Chapter 408 – Unworthy Opponent
Back in time, April, 191 AD.
Gan Zhou County
Vida had mobilized 8,000 elites, 20,000 militias, and 50,000 slaves here, planning to march west, returning to their hometown, Legio County.
However, they encountered a mysterious army of 50,000 elites, blockading this county. All of them were riding on red warhorses, which were bigger than their warhorses by half a size. Combined with their odd-shaped armors, Vida did not dare to attack this army without a proper tactic.
Still, he had cultivated four demonic wings, and he was confident that his curses and his boosted power could overwhelm these mortals by himself.
'I want these men. Maybe if I kill their generals, they will surrender.'
Vida licked his lips. He rode forward and yelled.
"I'm Vida of Legio, I challenge your strongest warrior in a fair duel!"
A red knight with the tallest horse rode forward. He did not say anything, but Vida could see four white wings behind his back.
'Oh, shit. He also has wings?'
Vida hesitated. He did not like the fact that this army's warrior also had a similar power as his.
"I don't know who you are and why you are blocking our path. State yourself!"
Lu Bu, in the red knight armor, glared at Vida. He snorted, "Lu Bu of Bing Province!"
Vida tilted his head to the side, frowned as he had not heard this name before. However, the name of Bing Province indicated that they were from Tong's forces, which was terrible news to Vida. As shrew as he was, Vida came up with an excuse, trying to be friendly with this warrior.
"It seems there is some kind of misunderstanding going on here. We would like to pass this territory to return home. Can you let us pass?"
Lu Bu grumbled, "You challenged me for a duel. But when I come out, you want to run?"
Vida's face twitched, "As I said, it was a misunderstanding. Since you and I are good warriors, let's not wasting our life on this pointless duel, yes?"
"Oh? Then, if I don't have these wings, you will fight me? Is this how you describe your "misunderstanding"? I see it as a bully."
Vida frowned, "I'm being sincere, asshole. Do you think that white wings are stronger than black wings? I've killed several angels before, and I don't mind killing another one!"
"Pointless bluff. I had fought someone with wings before I even had one! Do you think you're good because you have the same wings as he had!?"
Vida clicked his tongue, "Okay, you brute. Don't blame me if I go all out!"
The western warrior did not summon his souls like Khan and other immortal fought. Instead, he empowered his real body, enhancing his muscles and nerves, increasing his power, reflex, and speed.
Seeing how Vida utilized his wings, Lu Bu raised his eyebrows. Although his facial expression was hidden under his knight helmet, Gao Shun and all subordinates behind Lu Bu could tell that their lord was amused.
"A worthy opponent, I see."
Lu Bu also burst his power, doing the same thing with Vida.
Redhare King of Lu Bu and Vida's warhorse glared into the other's eyes as if they were predators. They charged at their opponent, aiming to crush their head against the enemy.
Lu Bu raised his steel crescent halberd while Vida slowly locked his lance under his armpit.
Vida chose to joust against Lu Bu's steel armor.
The power of the 4-winged demon enveloped Vida's iron lance, amplifying and reinforcing its strength and durability. Had it pierced regular steel, they could penetrate through a thick metal plate as if they were tofu.
Lu Bu's face was solemn when the lance touched his knight plate armor's left chest.
*DING*
Vida's lance was deflected by Lu Bu's reinforced armor, which the latter had also increased its durability by enveloping his wing power, concentrating on the connected spot.
The jousting stance of Vida was off because of the impact.
At this moment, Lu Bu calmly swung down his halberd, aiming to slice Vida in half.
Vida raised his free hand to punch against the oncoming halberd blade.
*CLANK*
The fist of Vida and Lu Bu's halberd connected, creating a clanking sound as if two heavy metal hammer hit against each other.
However, the impact went through Vida's left fist, sending an electric shock through his bone and exited his elbow.
Below his elbow, his skin exploded, creating a round burnt skin.
In the sacrifice of his left fist, Lu Bu's crescent halberd was deflected, and Lu Bu's stance was pushed backward.
Both duelists rode past their opponent after they lightly exchanged one blow.
After a contact, both sides managed to gauge their advantages and weaknesses.
Lu Bu's reach was shorter than Vida, but his power was superior.
As for their speed, they were similar.
Lu Bu pulled his horse, turning around.
Vida did the same with a smile, "Interesting."
He massaged the fist that punched Lu Bu's weapon. As for his elbow's burnt skin, they already healed.
Lu Bu took a deep breath. He kicked his horse again.
'I've done warming up. Time to get serious.'
Both riders charged at each other again for the second blow.
Before Vida's lance connected with Lu Bu's chest again, the latter's brain cells worked at a rapid speed as he activated the skill that he copied from Tong.
[Time Alter: Double Accel]
Time almost came to a stop. Lu Bu swatted the thrusting lance away with the back of his hand while he used the other one with his halberd to slash at Vida's neck.
The slow-motion movement was smooth, and Vida's eyes did not react to Lu Bu's sudden burst of speed. In Lu Bu's mind, his opponent should be dead with this strike.
