Lu Bu’s Life Simulator

Zhao Cen, as the commander of Yique Pass, has average abilities, but he is quite skilled at handling people.

When Lu Bu and the others arrived at Yique Pass, he exchanged a few words with Hu Zhen but didn't ignore Lu Bu.

Being a prominent figure in Dong Zhuo's inner circle, Zhao Cen, even if he didn't go out of his way to flatter, didn't want to sour his relationship with Lu Bu.

"After suffering a disastrous defeat under Xu Rong's command last year, Sun Jian still dares to come. Prepare the troops immediately. Tonight, I will show him the might of our Liangzhou cavalry."

Once Hu Zhen learned the approximate location of Sun Jian's camp, he quickly decided to launch a night attack. In his view, Sun Jian's capabilities were just average, considering his previous defeat by Xu Rong.

"Hehe~" Lu Bu had been silent all this while, simply listening. But after the man finished speaking, Lu Bu suddenly let out a few cold laughs, the laughter sounding incredibly abrupt, catching the attention of everyone in the hall.

"Do you find my words inappropriate, Commander Lu?" Hu Zhen frowned and looked at Lu Bu.

"There is nothing inappropriate. I am simply curious, how did someone like you attain your current position, General? Did you rely solely on Hua Xiong's prowess in battle?" Lu Bu looked at Hu Zhen with a perplexed expression. Although Hu Zhen was a renowned hero in Liangzhou, his abilities were truly laughable.

"Madman, cease your arrogant words!" Hua Xiong's expression changed upon hearing this and he pointed his halberd at Lu Bu, shouting.

"Oh?" Lu Bu stood up, squinting his eyes at Hua Xiong. "I have long wanted to meet the fiercest general of the Western Liang!"

The voice gradually turned cold, and the temperature in the entire hall seemed to drop. Hua Xiong's pupils contracted, while Zhao Cen rubbed his hands awkwardly and smiled, saying, "Grand Commandant, General Lu, and General Hua, please remain calm. I believe General Lu has his reasons for making such a statement. We are gathered here to discuss matters related to dealing with the enemy. I wonder why General Lu is laughing?"

Lü Bu glanced at Hua Xiong, then knelt down again and sneered, "Although I have limited knowledge, I still understand the importance of knowing oneself and the enemy. Now, you don't even know where the Yangrenju is, yet you dare to launch a night attack against Sun Jian without knowing the strength of his forces. If you have always fought battles in this manner, it's truly a wonder that the Grand Commandant has survived until today. If the Grand Commandant wants to go and die, I won't stop you, but don't drag me along with you. The soldiers of Bingzhou under my command are willing to fight and die on the battlefield, but we will never blindly go to our deaths!"

This statement made the other three individuals in the hall uneasy. Zhao Cen, Hu Zhen, and Hua Xiong were all from Liangzhou, and although Lu Bu's words didn't carry any ill intentions, it still made them feel uncomfortable. It seemed as if he was implying that the people of Liangzhou could die easily, while the people of Bingzhou would not accompany them in their demise.

"If I were you, I would seize the opportunity to gather intelligence on Sun Jian's camp, its layout, the surrounding terrain, and the enemy's troop numbers. Xu Rong was able to defeat him, but it doesn't mean you have the same ability. If you want to win the battle, I advise you not to be so arrogant. I won't accompany you in this folly. General Zhao, is there a place for me to rest?" Lu Bu stood up, no longer paying attention to Hu Zhen, but instead turned to Zhao Cen.

"Sure, sure," Zhao Cen nodded quickly, getting up to escort Lu Bu out. Although Hu Zhen was the leader of their group, he was currently overshadowed by Lu Bu's imposing presence.

Setting aside whether Lu Bu's words were right or wrong, just by looking at Hu Zhen's inability to come up with a response, it was clear that he was nothing more than a bluffer.

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To win this battle, they would ultimately have to rely on Lu Bu. With that in mind, Zhao Cen got up and escorted Lu Bu to the door, instructing his personal guards to arrange accommodations for Lu Bu and his subordinates before returning.

