us with the forceful winds! None will pass our barrier! Repent!” This ridiculous talk soured Hanleng's mood rapidly. “Imbeciles... .” He took a close look at his surroundings and spotted a path in the south along the mountain side. A small group of soldiers went that way. “My Lord.”, he addressed Xiahou Yuan, “Could you keep the enemies eyes on this road? Meanwhile master Dun, Lord Cao Cao and me will try finding a way around this obstacle.” “Huh? Uh. Sure.”, Yuan confirmed. “Good. Then let us do so.” Hanleng, Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun followed the path to the south. Meanwhile Xiahou Yuan and the remaining soldiers kept the rebels busy. “Follow me.”, Hanleng told them and took the lead. He ran fast. Even the horses of his Lords had some trouble keeping up with him. The mountain turned in a half circle and ended in some sort of canyon and a dead end, so it seemed. Leng reached the other group of soldiers. They were led by a man with white spiky hair, wearing a red cape with the symbol of a tiger on it. He was accompanied by a young man. “Looks like we have to climb our way up, father. Think you can handle it, old man?”, the jumpy youth laughed. He spotted Cao Cao and his two soldiers approaching. “Huh. Looks like someone wants to race with us.” He lifted his wooden Tonfa, ready to take any challenges. “Easy, Ce.”, the white haired man said quite delighted about his energetic spirit. “Ah... . You're Sun Jian.”, Hanleng greeted him. The man stared at him a bit puzzled and surprised. “Uh... . Yan?” “Huh?” Both started confused at each other. The boy broke it however. “Ha! I nearly thought that, too.”, he said, “But he's a bit smaller, I think. And his body is not quite as masculine like Huoyan. But their faces really look alike.” Hanleng was curious and slightly enraged, but he didn't give his cool and friendliness away. “Sorry for the misunderstanding, friend. You really look like someone I know.” “I...see... .”, he answered the old man and spied interested at the figures of those two. “Hm... . Well, sometimes even I get surprised.”, he said and laughed, “Maybe I should visit this ...Huoyan... someday.” “Concentrate on the task, Leng. We're not here to chat.”, Dun reminded him. Hanleng waved his arm slightly disapproved, but he knew that he was right. “Yeah, yeah. Well, as far as I can tell and if my knowledge is not deceiving me, you must be Sun Jian, no? Known as the Tiger of Jian Dong.” He turned his gaze towards the boy and nodded slightly. “And that must be...uh.... ...Sun Ce... . Right? You're eldest son?” “Impressive.”, the man said, “You're right with that.” “Yeez. Another creepy old geezer.”, his son answered on that. “I don't know how I've got the reputation of being old.”, Leng laughed and looked at the cliff in front of them. “Ah.”, he said while investigating the stones, “Wonderful. Perfect for some climbing. And the best way for a well-placed sneak attack.” “I doubt that it will be that easy.”, Sun Ce said to him. “We have wasted enough time.”, Dun muttered angry and rode his horse straight through the gap between the two. “Right he is. Let's go.”, Sun Jian said and started climbing and jumping up the small edges on the cliff. Stones on the sides provided enough space for him and his son to climb together. “He's a fast one.”, Leng laughed and let Dun go first. Then he and Cao Cao followed, leaving the horses with a small troop of soldiers. The five warlords gathered together on the cliff and moved onward. “Sneak attack. Sneak attack.”, Hanleng sung very excited, “Oh, how I love sneaking up on others.” “Damn, you really are creepy, old man.”, Sun Ce said and followed him. The two took the lead, but didn't charge too far. On the road they found a group of rebels guarding the way, but they were few in numbers and only one officer accompanied them. Sun Ce rushed straight at them and punched the commander down. His father came to his side. “What the--!!”, the rebels started rambling confused, “Where did they come from?!” Hanleng approached the ambush. He jumped up and started swirling in the air. His arms were stretched up to the fingertips. Again Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun saw this strange glint. Like water drops dripping from Hanleng's claws. As he landed on the ground, stopping spinning, the rebels started to fall one after another. It was like something hit them so hard, that they couldn't stand against it. Several rebels began to bleed from little holes in their shoulders, arms, legs and even in their faces. This was surprising, even for Sun Ce. “Whoa! How did you do that?!”, he asked completely overwhelmed. “What?”, Leng asked as if he was confused and smiled at them, “I didn't even touch them. Hahaha.” “That's the second time now, Leng! Damn it, what in the world is this?!”, Xiahou Dun yelled at him, sick of his foolish charade. “I told you.”, he answered and turned away, “You must fight and survive, my Lord. Then I will answer... .” Sun Jian was quite curious about Hanleng. His eyes followed the man and he felt his heartbeat pushing against the armor. “Let us go. I want to see how far their so called magic can get.” Hanleng ran forward and passed a crossing. He snuck pass the eyes of the rebels. They were occupied by Xiahou Yuan and the rest of the forces down the cliff. “Perfect.”, Sun Jian nodded and kneed beside Sun Ce. The two looked around a boulder, giving them some cover. Leng agreed and looked to Dun and Cao Cao beside his side. “You want to see more, my Lord?”, he asked them and smirked slightly. His gaze turned to Sun Jian and his son. “May I have the pleasure, Lord Sun Jian?”, he asked and the tiger agreed, much to the disappointment of his son. Hanleng stood up and walked a little bit back. He turned around and looked at the boulder. “Ready?”, he asked and went into a charging position. He then ran forward and kicked the boulder with full speed. The rock lost its hold on the cliff and rolled straight into the rebels. The confused commander tried to dodge it and lost control of his wind spell. The gust lost its strength and the alliance forces finally started moving again. Sun Ce and Hanleng jumped off the cliff, straight into the confused and frightened horde of rebels. Xiahou Dun and Sun Jian followed right after. Cao Cao was still watching Leng. His agile movements and terrifying skills were more surprising then he imagined. “Onward!”, one of the alliance commanders shouted over the raging battlefield, “Only Zhang Jiao is left!” Sun Jian and Sun Ce followed straight ahead. Xiahou Yuan rejoined his cousins and the strange man, Hanleng. Some of their soldiers brought their horses, too. “Come on! We're going to miss all the fun!”, Yuan said eager. Dun climbed on the back of his horse and Cao Cao jumped from the cliff onto his one. “Let's go!”, Cao Cao ordered and they went off to the top of the hill. “Right behind you, my Lord.”, Hanleng smiled again and followed his lords.

The alliance forces pushed the rebels to the top of the mountain. A giant building surrounded by towers and hill peaks were their last hiding hole. The rebels grew in numbers as the alliance forces worked their way up. On the front line four soldiers beat a path through the enemy lines. The four were Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Liu Bei and Umi Mari. “Good going, girl!”, the ruff warrior praised the woman. She dodged the strikes of her foes swift like the wind and hit back harder each time. “Same goes to you, guys!”, she smirked back, “Didn't thought you had it in you.” The four were joined by Hanleng once again. “Ah! Master Leng!”, Liu Bei spotted him first as he entered their battleground. The man turned around while throwing a rebel over his shoulder. “Ah, Lord Liu Bei. I see you're well. Good!”, he said friendly. “Did you manage to see your Lord to safety?” “Yes... . Yes, indeed I did. Thank you for understanding, my Lord.” Leng kicked an approaching rebel away and send him flying into an assault group right behind him. Several riders passed them, heading for the hills top. “If it’s alright with you, Lord Liu Bei, I would like to stay with my Lord Cao Cao. I am a little...concerned that he might get hurt... .” Liu Bei shook his head and smiled back at the man: “You don't need to ask, master Leng. I really admire your loyalty to your lord.” Guan Yu and Zhang Fei looked at the man with a slightly suspicion, but it faded fast as they listened to Hanleng further. “I thank you, my Lord.”, he said and smiled once more, “Yes... . My Lord Cao Cao is very precious to me. Hm... . I only could compare this value with the one you might share with your brothers, my Lord.” He started laughing slightly and scrubbed his hair embarrassed. “Hahaha. Talking about that makes me feel awkward somehow. It's a little bit embarrassing.” He waved at them and followed the way up. “Seriously, he's one strange guy.”, Umi Mari mentioned a bit curious and looked at him leaving. Leng ran after the others. Soon he caught up to Sun Jian and his son. Both were accompanied by several soldiers of Wu. He could separate them from other forces because of their red bandanas. There also were three officers he didn't meet yet. An old man with marvelous muscles all over. He looked even stronger than he looked old. Only the white hair and beard gave Hanleng the idea of seeing him as veteran. There also was a younger man with gentle eyes and an observing gaze. Brown hair, a strong grip around his sword, but still he seem to look for guidance at the tiger’s side. And there was a girl, too. She threw sharpened rings of metal with such elegance it mesmerized Hanleng a little bit. “These must be the forces of Wu.”, he thought, “The old man must be Huang Gai, one of Sun Jian’s oldest and most loyal officers. The girl is fighting quite well and her speed and accuracy is impressive. I'm sure that must be the daughter of the tiger. And that boy over there is surely Sun Jian’s youngest son, Sun Quan.” “Old man!”, he heard someone calling for him. It was Xiahou Yuan waving him over. “Come on! Don't fall asleep now!” Hanleng watched the tiger’s children once more before he speeded up and overlapped them. The two ran side by side now. Yuan on his horse and Hanleng by foot, “Man! What have you eaten that you can keep up with a horse?!”, Yuan asked surprised as he spotted the mysterious Hanleng at his side. “Haha. My dear Yuan... . If you wish to reach new heights, one’s soul must suffer ages to understand the strength both body and spirit truly holds within.” “Can't you just talk straight once?!”, Yuan complained and looked forward. He spotted Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun joining with Sun Jian at the top. The three ran towards a platform. “Damn! Because of you we'll be late for the fun!” Hanleng smiled at Yuan and ran even faster. The two caught up to the rest and walked up the platform. A man with a yellow robe was standing before them. He smiled devilish and victorious, as if he was the one winning. His black, untidy beard didn't show much, though. He started levitating in the air, right before their eyes. It was surprising for the soldiers in the back row and moralistic for the rebels. “Fools. The time of the Han is finished! The heavens have chosen to bring judgment to the unbelievers. The way of piece can't be struck with swords or spears! Repent or burn in the wrath of the heavens flame!” As the man spoke this, the ground started being covered by fire. It swirled and danced around him, but he didn't get burned. Sun Jian just smirked at his try to frighten him. “Ha! I'm not afraid of fire!”, he said sturdy. Xiahou Dun looked a bit puzzled, but not afraid of the magician. “Is this...??” “Yes, my lord.”, Hanleng confirmed, “That must be Zhang Jiao. Our...root of evil?” “Root of insanity would be more fitting.”, Yuan laughed and got his arrows ready. Cao Cao turned to Leng and gazed around. “This must be some kind of trick again, right? How is he doing this?” Hanleng was quite delighted about the bravery and clear minds that accompanied him here. “Marvelous, my Lord. But not quite right yet.”, he said and stroke his claws over each other. Cao Cao looked at him confused. Suddenly Hanleng jumped at him and dragged him off ground. He saved him from a burst of fire engaging from the corners of the platform. “You must stay focused, my Lord. This is no trick.”, Hanleng said very serious this time. He gazed around, stomping on the stone to prevent the flames from reaching Cao Cao. The other three dodged as best as they could, but there was no room for an attack. Sun Ce hurried to his father’s side. “Father!”, he shouted, but he had to turn his eyes to someone else. “Sun Ce!”, Hanleng shouted at him, “Take down that brazier next to you! Quickly!” The tiger’s son listened well and acted quickly. He smashed the brazier over the edge of the platform. Suddenly one corner was freed from the hunting flames. “It is no trick!”, Hanleng explained lout so that they all would hear it, “He uses the braziers on each side to focus the magic at one side, so he could spread it as he pleases. Destroy them and his power is limited to his own body again!” Dun understood and attacked the brazier right next to his position. Sun Jian smashed one from the platform as well and the last was kicked over by Sun Ce. Finally Cao Cao was save again and Leng could concentrate on his foe. “This...this is just another trial of the heavens!” The group of officers surrounded Zhang Jiao. Hanleng looked at Cao Cao. His look was serious and very cold. “It's over Zhang Jiao!”, Sun Ce said confident, but Hanleng was the one stepping up against him. It was most to the disapproval of Sun Ce, but Sun Jian held him back. “I will face you, Zhang Jiao. It will be interesting to see...if your...magic can...compare.... ...with mine...” While he said this to the rebel leader, Hanleng lifted his hand till it reached the forehead. Water was dripping out of the metal gloves and his boots started to smoke. It was a chilling feeling for the other officers. Like the air on the ground started to cool down. “Impossible!”, Zhang Jiao shouted and waved his staff at Leng. A stream of fire appeared in front of the staff and engulfed the mysterious servant of Cao Cao. The officers had to back away a bit, but that chilly feeling did not vanished at all. Suddenly the flames separated and they saw Hanleng whirling around himself. His movement had cut the fire and hurled it around. When the flames stopped he stopped circling around as well. His serious face now looked a bit disappointed. “Is that all?”, he asked cold, “How boring... .” He jumped at his foe and slashed his hand up as he passed by. The officers were sure to have heard something. An indescribable crunching noise. Zhang Jiao looked at his staff. There was a little droplet of water on it. He didn't watch out for Leng that moment and missed his next move. Hanleng turned around and the heel of his iron boot hit the staff right at that point. The water started to freeze rapidly. The force of Leng's kick send the rebel leader on the ground and his body got frozen to the stone. All but his face were covered in a blanket of ice. Leng placed his boot on top of the hunch, right were the staff was. The rod had snapped in half. The moment it broke was now caught in a picture on the little ice field. Hanleng stared down at the freezing and frightened man. “You--! You--!!”, he whispered afraid and angry, “What are you?! Wearing the face of a man, but there is a demon behind this eyes!! You--!!” Then the old man started to laugh. Hanleng was a bit surprised by this reaction, but his cold cool glare never faded once. “Hahaha.”; Zhang Jiao laughed quiet, “So strong! So wise! And yet I can see a spot of darkness holding you! What is it that you hide? What did you saw in the future? In your future? Hahaha!” These words disturbed Hanleng and made him back away from the rebel leader. Cao Cao approached him and placed his hand on Leng's shoulder. The shocked reaction was not what he expected. Leng stared at him as if he searched for something, with deep worries suffocating him. “Leng?”, Cao Cao spoke to him, but there was no reaction at all. Xiahou Dun ended the rebel leader, Sun Jian and Sun Ce rejoined with their friends and family, but even the tiger was curious about that man now. Hanleng sighed deeply and clapped on Cao Cao's shoulder. “It's nothing...”, he said quite puzzled and exhausted. His liveliness was gone and that had even Xiahou Dun worried. His cousin looked after Hanleng and placed his bow aside. “Something is not right or is he maybe just exhausted? For real this time?” “I don't think so.”, Dun answered him quite disturbed. “Me too.”, Cao Cao agreed, “Just for a moment, he...looked somehow afraid...”

The battle was finally over. The rebels had dispersed and their leader was dead. The alliance forces were victorious and their leaders left for home. Hanleng was sitting on a boulder down at the foot of the hill. He looked puzzled and worried. The sun was setting down and his mind couldn't calm. “There you are, old man!”, a familiar voice woke him up. He looked to his side and spotted Umi Mari. “Oh, so you're still alive, my friend.”, he said and tried to be friendly and jokey again. “Of course I am, geezer.”; she answered a bit sour, “Such rebellious fools can't compete with me.” “I see. So what brings you here? You sounded like you were searching for me, noble Firestorm.”, he laughed. His attitude seems normal for the woman. She couldn't spot a difference. “Don't tell me you forgot what you promised me, old man?!” Hanleng laughed and hold his hands up defending. “Of course not, my dear.”, he said smiling and jumped of the boulder. He went towards the woman and pulled a little piece of paper from behind his ear. It surprised the woman a bit and she had to laugh. “Ha! You really do like doing stuff like that, huh?” Leng nodded and smiled: “Well, it’s part of who I am.” He handed the paper over and started explaining. “It will be a trial of sort. I hope you belong to the patient ones. Listen well... . Go to Chao Ge. Stay there one day and leave the town to the north. Pass through Ye Cheng and travel further to Wei Jun. Stay there three days and buy one peach from a merchant of Shang Dang, who will visit the place. Stay till night and make your way to the Gu Pass. Bandits will attack a small village north of the Gu Pass. There will be only three survivors. Three women and the girl we saved today will be among them.” “Wait! What?!”, Umi Mari asked quite confused, “Why shouldn't I go straight for that place?” “If you do, you'll die along them... . I want to prevent that.”, Hanleng said and smiled very confident, “But I am not finished yet. You have to stay with these women. Protect them with your live. Go to Shang Dang with them and stay there. Words of Emperor Ling's death will soon reach you. Still, you have to stay in Shang Dang with them. Listen to the peoples talk and soon you'll hear about a man named Lu Bu, who will have killed his stepfather and lord of Shang Dang. Follow his trail to Luo Yang and I will meet you there. If the women are well that time, I will take you to the strongest warrior known to all. If you also happen to have hold of this little piece of paper, I'll even let you duel him. Don't open the paper or I won't accept it back.” “Hm... . This stuff is all kinda creepy, old man.”, she had to admit, “Are you some kind of fortune teller?” Leng laughed at her and pushed the paper on her palm. He then left her side and walked towards the camp. “My, my. I am just an ordinary...old man. Hehehe... . Don't forget. Do not open that paper... . I only accept it back if you didn't opened it first.” The mysterious man left the Firestorm. His laughter was still echoing over the hill.

The Yellow Turban Rebellion had ended, but soon new problems and even greater chaos took place. Like the man once told the emperor – it was only the beginning... .  

[LordBloodySoul]

Chapter 2 – "The strongest Warriors of China"

After the yellow Turbans Rebellion, Cao Cao and his cousins returned to Luo Yang. Hanleng on the other hand left the capital soon after. - I need some time to rest. If you really are in need for answers, come visit me at my home, Xue Tong. Follow the river north and east at the branching. Follow it until the cold claims the water. Search for the spring’s touch in the snow and you may find me there.- so he wrote his lord in a letter. It didn't took him long to follow the man. Cao Cao left the capital together with his cousins. They followed the instructions Hanleng gave them and after three days of constant travel, they found Xue Tong...

“Wow...”, Yuan said at awe. “So that's where he lives?”, Xiahou Dun wondered. Cao Cao couldn't believe his eyes. The three looked at a small house in the middle of a snow covered mountain side. The river was frozen solid and the cold unbearable. Even their fur clothes couldn't warm them much, so they thought they were hallucinating. There was a small garden in front of the house. The roof was covered in snow, yet the garden was filled with blooming flowers and a beautiful cherry tree grew there. The grass looked fresh green and there was the smell of mint and tea in the air. It was like some kind of surreal dream. A little red wood house with a garden that images the spring season. The three took their horses over to the house and bound them on a bench standing in front of a pond. The water was not frozen here and as Yuan touched it he felt that it was warm. “This is where the old man lives?”, Yuan asked more than surprised, “This is crazy!” “Now I'm more curious.”, Xiahou Dun said and looked at the front door. It was slightly open. Snow was blown from the roofs edge. It was a very odd sight for Cao Cao, yet it was beautiful beyond words. The three entered the house. The entrance hall and the living room were filled with wooden furniture. A table, a cupboard decorated with little glass like sculptures, several silk veils hung from the roof, a bookshelf covered the left side and white flowers and scrolls were lying on the ground. The three spotted someone sleeping on the table. As Cao Cao came closer, he stopped himself from calling out to that person as he realized it was Hanleng. His hair wasn't bound together and he was wearing a white Yukata with blue flower ornaments. His face was half covered by his arms and the Yukata's long sleeves. The hair went over his cheek and forehead. One could hardly recognize him at first. Not even Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan. Both had to look closer, too. The three decided to let him sleep and wait for him to wake up. Time passed by and the mysterious man still slept on the table. Each of the man was curious and wanted to ask him many questions, but neither of them could bring themselves over to wake him up. The sun was setting and finally Hanleng woke up. First he stretched his limbs before opening the eyes. His gaze moved to Cao Cao's direction. “So you came...”, he said hollow. His eyes still looked very tired. He spied around and spotted Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan in the back of his living room. “I am impressed... .”, he then said smiling, “You're really ambitious, my lords... . Welcome at my little Xue Tong... .” The three wondered at his words. Was he not expecting them to come? Was he thinking that they would give up? “You owe us some answers, Hanleng.”, Xiahou Dun got straight to the point, “Do you always avoid others curiosity that way?!” “Is this one of your questions, master Dun?”, he asked laughing and stood up. Leng walked over to the door and opened it wide. He held his hand outside and caught the snow that was blown from the roof. He looked like a picture from a silk painting. The three gazed at him curious as he started explaining their former questions. “I once said that I remove the obstacles of my lord’s future... . You remember that, Dun? It is how I said it back then... . I am here to serve my lord in any way possible... .” He closed his eyes, but didn't move a muscle. It was like he was frozen in place. “The water you see me use in battle... . That's one of my abilities... . It's my gift from birth... ...and my curse as well... .” “Ah... ? A curse?”, Yuan asked a bit hesitating. “Yes... . But there is only little I can tell... . Only that out there are two similar to me... .” He silenced and took his hand back. He placed it on his chest and clawed around it, like he wanted to prevent his heart from beating. “Are those the two you spoke of?”, Cao Cao wondered, “Those you have to kill?” “Yes.”, he answered and remained silent again. Hanleng sighed deeply and seemed to force himself to smile. “I always talk in riddles...”, he answered the former questions further, “But riddles speak so much clearer than thrown words... . And the last I recall... ... ...I am but a man... .” He looked outside and spread his arms wide. “A man, I am... . And a two side mirror... . On one side the calm, friendly and sometimes irritating 'old man'... ... ... . The cold, dedicated, heartless warrior who hungers for destruction...on the other... .” He smiled outside and didn't turn around to them. His arms embraced his body and the fingers clawed on his back. “I'm so jealous of you all... . To be able to have questions... . To be able to ask them another one... . To be curious over such things... . It's so admirable... .” “You must feel foolish listening to us rambling over everything you do.”, Xiahou Dun said and wondered even more about this man. “Not at all... .”, he said and finally turned around to them, “I feel quite sad, because I have to limit my answers to you.” “Why is that?”, Cao Cao asked him. “Hahaha... . As always. You ask quite hard questions, my lord.” Hanleng moved back to the table and sat down. His three guests joined him. The man tried to think of the right words. “I try not to disturb the future I saw... .” “Hm?” “It's quite complicated... . One who knows what happens always tries to disturb the evil and tragic... . But would it be good? ...Sometimes evil and tragedy has to happen... . Sometimes death must take beloved friends to ensure the good fortune of the future... . If one death does not occur...it may get worse for others in the time after... . ....” He realized that his explanation wasn’t really good. He tried to think of a better one. “... ...Let me put it that way. If you know when you would die, my Lord, would you try to change that?” Cao Cao nodded to that answer. “Even if it would cause others, like your cousins harm? Would you even dare to defy death if it would cause an entire kingdom to fall?” “Whoa, what?!”, Yuan asked surprised. “I see.”, Cao Cao seemed to understand, “But how do you fit into this, Leng?” “It was your fault for waking me up, Lord Cao Cao.”, he laughed and smiled at him. Dun and Yuan couldn't really understand this. “Waking you up? But we didn't?”, Yuan complained a little bit angry. “I don't speak of today... . This was on the day I first met Lord Cao Cao. The day I opened my eyes...for the first time in ages... .” Cao Cao recalled this day very well. Even he had to smile slightly about it... .


