Disclaimer: I do not own Dynasty Warriors. Dynasty Warriors is owned by their respective owners.
The main menu of Brian Miller. Officer info:
- Equipped weapons:
* Sun and moon (Rank 4 twin axes)
* Soaring Pike (Rank 4 Iron pikes)
- Equipped Skills:
* Defense Boost +10.
* Attack Boost +12.
* Mighty Roar + 11. (Increase damage output against enemy officers).
* Accuracy +5. (Chance on critical hits increased).
- Select animal: Tiger.
- Move list.
- Stats.
Level 42.
Leadership level 99.
Camp management:
- Facilities:
* Barracks lvl 12.
* Teahouse lvl 15.
* Merchant lvl 13.
* Barracks lvl 20.
* Training grounds lvl 5.
* Farm lvl 2.
* Academy lvl 1.
* Stables LVL 1.
Total officers acquired: 150/816.
Total fame acquired: 2725/4000.
Bonds with playable characters:
- Sun Shang Xiang, bond maxed out.
- Lian Shi, bond maxed out.
- Lu Su, bond maxed out.
- Sun Quan, bond maxed out.
- Xing Cai, bond halfway.
- Fa Zheng, bond two-thirds.
- Liu Shan, bond two-thirds.
- Zhao Yun, bond halfway.
- Jiang Wei, bond near completion.
- Sima Yi, bond level minimal.
- Yue Ying, bond level minimal.
- Zhuge Liang, bond level minimal.
- Zhang Chunhua, bond level minimal.
- Xin Xianging, bond level minimal.
The basic stats in Brian's menu were displayed as such, together with a completion percentage of his city. The only thing that was lacking for him was the lack of a land map of the current china as he still carried Mi Tong's maps with him to check what area was coming next. That was exactly what he was doing as his horse slowly continued to guide him alongside the Wei river, an army of devoted soldiers marching behind him.
As Brian finally had a decent way to hold the map without it folding uncomfortably to the wind, he thought, Finally. Now, where are we, and when are we there? Following the Wei River with his fingers, he deduced he was close to the town of Xiang Cang, meaning it would take one more day to reach Chang'an at their current pace. There still remained a few questions inside his mind as they continued their way towards the former capital city. What was waiting for them in the city of Chang'an, and what map would the game choose? The Recapture of Chang'an map was different than the normal map, and it would certainly not make it any easier.
''Lord Brian, look at those clouds. There will be a storm coming,'' Jiang Wei warned.
''It is better if we get on top of the hill and wait it out, my lord,'' Zhao Yun suggested.
Brian looked thoughtful before he responded, ''I was thinking the same, although I think it is better if we settle near the town of Xiang Cang. We can assure the townspeople we mean no harm, and can even give them protection if they need it. Perhaps they are willing to join us.''
Both officers nodded to that suggestion as they spread the word. However, just as the whole group got the news of the new plan, a boy not older than twelve ran towards them, his tearful terrified face and his poor clothing shredded indicating he had gone through something horrifying.
Brian wasted as little time as he could as quickly stepped off his horse, ran towards the kid, and tried to comfort him. ''Pl...Please help them...'' The young boy utterly asked.
The young lord knew he didn't have the time to ask for many details, and thus asked only one question, ''Where?''
The kid pointed to the north as he answered stuttering, '' T...the town! P...please save my parents!''
Brian stood up and commanded with a loud and clear voice, ''Zhao Yun, Jiang Wei, we'll charge towards Xiang Cang. We have a town to save. Lady Xing, Lady Sun, please keep him safe.''
''Of course, my lord!'' All four officers responded before both women comforted the young boy. Making sure the little kid was safely on their horse, they joined the charge towards Xiang Cang.
As they road forward at an incredible pace, Brian continued his orders as he commanded, ''Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang, Lu Su, surround the city from all sides! We'll not allow them to retreat!''
''Of course my lord. Leave it to us!'' Lu Su and Zhuge Liang responded, while Sima Yi just gave a short acknowledgment before they moved into position with their sub-officers.
