Chapter 358
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“General Yang Wu . Zhang Fei is here to see you!” Zhang Fei’s voice could be heard outside .
“Yide is here . Come . Come in and sit!” Zhang Xiu looked at the man and greeted . Zhang Fei may have a foul mouth but he had saved Zhang Xiu . He was also Liu Bei’s Third Brother . As a result, Zhang Xiu had no choice but to greet Zhang Fei with enthusiasm . People during ancient times call others by their courtesy names not only as a show of respect but to also get closer to the other .
“Hm?” When Zhang Fei heard Zhang Xiu call him by his courtesy name, he suddenly felt unhappy . This watchdog did not have the qualifications to call him that . Zhang Fei hated two kinds of people . The first were those that don’t respect his brother . Those that looked down on Liu Bei also meant that they looked down on Zhang Fei himself . One example of such a person was Yuan Shu who looked down on them when he wanted to take Xuzhou to advance towards Yuan Shao . Zhang Fei killed a few generals serving under Yuan Shu and caused Yuan Shu to fall into depression . The other kind of person that Zhang Fei hated were the treacherous types such as Lu Bu . Lu Bu was someone who killed others for his own personal benefit . He killed Ding Yuan and later, Dong Zhuo . Zhang Xiu was not as bad as Lu Bu but he was similar . Zhang Xiu initially had good relationship with Liu Biao but silently tried to join up with Cao Cao . Now, his brother had lost the White Eared Soldiers and Chen Dao for his loyalty but this person treated his brother with disdain because his brother had lost military strength .
It was difficult for Zhang Fei to show Zhang Xiu a pleased expression when he hated the man but he somehow still managed to smile and cupped his fist . “General Yang Wu!”
“There is no need to be so polite . You can just call me Xiangyi . Lord Xuande said that I am like his brother . As you are his Third Brother so you can also call me elder brother . ” Zhang Xiu laughed as he spoke to Zhang Fei . He must not offend the Liu Bei’s Army if he could .
“Elder brother?” Zhang Fei already felt the impulse to hack Zhang Xiu into pieces . “Xiangyi!”
Zhang Xiu noted that Zhang Fei did not want to address him as an elder brother and did not force the issue . He was unable to understand the reason Zhang Fei paid him a visit . As Zhang Fei did not say, he simply had to ask . “Yide . Why did you come to my camp?”
“I… I came here because…” Zhang Fei stuttered . Normally, he would have no problems saying it but Pang Tong wanted him to stutter .
“Haha . Yide . You and I are friends . Now, we are facing a trial together . You can tell me anything straight . ” Zhang Xiu saw that Zhang Fei was stuttering and lowered his guard . Zhang Fei was a frank and honest person . He was a person that was easy to believe . Zhang Xiu thought that Zhang Fei stuttering was laughable .
“Yes . We captured a wild boar in the mountains . There is about a hundred pounds of meat . Brother told me to come and invite Xiangyi to eat . ” Zhang Fei said the words told to him by Pang Tong .
“Eat a wild boar?” Zhang Xiu was stunned . Didn’t Liu Bei give an order not to start a fire so that the Wolf Cavalry cannot chase them? Zhang Xiu approved of this order and nobody from his army would dare to start a fire without his command . The forest was damp and uncomfortable . The Xiliang Cavalry had suffered a lot in the past few days because they did not start a fire . Even then, nobody violated this order . Why would they kill a boar that they would not be able to eat? Even Zhang Xiu who came from Xiliang would not eat raw boar meat .
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“Brother said that the Wolf Cavalry would have already found us by now if they wanted to . The soldiers are also unsatisfied . If they do not eat something hot, they may die from exhaustion before they even reach Yangzhou . So, Brother is inviting Xiangyi to go and first!”
Zhang Xiu nodded at Zhang Fei’s words . Eating rations with cold water would not warm anyone up at all . If they were to continue like this, they would not last much longer . Those that could not hold on much longer would soon perish . They have been escaping for about half a month . It was time to let them rest .
