"He who strikes first writes the shape of the war.
He who hesitates… writes only an epitaph."
The Forest of Heiyan Pass
The Heiyan Pass was a narrow mountain trail surrounded by cliffs and shadowed trees.
It was the only road wide enough for Lady Mei's cavalry to move south quickly—and Lü Bu knew she would use it.
For two days, Lü Bu and a handpicked unit of fifty Iron Core soldiers moved silently through the woods, guided by scouts and terrain maps. Wei Yun was at his side, silent but ready.
"You're certain she'll take this road?" Wei Yun asked.
"She doesn't have a choice," Lü Bu replied. "It's the only path fast enough for a surprise assault."
He paused, looking down at the valley trail below them.
"So we'll be the surprise."
The Ambush Plan
In a hidden clearing above the road, Lü Bu gathered his soldiers. These were not the farmers of yesterday. These were disciplined fighters now.
"Tonight, we make the first move," Lü Bu said.
He explained the strategy in clear steps:
Step 1: Block the road with spiked barricades once the enemy enters the narrowest section.
Step 2: Use oil and fire traps to cause confusion.
Step 3: Isolate small squads and strike fast.
Step 4: Retreat before they can regroup.
"We do not fight to win here," Lü Bu said.
"We fight to weaken. To divide. To send a message—Zhaoling does not wait to die. We strike first."
Nightfall – The Waiting
The forest was quiet. Too quiet.
Every soldier was in position. Wei Yun crouched beside Lü Bu, who waited near a cliff edge above the pass.
Then—hoofbeats.
A column of armored cavalry came into view, torches flickering between the trees.
At the front was a red standard bearing Lady Mei's crest.
They were confident. Marching openly.
That was their first mistake.
Lü Bu raised his fist.
"Hold…"
The lead rider crossed the trigger point.
"Now."
🔥 Fire and Iron
Ropes were cut.
Spiked barricades rolled down from hidden ledges, slamming into the road, trapping the cavalry in a narrow corridor.
Then—flames erupted as oil traps were ignited.
Horses reared. Shouts rang out.
And from the trees, the Iron Core struck like lightning.
Lü Bu led the charge, his halberd cutting through armor like paper. His presence was a storm—every strike calculated, every motion controlled.
Wei Yun moved like a ghost, severing enemy ranks before they could regroup.
The enemy commander tried to rally—only to fall from his horse, an Iron Core spear buried in his chest.
"RETREAT!" the enemy riders screamed, pushing back down the trail.
By the time they escaped the trap, ten riders were dead, another dozen injured, and their confidence shattered.
Lü Bu stood over the flames.
It was not a major victory.
But it was a declaration:
Zhaoling strikes back.
The Iron Core suffered only two injuries, no deaths. Their morale surged.
[SYSTEM NOTICE – Battle Complete: Ambush at Heiyan Pass]
✅ Victory Condition: Achieved
🏅 Rewards:
Iron Core XP Increased
Unit Morale +15
Tactical Skill Tree: UNLOCKED
New Title: The Ember General
Enemy Alert: Lady Mei's main army now moves cautiously. Reinforcements delayed.
🗣️ Back in Camp
That night, around the campfire, the soldiers whispered.
"He moved like a ghost."
"He planned every detail."
"We won… because of him."
Wei Yun walked up to Lü Bu and handed him a flask.
"You've made your choice. No turning back now."
Lü Bu drank, then looked into the fire.
"There never was."