"Such insolence!" After Lu Bu left, the suppressed anger within Hu Zhen finally erupted.

"Grand Commandant, please calm down. Our priority now is to defeat the enemy." Hua Xiong said helplessly. It wasn't just Hu Zhen who experienced such clashes with Lu Bu; others knew to avoid provoking him as well. But why couldn't Hu Zhen understand this simple principle?

"Yeah, why get angry?" Zhao Cen returned and, being familiar with Hu Zhen, didn't need to be so polite. He knelt down and said, "If we win this battle, regardless of who actually fights, the credit will still be yours. Why argue with him?"

"I simply can't stand his arrogant attitude. What qualifications does a mere subordinate general have to be on par with us?" Hu Zhen snorted angrily.

"Be careful not to let him hear such words," Zhao Cen said helplessly.

He had realized that Lu Bu was a daring and fearless figure, capable of shaking the heavens. If they truly angered him, no one in Yique Pass would be able to control him.

"Hmph, Hua Xiong!" Hu Zhen nodded and turned to look at Hua Xiong.

"I'm here!" Hua Xiong stepped forward and responded.

"Immediately send someone to secretly scout Sun Jian's camp tonight. Find out how many troops he has and the surrounding terrain. If he is unprepared, we will mobilize our forces and launch a surprise attack on his camp." Hu Zhen said in a deep voice.

"Yes!" Hua Xiong acknowledged and turned to arrange the personnel.

Zhao Cen looked at Hu Zhen and said: “Why be in a hurry? Let’s investigate carefully tomorrow.”

"I can't swallow this anger!" Hu Zhen snorted coldly. "How can we let Lu Bu underestimate our soldiers from Liangzhou?!"

‘He is just underestimating you.’ Zhao Cen silently murmured in his heart, but on his face, he expressed his concern, saying, "However, this night battle is too risky. If we fail or if the enemy is well prepared, I'm afraid..."

"Sun Jian may be known as the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, but he is nothing more than a man with an empty reputation. If Xu Rong could defeat him and make him flee in a sorry state, how can I fear him?" Hu Zhen sneered. "Jiangdong is nothing but a land of barbarians. What great heroes can they have?"

“Well…” Zhao Cen didn’t know how to persuade him. Why did Hu Zhen feel weak? Is Xu Rong weak? He’s much stronger than Hu Zhen, right? But all the words can only be turned into one sentence: “I wish the Grand Commandant success in his mission!”

"I appreciate your kind words." Hu Zhen nodded approvingly and turned to leave, preparing to wait patiently for news, only to act once Hua Xiong had ascertained the enemy's situation.

On the other side, Lu Bu settled down in the room arranged for him by Zhao Cen and prepared to sleep peacefully. As for Hu Zhen's plans, they were not his concern. It would be best if he could be persuaded, but if he refused to listen, he would have to taste the bitter consequences.

During the day, the words of Hou Cheng lingered in Lu Bu's mind, making him want to carefully ponder the lingering voice. Perhaps it was the protection of some kind of ghost or deity. However, just as he was about to lay down, Wei Xu burst into the room with an excited expression on his face.

"Brother-in-law, Hua Xiong has gone to scout the enemy camp, and I heard that Hu Zhen is preparing for a night attack," Wei Xu exclaimed excitedly. "Shouldn't we join the battle as well?"

"Join the battle?" scoffed Lu Bu. "With Hu Zhen leading? If it weren't for Hua Xiong, how could he win a battle? Such hasty arrangements, winning under such circumstances would be a miracle."

"So what should we do then?" Wei Xu hesitated.

"Let the soldiers rest, regardless of anyone's orders. I don't care who calls for them," said Lu Bu casually as he lay on the bed. He was more interested in exploring the usefulness of supernatural beings and whether they had any influence over his destiny.

"I'll go give the orders then," Wei Xu replied, seeing Lu Bu's indifferent demeanor. He immediately turned around and left the room.