Hurry and go at once.

The stout officer in the rear drew his bow and shot arrows, clearing a path for the charging soldiers.

Wang Bo, unscathed under the protection of Xu Chu and his men, broke through the Black Mountain Army’s encirclement. After finding Bai Rao and his companion and quickly grasping the situation, he saw that the encircling government troops, under their officers’ command, were swiftly changing formation, clearly preparing for an assault.

He immediately issued orders: Wolf Owl Guard Alpha Team would engage the enemy cavalry; Wolf Owl Guard Beta Team, being more numerous, would be split—one part to assist Bai Rao, Zuo Zi, and Zhang Ba in resisting the three prongs of the government army’s charge, and the other, led by Du Yuan, to sally forth and attack the stout officer supervising from the rear. Wang Bo himself, sheltered by Xu Chu, braved the enemy’s storm of arrows, riding everywhere to loudly rally the morale of the Black Mountain soldiers.

Once dispirited, the Black Mountain Army was instantly invigorated at the sight of the legendary Han Restoration Army. The newcomers displayed overwhelming might, cutting down the enemy as easily as slicing melons, confirming the tales were no idle boasts—their claim of slaughtering tens of thousands of nomads was not mere bravado. With their own commanders now joining the Han Restoration Army, it seemed the perfect path forward. Moreover, hearing that the young general encouraging them within the ranks was none other than the renowned County Magistrate Wang Bo himself, excitement surged: with the supreme leader of the Han Restoration Army personally taking the field, how could they dare cower? Besides, it was announced that only those who triumphed in this battle would be eligible to join; the Han Restoration Army had no place for cowards!

Buoyed by Wang Bo’s encouragement and promises, the Black Mountain troops found new strength, following closely behind their captains and roaring as they charged the oncoming government soldiers.

The stout officer grew anxious. What he thought would be an easy rout had turned into a fierce contest—the Black Mountain rebels now fought with a do-or-die vigor, immediately filling any gap, while his supposedly elite troops were bogged down in bitter fighting. Each of his three columns barely advanced before being swallowed by the vastly more numerous Black Mountain bandits.

Such dramatic reversal happened so swiftly—all because of this so-called county magistrate! Burning with rage, the stout officer’s eyes darted as a plan formed in his mind. While barking orders and maneuvering, he secretly watched Wang Bo’s every move.

Then the chance presented itself: the generals beside the Han Restoration Army’s leader began drifting away, and by sheer luck, Wang Bo’s back was now to him. Such a heaven-sent opportunity could not be missed. He nocked an arrow, drew his six-stone bow to its limit, took careful aim, and loosed his most satisfying shot ever, awaiting the moment when the famous magistrate would topple from his horse.

“Master, beware!” Xu Chu’s thunderous shout split the air. Though ever vigilant, Xu Chu was powerless against the arrow, premeditated and swift as a meteor, that now streaked toward Wang Bo. In desperation, he hurled his broadsword at the incoming shaft, hoping to save his lord from disaster.

Just as Wang Bo finished issuing orders and urged his horse forward, Xu Chu’s warning reached his ears, and a surge of terror shot through him. Without time to think, his body instinctively dropped low against the horse’s neck.

Before his face touched the thick mane, a searing pain flared across his back, then his throat felt as if gripped by an iron hand, making it hard to breathe. Dizziness and nausea followed.

His helmet, dislodged, spun through the air and struck a nearby Black Mountain soldier as Xu Chu rushed over.

Xu Chu, frantic, didn’t wait for his horse to fully stop before scooping the nearly collapsed Wang Bo into his arms and dashing for the center of the formation, where the army’s old, weak, women, and children were sheltered.

After a hasty examination, it became clear Wang Bo’s injury was not as grave as feared. The arrow, originally aimed at his heart, had been knocked slightly off course by Xu Chu’s thrown blade, and Wang Bo’s timely reflexes meant the shaft merely grazed his back, slicing through thick armor and clothing, sending his helmet flying, and leaving a two-foot gash along his back. The wound, while long, was shallow; his head was unscathed, though his hair now hung in wild disarray.