Brian decided to ignore it as the map of his next battle entered his hud, showing finally what he was up against. Red dots in the many appeared on his map, and only a few stray blue ones were still in the middle. ''Push forward and show no mercy! We finish this quickly!''
''Yes, milord!'' Jiang Wei responded.
''Onward men! Subdue them before they can do any more harm!'' Zhao Yun ordered as he charged in. It was a sight to behold.
The ground trembled from charging horses, as bandits, murders, and thieves slowly realized something was off. It was too late for them as the horde of a hundred horses ran through them, running them over in just a few seconds. Hopeless villagers looked at those warriors with a silent shock, as they believed heaven itself had listened to their tearful prayers of someone to save them.
''Mom, Dad!'' A voice shouted, waking the shocked villagers back to earth as they turned their faces to the source. A woman and father cried from joy when their little kid returned, two female warriors at his side who looked like their angels at this moment of need.
''Xuan!'' the mother cried out loud, rushing towards her long-lost child. She fell on her knees as she hugged him tightly in her arms, making sure to never let him go again.
Brian passed the group by on his horse, and deducing what was going on by the outbursts of emotions of the parents alone, he realized one of those subjects Bo Zhang used to talk about was going on. Child kidnapping... deducing from the scars, they tortured him as well... scum. Brian deduced as he checked his menu and quickly concluded this battle was over before it even began. The bandits were no match for his officers, and the retreating forces had to answer the rest of his army. He had done little in this battle apart from giving orders, yet he still had a job to do.
~An hour later.~
Normally, any convicted would be trailed by the mayor or lord from the town for the crimes they have committed. However, since the town had barely recovered from the sudden assault, it was Brian who had the last say in what fate was laying ahead for the convicted sitting tied up in front of him.
A medic in Brian's army reported what Brian had feared. Although he tried to stay objective, he had never learned to be a judge. Walking towards what seemed to be the leader, although none of them were labeled as an officer in Brian's menu, he growled, ''Start your plea. You have one minute.''
''Wha...?!'' The man asked in complete confusion, not knowing what to do or why.
''Fifty seconds,'' Brian said short and stiff, indicating his patience was as minimal as the time the bandit had left to defend his case. Not that mattered anyway, for the prisoner had no idea how to defend his case. He was caught in the act, and both the witnesses and wounds on the young boy were enough evidence. The convicted was still stuttering when Brian's intern timer reached zero. ''Enough,'' Brian ordered as he grabbed his weapon. ''Your guilt is as clear as water. Attacking innocent people, killing, and stealing wherever you go. To top it all off, you have conducted indecent acts on underaged children against their will. Your sentence is death, but it is how you are going to answer me how I send you.''
''Wha...What do you mean?'' The bandit asked as a sudden cold shiver ran down his spine.
Brian's eyes did not show any moment of delight or remorse as he answered, ''Let me tell you a couple of well-educated facts. In the faraway lands of the west, red-caught thieves are punished by having their hands cut off so that they could no longer steal. In many countries such as the countries to our south, forced sexual actions against minors are punished by having your genitals cut off to make an example. For murders, there are some old tales about a punishment involving being boiled for a longer period of time.'' Grabbing one of his axes, he placed the blade on the ground as he intimidatingly asked, ''Now that some possibilities are out in the open, let's get started, shall we?''
The judgment was quick, just as the execution of several of the bandits. Only a few were smart and quick enough to answer the young lord asked, enabling them to live a moment longer with the limbs intact. Their fate was all depending on the work on the lands they wanted to steal from, as they were now prisoners of the town of Xiang Cang.
The mayor was so thankful to his savior that he instantly vowed his loyalty to the young lord, and offered his hospitality before the battle of Chang'an. Under the clear dark sky of the following evening, a loud festive ambiance hung in the air of the saved town. That ambiance lasted throughout the night, but the morning atmosphere had changed to complete seriousness.