Truthfully speaking, Zhang Xiu wanted to go as well but he knew that Zhang Fei would not only come just for this . If that was the case, there was no need for Zhang Fei to come personally . They could just dispatch a few soldiers to notify Zhang Xiu .
“Yide . What is your real purpose here?” Zhang Xiu opened up the windows and asked .
“Haha . I really cannot hide it from General Yangwu! I came here to receive advice1 from you in martial arts!” Zhang Fei said with a smile .
“Receive advice from me in martial arts?” Zhang Xiu looked back at Zhang Fei sceptically .
“General Yangwu . Didn’t you fight against the Slave of Three Surnames and come out alive? So I came here seeking advice . ” Zhang Fei said to Zhang Xiu .
“Survive a fight against Lu Bu?” Zhang Xiu could not help but laugh bitterly . He did not know if Zhang Fei was praising or ridiculing him . Zhang Xiu knew that he may have died if Zhang Fei did not come to rescue him . His original intention of defeating and killing Lu Bu have also already disappeared . When Zhang Xiu saw Zhang Fei’s burning eyes, he knew that Zhang Fei was not ridiculing him but came to ask for advice sincerely . He was a battle maniac . This was something Zhang Xiu already knew when he followed Liu Bei into Yangzhou . Zhang Fei was not someone who would skip his exercise even when he is marching with his army . After a while, Zhang Xiu finally agreed .
“Do you promise?” Zhang Fei shouted excitedly . His excitement was genuine as he truly wanted to fight against Zhang Xiu . Zhang Fei had always believed himself to be stronger than anyone except Lu Bu . The prideful Zhang Fei also knew that he would struggle against Lu Bu . However, Zhang Xiu fought against Lu Bu and survived . Naturally, Zhang Fei was excited to fight against Zhang Xiu .
“Yide . You praise me too much by saying that you are seeking advice . Let us just say that we are learning together! We are all tired out in the past few days and it is about time to let everyone rest . Let us go and find a place to train!” Zhang Xiu also wanted to test out what he had learned in the past few days . After all, he had received a pointer from Lu Bu after their encounter . It could be said that the current Zhang Xiu could no longer be compared to the old Zhang Xiu . He now needed an opponent to test himself against .
“Good!” Zhang Fei and Zhang Xiu then left the camp . “Men . Come and accompany me and General Yide to an empty space!”
When Zhang Xiu called out, the Xiliang Cavalry came over and cupped their fists . Zhang Xiu looked at them strangely as he could not recognize them . They were like strangers . On top of that, the two guards in front of his camp were not around .
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However, one of the Xiliang Cavalry soldiers suddenly said that the others have already gone to eat and they changed shifts . This dispelled Zhang Xiu’s doubts . All of Zhang Xiu’s original guards have already been killed by Lu Bu in order save him . Most of the remaining ones were those that Zhang Xiu have never met before . As he was still recovering from his wounds in the past few days, it would be weirder if he could recognize talents amongst them .
With the soldier guiding them around, Zhang Xiu went with Zhang Fei to a clearing . It was a small space where the surrounding trees have already been cut down . It was a fitting space to show off their martial skills .
“Yide . Right now, we have no horses . There is no need for a horse battle . ” Zhang Xiu said as he assumed his stance . Although Zhang Xiu had not used a spear for several days, his skill has not dropped . Instead, his skill even seemed to have improved as he had found a breakthrough . It was as though the spear was moving around him .
“Superb skill!” Zhang Fei’s eyes burned brightly as he saw Zhang Xiu’s skill with the spear . This is because Zhang Xiu’s spear moved around as though it was alive . This showed that Zhang Xiu’s martial arts have reached great heights . This was the Zhang Xiu that Zhang Fei wanted to fight against .
