NOVPUB"If we don’t do this, how can we ensure the safety of everyone, including Fengxian?" Chen Gong sighed, recognizing that the weak must have the mentality of the weak, "I believe that there is no one in the world who can defeat Fengxian. If Zhang Yide were to fight Fengxian, Zhang Fei would surely lose, the possibility of death without intervention is great, and even with two or more Inner Qi Manifestation masters, they would not be able to defeat Fengxian."
"I think so too," said Zhang Liao with a bitter smile, "But does the strategist mean you are leaning toward Liu Xuande now?"
Chen Gong glanced at Zhang Liao, "Some things are not about leaning toward as much as they are about necessity. The weak can only cling to the strong, not as they please. Only the strongest feudal lords can do as they please, become the center around which the world revolves, like the moon among the stars. We don’t have that capital, nor can we talk about preferences. We can only follow in the footsteps of the strongest."
"Oh." Zhang Liao nodded; he realized that his side had gained another person, and to him, leaning toward Liu Bei seemed much more suitable than leaning toward Yuan Shao. At least Liu Xuande was benevolent and kind. Also, Liu Xuande’s oath, as well as his earliest Talent Recruitment Order, were widely known, and Zhang Liao admired all three aspects.
"Indeed, Liu Xuande is the benevolent ruler of the world. If there’s hope for him, I wouldn’t mind," said Chen Gong, looking at Zhang Liao and boosting his confidence further. He noticed Zhang Liao’s inclination toward Liu Bei’s side.
Seeing the joy on Zhang Liao’s face, Chen Gong silently walked towards the military camp, saying as he went, "However, General Zhang, please focus on the present tasks. If you do not wish to be looked down upon, put more effort into them. At least for now, in this world, you’re still a nobody."
Zhang Liao was startled and, watching Chen Gong’s retreating figure, reflecting on his actions over this period, finally understood what Chen Gong was doing. He was paving the way for all civil and military officials under Lyu Bu’s command. Gao Shun’s path had been laid, and now, it was time for him to show his own value.
Realizing this, Zhang Liao bowed deeply towards Chen Gong’s retreating figure, "Thank you, strategist!"
"Don’t thank me. You might end up dead. Wei Xu and Houcheng died that way. Be careful yourself," replied Chen Gong, without looking back.
Zhang Liao was unaware that not only in this life but also in the last one, Chen Gong had paved the way for everyone. Unfortunately, Gao Shun did not know how to show mercy and ended up annihilating Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. While proving his worth, he had also severely offended those who could have spoken for him in the end.
Because Gao Shun was upright and Lyu Bu had been kind to him, he did not entertain the thought of survival. In the end, none of Liu Guan Zhang responded, leading to his inevitable death; after all, no general would speak for an enemy who had annihilated their forces.
Zhang Liao also proved his worth, but during the battle of Xiapi, he did not ruthlessly kill Guan Yu or Liu Bei, leaving a chance for mercy. In the end, Guan Yu was willing to speak up to save Zhang Liao’s life. Such is fate; different choices lead to different outcomes.
[This should do. Diao Chan, Yan Clan, and Wei Clan seem to be Fengxian’s Achilles’ heel. But it’s good this way. With these people, Fengxian will bow down, for only when the Achilles’ heel is in the monarch’s hands will the monarch feel secure in using Fengxian. That’s better, much better.] Chen Gong looked towards where the earth met the sky, [Liu Xuande is indeed a good choice, Zhang Wenyuan is very impressive.]
Just as a mighty tiger can only be used when bound by chains, Lyu Bu shows his other side only when protecting his wife and daughters, and it’s also when people might accept him, despite his reputation for treachery.
[The land, my wife, and my daughters, eh?] Lyu Bu rode Red Hare, silently observing the approach of Zhang Fei with his big beard from afar. Although the distance was considerable, Lyu Bu could clearly see every whisker on Zhang Fei’s face.
Red Hare snorted, perhaps understanding its master’s hesitation, and Lyu Bu awoke from his reverie, stroking Red Hare’s mane, [After all, wife and daughters are more important; the land is not the most crucial thing.]
Having realized this, Lyu Bu’s gaze towards Zhang Fei lacked the murderous intent it had before, though it hadn’t greatly improved either.
"Zhang Yide!" Lyu Bu’s voice came over, grand and authoritative, "Come on, let me see how much you’ve progressed since we last parted at Hulao Pass!"
