Clang!
Clang clang!
The vibrations and roars of the Fangtian Huaji and the Dragon-Slaying Bright Silver Spear clashing together made the entire Yanmen Pass tremble!
If the past clashes between Lü Bu and Dian Wei were a convergence of power, the peak of resolute martial arts…
Then…
The duel between Lü Bu and Zhao Yun was more like another extreme – the ceiling of agility!
Schooled by Tong Yuan, Zhao Yun’s "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear" emphasized lightness, grace, and refined elegance. When he engaged Lü Bu… one was a young general in white, the other a war god in crimson. One’s spear technique was a flash and retreat, able to advance and withdraw, while the other wielded the Fangtian Huaji like a cold wind.
Zhao Yun sought speed, and Lü Bu matched his speed… Zhao Yun sought agile attacks, and Lü Bu countered with agile attacks!
Though it was fast…
Whenever the spear and halberd occasionally collided, the intense roaring sound echoed. Lü Bu’s Fangtian Huaji possessed a tyrannical power, like a falling meteor, heavily slamming towards Zhao Yun’s side!
Zhao Yun dodged nimbly, only to see the stone steps where the halberd had just passed being split apart by Lü Bu's weapon!
Speaking of which…
Lü Bu’s weapon was sharper than Zhao Yun’s;
His martial arts were also superior to Zhao Yun’s.
Yet… he simply couldn't defeat this young general in white!
So agile, such swift spearplay!
“You have some skill!” Lü Bu grunted…
“Likewise!” Zhao Yun replied, neither humble nor arrogant. The exchange with Lü Bu also ignited the fighting spirit within him, eager to distinguish himself against this war god who guarded the frontier!
“Then what about this move!”
An intense heat seemed to envelop the Fangtian Huaji as Lü Bu, with all his might, repeatedly brought it down!
The first strike! The second strike!
The third strike! The fourth strike! Each strike faster and more powerful than the last, covering all possible attack angles. Any collision with the Dragon-Slaying Bright Silver Spear would surely shatter it instantly!
“Screech!”
“Screech!”
The sound of the war halberd slicing through the wind, the immense pressure, made onlookers like Yang Xiu, Tian Yu, and Yan Rou tense up.
“Crack crack!”
Finally, the Fangtian Huaji “captured” the Dragon-Slaying Bright Silver Spear, and a faint smile appeared on Lü Bu’s lips.
“You are strong, but this is the end!”
With those words…
“Break!” Lü Bu roared…
The Fangtian Huaji pressed down ferociously.
Of course, he had held back slightly, intending to stop as soon as he broke through the white-robed young general's defense!
After all, anyone who appeared here was likely a righteous individual from Bing Province seeking to join them, one of “their own”!
Unexpectedly, Zhao Yun, with his light steps and rich combat experience, flashed his form, abandoning the Dragon-Slaying Bright Silver Spear…
No…
To be precise, he merely snagged a corner of the Dragon-Slaying Bright Silver Spear. In the blink of an eye, he was half a step in front of Lü Bu, followed closely by the strike “Ten Thousand Spears as One”!
This was the final move of the one hundred and eight forms of the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear technique, simplifying the complex into a concise essence, stripping away all feints, leaving only the most fundamental move – a thrust!
The Zhongping spear, king of spears, the central “thrust” is the hardest to defend!
—Ten Thousand Spears as One, a cold glint erupts in a “thrust”!
The scene at this moment… Lü Bu’s Fangtian Huaji was about to strike Zhao Yun’s torso, while Zhao Yun’s Dragon-Slaying Bright Silver Spear would simultaneously pierce Lü Bu’s cheek…
A sharp glint emerged, the tip of the silver spear flashing with cold light!
It was blinding!
—“This is bad…”
—“They’re going to fight to a mutual destruction!”
—“Oh dear, isn’t this like a flood drowning the dragon temple!”
The onlookers Tian Yu and Yan Rou exclaimed in alarm…
Yang Xiu, however, his eyes fixed, shook his head slightly, smiling at their naivety!
Mutual destruction?
How could it be mutual destruction, it was clearly… a mutual appreciation!
Yang Xiu muttered, these generals, strong in limbs but weak in mind, their brains truly weren’t enough!
Indeed…
Just as Yang Xiu’s thoughts formed.
“Haha…”
“Hahahaha…”
Lü Bu’s laughter echoed, and the Fangtian Huaji, about to descend, stopped. Zhao Yun, in turn, also paused… his thrust stopped just before Lü Bu’s cheek…
“Heh heh…”
He was also smiling, though not as loudly as Lü Bu.
He even remarked, “I never imagined that after Lü Wenhou fell at Bai Men Tower, there would still be someone in this world who could wield the Fangtian Huaji to such a degree. I, Zhao Yun, have truly been like a frog in a well, seeing only the sky!”
