Hmph!
Lu Bu noticed the sweat on Tong Yuan's forehead, more and more sweat appearing.
Stamina, that's right...
Tong Yuan's weakness was stamina. His movement technique was extremely fast, and his strength was abundant, but after all, he was over fifty years old and could not recover his stamina as quickly as a young man. Now, fighting three opponents, although he was not at a disadvantage, his stamina was being consumed too much.
"Swish, swish!"
Just as Lu Bu was lost in thought, Gongsun Zan retrieved a bow from somewhere and fired two arrows in quick succession... they shot out like lightning.
Clang... Clang!
Tong Yuan dodged them reflexively. The arrows embedded themselves in the wall behind him... and Zhang Yan, enduring the pain in his sides, seized the opportunity to leap forward. In mid-air, he suddenly twisted and brought his soft saber directly towards Tong Yuan's face.
And Qu Yi's sword arrived at the same time...
Unexpectedly, while dodging the arrows, Tong Yuan propped himself up with a staff and a spear on the ground, and then shot forward. With a "crack...", the spear and staff struck Qu Yi's armor, but precisely, neither the spear nor the staff penetrated the armor of Qu Yi and Zhang Yan...
The three were each startled and took a step back.
Qu Yi and Zhang Yan were filled with lingering fear... They had borrowed this armor from the original Dragon Cavalier soldiers. If it weren't for this armor, they might have been dead by now!
Tong Yuan was also astonished repeatedly. Armor that even the "Flying Dragon Spear" couldn't pierce?
But his reaction speed was extremely fast. He charged again, and with his staff and short spear, drew two silver lights, aiming for the throats of Qu Yi and Zhang Yan!
Armor could protect the body, but the neck was always the unguarded area!
Fast...
This time, the reaction was too fast... Qu Yi and Zhang Yan raised their weapons to block. With a "clang, clang" sound, sparks flew from where the weapons met. Due to the impact, both men were forced back several steps. The fine steel armor of the Dragon Cavaliers could be borrowed, but the weapons couldn't be. Borrowed weapons were not as handy... Therefore, under the firelight, both Qu Yi and Zhang Yan's weapons bore dents from the impact!
Zhang Yan dared not continue to take direct blows... He used his agility to evade, and at the same time, he swung his saber back. The soft saber came out, its edge trembling, flowing like mercury, a truly stunning sight...
"Hmph!" Tong Yuan snorted coldly. He knew in his heart that among the three men before him, the greatest threat was this soft saber. He dared not be careless in the face of its attacks. He brought his spear and staff together to meet it.
"Clang, clang, clang, clang..."
With a series of crisp sounds, Zhang Yan retreated three steps. This time, it wasn't just his ribs; his shoulders also bore two small cuts, and blood slowly began to flow...
On the other hand, Tong Yuan...
His nose bridge had been grazed by the edge of the soft saber, leaving a small cut horizontally. Blood dripped down his nose.
It was a mutual injury, one could say... Zhang Yan, Gongsun Zan, and Qu Yi fighting Tong Yuan resulted in a mutual injury... At the same time, Lu Bu's brow twitched slightly. He realized it was his turn to act!
"Get out of the way!"
Accompanied by heavy footsteps, the Sky-Halberd was pulled from the ground. Lu Bu, holding the Sky-Halberd, slowly walked towards Tong Yuan.
This was Lu Bu's transformation.
In the past, at Hulao Pass, the three heroes fought Lu Bu...
He would have unflinchingly charged out to fight the enemy to the death.
But now, facing an equally powerful enemy, he would wait... wait until the opponent was sufficiently weakened before making his move.
He had matured, and become more reserved!
Lu Bu had become much more mature and reserved than before.
"Thump... thump!"
With these low, heavy footsteps, Gongsun Zan, Qu Yi, and Zhang Yan tacitly made way. They knew that in combat, General Ying did not like to cooperate with others; he preferred to solve problems alone!
Or, in his opinion, everyone who cooperated with him was a burden!
Confidence, and his unparalleled martial arts were worthy of that confidence!
"First sneak attacks, then a war of attrition, is that it?"
Tong Yuan panted heavily, his eyes narrowed, looking coldly at Lu Bu, at his finely forged silver mask!
"Sneak attacks? Heh, weren't you the one who started with sneak attacks, Tong Yuan?" Lu Bu raised his Sky-Halberd. "You wanted to capture all four of us, didn't you? Your boasts are far greater than your abilities!"
You...
Tong Yuan's brow furrowed. In fact, confined by the terrain of this tavern, his best weapon, the spear, could not be fully utilized.
At the same time, he had underestimated his opponents' martial arts and their strategies. After decades of reclusion, he had not realized that times had changed! An era of turmoil never lacked martial artists with extraordinary talent!