It was several months before the yellow Turbans had risen. In the streets of Luo Yang's market, the merchants offered their goods to the people. It was a nice warm spring day. The sky was clear today and birds sang over the busy city of Luo Yang. Cao Cao was patrolling the area and watched the lively crowded street. A man was walking beside him and both held the reins of their horses. The man beside Cao Cao was caressing his short beard. He was dressed in finest clothing. An aura of nobility emerged from him. Several times they passed bowing peasants on their way. “Looks like another calm day, my friend.”, the man said delighted. “Indeed, Yuan Shao. It looks that way.” Cao Cao wasn't sure about this calmness. He stayed alert and watchful. Suddenly a woman's scream caught their attention. On the streets crossing before them, a man ran with a bundle in his hand. “Thief! Someone help!”, the woman shouted and tried to catch the fleeing man herself. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao jumped on their horses and started the pursuit. The man tried to outrun them by passing through narrow sideways and small passages between the shops. He looked over his shoulder twice, smirking in the belief of outrunning them in the next street. But in a sudden moment one of the merchant on the side stood up quickly and forced his open palm against the thief's belly, pushing him backwards and sending him flying to the ground. The thief stared up to the man who stopped his escape. It was a small guy with dark skin, black long hair and a dark Yukata. His robe was decorated with pictures of hills and falling leaves. Around his head he had wrapped a very dark blue veil. It nearly was black like the night sky. The thief realized that the man had his eyes closed. He jumped up and tried to wrestle the man down, but the merchant dodge his punch and kicked the thief under the chin. The man flew backwards and landed in front of Cao Cao's and Yuan Shao's horses. As the bundle came down from its flight, the merchant grabbed it and walked by the thief. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao surrounded them both and the woman, the man had stolen from, also approached. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao caught the thief who cramped in pain on the ground and the merchant handed over the bundle to the woman. He did not say a word nor accepted her thanks. He only bowed before the lady and went back to his store carpet. The people stared at him, but he did not care. He ignored their questioning, their praising, laughter and shouting. Cao Cao was curious about this man, but he had no time yet. The two officers thanked the merchant and took the thief to the guards’ house. He seems to look at Cao Cao, but his eyes were closed and he still didn't lose one word.

The next day, Cao Cao was taking a stroll through the merchant area. He looked for the man from yesterday, but he couldn't find him. No one saw the mysterious merchant since the commotion with that thief. Every day after he tried to find that merchant again. He asked around, but no one knew him and only few ever saw him more than twice at the market. Yuan Shao couldn't understand the interest of Cao Cao in that guy, but he did not ask. He thought of him as dangerous and even as spy. He warned his friend, but Cao Cao did not care about it. On another day of patrol, about twenty days after their first encounter, Cao Cao finally found the merchant in a shady spot at the end of the market. He walked up to him and looked at the strange merchandise he offered. Beautiful jewelry like he never had seen before. Little sculptures of animals and humans. They looked so real and alive that it frightened him slightly. Cao Cao sat before the merchant’s carpet and looked over the goods several times. “Hm... . These are fine wares you have, merchant... .”, he started talking with the man who didn't move one muscle. If he wouldn't hear his breathing, Cao Cao would have thought that he was dead. “What kind of jewel are these?”, he asked and took a pendant in his hand. The stone was quite beautiful. Clear like glass and shaped like a drop of water. The chain that held it was engulfed by its whole end. The jewel looked like it grew like a leaf from it. Cao Cao turned the stone around in his palm. It started to gain colors. A crystal blue whirl filled its core. A play of icy tints like he never saw before. Cao Cao looked at the merchant, who started giggling. He smiled at him, but his eyes stayed closed. “Is that the reason why you had searched for me, my lord?”, he asked him with a cold, shivering voice. “...No... .”, Cao Cao answered quite surprised about it. The voice didn't fit the face of that young man before him, so he thought. “I was curious. You’re merchant, ready to leave his store unprotected and protecting the belongings of others. A man that comes and goes like the rain, yet never talks and never stays long... . It's what I have heard of you... . It made me curious.... .” “I see... .”, he answered his guest, “And now you found me... . What now?” Cao Cao got the feeling that this merchant was no ordinary man. His question caught him a bit off guard and he did not know what to answer. It took him some thoughts and a little bit of courage to ask the mysterious merchant. “I have seen that you have potential, my friend. Yet I am not sure if you're willing to lend it to someone. And I am not going to ask it of you. All I want to know is how much it would cost someone to gain your loyalty and service. And the time may come that I will be able to pay it to you.” This answer surprised the mysterious veiled man and he smiled even more delighted. “You know little of me and only see me acting once, my lord... . You don't know what I am or what I think... . I could be a devil or a demon... . I could be the death under this hood... . You still...would take me to your side... ? You would trust me?” “Yes.”, Cao Cao answered him without any hesitation. The merchant laughed slightly and then pointed at the pendant. “Take it. Keep it with you, my lord. I won't charge it. And if it's still with you when we meet again, I shall see... . This...will be the prize to pay... .” Cao Cao looked at the pendant. He was curious about this offer, but also a little bit suspicious. It took him awhile to think, but he decided and nodded agreeing. He thanked the merchant and went on his way.

The merchant had left Luo Yang. No one saw him again after this. Cao Cao visited the market everyday possible and tried to find that man again, but he failed. Two month passed and no word or sign of the mysterious man. Cao Cao was sitting together with his cousin Xiahou Dun. He stared at the pendant the merchant entrusted him with. It hasn't lost beauty or purity. It still looked like the day he received it. “What you're looking at there, Cao Cao?”, Dun asked and came over to him. He gazed at the stone at the end of the chain. It was a pretty strange jewel. He never saw something like that. The blue color just swirled inside the stone shape and became even stronger the longer he looked. It brightened to the sides and became similar to glass on the edges. “That's a strange stone there, cousin. Where did you get that?” “It's...from a friend... .”, Cao Cao answered, but he hesitated for a moment. The longer he looked at the stone, the more it made him feel uncomfortable. The months passed and winter came to Luo Yang at last. The roofs and houses were covered in snow and the street twinkled with the wide robe of snow. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao patrolled the market again. The two walked along the street and listened to the many chatting voices around. Cao Cao still had the pendant by his side. He never gave it to someone nor did he took it off. It was like someone was watching him all day. It started to frighten him. His thoughts were interrupted as a merchant started shouting. “Thieves! Help!!” A group of three men ran across the market. Each patrol group started chasing them. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao picked on of them and followed him across the streets. Suddenly the man panicked and threw his stolen goods aside. He grabbed a nearby passenger and threatened to cut his throat. The two officers had to stop and walked around the thief. Both readied their weapons, but the captor yelled at them: “Weapons down! I kill him! Listen! I will kill him!!” Cao Cao looked at the hostage and was most surprised. It was the strange merchant who gave him the pendant. He smiled at Cao Cao and still had his eyes closed. “Let the man go, you scum, and we may show mercy on you.”, Yuan Shao demanded, but his comrade was not reacting as aggressive. “Give it up. Even if you kill him. It would change nothing.”, Cao Cao told the bandit. “You think I'm fool, noble b*****d! Throw your weapons down or I kill this--!!” “You have such a nice voice, my lord.”, the merchant started to talk to Cao Cao, “It's so clear... . So determined and strong... .” “Shut up, man! Or I cut you open!!”, he got yelled at. The merchant smiled at Cao Cao and the pendant started glowing. “You still have it? Surprising! I thought you might have thrown it away already or that it might have driven you crazy.” He laughed slightly at him. It was a strange situation. Cao Cao never expected something like this. Not only did this man not fear to die, he even laughed while a bandit held a knife straight at him. “I promised to keep it save.”, he answered and wondered what might happen. “Shut up! Damn it! Both of you, be quiet!! I'm serious!! I will--!!” Before the thief could end his yelling, the merchant grabbed his arm, unarmed him and send him on his back. He took the knife and swirled it in his fingers before throwing it down next to the thief's head. The man shrugs and crawled shivering to the wall. The merchant approached Cao Cao, while Yuan Shao could just watch this awkwardness. The mysterious merchant bowed before Cao Cao. “Give me back that pendant, my lord, and I...will give you...the future... .” Cao Cao was confused by these words. The man spoke in riddles and of something he couldn't reach or grasp. It took a little moment before Cao Cao gave him the pendant he had worn so long. It felt strange departing from it. For the first time he started to feel like he would give away his soul to someone. The merchant took it smiling. Suddenly he opened his mouth and bit the stone from the chain. It broke straight from its hold. Now Cao Cao saw the remaining pieces glittering in the sun like ice. They hit the ground and molten away, even in this cold. The merchant swallowed the big chunk of stone whole in front of the surprised and confused eyes of Cao Cao. He let his arms hung down and gazed to the ground. It was like a phase of deep slumber or meditation. It took a while till the man moved again. He looked up and straight at Cao Cao. Slowly he opened his eyes. It astonished the lord like nothing before. The gaze of this man was unbelievable familiar to him. Cao Cao remembered this cold and frightening feeling. It was the same feeling he had each time looking at the stone of the pendant. The eyes swirled in blue colors, just like the jewel he had eaten. “My name...is Hanleng... . And I hereby pledge my loyalty to you, my lord.. . And only you... . For there can be only one lord I shall serve to the death... .” The merchant named Hanleng bowed once again and smiled at Cao Cao. “You have a really nice look. It makes me feel like home... I'm pleased...”

“And you still never lost this veil of mystery, Hanleng.”, Cao Cao answered him on his thoughts. “And I am still surprised that you haven't tried to get rid of me yet, my lord. Or that you still retained your sanity.”, he laughed. “I'm still unsure if I understand you correctly, Leng... .”, Xiahou Dun asked then, “You saw the future and you seem to meddle with it. You surely saw your own dead as well and you preach us not to concern ourselves with it. But what about you? Would you try to avoid your own death?” Hanleng smiled at him and pulled his Yukata stronger around his arms. “The truth?”, he asked back and laughed slightly, “At first I just wanted to stay away from all this. I didn't care much about anything... . Only my survival was important... .” He started to sound a bit regretful. His voice was not as cheerful as always. It was more like a well of sorrow and shame. “I tried to stay away from others and kept myself prisoner here... . ...To become open to such skill you must kill every mortal aspect of yourself... . You must be cold, silence... . Hollow... .”, he explained, “I came to Luo Yang only to trade my crafted goods and buy simple necessaries... . Food, clothes, tools... . I never spoke to anybody... . I never intended to get involved with all this... . I saw the death of people passing by... . I could tell when they would meet the darkest destiny one could think of... . And I didn't care... . I knew I would die eventually and so I tried avoiding it, by avoiding everything else... .” He stopped for a while and sighed deeply. His eyes seemed to look at something far away. Something that he wanted to chase and couldn't catch. “There are things worse than death... . Nightmares that hunt you, even at the waking hours... . Pain one never would've guessed to be real... . Sorrow...and pity... . I fell asleep to flee from it... . But I was wakened...and I felt so stupid... .” He laughed once more and turned around. His eyes looked at Cao Cao. “Instead of dying in loneliness... I found you, my lord... . Or more you found me... .” Hanleng seems to find this ironic in some way. His smiling and laughing was somewhat awkward, like he was laughing about himself. “Hehehe... . When you first spoke to me on the street, I finally stopped thinking about what will come next. I started to live the present time... . The here and now... .” He chased the gazes of his guests and tried to grasp them all. “It was new to me, back at that time... . I never cared about it. The future was all... . And your waking voice has shattered it. Like a mirror thrown to the ground... . And for the first time...I realized what it meant to be...curious... .” He went to the door, while talking and rose his arms at the snow. Then he let them fall again and his smile became more pure. It was a sincere happiness that covered his dark face. “And in one moment... . It mattered no longer... . Now the future starts to change... . And my time of reading it so clearly...also fades away... . It is like the snow of winter molten by the warm touch of the spring sun... . The only thing left is the memory of it all.” He turned around to the three and laughed at their astonished expressions. “Hahaha... . Now I've got you all confused... .”, he said and stroke his long hair aside, “Ah... . But it's true... . I can only prevent what I already know what will occur... . But I can't see new visions of what might be... . Not very clearly, though...” He smiled and his eyes looked very teary. Like he was about to cry in joy. “I am free...of this burden... . Thank you... Cao Cao... .” “You say you're free, but your ambition still chains you, right? What is it, Leng? What is your goal? Your ambition? Your true intention. I can't imagine that you wish to perish now... .”, Cao Cao asked the man and caressed his beard interested in his words. "It's not important what happens to myself in the future, Cao Cao... . If I can help just one person in finding happiness and safety before I die... . That would be enough for me... .", Hanleng said straight ahead. He chuckled slightly and looked at the surprised faces of his guests. “My, my, you look quite surprised.”, he said and smiled again, “Don't you worry... . I do not intent on dying soon... . I still have much to do...” He bowed before his lord and even Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan were quite taken by his words. “Even if I have already said it, so I wish to speak it again... . My lord... . Whatever it takes... . Whatever you desire... . Your ambitions are my... . And my loyalty is yours... .”  

[LordBloodySoul]

On this day Hanleng had sworn his loyalty to Cao Cao anew. He left Xue Tong and started living in Luo Yang alongside Xiahou Yuan, Xiahou Dun and Cao Cao. He revealed his talents to his lord, but kept them secret from others. Not long after emperor Ling died and the corruption in the imperial core grew stronger each day. The eunuchs placed the emperor’s younger son Shao on the throne and murdered grand general He Jin. After his dead, his loyal officer, Yuan Shao, siege the imperial palace and killed all eunuchs in the attack. The emperor and his brother were taken from the palace, but brought back safely by a man called Dong Zhuo. He seized power under the pretext of protecting the Han emperor. His power grew stronger as the legendary warrior Lu Bu came to Luo Yang and joined the tyrant. Dong Zhuo dethroned Shao and made his brother emperor. Cao Cao and his loyal followers played obedient, but even the patient Hanleng was driven to his limits. - I must wait and prepare for the new world ahead of us. -, he always told Cao Cao. His lord saw the unrest in his servant’s eyes, but he did not question his motives. Hanleng stood at the center of Luo Yang near the great pond every day. And his lord trusted in him and waited.

The mysterious Hanleng sat on the edge of the pond. The benches beneath the trees gave him shelter from the sun. He watched the peasants passing by. They looked at him with concern and fear, but stopped gazing as Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun came along. “So? Still waiting?”, Dun spoke sarcastic. Hanleng did not react on it at once. He just smiled and watched the glittering touch of the sun that hit the water. Cao Cao sat next to him and looked at the man. “What are you thinking right now, Leng?”, he asked him curious. “Nothing much, my lord...”, he answered giggling, “Just thinking of what it feels like to be like water...” Xiahou Dun rubbed his eyes frustrated. He knew that the man would answer like this somehow. Suddenly there was a commotion coming their way. Some soldiers ran after a black mare. It was jumping along the way and kicked around. “What's going on?!” Dun was slightly angered by the clumsy soldiers. Hanleng went straight up and walked towards the horse. The mare calmed as it saw Leng closing in. It went over to him and bends his head down to greet him. “My, my! Who we have here!”, he said as if he was surprised and petted the horse over the neck. “Stay heeeeere!”, a girlish voice came from back the street. The mare turned around and spotted the one shouting. It was a little girl with golden-like short pigtails in a blue robe. The robe was very familiar to Hanleng, Xiahou Dun and Cao Cao. It was the same that the mysterious man had when they hunted the yellow turban bandits. The girl came closer and stopped with a surprised glare at Hanleng. “Oh! So we meet again, my dear.”, he greeted her with a smile. The girl just stood there with wide opened eyes and stuttered something around. “You..you.. You're that man... That man from..” She jumped up all of a sudden and ran over to him happy. She embraced him close and bounced around like a bunny. “Yaaaaay!! Finally!!” “Whoa! Quan! Stay put! You're embarrassing, girl!”, Hanleng said and tried to free himself from her grip. Cao Cao and Dun just stood there confused. The girl released her embrace and took off the robe to hand it over to Hanleng. She smiled at him with her innocent, childish grinning and her green eyes twinkled like little gems. “Here! I always wanted to give it back to you, sir! I always kept it with me so I can give it back and thank you! Really! Thank you so much for saving my life! A thousand thanks!!” Leng laughed slightly and took the robe back. He scrubbed his hand above her head gently and smiled at her. “Oh, no need to thank me, dear. Remember? It was not your time to leave us...” “Leng? Who is that girl?”, Cao Cao insisted on an answer. “Oh, right. You did not meet her yet, my lord. This is Zh--” But the girl interrupted him and bowed before the man that was obviously someone important. “Quan, my liege. My name is Pai Quan. This man saved me once from the yellow turban bandits. And--” Another voice joined this nice conversation. Her ruff speaking was remarkable to the mind. “And now she's with Me.”, she said and walked towards the little group. The soldiers did not get this at all. They stood around quite confused and more or less useless. “Sister Mari.”, the girl greeted the Firestorm. The woman looked at them quite sour. “Finally I found you, Miser.” Leng could feel the anger in her voice. He stayed calm, but waved his hand like he was struggling to answer right now. “Don't fool around or did you forgot the deal already, old man?” She crossed her arms before her chest and stared at him angry. “Deal?”, Cao Cao was quite curious about this. Leng smiled at him and turned over to the lady. “Well, I haven't, but you surely lost track of time... I was wondering if you had heeded my words or not... .” “I've done as you ask. The three are saved. Tao, Mhi Hayoli and, like you can see, Pai Quan are all save. You've got your horse and your robe back. I also have the paper with me and it’s not open.” “Wonderful.”, he answered at once. “Then show me.” His eyes started to glow with interest and inpatients. He was eager to see his work and her part of the bargain.

Umi Mari guided the group to a well in the residential area of Luo Yang. There was a woman sitting on a bench. Her long, braided hair with the color of the autumn fields was hanging from her left shoulder and she was polishing the Revenant's Blade. Her face was slightly dirty, like her clothes. She looked at the approaching group with her tired light brown eyes. The girl was dressed in peasant garments. Her hands had many cutting marks, but the skin looked soft and like silk. Beside her stood someone in a heavy, shiny silver armor. A fine one at that. The plates were all reflective and strong, yet it looked like the armor wasn't heavy at all. Blue scarfs came forth the plating at the waist backside and the end of the lower gauntlets. It looked like the protective gear of a noble man. One shoulder plate was overgrowing the other one. The helmet was formed into the shape of a divine figuring. The front was ending in a peak at nose height and floating along the line of the head. The upper one was round like and waved to the side like wings or waves. The lower side was sharp and flattened. It went straight down to the neck and fit right above the armor. Small leather strings on each side around the back kept both parts together. A blue colored fluffy fur covered it up. The ornaments of each, the armor and the helmet, were all fine made and reminded of the flow of water and wind. It was hard to tell who was beneath the armory. The eyes opening holes in the helmet were small and dark. Neither Xiahou Dun nor Cao Cao could get a glimpse of the watchful eyes of this knight. They saw the spear he carried and the dried blood that stick to the wooden pole. He must have fought much, so they thought. “Here we are.”, Umi Mari said and waved at the two, “Hey! We're back, you two. And we have guests with us.” Pai Quan ran over to them and around the knight. She laughed happy and grinned at the three men. “My, my.”, Hanleng stepped towards them, “So I see they're well.” He looked at them all and smiled. “Mhi Hayoli. Pai Quan. And...” He hesitated to say the last ones name. “This is brother Tao.”, Pai Quan said and dragged on the warriors arm. “I see...”, he smiled. Cao Cao was quite confused that Hanleng didn't spoke it himself. And more he was curious about the bargain. “So let me see the paper, my dear Firestorm.” “Don't talk to me like that, old man. Or else you won't have the chance to talk ever again.”, she answered him angry and grabbed the folded paper from under her clothes. It was not a problem with her, but the girl named Mhi Hayoli looked quite flustered and embarrassed by it. Hanleng took the paper and opened it. There was a small shard in it. “What's with the paper anyway?”, she asked and looked at the shard, “Is that...ice??” The shard was melting away instantly and wet the paper. “Quite right, young lady... . It was ice. If you would have opened the paper, my spell would've been freed and the shard would have molten... Just like it did now...” He smiled and folded the paper anew. “If you would have folded it back together, the shard would still have molten... But it was there, so you kept both ends of the bargain.” Xiahou Dun looked at the knight that was with the woman. He stared at him quite interested, but the warrior didn't say a word. The mysterious Leng let the paper vanish between his palms and pointed towards the palace. “Then I will keep mine now.”, he said, “And it will be a challenge on its own...”

