Chapter Fourteen: Yuan Shao Lost His Temper

…

Under the joint explanation of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, Chen Xi finally understood why Guan Yu had defeated Hua Xiong with just three strokes. It wasn’t that Guan Yu’s strength far exceeded Hua Xiong’s; besides Hua Xiong’s carelessness, no one had expected someone of equal rank to suddenly unleash power far beyond their level.

Both men were at the stage of externalized internal energy, and although Guan Yu was somewhat stronger, he hadn’t yet reached the pinnacle of that stage. Defeating Hua Xiong should have taken about a hundred moves. But to kill him so swiftly—if Hua Xiong had wanted to flee, Guan Yu would have had difficulty stopping him. Yet Guan Yu unleashed power far beyond that level from the very start, especially the final strike, which gave Hua Xiong the feeling of facing Lü Bu himself.

“But Zichuan, don’t be so surprised. At our level, without battles, it’s hard to improve. So when we’re bored, each of us creates our own signature moves,” Zhang Fei said, noticing Chen Xi’s astonishment and revealing the truth.

“Actually, Second Brother has an even fiercer move. Unfortunately, its power is so great, and our horses aren’t that good. According to him, to endure that kind of force, the steed beneath him must be at least at the initial stage of refining internal energy into solid form. You know, I haven’t seen many horses with even the first condensation of internal energy in all these years,” Zhang Fei bluntly exposed Guan Yu’s secret. Guan Yu didn’t mind, and when they spoke of horses, both sighed.

“Hey, tell me, how fierce is that move?” Chen Xi, seeing their sighs, shifted the topic.

Guan Yu opened his eyes briefly but said nothing, signaling Zhang Fei to explain.

“It’s an upgraded version of the move you saw today. Probably because Second Brother’s movements are so fast, no one noticed that his attack was actually in a straight line. That’s the drawback—it can only go straight. Because the speed and power are too great, he can only move along the direction of his force,” Zhang Fei began explaining Guan Yu’s move to Chen Xi, not even concealing its biggest flaw.

“Huh? There’s such a thing?” Chen Xi thought. At that moment, with all the dust and chaos, who knew whether Second Brother moved in a straight line? Everyone’s attention was focused on that massive glowing blade and Hua Xiong’s struggle. Who would notice how he moved?

Thinking further about his posture during the approach and his stance after stopping, most people probably thought he was just casually swaggering through. Everyone overlooked that instant acceleration.

“Yes, it can only go straight. The power and speed are so great that if I tried to change direction and lost control, I’d get hurt first. And the horse underneath would definitely die,” Guan Yu nodded.

…

“Oh, so the horse is really important.” Chen Xi quickly made a note. “Hmm, Second Brother, you’ll definitely have a horse you can command freely someday.” Chen Xi had already tagged Red Hare as belonging to Second Brother.

“As for another move of Second Brother’s, it’s basically gathering momentum, strength, and everything to the peak, then slashing forward with immense force. It’s simple. According to him, if no one blocks it, this move could even cut through a ten-meter-thick city wall,” Zhang Fei added, seeing Chen Xi’s confusion, giving an assessment of its power.

“…” Chen Xi was terrified. Damn, cutting through a city wall? Is that human strength? A ten-meter-thick wall? In this world, even walls have become formidable with the presence of qi—pure granite structures, ten meters thick. “Second Brother, you’ll be relied on for sieges from now on.”

As Chen Xi’s mind raced, Guan Yu spoke, “Zichuan, first, I can only use that move once. Second, I don’t have a mount capable of bearing the force of such a strike. Also, the power I mentioned is only an estimate.”

At that moment, Chen Xi’s mind began piecing things together. Soon, a flash of insight struck him. This was a case of a heavy sword with no sharp edge—great skill made to appear simple!

[Red Hare must be essential. I guess the Guan Yu of original history had this move too, but here, magnified, its power is even more terrifying.] Chen Xi’s heart hardened as he realized how Yan Liang and Wen Chou had met their tragic ends—surely, they were ambushed by this move.

By that historical point, Yan Liang and Wen Chou were likely already top-tier masters projecting internal energy outward, but even top masters could do little against such an attack. Except for the few who were prepared, no one could block it; any defense would be cut in two. This was a move that combined Guan Yu’s spirit, energy, and external force together. Only Lü Bu might survive such a strike unprepared.

At this time, Red Hare was undoubtedly the best horse. According to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, it might even be a super horse at the stage of refining internal energy into solid form—a monster disguised as a horse. Having such power in a horse is incomprehensible; proportionally, it could probably treat the speed of sound as a casual stroll. Dong Zhuo capturing it was truly no easy feat…

Meanwhile, shortly after the allied forces captured Sishui Pass, Dong Zhuo received the battle report and immediately flipped the table, smashing plates. The grand banquet, once filled with anxious courtiers, turned deadly silent, followed by the shocking scene of Dong Zhuo killing the Grand Tutor Yuan Huai at the dining table.

More than a thousand heads were sent to the allied camp, causing Yuan Shao, who had been jovial moments before, to spit blood. Unlike his legitimate son Yuan Shu, Yuan Huai was truly his most important elder.

“Dong Zhuo! I will never reconcile with you!” Yuan Shao’s eyes were bloodshot as he stared toward Luoyang, radiating a cold and fierce aura. The Yuan Shao who once dared to challenge Dong Zhuo with a drawn sword had returned.

“Bring Yan Liang and Wen Chou to Sishui Pass. I will kill Dong Zhuo myself!” Yuan Shao roared in his camp, driven by his blood feud. To avoid bringing disaster upon his family, he had once refrained from urging his uncle to join him—not just because his uncle was unwilling, but also for this reason. Now, reality had taught him that conspiracies and schemes held no value against sheer strength!

“March from Sishui! Take Hulao Pass!” Burdened by vengeance, Yuan Shao became far sharper and more commanding. His control over the entire allied army grew stronger. He dealt with matters fairly and justly. Even Yuan Shu dared not meet his gaze, and everyone realized Yuan Shao was not a mere family prodigal but a true hero with real talent!

“Lord Xuande, what do you think of Yuan Benchu?” Even Chen Xi was amazed by the current Yuan Shao. The man, whom history records as a paragon of the realm respected by Cao Cao, was no joke and had genuine abilities. If Chen Xi hadn’t known that Yuan Shao would soon become muddled, indecisive, and obsessed with balance, he might have even considered joining him.

“A hero of the age, but unfortunately indecisive,” Liu Bei said frankly, perhaps because he had grown familiar with Chen Xi.

“Yes, somewhat indecisive, and sometimes stubborn. Not the ideal ruler, but with a good foundation. That’s the advantage of being from a great noble family,” Chen Xi sighed. If Cao Cao had been in Yuan Shao’s position, unity might have been achieved long ago.

“Zichuan, you come from the Chen family of Yingchuan. Are you familiar with the talents of Yingchuan?” Liu Bei probed indirectly. Given Chen Xi’s current situation, Liu Bei could tell he was already on his side, though Chen Xi himself hadn’t realized it. According to what Chen Xi had taught him, he could be a bit slow in some matters.

“The Chen family of Yingchuan! Such a grand name. I’m only nominally affiliated. Honestly, I hardly remember what my family’s homeland is like except vague childhood memories. As for the talents of Yingchuan, I was weak and sickly before, rarely interacting with people, so I don’t know much. I do know some famous and capable individuals, but Lord Xuande shouldn’t have too high hopes,” Chen Xi sighed. He wasn’t exaggerating; the Chen family was enormous, and Yingchuan was vast.

…