In the distance of a large plain field, the walls of the capital city Chang'an could be seen, towering high and mighty over the land. As intimidating as those were, Brian knew that there was an enemy waiting for them that was even more intimidating. Xiahou Dun, the right man of the mighty Cao Cao, was currently the boss in the former capital.
Normally, Brian would have camped outside the walls and would wait until the next day, but he did not have that privilege. Another famous officer at Xiahou Dun's side was Xiahou Yuan, and Brian wasn't willing to test out if the Wei officer was as good as an archer as the rumors foretold. Just as he thought that, the battlefield map of Chang'an appeared in his HUD, and his eyes fell on a large red circle around two hundred meters away. An officer? Who could possibly...?!
*Thunk.* rang through the air as a sudden arrow pierced through Brian's hand, the Jin strategist who the arrow was far looking shocked for two different reasons. ''My lord! Are you okay?'' Jiang Wei asked worriedly.
Fuck, that hurts! Brian thought as he chopped the rear side from the arrow off, pulled it out, and answered while holding back a scream of pain, ''I am fine. We are under attack! Lu Su, Fa Zhang, take control over the battlefield!''
''Very well! Lady Xing Cai, prepare a defense line! We need to close the distance!'' Fa Zhang ordered. ''Lady Lian Shi, pressure the enemy archers while we advance!''
''Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, I am leaving the east flank to you. Master Jiang Wei, take Zhao Yun and Sun Quan with you and push the west. We'll clear the city in one clear sweep,'' Lu Su commanded.
~Inside Chang'an, in the barracks near the front wall.~
''They have guts, I give them that much. Their commander is hurt, and they still charge head-on without losing even a single bit of morale,'' The Wei officer Xiahou Yuan commented as he stepped back from his position and positioned himself for a better spot. ''They even made a defensive line to hide behind.''
''It is an impressive shield, but it is far from perfect. I'll show them what a perfect defense should look like,'' Cao Ren said as he grabbed his spiked shield and prepared to provide the cover the archers needed.
''No matter what they are planning, I will shower them with elegance and grace! Let us go! Our destruction of the enemy shall be swift, final, and above all, beautiful!'' Zhang He said out loud, his movement refined as his body was anticipating a battle yet to come.
Another silhouette stepped past them, a large curved blade in his right hand as he walked to the wall. Slamming his sword on the ground for everyone to hear, he shouted, ''I am Xiahou Dun! Come if you wish to die!'' It was an act to increase the morale of his soldiers, and it worked as they roared to his words. ''We may have the advantage, but do not lower your guard! Now, the battle is about to begin, so get into formation!'' He ordered with a strict and powerful voice.
''Yeah, yeah, you got it, cousin. Let's go and give them their welcoming gift!'' the archer officer responded in high morale.
~Chang'an gates.~
The pieces on the board were set. The orders were given. The plays were starting and nothing could change their start. Two armies would undoubtedly clash in the capital city, and there was nothing anyone could do. But there was one thing Brian could do. Defeat the enemy that would trouble his army.
His three bodyguards had their own task, giving Brian the space to wreak havoc. Hex Mark continued in to run for its master, the large beast's charge echoing through the corridors of the barracks as if it was his home turf while Azeil ran alongside him. ''What is that sound?'' A soldier wondered before he realized it too late. An enormous white horse charged past him as an axe cleaved through his side, instantly wounding to the point he could no longer fight. A tiger grabbed the soldier by the head and tore it off as a piece of paper.
''I..It's the enem...?!'' A soldier was about to shout before he was silenced by a downward slash through his center. Time to clean house! Brian thought as he slammed his way through the enemy. The sound of shattering swords went accompanied by screams of pain before they were shortly after silenced until only the breathing of those alive could be heard.
The army of Xiahou Dun was impressive, but the few mobile captains who were stationed to guard the storage were no match against Brian's level 43's strength. ''Whaa!'' another soldier shouted before he clashed against the wall, and lost consciousness.
''That is enough!'' a large officer by the name of Cao Zhang shouted as he slammed down his club on Brian, only to be stopped in his tracks. ''Urgh!'' He coughed as one of the axes poked through his stomach while the other one was blocked the club. One kick to the chest and the officer fell down on his back, coughing blood as the wound started to leak blood.