Leng went to the palace and straight to the throne room where Dong Zhuo was sitting, feasting on his might. Young women danced for his entertainment and Lu Bu guarded his side. As the mysterious Hanleng entered the hall, the tyrant stared at him with anger. “Hrgh. What is this?! I hope you have a good reason for disturbing me, maggot! Your head is on the line, now!”, he threatened him. The man bowed before him. His expression showed the disgust for Dong Zhuo, yet he smiled like he always did. The tyrant couldn't see a difference to this. “Forgive me, your greatness. I do not intent to take much of your precious time, my lord.”, he spoke with faked reverence, “I came with an important message and offer.” He listened to Leng with interest and scrubbed his fuzzy beard. “Speak.”, he ordered and Hanleng raised his head. “My lord. A great warrior has come to Luo Yang. ...He...wishes to fight you, Lord Lu Bu...” “What?!”, Lu Bu answered rather enraged than surprised, “Another weakling who thinks so high that he dares to challenge me!?” He raised his fist and smashed it into a nearby table. The furniture broke to pieces in one single blow. Hanleng stood up and showed his empty palms to him in a gesture of calmness. “Please, my lord. I am sure this warrior will be an interesting opponent for you... He's called 'The Firestorm'... A mighty warrior and hunter of bandits and criminals... ...I saw ...his... talent when we fought side by side against the Yellow turban bandits...” “How can you be sure what fight would be interesting for me?” Lu Bu looked at Hanleng. The smile he saw on his face was outraging and chilling. Even he had to admit that this man was strange like nothing else he encountered before. Leng looked at the strong warrior in his black armor. The eyes twinkled like frozen gem stones. He kept his smile all along and explained. “This warrior came to me. The Firestorm wishes to duel you, my lord... And I am confident you would like to test your strength against a...worthy opponent... One that can charge after a horseback rider on foot?” “He can do that?”, Lu Bu wondered and got a bit more interested. “So I heard... Firestorm... I listened to stories about him, told by the people... He...is faster than a horse on the run... His blade is sharp and merciless like his mind... Send out all warriors of the north and you still couldn't stop him from reaching your walls... That is what they tell about the Firestorm...” Lu Bu's eyes started to sparkle with spirit. He was eager to fight this warrior Leng spoke off. He tried to hide his interest from the mysterious Leng. “So he asked you to tell me about this duel?”, he asked and rubbed his chin. “He's already here and wishes to meet with you as soon as possible.”, he gazed towards Dong Zhuo and smirked, “And that's where my offer comes, my lord... I want this warrior to join...our cause...” The tyrant still stroke over his beard and listened to the young man. His eyes were more concerned and seem to spy some kind of plot. He waved his hand and gave him permission to tell the idea. Hanleng bowed once more. “My lord... Let me propose the bargain I arranged with the Firestorm... If he loses the duel against you, Lord Lu Bu, he will agree to follow you, but only if ...his... family will be cared for...” Dong Zhuo wondered about this. He let Leng explain further before deciding. “The Firestorm is confident in his skill... And... ...he...could be a wonderful addition to us... The family is also in town... Two sisters and one ...brother... If we agree to his terms and if Lu Bu succeeds in the duel, which I am not doubting that he will win, you would gain the ..maybe... second strongest warrior in the world, my lord...” The confident smile of Hanleng scared the tyrant a little, but his offer was very charming to the power hungry man. After a moment of thinking, Dong Zhuo laughed lout and agreed on the idea. Leng bowed before him and went to arrange the duel. “Sunset...”, he said and turned around once more. He glanced towards Lu Bu. “In the palace plaza... I hope that's arrangeable...” He left the hall with a cold smile. On his way outside he nearly ran into a soldier. A tall man with strong plate armor. “Oh, pardon me.”, he apologized to Hanleng and bowed before him. The man wore a strange helmet with a bluish plume on top. His light brown eyes gazed upon him like those of a tiger watching its prey. It gave even Hanleng a cold shiver. He did not answer to that man, bowed to him and left. He turned around once again and wondered. “... ...strange... ... Such intensity...” Leng shook his head and tried to focus back on the certain matter. The duel closed in.

At the plaza of the palace, he rejoined the Firestorm and the others. They were guided by Xiahou Dun here. “Ah... What good timing, my lords and ladies.”, Leng spoke and bowed before them. “Cut the chatter, old man. What's with the duel?” Umi Mari was eager to fight this so called 'strongest warrior'. She stared at the mysterious man with tense eyes. He laughed slightly and rose his hands. “Don't worry. It's all settled. Today at sunset right here.”, he pointed at the ground, “He seemed eager to fight you as well.” The man clapped his hands together and bowed in a way of played regret. “I also had to promise that if you would lose, you will join in with the force.” “What?!”, Umi Mari yelled angry. “Well, see it that way, dear Firestorm. If you would lose, the lord wants you for his army. You get paid for your work, your little...family is taken care of and you can fight Lu Bu as much as you like.” She looked at him mad, but his points didn't sound that bad. “Yeez, what is it with you anyway, old man? I can't figure you out.”, she sighed, “Fine. But he shouldn't count me down yet.” “Please, master Dun. Would you show these people the guest room? If anyone asks about it, tell them I allowed their entry.” Xiahou Dun wondered and nodded at him. He showed the women and their brother the way. “And tell them not to be disrespectful to them. They stand under my personal protection for as long as they stay here.” His voice sounded really aggravated and cold. It gave Cao Cao and even Dun the shivers. His expression was like a wolf on the hunt. The women and their brother followed Xiahou Dun inside the palace. Leng stayed at the plaza only accompanied by Cao Cao. The two listened into the soft singing of the wind coming from the north. Hanleng had his eyes closed and seemed to think. “What's on your mind, Leng?”, Cao Cao asked curious, “Why did you wait for this?” The mysterious man sighed deeply and turned his gaze towards his lord. He looked tired and disturbed. “If the duel ends like I saw it...”, he said and looked down, “Everything in the future will be unclear again... I only see fragments vanishing into the veil and mist of the unknown... . And I fear... ...to lose it all...” His lord didn't understand it. He looked at him with worries. Hanleng was watching the sun quietly and thought about the unknown future. Something within his heart flinched and shivered in fear. It was like a bad sign that touched his mind.

As the sun left the sky, Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo came to the plaza. Hanleng and Cao Cao were already there and awaited their arrival. The man smiled at them and bowed his head. His excitement and eagerness to see this duel was most obvious this moment. “So where is he?!”, Lu Bu asked unsettled and angry. He thought to see him waiting right here. “...he...will come... I assure you, Master Lu Bu... He will come...” Cao Cao imagined that Hanleng never told Lu Bu everything about his opponent. He smiled slightly and became curious, too. He wondered how this giant of a man would react seeing his adversary for the first time. “Man, this place is just too big for my taste, old man.”, the one thought of yelled down the way. Umi Mari walked up to Hanleng and strokes her long pony tail over the shoulder. “What a mess. This place is bigger than the town itself.”, she muttered angry and looked over to the two new faces. “Who are those two?” Leng laughed and pointed at them. “These are our ...honorable... lord Dong Zhuo and your awaited duel adversary...” She walked a bit closer and looked at them both. Her expression told them everything. Umi Mari looked like she was about to burst out in laughter. “Well, one can't decide with what face we're born... But why is this one dressed like an oversized cockroach?” “What?!”, Lu Bu yelled angry as she pointed at him. Cao Cao had to force himself not to laugh about that relation. He turned around and smirked wide. Hanleng smiled along and answered her: “Well, that is an interesting ...comparison...” “Are you mocking me, woman?! Who the hell is this wench?!” Lu Bu was furious about her. She humiliated him without even concerning for her own life. “I answered that before, Master Lu Bu. This...is the Firestorm... Umi Mari.” “What?! Her?!?!” He stared at the woman that was half his size. She was small and skinny in his eyes and took that as an insult. Dong Zhuo was surprised by that, too. He also wasn't expecting this. Dun arrived then and brought the brother and his two sisters with him. “Fine. Now we're all present.”, Leng said and went a bit up the stairs, “We can watch the fight from there, my lords. I am sure they will need space. A lot of space...” The group left the ground and the two get ready for battle. Umi Mari was eager to see how his opponent would turn out. He looked strong, that she couldn't deny, but was he as strong as Hanleng made her believe? Lu Bu on the other hand wasn't very impressed. He was outraged and wanted to teach the woman a lesson she wouldn't forget. With spear at hand and the Revenant around wrist and arm, the two faced each other finally on the plaza.

Lu Bu didn't wait for a signal or anything. He charged right at her and slashed his spear to the ground. The power behind that attack broke the stone beneath. The tremors were felt by the remaining watchers. It nearly knocked them over. But Lu Bu missed her. Umi Mari was far too quick. She jumped up and landed on his spear’s edge. Her feet were careful placed so that it wouldn’t cut her boots. “Impressive.”, she praised him with a playful smirking. Now she leaped towards him, grabbed around the pole of the spear, charging her heel straight to his face. He stumbled back holding his nose surprised by the might of this fragile woman. He stared back at her. His nose was bleeding. She stood low in front of him and stroke her hand over the blade of Revenant. “...but I'm just getting warmed up.”, she said. Lu Bu smiled excited. He never had met somebody capable of hitting him straight to the face. It was a rush for his spirit. “Then you should know that I too will quit fooling around.”, he laughed like a devil. It gave even Hanleng the chills. He worried that their position wouldn't be far enough away from the battle anymore. The two engaged on each other again. A fearsome dance of steel and rage began. The two fought without mercy or hesitation, ready to kill each other. Dust lifted from the ground as their feet kept dancing in forceful circles. Lu Bu crushed the stone beneath. The waves of his frightening might rolled over the plaza. Umi Mari scarred his armor with thousands of scratches and deep cuts. She had speed, he had endurance, but both got power. Hanleng was unsure how this duel would end. Suddenly the hit of Lu Bu's spear broke the Revenant's blade apart. The shattered sword flew over Umi Mari's shoulder, but the women stayed unharmed. She turned her eyes at her trusty weapon that was now lying in shards. She clinched her fists together in anger. Lu Bu took this opportunity and rammed her down. He pressed his spear against her throat, but the woman fought against his muscled arms. She tried pushing the spear back, but her power was limited. While lifting the spear she twisted her body so that she can place her feet right under the spear staff. Umi Mari started pushing the spear and Lu Bu up, rolled free underneath the giant and gained some ground. “Who needs weapons...”, she stated and threw the rest of the Revenant off, “...when you've got hands!” She charged at Lu Bu and grabbed the spear. He wouldn't let go and the woman lifted him from the ground in a throw. She hurled the big man over her head and knocked him to the ground. Lu Bu let go of his spear and Umi Mari trashed it to the side. “Now come on, shrimp!”, she provoked him, “Stand up and fight like a man!!” The two ran at each other again. This time both wrestled unarmed. Punches flew, bruises showed on both competitors, but neither one of them wanted to give up. The night had come. Two exhausted fighters still refused to give in. They ran at each other once more. Two punches stroke the faces of both, man and woman. Lu Bu and Umi Mari fell and neither one of them stood up again. Hanleng slowly walked up to the battleground. He looked at them and wondered who might be winner. For the other watchful eyes it was a clear draw, but he wasn't going to accept this. “It seems like they both are strong enough to take each other down.”, Xiahou Dun said. The old wise one muttered with uncertainty. “This fight is not finished until one stands up and can be stated victor...” As his steps took him closer to the two unconsciousness competitors, Lu Bu showed signs of movements. He was the first to slowly come back to his senses. “So it is clear...”, Hanleng spoke and looked at his confused gaze, “Lord Lu Bu... You are truly the strongest of all...” The giant man spit the blood from his tongue. He rubbed the bruises on his face and looked at the cuts on the black armor. “Maybe so... But she's talented.”, he honored her might, “And she is powerful...for a woman...” “Who had thought of such nobility in your heart, my lord.”, Hanleng laughed.

The duel was decided and Lu Bu stayed victorious above all. Umi Mari kept her word and became a warrior under Dong Zhuo. Pai Quan, Tao and Mhi Hayoli stayed with her and were protected. Over the coming month, the power of the emperor was consumed by the control of Dong Zhuo. Hanleng prepared for a major event, but kept it secret from everyone. He was hardly relaxed and stopped resting. He often vanished for days and was seen roaming around the walls of Luo Yang. Cao Cao and many other officers and disciples grew tired of Dong Zhuo's tyranny. Tension rose and finally reached its limits. A small group tried to assassinate the regent, but failed. One of them was Cao Cao. The next step was made.

“Through here!!” Cao Cao and a disciple ran across the palace, followed by soldiers. The shouting of a furious Dong Zhuo followed them across the wooden hallway. The man accompanying Cao Cao was Chen Gong, a strategist always wearing a robe and minister hat. He had longer black hair and a similar beard like Xiahou Dun. The two tried to flee the soldiers, but in a long hallway Lu Bu stopped their escape. “Curses!”, Chen Gong muttered as he turned around and saw the soldiers coming. “Looks like the rats are trapped now.”, Lu Bu laughed. “Not quite.”, someone answered him. He looked around the corner were somebody jumped at him and kicked his sturdy body aside. It was Hanleng. He ran passed his lord and stomped on the ground, rose the hand towards the approaching soldiers and covered them in a thin layer of ice. “Move it!”, he yelled and dragged Chen Gong along. The three ran passed Lu Bu, who recovered and chased after them. “Curse you, Maggots!” The palace became a battleground. Hanleng pushed Cao Cao and Chen Gong towards a hallway on the right and turned around quickly. His claws pushed the spear of Lu Bu passed his shoulder. Their heads bumped against each other as the two engaged in battle. “Damn you, old man!”, the giant muttered and tried to hit the slippery one. Hanleng dodged the attempted attacks, giving Cao Cao some time. He danced around the big guy. Lu Bu finally got a grip on him. He pushed his right arm around the neck of Hanleng and tried to suffocate him. “Enough with the jumping.” Hanleng struggled to free himself from the embrace. He spotted a vase on a table and kicked it over. The water that poured out was drawn to his boots. It seemed to climb up on his legs and went to the hands. Lu Bu was surprised. Hanleng released his grip from the arm and placed the water dripping hands on the giants face. It started to freeze instantly and made him release him. “What the--!?!” Hanleng poured the water back on the ground and froze it solid around Lu Bu's legs, hoping it would immobilize him long enough. He then followed the way Cao Cao and Chen Gong went. Soldiers were all over the place. They tried to stop him and he had to take shortcuts through several other rooms. Hanleng fought himself a way to the main hall where he reunited with Cao Cao. But first he had to get down to him. “My Lord! Watch out!”, he yelled as he spotted Lu Bu right behind them. He clawed himself on a pillar and slithered down to them, rushing over to their aid. He pushed them both to the sides and blocked the spear slashing down from above. The blade nearly touched his nose as he bend backwards, oppressed by the power of Lu Bu. “You...won't...get...us!!”, he yelled and pulled the spear over his head, forcing it into the wooden floor and slithering underneath Lu Bu to safety. He kicked him in the butt to make him fall. “Run, my Lord!”, he turned to Cao Cao, “Dun and Yuan are waiting outside! Go!!” “Leng!” Cao Cao gazed at him once more before leaving with Chen Gong again. He saw the smile on his face. Was it confidence? Or was it the assurance to something else? He couldn't say. Hanleng again engaged in battle with Lu Bu. “You're a quite annoying old man.”, the mighty warrior muttered and saw this strange smile, too. It angered him even more. “I won't let you stop him, Lu Bu. For this is the last time I predict the future. Lu Bu! You will fail today!” “Silence!!” Lu Bu slashed at him in fury. Hanleng dodged the attacks. Trying to gain his full attention he kept provoking him. “Come on, lazy cockroach! Am I too fast for you?” He knew that his live was on the line here, but he did not care. Hanleng ran towards the west door and stopped. As Lu Bu followed and hurled his next attack at him, Hanleng kicked opened the door and bounced over the giants shoulders, pushing him right into a group of soldiers behind the door. He used the water coming from the fingertips like tiny whips and pulled the door closed again. The water gathered all over it and froze solid. “This should keep them busy..:.”, Hanleng muttered and ran towards the plaza. Soldiers tried to block his way. He rushed through their ranks. Slicing winds took them from their feet as he made his way. They drove him to the upper floors and chased him to the balcony. Hanleng looked around and spotted Chen Gong, Cao Cao and his Cousins. Yuan was shooting some of the soldiers that hunted after his lord and the strategist. They reached each other safely and Cao Cao looked back. “Hanleng!”, his lord yelled as he saw him on the upper level. The man jumped swiftly to escape the guards. But suddenly a chain wrapped itself around his throat and pulled him backwards. He grabbed the iron and tried to free himself. “Not so fast, old man!”, he heard Umi Mari yelling. His back crashed into the balcony and he fell. Xiahou Yuan reacted quickly and fired an arrow at the chain before it could snap Hanleng's neck. The chain cut loose and Hanleng hit the ground. Umi Mari followed him down and presented her new weapon. A sickle connected to a long chain. Hanleng crawled on his knees. He coughed and fought for each breath as he pulled the chains off. “You think I’ll let you go now?”, she stated and pointed the sickle at him with anger, “First you send me on a hunt into the unknown, let me wander half the north east and bind me lastly on this place? And now you just want to run off somewhere else!? Not with me, pal!!” She struck her sickle at him, but Hanleng managed to roll backwards and dodge it. “Sorry, my dear...”, he said with a serene and sincere tune in his exhausted, gasping voice, “But this all is meant to happen... ...It's...needed to unite and appease... ..It must be...done!!” He grabbed the broken chain on the ground and threw it at Umi Mari. She blocked it, giving him a chance to flee. Xiahou Dun took a perch filled with water from his belt and hurled it over to the stairs. “Old man! Here!!” Hanleng waved at them, seeing the perch emerging from the sky. “Go! I can handle it!”, he said and stumbled still gasping for air. Xiahou Yuan punched a hole in the perch and the water came down. Leng stretched his hand for the dropping puddle. It hit his palm, waving on it like a thin silk rag. He threw it at Umi Mari's feet, while she charged at him in fury. Lu Bu broke through the doors of the palace and joined the action on the plaza. The four decided to listen to their friend and left. The puddle that hit Umi Mari's legs froze and bound her to the stairs. “What the--!?”, she yelled surprised. Hanleng went on running after his lord. Soldiers gathered outside and tried to circle them in. Dun, Yuan and Hanleng broke through their formation and cleaved a path for their lord. They locked the gates behind them to ensure Lu Bu and Umi Mari to be hold at bay. Leng stole a spear from one of the soldiers. He forcefully swung it over the area, knocking the guards and officers out. “Out of our way!”, he yelled fierce. “You’re not getting passed here, Cao Cao!”, an officer yelled, “Close the main hall doors!” He ordered his man and charged at Cao Cao. Xiahou Dun cut his pike in half and forced him into submission. Yuan broke open another door on the opposite site. “Through here!”, he said and shot several soldiers coming from a stairway. “Then I take the lead, too.” Dun charged at the approaching masses of guards, while Cao Cao and Cheng Gong followed. Hanleng sealed the door behind them, spotting both Lu Bu and Umi Mari breaking through the first. He quickly used the remaining water left to close the door shut. “Hopefully this will be enough.”, he thought and sighed exhausted. The old man turned around and chased after his master. At the end of the stairway, they were ambushed once more. Soldiers spread from all over and the gates were sealed, too. Yuan and Dun had a hard time keeping up with the flood of guards. Then they spotted an open window on the west side of the room. “There! Let’s get through the window!”, Yuan suggested. “Are you sure?”, Hanleng muttered concerned and helped fending off the guards, but his ears caught the cracking of his sealed door in the hallway behind them. “Curses! Guess there is no other choice! Let’s go!” The old one grabbed Cao Cao and dragged him over to the window. Dun got Chen Gong and the four followed Yuan down into the west yard of the castle. “Okay! Fire!”, a voice yelled and within a heart’s beat Hanleng pulled Cao Cao to the ground. “Get down!”, he yelled and everybody duck down, facedown to the ground. Arrows hit the wall and in front they could see soldiers mounting a dragon faced construction. Red and golden it brought rage and pain upon its foes with spear-like arrows. Some sort of Arbalest. It aimed at them again. Hanleng jumped up and rushed forward. “Leng!”, Cao Cao tried to get a hold of him, but he was not fast enough. The wise man sprinted towards the machines and kicked their front, making the wood splinter in huge chunks from the construction. The soldiers back away in surprise and disbelieve of such powerful force. The other arbalest was kicked from the side and pushed over. The gaze of Hanleng has darkened and his claws reached for the soldiers nearby. “Out of our way!”, he yelled even more fierce than before, throwing people around like ragdolls. His power commanded the fresh snow to rise and cover the window they used to escape. He let it freeze and formed a huge glacier from it, but this caused him to drain his power much and he went on his knees, gasping for air. Soldiers approached, but not those who served Dong Zhuo. These were the men of Cao Cao. They waved them over and kept an eye out for enemies. “Finally.”, Dun sighed relieved. Cao Cao nodded and tried to help Hanleng up. “Don’t...touch...me!”, he hissed at his lord as his hand approached his arm. The old one bites his lips angry and forced himself to stand up. “Sorry...my lord...”, he apologized to Cao Cao, “I...feel...a little...tired...” Following the soldiers, the five officers left Luo Yang, but something was changing within their hearts and minds.

