บท 14: Chapter 14 Yuan Shao Goes Berserk
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After the trio of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei explained together, Chen Xi finally understood why Guan Yu managed to defeat Hua Xiong with just three strikes. It wasn't that Guan Yu's strength far surpassed that of Hua Xiong; besides Hua Xiong being careless, he also never considered that someone of the same level could burst forth with strength far exceeding their own.
Originally, both of them were at the level of Inner Qi Manifestation, and even if Guan Yu was a bit stronger, he hadn't reached the pinnacle of Inner Qi Manifestation. Defeating Hua Xiong might have taken around a hundred moves, but to slay him would be difficult if the opponent tried to flee. However, Guan Yu had unleashed a strength far beyond that level from the outset, especially with the final strike that gave Hua Xiong the feeling he was facing Lyu Bu.
"However, Zichuan, don't be so surprised. Actually, at our level, without warfare, it's hard to make progress, so we create our own unique moves when we have nothing else to do," Zhang Fei said upon seeing Chen Xi's surprise, thus revealing the truth.
"In fact, second brother has an even fiercer move, but sadly that one is too powerful. Moreover, our horses are not good enough. Second brother estimates that to withstand that kind of power, the warhorse beneath him would need at least the strength of Initial Qi Refining to Gang, you know that's quite something considering it's a horse. In all these years, I've rarely seen horses at the Initial Condensation of Inner Qi," said Zhang Fei, blabbing away Guan Yu's secrets, but Guan Yu didn't mind and both men sighed when the topic shifted to horses.
"Hey, talk about it, how fierce is that move?" Chen Xi redirected the conversation upon seeing them sigh.
Guan Yu cracked open his eyes but said nothing, gesturing instead for Zhang Fei to answer.
"It's an upgraded version of the move second brother used today. I guess because second brother moved too quickly, nobody noticed that his attack was actually linear. That's the downside of the move; it can only move in a straight line. Because of the overwhelming speed and power, second brother can only follow the direction of the force," Zhang Fei began explaining to Chen Xi about Guan Yu's move, not even hiding its greatest weakness.
"Huh? Is that so?" Chen Xi thought about it. Damn, with so much dust flying, who could tell if second master had moved in a straight line? And thinking back to the scene, probably everyone focused their attention on the massive Light Blade and Hua Xiong's struggle, not on how second master got over there.
Then thinking again, about the manner in which second master had moved over there and his state afterwards, maybe most people thought that second master just swaggered over in that care-free manner, completely overlooking the burst of speed he had used.
"Hmm, it can only move in a straight line, and the force and speed are so great that if I deviate, I'll be hurt first, and the horse beneath me will definitely die," Guan Yu commented with a nod.
"Oh, that means a horse is very important then," Chen Xi quickly noted. "Mmmhmm, second master, you will surely get a horse that you can handle as you please one day." Chen Xi had already earmarked Red Hare for second master.
"As for second brother's other move, it's actually about accumulating momentum, strength, and all other aspects to their peaks and then slashing fiercely forward. Very simple, right? Second brother estimates that, without anyone blocking it, the move could shatter even a ten-meter-thick small city wall," Zhang Fei added, noticing Chen Xi's confusion, and provided an assessment of its power.
"..." Chen Xi was horrified. Damn, shatter a city wall? Was this human strength? A ten-meter-thick city wall, to be shattered in one stroke—that world had Qi, and city walls had become so formidable. Pure granite structures, ten-meter-thick city walls. "Second master, we'll rely on you when we besiege cities in the future."
While Chen Xi was lost in his wild thoughts, Guan Yu spoke up, "Zichuan, firstly, I can only use that move once, and secondly, I don't have a steed that can withstand the power I unleash. Furthermore, the strength of this move is only an estimate."
Just as Guan Yu uttered those words, Chen Xi's mind had already begun a logical assembly, and with a flash of spiritual light, he realized what was happening—it was sheer brute force without a sharp edge, the greatest skill lies in simplicity!
"Red Hare must be mine. I suppose the historical Guan Yu had this move too, but the power has become even more terrifying when magnified in this era." Chen Xi thought with resolve, having guessed how the unfortunate Yann Liang and Wen Chou had met their end—definitely taken down by this very move.
