Disclaimer: I don't own DW/Rot3k. Wish I worked for Koei.
Romance of the Dynasty Warriors Pairings 2
Lu Bu and Diao Chan
Having conquered Jiao Zhou from the Shi clan; Lu Bu recovered his military strength quickly by absorbing the shanyue tribes and Shi Xie's troops. He can finally go to war whenever the opportunity presents him. However, losing Xu Zhou to Cao Cao and Liu Bei taught him the most important aspect in war. Officer compatibility is very important, but of course Gao Shun is his closes friend and high ranked general, Chen Gong having a lot of criticism on his crafty mind, he's still Lu Bu's strategist and advisor of military and domestic affairs, and his daughter Lu Ling Qi who probably needs to get a husband now.
"Father! Father, the Nanman barbarians are crossing the border to Jiao Zhi!" Ling Qi rushed to the palace with excitement.
Lu Bu did not respond, but he's been quiet the entire moment in the palace thinking about nothing, but "her".
"Father…" Ling Qi tone turned soft.
"Hm? Sorry, Ling Qi, what's the matter?" Lu Bu looked up at his daughter worried.
"The Nanmans are coming to invade Jiao. Master Chen Gong told me to inform you this," Ling Qi said.
"If it's gold that Meng Huo wants, then give him it and I will like to form an alliance," Lu Bu sighed.
"He's coming with an army of 120,000," Ling Qi shrugged.
"He's serious? I expect more from that so-called "king". He's not worth my time right now," Lu Bu chuckled.
"Of course it's serious father, he dares to challenge your might! It's quite asinine that such an uncivilized…." Ling Qi urged, but Lu Bu interrupt her before she finish.
"One who is strong does not make that person uncivilized, Ling Qi. You shouldn't underestimate the barbarians. They're the ones who conquer the most incompetent powers," Lu Bu lectured.
"What does that make us to them?" Ling Qi asked.
"Equal…" Lu Bu answered.
"Equal? There's nobody from Nan zhong that can compare to me," Ling Qi scoffed.
Lu Bu raises an eyebrow staring at his daughter priceless. When did his daughter become this impulsive? Wouldn't her attitude be better off calm and calculating?
"So, you wish to fight them? Be careful what you wish for, my daughter. Prepare the army," Lu Bu assigned.
Lu Ling Qi bowed and dismiss. It's been a while since he had work himself up at the central plains. But, why start a war when he should built up diploma tics and expand?
"She's growing to be like you everyday. No wonder, you and her are alike?" a familiar voice spoke.
"Yes. I must pity myself for raising her without you…" Lu Bu closed his eyes as he spoke to the spirit of his beloved.
"Don't speak like that. Remember what I told you before?" the voice is no secret as Diao Chan holds her arms into Lu Bu.
"Is she really…?" Lu Bu quietly assumed.
"Yes…" Diao Chan laid her head on Lu Bu's back.
"Diao Chan…." Lu Bu muttered.
"Will you fight for those precious to you, my love?" Diao Chan asked.
"I will and I must," Lu Bu considered.
"Then, go and watch over Ling Qi. Remind her of myself everyday," Diao Chan stepped back letting go of Lu Bu.
"Diao Chan, I missed you a lot," Lu Bu grieved from the lost of his precious Diao Chan.
Lu Bu opens his eyes and turn around where he felt Diao Chan. Her spirit vanishes leaving no trace within the court. Still those warm arms and her body felt real.
"So, the beauty finds the beast civilized," Lu Bu whispered as he takes his Crescent Halberd and prepares to walk out the hall, "In that case, I'll accept Meng Huo's challenge."
Outside the castle gates…
Chen Gong is protesting Ling Qi for deciding to challenge the self proclaimed "Goddess of Fire", Zhu Rong because of how strong she is.
Lu Bu arrives walking towards Gao Shun who is commanding the force. He can see his daughter on fire eager to face the invading army. At the front lines, he sees a woman coming it's way towards his daughter. He suspects they're challenging a duel.
"Gao Shun, report," Lu Bu stood in front of his loyal officer.
"Lord Lu Bu, your daughter been granted as van and she accepts that woman's challenge in a duel. Never I thought these barbarians have a combination of female troops with male ones," Gao Shun reported.
"Interesting," Lu Bu rubbed his chin.
"My lord, I beg you to stop the fight. She's no match for that woman and I heard a lot about her from our spies," Chen Gong said.
"Why, it's only getting a lot interesting here," Lu Bu sighed.
"But, then your daughter might possibly lose and die," Chen Gong urged.
"Are these Nanmans as strong as Shi Xie's army?" Gao Shun questioned.
"They're heavily attributed to heat climate and their infantries are strong at forests and plains. They got some light armor made of honeycomb wood. The elephants are more used as a military cavalry than envoy transportation," Chen Gong revealed.
"Attributed to heat climate? They're immune to the heat?! Very interesting, it appears this terrain shall soon be another grasp to my conquest, but first I want the whole tribute and their so called "king" to bow to my might," Lu Bu pointed his weapon directly at the enemy.
"Their army is larger than ours, we've just took this province since losing Xia Pi," Gao Shun said.
Lu Bu continue watching his daughter fight Zhu Rong. The latter is winning before she is about to deal the finishing blow; Lu Bu kicked his Red Hare and storm towards the center of the battlefield.
"I don't like killing underage, but you did gave me a whole lot of trouble judging from the way you fight. You're a fool to underestimate me because I'm a barbarian!" Zhu Rong raises her spear while her trademark weapon is on the back of her. Lu Bu comes at the nick of time and parried her strike.
"Enough!" Lu Bu shouted.
Zhu Rong stood awe of Lu Bu's appearance. Like she never have seen before, especially those two things on his head.
"Fight those who are precious to you," Diao Chan's voice ring through Lu Bu's thoughts.
"You fought well. I will like to speak to your "king" about an alliance or join my army so that together we fight to unite the land," Lu Bu requested.
Zhu Rong said nothing and nodded, but she almost panicked because how this man didn't make another move besides stopping her from killing his daughter.
"This feeling, but how?" she thought as Zhu Rong head to inform her husband.
Lu Bu turns to check on Ling Qi's condition. She's beaten up, but lucky for the big daddy making it in time. She barely has any skill left to avoid a fatal blow. She got overconfident because of his teachings.
"Well, you surprise me out there, Ling Qi. Next time, you'll match her might," Lu Bu said.
"Father, I'm sorry to disappoint you," Ling Qi struggled herself up.
"No, that was entertaining," Lu Bu smiled.
"Really?" Ling Qi winced.
"Yeah, you brought some really good shots at her, but in the end she's the stronger, better, and hotter fighter," Lu Bu commented.
"You mean, she's more beautiful than mother," Ling Qi said sarcastically.
"There's beauty in every living, it's what makes us strong," Lu Bu said.
"I don't want to go back to wearing formal clothes and get all those guys eating me up for a marriage," Ling Qi complained.
"There's nothing wrong wearing them, but I won't force you to get married," Lu Bu chuckled.
Ling Qi gets back on her horse and retreated to the main army. Lu Bu followed while waiting for Meng Huo's decision.
"I did say that woman is hotter than my daughter, but Diao Chan is hotter than her," Lu Bu thought. Turning back, he still can't see Diao Chan's spirit anywhere, however that won't stop him from ever thinking about her.
Next Chapter: Zhang Liao and Diao Chan