For Zhao Yun to utter such a sentence…
It was evident how much he admired the red-robed general before him. He could sense that this red-robed general wasn't using his full strength, and naturally, Zhao Yun wasn't either!
But…
What Zhao Yun could clearly feel was that if it truly came down to a fight for survival, he would ultimately be a tier below!
“The former commander of the White Horse Ascendant? Zhao Yun? Zhao Zilong?”
Lü Bu narrowed his eyes…
The white-robed young general had announced his name.
Zhao Yun… Lü Bu was no stranger to this name!
Among Gongsun Zan’s three thousand White Horse Ascendant, before Yan Gang took command, the previous commander was a white-robed general named Zhao Yun Zhao Zilong!
As fellow guardians of the border, how could Lü Bu not have heard of Zhao Yun Zhao Zilong!
Moreover, at the Battle of Jieqiao, Zhao Yun, single-handedly rescuing Gongsun Zan from the Northern General Wen Chou, had achieved fame in one battle… Lü Bu had certainly remembered his name!
He never imagined that the young general before him today was he!
“Cough cough…”
Finally, the two ceased their combat…
Tian Yu, who had been watching from the side, hurried forward. He was precisely about to report Zhao Yun’s defection to Yang Xiu!
Tian Yu and Zhao Yun had both served Gongsun Zan previously, and were both generals who had organized and trained the White Horse Ascendant, hence they were familiar with each other. The mission of the White Horse Ascendant was to guard the border!
Therefore, upon Zhao Yun’s arrival, Tian Yu directly recommended him to Yang Xiu, even… wishing to have Yang Xiu introduce him to Commander Lu of the Dragon Soaring Camp!
However…
Before he could even speak, these two guardians of the border started fighting on Yanmen Pass!
They fought for unknown reasons, and with such intensity!
“General Lü, Prefect Yang, allow me to introduce you. This is the former commander of the White Horse Ascendant – Zhao Zilong of Changshan!”
Tian Yu first addressed Lü Bu and Yang Xiu, introducing him…
After saying this, he turned to Zhao Yun. “This is General Lü Ying. A while ago, he single-handedly repelled the barbarian invasion and defended the border! This is Prefect Yang. He is here under the orders of Commander Lu of the Dragon Soaring Cavalry to reinforce Yanmen and save our border people!”
Cough cough…
As these words left his mouth, Yang Xiu coughed, feeling a bit guilty.
He was indeed here on Commander Lu’s orders, but that wasn’t his purpose… he wanted to say that he was forced to guard the border and protect the frontier!
But the key was…
Since it had already come to this, he decided to claim that Young Master Lu, deeply concerned for the border populace, had dispatched them to provide support!
Coincidentally…
Because of this statement, righteous individuals from Bing Province flocked to join!
It was somewhat like “a willow planted without intention blossoms into shade.”
Yang Xiu was exasperated…
As for now, the more he said, the truer it became.
“Cough cough…”
He coughed softly again and walked up to Zhao Yun.
“Zhao Zilong of Changshan? Well done…”
He patted Zhao Yun’s shoulder. He was pleased to find such a capable general. He thought to himself, if this man were to protect him, Yang Xiu wouldn’t have to live in fear of Lü Bu beating him every day!
What a happy prospect!
“Zhao Yun pays his respects to Prefect Yang! May I ask Prefect Yang, is the Commander Lu that General Tian introduced to me the same as the Grand Minister of the Han Dynasty, the head of the Imperial Academy, Young Master Lu?”
Zhao Yun clasped his hands in a bow and immediately posed his question.
“Indeed!” Yang Xiu patted his shoulder again. The more he looked at this Zhao Zilong of Changshan, the more he liked him. Since Zhao Yun respected Young Master Lu, then…
Heh heh… Yang Xiu smiled faintly.
—“Speaking of which, I, Yang Xiu, am considered Young Master Lu’s last disciple!”
—“Young Master Lu always admonishes me, saying that barbarians cultivate through slaughter, and throughout history, only white bones and yellow sand have been seen. The Qin family built cities to avoid the barbarians, and now, the Han border’s beacon fires burn ceaselessly, with warlords vying for supremacy… but this is no reason for the various lords to allow the barbarians to move south!”
—“Although Young Master Lu is in Xudu City, a thousand li from here, his heart aches for the suffering of the border populace. For this reason, he sent me, the most outstanding disciple of the Imperial Academy, to Yanmen to guard the northern frontier with my meager strength!”
—“Weapons are instruments of bloodshed, and sages use them only when necessary. But since I, Yang Xiu, have received the military order of Young Master Lu, I will borrow the heavens’ might to march deep into the Xiongnu, our iron hooves trampling the Wuhuan, and our gaze sweeping over the Xianbei! General Zhao Zilong, are you willing to lend me a hand?”
