Leaving the Imperial Palace, Zhang Shihao headed towards the mansion Liu Hong had previously bestowed upon him in Luoyang City.
With Huang Zhong watching over the Imperial Palace, both Zhang Shihao and Liu Hong felt much more at ease.
Of course, Zhang Shihao was also quite formidable in Liu Hong's eyes.
However, this formidable quality of Zhang Shihao's did not have a clear definition.
But Huang Zhong was different.
Outside Chengde Hall, Huang Zhong alone defeated a hundred Imperial Guards, displaying unparalleled archery and hitting targets from a hundred paces away—all of which Liu Hong witnessed.
Now, as Huang Zhong's achievements spread,
the entire Han Dynasty knew that Huang Zhong possessed the courage of an Overlord.
The title of the World's Foremost Martial General could be said to have fallen directly upon Huang Zhong, making all martial artists in the world envious.
With the World's Foremost Martial General guarding the Imperial Palace, Liu Hong naturally felt reassured.
Zhang Shihao also gained a great deal of freedom, no longer needing to constantly stay by Liu Hong's side.
Regarding Huang Zhong taking the title of the World's Foremost Martial General, and the fact that Liu Hong, Civil and Military Officials, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and others all believed Huang Zhong's martial arts were superior to his, Zhang Shihao wasn't too bothered; in fact, he was quite pleased.
Because the world was not yet in great chaos.
Being too ostentatious, like the saying 'the gun shoots the bird that sticks its head out,' was not good; it made one an easy target.
It was far more comfortable to feign weakness and surprise the strong.
Moreover, no matter how fierce or powerful Huang Zhong was, wasn't he still one of his own?
Zhang Shihao arrived at the Yiyang Marquis Manor.
The Yiyang Marquis Manor was the residence Liu Hong had bestowed upon him after he recommended Huang Zhong.
Perhaps because Liu Hong truly intended to heavily rely on him and wished to demonstrate his favor,
he directly granted him the former residence of Grand General Dou Wu.
The former residence of Grand General Dou Wu was truly spacious, covering a full fifteen mu. The manor featured heavy walls, narrow alleys, long corridors, towers, pavilions, flower halls, and rockeries—nothing was missing. The architecture was extremely luxurious, with carved beams and painted rafters everywhere, and hundreds of decorative patterns including exotic flowers, rare plants, and auspicious antiques.
"My Lord!"
Seeing Zhang Shihao arrive, the guards at the manor gate immediately saluted.
Zhang Shihao nodded lightly and asked, "Hmm, is Young Master Huang Xu in the manor?"
"Reporting to My Lord, Young Master Huang Xu has gone to the training grounds."
Looking at the gentle Zhang Shihao, the guard was clearly very excited and quickly replied.
Zhang Shihao entered the Yiyang Marquis Manor and walked towards the training grounds.
The Yiyang Marquis Manor's training grounds were also very large, with a massive weapon rack placed to one side.
On it were eighteen types of weapons: sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, forks, whips, maces, hammers, ge-halberds, tang-halberds, staves, lances, cudgels, pikes, and rakes.
In the distance, there was also a large archery target area.
In the archery target area, rows of targets stood upright.
In the eyes of any martial artist, this was a perfect training ground.
"Brother Shihao, you're back."
As soon as Zhang Shihao stepped into the training grounds, a clear and nimble voice rang out.
He saw a beautiful and lively girl of fourteen or fifteen, dressed in a light green shirt, holding a bow and arrow, standing prettily and looking at him with surprise.
At this moment, the girl's bright and lively eyes were filled with joy.
"What a lively girl!"
Even though it wasn't the first time Zhang Shihao had seen Huang Wu Die, his eyes couldn't help but light up, and he secretly praised her.
"Brother Shihao, you're here."
Another voice, lacking in confidence, came.
He saw a young man on the training grounds, holding a large saber, with a tall and robust posture, standing awkwardly.
He looked as if he had been caught doing something wrong.
This boy and girl were Huang Xu, Huang Zhong's son, and Huang Wu Die, his daughter.
Ever since the mansion was bestowed by Liu Hong, Huang Zhong's family had moved in.
When Huang Zhong first arrived in Luoyang, despite becoming a Colonel of the Imperial Guards, he had no place to settle down.
Furthermore, Huang Xu's condition had not fully recovered and still required treatment.
Therefore, Zhang Shihao directly had Huang Zhong's family move in.
