Guan Yu's Escape

Guan Yu's Escape, known as Guan Yu's Thousand Mile Journey (関羽千里行) in the Asian ports, reenacts Guan Yu leaving Wei to rejoin with his brother. On his journey, he passes through five gates guarded by Cao Cao's men while he safely escorts a carriage in tow. Though it is one of his famous accomplishments in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, historians believe that this event never happened in history.

Warriors Orochi
Retitled Diao Chan's Escape, she attempts to flee from Orochi's forces, disagreeing with Lu Bu's current mindset.

Guan Yu's Surrender
In chapters 24~28, Cao Cao, determined to stop his enemy from gaining his full potential, sets out with two hundred thousand towards Xuzhou City. At the time, Liu Bei was living nearby at Xiaopei and Guan Yu governed Xiapi. Knowing that they lacked the power to defend themselves, Liu Bei requested aid from Yuan Shao. Though feverish with the strife between his children and hesitating to go to war, he agreed to give his ally shelter at Yejun. As was predicted, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei lost the battle to defend Xiaopei and were separated; Zhang Fei fled for Mangdang Hills and Liu Bei escaped to Yuan Shao. Guan Yu stayed at his station to defend his brother's wives.

After Xuzhou was captured, Cao Cao and his men marched towards Xiapi. Wanting to spare the valiant warrior, Cheng Yu advised to get his surrender instead. Agreeing to the ploy, he sent Xiahou Dun to lure him out of the city. Once Guan Yu took the bait, he was surrounded and routed by Xu Huang and Xu Chu. Fleeing to the mountains, he was confronted by his old friend, Zhang Liao. Guan Yu was determined to fight to the death until Zhang Liao stated that it would sully the oath he made with his brothers, his duty to protect Liu Bei's family, and his reputation as a warrior. Convinced to surrender, Guan Yu agreed on three conditions. First, he is officially laying down his arms to the Han Emperor not Cao Cao. Secondly, the ladies under his care would be adequately provided for and no one else is to touch them. Finally, once he heard news of his brother's safety, he would be allowed to rejoin him. Both parties agreed to these terms and Guan Yu became a honored guest at Wei.

Service in Wei
During his stay, Cao Cao granted luxuries of fine food, silk, women, and high titles in an attempt to sway his guest to his favor. Guan Yu politely gave all these treasures to Liu Bei's wives. Wanting to get a reaction from him, Cao Cao presented him with the wild horse, Red Hare. This was the only gift he accepted as the mustang would allow him to quickly return to his brother's side. Cao Cao was disgruntled by his reply. Grateful for the Prime Minister's kindness, Guan Yu swore to repay him on the battlefield before leaving him.

Meanwhile, Yuan Shao and Liu Bei agreed to march to Liyang. The governor of Xuchang requested assistance and Cao Cao sent out men. Guan Yu requested to join but was denied as Cao Cao wanted to keep him a while longer. Once in battle, however, his generals were being wiped out by a fearsome warrior named Yan Liang. Left with no other option, Guan Yu was summoned and he beheaded Yuan Shao's warrior in one surprise attack. In the following battle, he also slew the mighty Wen Chou in three bouts and one blow.

Hearing the news that Guan Yu killed his best warriors, Yuan Shao accused Liu Bei of treason and ordered his death. Surprised to hear news of his brother, Liu Bei reasoned that they were separated and could not know his brother's actions. Pardoned, Liu Bei requested to confirm his brother's presence through a secret letter. Yuan Shao, desiring to gain the strong warrior's service, agreed. Two spies were caught in Cao Cao's residence and brought before Guan Yu. One of them was Sun Qian, a man he recognized, who reported Liu Bei's situation. Glad to hear that his brother was still alive, he was hesitant to leave for he feared Yuan Shao would not accept him. Once his brother's letter arrived to him, he agreed to leave immediately. After being denied attendance to bid farewell to Cao Cao, he forcefully left with the two ladies in a carriage and a few escorts from his original army. All of the treasures, including his newly earned seal, were left behind. Though Cao Cao ordered that there would be no pursuit, he did personally ride out to bid him farewell. His final gift was a robe, which Guan Yu respectfully yet rudely accepted. With a final word of thanks, the men parted.

Five Passes
Separated from the carriage, he found the ladies with Liao Hua, a member of the Yellow Scarves who saved them from brigands. Wearily taking their leave, they took shelter in a farm. Hu Hua, a retired soldier for Emperor Huan, was their host and asked Guan Yu to deliver a letter to his son if he should reach Yingyang. Guan Yu agreed and the travelers ate a meal before proceeding to Luoyang. Before the city was Dongling Pass guarded by Kong Xiu. He stubbornly refused to accept that Guan Yu had the Prime Minister's permission to pass. Angered, he cut the man down and marched forward.

Luoyang was governed by Han Qu. Aware of the events at Dongling, the governor had already prepared an ambush for Guan Yu. Once again, he was denied passage and one of Han Qu's generals, Meng Tan, tried to lure him into their trap. Due to Red Hare's speed, however, their plan failed and both men were killed. Guan Yu was wounded by a single arrow to his left arm, which he pulled out his teeth and quickly patched before the following gate, River Si.

Bian Xi, a former Yellow Scarf in Wei's command, guarded the gate and also planned to ambush Guan Yu. His scheme involved inviting his target into State Guardian Temple and surrounding him whilst they drank refreshments. When the warrior came, he treated him kindly and invited him inside the temple. One of the priests, named Transverse Peace, was a resident of Guan Yu's village and wordlessly warned him of the incoming ambush. With this knowledge, he was able defend himself and cut Bian Xi in half.

Yingyang was their next destination and it was ruled by Wang Zhi, a relative of Han Qu. He bade the warrior to rest in the safety of his city, all the while plotting to avenge Han Qu. While the tired ladies and Guan Yu rested, he called for his general, Hu Ban, to get preparations made to burn down their guesthouse. Hu Ban obeyed but was curious to know more about Guan Yu. He spotted the warrior reading by candlelight and nosily made his presence. Following their greeting, Guan Yu gave him Hu Hua's letter. Touched by the good man's promise to his father, Hu Ban betrayed the plot on the fugitives' lives and kept the city's gate open for their escape. During their flight, Wang Zhi pursued them and was killed by one swing of Guan Yu's short sword.

Continuing onward, they neared Huazhou, which was governed by a man who was saved by Guan Yu, Liu Yue. Though thankful of his past deed, he could not aid Guan Yu's journey out fear of Xiahou Dun's scorn. Further ahead were the ferries that would allow them to enter Yuan Shao's territory. However, it was guarded by the brutish Qin Qi, who would not allow them a boat. Guan Yu warned the general to stand down, but they met in battle and Qin Qi lay dead. Striking fear into his followers, they finally prepared a boat for the fugitives to board. They sailed across the Yellow River and were greeted by Sun Qian. He informed them that Liu Bei awaited their arrival at Runan, giving them hope for their reunion.

On their way to Runan, Xiahou Dun, ready to avenge his lost comrades with a hundred horsemen, came to challenge Guan Yu. Before any blood was drawn, Zhang Liao rode to the scene with orders from the Prime Minister. Cao Cao, though knowing that Guan Yu slew his men, repeated his order that there was to be no pursuits. The one eyed general was forced to retire and Zhang Liao carried Guan Yu's apologies for Cao Cao.