Soon after their escape, the five generals seek for a new home. Together with the strategist Chen Gong, they made their way to the southeast, went to Xu Chang and made it their base of operation against Dong Zhuo. With a faked imperial decree, Cao Cao tried to rally as many warlords as possible to overthrow Dong Zhuo. Many lords were against the tyranny of the regent and followed the call. Sun Jian, Yuan Shao, Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei are one of these loyal souls that made up the heart of the alliance against Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao himself was going to join with his officers as well. At that time, Hanleng told his lord that he now no longer can tell what the future will hold. His powers of prediction vanished and he became very distant and cold, leaving the other officers with a lot of doubts in his further capability.  

[LordBloodySoul]

Chapter 3 – "Devil of Ice – The Battle at Huo Lao Gate"

“You won't come with us, old man?!” Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan were prepared for battle. On horseback they visited Hanleng in his small hut in the garden of Xu Chang's palace. The old, wise One sat on a bench in front of the building and was covered in a thick wool blanket. “What is that supposed to mean?”, Yuan asked confused. “The meanings of those words are well known... To both of you...”, he answered cold and serious, “I'm not going...” Dun wondered about the mysterious man. He seemed different from before. Each passing day his behavior became odder. “What is wrong, old man? You're different somehow...”, he asked blunt. Hanleng turned away. His gaze went to the far horizon, to the north. “It's none of your business, Dun! Now leave me alone!”, he yelled back in anger. His fist hit the bench and he stood up muttering something to himself. Hanleng turned his back on the two and entered his hut, smashing the door shut. “That was strange.”, Yuan mentioned shocked as the two departed from the hut, “I never saw the old guy freaking out like this before.” “I know... But... ...whatever... We should concentrate on the battle ahead of us, cousin...” Dun seemed disturbed by the radical changes of Hanleng, too. Still he didn't want to show it much. The two left the garden and went off to the gathering point in front of Xu Chang. Hanleng stayed back. He was sitting on the ground, gazing out of the window and into the grey walls of clouds in the sky. His body shivered. The claws of his gloves scratched over the wooden floor. “I can't go...”, he thought, “I can't...” Someone knocked on the door. It dragged him back into his room. “Hanleng?” The voice he heard was Cao Cao. The man turned around and spied to the door. Cao Cao respected the privacy and stayed in front of the hut. “I heard you won't change your mind.”, he told him from outside, “We will leave soon. I hope you'll get better after we return.” “What is that supposed to mean!?”, Leng yelled from inside. He was on edge. The claws chipped the wood from the floor. “The meaning of those words should be known to you...”, Cao Cao answered, “If not... ...than I feel sorry for you.” He seemed to be leaving. Hanleng heard his footsteps slowly perishing. The answer he got from his lord frightened the man. It was like he had heard himself speaking. Hanleng pressed his claws over the heart. He felt the warm blood leaving the pressured wounds beneath his clothes. Tears welled out of his eyes, warming his cheeks bittersweet.

Cao Cao joined his men at the gates of Xu Chang. Dun and Yuan looked at him patient, but he shook his head only. “Let us be off.”, he shouted over the group. Suddenly he spotted a single rider closing in from the city gates. As he came closer Cao Cao managed to identify the horseman. It was Hanleng. “Hey, old man!”, Yuan greeted him a bit relieved, “So, finally decided to join the fun?” The man, covered in his feather decorated, blue robe, gazed at him. One could hardly decide if it was despite or worries within his eyes. “Don't be so joyful...”, he replied and turned to Cao Cao, “...let's go...” He took the lead and headed north to the gathering base of the alliance forces.

The army moved towards their base camp. Cold winds were blowing from the north and the clouds thickened over Luo Yang. Within the illustrious speeches of Yuan Shao, the chosen leader of the alliance forces, Hanleng wandered alone amongst the other soldiers. Familiar faces from the battles with the Yellow Turban bandits and unfamiliar people stared at him. He wasn't really aware of anything. His steps went on in never ending circles. He was thinking. Thoughts run deep from the core of his pounding heart. He ignored the entire ruckus around him, muttering strange sentences with no meaning. Xiahou Yuan followed him for a while and listened in on his rambling. Cao Cao was thinking, staring at Yuan Shao speaking to his men. They bowed before him, but he felt not humbled to be in his presence. “The nobility...”, he muttered, “His name is his strength... I must break free of this, and prove myself to the world.” “That settles it!”, someone said with eager and brought Cao Cao’s attention to wake. “You are the one I must serve. Now I’m sure of it.” A strange man with curly, dark hair and a strange gaze had come to Cao Cao’s side. He smiled and stroke through his fuzzy hair, smiling with confidence that Cao Cao himself has only seen from his trusty friend Hanleng. Behind him stood another young man. Brown, short, spikey hair and with a forehead protector, this man turned his gaze elsewhere as if he was ashamed to look upon the lord. “Why me, though?”, he wondered and placed his fingers gently upon his forehead, “Surely there are others more worthy...” Cao Cao was confused by those two. Both were dressed in fine armor for frontline soldiers. The weird smiling one had a long, blue scarf, the other a similar colored bandana underneath the forehead protector. “Who are these men?”, he asked Dun, who was bringing them over. “You said you wanted strength. I got us some help.”, he answered smiling and pointed over his shoulder to the two soldiers, “These two looked like they’d be useful. The time is right... The rest is up to you.” Cao Cao was unsure if this would be the time. His eyes looked over to the two brave men and he wondered if he had the strength to guide them well. Was he truly ready? “What are your names?”, he asked firmly. The two warriors bowed proudly and with awe before him. “Pardon me, my lord. I am Yue Jin.”, the one with the brown hair answered. “I am Li Dian.”, the other one replied with smiling, “Contrary of what you may have heard about me, I can prove to be quite useful.” “Xiahou Dun?”, Cao Cao asked with a rather disbelieving growl. His cousin laughed slightly: “I can attest to his skills. He’s a bit odd but I think he’ll keep things interesting.” Cao Cao sighed and crossed his arms, once more gazing towards these young men. “Hmmm... You may be right.” Yuan joined the illustrious group as he spotted his two cousins. “Cousin!”, he yelled. “Yuan? What is it?”, Cao Cao wondered, “And what about Hanleng?” “That's kinda hard to say.”, Yuan told him disturbed, “But I think the old man has lost it finally...” The three looked at Hanleng who nearly ran against a tent, totally out of his mind. He was grinning strangely and his gaze was focused on the sky. The smile was nothing like happiness. It was maddening and somewhat disturbing. Both Li Dian and Yue Jin were rather confused about that man. “What is with him?”, Cao Cao wondered. Yuan stroke his beard down and sighed not knowing the answer. “I don't know... He's been strange before, but this is even unusually for him... He's rambling all day long, wandering around camp without listening to anyone or anything. It's like he's not really here at all. Man, that old guy’s creeping me out. He didn't even react when I poked him with an arrow on the shoulder.” “That is really odd...”, Cao Cao thought and looked at Hanleng. The once wise one stumbled across the base camp. Soldiers looked at him questioning as he smiled and rambled: “Look and see! A bird with frozen wings! My, my... Like a stone it will fall... Like glass it will shatter... Poor little bird... Poor little firefly...” Cao Cao was curious and went over to his loyal friend. He walked by his side and observed him in his actions. “Sunken to the sea... Wall and fortress buried by snow falling from the sky. Yes, yes... Falling like a landslide... And snow we might eat... Red melting chisels... Yes, yes...” Suddenly he broke to his knees, holding his head tight between the claws of his gloves. “Argh!”, he stuttered, “Not the fire! Not the sun! Close! So close!” As Cao Cao went down to get a better look at his comrade, Hanleng jumped up again. He was standing straight up and stared into the sky. His eyes seemed tired and it was like he was sleepwalking. “Oh, just where did I put the knife? Did the winter rabbit steal it again?” He continued his aimless walk. It was kinda confusing for Cao Cao. He worried about Hanleng's health and sanity. “This man...”, Li Dian asked, “Is he one of your soldiers, my lord?” Xiahou Dun nodded at him. “Yeah... Kinda...”, he explained, ”The old man is a friend of Cao Cao... I don’t trust him yet... He’s too shifty...if you ask me. And now he might be insane as well.” Li Dian listened and looked after Hanleng. He nodded and decided to go over to him. “Li Dian?”, Yue Jin wondered. “I wonder...”, he muttered as he was passing Cao Cao’s side and engaged on the old wise one. He pulled a knife from his belt and presented it to him. At first it confused and worried the others, but Li Dian wasn’t pointing the knife at all. He held it with the edge down and spoke to the old man. “Is this the knife you seek?” The old man turned his gaze to the sharp blade and smiled softly. “Is it wise to hand a man like me such a pretty, sharpened thing?”, he asked back. Li Dian thought how to answer. “Is it then wiser to ask for it?” The question was again answered with a question. “Who is wiser, then? The fool who asks or the fool who stays silent?” Li Dian continued to answer him with another question. This conversation was going for a short time. “Is there an answer or did the winter rabbit stole it, too?” “Wouldn’t that make asking pointless?” “Would I know it without asking?” “Perhaps one day?” “Perhaps today?” The old man laughed at this, as if it was a game of wits. His laughter, however, was saddening somehow. “Hehehe... You are odd... You play and play with words to say... You act with kindness, but mindless not... Sanity is drifting from me, but not you, child...” He walked closer to him and pushed the knife back into Li Dian’s hands. “Keep it close...”, he spoke in a warning tone, “Never dare to arm the devil...” Then the old one walked away, with his gaze back at the sky. “Walking...passing...searching...seeking...”, he counted each step. He vanished within the thick business of the camp. Cao Cao worried even more.

Preparations were finished. The time for battle had arrived. “Did you find him?”, Cao Cao asked Xiahou Yuan and his cousin Dun. Both shook their heads and sighed. “Not a trace. It's like he had disappeared into thin air.”, Yuan said, “I wonder where he went...” “Forget about him.”, Dun stated focused and led his horse to the gates, “Let's concentrate on Dong Zhuo and his forces. This old madman can take care of himself.” Cao Cao agreed and followed Dun. Yuan and the two new soldiers went right after them. The five entered the field right after Yuan Shao's strike forces. The allied units scattered across the snowy mountain range around the Hulao Gate, the main passage towards Luo Yang. Screams and shouts engulfed the area. Soldiers fell to the blades and spears of their enemies. Fear, courage and desperation mixed into this bittersweet song of war. During the pressing attacks of their forces, the three generals encountered a base positioned in the middle of a crossing. Every road seemed to gather at this point. The warriors of Wu were holding this position. Their red bandanas made them stand out of the ranks of all the others. And one was even different from them. The soldiers in the front line fought alongside a very tall man with dark skin and black hair. Cao Cao was surprised as he saw the scarred face of this man, who looked exactly like Hanleng. His eyes were glowing red, reminding Cao Cao of the color of blood. He was wearing red dyed pirate clothing above a heavy chainmail and a single silver plate across his forehead. “Come on!!”, he shouted with a harsh, deep growling voice that sounded even similar to Hanleng, “I’ll take you all on at once, you weaklings!!” He laughed and swung a giant axe over his head. This weapon’s height was that of his height and made of strange red steel. It seemed to be glowing as if it was just pulled out of the fire. This man hurled the axe around himself with one arm only. The other hand was clutched into a fist covered in steel gauntlets. The axe-blade clashed on the ground like an anvil. The soldiers of Dong Zhuo's army were too frightened to approach this hunk of a man. “Nobody gets past here!! Not while I'm on the watch!!” “Yeah! Let's show 'em, Huo Yan!!” Sun Ce, who met the three generals during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, entered the field and aided the mysterious warrior named Huo Yan. “Ha! That's the spirit, Ce!! A tiger like his father!”, the man laughed and flexed his shoulders, “Time for some trashing!!” Cao Cao and his cousins looked at them fighting. The enemy ranks were just torn apart by their assault. They all were quite confused and at awe. “So that's this Huo Yan – guy.”, Yuan wondered, “He really looks a lot like the old man.” “Yeah, but he got more spunk and fury than him.”, Dun thought and readied his blade. His cousin grabbed the bow and Cao Cao took his own sword to his side. “It’s strange how he is such an opposing picture to this Hanleng.”, Li Dian nodded and readied his strange halberd. It was a spear-like weapon with a wheel close to the top, made completely of iron and decorated with metal fangs around. Yue Jin nodded and armed himself with hook swords, blades made from steel that were curved on the tip to form a hook. “Indeed...”, he sighed. “Let us proceed.”, Cao Cao said. The five followed along the passage and left the defense to that Wu warrior, Huo Yan. Not far along the path another bigger battle was fought. Some of the generals seemed to have problems getting by one soldier. As the five got closer, Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan recognized the warrior in that familiar looking armor. It was the one named Tao that traveled together with the Firestorm. He was wielding an impressive long spear, managing to block of any men who dared trying to engage. Several dead bodies of Dong Zhuo's forces as well as the allied forces already covered the circle in which he was waiting for the next fool to challenge him. “Damn it! Where the hell did Dong Zhuo got such a warriors loyalty!?”, one of the officers complained nervous, “He's blocking the assault all on his own!” “Isn't that Tao?”, Dun wondered and seemed impressed by him. “Yes... So he's fighting for Dong Zhuo, too...” The officers called in the archers, but Dun entered the battleground before they arrived on the front. “Let me handle this.”, he said, “This man deserves to be cut down. Not shot.” He smiled and pointed his Podao at his opponent. “Fight with all you've got.” Tao nodded at him, but stayed silent. He readied his spear, spinning it over his head and placed it with the spike down to the ground. His stance was odd, so Dun thought. Tao stretched one leg to the tip of his spear, held the weapon on the back side of his hand and gave balance to it with the palm of the other. His other leg was bent to the point as if he was about to jump to the side. At first Xiahou Dun wasn't sure what to make of this. It looked rather clumsy with this heavy armor. But that was about to change. Tao pushed himself forward. He was rushing at Dun and struck the spear’s tip at him. Xiahou Dun blocked it quickly, but was amazed how smoothly this fighter moved as his attacks came at him like a thunder storm. Every strike was faster than the one before. Each blow gained on power. It got harder to fend off the attacker. “Amazing.”, Yue Jin gazed at awe. The other spectators couldn’t even bare to interrupt the intensity with a single breath. Dun spotted an opening in the movements and struck at him, managing to force Tao off. The warrior balanced his spear over the arms and shoulders. Again the tip ended near the ground while the other end remained in Tao's grip. One palm was facing Dun, like a defense position. The general smiled quite thrilled by the talent. Cao Cao was amazed by it. “Hanleng sure knows talented people...”, he muttered while watching his cousin fight. “Heh, you're faster than I thought.”, Dun admitted, “This might be interesting after all.” “Hm...” Tao shook his head. He seemed little impressed and uninterested in talking. “Not much for talk, eh? Well, suit yourself.”, Dun answered and smirked at him. The warrior raised his freed hand and provoked Dun to attack him this time. And he responded to it. Again both warriors engaged each other. Steel met steel and like rolling thunder their battle resounded between the frozen stones. Neither of them was about to give in. Tao had speed and balance. Xiahou Dun strength and more experience. Officers and soldiers just watched their fierce dance. Dun finally got a chance and broke through the defense of Tao. He slashed for the belly. The young warrior realized his failure and dodged. The blade scratched over the armor, but to his luck didn't breach it. Tao slithered back on the ground and laid his hand upon the cut on his armor. Dun tried to charge at him, but suddenly a sickle torn through the ground. Chains rung in the air as the small scythe went back to its owner. It was Umi Mari interfering with the battle. “Enough, Tao.”, she said displeased. Something was getting to her right now. The officers looked at her and soldiers who recognized the Firestorm froze in fear. “We're ordered to return to the gate. Now!” She whistled, the echo crossed the hill side and two horses responded to the call. Tao pointed at Xiahou Dun. He stared surprised as the warrior slapped his hand on the chest and seemed to make clear that he will return. He grabbed the saddle and pulled himself onto the horse's back, making his way back to the gate. Umi Mari smirked and looked to Dun, who was in the company of Cao Cao, Yuan, Li Dian and Yue Jin now. “Looks like you made an impression. Don't you dare disappoint Tao! And give a message to the old man!! If he thinks that he can play with the lives of others like that, he should think again!! My blade will slit his throat one day!! Remember that!!” She jumped on her horse and left for the gate as well. Suddenly snow joined in the fight. It grew cold. Very cold. Freezing. “Aw... I feel sorry for the old man... She's one you don't want to have as enemy.”, Yuan muttered and rubbed his nose. Cao Cao looked up into the clouds. Dun shook his head and raised his shoulders. “Well... But she's right...”, he sighed and returned to his horse. The officers and soldiers pushed on, followed by group of five. “That old man really is playing with lives... Who knows what he's up to? Or if he's serious with everything he says... How do we know that we can trust him at all?” Cao Cao remained silent, but he too felt the doubts clouding his heart. “I wouldn’t worry, my lord.”, Li Dian tried to lighten up the mood, “I have a good feeling about him. And I never was wrong with my forecast so far.” It settled the nervousness of his three lords, but not all the insecurity was gone.

The soldiers pushed on. Every step brought them closer to Hulao gate. However, another officer of Dong Zhuo blocked the Sishui Pass. Hua Xiong. He slew every officer and soldier daring to challenge him. “Come on! Is there no real warrior amongst you, cowards! Ha!!” He laughed and mocked at them, reveling in their struggle and pain. Many dared to face him one on one, but nobody stood a chance. Xiahou Dun was ready to step in for another battle. Suddenly one of the officers broke through their ranks. He engaged on Hua Xiong quickly and cleaved his head straight from his shoulders. One single strike has finished the one officer of Dong Zhuo guarding the Sishui Pass. “Impressive.”, Cao Cao stated. He wondered who this man was, remembering seeing him during the Yellow Turban uprising. However, he had no name for that warrior yet. The allied forces pressed on towards Hulao gate. The three generals and the two warriors followed the forces. The wind became colder. The pass was covered in snow and ice. The white was tainted by the blood of the fallen. Each side bears the weight of heavy losses. “This is bad.”, Yuan muttered, “Seems like Lu Bu is tearing them up.” “Yeah.”, Dun agreed. He scouted the area. Suddenly he spotted a familiar figure amongst the carcasses. Living and breathing. “Hanleng!” His shout made Cao Cao , Li Dian, Yue Jin and Xiahou Yuan follow the gaze. They saw the mysterious one battling against a warrior with two giant halberds. Huge axe-like lances of steel, that were capable of cleaving through waves of warriors. He sliced through the air, but Hanleng kept avoiding his assaults. The unknown warrior unleashed his furious strikes. It was intense to no end. The snow was lifted by each swing of his weapon. Leng jumped and dodged to every direction, keeping the poles as suitable covering points and avoiding the axe-blades on each end. He looked odd, like he was fast asleep. His eyes had no focus. The cheeks were wet, like he had cried not long ago. “Hanleng!!”, Cao Cao shouted at him. “What's wrong with him?!”, Yuan wanted to know. Again Cao Cao called out to him, but was ignored. Hanleng readied his steel claws for the perfect hit. An opening presented by his formidable foe was giving him this chance. Yet again Cao Cao called for him. “Hanleng!”, he rode towards him shouting. This time the mysterious one seemed to react. He shook his, trying to wake up from a nightmare. His held his punch back, the enemy warrior found a chance to strike. Drowsy and dizzy, Hanleng realized that he was in the middle of a fight. He turned quickly, rose his arms - blocking the axe, but the other halberd's pole hit him straight to the head. The sheer force of that blow sends him flying across the ground. He recovered fast and held his head. With the usual among of jesting, he touched his forehead and muttered in pain. “Ouch! That hurts! But nice wakeup call...” He saw the blood on his fingers as they passed his eyes. Slightly dizzy he stood up again and turned to his foe. This time he looked confused. Cao Cao and the other four came to his aid. Hanleng broke down once more gasping for air. He looked up to Cao Cao. Puzzlement marked his eyes. “What happened... Cao Cao? ....How...” “Easy there.”, Cao Cao tried to calm him without success. “Where the hell am I? What am I doing out here?!”, he muttered seriously lost. The enemy warrior managed to get passed Dun and Yuan. He battled his way through Yue Jin and Li Dian, too. Now he took his fight back to his former opponent. Leng pushed Cao Cao aside quickly. “Look out!” The axe-blade came down on them. Luckily both managed to get away. Leng decided to continue the fight. However, he seemed dazed. His focus was off and he did not know what to think of it. But he was sure to defend his lord. “Keep them out!”, he stated to the warrior with anger, “I'm your opponent!” “As you wish...”, his foe agreed and stretched his shoulders. This person was awfully familiar to Hanleng. This cold, determined gaze that even rivaled his own. The face, a glare frozen in time itself. Suddenly he realized it. It was that man he bummed into at the palace, before the duel of Umi Mari and Lu Bu. Both fighters circled around. They never stopped staring each other in the eyes. However, this time it was Hanleng who felt the chills running across his back. The gaze of that man was frightening him. The warrior charged at him, roaring like a wild tiger. The halberds shred through the frozen ground. Hanleng dodged the strikes sharply, trying to enclose on the man. He grabbed around the poles and pressed his feet against the warriors shining silver plated armor. The grip was strengthened and he tried to pull them out of his opponent’s hands by pressing the feet even harder against his chest. However, his foe pulled them both up. His powerful swing made Hanleng lose footing and he was forced to let go, which send him flying right over the man's head. A quick flip in the air gave him a softer landing. Hanleng turned around and saw the enemy approaching again. Another wave of strikes rained down on him. He had problems keeping up with the speed of each hit. “How can he be so fast?!”, he wondered. Their eyes were focused on each other again. Hanleng pushed the next strike to the side, dodged the second and tried to kick him to the face. Quickly his adversary duck down. He jumped back, crossed the halberds and blocked the second kick. Like a crab’s claw, he snapped around the wise man's leg. Leng freed himself with an upper cut kick. But that left him open. After he landed back, he was taken off his feet by a horizontal low strike. Hastily he pushed his hands against the ground and charged both legs towards his enemy. Again he missed. “Curse it!”, he muttered while backing away from his foe. Both fighters stood and stared at each other once more. Exhaustion conquered their bodies, but Hanleng more than his adversary. “Who are you, warrior?”, he asked curious. “My name is Zhang Liao.”, his opponent answered and pointed one halberd at him, “Go. Flee now if you wish to live. You're not going to get passed me!” Leng laughed. It was a strange cold gesture. A smile froze to his face. His three lords watched him. “Interesting...”, he spoke to Zhang Liao and stretched the arms up. With a swift flip forward he jumped at him. Liao blocked the attack, but Leng increased his speed. He back flipped and circled his legs down. His opponent jumped up. He kicked with the power of his arm assisting in the launch. Liao blocked, but the pressure pushed him backwards. It was obvious that both warriors were very capable. “Go, my lord.”, Hanleng spoke to Cao Cao, “Leave this to me.” “Old man? Are you crazy?”, Yuan wasn't sure what to make out of all this. “This is not your place to be right now.”, the wise one answered smiling. Blood crossed his eye and his gaze became foggy. Still he seemed confident and Cao Cao trusted in it, however with worries in mind. Dun and Yuan watched back at him as they rode towards the Hulao Gate. Li Dian and Yue Jin also followed. “Stay alive, my lord.”, the young ones yelled before vanishing towards the allied army. The two now were alone, facing each other. “This is much better...”, Leng said and took a deep breath, “But I don't think it will be long....” “Not long? What?” Zhang Liao was puzzled. This opponent seemed to fear something. He realized that Hanleng's eyes were scarred with doubts. “You seem frightened...”, he said, “But something within this glare makes me believe that it is not I who you fear...” “You're a sharp person, my friend... Yes... I fear... ....I fear to slay the wrong person...” “Huh?” Leng rushed forward. Zhang Liao didn't even saw this coming. Hanleng grabbed his halberds, turned them over his shoulder and spread the claws of his glove around the warrior’s throat. He faced this man now, who was at his hold. Smiling down on him... The devilish smile of this opponent disturbed Liao even more. However, the eyes looked at him gentle and friendly. It was maddening. “Be warned, Zhang Liao... Never...expect victory...” He pulled his claw back and ran off. His foe stared after him surprised and confused. Was he playing with him? Umi Mari rode towards his position and ordered him to fall back. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen something frightening.