"Sister Wu Die, practicing archery, are we?" Zhang Shihao first greeted Huang Wu Die, then his face hardened as he looked at Huang Xu, saying sternly:
"Xu Di, you're being disobedient again. If your father finds out you've secretly come to practice martial arts again, he'll surely get angry."
"Brother Shihao, please don't tell Father, or he'll start nagging again, get sad, and lose sleep. I truly feel that my body has recovered, which is why I came to the training grounds."
Hearing Zhang Shihao mention Huang Zhong's name, Huang Xu immediately grew anxious and quickly approached Zhang Shihao, saying worriedly, as if afraid Zhang Shihao would tell Huang Zhong.
Huang Xu was indeed anxious; it wasn't that he was afraid Huang Zhong would beat him.
Rather, he was afraid Huang Zhong would worry again.
Previously, he had fallen ill with a cold from over-training in martial arts and became bedridden.
Then Huang Zhong took him to various places to seek medical treatment.
Huang Xu witnessed firsthand his father, Huang Zhong, spending all his family's wealth to treat his illness, even kneeling before countless 'divine doctors' and 'famous doctors' just to obtain a single medicine for him. He also saw countless times how Huang Zhong would stay up late, sleepless with worry, sighing repeatedly, and constantly fretting over him.
Huang Xu saw all of this.
Fortunately, he met Zhang Shihao.
With the medicine, his condition improved day by day, and not a single penny was charged. Moreover, Zhang Shihao showed great kindness and appreciation to the Yang Family.
Everything was getting better.
Huang Zhong finally smiled.
Huang Xu feared nothing on heaven or earth, but he dreaded seeing his father Huang Zhong's worried expression again.
Or, more accurately, he was unwilling, he felt pained to see his father like that.
"Brother Shihao, please don't tell Father, okay?"
"Brother's body has truly gotten much better, that's why Wu Die didn't stop him."
A clear and nimble voice rang out, and he saw Huang Wu Die had come to his side at some point, a refreshing fragrance wafting to his nose.
Huang Wu Die's face wore a pitiful expression, making one's heart ache.
Seeing this, Zhang Shihao's heart softened, and he couldn't help but say:
"Oh, is that so? Let me see."
Hearing this, Huang Xu's spirits lifted, and he quickly offered his wrist.
Zhang Shihao placed his hand on Huang Xu's pulse and immediately felt a strong, vigorous beat. Under the nervous gazes of Huang Xu and Huang Wu Die, Zhang Shihao smiled and said:
"Your body has recovered quite well. You can indeed go to the training grounds, but you still need to be careful; too much is as bad as too little. In that case, I won't tell your father."
"Really? Thank you, Brother Shihao."
Hearing Zhang Shihao say he could go to the training grounds and wouldn't tell Huang Zhong, Huang Xu's face immediately lit up with excitement.
"Thank you, Brother Shihao!"
Huang Wu Die's pretty face beside him also bloomed into a smile. Her bright, clear eyes looked at the handsome, tall Zhang Shihao with a mix of gratitude and, for some reason, a hint of regret.
"Brother Shihao is good in every way—handsome, skilled in martial arts, skilled in medicine, and a very kind person. It's just a pity he's a Eunuch."
Zhang Shihao was unaware of Huang Wu Die's inner thoughts, but looking at the excited and happy Huang Xu and Huang Wu Die, a glimmer of light flashed in Zhang Shihao's eyes, and his gaze was filled with admiration for the two.
It must be said that Huang Zhong was extremely powerful, and his genes were also excellent. Both Huang Xu and Huang Wu Die possessed martial arts talent.
Although Huang Wu Die was just a girl next door coming of age, her beauty had already reached an astonishing 98.
It should be noted that the Empress's beauty rating was 100, so Huang Wu Die was only two points lower than the Empress.
Huang Wu Die was irresistibly endearing, and Huang Xu was also excellent, with a potential for martial arts strength of four stars. After fully maturing, he would likely reach the level of Zhang Fei and Fan Kuai.
It would not be an exaggeration to call them the Twin Prodigies of the Yang Family.
Of course, Zhang Shihao's visit was specifically for Huang Xu.
That's right, it was Huang Xu.
Especially looking at Huang Xu's personality, Zhang Shihao was very satisfied.
"Xu Di, now that your body has almost recovered, do you have any ambitions?"
Zhang Shihao asked Huang Xu with a smile.
