Hearing the conversation between the siblings, Lü Bu, who had already mounted his horse, couldn't help but pull on the reins and turn around to look.
When he saw the banner with the character "Han" slowly approaching, Lü Bu's expression changed slightly, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity.
The loneliness of fighting alone in a foreign land and the longing for home instantly overwhelmed Lü Bu's heart. After fighting alone for so long, he understood that he could not kill all the Xiongnu people by himself. He wanted to go back to join the army and lead the Han army to visit this place again in the future.
"You're saved!"
Lu Bu rode up to the siblings, watching the banner with the character "Han" getting closer and closer.
"Yes!" The girl nodded excitedly, and said through tears, "The Han Dynasty did not abandon us!"
Lu Bu's heart skipped a beat. Yes! The Han army had actually managed to penetrate so deep into this place; their purpose must be the same as his. This made Lu Bu's longing to return home even more urgent.
"Are they Huns?"
When Ma Teng's group came closer, the girl noticed that their clothing, although somewhat different from that of the Northern Xiongnu, was still largely the same, and she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
Lu Bu reassured them, "Don't be afraid! No tribe on the grasslands would fly the banner of the Han Dynasty. They're probably disguised like this, perhaps for the sake of convenience!"
A flag represents a country. It is highly improbable for a soldier to wander freely on the land of his ancestors while flying the flag of another country, unless they have already surrendered and been incorporated into the territory of the Han Dynasty.
Moreover, these peoples on the grasslands have always claimed to be descendants of the Sirius God. In their eyes, the Han court is a lamb to the slaughter, to be taken at will. Although the Northern and Southern Xiongnu are opposed to each other, it is simply impossible for them to fight each other under the banner of the Han army.
Hearing Lu Bu's words, the siblings were relieved and watched the approaching army with excitement.
Ma Teng led his team to this tribe and saw the corpses of Xiongnu people everywhere, as well as surviving Xiongnu women. This method was exactly the same as what he had encountered before.
"Did you kill all these Xiongnu people?"
Looking at the corpses scattered all around him, Ma Teng looked at Lü Bu with a hint of surprise in his eyes. He had originally thought that someone who could take on a small tribe by himself must be an incredibly brave and strong man, but the boy in front of him not only looked younger than him, but was also smaller in stature. He really didn't know how he had done it.
"good!"
Lu Bu nodded without saying anything more; the bloodstains on his body spoke volumes.
"Your bravery is extraordinary, and I deeply admire you!"
Ma Teng did not doubt Lü Bu's words. From his sharp eyes and the intimidating aura he exuded, it was clear that Lü Bu was a very formidable person.
"General, you are too kind. May I ask who you are...?"
"I am Ma Teng, courtesy name Shoucheng, and I am the Left Cavalry General of the Imperial Guard. I have come here on the Emperor's orders to collect a debt!"
Ma Teng introduced himself and explained his background. No Han Chinese would be unaware of the prestigious reputation of the Imperial Guards, the emperor's personal troops.
"The Imperial Guards? Debt collectors?"
Lu Bu's expression shifted, and he carefully examined the troops behind Ma Teng. From their resolute faces and demeanor, it was easy to see that this was indeed a rare elite force.
"good!"
Ma Teng looked at the Xiongnu people with a face full of resentment, "They ravaged the borders of our Han Dynasty, causing the people of our Han borders to suffer. The Emperor was furious. Although the country is in trouble and cannot send a large army, he still sent us to take revenge and make these Xiongnu people pay for their blood debt!"
Lu Bu couldn't help but think of that high and mighty figure in the Luoyang Imperial Palace. The Imperial Guards had always acted in accordance with the emperor's will. For many years, apart from Emperor Xiaowu of that time, Lu Bu had never heard of any emperor sending the Imperial Guards deep into the grasslands since he was a child.
The thought that the current emperor was also a ruthless and powerful ruler like Emperor Xiaowu stirred up Lu Bu's blood once again.
As the saying goes, "If you learn both literary and martial arts, you can sell yourself to the emperor." How much more so when it comes to an emperor who can help you realize your ideals and ambitions? It is worth it for Lü Bu to serve him. Blood feud and childhood dreams do not conflict.
"Oh, by the way! Hero, where are you from?"
Ma Teng began to inquire about Lü Bu's background. Such a powerful figure would surely please the emperor if he recommended him. Moreover, Huang Zhong and Gongsun Zan, whom he had always disliked, would likely be suppressed by this man. Thinking of this, Ma Teng began to feel a sense of anticipation.
"I am Lü Bu, courtesy name Fengxian, from Jiuyuan, Bingzhou!"
"Fengxian! To be the first under Heaven by the mandate of Heaven, indeed a fine character."
Ma Teng couldn't help but praise him, finding Lü Bu increasingly pleasing to the eye.
"My humble courtesy name is not worthy of such praise from Brother Shoucheng!"
Lu Bu said modestly, although he was proud and arrogant, it depended on who he was talking to. It wasn't just because of his status as a member of the Imperial Guard; judging from Ma Teng's aura, he was clearly a capable person.
"Haha~ Fengxian, don't be so polite!"
Ma Teng smiled, then looked at Lü Bu and said, "Fengxian, the Emperor has ordered that we not venture too far in. We should return now. I wonder if Fengxian would like to come along?"
"Since the Emperor has given the order, I, Bu, shall obey it!"
Lü Bu readily agreed and did not refuse Ma Teng's invitation. At this point, Lü Bu had already considered himself a member of the Han army.
"Haha~ Great! His Majesty will be very happy to see Fengxian!"
Ma Teng couldn't help but laugh. In his opinion, even someone like Lü Bu would definitely offer his loyalty without hesitation if he met the emperor.
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