On the other side of the battlefield, the alliance forces managed to pierce through Dong Zhuo's defense forces. Lu Bu was defeated by an unknown trio that fought him combined. Umi Mari dispatched units across their escape route, but the allied forces pulled back. Cao Cao wasn't pleased about it. Back in the camp he tried to convince Yuan Shao into the pursuit. Yet, he failed and in his anger, Cao Cao decided on pressing on with his forces alone. He prepared his men and marched towards Luo Yang. The city was burned to the ground. Dong Zhuo had left it empty, covered with ashes and fallen hopes. What he did not expect was an ambush troop waiting for them. Soon everything was torn. The troops were scattered about and Cao Cao was left on his own. And still a watchful eye kept guard...  

[LordBloodySoul]

Cao Cao was riding across the cities street. Dong Zhuo's troops were following closely. Archers aimed at him. Arrows rained down from above. One hit his horse and it broke down to the ground. Cao Cao rolled over the street. No time to think, he jumped up and ran towards the market area. He was exhausted and had to stop. First he made sure he wasn't chased anymore. Suddenly he realized where he was standing. This was the exact same place where he first had met Hanleng. The street was dark. Houses were burned to the ground and the walls were covered in ashes. Snow softly spread across the roads and ruins. The area was frozen. It was strangely colder here than out in the open street. Cao Cao realized now that his body already felt numb. He looked at his armor. Frost was growing all over it. Suddenly a shout caught his attention. “There he is!”, a soldier screamed. The enemy found him and surrounded the warrior in the tiny street way. They came at him shouting and yelling. They raised swords and spears, ready to skin him alive. Cao Cao prepared himself, for he wasn't giving up on living yet. In this moment a cold breeze cut through the air. Two giant pillars of water crushed down from the building behind Cao Cao. The waves encircled him and spread out. Like spears, icicles formed within a blink of an eye and slashed through the horde surrounding the warrior. A shadow came from atop of the building and landed right in front of Cao Cao. The water crawled inside his wide sleeves. “Hanleng!” Cao Cao recognized him at once. “You have to leave...Cao Cao...”, he spoke with a cold, dry voice. “What?” The soldiers stared at this man with terror. Hanleng turned around quickly. He pulled his arm forward, pointing at Cao Cao and a stream of water passed over his shoulder. It embedded itself in the wall behind him and froze solid. The edges were sharp like a tiger’s claw. “... ...Do you still trust me... ...?” Hanleng's eyes looked quite strange. The blue shine was intense and cold. Ice and Frost covered hair, shoulders, arms and legs. He looked like he was freed from an icy prison not long ago. The icicle broke apart and melted straight away. Leng let his arm fall. Dong Zhuo's soldiers dared to attack once more. This time Hanleng wasn't giving them any chances at all. He covered the left and right side in a stream of frost. He jumped up and shot two giant frozen rocks out of his sleeves, crushing both frozen sides. The soldiers were buried by the rubble. Screaming and shouting with fear and pain they vanished beneath the cold stone. As he returned to his lord’s side he sighed. The breath was cloaking his face and he had to laugh devilish. “Come... I shall guide you back...to your loyal...soldiers...” He walked over the broken pieces of men. Cao Cao couldn't believe his eyes. He hesitated, but followed shortly after. The two went on and left the frozen street. They followed the road around the buildings and outside towards the West Street. Another ambush troop appeared and challenged them to battle. “There he is!”, a soldier shouted, “Get him!” “You're not going to hurt anyone, dog!!” Hanleng charged right into the attackers. He sliced their throats with sharpened edges of ice that grew from underneath his sleeves. Like a blizzard his cold blades took life after life. Cao Cao tried finding the man he used to know within this dance of anger. Why has he changed so much? His fury broke people and destroyed lives countless. “Leng... What...” “There is no time, Cao Cao... No time... ...and I fade fast... ...come...” Hanleng ran across the street towards the main plaza. Both heard the fight raging ahead. Soon they spotted Xiahou Dun and Yue Jin amongst the battling members of Cao Cao's remaining forces. Dun saw them closing in. “Cao Cao!”, he yelled and choked slightly on his next breath. Hanleng jumped right into the fight and started slashing the enemy ranks. The blades of ice turned red when death took the lives of his victims. “Leng?”, Dun muttered shocked. He saw that same devilish glare that once appeared on this man's face. The diabolical smile, that hunted him since the Yellow Turbine Bandits were defeated. Yue Jin shook slightly at the chilling figure of that once mad mumbling man from camp. Half frozen corpses gathered on the ground. Wounds frozen in time and faces of fear, which stopped all motion underneath the layer of ice and frost. Finally the enemy decided to flee. “Is this...really...” “Move it...” Hanleng went on. “We're not done yet...”, he said and went on towards the gates. The wind grew colder and his body was nearly completely covered in ice. His hair was frozen to the tips and water dripped from the spiked boots. He killed whatever crossed their path. The comfort and trust he once gave to his lords started dwindling. People died by his hand. Died of his freezing powers and suffered a death born from a nightmare in the cold. Mesmerized by the terror he spread, the four men followed by Cao Cao's soldiers reached the gates of Luo Yang. “The gates!”, Dun said relieved and spotted his cousin and Li Dian close to the walls, “Yuan! Li Dian!” The tubby man aimed at a group of warriors coming from the east side. He turned around as he recognized the call of his cousin. “Dun! Cao Cao! Yue Jin! You're save!” Li Dian also was glad to see them. However that smile of relieve faded fast. He was shocked when Hanleng jumped at them. The old man bounced of the wall, dragging a thin cloak of cold mist along. Like a hawk his feet came down on one of the enemies and buried him straight into the ground. Hanleng waved his arms like the beating wings of an eagle and threw the mist straight at the rest of Dong Zhuo's minions. Before anyone could even say something, he turned around and pointed at the wall. “Go now...”, he said coldly. “What...what about you, Leng?”, Cao Cao wondered. Xiahou Dun assured that the remaining soldiers left the city. “Old man?”, Xiahou Yuan was stunned by his battling. It was far different than normal. “Go! Now!”, he yelled. His teeth crunching, he stared in anger upon his lords, “I’ll hold them off... More will come...” Dun nodded and went to his cousins, dragging them outside. Yue Jin and Li Dian followed with stunned gazes at the one once called wise. “Wait! Dun!”, Yuan muttered still confused. Cao Cao looked at Hanleng. A sudden change in his eyes was seen. The anger vanished and sorrow took him over. As the five departed with the remaining army, Hanleng went to the gate and blocked the way, staying his ground alone. A massive assault troop charged at him. ”Tell me where...”, he muttered exhausted. He raised his head and ran at them. ”Tell me where he is!”, he screamed and stretched his claws at them.

“I know they hide him! I felt his presence! Damn them!! Both of them!!”

The screams of Dong Zhuo's men haunted Cao Cao and his soldiers from afar. He decided to return to Xu Chang to regroup. With Dong Zhuo still alive he found no rest. Four days passed and he always went to the cities walls, hoping for Hanleng to return. However, he never came. The fifth day however changed it all. “My lord!”, one of the guards rushed into the castle. He bowed before Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun, interrupting their discussion. Yuan joined them on the back of his horse, returning from a patrol. “I hope this is important.”, Cao Cao muttered irritated. “There is a lone rider approaching the gates, my lord!”, the soldier explained hasty, “A black mare! There is a girl and someone else riding it here!” The three lords hoped for it to be Hanleng. Quickly they ran to the gates. The soldiers opened it for them and kept arrows pointed at the single horse coming their way. The girl on the horse’s back was one of the women that Hanleng introduced to them, the little Pai Quan. She carried something over her shoulders. “Leng!”, Cao Cao recognized the robe he was wearing. But the old man didn't react at his shout. He hung from the girls back like dead meat. Blood had dried on his claws and sleeves. The boots were red and the robe slightly torn. “Mercy, lord Cao Cao!”, the girl shouted and let the horse gallop faster towards the gate. “Grandpa is injured! Please help us!”, she cried. “Grandpa?”, Yuan wondered. Suddenly Hanleng slipped her grip and fell off to the side. He hit the ground and left a stain of blood in the dirt. Cao Cao was unsure if he could trust that girl, but she seemed to care about Hanleng. Pai Quan jumped of the mare and tried to pull him back on his feet. “Xiahou Dun...”, Cao Cao spoke and gave him a signal to help the girl, “Xiahou Yuan... Go find a doctor. Send them to the castle.” Yuan nodded and left for the city. Dun went over to the old man and threw his arm over his shoulders. “...Quan... ...”, Leng moaned in pain. He looked up and saw into his lord’s face, but his eyesight was faint and weakened. “...my... ...my....lord... ...Quan...? ... ...Is....she... ... ...save...” “I'm here, grandpa.”, she answered him and tried helping the tall and scary looking man, “I'm fine. I'm fine...” The two brought him into Xu Chang. Hanleng's mare walked over to Cao Cao, who was looking after them. It pushed its nose against his shoulder. Cao Cao strokes its cheek and guided it in.
Hours passed. Hanleng was treated well and the doctor had taken care of his wounds. However, ever since he returned, he refused to let anybody see him, beside the little girl that brought him here. Cao Cao was tired of waiting for his approval. He went to Hanleng's room. A small chamber with a bed, covered in veils. A dream of white flowers, dark wooden walls and red carpets. There was a door to the other side, close to a table. On it stood a bowl with water and some bandages. Hanleng was not present, neither was the girl. The door on the other side was wide open. Cao Cao walked to it and came outside the balcony. Down in the garden, between the leafless peach trees, close to the fountain, was a bench. Hanleng sit there with the girl leaned on his shoulder. Cao Cao went down and outside. He approached him slowly. “Horrifying...”, Hanleng spoke and turned his gaze towards his lord, “Wasn't it...?” “... ...” Cao Cao looked at him confused. He saw in these eyes shame and humiliation. The wise one turned away, staring back at the fountain. “... ...Your silence says it all... ...”, he muttered, “...who...I wonder...” “Who what?”, Cao Cao asked careful. “Who would've stopped me...? ...If Pai Quan wouldn't have come... ...If she would not have been there... ...I... ..I...don't think I would have been able to regain myself...” “What happened, Leng?”, Cao Cao sat next to him. “I was asleep...” “Asleep?” The two looked at each other. Cao Cao was unsure if he could believe this, but he saw the sincerity in Hanleng’s eyes. “... ...The last thing I remember was being at home... ...I felt terrible... ...because of winter coming...” “Winter?”, Cao Cao wondered. The old man strokes his hair behind the ears and sighed deeply depressed. “A bad memory... ...It’s hunting me ever since... ...”, he muttered, “But after I went to sleep... ...everything darkened... ...on the battlefield I woke up... ...but... ... ...not for long... ...I could feel one of them...” “Them?” “Those I have told you about... ...One of them was there and my rage took over... ...I became a predator... ...A wild beast...only hunger for their blood... ...It was like I was caught in my own nightmares...” He looked at Pai Quan sleeping soundly by his side. “Pai Quan found me among the dead... ...I had fought against so many... ...killed...so many... ... ...I feared that I may have slain you too, my lord... ...But she assured me that you were save... ... Dong Zhuo send troops after her... She told me that this mad man was crunching down harder as ever... ...She choose to leave and find help... She worries for her sibling and mother so much...” “But they are not even bound to blood...” “Neither are we, Cao Cao... And I still feel like I have to watch over each and every one, like they're my own.... ...” He smiled and stroke through Pai Quan's hair. “I wish to help this dream... ...this world that will grow from your determination... ... ...Cao Cao... ...more than ever... ...I want this chaos ended by your hand... ...For a world that these children can enjoy... ...No matter how you decide to shape it...” “What is this...waking dream you have...?”, Cao Cao asked. His friend shook his head and smiled bitter with shame. “A nightmare...I wish was never born to this world... ...Maybe one day...I can tell you about it... ...But not now... ...I wish to forget it...”


Hanleng has returned to the side of his lord, Cao Cao. And he was not alone. With him he brought a little girl. Pai Quan. She claims that Dong Zhuo is becoming more dangerous. She fears for her new found family, but Hanleng put her doubts to rest. He promised to protect them with every fiber of his being. Li Dian and Yue Jin continued their service as well. The lords and officers serving under Cao Cao however doubt the sanity and loyalty of Hanleng. Cao Cao himself, however, paid them no mind. His trust stood unshaken and unbroken to his loyal friend.
Meanwhile the situation in the new capital city, Chang An, began to rise. People were frightened by Dong Zhuo's tyranny, but due to Lu Bu's and Umi Mari's presence, there was little what they could do. The Firestorm however grew weary of the constant abuse and disrespect of her lord. Soon the last straw would be drawn and the hunting Flames would burn anew.  

[LordBloodySoul]

Chapter 4 - "The Rise of Lu Bu – Mystery meets Simplicity"

„I can't believe it...”, Umi Mari muttered. She walked to the stables, watching the soldiers readying themselves for the next patrol. Her eyes glanced most surprised at her nestling sitting on a bench close to the armory. „I thought you hated war and weapons, Hayoli. And why are you all alone out here?” The young girl looked up at her. She tended the blades of the soldiers, sharpening them fine. Her fingers and palms were cut at some places, but she seems not concerned over it. She gazed at her protector a bit flustered and folded the dirty towel in her hands nervously. „I...I'm sorry... ...I...I just wanted to be somewhat helpful...”, she stuttered, „You and these soldiers are always working so hard to keep us save... ...I feel...rather useless...” „You're taking this all to seriously...”, Mari tried to comfort her, „You're no warrior, so nobody can blame you. But being alone out here with all these men starring?” The girl blushed and looked around. The men surely were looking at her with interest. She felt uneasy and shy again. It made the Firestorm laugh hearty. „Hahaha. Still the old self... Purity that cannot be tainted...” „Huh?” „Just talking to myself, dear.”, she smiled and sat next to her, starring into the sky, „After all what has happened... I cannot blame you for fearing and feeling uneasy in the presence of men.” The girl looked down. She weakly grabbed around cloth and steel. The memories are painful lingering within her mind. Mhi Hayoli sighed deeply, wishing for all this being a dream to awaken from. „I'm worried, Mari... ...about Pai Quan....” The women looked at each other. Umi Mari shrugs her shoulders carefree. „She made up her mind. What happens after that is out of our reach, now...” „But...” She tried comforting Hayoli and placed one hand on her shoulder. „Believe me, Mhi Ha. If she's really going to the old man, there is nothing to fear or worry about. However, I also don't like it.” She became more serious and stared into space again. „He's...strange...and the way he treats other lives like they were part of a game... He's creepy, alright... But he saved her before. I only hope that he won't abandon her now. If he does...”, she punched her fists together, „I will give him a personal respect lesson of the other kind.” Mhi Hayoli was unsure about this promise. Wouldn’t it be rude? „But...are you not with him, Mari? He didn’t look much like a bad person at all.” „You haven’t seen him fighting yet...”, she answered and placed her chin upon her fist, „Trust me. He isn’t the saint he wants us to believe he is.” Both fell silent. Umi Mari turned her gaze to the weapon she was tending to. It was the blade of a big halberd with a little blue tinted fur piece hanging around the pole. „Whose weapon is this? Looks heavy.”, she mentioned and gazed up into Mhi Hayoli’s eyes. The young woman looked puzzled. „I don’t know. Uh... I thought just... The two of them looked pretty damaged...so I thought I should sharpen them.” „Wait, wait! Two?!”, the Firestorm wondered, „And you carried them over here!?” Mhi Ha shook her head and nearly let go of the halberd on her lap. „No, no!”, she stuttered, „I...I didn’t! Both were standing here on the bench!” „Ah! There I left them.” Someone walked up to them. It was the warrior Zhang Liao. He came towards the two women. Umi Mari smirked at him. „Well, if it isn’t Master Liao himself. Ready for the patrol, I guess.” He bowed slightly before the two. „Yes, lady Umi.”, he answered, „I was just about to search for you.” „Hey!”, Umi Mari fletched her teeth, „I told you not to call me ‘lady’, Liao!” She stood up and pulled the halberd gently from Mhi Hayoli’s lap, so that she wouldn’t cut the woman. Then she handed it over to Liao, slightly loosing hold of it, since it was quite heavy. „Here you go.” Zhang Liao took his weapon and the other one standing next to Mhi Ha. The young lady was blushing and quite nervous, shaking and shivering all over. He looked at the blades and was impressed at how well they were sharpened. „These are fine. I never saw them shine like this. My thanks, milady.” He nodded at Mhi Ha and she blushed even more. She stood up and bowed flustered with little tears in her eyes. „N...n..no... I... ...forgive me!” The young woman clinched to the dirty cloth in her hands and ran off into the garden area. Zhang Liao was a bit surprised and worried. „Did I...upset her?” Umi Mari shook her head and smirked slightly. „Don’t worry. She’s always like that around men. Ha. But you’re the first she ever responded to.” The two went towards the stables. Zhang Liao was confused by her: „The first? She does not speak with her brother, too?” Mari climbed her horse and sighed, waving the hand for the patrol to begin. „Sure, she’s talking with Tao, but not with strangers. Even if I am talking with them, she’s not getting one word over her lips. But enough of that. We’ve got work to do.” He agreed, placed his halberds on his saddle and climbed up. They followed the rest of the soldiers. Umi Mari was focused, however, something was disturbing. She felt an eerie wind coming, like a bad omen lingering in the clouds. She pulled her chain sickle close at hand from the belt it was hanging on.

