MC has just killed 4 enemy officers at an ostensibly peaceful banquet, how does he escape blame? He turns his robe inside out to hide the blood, brings the ML's (very smart, very aggressive) horse over, then skedaddles out of there. As a result, the only conclusion others can come to is that the horse did it.

DEEP BREATH AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! I picked this up with low expectations, but now I absolutely love it! It's a historical fiction featuring real historical figures, and the main pairing is Lu Bu (based on his character from Romance of the Three Kingdoms) and Xiang Yu (yes, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, Xiang Yu). After being hanged to death by Cao Cao, Lu Bu is transported 300 years back in time to the end of the Qin dynasty, during the power struggle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu. He harbors a deep grudge against Liu Bei, who instigated Cao Cao to execute him, so he takes it out on Liu Bei's distant ancestor, Liu Bang. That's how he ends up teaming up with Xiang Yu to conquer the Central Plains and kill Liu Bang. 😂

The story itself has a serious tone, but since it's mostly from Lu Bu's perspective—and Lu Bu is, well, Lu Bu—the narrative feels light and humorous. Lu Bu is a bit dim-witted, but Xiang Yu is even dimmer. They're both amazing warriors, but let's just say strategic geniuses, they are not! 😂 Thankfully, Lu Bu has learned from his past life and Chen Gong's endless nagging, so he comes across as a master strategist, which Xiang Yu greatly respects. Xiang Yu sees him as both a formidable fighter and a tactician (also because Lu Bu reminds him of his younger self). Lu Bu, on the other hand, sticks to Xiang Yu like glue, not only to help him conquer the Central Plains but also to make sure Xiang Yu doesn't mess up Lu Bu's grand plan to take down Liu Bang.

Surprisingly, the story has a good dose of romance, though it develops later in the book, and—yes—they get married in the end! Aside from their relationship, I also love Lu Bu's bond with his brother-from-another-mother, Han Xin. The scene where Lu Bu quietly avenges Han Xin's honor by killing the ruffians who once humiliated him, with Han Xin only finding out when Xiang Yu brings it up, genuinely warmed my heart. Other side characters, like Fan Zeng and Xiang Yu's generals, are also well-written.

And, despite Lu Bu's carefree attitude, the author shows how he's still haunted by his past, particularly the trauma of being executed by Cao Cao. Honestly, who wouldn't be? He deeply regrets that his subordinates, Chen Gong and Gao Shun, suffered because of his actions, and there's even a bittersweet scene where he tries to "save" them in a dream. All in all, I'm very satisfied with this story!