Chapter 1077: The Belief Passed Down Through Millennia

In the eastern part of Bingzhou, in Jiuyuan, where Lü Bu resided, the restless Xianbei tribes could no longer contain their agitation. Lü Bu, who had been waiting for this day, was finally ready to fulfill the promises he had made to the people of Bingzhou.

“Has Bufen Yi finally lost his patience?” Lü Bu’s face showed a mocking smile as he paused in polishing his Sky Piercer halberd.

“We’ve waited a very long time for this day,” Zhang Liao said slowly. “Fengxian, here, take this.”

With that, Zhang Liao tossed a scroll to Lü Bu, who slowly unrolled it, then laughed heartily at the sight of the map. “This time, I won’t just reclaim the lost lands. I’ll take interest on top of it!” Lü Bu declared.

“Gongzheng, are the preparations complete? This time, I want the barbarians north of the Great Wall to awaken to reality!” Lü Bu laughed wildly.

“Everything is ready. Every soldier in the Formation Breaker unit is prepared and familiar with their past selves,” Gao Shun replied, a rare smile appearing on his face. As he raised his hand, a distorted shimmer of light appeared in his palm. “It’s not just the belief of the Formation Breakers anymore.”

Lü Bu looked at the distorted light in Gao Shun’s hand without speaking. Army Souls are, after all, products of sheer willpower, almost akin to miracles. If you believe in something, then it becomes real. The once silver glow of the Formation Breakers had now turned amber, though the power that Gao Shun once fully controlled had grown even more formidable. However, it came with many new limitations.

“Is this the will of those who stood guard in the north, watching over the Great Wall?” Chen Gong asked curiously. He had unlocked his mental talents and devised the strategy for the coming battle, sharing many of his insights with Lü Bu, Gao Shun, and the others.

“Yes, this is the will that has settled on this land,” Gao Shun nodded. “There aren’t many who have preserved this will through the ages, but every era had a few. From the times of the Donghu people, our Central Plains have fought here for millennia. Over that time, too much willpower has accumulated—a will to defend the border and protect the Central Plains.”

“Can you make use of this will?” Chen Gong asked with curiosity.

“This could be considered a legacy from our predecessors or perhaps their entrustment to future generations. We can use this will to defend the border. In the past, no one used it because while the will was there, the world lacked enough energy to make that will manifest into reality,” Lü Bu explained. He had always been keenly aware of the increase in the world’s energy, though it had no personal use to him.

“It’s possible, but the risk is high. These wills are almost purely dedicated to defending the border after so many years of settling here. If you use this will, it could lead to assimilation,” Gao Shun, deeply familiar with Army Souls, said with caution.

“Let me use it. These things can’t corrupt me. If too many internal energy experts use them at the limit, they might be assimilated, but I certainly won’t. Moreover, since I, Lü Bu, am here, let me fulfill their aspirations,” Lü Bu said, unconcerned. He had already taken the steps to represent an embodiment of will, and nothing could shake his resolve.

“I’ll entrust this will to you when the time comes,” Gao Shun nodded. “But, Fengxian, are you sure you want to fight this battle alone?”

“Don’t they bow to the strong? I’ll show them what true strength is!” Lü Bu said calmly. “I’ve never believed they are without fear. Let me slaughter them until they tremble!”

“I’ve adjusted the weather. Starting tomorrow, there will be three days of clear skies,” Hu Zhao said, somewhat exhausted. He wasn’t like Xun Yu or Chen Xi, who had a vast reservoir of energy to draw from. Being able to do this much with his power was already incredible.

“Good. The Xianbei have shown signs of movement, so send them a battle challenge. Tell them to bring all their warriors. At noon, the day after tomorrow, we will settle this once and for all at the border I’ve marked!” Lü Bu took a deep breath and gave the order.

“After this battle, I will make sure that the Hu people tremble at the mere mention of my name!” Lü Bu stood up and slammed his Sky Piercer into the ground. At that moment, his aura had reached its peak.

The Xianbei leader Bufen Yi felt a moment of concern when he received Lü Bu’s battle challenge, but the worry soon vanished as he remembered the allied Qiang forces and the incoming western Xianbei army. With so many warriors at their side, Lü Bu’s small army was no threat in Bufen Yi’s eyes. One Xianbei tribe alone could wipe them out.

“Hmph, Lü Bu, do you really think individual strength can win against an entire army?” Bufen Yi sneered. “Send word to the Qiang—this is a fight between us and Lü Bu. They’re not to interfere. Hmph, picking up the spoils of war? Wishful thinking!”

[They say Lü Bu has a beautiful wife. I wonder how she looks. But Lü Bu must be eliminated—he’s far too powerful, and ordinary warriors are no match for him,] Bufen Yi thought to himself, still haunted by the memory of the internal energy master who had fallen at Lü Bu’s hands. Lü Bu’s personal strength was overwhelming, but with thirty thousand warriors prepared for the battle the day after tomorrow, Bufen Yi’s confidence returned.

“Fengxian, are you going to battle again?” Diao Chan asked with a hint of sadness as she helped Lü Bu remove his hair crown.

“Yes, I’m going to fulfill my promise to the people of Bingzhou,” Lü Bu sighed deeply as he looked at Diao Chan.

“Do you have to go?” Diao Chan asked sorrowfully, clearly worried for him.

“I must. I promised to help them take back Bingzhou, and I will. They trust me, and I won’t betray that trust,” Lü Bu said with a long sigh. When it came to Diao Chan, he always felt a bit guilty.

“Is that so? Then, can I go with you?” Diao Chan asked with hope in her eyes. “I want to see your majestic figure on the battlefield with my own eyes. I’ll watch from a distance. I don’t want to know nothing of the front lines—I want to be by your side.”

“…Alright, just this once,” Lü Bu thought for a moment before nodding.

“Thank you,” Diao Chan beamed with joy.

[Gongzheng's Formation Breaker unit won’t need to be deployed. As long as they protect Diao Chan, that will be enough. This battle is mine alone. I will slaughter them all. But will Chan’er be able to handle the bloodshed?] Lü Bu wondered with slight concern.

As for the battle with the Xianbei, Lü Bu was extremely confident. As long as his internal energy wasn’t suppressed, he had absolute faith in his abilities in any situation.

[It seems I now have another reason to win this cleanly and decisively,] Lü Bu mused as he reached out and embraced Diao Chan. “Chan’er, rest early. After this battle, everything will be settled, and I’ll live for you alone.”

“Really?” Diao Chan’s eyes sparkled. Finally, after all the burdens of loyalty, filial piety, and duty she had carried, she was about to receive the promise she had long awaited from Lü Bu.

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