“Where is my spear2? Why have you not brought it?” Zhang Fei asked impatiently . Fortunately one of the soldiers was seemingly prepared and quickly brought Zhang Fei’s spear . Zhang Fei then held his spear and pointed it at Zhang Xiu .
“Come!” Zhang Xiu moved nimbly . Truthfully speaking, Zhang Xiu was someone who fought on horseback as he was part of the Xiliang Cavalry . He charges together with the Xiliang Cavalry .
Zhang Fei’s Serpent Spear was longer than Zhang Xiu’s spear . It is said that the longer weapon is more powerful . Zhang Fei swung his weapon at his opponent . He had used a different approach in his attack but he was still no less skilled . Both were long weapons and Zhang Fei’s spear was equally useful in stabbing attacks .
Zhang Fei’s Serpent Spear was also a kind of spear but its front was sharper . It could cut things better than a normal spear . The Serpent Spear was a strange weapon .
Zhang Xiu moved closer . Although his spear was long, it was not as long as Zhang Fei’s Serpent Spear . To gain the advantage, he would need to move closer . Zhang Fei’s Serpent Spear was almost two meters long . It was even longer than the weapons used by the cavalry . Such a weapon could only be used by a few people . Such a long weapon was something the cavalry would discard and exchange for a sword when an opponent gets too close . However, this was Zhang Fei’s personal weapon . He would not abandon it so easily .
Unlike what others would expect, Zhang Fei also moved closer to Zhang Xiu . He held closer to the sharp end of the spear, causing its length to be similar to Zhang Xiu’s spear . They clashed for about ten rounds with neither obtaining the upper hand .
“Hahaha! How refreshing!” Zhang Fei was pleased as it was difficult to find an opponent that could withstand his violent flurry . He was the type that fought so ferociously that even Lu Bu would need to keep away from Zhang Fei for the first fifty rounds . The only one that could go against him here was the valiant Zhang Xiu . Zhang Xiu was not fighting to kill this time . They were just comparing notes . Zhang Fei wanted a fight and Zhang Xiu wanted to test out his style . This created a scene where neither was willing to yield to each other .
“Yide . Do you think you can receive this attack?” Zhang Xiu asked as he put more strength into his spear .
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“Bring it on! Show me how powerful one of the same clan as me can be!” Zhang Fei paid no mind . The stronger Zhang Xiu was, the more excited he would be . His fighting spirit was raised . Besides that, the stronger Zhang Xiu was, the more interest Zhang Fei would have in killing him .
“Good! In that case, Yide better watch carefully!” Zhang Xiu’s eyes glinted . Zhang Xiu may be a small Lord with only one territory but he was also like Zhang Fei who appreciates good martial skill . Zhang Xiu thinks highly of his own skill . Now that Zhang Fei has provoked him, he decided to move and supress Zhang Fei .
“Eagle Strike With Stretched Wings!3” Zhang Xiu’s spear emitted a rumbling sound . This came from the vibrating air caused by the movements of the spear which were too quick . The movements were so quick that one could see and illusion . The sound was as though an eagle screech out from the sky .
Zhang Xiu’s spear moved . Every section of the spear was attacking in a movement familiar to Zhang Xiu . Others would become immediately supressed by the spear which struck like a cutting machine . It was able to immediately saw through armor and flesh .
“Zhang Xiu . You are very strong!” Zhang Fei finally said to Zhang Xiu . He finally approved of Zhang Xiu and no longer hated the man . It was now possible for Zhang Fei to treat Zhang Xiu as a friend . Unfortunately, Zhang Xiu was an obstruction for his brother .
“I have met many that have used spears . However, only two amongst them is capable to be on par with you!” Zhang Fei said to Zhang Xiu .
“Two?” Zhang Xiu was sceptical . A spear is a common weapon but there were only a few that have mastered it such as his master and Wang Yue .
