"I'm not joking. One is nad Dian Wei, the other Wang Yue. Among them, Dian Wei is truly terrifying," Hua Xiong hesitated for a mont before speaking. "I feel like, in a one-on-one fight, I might lose within dozens of moves. As for Wang Yue..."
Before Hua Xiong could finish, Hann Qiong suddenly appeared, "Wang Yue is actually in Guanzhong. Though, it makes sense."
"Old man, eavesdropping is hardly a virtuous habit." Zhang Fei reached out to grab Hann Qiong. He had always felt that Hann Qiong was strong and had long wanted to spar with him, but Hann Qiong rarely appeared.
"I'm not your match." Hann Qiong shook his head. "Even using my secret technique, if I were to fight you now, I wouldn't be able to defeat you. Truly, the younger generation is formidable. Don't worry about Wang Yue—he's like . However, I protect Zichuan, while he protects His Majesty."
"Oh? Between you two, who's stronger?" Chen Xi asked curiously.
Liu Ye frowned slightly as he looked at Hann Qiong. What Hann Qiong had said earlier caught his attention: Wang Yue protects the emperor, while Hann Qiong protects Chen Xi. Liu Ye knew that so extraordinarily important individuals in the world would attract masters who voluntarily protect them to prevent unforeseen events. Yet, he hadn't expected that Chen Xi could be considered that important.
"Naturally him. Once he regains his youth, his swordsmanship is exceedingly frightening," Hann Qiong replied with a bitter smile. He said no more and vanished into thin air.
"Regarding Dian Wei, although it was a sneak attack, he subdued soone who might be slightly weaker or evenly matched with Yide in a single move. To clarify, 'subdued' doesn't an killed—it was a live capture," Hua Xiong explained solemnly as he looked at Zhang Fei.
"That guy is still as formidable as ever…" Zhang Fei's expression turned grave.
"Do you know him?" Hua Xiong asked curiously.
"Yes. Back when I first visited Guanzhong—if you encounter that guy, don't be scared. Just fly away; he can't catch you. But if you fight him up close, unless you have Lyu Bu's skills, it's best not to try," Zhang Fei sighed.
Dian Wei's greatest problem was his enormous strength and incredible speed. Regular Inner Qi Manifestation couldn't withstand his power. Honestly, unless soone was born with Divine Power, capable of toying with a sacrificial cauldron without Inner Qi, the correct choice when encountering him is to take flight.
"But, which fool with Inner Qi Manifestation ended up getting captured alive?" Zhang Fei asked curiously. In his mind, anyone facing Dian Wei should imdiately fly into the air and harrass him from afar—who could be dumb enough to get caught?
"Old Zhang's nephew, Boyuan…" Hua Xiong replied irritably. "Got his long spear knocked away in one move and was knocked unconscious by a headbutt."
"That poor kid. He's been unlucky since he was young," Hann Qiong reappeared, interjecting matter-of-factly. As Tong Yuan's junior brother, Hann Qiong was technically Zhang Xiu's master uncle. Taking liberties seed warranted.
"He's actually quite skilled…" Hua Xiong muttered. He had sparred with Zhang Xiu before and could tell that Zhang Xiu had been pulling his punches, not employing any advanced spear techniques—just basic blocks, thrusts, stabs, parries, and wraps. Yet Hua Xiong still couldn't win. He appreciated the practice but hadn't improved much due to being set in his ways.
"Did Marquis of Pingyang leave you anything in writing?" Chen Xi asked curiously.
"He did, but it's useless. Boyuan doesn't want to seek shelter under my command," Hua Xiong replied helplessly.
Soone like Zhang Ji would certainly leave Hua Xiong instructions. Liu Bei's powerful faction held the hope of establishing a new capital—how could Zhang Ji not pave a backroad for Zhang Xiu? Back in Guanzhong, while stalling Hua Xiong, Zhang Ji had held back significantly. When leaving, he even replenished Hua Xiong's supplies and Iron Cavalry as an unspoken favor, ensuring Zhang Xiu had a way out for the future.
"Oh..." Chen Xi nodded slightly. "I heard Marquis of Pingyang's wife is quite beautiful?"
"Mm, that's true. But how do you know that?" Liu Ye asked curiously. He had seen Lady Zou before—when they entered Chang'an and Hua Xiong visited Zhang Xiu. Liu Ye had encountered her then.
"Nothing much." Chen Xi sighed, wondering if Cao Cao would still indulge in debauchery once he gained wealth.
"Who else is particularly strong?" Zhang Fei asked eagerly, fascinated by powerful opponents.
"The Xiahou brothers—they're progressing rapidly. They might be slightly weaker than you, or perhaps not much at all. Oh, and there's one nad Cai Yang who's stronger than ," Hua Xiong said, glancing at Zhang Fei before briefly ntioning Cai Yang.
"The remaining three are Xu Huang—an all-rounder who is both skilled in martial prowess and commanding troops—and there's Ma Chao and Pang De. From my perspective, those two could likely beco leaders of the younger generation," Liu Ye mused.
"You're thinking too much. When I see Ma Chao, I'm reminded of Lyu Bu when I first t him in Luoyang. That guy has the potential to beco another Lyu Bu. His talent is extraordinary!" Hua Xiong stated seriously. "Of course, that's only a possibility. As for Pang De, he's probably going to be exceptionally strong too."
"I feel my hands itching now," Zhang Fei said excitedly. "To think there's a youth who could beco another Lyu Bu—I'd love to witness his skills! But I promise I won't go all out against him."
"When you do encounter him, going all out might still not be enough to take him down," Hua Xiong scoffed. Back in Chang'an, his first impression of Ma Chao was similar to that of the young Lyu Bu.
"Looks like you have firsthand experience, then?" Zhang Fei laughed.
"Yes, I've faced him. He's still too young now, but next ti we cross blades, I fear I won't be able to win," Hua Xiong sighed.
"Oh..." Chen Xi nodded slightly. "There's soone I'd like you to et. He's about the sa age as the one you ntioned but even more formidable."
"Sunx Bofu—that monster!" Fa Zheng said with a headache. As the Sword Copier of Yuzhou's campaign, he naturally had heard of Sunx Ce. Sunx Ce had already gone toe-to-toe with Taishi Ci without conceding an inch—an absolute prodigy.
"Well, it's the chaos of this era that gives rise to such heroes. When you call others monsters, rember to reflect on yourself. It'd be odd if Sunx Ce weren't calling you a freak right now," Chen Xi teased as he playfully slapped Fa Zheng.
"Let him say what he wants. The stronger Ma Chao is, the more fun I'll have crushing him. When the day cos, make sure you let face him," Fa Zheng said with a smirk before his expression turned sharp and defiant.
It was only now that Fa Zheng's slow realization seed to register who Ma Chao was. Clearly, he had never taken the Ma Family of Fufeng seriously before, wrongly assuming he could mold them as he pleased.
"Your personal grudges can be settled yourself," Chen Xi said nonchalantly. "As long as you win, everything is negotiable."
"Does Xiaoo Zhi have a grudge against Ma Chao?" Liu Ye asked, puzzled. Then he thought, since they were both people of Fufeng, it was only natural for them to either bond as friends or clash as enemies.
"A huge grudge," Fa Zheng replied curtly, casting a cold glance at Liu Ye without providing further explanation, leaving Liu Ye utterly baffled. (To be continued. If you like this work, you're welco to visit qidian to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to read.)
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