After everyone agreed on the plan, Chen Xi, as the commander-in-chief, personally penned a letter to Lü Bu, inviting him to a friendly duel.
Chen Xi had no idea how Lü Bu would react upon reading this letter. Although many years had passed, Lü Bu still occasionally recalled the letter he received at Hulao Pass whenever he felt lonely.
That letter was the only time Lü Bu received unconditional assistance from his fellow Bingzhou countrymen. The more he was looked down upon, the more Lü Bu wanted to prove himself, and because of this, he became even more determined to repay such kindness.
Moreover, in Lü Bu's eyes, the people who helped him back then were his fellow countrymen, not his subordinates, so he considered their aid an act of kindness rather than an obligation.
This was why, whenever Lü Bu felt lonely, he would recall that letter. He even went as far as to recreate it from memory, constantly reminiscing about his past in Bingzhou. That letter represented Lü Bu's last emotional connection to his homeland. Though he had destroyed the original in a fit of anger, it remained etched in his memory, one of the last refuges for his heart.
For this reason, when Lü Bu received the letter sent by Chen Xi, his first reaction was a sense of familiarity. The handwriting felt so familiar, and the tone of the letter evoked a sense of nostalgia, even though Lü Bu couldn't quite place where he had seen it before. He didn't connect it with the recreated letter he kept close to his heart.
Though he couldn't recall the exact origin, Lü Bu couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill toward the person who wrote the letter. Compared to Zhang Fei, who had provoked him, the author of this letter was clearly polite and respectful.
"Fengxian, what does the letter say?" Chen Gong asked upon noticing the rare smile on Lü Bu's face. Seeing Lü Bu's reaction, Chen Gong set aside his worries, recalling the last time Zhang Fei had provoked Lü Bu.
"Chen Zichuan has invited me to a friendly duel," Lü Bu replied with a smile. "For some reason, seeing this handwriting feels familiar. It lifts my spirits. Gongtai, what do you think?"
Chen Gong was momentarily stunned. A single letter could lift Lü Bu's spirits to such an extent? It seemed almost unbelievable. But seeing Lü Bu's calm demeanor and genuine curiosity, a stark contrast to the anger and frustration he'd shown after Zhang Fei's provocation, Chen Gong realized the letter had a significant effect.
"In that case, why not go and meet them?" Chen Gong suggested. In his view, if Chen Xi could calm Lü Bu and prevent him from becoming agitated, it indicated that Liu Bei's camp was serious about negotiating with Lü Bu and had sent Chen Xi to handle it personally.
"I was thinking the same," Lü Bu nodded, speaking with a rare tranquility. He couldn't explain why, but receiving this letter had greatly improved his mood.
"How many men do you plan to bring with you?" Chen Gong asked with a smile.
"Why bring many? Since it's a friendly duel, I'll just take Wen Yuan with me," Lü Bu replied. Although he couldn't recall where he'd seen the familiar handwriting, he subconsciously associated it with the memory of sharing that letter with Zhang Liao.
"What?" Chen Gong was taken aback. He couldn't believe Lü Bu would make such a risky decision, all because of a letter. What exactly was written in that letter to make Lü Bu so determined?
"General, you mustn't go alone! If the enemy ambushes you with elite troops, it might be difficult even for you to escape unscathed!" Chen Gong stood up immediately, trying to dissuade Lü Bu. This was madness!
"What do I have to fear?" Lü Bu laughed. "With my Halberd in hand and Red Hare beneath me, I am unstoppable. Even if they did ambush us, who could stop Wen Yuan and me from leaving?"
Seeing that Chen Gong was about to continue his objections, Lü Bu's expression turned serious. "This is a friendly duel. Liu Xuande is known for his integrity and faithfulness. He wouldn't dare act rashly, especially with Yuan Benchu keeping him in check. What do I have to fear?"
At this moment, Lü Bu's determination became clear. He was adamant about going, and he wanted to appear as heroic as possible. Though he couldn't recall why the handwriting seemed familiar, his subconscious urged him to maintain his dignity in front of the person who wrote the letter.
"Wen Yuan, would you accompany me?" Lü Bu turned to Zhang Liao.
"I would be honored to go with you, Fengxian," Zhang Liao replied, using Lü Bu's courtesy name instead of his usual title. This was a rare occasion where Lü Bu displayed the heroism and hope he once had, unburdened by the usual pressures.
"Good! Then we shall go together. Gongtai, you will remain in charge of the camp, and make sure Gongzheng oversees the defenses," Lü Bu commanded, his good mood leading him to temporarily set aside any disputes with Gao Shun.
"Very well," Chen Gong agreed after some thought. After all, with Lü Bu's unmatched prowess and Red Hare's speed, no one could stop him if he wanted to leave.
Moreover, Zhang Liao was a formidable warrior himself, so he wouldn't be a burden. If Chen Xi did act treacherously, it would tarnish the reputation Liu Bei had painstakingly built over time, and Lü Bu simply wasn't worth such a significant gamble for Chen Xi.
Afterward, Lü Bu, filled with curiosity, went to groom Red Hare. He couldn't explain why, but the sight of that familiar handwriting had left him feeling inexplicably excited. Despite being unable to recall the reason, he embraced the excitement rather than suppress it.
Once Lü Bu had polished Red Hare's coat to a glossy shine, adorned the horse with its finest armor, and attached golden bells, he finally felt satisfied. He then went to prepare his own attire.
Lü Bu knew exactly what he would wear—his finest armor, the same Tang lion armor he had worn at Hulao Pass. He would don the beast-belt sash, have Diao Chan personally place the three-pronged golden crown upon his head, and wear the bright red Shu brocade cloak. He would go to meet the author of that letter with the dignity he felt they deserved.
At that moment, Lü Bu's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. He didn't fully understand why he needed to be so meticulous, but once he donned his armor, his chaotic thoughts faded away, leaving only a calm mindset and a sense of reverence, as if he were about to meet a long-lost friend.