As a peerless master of wielding blades, Cai Yang felt his Heart Spirit tremble the mont he saw the mark. The thickness and height of Ye City's walls were already etched in his mind, yet soone was able to shatter it with a single strike—this was unthinkable even with the help of an army!
Xiahou Yuan's expression was equally grave. He knew Guan Yu's prowess was terrifying, but seeing that blade mark left his entire being trembling in awe.
"Is this the true apex of a Central Plains master?" Ma Chao licked his lips. Among those present, he was the only one who regarded the blade mark without reverence. On the contrary, witnessing it stirred an exhilarating excitent within him. If others could achieve this, then so could he.
[Indeed, living in the frontier blinds one to the splendor of the Central Plains. Distant lands deprive one of encountering Central Plains heroes. Only by stepping onto this soil can one comprehend everything. Soday I, Ma Chao, will leave a mark as striking as this upon these lands!]
At this mont, Ma Chao was filled with boundless exhilaration. Earlier, he doubted whether he, even as soone capable of Inner Qi Manifestation, could take on the brave warriors of the Qiang and Hu tribes. But after witnessing this blade mark, he felt fully confident—not because it was impossible, but because he was still too weak.
Ma Chao silently resolved to return and research how to bolster his strength. As for the alliance of the Qiang and Hu tribes, he had already prepared himself to challenge them within the year!
[Nothing is unattainable; it's rely a matter of my own inadequacy. Perhaps in Fa Zheng's eyes, the Qiang and Hu tribes are no more than ants. For a valiant general who can unleash a strike like this, a re collection of Qiang and Hu warriors would likely fall with but one blow! Soday, I shall achieve the sa!] Ma Chao swore silently to himself.
"Tsk tsk, General Guan's blade strike is truly sothing fierce!" Fa Zheng clicked his tongue in amazent, though he wasn't overly surprised, as Chen Xi had previously inford him about such matters.
"Second Brother has grown even stronger," Zhang Fei remarked cautiously. Although everyone understood that this move relied on the power of an army, the aura left on the city wall was very pure. In other words, while assisted by the army, the presence left behind was entirely Guan Yu's own—unadulterated and terrifying in its might!
"Slaying Yann Liang, executing Wen Chou, and now shattering a city wall with one strike—General Guan has undoubtedly reached the peak of his abilities." Fa Zheng spurred his horse forward as he spoke, catching sight of Liu Bei and the others coming forward to greet the imperial envoy.
Fa Zheng and Zhang Fei urged their horses ahead, rushing toward Ye City. As for showing disdain for the envoy, such behavior was naturally beneath them.
"Greetings, my lord." "Big Brother, I've returned!" Fa Zheng and Zhang Fei dismounted and saluted Liu Bei as they spoke.
Patting both on the shoulder, Liu Bei glanced left and right at Zhang Fei and said, "Well done." Then he turned to Fa Zheng, his gaze filled with satisfaction. "Xiaoo Zhi, your work in Yuzhou has truly exceeded my expectations."
"Were it not for your cultivation, my lord, I would likely still be serving as a re County Magistrate in the Eastern State," Fa Zheng replied with a smile.
"Ah, back then, we indeed wronged such great talents as the two of you," Liu Bei sighed. "Stand here for now; let us first welco the envoy, and then we can discuss other matters." With that, Liu Bei pulled Fa Zheng to his side.
Fa Zheng tugged slightly at the corner of his mouth before reluctantly standing beside Liu Bei, feeling an imnse pressure. He silently resolved to work harder so as not to disappoint Liu Bei's high regard for him.
Speaking of the battle for South Huai River, it had indeed surpassed Liu Bei's expectations. The decisiveness of Fa Zheng's actions and his mastery of timing had both taken Liu Bei by surprise.
While Liu Bei knew that Fa Zheng would eventually co into his own, he hadn't anticipated such rapid progress.
Later, at Shouchun City, Fa Zheng had terrified Yuan Shu's subordinates—Zhou Yu and Zhuge Jin—so much with re intimidation that even Yuan Shu himself was paralyzed with fear. Subsequently, Fa Zheng's campaign to pacify Xuzhou was nothing short of brilliant, taking just two days to complete from entry to stabilization. His grasp on both morale and popular sentint was astonishing, to say the least.
In Liu Bei's view, Fa Zheng—who was young enough to be his son—was undoubtedly soone he would entrust with his legacy in the future. And now, displaying such brilliance before reaching his twenties, Fa Zheng was bound to achieve even greater heights. This strengthened Liu Bei's long-standing admiration and esteem for him even further.
Jia Xu glanced casually at Fa Zheng and felt a sense of relief—a gathering of civil officials like this paid no mind to such matters.
Chen Xi, Jia Xu, Guo Jia, and Li Youu were all indifferent to power and influence. Lub Su was an overly kind and upright man. Liu Ye, being a mber of the Imperial Family, had no desire for personal gain. Xu Shu, despite his studies in military strategy, retained an unshakable loyalty to camaraderie rooted deep in his heart from years of hardship. Besides, newcors naturally had no rights—this was simply the norm.
"Stand properly; the envoy will arrive shortly." Guo Jia cast a glance at the slightly restless Fa Zheng and spoke, prompting Fa Zheng to imdiately straighten up.
Once Liu Bei's group had completed their preparations—sweeping the path, laying soil, sprinkling water, and offering incense—the eunuch serving as the imperial envoy finally stepped forward.
"Greetings, Marquis of Fanyang. Greetings, Marquess of Zhuxie," the eunuch said as he approached, first bowing to Liu Bei and Chen Xi before reading the imperial edict aloud.
"Greetings, Angel." Both Liu Bei and Chen Xi slightly bowed in return. However, while Liu Bei maintained an impassive deanor, Chen Xi's curiosity was evident—he had never seen a eunuch before and found it quite intriguing.
"Why does Marquis Chen look so amused? Does this lowly servant's presence offend your eyes?" the eunuch asked in a raspy voice.
"It's rely a sense of familiarity," Chen Xi replied with a slight shake of his head.
"For Marquis Chen to say so, it seems this lowly servant may indeed have appeared before you in my younger years," the eunuch responded humbly, in stark contrast to the arrogance he had shown earlier to Fa Zheng.
"Lord Xuande, does the Emperor's edict present any difficulties for you?" Seeing Chen Xi fall silent, the eunuch turned to inquire of Liu Bei.
"What the Emperor commands, I shall obey. However, while I am willing to forgo pursuing my vendetta against Yuan Tan, he may not be so eager to relinquish his vengeance," Liu Bei replied calmly. Though his tone was even, the refusal within it was unmistakable—sothing Xiahou Yuan had anticipated.
"If Yuan Tan were willing to abandon his pursuit of vengeance, would Governor Liu be willing to let the matter rest?" Xiahou Yuan stepped forward and asked. Cao Cao had ordered him to prevent Liu Bei from continuing aggression against Yuan Shao's forces. With Yuan Shao gone, this naturally extended to Yuan Tan.
"…" Liu Bei remained silent for a mont before eventually replying, "Since the Emperor has spoken, I am willing to set aside my personal grudges for the sake of the people. Yet, should Yuan Tan act against in the future, I will have no choice but to break my promise."
"Return virtue with virtue, and repay grievance with straightforwardness. Indeed, the Emperor would not wish to make things difficult for you. Should Yuan Tan strike first, your retaliation would be justified," Xiahou Yuan nodded. Liu Bei's response was within his expectations—convincing Yuan Tan would be his next step, which posed little concern.
"I thank the Emperor for his understanding," Liu Bei said, bowing deeply toward the west with a reverent deanor.
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