"You're using this?" Tong Yuan looked at Lu Bu's Sky-Halberd.
Evidently, he was questioning Lu Bu's intention to use a long-handled weapon, which was unwise in such terrain.
"Heh heh!" Lu Bu did not answer. Instead, he snorted coldly. "Blood debt must be paid. Today, you cannot escape!"
Saying that...
The Sky-Halberd swung and smashed towards Tong Yuan!
"Rumble, rumble..."
After all, this Sky-Halberd was forged by Lu Lingqi for her father from fine steel battle halberds, its power far exceeding ordinary iron weapons!
Coupled with Lu Bu's halberd techniques... unmatched in this era!
In his view, the Sky-Halberd, when used well, could be employed in any space and utilize any terrain. How could it be restricted by terrain!
After only two exchanges!
Tong Yuan was greatly surprised. He had a vague feeling that this halberd technique was very familiar.
No...
It wasn't just familiar; this... this was clearly the halberd technique that Master Yu Zhenzi had passed down to Senior Brother Li Yan!
"Who is Li Yan to you?"
Amidst the fierce battle, Tong Yuan asked in shock...
Lu Bu's eyes added a trace of coldness. "How dare you, you old scoundrel, call out our master's name!"
Whoa...
Tong Yuan was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected his senior brother to have such a "domineering" disciple.
Just this halberd technique, and in just three moves... Tong Yuan was certain that this masked man before him had surpassed his master. It was likely that even his senior brother Li Yan in his prime was no more than this!
"Good! Good!"
Tong Yuan combined his staff and spear into one, once again transforming them into the Flying Dragon Spear. "I never imagined that in my lifetime, I would once again experience my senior brother's 'Number One Halberd Under Heaven'! Excellent!"
His blood ignited...
Tong Yuan exploded forward, and immediately clashed with Lu Bu.
The combat between experts is very monotonous and lacks any aesthetic appeal, but it is extremely dangerous. Any mistake could instantly cost one's life.
In the flash of lightning-like exchanges, the two retreated at the fastest speed, and each gained a new wound.
In a short period, they had already fought dozens of rounds!
Fresh blood could be seen flowing from their bodies, their clothes soaked with sweat, which seeped into their wounds, causing a fiery pain!
Tong Yuan and Lu Bu both gasped for air...
Their gazes were colder than each other's, like two cornered beasts gone mad with rage.
However, it was clear that Tong Yuan's gasping was more pronounced.
And Lu Bu knew clearly that at this moment, he only had one wound, while Tong Yuan likely had no less than five or six. If this continued, Tong Yuan would surely die, and he would surely win!
Hoo...
Rarely, Tong Yuan let out a heavy sigh. At this moment, he truly realized... with his senior brother's disciple present, this battle was one of certain death!
Thinking thus, his figure flickered, and he suddenly moved towards the window!
His speed was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, he reached the window, only to find Zhang Yan already guarding there. What awaited him was a soft saber!
Under normal circumstances...
Such a soft saber wouldn't pose a threat to Tong Yuan, but the situation was different now. Besides being injured, there was an even more troublesome opponent behind him!
"Trying to run? No way!" Zhang Yan shouted coldly...
And Lu Bu's Sky-Halberd struck again...
"Too young!"
Unexpectedly, Tong Yuan's lips curved into a smile... and his spear suddenly thrust backward. This was the thirty-sixth move, "Returning Horse Spear," from the One Hundred and Eight Forms of the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear Technique!
Similar to the "dragging saber" technique of the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade... the spear directly thrust towards Lu Bu's face.
And Lu Bu's charging momentum could not be instantly retracted. Seeing the spear thrusting towards him, he reflexively raised his Sky-Halberd to block...
This was the Flying Dragon Spear's "point" attacking to pierce the Sky-Halberd's "surface."
Normally... Tong Yuan would follow up with a "Phoenix Nodding Three Times." The first thrust to the forehead, the second to the throat, the third to the chest... The final killing move was the "piercing thrust"!
As the saying goes: The Zhongping Spear, the king of spears, the single point in the center is the hardest to defend!
Hoo...
Lu Bu let out a cold gasp. Instantly... cold sweat broke out all over his back.
Unexpectedly...
Just as the Flying Dragon Spear's "point" collided with the Sky-Halberd's "surface," there were no dazzling sparks. Instead, there was a "snap" sound.
In Tong Yuan's astonished gaze, the tip of his Flying Dragon Spear had actually broken!
Under the force, it had completely shattered!
This...
Gu Gu</span> Tong Yuan was stunned!
The fragments from the spear tip scattered, some even grazing the cheeks of Tong Yuan and Lu Bu, leaving bloody streaks!
