Chapter 23: There Are Many Experts in This World

If my calculations are correct, Lu Bu should be the number one in the world right now. There is one fellow who could challenge him, but that man is aging, while Lu Bu is heading toward his prime. Uh... Chen Xi shrugged, though he suddenly realized it was only the year 190. Huang Zhong was only forty-three, also in his prime; it was hard to say who would cut down whom. Besides, given the physical constitutions of these people, their prime should last quite a while. Thinking about it, it seemed the old man Huang was the most terrifying of them all.

"Zichuan, why did you stop?" Zhang Fei asked with a grumble.

"I just thought of something. I’m questioning the data I calculated regarding how long your lifespans are and how long your primes last." Chen Xi’s expression darkened. If their prime periods were very long, then the strength of people like Huang Zhong and Yan Yan would need to be re-evaluated.

"Why are you asking about this, Zichuan?" Zhao Yun asked, somewhat confused.

"There are some inconsistencies. Just answer what you know." Chen Xi regained his composure.

"As for lifespan, at the level of internal energy detachment, one should normally live to be between one hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty. However, depending on the internal energy one cultivates, there can be a fluctuation of fifty years. Some special health-preserving techniques can even extend life to nearly three hundred years, though those are extremely rare." These were not exactly secrets, so Zhao Yun told Chen Xi without hesitation.

"Oh, and how long does the prime period last?" Chen Xi frowned, thinking of something unpleasant.

"That depends on one's constitution and techniques. Generally speaking, unless one masters a vigorous technique to the point of completion—where the internal energy forms a self-sustaining cycle—one will age rapidly after seventy. As for those who practice gentle techniques, it is much better; generally, they remain in their prime until the moment they die." Zhao Yun seemed very knowledgeable in these matters, explaining in great detail—things even Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were not entirely clear about.

"Pah! Practicing gentle techniques provides no combat power. On the battlefield, you wouldn't survive with that stuff, so how could you have such a long prime?" Zhang Fei said disdainfully.

Chen Xi raised an eyebrow. Applying history to this, well, Zhao Yun likely practiced a gentle technique ninety percent of the time; he would remain in his prime until his death, which explained why he didn't seem to show his age.

"That is true," Zhao Yun replied, to Chen Xi's silence.

"Oh, since that’s the case, I have a better idea. Lu Bu is the undisputed number one. There is someone in the south who has slipped past his prime, but if he met Lu Bu now, the outcome would still be uncertain. Zilong, you haven't reached your prime yet—or perhaps you have, but you will maintain this level for a very long time, until one day..." Chen Xi thought of the version where, after the battle at Changban, Zhao Yun was possessed by the soul of the Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon, slaying gods and Buddhas alike.

"Until one day, what?" Before Chen Xi could finish, Zhao Yun was already looking at him nervously, hoping to learn what the future held. A strange glint flashed in his eyes, and the tension on his face betrayed his inner excitement.

"How should I put it? What Lu Bu can do, you will be able to do. What Lu Bu cannot do, you will still be able to do. Based on that level of estimation, Lu Bu wouldn't last a hundred rounds against you at that moment. You would be like a god." Chen Xi thought of the literary version of Changban; he reckoned that even a berserk Zhao Yun could probably finish off Lu Bu...

"Is that so?" A flash of disappointment crossed Zhao Yun's eyes.

*So, it is used in the end?* he thought. *But that is fine. As the very end, a hero’s funeral is also a final destination.* With that thought, Zhao Yun’s eyes became firm once more; a warrior’s path never fears death.

"Hey, hey, hey! Zichuan, you didn't calculate that wrong, did you? How could this guy be that strong? That’s Lu Bu we’re talking about!" Zhang Fei’s booming voice demanded attention.

"The facts are just as they are, I can't help it." Chen Xi spread his hands, expressing his helplessness.

"Moving on, there is one more in the north, though I don't know where exactly. He is the type the Second Brother hates—born with divine strength. I reckon if he were to arm-wrestle with King Xiang on this earth, it would be hard to say who would win. After him comes the Second Brother. As for the next one, I can only determine he is in Xiliang, but I cannot pinpoint the person..." Chen Xi shrugged, admitting his ability was limited.

"Hey, hey, hey! Zichuan, what about me? What about me? Second Brother appeared earlier, what about me? And why is this guy ranked ahead of me?" Zhang Fei’s roar rang in Chen Xi’s ears again, making them buzz.

"For you..." Chen Xi deliberately dragged out the word to keep Zhang Fei in suspense.

"Where am I? Where am I?" Zhang Fei asked anxiously.

"You are next. There are others, but I will wait until I see them. It is troublesome when I cannot match them to a name. Most importantly, some have yet to rise, while others were killed just as they were starting to emerge," Chen Xi said helplessly.

"Hey, hey, hey! What about me?" Hua Xiong, seeing the "pretty boy," the "bearded one," and the "black soot" all on the list, and seeing that three had already been evaluated, expected it to be his turn. He was annoyed that Chen Xi was trying to brush him off.

"Actually, I’m quite curious. If I hadn't told the Second Brother not to kill you, would you have been cut down?" Chen Xi turned and studied Hua Xiong with a scientific eye. Whether Hua Xiong would have been killed was a topic worthy of research. Since he wasn't killed and was still around, it only showed that these things were not set in stone.

Hua Xiong imagined the shadow of that massive Green Dragon Crescent Blade and felt a chill. Before he could speak, Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "Cutting him down would have been much easier than changing my strike to capture him alive. If I had known that a guy like this, who refuses to surrender and eats so much, was going to be such a bother, I would have just..." Guan Yu gestured with his right hand, the air whistling.

"Big Beard, do you have to be so mean? I guarded the camp for you, and this is the attitude I get?" Hua Xiong protested.

"Considering you are a man of mettle, I won't hold it against you," Guan Yu said, turning away arrogantly to look at Chen Xi.

"He isn't on the list. My ability is limited to calculating the top twenty-four. Others might be able to calculate the small heavenly cycle, but that’s the extent of my capability. However, his strength should be around twentieth. The reason he wasn't included is that, in my impression, you were 'snapped' by the Second Brother." Chen Xi made a gesture. Well, everyone understood what that meant. Suddenly, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun all looked at Hua Xiong with sympathy.