Hidden Motives

After leaving the Hall of Brotherhood, Sun Guan's face suddenly turned cold. Without saying a word, he rode his horse back to his own camp alone. His younger brother, Sun Kang, quickly stepped forward to take the reins.

"Big Brother, why do you seem so down?" Noticing Sun Guan's unusual expression, Sun Kang asked.

"Hmph," Sun Guan sneered, "That Chang Xi is blaming last night's incident on us brothers. He suspects there's a traitor in our camp."

Sun Kang gritted his teeth in anger when he heard this. "What?! If it hadn't been for you and me leading everyone to help last night, the whole mountain would have been reduced to ashes by now!"

"If anyone suffered the most casualties, it was our camp. Many of our brothers were burned to ashes, and we couldn't even find their bones! Despite our efforts, he still doubts us!"

"Enough! Too many ears around, let's discuss this inside." Sun Guan glanced around warily. Sun Kang understood and, after confirming it was safe, they both entered the inner room.

"What?!" As soon as they entered, Sun Kang was shocked by Sun Guan's plan and couldn't help but shout. Sun Guan immediately shot him a warning look.

"Keep it down!" Sun Guan scolded, "Walls have ears. Lower your voice."

Sun Kang nodded repeatedly, then leaned in and whispered, "Big Brother, was it really you who set the fire last night?"

Sun Guan gave him a sideways glance and responded with a nonchalant "Hmm." "Think about it. How did the government soldiers, who had never been to the mountain before, know where the main camp with the supplies was?"

It turns out that last night, Wei You, following the path Guan Yu took up the mountain, arrived at the camp where Guan Yu was trapped. Wei You had a quick idea: he ordered his men to set fire to another camp and positioned himself outside to assist Guan Yu in retreating.

Unexpectedly, Wei You's actions gave Sun Guan an idea. It was Sun Guan himself who set the fire at the main camp last night!

"What? Are you scared?" Sun Guan, with his legs crossed and a mocking expression, looked at Sun Kang.

Sun Kang shook his head dumbfoundedly. "Big Brother, I still don't understand why you set fire to the main camp."

"Why? There doesn't always have to be a reason!" Sun Guan stood up, stretching his muscles. "We've been living as outlaws for years, and we've done our share of unspeakable things. The oaths we swore when we became sworn brothers are nothing but bullshit!"

"Little brother, did you think I've always been just a muscle-bound fool? Yin Li has been colluding with that old bastard Ouyang Lei in Langya, Wu Dun is lording it over everyone in Taishan County, and what about Chang Xi?"

"He's sitting in the main camp, drinking and feasting like a king, while I've been miserable for years, just because I'm fourth in rank, constantly oppressed by them!"

Sun Kang opened his mouth but couldn't say a word. It was true; after years of banditry, Sun Guan, the fourth in command, was indeed the most miserable. As his younger brother, Sun Kang had also suffered his share of bullying.

"Whenever the government forces attack, Chang Xi always puts me at the forefront as cannon fodder. But when does he ever give our camp any extra rewards? I won't stay here and be Chang Xi's lackey for life!"

Sun Guan became more agitated as he spoke, punching the wall so hard that the entire wooden house echoed.

"Big Brother! Just tell me what to do!" Sun Kang, fired up by Sun Guan, stood up immediately.

Sun Guan grinned, "What to do? Surrender to the government forces!"

"Surrender to the government forces?" Sun Kang was stunned. He had thought Sun Guan would suggest raising a banner and going it alone, but instead, he planned to defect.

"What else?" Sun Guan shrugged. "Continue being bandits on Taishan? You saw it last night—the government soldiers aren't all the same."

"This young man named Qin Longyang gives me a very peculiar feeling. He's different from the other warlords in the Central Plains. At least... in all of Yan and Xu Provinces, I'm confident no one can match him!"

"So, Big Brother, you mean...?" Sun Kang still didn't quite understand.

Sun Guan smiled, "If we're going to defect, we have to make a contribution. After all, many government soldiers died by our hands during the battle last night." He pulled Sun Kang closer and whispered something into his ear. After thinking it over for a while, Sun Kang nodded.

"You're my big brother; I'll follow whatever you decide!"

Meanwhile, at the foot of the mountain, Guan Yu, who had narrowly escaped with his life thanks to Wei You's timely rescue, was concerned that the bandits might come down the mountain to pursue them.

So he left his troops ambushed along the way to block any pursuit, and he and Guan Yu returned to the city with only ten light cavalrymen.

To their surprise, the ambush party didn't see a single bandit all night. The soldiers, who had been on high alert, watched the Taishan stronghold burn half the night, and returned to the city with panda eyes.

"What did you say? It burned all night?" When the ambush party returned, the captain reported the situation to Wei You, who was taken aback.

The captain nodded. "It did burn all night. The fire was finally under control at dawn. We kept our eyes on Taishan the whole night; there's no mistake."

Wei You scratched his head, estimating that the two fires he set should have burned out in two or three hours at most. Could it be that he accidentally set the forest outside the camp on fire, causing the bandits to be occupied all night?