''Do not move. You will lose more blood and die before you can even scratch me,'' Brian warned strict and short.
''Then... I...Urggh.. at least... die with... honor...'' He uttered as he tried to raise himself on his feet.
*Grab.*Bam!* Echoed through the room as Brian's hand slammed Cao Zhen's head into the ground, just hard enough to render him unconscious. ''Forgive me, but today is not the day you die in honor,'' Brian said to himself before he continued his rampage.
The morale between the two armies was exactly 50-50, meaning Brian was the deciding factor of this battle. That also meant his officers were in danger and realizing that much, he made a beeline towards his closest bodyguard.
Shangxiang had trouble pressing the attack with the many mobile officers and Han Hao blocking her attacks. ''This isn't good... I may not be strong enough to win this battle by myself...''
Just as a soldier was about to land a downward strike, a fierce wind sent him flying together with ten other soldiers. The few soldiers who hadn't diverted their eyes swore they had seen the wind take shape into a black ominous aura, just passing their enemy as it completely destroyed their formation. ''Are you alright, Shangxiang?'' Brian asked.
''You came for me? Thank you!''
''Save those words for later. We have an enemy to defeat,'' Brian responded as he focussed on the enemies in front of him. Despite the massive advantage in numbers, a cold shiver ran down the soldiers' backs. Even Han Hao, the officer in command, had a bad feeling about the outcome.
''It doesn't matter who you are, we still have you outnumbered! Men, go and kill them now!'' the officer commanded.
Brian lowered his body in an attacking charge and whispered, ''Let's do this, Shangxiang.''
''Yes, Milord!'' She responded as she mirrored his stance, and charged alongside him and his trustworthy tiger into the enemy. At that moment, something magical happened.
Brian luckily never had to learn how to fight, for his abilities grew with his level, and started abnormally strong. Each time he held a new weapon, it was as if the weapon and his body guided his mind in the perfect motion, and slowly, his mind began to grow accustomed to the speed and strength of his attacks. But his attacks were always a one-person assault, with no real teamwork to speak off. But at that moment, his body moved precisely alongside Sun Shang Xiang's.
His spear pierced through the open hole of the Wind Wheel to strike an enemy down, and with a swing, he launched the tigress around him. As if she understood, she held her Fire Wheel to the side, catching any unfortunate warrior who was in her circular trajectory. At the same time, Brian held his other axe to his side as he turned 360s, catching the brave soldiers who tried to attack Brian in their tracks.
As the floor was turning red from blood, Brian gently stopped Shangxiang in her tracks and caught her to a standstill. Just as she could thank him, his left hand moved her automatically out of the way as his right delivered a fatal thrust into a charging soldier. Her body had moved automatically as well as she had taken down another soldier.
Swiftly, the number of enemies depleted until only the officer remained. But even Han Hao was no match against the perfect teamwork. An axe jab pushed him out of balance, Shangxiang taking the opportunity to kick him off his feet. The last thing the Wei officer was Brian's hand before his head struck the ground, and he lost consciousness.
The young lord had no time to celebrate his victory as he called his horse, pulled Shangxiang on the rear end, and charged forward.
~Flashback.~
''Your shield is impressive, but you are not fully committed to becoming a shield for your cause and your people. Allow me to show you what a true shield looks like.'' Cao Ren said as he and his men blocked the passage to the palace.
Xing Cai was panting heavily, her arms feeling heavy from trying to break through Cao Ren's defense. Just as she wanted to go for another desperate attack, a hand gently grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. ''She will be a shield in due time if she truly desires so. Until that moment, I will be her shield,'' her lord responded as his comfort-bringing figure stepped between them, his axes ready for action.
''You're are the enemy commander? This shall prove to be interesting,'' Cao Ren responded eagerly as he was prepared to end this battle quickly.