The patrol went on till night was falling. Finally they’ve returned. Mari went to the castle immediately and headed for her quarter. Something was off. She rushed through the hall and started to hear swords shrieking and men shouting. As she passed the corner, she spotted three soldiers of Dong Zhuo blocking the door to her quarter. Something was trying to get out of the room, pushing against the doors from the other side. They tried to hold it in with all their might. „Hey!”, Mari yelled angry at them. As they saw her coming, the soldiers lost their footing and the doors smashed open, sending them flying across the floor. The Firestorm hurried to them, but they ran away as soon as Tao stepped out of the door. Mari looked inside the room. Several officers and soldiers were lying on the ground. Tables were broken, curtains pulled down, bench and bed shattered to pieces. „What’s going on!?”, she asked and grabbed the silver armored warrior around the upper arm. „Mhi Ha.”, the warrior sighed hollow underneath his helmet, „They took her to him.” „What!?!” Umi Mari kicked the door furious and ripped it out of its holdings. She grabbed the chain sickle from her belt and ran across the hall. „No, he didn’t! He will not!! I won’t let him touch her!!” Tao accompanied Umi Mari with a nod of his head. The two rushed outside into the courtyard. The guards were alerted and tried to stop them from entering the palace. „Hold, Lord Dong Zhuo is not accepting any audiences in the moment!” Tao ran straight through them, swirling his spear in circles from one hand to the other. „Humph.” „Out of my way, you bootlicking dogs!! I will see him! See that fat swine bleed to death if he touches my little girl!!” She swung the chain sickle over her head and straight down upon the crowd of soldiers. „Move it!”, she yelled and ram through their ranks, cleaving a way towards the plaza. The guards tried to hold them off. Li Ru, the strategist of Dong Zhuo, stood atop the large stairway behind the plaza. „What is the meaning of this, woman?! Your loyalty belongs to our lord, Dong Zhuo.” Tao slashed the wall of guards down. Umi Mari went towards the plaza and yelled at the man in his dark robe: „My loyalty belongs to my family first, moron!! Move it or I’ll remove you!” She stormed towards the palace gates. Li Ru grabbed the ends of his robe and hurried inside, ordering the guards to close the doors. The two tried to break through, but it was futile. „Damn you, Li Ru! If I get you, you’re dead!!” She ran back and hurled her sickle up towards the balcony. „Come on!”, she shouted and pulled herself on the next floor. Mari turned around and threw the chain to Tao, who grabbed it and got pulled up by her. The two kicked open the balcony doors and stormed the palace. „Ah!” The soldiers were stunned in fear as they saw the warriors approaching. „Out of my way!”, Umi Mari yelled and punched on of the guards into a wall. She shortened her way by kicking down the walls, storming room after room. An officer tried to corner her in the next hallway, but he was forced down the parapet by Tao. He fell on the first floor. Both warriors followed him and used his body as cushion for the landing. Mari stormed across the long hallway towards the throne room. Li Ru send more soldiers her way and retreated into another room. „Damn you, maggots! Out of my way!” She hurled the sickle up and whirled the chain wildly. The edge of her weapon cut through the armor of the soldiers, leaving a road of blood behind. Tao trampled over the bodies searching for the fastest way to the throne room. „This way.”, the warrior pointed into a hall free of soldiers, „Down here and where there.” Mari ran towards Tao and both rushed through the corridor. Soon they came into the giant hallway leading towards the regent’s throne room. Again soldiers blocked their way, but none could stand before them. The two hurried up the small staircase surrounded by the red flags and pretty carpets. Umi Mari slammed the door open, fury had taken her eyes. She glanced over to the throne and saw Lu Bu standing in a puddle of blood. Next to him were two women. One of them was Mhi Hayoli. Tao and Mari ran over to her. „Mhi Ha! Are you alright?”, she asked the girl, who placed her head on the shoulder of the other woman. It was a beautiful girl dressed like a dancer. Brown hair covered in silk veils and golden decorations of cherry tree branches and peacock feathers decorated her dress. She tried to calm the girl. „It’s alright.”, she told her with her soft voice. „Where is that pig!”, Mari yelled and looked at Lu Bu, „If he touched her I’m going to rip his heart out and feat it to himself!!” The giant man turned around. Tao gazed in shock at him and placed his heavy hand on Mhi Hayoli’s shoulder. The young woman was crying and tried to cover her ears in fear. Lu Bu stretched his arm towards Umi Mari, holding Dong Zhuo’s head in hand. She gazed at his insufferable face and stomped towards him. „He’s dead.”, Lu Bu said and smirked, „But you can still cut his heart out if you like.” She punched him against the chest and wished to slay her sickle into his face. „Damn you, you b*****d!”, she muttered angry, „I wanted to slay him! If he did something to my girl, I wanted to beat the blubber out of his hide until I could drown him in it!” „He did not touch us.”, the unfamiliar woman calmed Mari’s mind, „Lord Lu Bu saved us from him.” „Diao Chan...” Mhi Hayoli embraced her brother and wanted to leave this place. „Huh... So this is how tyranny ends...”, Mari said and looked at Lu Bu, „...with me owing you this time...”

Dong Zhuo has finally met his end at the hands of Lu Bu. Umi Mari owed him the safety of her nestling Mhi Hayoli, who was spared from the tyrant’s greed. The palace fell in disarray and soon the officers raced for control. Those loyal to Dong Zhuo forced Lu Bu to leave Chang An. Umi Mari, Tao and Mhi Hayoli decided to follow him. Meanwhile the unrest spread. The alliance between the noble warlords crumbled. Most of them distrusted Cao Cao’s intentions. Soon the pressure upon him rose and his loyal officers started worrying. Month had passed and Xu Chang finally felt home to them. But soon their preparations and peace was disturbed once more. In the Yan province another rebellion arose from the ashes of old times. When word arrived that the rebels were remnants of the Yellow Turbans, Cao Cao responded and led his troops to battle.

Along the road Xiahou Dun and a group of soldiers were scouting the area. With them was Pai Quan, who joined Cao Cao’s forces to help her chosen grandfather. She bounced joyful in front of them and made Dun sigh in regret. Her clothes had changed since she joined Hanleng and his Lord. She is wearing a bluish west with a thick fur collar. The arms were protected by shiny metal gauntlets packed within a cocoon of blue silk veils, which fell along the arms like long sleeves. She was wearing blue pants with yellow ornaments stitched into the legs. The cloth was similar to Hanleng’s cloak. Her boots were simple leather. Pai Quan carried two swords around a yellow cloth belt. Something that looked more like a blanket bound across the waist. Over her left shoulder hung a wooden bow and a leather quiver filled with arrows. Suddenly a small group of rebels turned up on the road. They pointed their spears at them and yelled in hope to scare them off: „Hold! This is our territory! What do you want here?!” Xiahou Dun came closer placing his Podao on the left shoulder. He smiled at them confident, seeing fear in their eyes. „Hunting tigers.”, he answered and soon after they ran up the road and vanished behind a hill side. Pai Quan spied after them and turned around. „You like doing that, right Uncle Dun?” He sighed anew and shook his head. „For the last time, I am not--.” Their little conversation was interrupted as the two men came back with a huge muscled man. „There they are! Go! You show them!” They ran off again and left the man standing in front of the four armed people. The guards pointed their spears at him. Pai Quan was amazed how bulky that one looked. Dun was also quite impressed by his stature. The man was bald. His head would have fitted five times upon his shoulders. The plating was chained over the massive body. Shoulder plates, gauntlets and boots were made of steel. The chain forged of iron. His pants were slightly torn and worn off. He scrubbed his head annoyed. „Man, they feat me once and now they want me to fight all their battles.”, he muttered irritated and tried punching Xiahou Dun. The officer dodged backwards and threw his Podao in the dirt. Pai Quan moved aside and pulled the soldiers back as well. „Move, move. Uncle Dun needs space.” Xiahou Dun provoked the strange giant to come at him once more. He wished to engage him in a fair fist fight. The two started fighting and Pai Quan cheered the officer on.

Meanwhile back in the camp of Cao Cao, the group prepared for the assault. Five men were standing around a table in the middle of the main tent. One of them was Cao Cao himself. Along him there were four others. „It’s really hot today...”, Hanleng moaned. The old wise one leaned on a table, looking over the plans for the attack. He gazed at Xiahou Yuan left to his side and another, heavy armored small man to his right. „So far it seems simple... But I guess you wish to have your place on the frontline, Cao Cao.” The two looked at each other and Hanleng could see Cao Cao’s determination. He sighed and smiled exhausted. „Oh, well... You can’t go on alone, can you, my lord?” „I second that thought.”, Li Dian, the other member on the table agreed with Hanleng’s doubts, „I’ve got a real bad feeling if you would go by yourself, my lord.” At that moment Pai Quan jumped into the tent and waved at them all. Xiahou Dun followed her and looked at the rather absentminded officers. „You’re back, cousin. How did it go?”, Yuan asked and placed his strong hand on Dun’s shoulder. He spotted the giant behind him, who rubbed his aching cheek. His cousin pointed over his shoulder and led the ogre of a man into the tent. „I was hunting tigers, but I found something else. He’s strong and would be a good bodyguard.” Pai Quan nodded. Cao Cao walked around the table and looked at the rather perplex man. His serious gaze seemed to bother him somehow. „Good. He’s hired.”, he said and walked passed him. The giant looked confused and turned around to him. „Just so? I am you’re bodyguard now?”, he asked with his raw, barbaric voice. „You come with the best recommendations...”, Cao Cao answered and turned around to look at Hanleng, „Unless my second recommender has doubts.” Just now every eye seems to stare at the old wise one. He didn’t turn his gaze at anything but the map on the table. He sighed slightly and pushed himself up. For a moment he waited before turning around. His eyes stared into the man’s face and he flinched in a chill. Leng examined the strong one and wondered. „What is your name?”, he asked. „Uh...Dian Wei, sir.” „Punch me.” Every ear thought it misheard that. „What?”, the giant asked unsure if he had heard right. „Punch me.”, Hanleng said again. „But...” „When I give orders, I want reactions, Dian Wei. Now, punch me.” Hanleng grew more serious and determined, the more Dian Wei hesitated. „What are you---“, Dun was interrupted by Hanleng yelling at the giant. „Punch me, you coward! Now!” Finally Dian Wei reacted and hit Leng straight in the face. The old one flew over the table and ripped tankards, map and daggers off with him before landing on the other side. His back hit the ground and the other officers wondered if he was alright. Pai Quan placed her hands across the mouth in shock and hoped her grandpa wasn’t hurt. „Grandpa!” The wise one clawed on the table and crawled back up on his feet. The heavy armored man came to him, trying to help him up, but Hanleng just lifted his hand. „It’s alright, Master Cao Ren. I’m fine.” Hanleng stretched his back and touched his chin and mouth. This punch was extremely painful. He tasted the blood and felt its warm touch upon his lips. Smiling, he spit it into the corner and walked up towards Dian Wei again. He stared at him joyful and giggled. „Hehehe. I like him. He can stay.” With a light clap on the shoulder, Hanleng left the giant and followed Cao Cao towards the base gate. „They are your commanders?”, Dian Wei wondered. Yuan nodded and crossed his arm. „Yes, they are. You should get used to it.”, he said smiling. Pai Quan followed her grandpa. She walked beside him and listened to his conversation with Cao Cao. „Hm... A strange way to evaluate a person’s capability.”, his lord wondered and caressed his beard. The mysterious one laughed and rubbed his jaw with both palms carefully, watching not to cut himself with his claws. „I guess it is. Hehe... But it is worthwhile...and quite painful.” The three stopped at the gate. Dian Wei ran towards them holding a big axe in one hand. The iron blade had the height of his torso and was thick as a blades handle. „Well, we should go now. Is everyone ready?” Pai Quan nodded excited and pulled her swords out. Two long needles of steel with the handles wrapped in blue scarfs. „And you stay close to us, understand?” Hanleng gazed at Pai Quan. She smiled and nodded once more. „Okay, grandpa.” He sighed and shook his head. „I wonder where I got the reputation of being old...” The doors were opened by the guards. Cao Cao raised his sword and voiced the call to arms. The soldiers rushed outside and the battle ravaged over the plains.  

[LordBloodySoul]

The Doors opened and Cao Cao’s forces engaged the rebels on open farmland. The sun was unforgiving to the warriors joined in this fight. Hills surrounded the ruins of small houses. A village probably lost to the chaotic wars that spread across the land. „We shall assimilate the remaining Yellow Turbans into our forces. Go and defeat their leader!”, Cao Cao ordered his men. He, Hanleng, Dian Wei, Pai Quan and Li Dian entered the field of battle through the southwest. „Our scouts say that the leader of this rebellion is a large and powerful man.”, Hanleng explained and charged into the first front of enemies, „Be sure to keep your guard up! Dian Wei, stay close to our lord. His safety is now in your hands.” „I will not let you down, my lord.”, the big ogre assured him. Pai Quan and Li Dian stayed close to Hanleng while Cao Cao and his new found bodyguard followed shortly after them. The three front line officers cleared up the assault of the peasant warriors. Li Dian fought off the rebels with his strange fanged wheel pole. Pai Quan never saw a weapon so odd looking. „This thing looks so weird.”, she muttered and bounced across the frontline like a rabbit, „It’s as weird as it’s user, I guess.” „I am not weird.”, Li Dian told her and fought off another wave with the help of Dian Wei. The big man scared most of the soldiers right away. The old man enjoyed himself and defeated fighter after fighter. Hanleng’s martial art battle style impressed not only the frightened foes around him. „I think I'm in love...”, Li Dian said and gained an awkward expression by the old man. „What?!”, he asked seriously disturbed. „Uhh, forget I said anything!”, Li Dian promptly answered. Hanleng grabbed a rebel, who tried crawling off to safety, and threw him at Li Dian, making him fall over. „Focus, you idiot!”, he scolded him. Hanleng jumped up, performed a front flip, hitting the ground with the heel and shattered the spears of five approaching warriors. They fell back and stared at him frightened. Li Dian stood up again and rubbed his head. „Ouch... Sorry.”, he muttered, stood up and joined the fight again. Cao Cao was somewhat amused by the little friendly infighting of these two. He stayed close to Dian Wei, who literally yelled his foes into submission. Pai Quan danced across the farmland and swung her swords like a whirlwind. She was glad to be helpful. „There’s a tingling sensation in the back of my neck. Somebody strong is nearby...”, Li Dian muttered. The girl looked at him confused. „Maybe it’s a spider crawling up your back?” Hanleng laughed, but he also felt somebody strong closing in. „He’s not fantasizing, my dear... There is somebody strong coming.”, he assured her, „Perhaps we have gained his attention...” „Good...”, Coa Cao was pleased. A rebel appeared behind him, yelling: „Come on!” He had a huge sword and charged at him, but Dian Wei was there to defend his new found lord. With three swift slashes he disarmed the man and forced him to retreat. „I let you go for now! Don’t think you’ve won!!” Further to the southwest, from a small pathway, a man came carrying a big club of iron. That man was as tall as he was wide. It stunned both Dian Wei and Li Dian and surprised Hanleng and his granddaughter. „Are you the ones that’ve been trampling my crops? I’ll make you pay!”, he yelled with his chubby, nearly adorable voice. „Well, this is an expected yet unexpected sight.”, Hanleng had to admit. „I knew it!”, Li Dian said and promptly had to dodge the big guy’s club. The man had a most childish and innocent expression on his face. He moved quicker than one would think. The club of iron was a heavy ball shape, decorated with the head of a Bull. It buried a hole as it hit the solid, dry ground. Li Dian back away from him a little. „You’re the strongest guy around here.”, he said with realization, „I don’t like my chances against you!” „Leave this to me!”, Dian Wei said and charged at the big guy. Two ogres of men now fought with each other and the audience of soldiers around them were stunned by the might of these two. Countless attacks, slashes and strikes flew by and they beat across the farmland. Hanleng stood with Cao Cao, keeping an eye out for archers and any foot soldiers trying to take advantage of this duel of giants. Pai Quan stayed close to him and Li Dian watched closely as Dian Wei gained the upper hand and forced away the big man. His loyal soldiers rallied to his side and blocked off the way for him to retreat. „Wow, you’re pretty strong.”, he acknowledged, „I’d better leave for now.” He turned away and vanished within the thick lines of warriors blocking Cao Cao’s way. „Curses! He escaped!”, Dian Wei muttered and waved his axe angry. Hanleng assaulted through the troops of men and cleaved a path for his lord towards the drawbridge. He pounced at it and lowered it from their side. On the hide of the bridge’s fall, he jumped over to the other side and lowered it, too. „Come on! Let’s press on!”, he yelled and started wrecking up the next group of soldiers. The others followed him over the bridge. Cao Cao looked at his four officers. „That must be the man.”, he told them, „He is too good to serve as a Yellow Turban. Be sure to capture him alive.” The four nodded and pressed on.

A messenger came to them and reported them that nearby peasants told him, the enemy leader was resting within the garrison. Unsure of this Hanleng decided to take a look with Li Dian accompanying him only. He did not wish to endanger to many men. However, Cao Cao insisted on taking Dian Wei, Cao Ren and Yue Jin with him into the Garrison, while he Pai Quan and Li Dian press on to the northeast. Hanleng was quite unsettled by this decision of his lord, but he knew that there was no way he could change his mind. So he and Li Dian, together with Pai Quan, kept the enemy forces of the east at bay. „They’ve fallen into our trap! Quickly close the gates!” As Cao Cao and his men entered the Garrison, the soldiers closed the gates and trapped them inside. „He’s not here!”, Dian Wei yelled. Hanleng heard them, but the gates with the gates closed and enemies surrounding them, he had to rely on the strength of Cao Cao’s guardians to keep him save. „Now! It is time we put an end to these vile animals of the Han!”, an officer appeared from the east with a strong force of soldiers. „Damn it!”, Hanleng muttered and bite his lips. „This oughta teach you to stay away from our land!” Pai Quan kicked a stone at his face, which he blocked, but letting himself open for her incoming arrow. She stood at the back and aimed for the soldiers while Li Dian and Hanleng engaged in close combat. „How is this land yours, fools! For you have stolen it from another!” Hanleng was angered by his foes statement and attacked them even harder and more forceful than before. It scared the weaker members of the rebel forces and Li Dian managed to overwhelm them with another smaller group of soldiers. The gates opened at the garrison. Nervously Hanleng spied over to see if his lord was alright. Yue Jin and Cao Ren left the Garrison first, followed by Dian Wei and Cao Cao. A sigh of relieve fled Hanleng’s lips and he concentrated back on his task. Together with Li Dian and Pai Quan they took the central Garrison and pressed on towards the east. „Onward, men!”, Yue Jin rallied the forces, „Don’t give them an inch!” United again, Cao Cao and his troops pushed the Rebels back to the top of the northeast hill. The ruins up there seem to be another ambush point, so Hanleng thought. „This time, I go first!”, he said and ran after the fleeing soldiers. Li Dian and Pai Quan chased after him, too. An officer appeared and charged with a large group of men towards the three. „This is our chance! Charge the enemy! Show them the strength of the Yellow Turbans!”, he yelled and raised his swords for the sky. His men charged towards the three. Li Dian pushed the first front back and Pai Quan jumped right into the next one. „What’s this?”, Li Dian muttered worried, „I have a bad feeling about this place. This situation is nothing like the one we came across before.” Hanleng looked around and tried to find the source of his comrade’s eerie feeling. He spotted archers coming to the walls and realized that they tried to snipe them from above. He saw some barrels standing underneath them and let luck play this time. „Oh no, you don’t!”, he yelled and stomped his feet on the ground once, while pushing the arms towards his hips. Water shot out of the barrels and up the wall scarring the living hell out of the enemy archers, making them loose footing and fall of the wall. Li Dian was stunned and looked at him. „Stare later, Li Dian. We have still work to do.”, he answered, waving his hand. Another Messenger caught up to the group. „We have received word from our scouts! The leader of the Yellow Turban rebels is on the western mountaintop!”, he reported. „Huh... That could be good or bad...”, Hanleng said. „This time, he won’t get away!”, Dian Wei assured him. Cao Cao looked up to the garrison on the mountaintop and nodded. „Hmm... That man should be here. I want us to rush in there and capture him!” The others nodded. „As you command, my lord.”, Hanleng answered and the soldiers moved out. Every attacker was pushed back by the massive force of Cao Ren, Hanleng, Li Dian, Yue Jin, Dian Wei and Pai Quan. The officers did their utmost to guide their lord up the mountain and towards their target. As they stormed the garrison, they found a man among the last massive troop of rebel soldiers, but it was not the one they have seen before. „It is not the man we are looking for...”, Cao Cao sighed disappointed, „No matter. He is a leader of these Yellow Turbans and is therefore worth defeating. Hanleng nodded and pointed at both Li Dian and Yue Jin to get the job done. He and Pai Quan were moving towards the south entrance while Cao Ren and Dian Wei guarded the east entrance with Cao Cao. The two warriors engaged him in combat and forced him to surrender quickly. „O-Okay! I’ll do whatever you want!”, he begged like a coward, „Please, just don’t hurt me!” Disappointed in this man’s attitude, Hanleng sighed and stretched his shoulders annoyed. „Uh... Another worthless coward... ...begging for his life... ...like a dog...” „We have achieved our goal.”, Cao Cao notified his men, but he was simply not satisfied with this, „I wonder, however, who was that man?” „Who knows?”, Hanleng wondered himself. Suddenly he felt the chill going down his spine. He pushed Pai Quan to the side. „Whoa!”, she yelled, falling to the ground, only seeing her grandpa getting knocked back by a giant iron Bull. Hanleng flew over Yue Jin and Li Dian, landing straight in a field behind them. „Urgh...”, he tried pulling himself up. He held his back and struggled standing. „Argh... By the heavens! That...hurts!!” He fell to the ground again. Dian Wei stood before the attacker, who was the one man he had battled before. „Ah! You again!”, he yelled with his chubby, gullible voice, „Trampling all over my precious crops! You’re gonna pay for this!” Again he and Dian Wei engaged in combat. Pai Quan quickly moved out of the way. „This time you are not getting away!”, Dian Wei assured him. Li Dian and Yue Jin helped Hanleng up again. „Argh! Why always in the back!”, he complained with a jesting smile. Cao Ren stood with Cao Cao. Both walked to the three and made sure that the old wise one was okay. Dian Wei fiercely tried to get the upper hand and pushed the big one slowly in a corner. The two fought honorably. Slashes and strikes decimated the walls and crates of the base into dust. Finally Dian Wei managed to push the big guy back. Exhaustion was painting their expressions. Both Li Dian and Yue Jin stood beside Dian Wei to make sure that he wouldn’t escape. Another push by Dian Wei caused the man to tumble and fall to his knees defeated. „You mustn’t...”, he said, fighting for breath, „If this keeps up, we’ll all go hungry.” He climbed back on his feet, ready to fight to the last. It impressed each of the officers. His persistence was amazingly strong. „Trampled by fighting, the fields and the people will starve! That’s no good!” Hanleng smiled at the man and wondered what decision his lord would sentence upon him. He could see that even the officers understood him and were lost for words to answer. Leng, who finally could stand on his own, looked at Cao Cao walking towards the big man. „So... You were fighting to protect these crops?”, he asked him. Pai Quan now realized that they were really destroying so many plants and crops. The damage was large in this base, but surely even greater outside of it. She felt sorry and ashamed. Hanleng touched her head and nodded at her smiling. He, too, felt the weight of this man’s sorrows and worries. „But try as you might, you cannot win.”, Cao Cao explained to the man. His tone was apologizing and friendly, „Your fields will be trampled in the end, no matter how many times you fight.” The big man took his club up, ready to fight again, but he also was unsure if this will ensure the safety of his fields anymore. Doubts clouded his mind as much as hopelessness. „So...so... what should I do?”, he asked Cao Cao and dropped his club again. Cao Cao placed his hand gently on the iron ball of this man’s trusted weapon. Hanleng came to his side and looked at them both with a smile. „Join our cause.”, Cao Cao proposed to him, „Fight to end this chaos, and to make the land rich and fertile once more.” Still unsure, but with a glim of hope rising within his eyes, the man asked Cao Cao: „If I fight with you, the war will end? Everyone will get fed?” He looked at Hanleng, who answered him with a nod of his head. „That’s right.”, Cao Cao assured him, „Come, join us!” The man dropped the handle of his club and smiled happy. He turned away from Cao Cao and Hanleng, waving at the remaining Yellow Turban rebels, who watched him from afar. „Hey, everyone!”, he yelled with a joyful expression, waving his hands wildly in the air and then pointing to Cao Cao, „From now on, we fight with these guys!” „So you’ve decided yet, Cao Cao...?”, Hanleng wondered and looked at him. His lord nodded and turned towards the south gate of the garrison. „Yes.”, he answered, „The right people are in the wrong places... This is why chaos spreads... And I will bring order to it...” He left under the guide of Cao Ren. Li Dian smirked at this awkward joy raised from beneath the heart of war. „What a marvelous day...” „Huh?”, Pai Quan wondered and looked at her grandpa, „Why?” The wise one gazed up into the clouds that finally revealed the sun upon these war-ravaged fields. He closed his eyes and enjoyed her gentle touch. „Such a marvelous day... I never knew how reviving the sunlight’s warmth can be...”  