As soon as the halberd came to the point where it touched Vida's neck, the four-winged demon's eyes shifted as he glared at Lu Bu.
*DING*
The feedback force was sent back to Lu Bu's arms. It was not a feeling of his weapon cutting through his enemy's flesh.
Similar to what Lu Bu had used before, Vida also concentrated all of his force around his neck, making it more resilient to Lu Bu's reinforced physical attack.
Vida opened his mouth while Lu Bu was in the middle of his Double-Accel mode.
'Wrath Curse.'
A sinister air enveloped Lu Bu, yet he smiled.
'Idiot. Immortal skills won't work against me!'
As Lu Bu had fought with Khan and Tong's share of experience, the god of war understood the limits of immortal's skills.
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Still, the curse hindered his movement for a split second.
As for Vida, he also received a system warning.
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Vida snorted as he was aware of this fact. However, his aim had been accomplished with this skill as he managed to escape from Lu Bu's ambush.
Both riders passed each other again. The second blow was still a draw.
Lu Bu did not pull his horse to turn around. This time, he leaped backward from his horse, rotating his body in mid-air.
He jumped from Redhare King to attack Vida from behind.
Vida sensed Lu Bu's killing intent. He jumped off his horse, escaping to the side.
*BOOM*
Lu Bu cleaved Vida's horse in half!
'Again, Double-Accel!'
Lu Bu could feel his blood pressure pulsed heavier than the previous skill usage. His body told Lu Bu that he would reach his limit if he used this skill in a succession. However, if he delayed the usage a bit, he could keep using it indefinitely.
'I'll regen after I used the [Triple-Accel]. For now, I have to bear with it!'
Without waiting for Vida to regain his stance, Lu Bu rushed before his enemy.
The crescent halberd slashed sideway.
*DONG*
An odd sound resonated the air. Lu Bu felt like someone had rung a giant bell.
Also, Lu Bu did not feel feedback from his third strike. Instead, he sensed that something had pulled his weapon, stopping it from cutting Vida in half.
As Lu Bu focused his sense, he found that Vida stared at his crescent halberd with his bloodshot eyes.
Below Vida's nostrils, blood dripped as if someone had not turned off a faucet properly.
He managed to stop Lu Bu's strike again, using his invented skill [Soundwave of Defense]. It nullified the strength behind all physical attacks, which forced Lu Bu's crescent halberd to stop mid-swing.
However, he had to pay the price similar to what Lu Bu had experienced.
Still, Lu Bu had battled Tong years ago, and he understood what he had to sacrifice for the supernatural power. As a result, he had trained to the point that his body could handle [Double Accel] as his second nature.
This was the difference between Vida and Lu Bu. Vida kept this as his trump card while this was Lu Bu's typical moves.
Lu Bu pulled back his halberd, and he tried again.
Fourth strike!
*DONG*
Fifth strike!
*DONG*
Six
*DONG*
…
Tenth Strike!
*DONG*
Vida was on his knees as he had done nothing but parrying Lu Bu's reinforced blows. Blood flowed out of his facial orifices as he had gone beyond his body limit could handle.
Before Lu Bu hit him the eleventh time, Vida collapsed on the ground.
"I … give … up."
Vida fainted.
Lu Bu looked at the demon and snorted in disappointment. This person did not understand the basic concept of superpower and could not utilize them like Tong or himself.
There were more than just relying on the power of wings. Their bodies had to be trained to withstand the backlash of the special ability, or else, this happened.
Vida's followers were speechless. From a mortal's point of view, these two exchanged their blows at lightning speed. Although their eyes could follow their horses, they could not see Lu Bu or Vida's movements. After Vida and Lu Bu got off their horses, the god of war struck the former ten times within less than one seconds, sending odd sounds of a ringing bell.
Now, their strongest warrior was out of commission. None of them had the confidence to fight this four-winged angel.
"What should we do? Retreat?"
"R-R-Right. Let's go back to Wuwei."
"But we don't have enough provision."
"We can plunder the locals!"
Lu Bu had a deep frown when he overheard the conversation. After he had looked at the militias and the army of captured slaves, his anger went through the roof.
With a soft voice, Lu Bu uttered, "Kill them all. Save the slaves."
Gao Shun got the order.
*BWOOOO*
50,000 Redhare knights raised their weapons as they charged at the mercenary army.
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.
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Without a leader or a general, Vida Army fell apart even though they had heavy armors and good weaponry.
Lu Bu Army rescued all 50,000 slaves, but he did not spare the militias who were driven by greed. As for the cataphracts and hoplites, these unorganized men were slaughtered by Gao Shun.
As for Vida, he was captured and interrogated by Lu Bu.
In an isolated cave, Lu Bu splashed a bucket of water at the chained Vida.
The prisoner woke up with crushing pain all over his body. He felt nauseous that he could pass out again at any moment.
"I'll let you rest if you answer all of my questions."
"…"
"First, where are you from?"