NOVPUB```
By the time Chen Xi returned in the afternoon, Lu Yu had already become much more composed; at least, his previous arrogance had completely vanished. He seemed to have been severely humbled by Lu Xun, and Chen Xi naturally did not inquire about the earlier events. After giving a few instructions to Lu Xun and Fa Zheng, he set out on the road again with Zhuge Liang, Lu Yu, and some equipment in tow.
Chen Xi returned to Mount Tai with a carefree demeanor, unaware that the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans had fallen into crisis at this time. Besides the combined pressure from Xun Shen and Tian Feng, Guo Jia’s decision to stand by was also a factor.
"Boss, this isn’t working. Our brothers are no match for Yuan Shao." Li Damu, touching the wound on his chest, spoke with a bitter expression, "Not to mention the others, Yan Liang is simply beyond our ability to confront. Even with Cloud Qi suppressing him, it takes over ten of us just to barely hold him off."
"Just hold them off for now. While we still have the advantage of knowing the terrain of Black Mountain, let’s try to stall them. This is not the plains--their cavalry can’t spread out, and their infantry are not as familiar with the terrain. If we manage to make contact with Liu Xuande, we will have hope," Zhang Yan said helplessly. They had only managed to hold on this long because he had successfully integrated the Black Mountain Army under the pressure from Yuan Benchu, but even so, they were unable to mount a resistance.
"It’s been so long; if Liu Xuande wanted to help us, he would have come already," Yu Du said angrily, after swallowing a piece of steamed bun and gulping down a pot of water.
"If he won’t help us, then we’ll go find him!" Zhang Yan pondered for a long while before finally uttering these words with a bitter expression. So it had come to this, he thought; it was indeed for this reason that he had been able to unify the Black Mountain Army in the beginning.
"Smash..." The bowl Guo Daxian was holding fell straight to the ground, and everyone else also looked at Zhang Yan in shock. Although they had anticipated that this day might come, they didn’t expect it to arrive so soon.
"Do we have to do this, Great Commander?" the left school official said with a gloomy expression.
"We agreed long ago that the Black Mountain Army could have a commander, but the commander must protect everyone," Zhang Yan stated calmly. "Bring me the map. I need to study how to break through to Mount Tai."
Bai Rao and the others looked at each other, their faces a mix of emotions. Although it was made clear when forming the alliance that it was to oppose Yuan Shao and the commander needed to protect the Black Mountain Army, the members who were initially reluctant to acknowledge Zhang Yan’s leadership had no choice but to admit that he was more suited to lead the Black Mountain Army than they were due to his actions over the past months.
Yuan Shao was very strong, which was the direct impression Bai Rao and the others had. As the conflict with Yuan Shao escalated, they began to gain a preliminary estimation of Yuan Shao’s terrifying strength.
If not for Zhang Yan’s astonishing growth rate in each battle, the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans would have likely become a part of history by now. It was precisely for this reason that Bai Rao and the others acknowledged Zhang Yan’s position as commander wholeheartedly, instead of the previous reluctant acceptance, which combined a sense of being coerced and the desire to preserve their own well-being.
"You’ll die if you do this," Yu Du said bitterly.
"It’s better than all of us dying together. Besides, do you guys really want to keep fighting? Liu Xuande is not bad; the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou are living well now," Zhang Yan said, his tone as calm as still water.
Yu Du fell silent, sighing, "I’ll help you look for it."
``` 𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔭𝔲𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
"Now the route from Jizhou to Qingzhou is sealed off by Yann Liang’s massive army. Although Licheng is not far away, breaking through will likely cost us dearly. Thus, only the route through Yanzhou is left. Fortunately, due to the chaos caused by Lyu Bu, his forces there are not fully prepared; otherwise, even that path would be difficult," said Zhang Yan with a calm expression.
Zhang Yan had already prepared for death. In fact, he’d made this preparation the moment he assumed the position of the Yellow Turban Commander of the Black Mountain. To trade his life for the future happiness and well-being of nearly a million Yellow Turbans was a worthy gamble. Not to mention that pioneers before him had proven the feasibility of this act, he would be willing to take the chance even on the slightest hope. He did not share Guann Hai’s hesitations. Death be it, then!
The styles of the two previous Great Commanders of Qingzhou had greatly shocked Zhang Yan, and the current life of the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou had ignited his desire. Even before taking over the position of Yellow Turban Commander, his heart had already turned to Mount Tai. Compared with Yuan Shao’s rule, Mount Tai was closer to a paradise for the common people.
Tens of miles away from the Black Mountain Army, Yann Liang led his troops and was stationed there. Since his defeat at Hulao Pass to Lyu Bu years ago, Yann Liang had trained diligently without rest. Earlier this year, he had a fortuitous encounter with a mysterious spear expert who provided guidance, significantly advancing his strength.
"I can finally see Lyu Bu’s back under Hulao Pass. It turns out Zhao Zilong is not as fearsome as Lyu Bu," Yann Liang exhaled a breath of white air, then slowly stood up.
Thanks to that opportunity earlier this year, his strength had improved tremendously compared to Wen Chou’s. To avoid dampening Wen Chou’s confidence, Yann Liang did not show the full extent of his progress in front of him. Instead, he subtly shared his own insights with his brother.
"Ultimate Knowledge?" Yann Liang looked toward the rising sun. "That’s just an obstacle preventing me from reaching higher peaks. Lyu Bu had no ’ultimate knowledge’ or ’secret techniques,’ yet he was invincible in the world. I won’t bother creating an ’ultimate knowledge’ either. Explosive power is but for a moment, a waste of time!"
"Ha!" Yann Liang shouted, and his Long Spear suddenly burst into a blood-red sheen. One could even smell a salty tang of blood as a crimson dragon wrapped around it. Yann Liang then fiercely slammed the Long Spear into the ground. The entire hilltop sank several feet, but the spear only penetrated the rock by half a foot.
"No, it’s still not right," said Yann Liang with resignation. He sought an effect where a single thrust would not embed the spear into the rock, but instead cause the entire hilltop to sink thirty feet. He needed to fully understand and remember this method of utilizing strength so that his strike would truly embody the powerful and weighty force Yann Liang envisioned.
After completing his morning training, Yann Liang returned to camp to preside over it. This time, before he could bathe and change clothes, a messenger came to report that Tian Feng and Xun Shen had matters to discuss with him.
Truth be told, Yann Liang did not particularly like Tian Feng and Xun Shen, but Yuan Shao had instructed him to obey their commands. So no matter his personal feelings towards these two men, he would still follow Yuan Shao’s orders.
"Lead the way," Yann Liang said, removing his helmet and following the messenger to the Central Army Tent to find Tian Feng and Xun Shen.
Soon enough, Yann Liang arrived at the large tent. After leaving his helmet and Long Spear with the guards, he walked in with only a Sword on his belt. Upon entering, he immediately saw two people who should not have been there—Juo Yi and Zhang He.
"Zhengli!" Yann Liang laughed heartily as he gave Juo Yi a bear hug, hammering him a couple of times. "What are you doing here, kid? Weren’t you off to deal with Gongsun Zan?"
"Hmph, Gongsun Zan’s strength alone is not enough for me to swallow. I’ve already driven him out of Youbeiping, and most of Youzhou has surrendered to our Lord. Gongsun Bogui no longer has the power to look south," Juo Yi boasted arrogantly, a temperament that Yann Liang liked!
(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to support me by voting on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)