"You may go rest now," Wei You waved his hand dismissively. The captain cupped his hands in salute and retreated.

"Strange, very strange," Wei You muttered to himself as he studied the map of the Taishan area, plotting the next steps for attacking the mountain stronghold.

Just then, footsteps echoed from outside the door. Guan Yu strode into Wei You's room. Before Wei You could inquire about his injuries, Guan Yu suddenly knelt before him.

"General Guan! What are you doing?" Wei You exclaimed in surprise, rushing forward to help him up.

"It's all my fault for stubbornly going against your advice, which led to this defeat. You, the secretary, repaid my wrongs with kindness, risking your life to save me. I, Guan, am deeply grateful. Please, allow me to offer you a bow!"

Guan Yu, unable to be moved by Wei You, performed a solemn bow before being helped to his feet.

"General Guan, there's no need for such words. We are colleagues after all. This campaign to suppress the bandits is a mission from our lord, and the blame doesn't fall on any one person. If you feel remorse, you should lead the charge in the next battle to slay the bandits,"

Wei You replied calmly, making a gesture to invite Guan Yu to sit.

"You're just in time, General. Last night we set fire to the bandit stronghold, but something strange happened." As they sat down, Wei You recounted the events of the previous night.

Guan Yu also frowned in suspicion. "You think... there's discord among the bandits?"

"Just a guess," Wei You nodded. "These so-called Four Bandit Chiefs of Taishan are led by Chang Xi. Among the other three, Yin Li was slain by our lord in Langya, leaving Wu Dun and Sun Guan. I suspect they each have their own ulterior motives..."

"Report!" Before Wei You could finish, a messenger rushed in, panicked. "My lords, several thousand bandits have appeared outside the city. Their leader is hurling insults at the gates, demanding a duel with General Guan."

Hearing this, Guan Yu couldn't contain his anger. He slammed the table and stood up. "Bold scoundrels! If not for being tricked by those bandits last night, I would never have been in such a sorry state! Now they dare to challenge me at my door? I'll go out and cut him down!"

"General Guan, your wounds..." Wei You, instead of stopping him, expressed concern for Guan Yu's arrow wound.

"It's just a minor injury. Even if I fight with one hand, I can still cut him down!" Guan Yu boasted, stroking his beard as he walked out the door. Wei You frowned but followed closely behind.

Outside the city, a chaotic mass of bandits surrounded the county town. They waved their weapons and shouted wildly, but their formation was disorganized and loose.

The bandit leader, standing alone at the gate, continued to hurl insults. The soldiers on the city walls, few and far between, loosely drew their bows. After a long standoff, the city gates finally creaked open.

"At last, he's here," Sun Guan squinted as he watched a lone rider emerge from the city. He let out a breath of relief.

"Scoundrel! You finally dare to show yourself!" Sun Guan sneered, his large saber resting on his shoulder.

Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes. As their gazes met, Sun Guan was immediately intimidated by the killing intent in Guan Yu's eyes, involuntarily stepping back two or three paces.

"I spared your life last night, but since you've come to seek death today, I'll take your head to avenge my fallen brothers!" Guan Yu coldly declared, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade gleaming menacingly in the sunlight. The glint caught Sun Guan's eye, and in the moment he lost focus, Guan Yu had already charged at him.

Sun Guan, though quick to react, spurred his horse forward, swinging his large saber in wide arcs to meet the attack.

After ten rounds of intense combat, Guan Yu grew fiercer with each strike, while Sun Guan began to pant heavily, his strength waning. Guan Yu's eyes grew sharper, a sign that he was about to deliver the finishing blow!

"Prepare to die!" Guan Yu roared, executing a powerful downward slash. Sun Guan gritted his teeth and raised his saber to block. Their weapons clashed, locking them in a stalemate, but Sun Guan's trembling hands revealed his growing weakness.

"Hold, General!" As they struggled, Sun Guan suddenly spoke in a low voice. "Please, spare my life and take me captive. I have something important to discuss with you."

"I had to resort to this desperate tactic because there are too many spies both inside and outside the city. Please, show mercy!"

Guan Yu was momentarily stunned, and his grip weakened. Seizing the opportunity, Sun Guan withdrew his strength and put some distance between them.

Up on the city wall, Wei You noticed something odd. "Strange, General Guan could have killed that man just now. Why did he hold back?"

Guan Yu glanced back at Wei You, as if seeking his opinion, further deepening Wei You's confusion. Meanwhile, Sun Guan, seeing his chance, suddenly charged at Guan Yu while he was distracted.

"Watch out, General Guan!" Wei You shouted. Guan Yu quickly turned to face the attack, ready to strike back. But before his blade could touch Sun Guan, the bandit chief unexpectedly threw away his weapon and deliberately fell off his horse.

Guan Yu was left dumbfounded. He hadn't even completed his move, yet this man had willingly thrown himself into defeat!

While Guan Yu stood frozen in surprise, the soldiers behind him rushed forward and quickly bound Sun Guan.

Seeing their leader captured, the thousands of bandits scattered in panic, vanishing without a trace within moments, leaving Guan Yu and Wei You in a state of awkward silence...