As his wounds were checked, Wang Bo slowly regained consciousness. Shaking off the dizziness, he asked the delighted Xu Chu, “Zhongkang, am I still among the living?”

Xu Chu grinned broadly. “Heh! Heaven protects the virtuous, Second Brother. How could you fall so easily? But enough talk—rest easy here. I’ll capture that scoundrel alive and present him to you, to ease your anger!” He then had Zhen Yu apply medicine to Wang Bo’s wound, before mounting his horse and charging toward the stout officer who had loosed the arrow.

Brandishing his blade, Xu Chu’s demeanor changed in an instant to that of a fierce tiger. His spirited horse neighed and thundered across the field, closing the distance in mere moments. Shouting to the Wolf Owl Guard, who were already pressing the panicked officer, “Brothers, clear a path! Leave this one to me, Xu Zhongkang!” Without waiting for their response, he dove at the stout officer.

The officer’s personal guards tried to block Xu Chu.

“Out of my way!” Xu Chu shouted, not sparing the minor soldiers a glance. With a sweep of his arms, several heads flew, spraying blood, their last expressions frozen in terror. A surviving government soldier, his face splattered with blood, collapsed to the ground, trembling as filth ran down his legs.

Seeing this, the stout officer felt his throat tighten and, in panic, wheeled his horse to flee. But after only a few steps, a deafening roar sounded behind him. “Halt, cur! Harm my master and live? Die!”

The shout chilled the officer to the bone, but he urged his horse on, striking its haunch with his bow. The wounded beast bolted blindly.

“Your life is forfeit!” Xu Chu’s voice still rang in the officer’s ears. In desperation, the officer grabbed a heavy armor-piercing arrow, nocked it, and spun to shoot—but Xu Chu’s steed, swifter than his, had already closed in.

Seeing the officer about to shoot, Xu Chu roared, “Die!” and brought his blade down in a sweeping arc, cleaving through the officer’s arm, bow, and even his horse. The officer screamed as agony seized him, but Xu Chu snatched him up one-handed like a chick, glared at the onlooking government soldiers, and rode back to the Black Mountain lines, grinning savagely.

The remaining half of the officer’s horse staggered a few paces before collapsing in a gory heap.

Nearby government troops, witnessing this horror, were seized by terror. Someone dropped his weapon and fled, soon joined by many others—the government army broke and routed.

Xu Chu, still grinning, hefted the unconscious officer from his horse and threw him headfirst before the now bandaged Wang Bo. With a tilt of his chin, he declared, “Master, I have captured this villain. His fate is yours to decide!”

“Excellent!” Wang Bo replied, grimacing as he shifted. He ordered a nearby Black Mountain soldier with some medical knowledge to staunch the officer’s bleeding. The reluctant soldier grumbled but hurried under Xu Chu’s glare.

The captured officer groaned as pain from his missing arm roused him. Realizing his situation, he set his jaw, his pale face taut, and glared murderously at Wang Bo.

Xu Chu, annoyed by the man’s defiance, kicked him over, cursing, “Scum! On death’s door and still so insolent?”

Pain from the jostling made the officer’s wound throb, but he said nothing, only continued to glare and clenched his lips tight.

Wang Bo, unconcerned by the animosity, smiled and asked, “Officer, our Han Restoration Army bears you no grudge. Why do you pursue us so relentlessly, raiding our supplies and forcing us to the death?”

“Enough! Whether Black Mountain or Han Restoration, you are all thieves, deceiving the masses and undermining the Han. As a loyal servant of the Han, it is my duty to destroy you!” the officer spat, turning his head away.

“Are you not aware of our deeds, defending the frontier against the nomads?”

“Deeds? Empty words! Unable to survive in the heartland, you flee to the border in desperation. A few thousand bandits slaying tens of thousands of nomads? Nonsense, nothing but a joke!”

