"Master, that Zhang Fei of Yan is a formidable general under the traitor Liu Bei. We must be cautious of a possible trap!" Cao Hong advised.
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes as he observed the imposing figure of Zhang Fei and spoke, "I once heard Yun Chang say that Zhang Fei, known as Zhang Yide, could take the head of an enemy general amidst a million troops as easily as taking something from a bag. Seeing him today, his reputation is well deserved!"
Cao Cao was referring to an incident long ago when he was besieged at Baima and Guan Yu slew Yan Liang, saving the day. Yan Liang was a fierce general under Yuan Shao, and after Guan Yu beheaded him, Cao Cao celebrated Guan Yu's victory. However, Guan Yu modestly remarked, "This is nothing. My brother Zhang Fei can take the head of an enemy general in the midst of an army as if it were child's play. I am far inferior to him!"
Since then, Cao Cao had remembered Zhang Fei's name.
Now, upon seeing Zhang Fei in person, he felt a pang of fear.
At that moment, Zhang Fei bellowed again, "I am Zhang Yide of Yan! Who dares to face me in a fight to the death?"
Cao Cao became even more cautious.
The other generals, seeing the dust and commotion behind Zhang Fei, as if there were thousands of soldiers hidden in the forest, were also hesitant to advance.
Seeing this, Chen Ye couldn't help but laugh.
Being well-versed in the *Three Kingdoms*, he knew this scene well.
Zhang Fei was using a tactic of feigned strength, creating the illusion of a large army.
In reality, there was no army behind Zhang Fei, only about twenty men who had tied tree branches to their horses' tails to stir up dust and create the illusion of a vast force.
Seeing that no one dared to step forward, Chen Ye volunteered.
"Master, Zhang Fei is not to be feared. I am willing to relieve you of this worry and capture him!"
"Oh?"
Cao Cao was initially surprised, then he smiled, clearly pleased with Chen Ye's confidence.
But then, Xiahou Yuan interjected, "Zhongye, do not underestimate the enemy. Look at Zhang Fei's forces behind him; they may have a substantial army in ambush. We must not act rashly!"
Cao Cao nodded in agreement. "Miaocai speaks wisely."
Chen Ye chuckled, "Master, General Xiahou, you need not worry. I suspect that Zhang Fei is merely putting on a show; there is no large force hidden in the forest... Liu Bei only has five thousand troops. If there were a larger force, why wouldn't they have set an ambush at Dangyang?"
The others considered Chen Ye's words and found them reasonable.
Chen Ye continued with a smile, "Even if there is an ambush, I am not afraid. If the battle turns against me, I can retreat. Zhang Fei alone cannot stop me!"
Seeing Chen Ye's confidence, Cao Cao nodded, "Zhongye, you are my fierce general. Be cautious. If things turn unfavorable, return immediately."
"Rest assured, Master. I will bring back Zhang Yide!"
With that, Chen Ye spurred his horse forward and rode out to the bridge.
Zhang Fei was about to issue another challenge when he saw a young general from Cao's army approach. He was momentarily stunned.
"Is Cao's army so depleted that they send a young lad like you?" Zhang Fei taunted, though he was secretly anxious.
If Cao Cao didn't take the bait and ordered a full charge, Zhang Fei knew he wouldn't be able to stop them.
So, the more nervous Zhang Fei felt, the stronger his bravado.
Chen Ye smiled, "Zhang Yide, a young lad like me is more than enough to deal with you!"
Hearing this, Zhang Fei was infuriated and shouted angrily, "You insolent brat! How dare you mock me? Prepare to die!"
With that, Zhang Fei charged at Chen Ye.
As anyone familiar with the original story would know, Zhang Fei had a notoriously fiery temper!
In the end, it was this very temperament that led to his demise, when he was beheaded in his sleep by his own men...
If Zhao Yun were present, he would surely shout a warning, urging Zhang Fei to retreat immediately.
In Zhao Yun's eyes, Chen Ye was a monster in human form!
The Reincarnation System had enhanced the abilities of these generals, using the power level of B-rank Reincarnators as a reference.
But someone like Chen Ye, who consistently achieved godlike ratings, was beyond their imagination.
For someone of Chen Ye's strength, defeating these generals was like bullying children!!
...
"Clip-clop, clip-clop..."
Zhang Fei's horse was a fine steed, closing the distance in a flash.
As Zhang Fei approached, Chen Ye suddenly drew his massive broadsword and slashed at Zhang Fei's face!
Chen Ye showed no mercy to Zhang Fei as he had with Zhao Yun.
Although Chen Ye didn't dislike Zhang Fei, he wasn't fond of the hot-tempered man either.
So, this strike was delivered with at least eighty percent of his strength.
It was swift and deadly!
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The sound of the blade cutting through the air was terrifying.
Zhang Fei was shocked; he hadn't expected the young general to strike so quickly, leaving him no time to counter. He could only raise his eight-foot-long spear to block.
When Chen Ye's broadsword struck Zhang Fei's spear shaft, Zhang Fei immediately realized he had made a grave mistake...
"Boom!!!"
A thunderous clash echoed.
The stone bridge beneath them cracked instantly!
"Neigh~"
Zhang Fei's horse had its leg bones shattered by the force, let out a mournful cry, and collapsed.
Zhang Fei himself fared no better.
He was thrown from his horse, feeling dizzy and seeing stars. His hands were completely numb, unable to grip anything, with blood oozing from his palms.
A formidable top-tier general, Zhang Fei was incapacitated by a single strike from Chen Ye!
If not for the high-quality steel of his spear, which absorbed much of the blow, Zhang Fei would have been cleaved in two by now!
Chen Ye glanced at the large nick in his blade but was unfazed. He looked down at Zhang Fei from above.
"Zhang Yide of Yan! What's the matter? Can't even withstand a single blow from me?" Chen Ye said coolly, "If this is all you've got, I'll take your head right now!"
Hearing Chen Ye's words, Zhang Fei finally regained his senses.
He stared at Chen Ye in terror, asking, "Are you a man or a ghost?"
Chen Ye shook his head, tired of the banter, and leaped off his horse, throwing a punch.
Zhang Fei hastily raised his arms to block...
"Bang!"
Even though Zhang Fei managed to block the punch, he was still sent flying and crashed to the ground, unconscious.
Chen Ye walked over, grabbed Zhang Fei by the ankle with one hand, and lifted him as if he were a chicken, then began walking back toward Cao Cao's camp.
Zhang Fei, a massive man who likely weighed close to 200 pounds, was being carried by Chen Ye as if he weighed nothing...
All the soldiers in Cao's army who witnessed this scene couldn't help but swallow nervously.
Too fierce!
Fortunately, Chen Ye was on their side!!
Otherwise, they couldn't imagine the despair of facing such an opponent…
In truth, if Zhang Fei hadn't underestimated his opponent at the start, he wouldn't have been defeated so quickly.
Of course, even if he had fought longer, the outcome wouldn't have changed much.