When it came to “verbal warfare,” Yang Xiu felt that…
Under heaven, he only admired Grand Master Lu and Commander Cheng Yu!
Grand Master Lu ranked first, Commander Cheng second, and he, Yang Xiu, must rank third!
Let alone persuading Zhao Yun, he was confident he could persuade Qu Yi and the Vanguard Vanguard in the future, it would be nothing! Da Feng Novel Network
Evidently…
His words ignited Zhao Yun completely.
Especially the fifteen characters mentioned by Yang Xiu:
Valley</span>—March deep into the Xiongnu, iron hooves trampling Wuhuan, gaze sweeping over Xianbei!
Only those born on the frontier could understand the meaning and heroism of these fifteen characters!
Prefect Yang was indeed commendable, but Commander Lu was also a wise ruler!
At this moment, Zhao Yun’s heart was filled with excitement and agitation!
Speaking of which…
Zhao Yun’s most important consideration when choosing a lord was “benevolence and righteousness.”
In these years, under Lü Yu’s planning and suggestions, Cao Cao’s armies, wherever they passed or captured, committed no offenses against the cities and their people. Cutting hair in the wheat fields as a substitution for punishment had spread his “benevolence” throughout the land.
Thus…
It clearly demonstrated Young Master Lu’s benevolence!
And caring for the frontier, aiding the border populace, organizing a righteous army, and protecting the border… this was righteousness!
In Zhao Yun’s view, with Young Master Lu’s benevolence and righteousness…
Under heaven, only Duke Xuande could match him!
“Commander Lu’s righteousness, Prefect Yang’s righteousness, Zhao Yun sincerely defect! I hope Prefect Yang will introduce me!”
“Good…” Yang Xiu was very excited. He felt as though he had found a bodyguard. From now on… if Lü Bu beat him again, he could bring out this Zhao Zilong of Changshan.
“General Lü, Zilong… come, let’s go to the yamen to discuss matters. By the way… Commander Yan has proposed a strategy to resolve the issue of the Three Hu. Let’s first discuss it and see if we should report it to Grand Master Lu!”
Upon hearing the proposal to resolve the issue of the Three Hu…
Both Lü Bu and Zhao Yun became fully alert, and immediately, they strode into the yamen. Lü Bu did not forget to cast a deep gaze at Zhao Yun.
Finally, patting his back, he lamented meaningfully.
“That fellow Lü Yu loves righteous men like Zilong the most. It’s a shame to keep him at Yanmen!”
“General Lü, may I ask… General Lü and that Bai Men Tower…”
Zhao Yun also asked back…
But before he could finish, Lü Bu waved his hand…
Many righteous individuals had asked this question, and his response was always the same: he never answered!
Lü Bu was Lü Bu, Lü Ying was Lü Ying!
Perhaps the former was the Marquis of Wen, but… the latter was the true appearance of the original Lü Fengxian of Jiuyuan!
“Let’s go, let’s hear this strategy to resolve the issue of the Three Hu!”
With those words, the sound of footsteps grew heavier and deeper…
Lü Fengxian of Jiuyuan, the commander of the White Horse Ascendant – these two guardians of the border populace now walked side-by-side upon this Yanmen!
…
…
Xudu City, Grand Minister’s Mansion!
On a desk in the backyard, thorns, whips, and rattan were all present…
It seemed only one candle was missing from the “Minotaur” warning!
As for the use of these items…
It had nothing to do with the “Minotaur”…
It was Lü Yu’s ruse to his sister Zhaoji!
As for whether it would be used in the future, that was another story.
At this moment, Lü Yu was comfortably lying on a bamboo chair, leisurely eating a grape peeled by Da Qiao, sour and sweet, extremely refreshing.
“Cough cough…”
Feeling the breeze, he coughed lightly. Lü Yu was about to ask Da Qiao beside him, where was Sister Zhaoji? Why hadn’t she come yet?
Unexpectedly, at this moment…
The sound of footsteps approached. Lü Yu straightened up. Who else could it be but Xiao Qiao!
“Husband… Sister Zhaoji… Sister Zhaoji is here!”
From afar, Xiao Qiao called out softly…
Hearing this…
Lü Yu’s eyes lit up, “Quick, quick, quick…”
He signaled the guards beside him to remove the grapes and the lounge chair… he himself quickly walked to the desk, sat on the floor… yes, right on the cold floor.
He did not forget to wink at Da Qiao. “Da Qiao, quickly get the thorny branches! Haven’t you heard of Lian Po presenting himself to Lin Xiangru with thorns on his back?”
Ah… Ah…
When Lü Yu gave this order, Da Qiao was somewhat surprised. She gently held the thorny branches with her delicate hands.
She asked doubtfully, “Really… are we really going to carry thorns on our backs to beg forgiveness!”
“Of course it’s fake.” Before Lü Yu could speak, Xiao Qiao said with great concern.
