NOVPUB"Uncle, in good health, how can you speak such dispiriting words," Zhang Xiu said discontentedly, holding considerable respect for this uncle of his.
"Hahaha." Zhang Ji laughed heartily, though he could not conceal a trace of melancholy in his eyes. He knew his own health was failing, strong outside but frail within. While he lived, the camaraderie of the four generals of Xiliang endured. Under his protection, Zhang Xiu remained unharmed, but if he were to die, who could say whether others might covet his private troops once that familial bond was severed?
This was precisely why Zhang Ji had decided to bring Zhang Xiu this time. The battle was a stage prepared by Zhang Ji for Zhang Xiu, a fight they were certain to win. Zhang Ji hoped his nephew would demonstrate his worth in this clash so that, after his death, so long as he allied with a magnanimous lord, Zhang Xiu might enjoy a lifetime of peace.
As for the title of "Northern Spear King" earned among the Qiang People, it was best left unmentioned. In an era where any Han subordinate general could thrash the Hu People, what worth was a title earned from the Qiang? The heroes of the Central Plains simply wouldn’t acknowledge it.
"Xiu’er, in this battle unleash all the strength you possess, show as much power as you can, without any need to hold back. This concerns the rest of your life," Zhang Ji said, patting Zhang Xiu’s shoulder. He looked at his thirty-something nephew, who still seemed like the young child he had taken from Wuwei all those years ago.
"Uncle, you are finally allowing me to exert my full strength. I certainly won’t disappoint you. I will have a place in this world!" Zhang Xiu said joyfully upon hearing Zhang Ji’s words.
Since completing his training and returning, it had been more than a decade. Zhang Xiu, who had left his teacher Tong Yuan at the age of twenty and grew to be in his thirties, was now finally permitted by his uncle to fight with all his might. Quiet and repressed for so many years, even during the battle in the North, he had never used even a tenth of his power. He had often longed to tell everyone that the first valiant general of Xiliang was not Hua Xiong, but he, Zhang Xiu. His spear, the nearly invincible Tiger Head Golden Spear, had been so lonesome – who else knew? But now, at last, he could indulge without restraint and wet it with the blood of his enemies.
Returning to his tent, Zhang Xiu silently wiped his Tiger Head Golden Spear with a fur cloth. For more than ten years, ever since he had returned from training, he had silently suppressed his own strength. He had not used even a fraction of his power during the battle in the North. How he had wished to inform others that the number one valiant general of Xiliang was not Hua Xiong, but he, Zhang Xiu.
On horseback, Zhang Xiu slowly left the military camp; his uncle Zhang Ji had passed the commander’s seal to him. In this moment, he was the chief general of Zhang Ji’s army, the commander of ten thousand Iron Cavalry. Likewise, during the several days of training, the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, already extremely familiar with the Spearhead Formation, had grown even more proficient under Zhang Xiu’s guidance.
"Eh, is that not Boyuan?" Fan Chou looked at Zhang Xiu, clad in golden armor and bathed in the winter sun, reminiscent of the once dominant Lyu Bu, and he couldn’t help but startle.
"Greetings, Uncle Fan," said Zhang Xiu, seated on his horse and saluting Pan Chou with his spear. "My uncle has asked me to borrow some troops from you."
"Uh?" Fan Chou blinked in surprise. Zhang Ji was borrowing troops from him? "Boyuan, just say how many Iron Cavalry you need."
"I don’t need the Iron Cavalry; just lend me Uncle’s troops to guard the camp," Zhang Xiu replied calmly.
"You’re planning to fight a pitched battle, committing all your forces?" Fan Chou blurted out, stunned.
"Merely going to take Hann Sui and Ma Teng’s heads, as well as the command banner from ten of their men," Zhang Xiu stated placidly.
Fan Chou felt as if he were dreaming. Such feats were only achievable by someone like Lyu Bu commanding troops. 𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑝𝘶𝘣.𝑐𝘰𝘮
"Boyuan, perhaps wait a moment for Uncle to muster his troops and accompany you," said Fan Chou with a wry smile. Zhang Xiu was the Zhang family’s sole heir; any misstep would devastate Zhang Ji.
"There’s no need for such," Zhang Xiu said calmly, and as he spoke, a red aura began to emerge from his body, shortly followed by a swirling blue light. "I’m merely retrieving those things."
"Inner Qi Separation…" Fan Chou watched incredulously. Since when had Zhang Xiu possessed such power?
"I achieved this ten years ago. Now, even my junior brother can match Lyu Bu. How could I be outdone?" Zhang Xiu said with serene assurance. A red and a blue aura twined and clashed before settling into a tranquil purple.
"Guard the camp well, Uncle Fan, and watch how I capture the enemy," Zhang Xiu said, fist to palm, and then led the ten thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry that were under Zhang Ji’s command towards the camp of Ma Teng and Hann Sui. It was the beginning of Zhang Xiu’s premiere performance.
Fan Chou stood there dazed, watching Zhang Xiu ride off into the distance, his eyes taking in the myriad formations of the Spearhead Formation, with Zhang Xiu at the very tip, much like Lyu Bu, firm in his belief of being invincible.
The advance of the ten thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry could be felt more than ten miles away, rattling Ma Teng and Hann Sui in their large camp. However, they took it just for a probing attack, ordering the front camp to stay alert and defend against the possible feints.
Zhang Xiu knew not many military formations, having only been taught the simplest attack formation – the Spearhead Formation – for offense, and the Round Formation for defense when Li Ru was popularizing military strategies in Xiliang. However, Zhang Xiu had studied this simplest offensive formation for an entire decade, heeding his teacher Tong Yuan’s words, "Diligence can compensate for lack of skill!"
Looking from afar at the front camp’s setup of Ma Teng’s forces, Zhang Xiu chuckled coldly. The purple Cloud Qi of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry began to churn wildly. Zhang Xiu, without any hesitation, unleashed his ultimate move, Hundred Phoenixes Soaring in the Sun.
