I bloom amid slaughter, like a flower at dawn.
The scent of blood began to spread through the air.
"How… how did he kill him with just one strike?"
"Damn it! There's something strange about this kid!"
Their companion had died instantly, cleanly cut down. The remaining Yellow Turban bandits stood frozen in shock. Then one of them, braver than the rest, roared out:
"The Blue Heaven has fallen! The Yellow Heaven shall rise! The year of Jiazi brings great fortune to the world! Kill this fat sheep and avenge Third Brother!"
"That's right! What are we afraid of? There are more than ten of us against one! Attack together!"
"Kill him!"
The smell of blood only fueled their ferocity. The remaining bandits rushed toward Liu Hao with renewed savagery.
"The Yellow Turban rebels have thrown the world into chaos. None of them deserve to live!"
The trembling in Liu Hao's body vanished. He clenched his teeth, his eyes icy cold.
"In this chaotic age, survival depends only on myself—and the sword in my hand. Yellow Turban bandits? Anyone who blocks my path will fall to my blade. I will carve my way forward through blood!"
Kill! Kill! Kill!
By now, Liu Hao's mind was filled with nothing but murderous intent. Like a man possessed, he longed to slaughter every one of these bandits.
His mind remained calm while his hands moved without hesitation.
He shifted sideways and drove his sword into the back of another thickset bandit.
Another one fell.
Just as the remaining bandits closed to within ten meters and Liu Hao prepared to fight to the death, a thunderous roar suddenly exploded in the air.
"Hmph! I despise trash like you who bully the weak with numbers!"
The voice boomed like thunder, startling the bandits. They turned in shock.
From the forest burst a towering giant of a man.
He stood nearly nine feet tall, with a powerful back and broad shoulders. His face was fierce, his arms long and strong, his thick eyebrows framing a pair of blazing eyes. When he laughed, it sounded like thunder crashing through the mountains.
"You scum! Let your grandfather slaughter you!"
"Where did this idiot come from? Looking to die?!"
Already enraged after losing two of their companions to Liu Hao, the bandits' fury ignited instantly at the giant's taunts. Gripping their weapons, they rushed toward him.
"Be careful!" Liu Hao shouted.
"These worthless fools? What can they possibly do to me?"
The giant laughed loudly. From his waist he drew two iron halberds. His muscles tensed like forged steel as the weapons whirled through the air.
The bandit at the front had no chance.
A violent gust of wind howled past his ears before he was cleaved in half by one of the halberds.
Amid the bandits' screams, the giant charged into their ranks like a tiger among sheep. His arms moved in a blur as the iron halberds flashed again and again.
Heads fell.
Bodies split apart.
It was like chopping vegetables.
Within moments, every one of the bandits lay dead.
Liu Hao stared in stunned disbelief.
Brother… are you even human?
The giant stood there gripping his halberds, looking as though he had stepped out of a sea of blood. He grinned broadly, revealing a row of bright white teeth.
"Oh right, brother. What was the name of that killing poem you recited earlier? I liked it a lot."
Liu Hao smiled faintly.
"That poem is called The Song of Men. A man must kill."
"What a great poem! A man must kill!" the giant exclaimed. "I hate those who bully the weak. Whenever I see them, I send them straight to the underworld with a single strike!"
Then he sighed with regret.
"Too bad there's no wine right now. Tiger meat with strong liquor… ah, that would be heaven!"
Only then did Liu Hao notice something behind him.
Where the giant had come from lay the body of a massive tiger.
Already dead.
A man who could wrestle a tiger barehanded… a warrior unmatched by ten thousand men.
Facing such a terrifying figure, Liu Hao grew cautious and decided to ask his name.
"My name is Liu Hao, from Hongnong. May I ask what this brother is called?"
If he could recruit such a monster to stay by his side as a bodyguard, life would be far easier.
"My name's Dian Wei," the giant replied casually. "Killed a few bastards recently. Now the Chenliu authorities are after me, so I've been hiding out here."
After saying that, he collected his halberds and prepared to leave.
Dian Wei!
It was actually Dian Wei!
Liu Hao's heart trembled violently as his eyes shone with excitement.
In later generations there was a saying:
First Lu Bu, second Zhao Yun, third Dian Wei.
Fourth Guan Yu, fifth Ma Chao, sixth Zhang Fei.
These were the greatest warriors of the Three Kingdoms.
Liu Hao's heart pounded as he quickly spoke.
"So it's Hero Dian! Please wait. My home is not far from here. If you want wine, that's easy. Come with me—I'll treat you to a proper drink!"
"Good! As long as there's wine!"
Dian Wei slung the tiger's several-hundred-pound corpse onto one shoulder with one hand, making Liu Hao stare in amazement.
The two of them began walking toward Liu Hao's home.
Along the way, Liu Hao asked, "Brother Dian Wei, what are your plans now?"
"I'm still wanted by the authorities. After drinking with you, I'll hide in the mountains until things quiet down. Then I'll join the army," Dian Wei replied casually.
Liu Hao removed the wine flask from his belt and tossed it to him with a smile.
"With your strength, hiding in the mountains is a waste of talent. We hit it off the moment we met. Why not stay with me? We can drink wine, eat meat, and kill our enemies together. Wouldn't that be far better?"
"No!"
Dian Wei refused without hesitation.