She had touched every inch of Lü Yu’s skin and craved him immensely. How could she bear to let the thorny branches scratch her husband’s body!
Heh heh…
Hearing the conversation between these two sisters, Lü Yu chuckled. It was proof… they were all true wives, none were just sent for phone credit.
Thus… Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao each picked up thorny branches, but did not wrap them around Lü Yu. Lü Yu quickly shed his upper garment and sat cross-legged. Hearing the hurried footsteps approaching, Lü Yu coughed lightly, his tone deepening.
“Quickly bind the thorny branches to me…”
“In ancient times, Lian Po carried thorns on his back to beg forgiveness from Lin Xiangru. The Yue Dan Ping was turned into this mess by me, so naturally, I must also carry thorns on my back to beg forgiveness from Sister Zhaoji!”
“What are you two standing there for? Quick… quickly bind the thorny branches to me!”
As the footsteps drew nearer, Lü Yu’s voice grew louder…
Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao exchanged glances, extending their hands forward… moving the thorny branches towards Lü Yu’s skin at an extremely slow pace. Of course, they were reluctant to actually prick him. Lü Yu felt pain, but they felt heartache.
But… should they cooperate with their husband’s act? They couldn’t pretend not to see!
The thorny branches…
Forward, forward, and forward again…
Finally…
They arrived!
Not far away, the hurried footsteps stopped.
—“Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao… you, you quickly stop…”
Cai Zhaoji’s clear and hurried voice had already come out. She was panting, her face as pale as paper. Indeed… upon hearing that Yu Di was going to carry thorns on his back in the backyard, she was startled and rushed over.
Tap tap…
With graceful steps, Cai Zhaoji quickly arrived beside Lü Yu and snatched the thorny branches from Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao’s hands. Because she moved too quickly, her delicate fingers were pricked by the thorns, drawing a little blood…
Ah…
She uttered a soft cry. Pain, how could it not be painful! But… when Cai Zhaoji thought of Yu Di planning to bind so many thorny branches to himself? How much blood would flow? How much pain would it cause!
More importantly, all this was done to beg forgiveness from her, his sister!
Upon thinking of this, Cai Zhaoji’s expression grew even more somber.
“Yu Di? What… what are you doing? Are you crazy?” Cai Zhaoji spoke, and while doing so, she didn’t forget to examine Lü Yu’s body, meticulously checking every inch of his skin, fearing that some part might have already been pierced.
“Sister Zhaoji…” Lü Yu appeared remorseful. “The Yue Dan Ping, which scholars pay close attention to, was prepared by you for so long. For this to happen, the responsibility lies with me. I must carry thorns on my back to beg your forgiveness, otherwise, my heart will truly not be at ease!”
Speaking of this, Lü Yu looked towards Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao again…
“You two? What are you still standing there for? Quickly bind the thorny branches to me.”
“Unless you want me to be uneasy in my guilt towards my sister and my conscience? Come… hurry! Let these thorny branches come even more fiercely!”
As Lü Yu uttered these words…
Uh…
Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were stunned. They never expected their husband to act so realistically!
If they hadn’t known the truth beforehand, they might have believed their husband’s “nonsense”!
Indeed, a man’s mouth, a deceiving ghost!
Exchanging glances, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao instinctively took a step forward, seemingly preparing to pick up the thorny branches from the ground again.
Who would have thought.
“No picking them up,” Cai Zhaoji’s words were not a request, but a command. “Who dares to harm my Yu Di today?”
This…
The effect seems good!
Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao exchanged glances again, then bowed.
“Husband… Sister Zhaoji, we shall withdraw.”
The act was almost over, it was time to exit.
Cai Zhaoji did not stop them…
In her eyes, there was blame towards Lü Yu, but more so, there was concern and care.
—“Don’t do this again… do you hear me?”
—“It’s just a Yue Dan Ping, is the Yue Dan Ping more important than Yu Di!”
—“Indeed, this Yue Dan Ping will have some negative impact, and scholars all over the world are watching this. You don’t need to blame yourself or feel guilty… matters of scholars, no matter how big, I, your sister, will bear them for you!”
Speaking of this, Cai Zhaoji gently stroked Lü Yu’s face…
Just like in the past decade or so, when Yu Di was still young, she always shielded Yu Di from the wind and rain.
“Sister Zhaoji…”
Lü Yu still wanted to speak…
“Shush!” Cai Zhaoji put his clothes back on him. “The ground is cold, don’t catch a chill. I understand and can appreciate what you’ve done!”
“You are destined for great things. You don’t need to worry about my feelings. I… have ways to adjust! I will also help you minimize the impact of this Yue Dan Ping.”
Such a pleasant and comforting voice.
Lü Yu felt extremely comfortable by his ears…
—Having a sister feels so good! Lying in my sister’s embrace, like a precious treasure!
…
…