When Zhang Xiu graduated, he was not even able to last ten rounds against his master and his master wasn’t even using a spear . Even after making a breakthrough, Zhang Xiu doubted that he could defeat his master . As for Wang Yue, Zhang Xiu has never met the man but he had heard that Wang Yue was able to disarm many bare handed . Zhang Xiu did not have the confidence to win and at that time, Wang Yue have already reached a high level in swordplay .
“Are you talking about Sun Ce?” Zhang Xiu asked in doubt . There was a person that used a spear in the Liu Bei’s Army . That person was Chen Dao . Zhang Xiu had seen Chen Dao in action before . The man’s skill was able to make people lament . Zhang Xiu only had a fifty percent assurance that he could defeat Chen Dao in battle . Unfortunately, Chen Dao had perished in battle . Zhang Xiu believed that the second person was Sun Ce . He had heard rumors that Sun Ce’s martial style was passed down by the Overlord of Western Chu .
It was a formidable style . Previously, Zhang Xiu had even wanted to test whether that style or his Hundred Bird and Phoenix Spear was stronger but he had already given up on this .
Lu Bu was right . The Hundred Bird and Phoenix Spear was not suitable for Zhang Xiu . Zhang Xiu’s current style was the one more suitable for himself .
Zhang Xiu had thought that it was Sun Ce but Zhang Fei told him that he was wrong . Zhang Fei also knew that Sun Ce was strong as the man was able to lay down the foundation for Jiangdong with only three thousand men . Such a person could be considered to be a valiant general on par with Lu Bu . It was just like how Lu Bu led his own Wolf Cavalry to battle .
Zhang Fei also wanted to fight against Sun Ce but he did not have that chance . After all, his brother is still at the Central Plains and there was no benefit to declare war against Sun Ce yet . Besides that, Sun Ce could currently be considered an ally to Liu Bei .
“In that case, who are you talking about?” Zhang Xiu was also curious . The more strong opponents he could fight against, the better he could understand his spearmanship .
“That man is one of my former friends, Zhao Yun Zhao Zilong!” Zhang Fei’s eyes turned dark as he mentioned the name . Zhang Fei once considered Zhao Yun a friend when they worked together for Liu Bei . Zhao Yun did not bother striving for anything and always yielded to Zhang Fei . On the other hand, Zhang Fei was so foul mouthed he even caused his two brothers to sometimes frown at him . However, Zhao Yun laughed indifferently and paid no mind to Zhang Fei foul mouth . When Zhang Fei is in a bad mood, Zhao Yun would spar against him . When Zhang Fei wanted to drink, Zhao Yun would accompany him . Zhao Yun was Zhang Fei’s best friend .
When Gongsun Zan died, Zhang Fei believed that Zhao Yun would come over and fight for his brother . They would be able to continue staying as friends . Unfortunately, that did not happen and Zhao Yun ended up working for the enemy .
“Zhao Yun Zhao Zilong?” Zhang Xiu repeated as if he had never heard of this name before . “Who is this again?”
“It is that general on top of Shouchun!” Zhang Fei explained to Zhang Xiu . As Zhang Xiu did not participate in the siege directly, he did not know about Zhao Yun .
“Zilong’s martial arts is similar to yours!” Zhang Fei said with a frown as he seemed to recognize a few of Zhang Xiu’s moves .
“Yide . You are thinking too much!” Zhang Xiu shook his head . His master Tong Yuan had already said that he would not accept another apprentice . How could there be another who fights in a similar style to him? If there was one, it would be the Li Su described by Lu Bu .
“Maybe! Come . Let us start our decisive battle! One of us will die this day!” Zhang Fei’s will to fight became stronger .
“Hm?” Zhang Xiu felt a bad premonition when he heard Zhang Fei’s words . Soon, he understood where his bad premonition came from . He quickly moved and asked angrily . “Zhang Fei . What are you trying to do?” Zhang Xiu asked as he felt a cut on his arm . If he had been a little slower, his entire arm would have been cut off .
“Killing intent?” Zhang Xiu finally felt the killing intent coming from Zhang Fei and shouted . “Do you want to kill me?”