[LordBloodySoul]

Two days before this, Lu Bu has built a small force of his own. Having lost the power struggle that ensued after he assassinated Dong Zhuo, he had been forced to wander from place to place. He guided them to the east, passed Luo Yang. Among them were Umi Mari, Tao and Zhang Liao, all formidable warriors. During a break of aimless wandering, the vacant force camped in an abandoned town. Most of the houses lay in ruins or were completely raided. Mhi Hayoli was standing in the trampled fields. Saddened by the view presented to her, she sighed deeply troubled. Within her hands she held a small bundle made of leather. She strokes her fingers gently over the silk ribbon that held it closed. „Milady?”, a voice called out to her. Surprised, she turned around and saw Zhang Liao approaching. „My apologies. I did not mean to alarm you.”, he said and bowed slightly. Mhi Hayoli was blushing and pressed the leather bundle close to her heart. She looked to the ground and shook her head. „No, no! I...It’s... ...alright...” Nervously, she tried to avoid looking at him. Zhang Liao sighed and looked around, but he could not spot Tao or Umi Mari. „I wished to thank you properly for tending to my weapons, Milady. With all this disorder spreading however, I found it hard to find the time.” He looked at his two halberds and was quite delighted over their sharpness and shine. She still wasn’t looking at him, but spoke nervously. „I...I am ...glad... ...th...that I... ...could...be of...h...help, my lord...”, she answered stuttering. Zhang Liao wondered if she was frightened by him. The girl looked very anxious and avoided to look at him. „I am sorry if my presence scares you, milady.”, he apologized, „I am not even sure why some people are frightened by me or tell those kinda rumors.” Mhi Hayoli suddenly turned around to him. She waved her hands and shook her head. „Ah...no...no! Th...This is not it!”, she stated nervously, „I...it’s just... ...I...I am not used...to speak...with men at all... ...” Her face was still bright red and her gaze wandered off to the ground again, saddened by the thoughts running through her mind. „Really? Why is that?”, he wondered. The girl sighed slightly and tried to compose herself before explaining. „Well... ...My mother... ...she...used to tell me... ...not to speak with men until I was of age... ...I grew up without a father... ...so... ...she was all I had at that time... ... ... ...Until she passed away as well... ...” „I’m sorry to hear that... I did not mean to open old wounds.”, Zhang Liao apologized and bowed slightly. She smiled and shook her head appreciating the thought. „No need to apologize, my lord... ...I may have lost both my parents... ...but I still have my Guardians, Umi Mari and Tao... ...and my little girl Pai Quan...” Worries started to fill her heart as she thought about her. Zhang Liao remembered that little girl with endless energy and joy, but he did not know that they were family. „So that girl is your daughter, then. I did not know.”, he said a bit surprised. „She is not...not in that way... ...I adopted her, when she came to my town... ...Her parents died during the Yellow Turban rebellion... She does not speak much about it, though... ... ...I wonder if she is well...” „I am sure she is.”, he tried to comfort her, „That little girl seemed like a formidable fighter to me.” „Yes...”, she answered him, still lingering in uncertainty, „Mari, Tao and even Pai Quan... They are all warriors... ...” Slowly she relaxed around him, but her hands still shivered a little. She did not realize how her worries overpowered her nervousness. Suddenly both Tao and Umi Mari approach them on horseback. A bit surprised of the two standing together like this, Mari gazed at them quite awkward. Reality caught up with her, however, and she reported to Liao at once. „Hey.”, she yelled a bit frustrated, „We’ve got a problem, Liao. Bandits are blocking off the road ahead. Lu Bu is mobilizing the rest of the gang.” „Understood.”, he answered. Mhi Hayoli listened to her guardian’s announcement and bound the leather satchel on her belt scarf. „I’m coming, too.”, she stated. „Mhi Ha?!”, Umi Mari was shocked, „What are you saying?!” „I know it will be dangerous, but... I just don’t want to be the only one without use or purpose anymore... I...I wish to help... ...Even if it scares me...” „Mhi Ha...”, Tao was concerned for his bond sister. He knew where her thoughts and actions might lead her. „Would you give it back to me, Mari? Please...”, she asked with a begging stare at her guardian. „Are you sure? You gave it to me, because you wished to distance yourself from war, after all...” Mari wished to be sure that her nestling was thinking this through. Mhi Hayoli nodded with a smile. „I cannot run from it anymore... There is...something I have to...see... ...Something I have to do... ...I wish to end this war...more than anything else... ...I wish for it to end...” Mari realized that there was no talking her out of it anymore. Liao was a bit confused about this conversation. He looked at Umi Mari climbing from her horse and pulling a whip made of strong leather. It was covered with multiple rings that were decorated with sharp iron scales. She handed the whip to the girl with a rather serious expression. „But you are not going alone.”, she stated and pressed the whip into her hands, holding them in her own, turning around to the horses, „Tao...” „Mari?”, Mhi Hayoli interrupted her, „If it is okay with you, may I join master Zhang Liao on this assault?” „What?”, she was answered with surprise by all three. Umi Mari sighed and smiled. „You’re starting to worry me, girl, but he’s reliable at least.” She turned around to him with a serious glare: „You keep her save, got it?” Zhang Liao seems to have no real talk in this matter, so he nodded agreeing and met her glare with determination and assurance. „Thank you, sister...”, Mhi Hayoli smiled with gratitude, „Don’t worry, I will not slow him down or get in his way. I promise.” The woman nodded and jumped back on her horse, turning it around towards the road ahead. „Let’s go.”, she said to Tao and headed out. The knight however seems to look at his sister still captivated in worries. „Come on, Tao!”, Mari yelled to get his attention. He finally turned his steed around, still starring back at her. „Be...save...”, it growled from deep beneath the helmet. Mhi Hayoli nodded towards him before he headed out. „I am not sure that I understand what lead you to this decision, milady. However, I shall keep my word and protect you from harm.” Zhang Liao readied his halberds and moved out as well, followed by Mhi Hayoli. „I am sorry...”, she stuttered nervously, „...if this seemed like we forced you into this, my lord... ...But I really do believe that I can find the answer by seeing you battle...” „What answer do you seek, then?”, he wondered as they approached the road. „The answer on why I could not fight... I need to know...and...I need to face my fears...”

The two ran onto the street and followed the soldiers towards the upper road. Abandoned houses and burned down trees and fields lined the path before them. „Alright.”, Lu Bu yelled his orders from atop of his Red Hare, „My forces will take the camp directly in front of us. Mari, you take your men to the northwest. Zhang Liao will go to the northeast. Nobody is blocking the road from Lu Bu!!” The groups gathered and then spread out to each side. Zhang Liao and his men, as well as Mhi Hayoli went to the northeast. Many of the soldiers were surprised to see the young lady following Liao over the battlefield. Bandits jumped from hiding spots in the ruins and ambushed them constantly. „Slaughter them all!”, they yelled with mocking laughter. „I am Zhang Liao! And I have come to fight!”, Liao yelled back at them, charging right into their ranks. Mhi Hayoli followed him, but kept her distance to not walk right into his slashing attacks. „This whip brings back so many bad memories...”, she spoke while unfolding it, „I once trained with Tao under the branches of my families peach trees...and I wounded him badly... ...That was the first time when I laid my weapon down.” She cracked the whip with a swing around her position. The crack was lout and echoed far over the ruins. Spikes ripped into the cloth of the bandits’ simple armor. Three of them stumbled backwards in pain, for the iron scales have teared through their skin as well. She was concerned and hesitated to take another swing. Zhang Liao however slashed through them like a wild band of tigers. She admired his determination and loyalty, or maybe his merciless way of fighting. Mhi Hayoli watched him and his men fight. The way they battled was different from how he did. „Argh! Fall back, boys!”, one of the leaders yelled and pulled back. Liao looked at the girl and was confused. She smiled gently and yet seemed so upset. „Milady? Are you alright?” „Yes...”, she nodded and sighed, „I think I understand now... ...why I was unable to be a strong warrior...like Tao or Mari...” She took a deep breath and held onto her whip. The group moved on and she started explaining to Liao with hesitation and shame. „I realize now that I was selfish...” „How so?”, he wondered. „Tao trained me to defend myself... But I was afraid of hurting people... That is why I failed and wounded him... ...The second time that happened was during an invasion of bandits in my hometown... ...I wanted to protect my family...but...I did not want to hurt people... ... ...I managed to fend of the bandits trying to enter my house, but I wounded Tao once more in the process... ... ...That is why I gave up on it entirely... ...But I never gave up on my wish for the world to be restored to peace... ...Mari, Tao and even Pai Quan fought so many times to help my wish to be realized... ...I relied always on them to do the fighting, while I was just praying, waiting and hoping... ... ...I was so selfish...” Zhang Liao stopped for a moment and turned to her. „No...”, he answered, „You are just a soul of kindness...born in a world it was not meant to be in...” „...Maybe so...”, she said with a light smile on her lips, „My lord, why do you fight?” „I fight to become stronger.”, he explained, „I want to perfect my skills in the art of war. However, killing people is something that I cannot avoid in times like these... ...although, I wish for more honorable battle.” „I see...”, she understood and smiled anew, „That is what I thought.” „Hm?” „The way you fight on the battlefield is different to that of my guardian siblings. Mari fights with such anger... Tao battles others as if he wishes them to acknowledge his power... You, my lord, however... You fight with such determination and control... I never have seen anything like it...” He smiled and bowed slightly. „I am honored, milady. Shall we move on?” She agreed and they headed out again. Following the road they came across the farmlands of this abandoned town. Archers attacked from the high grounds and rooftops. The soldiers covered themselves with shields. Liao ran through the arrow storm. Mhi Hayoli followed him and went towards the houses. She knocked the fragile, rotten wood pillars over, making the roofs collapse. Liao charged at the high grounds and scared the archers away with a violent roar. Yet again an ambush troop surrounded them. „Take them all out!”, the commander yelled. This time Mhi Hayoli engaged the battle more openly. She tried her best to aim for the legs and hands of the bandits. Zhang Liao came to her aid when she got surrounded by them. His appearance made these thugs tremble in their boots. The commander tried to duel him and was slain. Still a bit shaken by this, Mhi Hayoli turned away. Liao walked over to her when the bandits started fleeing to their last outpost in the north. He sighed deeply, thinking that he might have scared her, just like the rumors tell. „Forgive me, milady... I guess it must be pretty frightening to watch me fight.” She swallowed the pity she felt for these evil men and looked at him, shaking her head. „No...”, she said weak, „It’s just... ...I can’t bring myself to not pity these men... ...To not feel sorry for them... ...What this chaos made out of them...” „Yes... It is sad...”, he answered and tried to comfort her, „...but I am sure that peace will come. And the chaos will end.” She smiled, filled with hope that he might be right. That is what she was trying to fight for now, so she has to move on as well. Together the two marched with the soldiers towards the northern outpost. Lu Bu and Umi Mari already were attacking the base and tearing the bandit force apart. Thugs could be seen running in panic and hysteria outside the gates and into the mountains to the west. Zhang Liao and Mhi Hayoli joined them in the fight and soon the bandits were eradicated.  

[LordBloodySoul]

Umi Mari, Tao, Mhi Hayoli and Zhang Liao rode alongside each other after the troops had rested and the travel went on again. „I see...”, Mari muttered and sighed, „Well, I can’t say that I am all happy about this, but it is your decision, girl. If you wish to fight than I can hardly hold you back.” „Hm...”, Tao sighed deep, worried about this. „I’ll be fine, I promise... A...and I will train hard, too... So...so don’t be worried...”, Mhi Hayoli assured them. „Alright...”, Mari agreed hesitant, „...but you have to stay close to one of us three, got it? No running into the frontlines on your own.” „Three?”, Liao wondered. „Of course, I mean you as well!”, she pointed out, „You’re the only man I can entrust her to, Master Zhang Liao. Besides, she seems to have found quite a liking to you, too.” „Mari!”, Mhi Hayoli yelled embarrassed and blushed. The Firestorm laughed heartily to her reaction. „If it is your wish, then I shall agree.”, Liao stated, „I, too, wish that no harm befalls her.” „My lord...”, Mhi Hayoli was quite flustered and embarrassed by his words, but happy nonetheless. Right at that moment a messenger on horse appeared on the front and delivered a note to Lu Bu. Curious of what that was supposed to be, Mari rode towards him. „Be right back.”, she said before overlapping several units of foot soldiers. Tao stayed silent and watchful of the surroundings, ready to react on any new bandit activity. „Milady?”, Zhang Liao then addressed Mhi Hayoli who turned to him, „May I be so bold to ask... ...What do you think of me?” His gaze was a little grim as he stated his question. Mhi Hayoli blushed slightly again and smiled. „Uh... ...I like your hat, my lord.”, she answered sincerely. He smiled and pulled his hat a bit embarrassed over his eyes. „He...that’s not what I meant...”, he muttered, but smiled delighted, though.

The messenger was a spy send by someone from within Cao Cao’s camp, who brought him secret information about the capital city. Lu Bu viewed this as a good opportunity to seize Yan Province for his own. Despite not having recovered from the scars of its previous battle, Yan Province was once again thrust into chaos. Xiahou Dun had been entrusted with the defense of Yan Province at Puyang and eagerly went forth to meet Lu Bu in battle. Once they learned of Lu Bu’s sudden attack, Xiahou Yuan, Hanleng and Yue Jin also raced to Xiahou Dun’s side. Pai Quan was among the officers that were to aid in this battle as well. With mixed feelings about the possibility to face her family on the battlefield, she stood beside these four and readied every spark of courage that she had to offer  

[LordBloodySoul]

Chapter 5 – „Lu Bu’s Conquest – The Wise and the Wicked“


„I will not let this beast simply do as he pleases.” Xiahou Dun was determined to stop this attack at all cost. He readied the soldiers and prepared to strike back at Lu Bu’s army. „It is our duty to stand behind Cao Cao and help protect him on his path of conquest.” „Right!”, Pai Quan agreed, „I will give it my all, Uncle Dun!” He sighed slightly annoyed, but glad that she was so enthusiastic. „Cousin!”, someone yelled. Three horses arrived at the plaza, where the troops of Puyang had gathered so far. „Yuan.”, Dun greeted his cousin and was also grateful to see both Hanleng and Yue Jin with him, „Leng, Yue Jin. I am glad you’re here.” „Grandpa!”, Pai Quan joyful bounced at Hanleng as he dismounted his horse. He embraced her with a soft smile. „I am glad we made it in time... How bad is it?”, he asked. At first Dun and also Pai Quan were a bit confused as to see him wearing the robe of Guo Jia instead of his own. „Grandpa? Why do you wear lord Guo Jia’s clothes?”, the girl asked puzzled. Hanleng hesitated to answer, which Dun could interpret as something bad that might have occurred back in Xuzhou province. „He lost that during the battle against Tao Qian and his troops. Master Guo Jia was just concerned that he might catch a cold. The old man is not the youngest anymore, ya know?”, Xiahou Yuan jested a bit to lighten up the mood and give a reasonable explanation for now. „Who...”, Hanleng muttered with a swirly smile and giggle, „Just who started calling me old? I wonder...” Dun also smiled a little, but returned to the matter at hand right away. „Anyway... The situation is rather grim right now.”, he explained, „Lu Bu’s main forces have not arrived yet. We need to finish this before they do. The enemy’s surprise attack left Xun Yu surrounded. The first thing we need to do is rescue him.” „Alright...”, Yue Jin nodded understanding. „You can count on us, cousin.”, Yuan assured him. Leng looked a bit troubled. „But I do wonder...”, he muttered, „How did he know about all this from outside the castle...unless...” „Ugh... That Lu Bu. I don’t know where he got his information, but that attack was cowardly.”, Xiahou Dun stated, „But if we have a traitor within, I hope we find him soon after this is done.” „Right... Let us deal with this first...” Hanleng pulled a water skin bottle from the side of his saddle. He opened it and poured the water over his claw gloves and boots until it was empty. Then he took two others and bound them on his belt. „I hope everyone is prepared for the worst.” „I am ready!”, Pai Quan said, „But I hope we don’t have to fight auntie and brother...” „Now, let’s go.”, Dun ordered and the guards opened the doors. He pulled his Podao out and stormed in front of everyone. „We will hunt down these chaos causing beasts!”

The castle was built around a cliff. Bridges crossed over a river flowing beneath the walls. The grounds were on different levels. Farmlands were higher up to the north and the merchant road in the south. The castle itself was a fortress of grey rocks, high watchtowers and steep build walls. „You can never let your guard down around Lu Bu.”, Xiahou Yuan complaint as the forces left the castle. The army headed towards the east side fort in order to rescue the strategist Xun Yu. Pai Quan agreed with Yuan and started slashing her way through the ambush troops blocking the path. „Right! He’s a big meanie! But he’s also pretty scary.” Hanleng remembered Lu Bu from the times back at Dong Zhuo’s service. He shrugs his shoulders slightly and smirked. „Well, his strength might be frightening... That can’t be said about his appearance, though.” „We don’t have any choice.”, Yuan sighed and then shot two soldiers ahead, „Let’s smash him!” The five officers approached the middle bridge of the castle. Multiple ambush units tried to stop them, but both Xiahou Dun and Yue Jin just carved their way through. „Master Xun Yu is in danger. We need to get over there and save him fast.”, Yue Jin said pretty composed, even though knowing the danger. Yuan took the archers out quickly. Both Hanleng and Pai Quan covered the rear to ensure that the troops can move forward. Everything seems to run too perfect for the old wise one. Something was amiss and made him even more suspicious. „This is far too easy.”, he muttered concerned. „The castle is surrounded. This is all very annoying.”, Dun pointed out, „We need to push back the enemy as we advance.” „Yes...but that is still too easy... ...but I guess Lu Bu fails the tactical mind needed to pull of more, I guess...” The old man relaxed a little and tried to be of much help as needed. He still felt the fear and doubts lingering as well as the hunger and hatred rising. Within his mind, he was fighting with himself all the way through this. Pai Quan and Yue Jin pushed some of the soldiers over the edge of the bridge as they moved on. The frontline warriors were like a ring encircling Xiahou Yuan, who stood in their middle and aimed for as many headshots as he could get. As they passed the bridge an officer stood in their way. „Come on, what are you waiting for!”, he mocked Hanleng and pointed his sword at him with a confident smirk, „Let’s get this fight started!” „Not worth it.”, Hanleng said blunt. The water from his boots went towards the man. With a swift raise of his fist the water shot upwards and hit the general like a rock underneath his chin, pushing him over and knocking him unconscious. Dun rolled his eyes disappointed and ordered the troops to continue the march. Pai Quan giggled. „That was funny, grandpa.” Hanleng shrug and laughed alongside her. Her presence cheered him up and he stayed focus. Distant from the terror he had brought to Xuzhou province. Suddenly a messenger came to them. He kneed, bowed before the two and reported: „Our scouts report that enemy reinforcements have arrived! They are coming from the north!” Hanleng nodded and went after Xiahou Dun and the rest of the force. Pai Quan hurried along with him. „My lord, watch the cliffs!”, he yelled as he caught up with them. The three men saw soldiers jumping from the edges like an avalanche. „What?! We have to deal with more of them?”, Yue Jin muttered troubled. Xiahou Yuan and Pai Quan aimed for the cliff top and shot the soldiers, before they get to close, making some of the survivors stumble over their dead comrades and fall. Xiahou Du, Yue Jin and Hanleng rushed passed the gate and up the hill to engage them directly. The soldiers made sure that the archers remained save from attacks. „I fight to bring glory to our forces!”, Yue Jin yelled and pushed two officers over the edge. The scattered forces retreated for now and the five officers continued their mission. The fortress was now close. A little outpost castle atop of the mountain side, surrounded by cliffs and wooden ledges. They passed the wall to the east. „We’re almost there.”, Pai Quan reminded them, but a small force blocked their way. Another general stood in front of them. „This is where you die! Prepare yourselves!”, he yelled and smirked. Dun engaged in combat with him, overpowering him fast. As the enemy troops tried to interfere with the duel, Hanleng waved both of his hands from the lowest ankle upwards, turning the water into a wave of big proportion. It jumped from his gloves and boots, washing away the enemy soldiers. The general lost to Dun and retreated with a grim look on his face. „C-Curse you!”, he yelled from afar, „Lord Lu Bu will avenge my defeat!” Finally the way seemed to be free at last. The troops pushed on and hurried to the south gate of the fortress. As soon as they climbed up the last remaining edge, they were greeted by the sight of a tall warrior. A man with an icy, determined stare, stood before them, blocking the way into the fortress. He was wearing a thick leathery helmet with pieces of metal ornaments. A dense fur tail hung from its top down the back. His armor was covered by cloth and cloak parts. The leather belt was made of two different sized straps, held by a belt buckle formed like a lion’s face. The right shoulder was protected by an eagle-shaped shoulder plate. Behind him stood a horse with light brown fur and bright mane, waiting and watching calmly. A woman was sitting on the saddle, observing the situation. She was wearing a dress of peach colored cloth. It looked a bit heavy. Her hair was braided and run the length of her head, down the back before ending at her hips. „Mommy?”, Pai Quan muttered confused as she laid eye on her. „Here to save your friend inside the castle, are you?”, he spoke with his strong, deep voice, „Then you’ll have to get through me!” He readied his two halberds for battle and eyed over his opponents. He recognized them all and was most delighted to see Hanleng amongst them. The man lifted one of his massive weapons to point at him. „So we meet again.” Hanleng was confused to be met with such hostility and even more for the woman to be here. „I guess...”, he answered puzzled. „It is my duty to open a way forward.”, Yue Jin said and stood before him, „I could care less who you are, I simply have to fight you.” He readied his hooked swords and awaited him to attack, but Hanleng interfered. He placed his hand on Yue Jin’s shoulder and walked passed him. „I’ve got this, my friend...”, he stated with a smile. „Mother, why are you here?”, Pai Quan demanded answer from the lady. The woman looked troubled, but before another word could fall, the old wise man lifted a hand and scolded the girl. „Not now, Pai Quan.” He stood before his opponent and vaguely recalled hearing his name once. „Zhang...Liao... ...right?”, he muttered and posed his hands in front of him, stretching them into claws, „This is gonna be interesting.” „Leng?”, Dun wondered, but soon as his words were spoken, the battle began.