Wang Bo sighed. “You are a skilled warrior, a true contemporary hero. Why be so obstinate? Whether our achievements are true, come to Dingxiang and see for yourself.”

“Hah! Save your breath. I will not consort with bandits.”

“Bold words for one already defeated by us,” Wang Bo sneered.

“Enough! Since I, Gao Lan, have fallen into your hands, I do not seek to live. Kill me if you will, but spare me your taunts! Did you capture me just to amuse yourself?”

“What did you say your name was?” Wang Bo asked urgently, as if recalling something important.

“Ha! My name does not change whether standing or sitting. I am Gao Lan of Hejian!”

Wang Bo’s heart leapt—Gao Lan! Skilled with the bow, of course! This was the very same Gao Lan, one of the Four Pillars of Jizhou under Yuan Shao in the Three Kingdoms era. Though often overshadowed by Zhang He and lacking famous victories, he was still a formidable general. Wang Bo cursed his luck—he had encountered Gao Lan here, and now Xu Chu had lopped off his arm. What a disaster! Such a talent, wasted—all Xu Chu’s fault!

Wang Bo had originally intended to seek out both Gao Lan and Zhang He in Hejian, but the trouble caused by Zhao Yun, Tian Feng, and Ju Shou had soured him on actively recruiting famous historical figures. Never did he expect things to turn out like this!

He couldn’t help but slap his thigh and shoot a glare at Xu Chu, who was now standing aside, rubbing his hands and grinning slyly.

Xu Chu blinked, scratching his messy hair. He muttered, “What’s wrong with Second Brother now? I didn’t shoot him, why’s he always mad at me? If he keeps this up, I won’t stand guard tonight—let Zhang Ning lead him astray instead...”

Before Xu Chu could finish sulking, Wang Bo suddenly shouted, “Wait! Gao Lan, was that cavalry general among the fallen government officers Zhang He of Hejian?”

Gao Lan turned away without answering.

Wang Bo tried to stand but his back protested and he sat down with a hiss. Ignoring his injury, he shouted, “You cur! Do you care nothing for your comrade’s life? Speak! Was it or wasn’t it?”

“Despicable bandits, always with superior numbers, surrounding and slaying your betters—enough questions! If you mean to kill me, do it! I, Gao Lan, do not fear death!”

Xu Chu spat, “Bah! You don’t know your place. A mere defeated foe—I could kill you as easily as a chicken…”

“Enough! Zhongkang, go at once and tell the Wolf Owl Guard to spare his life!” Wang Bo shouted, ignoring Gao Lan’s death wish. “Go now! Whether it’s Zhang He or not, save him first!”

But Xu Chu shook his head vigorously. “I won’t go! Who will protect you, Second Brother?”

“Zhongkang, go! Delay any longer and his life may be lost!” Wang Bo ordered, his tone grave.

“Forgive me, I cannot obey! Your safety means more to me than anything. You are injured and unable to move; this man is still dangerous. If he tries anything, who will defend you? I will not leave!”

For the first time, Xu Chu defied Wang Bo’s command, his words adamant. Wang Bo was taken aback, then looked around—only the old, weak, women, and children of the Black Mountain camp remained. He forced a wry smile and said, “General Gao, as an officer and a hero, surely you would not stoop to such villainy...”

Gao Lan snorted. “If that was my brother Zhang He, so what? His spear is unmatched—unlike me, he will not fall so easily. You should worry about your men’s lives when facing him!”

Wang Bo, torn, broke out in a cold sweat. Xu Chu, seeing his distress, spoke up, “How about this: I’ll take this fellow with me—”

“Go! Go!” Wang Bo interrupted urgently before Xu Chu could finish.

Seeing Wang Bo so anxious, Xu Chu stopped hesitating. He grabbed Gao Lan, gave him a parting slap, and mounted his horse, galloping away.

For the latest chapters, visit “My Great Three Kingdoms Transformation” at Claw Book House.