After all, according to the course of history, by that point in time, Yann Liang and Wen Chou must have been top experts capable of Inner Qi Projection. But what good were top experts when faced with an attack of such magnitude? Apart from a scarce few who were prepared and could withstand it, no amount of preparation from anyone else would have been enough—they would have been cleaved in two at the hands of Guan Yu's move, a consolidation of Essence, Qi, and Spirit released with force. Perhaps only Lyu Bu could sustain such a blow unprepared and still not die.
During this period, the finest horse would undoubtedly be Red Hare, and according to what Guan Yu and Zhang Fei said, it's quite possible that Red Hare was a super horse that had achieved Qi Refining to Gang level—it's practically a monster donning a horse's skin. It's bizarre for a horse to possess such strength; by comparison, this horse could probably take the speed of sound as its high-speed trot, which really made it a tough catch for Dong Zhuo...
Shortly after the Coalition Army captured Sishui Pass, Dong Zhuo received the battle report, flew into a rage, flipped tables, and smashed dishes. The originally terrified court officials were scared half to death during the banquet, which was then followed by the dramatic scene of Dong Zhuo executing the Grand Tutor, Yuan Huai, at the dining table.
When more than a thousand heads were delivered to the Coalition Army's camp, Yuan Shao, who had been enjoying himself until then, spat out a mouthful of blood. Unlike Yuan Shu, the legitimate son, Yuan Huai was truly his most important elder.
"Dong Zhuo! You and I are irreconcilable enemies!" Yuan Shao gazed toward Luoyang with bloodshot eyes, exuding a fierce demeanor. The Yuan Shao who dared to question Dong Zhuo with a sword in hand had returned.
"Summon Yann Liang and Wen Chou to Sishui Pass for me. I must kill Dong Zhuo!" Yuan Shao roared in his camp. A family should not suffer for an individual's plight, a reason why Yuan Shao hadn't insisted his uncle come to stay with him, aside from the uncle's unwillingness. But now, reality had shown him that schemes and tricks were useless in the face of true power.
"Raise the army from Si River! Take Hulao Pass!" Yuan Shao, burdened with a blood feud, had become much more formidable than before, and as a result, his control over the Coalition Army had also grown stronger. He dealt with each matter fairly and justly. In such a state, even Yuan Shu dared not meet Yuan Shao's gaze, letting everyone realize that Yuan Shao was not a spoiled scion relying on his family's name, but a hero with genuine talent and learning.
"Lord Xuande, what do you think of Yuan Benchu now?" Even Chen Zichuan found himself shocked by the current Yuan Benchu. Being called a model for the world by Cao Cao in history was not something to take lightly; Yuan Shao was indeed extraordinary. If not for knowing that this man would become indecisive in a few years, embroiled in balancing acts, Chen Zichuan might even consider joining him now.
"A hero of the world, yet sadly indecisive," Liu Bei, now familiar with Chen Zichuan, did not hold back and spoke his mind.
"Yes, a bit too indecisive, and sometimes overly stubborn and self-willed, not really the best choice for a Monarch. However, he has a good foundation. The advantage of being from a Great Aristocratic Clan lies exactly in this." Chen Zichuan sighed, stating that if Cao Cao had been in Yuan Shao's position, he would have unified everything by now.
"Chen Zichuan, coming from the Yingchuan Chen Family, do you have an understanding of the talents from Yingchuan?" Liu Bei inquired indirectly, noticing Chen Zichuan's current situation: Chen Zichuan had already boarded his ship without realizing it. According to what Chen Zichuan taught him, he could be a bit dense in certain matters.
"Ah, the Yingchuan Chen Family—a grand name indeed! I'm merely affiliated with them in name. To be honest, my knowledge of the family's domain is almost nonexistent apart from blurry childhood memories. As for the talents of Yingchuan, I've been ill and had minimal interaction with others, so I'm not well-informed. I do know some notable and capable individuals by name, but Lord Xuande, you shouldn't set your expectations too high," Chen Zichuan said with a sigh. He wasn't exaggerating—the Chen Family was simply too vast, and so was Yingchuan.
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