Hanleng tried to achieve the first strike and rushed towards Zhang Liao. He had to stop and dodge one of his swings by falling forward to the ground. He rolled to the left to escape the next strike and stretched his leg in hope of hitting his face. Liao backed away a bit and got scratched slightly over the cheek. He felt the cut and was impressed by the way this man moved. Leng performed a short hand stand before his feet touched ground again. He was crouching in front of his opponent like a tiger. Hanleng catapulted himself towards Zhang Liao again and tried to bury his claws into the chest armor. The warrior raised his halberds and crossed them, forcing the old man to pounce over him before his next move could slice him in half. Liao pushed the poles together that Hanleng was hanging onto. Quickly, the wise one bounced of off them before the heads of the halberds passed each other. He landed behind Liao and the blades hit the ground hard, burying the axe heads into the earth. Liao kicked him in the back and attacked right after. Hanleng stretched his body backwards and escaped the strike just barely. The robe was cut from the belly to the shoulder. The spectators were shocked as was Hanleng himself. „Ai... Guo Jia won’t like seeing this...”, he muttered with his jesting voice. „You are a formidable opponent...”, Zhang Liao acknowledged, „Yet I think you’re still holding back...” „Probably...”, Hanleng answered with a smile, „...but you also hold potential still untouched, Master Zhang Liao... ...Do you wish me to stop fooling around...” Liao nodded and readied himself for the next attack. Hanleng pulled one of his water skin bottles out and poured the water over his gloves and boots again. He threw the empty thing away before entering a state of concentration. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Like the air vanishing into his lungs, the water on his metal scaled gloves and boots started to freeze. The Ice crawled up every edge, every spike and hooked itself onto the robe as well. Hanleng breathed out through his nose and opened his eyes again. „Ready?”, he asked. Zhang Liao nodded. It surprised Xiahou Dun that this man seems to have no fear of the old man’s freezing powers. He did not even look surprised at all. Again, Hanleng stormed at Zhang Liao and struck straight at him. Even though Liao blocked it, the cold of his gloves spread through the impact. The two engaged in a wild dance around each other, delivering blows that could have shattered the sky. The old wise one changed his pace however. Instead of dodging most of the blows, he parried or blocked them entirely. Zhang Liao also changed the way of his style. He was more aggressive and determined. The dance continued with nobody getting a real upper hand on the other. Hanleng pushed himself to the limit, close to losing focus and control, managing to disarm this magnificent warrior at last. His last uppercut made Zhang Liao loose hold of his halberds and they abetted themselves on the ground behind him. Hanleng was out of breath and stopped his hold on the icy manifestations on his weapons, leaving water to splash on the earth. „Phew...”, he gasped and stumbled slightly backwards, „You...you are quite powerful...Zhang Liao...” The warrior nodded and seemed to smile, even though he lost. „I have played my part.”, he said and raised confusion amongst these officers, „It is time for me to withdraw.” The lady that had watched the fight lead the horse onward. Zhang Liao jumped on the back of the mare and grabbed his halberds as he passed through, escaping them. „Ah, wait!”, Pai Quan yelled after them, but then hurried to her grandpa to look how he was. Yue Jin helped him up. „That was quite a battle.”, he praised him. „Yeah...And I bet that if luck wouldn’t have struck me, he would have beaten me...or worse....” „Seriously, old man?!”, Yuan could not believe his ears. „The worst that could have happened...”, Hanleng explained in his jesting manner, „...would have been another Hulao aftermath... And I surely don’t want that again...” Even though he was joking, he sounded quite grim about it. „I am more worried about what he said...”, he then tried to avoid to further go on in this conversation. „What part might that be?”, Yue Jin wondered, „I am curious, but we first meet up with Master Xun Yu.” The group agreed and they headed to the gate, tearing the barricades down and entering the fortress. The group spotted Xun Yu and his men in the middle of the plaza. He seemed a bit nervous, probably from the unsure fate that could have befallen him. As he sees the others approaching, he smiled and bowed grateful before Xiahou Dun. „My thanks.”, he said sincerely, „You have saved me from certain death.” „Glad to see you in one piece, Master Xun Yu.”, Pai Quan stated relieved. Both Hanleng and Xiahou Dun looked puzzled, however. „Still, this is strange.”, Dun muttered and looked around the castle walls, „There aren’t very many of them...” The crew spied across the castle and they too felt that something was amiss. „Got you! You pathetic fools!”, someone yelled. An archer had appeared up on the wall and shot at Dun. The arrow hit his left eye. In pain, Dun broke down on his knees, the blood pouring from his wound. „Cousin!”, Yuan went over to him immediately. Hanleng kneed beside him. Pai Quan looked up to that man angry. „By now, Puyang Castle will have fallen to Master Lu Bu! You’ve got nowhere to run!”, he stated victorious, „Not that it matters, because I’m going to...” Before he could end his sentence, Pai Quan and Xiahou Yuan shot this buffoon to shut him up. „Easy, Dun...”, Hanleng advised him and tried to take a look at the wound. „Are you okay, Cousin?”, Yuan asked concerned. Dun lifted his hand to show him that he was. „...I’m fine. If anything, this arrow has opened my eyes.”, he said calmly. He stood up and ripped the arrow straight out, together with his eye. Pai Quan and Xun Yu had to look away. Even more so as Dun ate the eyeball from the arrow’s tip before throwing it on the ground. „Urgh... That was unnecessary, my lord...”, Hanleng muttered as he looked at Dun. „Hurry! Lu Bu awaits at Puyang!”, he said with new found strength. „Uh...wait.”, Leng stopped him. He ran passed him and outside, taking the empty water skin bottle from the ground that he had left there during his fight with Zhang Liao. He tore it apart with his claws and quickly stitched it into a new shape. He returned to the other and took off the ripped robe of Guo Jia. He scraped together pieces and walked up to Dun. He took some water from his third flask and poured it on the cloth. „Hold still.”, he said as he placed the robe pieces on his lords face, trying to bandage it as good as he could. „Stop it. We have no time for--!” „Yes we have, unless you wish to bleed to death before even reaching Puyang castle!” Xiahou Dun growled angry at him, „This is only a temporary solution, but better than nothing, isn’t it?” The wise man smirked and placed the leather he had improvised into an eye patch right over the cloth pieces. „There we go. I hope it fits so far.” „It’s fine.”, Dun muttered, „Let’s go.” The six generals hurried outside the fort. It was time to drive off Lu Bu.  

[LordBloodySoul]

The battle has turned for the worse. „I can’t believe that Puyang Castle has been taken...”, Yue Jin muttered frustrated, „We must reclaim it immediately!” „That is the plan of action, my friend.”, Hanleng said and followed Xiahou Dun who took the lead. They took a shortcut down the cliffs and hurried for the bridge. „Now! Close the gates and take out the bridge.”, someone yelled at the soldiers from afar. „Is that..?”, Hanleng wondered with a furious expression. „Chen Gong!”, Xiahou Dun yelled, „That blasted Rat!” The gates before them closed and soldiers blocked their way. From behind the iron doors they could hear the bridge collapsing. „No! The bridge! This will make it much harder to get back into Puyang Castle.” Yue Jin tried to keep the soldiers at bay. Pai Quan assisted him as did Xiahou Yuan. Dun hit his fist against the closed gate. „Curses!” „Incoming!”, Yuan yelled as a new force of soldiers approached. Cheng Lian led them into the enclosed area. „Out of my way!”, Dun charged at the enemy. His anger was rising. „Spread out.”, Hanleng ordered and the six generals and their men pressed the enemy attackers to the side of their prison. Dun forced the officer to retreat quickly. „I’ll let you have this place, then!”, he pouted sour, „However, Puyang Castle belongs to Lord Lu Bu now!” „Leng, can you get through this gate?”, Dun asked eager to see if there was a possible way still. „I can try. Everyone step back.”, Hanleng warned them and charge jumped at the gate, kicking it open. The doors crunched and bent. It was the stone pillar the gate was hanging on that gave away first and dragged the doors into the deep. Hanleng struggled after landing on his feet again and broke to his knees. „Argh!”, he bite his lips, „Ouch... ow... ...okay... ...urgh... ...This was the one and only time I have ever done this... Argh... Never again...” „Are you alright, grandpa?”, Pai Quan tried to help him up. He smirked, but the pain was pulling him down. „Urgh... Just give me a moment.”, he stated and fell on his back, holding his right leg, „Argh... Lu Bu is gonna pay twice this pain!” „This is no good.”, Yuan stated as he and his cousin looked at the bridge’s remains, „The bridge is totally gone. There’s no way to cross.” „There should be a bridge in the south.”, Xiahou Dun suggested, „Let’s use it to reach Puyang Castle.” He walked over to Hanleng and reached his hand out to him. „Will you be okay?” Hanleng accepted the help and was pulled back up. „I will... I think... But please, no more door kicking for me, my lord.”, he smiled. Dun nodded and laughed as they continued towards the south. „Hehehe. Now you do sound like you’re getting old, old man.” „Very amusing.”, he answered with a sour note hidden behind his smile. They headed for the small gate post and were instantly ambushed by another enemy unit. „Now!” All units, attack!”, the commander yelled from his position. „Ahh! Don’t they get ever tired of this!?”, Pai Quan complained and switched her bow with her swords. Bot Yue Jin and Xiahou Dun stormed into the front lines, followed by her, Xun Yu and Hanleng. Xiahou Dun stayed behind and rained arrows down on the enemies’ heads. Another officer appeared to aid the invaders. „We’re with you too! This is the start of Lord Lu Bu’s bid to rule the land!” He emerged with another group of soldiers from the east, blocking the way forward. „Damn them! Is there a nest or something!?”, Hanleng muttered annoyed, but kept his last water skin bottle filled for an emergency. „Urgh! The gates on the outer wall are also closed.”, Xiahou Dun muttered, „We have to get inside the castle somehow...” Leng punched the officers to the ground and hurled soldiers over the battleground. Yue Jin was fascinated and wished to perfect himself even more. As both enemy generals fell to their assault, the soldiers retreated and scattered about. Having a moment to breath and think, Xun Yu recalled another way. „There is also a path to the south. Maybe we can use it to enter the castle.”, he suggested. „I see... I’ll go and check it out, then. Please divert the enemy’s attention for me.”, Yue Jin said and wanted to head out. „Wait...”, Hanleng said, „Me and Pai Quan will go as well. We leave our troops with you, Dun. Try to get as much attention to your position here as possible. This might give us enough time to head over and open the gates for you.” Dun agreed on this and he, Yuan and Xun Yu stayed at the Garrison. Yue Jin, Pai Quan and Hanleng went through the cliff road to the south. A small guardhouse was here, but only few enemy troops. They took their chances and ambushed the unit together. „Hey! Who are you?!”, the commanding officer wondered as these three engaged his unit in combat. „I’m very sorry. I’m in a hurry, so you’ll have to excuse me.”, Yue Jin said and took the officer out with one strike. It frightened away the soldiers. Pai Quan and her grandpa opened the gate and the three pressed on fast. Over a small highway they could see Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan and Xun Yu battling with the enemy forces. „Quickly.”, Hanleng said and ran ahead, still feeling the pain. He bites his lips again and tried to swallow the struggles he had. Another officer spotted them. Pai Quan took him out with her Bow as fast as she could. Yue Jin and the wise one pushed open the next gate. Inside the garrison waited another officer for them. „Quan!”, Hanleng shouted and pointed at him. The girl shot this one down as well. „No one’s taking our home away.”, she yelled angry. The three pushed open the next gate and found themselves in the outer south plaza of the castle. „I expected you would attack from here.”, they were greeted by a familiar voice, „Come and show me what you’ve got.” Zhang Liao rode into the plaza and stood before them again. „Oh no!”, Pai Quan squeaked scared. „You read our movements?”, Yue Jin was stunned, „Impressive! However, I will not be stopped here!” „None of us will...”, Hanleng stated and walked up to him. He prepared to face him again, but the pain in his leg pulled him down. „Argh!” Zhang Liao was puzzled on how he could have been wounded so easily. „Grandpa!” Yue Jin turned towards him. „Leave this to me, my lord!”, he said and raised his blades for duel, „Go!” Hanleng did not like this, but there was little he could do about it. „Damn it... Don’t you dare to die here, Yue Jin.”, he warned him with a smile. As both Pai Quan and Hanleng wanted to leave the field the woman from before appeared and blocked their way. „Mother...”, Pai Quan whispered shocked. „If you wish to enter the castle, you have to go through me first.”, she stated. „Mhi Hayoli...”, Hanleng smiled, „You have evolved, child...” „Yes..”, she nodded, „And I will stand by my lord’s side. You shall not pass.” „This is all turning out ugly...”, Hanleng muttered frustrated, „Not like I thought it would be...” Pai Quan stood before him, surprising him, as she stated with drawn weapons against her stepmother. „Then I shall fight! I fight for grandpa, uncle Dun and my lord Cao Cao! Lu Bu will not get Puyang!” Mhi Hayoli smiled proud and readied her whip for battle. „You have grown strong, both in willpower and strength, dear. But do not think that I will go easy on you!” Hanleng was quite confused. He felt that both did not wish to fight, but they were ready to stand against each other nonetheless. „Go, Grandpa! We take care of them!” Hanleng sighed with a sad, but yet proud smile and went on towards the gate. Pai Quan engaged her mother in combat to ensure that he got through. He pushed open the gates, hearing the clashing weapons and roars of battle behind him. „Stay alive...”, he just thought, „All of you...” Hanleng stumbled through the castle gate and further into the south plaza area. On his way towards the south bridge gate he was spotted by an officer. „Intruders!”, he yelled, „Where did they come from?!” Tao, who was with him, ran towards Hanleng, seeking a fight. „Are you kidding me!?”, Hanleng mumbled tired of this and opened the last water skin bottle on his belt. He shook it over to reach the water, pulling it out like a rope. He flanged it across the height of his arm and whipped the warrior of his feet and against a wall. Then he just ran for the door. „This is getting to much!”, he complained and rushed out of sighed fast. Tao pursued him. On his way towards the last bridge, he stumbled over another officer. „Not again!”, he yelled as the officer spotted him, ordering his man to attack. He turned around, seeing that Tao was right behind him. „Argh! Seriously!?” He performed a backflip behind one officer and let Tao’s spear pierce him. Then he pushed him towards the warrior and made him fall backwards. „Sorry! I’m in a hurry!”, he stated and went to the lever to open the gates. Xiahou Dun and the others managed to keep the garrison free of enemies and saw the gates opening. „Alright!”, Yuan said and looked puzzled at Hanleng, who ran right towards them. „Get him off of me!”, he yelled and Dun saw Tao right behind the old man. A messenger appeared at Yuan’s side and Dun rushed to help Hanleng. „Lord Cao Cao has arrived along with the main unit!”, he reported. Good news indeed. Hanleng rushed towards Xiahou Dun, but stumbled due to the pain. „Curse it!”, he turned around and saw Tao slashing at him. To avoid the spears strike, he rolled to his right and off the bridge, clinging with his claws on the edge. „Hanleng!”, Dun shouted. Tao tried to hit his fingers, but that man was slippery. He avoided the strikes, dangling above the cliff like a flag and swung himself back on the bridge, just to get pounded by the spears pole. He tumbled and fell on his back, the spears’ spiky end directly in front of his nose. The warrior had to back away, however, as Xiahou Dun slashed at him. Tao dodged and pulled his spear back. It seems that he was delighted to see his adversary from Luo Yang still alive and breathing. He wished to duel him right away, but the appearance of Cao Cao in the Garrison concerned him, so he retreated. However, Yue Jin and Pai Quan appeared behind him, blocking the way. „Curse Lu Bu, attacking while I’m away from the castle.”, Cao Cao stated as he and his men engaged the lone warrior on the bridge, looking for the safety of his men, „Is everybody okay?” Leng was helped up by Xiahou Yuan and looked at his lord delighted, but also in pain. „Mostly...”, he jested again, „I think I will need a cool bath after this...” „My lord! I am sorry for causing you to worry.”, Yue Jin greeted and kept an eye on the silver warrior, „This matter will be taken care of soon!” „You have nowhere to run.”, Xiahou Dun proposed to Lu Bu’s officer, „Better give up now than dying in vain for that rotten beast.” Tao whistled and even though it was underneath the helmet, the damped echo resounded throughout the canyon below. A white stallion heard the call and rushed towards his side from the castle gates. As both Yue Jin and Pai Quan turned around surprised, Tao stormed passed them and mounted his steed. „This battle...was pointless for us...”, he stated and fled the battlefield. „Brother! Next time I am going to get you!”, Pai Quan yelled after him. „Let us end this!”, Cao Cao ordered and his men stormed into the castle. Hanleng was allowed to ride alongside Cao Cao on Li Dian’s steed as he joined them on the bridge. The main unit pressed on and soon overwhelmed Lu Bu’s army, forcing them to retreat and leave the castle. „Lu Bu has retreated. You have my gratitude for retaking Puyang.”, Cao Cao said to his men. „My lord! You give me too much praise!”, Yue Jin said humbly and bowed before him, „I am simply pleased that we reclaimed the castle.” He looked at Hanleng still struggling with the pain in his leg, but he seemed content somehow. The gloomy cloud that had taken him in Xuzhou province seems to have vanished from his shoulders.

After the battle has subsided and peace had returned to Puyang castle, Hanleng found some time to relax. He had a healer look at his leg and treated the severe strains. In his Yukata he went outside and searched for a perfect spot to nap. He took a rest underneath a tree close to the river. The silence and serenity gave his mind some peace. He napped in the shadows and enjoyed the warmth the sun was giving. „There you are. I’ve been looking for you.” Someone’s voice dragged him out of his sleep. He blinked his eyes and tried to spy through the bright sunlight. It was Xiahou Dun, who approached and sat next to him. „Oh, my lord...”, Hanleng yawned and stretched his arms, „Also taking a rest under the roof of nature?” „No, I just wanted to speak with you. How is your leg doing?” The wise man placed his hand on the knee of his strained leg. He sighed slightly and smiled, answering him: „Well, nothing is broken... ...but the body is limited and power beyond its strength was forced from it... ...Time will be needed...” „Leng.”, Dun stopped him, looking a bit annoyed, „Would you mind answering straight, just once?” The wise man smiled and giggled amused. „I am sorry.”, he said, „I couldn’t help it. Well, it is not broken, but he said not to overdo it. I should rest for a while before trying to battle again, unless I want to do myself more harm than I could probably take.” Xiahou Dun felt a bit guilty about this. „I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made you do that. And it was a waste anyway...” „Don’t be so hard on yourself.”, Hanleng cheered him up, „Besides, what about your eye? That must still hurt a lot...” Dun placed his hand on the eye patch. It was the same that he had been given by Hanleng. He smiled and shook his head. „No... Not anymore. I have no time to think about pain. Besides, losing my eye made me realize so many things. I feel like I have never seen the world more clearly.” Hanleng nodded and stared up to the sky, watching the branches moving slowly in the wind. „I know how that must feel...”, he muttered with a smile, „When I do battle, I often fight against my own urge of anger... I try to focus myself... Become a wall that cannot be breached... But when I am around Pai Quan or my lord Cao Cao, it is different... Somehow...I just forget all the pain...and enjoy being around them. ...around everyone... I then see clearly where I belong... Where I wanted to be all my live...” „And I think so too now.”, Dun stated with a smile, „You have this great power and if you’d wished, you could have killed us all a long time ago... It would have been no problem to you. But here you are still loyal... Fighting for our lord and his dreams... I think I finally have seen the real you.” Hanleng laughed slightly embarrassed by this and sighed relieved. „I am glad to hear that... But I feel my power also fading... Time catches up with me... ... ...Who knows how long it will be...” Xiahou Dun looked at him puzzled as he heard him say that, but Leng shook his head and wanted to return to the castle. The words of the wise one troubled him. He had changed.