For the next ten minutes, sounds of clashing iron bashed through the sky, overruling every other sound in a hundred-meter radius. A near-perfect defense versus an all-out offensive, both warriors not moving an inch. But eventually, one had to give. Cao Ren panted heavily as he uttered, ''So..this is what's like to be...the losing general...'' before he fell face forward on the ground.
Another battle followed soon after, an archer officer against an isekaied protagonist. ''Okay, now am I getting serious!'' Four arrows flew towards Brian, but now, he had seen them coming. With a crossed strike, he blew all those arrows away and charged forward. Xiahou Yuan showed acrobatic skills Lian Shi could learn from as he fired multiple shots one after another, but even if they hit their target, they were not enough to stop Brian's assault. ''Amazing.'' Xiahou Yuan's last words were before he received the finishing hit that put him out of commission.
In Brian's absence, Zhao Yun had defeated Zhang He in a beautiful dance of strength. Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang proved why they were strategists and they swiftly broke through the barricades that were made for them. Zhuge Liang's fire attack broke the enemy's morale, and Sima Yi pushed through the ranks with his famous arrogant laugh.
Only Xiahou Dun remained, and the former right-hand man of Cao Cao proved to be as strong as his legends foretold. Brian's arms had trembled during their entire battle, and even with his duel weapons, he could not find a clean opening.
Eventually, after several clashes between the two, both officers realized they were evenly matched. ''It seems we are equal. However, none of your soldiers stand alongside you while mine have taken control over the city. Give up now.''
Xiahou Dun crouched in a battle stance as he responded, ''My men fought for me. What kind of a general would I be if I surrendered now? I'll face the burden this leadership has brought and will bring down as many of you as I can.''
''Well said,'' Brian responded in kind as he checked his HUD one last time, activating the last trick up his sleeve. His weapons suddenly felt as if they lost half their weight, and with the small window of his Rage Mode active, he charged in. Xiahou Dun realized too late the difference as the right axe slammed through his block into his side. ''Not yet!'' he shouted as he ignored the pain and slammed down for one final strike.
Brian stepped forward, one hand on the attacking wrist while the other one was on Xiahou Dun's chest, and he launched the Wei commander in the air before he slammed him on the stoned floor of the palace.
~Present time.~
Chang'an. A city that was known as one of the capitals of Ancient China. A city of wealth, riches of plenty, and more than a common man could ever wish for. That was what the stories about Chang'an told, but as Brian viewed over the capital, it was anything but that. Apart from his army and his prisoners, the city was completely deserted. There was not a penny left in the palace as everything of value was gone, assumingly stolen. The houses that once stood proudly in the view of the palace were burned to a crisp. If anyone ever wondered if the war, chaos, and turmoil were really such a big deal, this was the perfect answer to their doubts.
''What happened here?'' Brian asked his imprisoned officers, his eyes particularly aiming at the commander.
Xiahou Dun faced Brian's gaze head-on as he answered, ''We don't know. When we heard the Emporer was in trouble, we hurried to the capital, only to find it in this state.''
The victor raised an eyebrow as he asked, ''Why would you care about the Emperor?''
''I don't,'' Dun responded annoyed. ''But cousin normally cares a lot about the Emporer, so I thought it was worth it. I thought it was perhaps that would solve everything,'' He mumbled in a dying hope, his eyes shifted defeated to the ground.
Did something happen with Cao Cao as well? First Sun Jian, then Liu Bei, and now Cao Cao? Brian wondered as he asked, ''Normally?''
Cao Ren nodded as he answered, ''Lord Cao Cao has been acting weird for quite some time now. It was as if he had turned to a completely different person.''
''Normally, cousin would have done his best to unite the land again, but from one day to another, he just gave up,'' Yuan added.
This is strange. Sun Quan and Liu Shan said the same about their fathers. Why are all the leaders acting so differently? Brian continued to wonder. Well, it doesn't matter for my objective, but I probably need to keep my eyes open.
''If that is all you are here for, leave. I am not planning to sell my cousin out,'' Dun snarled.