And Tong Yuan's reaction was extremely fast. He retreated several steps.
"This..."
He opened his mouth but was speechless, unsure of how to speak!
"Heh..." Lu Bu, however, revealed a meaningful smile. He looked at Tong Yuan with a smile. "When I was defeated by a certain fat man back then, I suffered from this weapon! Times have changed, hehe!"
"Hmph... Hmph!" Tong Yuan sneered. "If my Flying Dragon Spear hadn't broken, you would have been dead long ago to say these words."
He was telling the truth...
Lu Bu had truly been careless just then. The moves from the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear, "Returning Horse Spear" combined with "Phoenix Nodding Three Times," were killing moves. Tong Yuan had seized the initiative, and Lu Bu was certain to die. However... who could have predicted that the Flying Dragon Spear, forged from excellent fine iron, would shatter.
"That's your problem, not mine," Lu Bu smiled. "My goal is to take your head!"
Saying that, he swung his Sky-Halberd again.
Without his weapon, Tong Yuan was no match for Lu Bu.
"This is bad!"
Tong Yuan cried out in his heart, and at the same time, Zhang Yan's soft saber arrived behind him.
Fortunately, his footwork was superb. He spun around to avoid the edge of the soft saber, then struck like lightning, grabbing Zhang Yan's wrists. He first lifted them outwards, and with two crisp "crack" sounds, he dislocated Zhang Yan's arm. Then, with a swing of his hands, he hurled Zhang Yan towards Lu Bu's Sky-Halberd!
Seeing Zhang Yan being thrown at him... Lu Bu had no choice but to retract his Sky-Halberd.
But taking advantage of this moment, Tong Yuan bent his legs and sprang forward... his body soared into the air, then he kicked off the table and smashed through the window with his entire body!
Gongsun Zan saw this and quickly fired two more arrows... Qu Yi, stepping on the table, also darted through the large circular hole Tong Yuan had created.
The others surrounded them...
They saw that at the foot of Mount Niutou, amidst the dense trees, figures were moving. One of Gongsun Zan's arrows landed on the ground, and the other disappeared!
Qu Yi, without hesitation, immediately fired a signal arrow...
Signaling the Xian Deng Battalion lurking nearby to enter Mount Niutou and begin the encirclement and suppression!
"Such agile footwork!" Lu Bu couldn't help but exclaim repeatedly, looking at the large hole before him.
Four people...
Including himself, Lu Bu, had let this Tong Yuan escape!
"His spear technique is top-notch, and his footwork is likely super top-notch!" Zhang Yan supported himself as he got up from the ground.
Gongsun Zan pointed at the bloodstains on the ground and sighed, "Tong Yuan has sustained several cuts and an arrow wound. He probably can't run far!"
Lu Bu gripped his Sky-Halberd even tighter. "If this Tong Yuan is not eliminated, he will surely become a major threat to Young Master Lu in the future!"
Speaking of which...
He suddenly thought of something.
"Quickly send someone to report everything that happened here to Young Master Lu! There's no need to hide anything, inform him in detail, so he can be prepared!"
"Yes!" Gongsun Zan agreed.
His eyes, however, gazed out the window. Qu Yi and the Xian Deng Battalion... they must capture this person. Strike while the enemy is weak, otherwise...
"Gulp."
Gongsun Zan swallowed. Thinking about this encounter, he couldn't help but feel a sense of lingering fear.
...
...
South of the Yellow River, at Guan Du Port.
Inside a prison...
Oil lamps burned one after another, and the pale morning light slightly filtered in.
In this prison, three people sat at a desk... a burly strongman sat in the middle. This person was none other than "The Villainous Son of Ancient Times," Dian Wei. Lu Yu sat to his left, and Yan Liang to his right.
The wine and food were hot and looked delicious.
And Yan Liang was drinking heartily...
Lu Yu watched him drink with amusement, smiling as he suggested, "Don't just drink, have some food too!"
Yan Liang, however, only focused on drinking. After finishing a whole jar, he wiped his mouth with his prison uniform in a rather heroic manner, then placed the wine pot on the desk, looking at Lu Yu.
"Is this a farewell drink?" Yan Liang asked with a frown. "If you want to kill me, just kill me. Why come all the way to deliver wine! Are you here to watch my downfall, Yan Liang!"
Yan Liang was a proud man...
His status in the Yan family of the Northern Territory, if not comparable to top noble families like the Yang clan of Hong Nong and the Yuan clan of Runan, was at least... at the same level as the Sima clan of Henei and the Chen clan of Xuzhou. Da Feng Novel Network
The reason these families were called noble families was not their current status, but their deep heritage and family history.
"You want to die so badly?" Lu Yu asked with amusement.