Zhang Fei felt some apprehension. In his memory, Lyu Bu should have charged at him without saying a word, instead of this calm and composed gaze from a distance, ready to engage him in a fair fight.
"Then come and test the strength of Yan People Zhang Yide!" Zhang Fei roared, his voice condensing into a forceful wave that slammed in Lyu Bu’s direction.
"Trivial trick." Lyu Bu’s light sigh, like thunder to Zhang Fei’s ears. He saw Lyu Bu lift his Precious Bow, drawing the bowstring emptily, and a golden-red luster flashed past, effortlessly neutralizing Zhang Fei’s attack.
Zhang Fei’s heart sank. From Lyu Bu’s previous move, he knew the gap between himself and Lyu Bu was terrifyingly wide. And this time, he realized that the brilliant red glow on Lyu Bu was not—as he had always thought—the Fire Element Inner Qi. Lyu Bu truly had only one type of Inner Qi, the golden one. As for the reddish layer, it was the luster of Lyu Bu’s blood and Qi escaping from his body.
[This guy really is a monster, even using his escaping blood and Qi to his advantage!] Zhang Fei once again deeply recognized the terror of Lyu Bu. What was even more frightening was that Lyu Bu’s blood and Qi had the same properties as the Fire Attribute Inner Qi. It seemed that Lyu Bu was directly using the extraneous blood and Qi as if it were Inner Qi. Truly a monster!
"Lyu Bu, take this!" After deeply acknowledging Lyu Bu’s strength, Zhang Fei’s spirit was not daunted, but instead, it soared. The stronger Lyu Bu was, the fiercer his fighting spirit grew.
"Boom!" Lyu Bu watched calmly as the dark silhouette flashed towards him with shocking speed. A leisurely thrust of his halberd met the tip of the spear, and in an instant, like a thunderstorm, two streams of Inner Qi violently collided, blasting a large pit where they struck. Lyu Bu felt a numbness in his hands, and the Sky Piercer almost slipped out. Luckily, the brilliant crimson Fire Dragon wound around his hand, firmly stabilizing the halberd.
[This guy’s strength is almost on par with Dian Wei, but what a pity, it’s ultimately just a burst stimulated by Inner Qi and can’t last like Dian Wei’s strength.] Lyu Bu gripped the Sky Piercer tightly. It had been a long time since he encountered such a top-tier opponent.
"Watch the spear!" Zhang Fei’s Serpent Spear suddenly darted, the previously unyielding spear suddenly bending like a whip toward Lyu Bu’s throat.
"Boom!" Lyu Bu gripped the halberd with both hands, slowly beginning to move. His speed gradually increased, beating Zhang Fei’s Serpent Spear with his posterior move, a great force causing Zhang Fei to halt abruptly.
"Zhang Yide, bring out your best strength, your skills are far from reaching me." Lyu Bu pushed Zhang Fei back with a thrust, calmly observing his opponent. His strength had made significant progress since they last met at Hulao Pass. Although it was still the extreme of Inner Qi Separation, just reaching the threshold of this level was enough to force Zhang Fei to retreat.
In the blur, Lyu Bu could sense a higher level but it was as if separated by a thin membrane, perceptible but untouchable.
Zhang Fei took a deep breath. Lyu Bu was as strong as ever, but only such a challenge held real value.
"That was just a warm-up, now the real fight begins." Zhang Fei shook his arms, the next moment a surge of dark Inner Qi burst forth from him, and his aura continuously soared. The muscles in his arms trembled and swelled further.
"Is that all?" Disappointment flickered in Lyu Bu’s eyes. Zhang Fei’s strength had indeed made leaps and bounds, but that was it. Maybe it was enough to pose a threat to the Lyu Bu from Hulao Pass, but it was far from enough against the current Lyu Bu, who had glimpsed a higher realm.
"You’ll know if you try!" The disappointment in Lyu Bu’s eyes stung Zhang Fei, a mad fighting intent passing through his eyes as he grasped the Serpent Spear and lunged wildly at Lyu Bu. (My novel "The Mythical Realm of the Three Kingdoms" will have more fresh content on the official WeChat platform. There will also be a 100% lucky draw giveaway for everyone! Open WeChat now, click the "+" on the top right, search for the public account "qdread" and follow it quickly!)(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to QiDian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)