Brian smiled as he responded, ''I have no need for that information. Rather, I came here with a different intent.'' Deciding sitting was a better course of action, he sat down, looked the confused officers in the eyes, and asked, ''Would you join my side for the sake of my ambition?''
Unlike in prior battles, his enemies did not laugh. No, despite the strange request for they had been enemies not so long ago, they had acknowledged his strength already. Cao Ren experienced firsthand that the young lord was both the spear and the shield for his army. Zhang He was mesmerized by the strength of his officers, and he wondered just how strong Brian had to be if he had beaten his superiors. Yuan had already admitted to being amazed by Brian's will and even Dun was intrigued by his strength.
''What is your ambition?'' Cao Ren asked in a serious tone.
''In one word, peace. In more than one word; I seek to raise this country to a country where the poor do not have to fight for survival. A land that will guide the rest of the world onto a golden age. The reason I ask you to join me is not for your strength to conquer the land, but for your abilities to raise this land to that level while having the strength and will to do so. So, would you join me to bring an end to this chaos and turmoil?'' he asked. That evening, Brian could add another color to his army.
However, his quest in Chang'an was far from over. Now that he had reclaimed the capital city, he needed to show the Emporer his home. For that, he had a plan.
Reaching Sun Quan's tent late in the evening, he asked, ''Master Sun Quan, can I come in?'' before he entered the tent after acknowledgment.
''My friend, how was the recruitment? I assume everything went smoothly,'' Sun Quan asked hopefully.
''Yes, they joined our side. It went easier than expected,'' Brian answered as he sat down and added, ''But they told me Cao Cao acted similar to your father and Liu Bei. I can't help but feel there is something more going on.''
Sun Quan posed in a sitting thinking position before he responded ''Perhaps there is, but it is no use to think about it now. I'll let some of my men investigate the matter when we get back to Jin Cheng. Now, what was the true reason you are here for?''
Brian did not waste another moment as he answered, ''I hope you could prepare a long-time water trade route between Chang'an, Tian Shui, and Di Dao. That way, we can quickly reinforce the frontline while building up our defenses.''
''That sounds like a brilliant idea. I will personally watch over this project. However, that also means I can not participate in the next battle,'' Sun Quan added apologetically.
''Do not worry about that. We have made enough progress for the time being. Firstly, we return the Emporer here and restore Chang'an to its former glory. When the frontline is ready and our troops are back to full morale, we will continue our campaign,'' Brian reassured.
Sun Quan smiled as he responded, ''I am glad to hear that. The officers of Wei were as strong as expected, and I am certain this battle took almost everything my men had to offer. We would have most certainly suffered a devasting loss of manpower in upcoming battles.'' Sun Quan's smile quickly left his face as another thought filled his mind.
A question that had been on the young tiger's mind finally came out after weeks of continuous concern. There was no judgment in his voice. Not even a moment of anger or resentment. The only thing hearable in Sun Quan's question was worry and a strange sort of fear. Brian blushed as he answered that question with his honest feelings, and Sun Quan could not help but laugh from sheer joy and relief in response.
Later that evening, close to the night to be precise, Brian entered his own sleeping tent, where both Lian Shi and Shangxiang lay peacefully visiting the world of dreams, Azeil watching over them as a trusty guardian. A momentarily blush appeared on his face as he thought back on the conversation with Sun Quan as his eyes shifted to the tigress, but that blush faded away just as quickly as he undressed and lay between them. Not a second later, both women turned around in their sleep, laying their arms on his chest as a small smile was visible on both of their faces.
With that blessed feeling of happiness in his mind, he closed his eyes and entered the world of dreams himself. Little did he know the next battles were the least of his worries. Somewhere deserted and hidden, covered by an everlasting cloud of mist, a rumor finally reached and set important events in motion.
Author notes:
This was it for chapter 9.
The first Wei characters have joined the fray, and we finally reached the capital. Things are progressing slowly but nicely, and in the next chapter, I am planning two great battles namely the battle of Tong Gate and the battle of Luoyang.
Anyway, that was it for chapter 9 and I hope to see you legends in the next one. Beyor out!