"My elder brother, Wen Chou, you killed him quite happily, didn't you?" Yan Liang said with disdain. "We are both Generals of Hebei. Are you perhaps going to let me go? Heh heh, stop pretending to be benevolent!"
Hearing this, Lu Yu shook his head helplessly.
Not killing Yan Liang was indeed due to the Yan family of Hebei, but more so because of the Yan family's future and heritage!
After all, the Yan family... even in the history of the Chinese nation, was an extremely brilliant existence.
The previous Yan family had always been a family of martial arts, descendants of generals!
But the turning point occurred during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. The famous educator Yan Zhitui, in his "Yan Family Instructions," cautioned his descendants: "Qi had Yan Zhuoju, Zhao had Yan Zui, the late Han had Yan Liang, and the Song had Yan Yanzhi, all holding general positions, yet they ultimately met with ruin!"
This "Song" refers to the "Song, Qi, Liang, Chen" dynasties.
And the figures mentioned in it, each was renowned, yet ultimately "ruined"! In plain language, their martial arts skills led to their demise!
Therefore, Yan Zhitui specifically mentioned in his family instructions: "Because of practicing martial arts, these ancestors became reckless, thus they failed and were killed. Therefore, the descendants of the Yan family must study hard."
After that, there was Yan Zhenqing...
He was not only a great calligrapher but also a general who could lead armies, possessing both courage and wisdom.
Even when his own brother and nephew were killed by rebels while resisting "An Lushan," Yan Zhenqing, heartbroken, wrote the second most famous running script in the world – "Memorial to My Nephew."
Although he was eventually harmed by treacherous officials, the three armies wept for him, and the emperor postponed court for three days. Even during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Song, he was posthumously honored as "Loyal and Righteous" and revered as a deity!
It could be said that the Yan clan's glory reached its peak with Yan Zhenqing.
Thus, Yan Liang not only benefited from his ancestors but also from the merits of his descendants!
Therefore, Lu Yu offered good wine and meat, and personally visited the prison to converse with him...
And this "prison," although called a "prison," was not miserable at all. Bedding, a bed, wine, and food were all provided!
"General Yan Liang, I think you've misjudged me, Lu Yu!" Lu Yu smiled faintly. "I'm not killing you not because you are so formidable, but because of the family behind you! Your Yan family's future is glorious, with outstanding achievements!"
"Besides, my goal is to help Chancellor Cao unify the empire, not to slaughter it. Why make an enemy when you can make a friend? Don't you agree?"
Having said that, Lu Yu paused.
"Besides, it wasn't I who killed Wen Chou. In battlefield combat, swords are blind. How was I to know... Guan Yu's blade fell directly and chopped Wen Chou in half! I heard yesterday that he had already resigned from Chancellor Cao's service and was going to the Northern Territory to find his elder brother Liu Bei... This has even less to do with me. If you want revenge, you should go chop Liu Bei!!"
Hey...
Remarkably, Lu Yu's words left Yan Liang speechless.
He knew it was sophistry, but he had no grounds to refute it, and there was even a tiny bit of logic to it.
"Heh heh..."
Yan Liang sneered and shook his head. "Indeed, you have a silver tongue. But... Situ Lu, let me ask you? Do you really think Cao Cao can defeat Duke Yuan? Duke Yuan's army is more than what you see! The Yuan clan's four generations of dukes and ministers also have profound heritage! Moreover... what is Duke Yuan's background, and what is Cao Cao's background? The difference between the two is vast!"
Alas...
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu shook his head helplessly.
Then he retorted, "What was Xiang Yu's background? And Liu Bang's? Yuan Shao's background, no matter how high, is not higher than Xiang Yu's. Cao Sikong's background, no matter how humble, is not humbler than Liu Bang's!"
Lu Yu spoke while smiling, and when he reached a happy point, he even took a small sip!
Unexpectedly...
Yan Liang's eyes narrowed, and he directly retorted, "But Liu Bang wasn't the First Emperor. He would kill his meritorious officials! You, Lu Yu, with such merits and reputation, aren't you afraid of Cao Cao's suspicion? What about your 'Hidden Dragon' identity? Which wise ruler would allow a 'Hidden Dragon that can secure the empire if obtained' to roam freely in this world!"
Hey...
Yan Liang's question indeed hit Lu Yu's heart!
This was a question he had asked himself countless times!
...
Meanwhile, in the prison...
Yan Liang and Lu Yu were discussing a crucial point.
On the other side, two swift horses were traveling on the official road one after another. These were two urgent dispatches. One was from Liyang in Hebei, detailing the latest movements of Yuan Shao's army!
The other was from Yanmen in Bing Province.
Both swift horses were covered in dust. And with the arrival of these two urgent dispatches, the calm was broken by the arrival of another storm...
...
...