Hearing Zhang Shihao's question, Huang Xu immediately became animated and quickly said:
"Yes, of course, I do, Brother Shihao! I also want to be a General like Father, but I don't want to stand guard in the palace; that's too boring. I want to go to the frontier, like General of Agile Cavalry Huo Qubing and Wei Qing, to fight the Xiongnu. The thrill of the battlefield, just thinking about it, is exciting! Brother Shihao, I heard you are highly valued by His Majesty in the Imperial Palace, please help Xu Di..."
...
Night, late and quiet.
Luoyang, Yiyang Marquis Manor, Huang Xu's room.
The excited Huang Xu stared wide-eyed at the brilliant starry sky outside the window, his heart still too agitated to calm down.
His mind was filled with Zhang Shihao's conversation with him:
"Xu Di, your ambition is indeed grand. However, since you wish for the thrill of the battlefield, then Brother Hao will certainly lend you a hand. As long as there's an opportunity, Brother Hao will help you."
"Then, Brother Shihao, is there hope for me to become a Cavalry Commandant before I turn seventeen?"
"Xu Di, why do you want to become a Cavalry Commandant before seventeen?"
"Because General of Agile Cavalry Huo, at the age of 17, was appointed Cavalry Commandant by Emperor Wu of Han. He led eight hundred men deep into enemy territory for hundreds of miles, captured over two thousand enemy heads, and became famous in one battle!"
"At 19, Emperor Wu of Han appointed him General of Agile Cavalry. In the Battle of Hexi, he decisively defeated the Xiongnu..."
"Haha, Xu Di, what a grand ambition, to take General of Agile Cavalry Huo as your goal! However, Xu Di must know that General of Agile Cavalry Huo was not only brave and skilled in battle but also well-versed in military strategy. Brother Shihao fully supports your desire to emulate him, but you must also practice your martial arts more, and study military strategy more..."
...
Looking at the myriad stars, Huang Xu clenched his fists and murmured:
"Brother Hao, Xu Di will definitely not disappoint you. Isn't it just practicing martial arts and studying military strategy? Xu Di will start tomorrow!"
As the night deepened, a flurry of thoughts and waves of drowsiness swept over him. Huang Xu's eyelids involuntarily closed, and he drifted into sleep.
In a hazy dream, Huang Xu found himself by a flowing stream.
He saw a dark, three to four-meter-long spear plunged into the ground, its sharp tip pointing towards the sky, emitting a chilling gleam.
"Is this... am I dreaming? Is this a dream?"
Looking at the scene before him, Huang Xu was utterly stunned, then excitedly approached the dark spear and immediately tried to pull out the embedded long spear.
It felt heavy in his hand, and Huang Xu felt himself sink. Huang Xu's eyes immediately widened.
"It's even heavier than Father's eighty-one jin Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun Saber, almost as heavy as Brother Hao's Sky Dragon City-Breaking Halberd, isn't it? Does it weigh over a hundred jin?"
"This spear feels cold and heavy in hand, full of texture, with a sharp tip. It's truly a good spear, but it's a bit too heavy. I don't think I can use it. What a pity, what a pity..."
Huang Xu held the dark spear, scrutinizing it, and finally sighed with regret.
"Do you like spears?"
Just as Huang Xu was holding the dark spear, scrutinizing it and sighing, a rough, deep voice came. Huang Xu was startled and quickly looked towards the source of the sound.
He saw an ancient General, clad in armor, sitting on a large rock by the stream, holding a wineskin, drinking wine, and watching the flowing water.
From a distance, the General appeared to be a burly, bearded man, but upon closer inspection, his features were exceptionally handsome, and he exuded a domineering and imposing aura.
"Ah, um, is this your spear? I'm sorry, I didn't see you."
Huang Xu quickly apologized, feeling embarrassed, and at the same time, reinserted the spear into its original spot, completely forgetting that he was in his dream.
The ancient General looked at Huang Xu upon hearing this but did not speak.
He stood up and came to Huang Xu's side. To Huang Xu's astonishment, he effortlessly pulled out the large spear as if it weighed nothing, touched its tip, and said:
"It's alright. I summoned you here. This is your dream."
"The chaotic era of the Han Dynasty has arrived. The Ziwei Star has fallen, and the Azure Dragon is latent within Zhang Shihao."
"He has the destiny to restore the Han Dynasty and rescue it from its impending collapse. You possess a General's Star that can assist him in accomplishing this great task. I, Yang Zaixing, can bestow upon you a peerless physique, teach you the exquisitely unparalleled Yang Family spear techniques, and methods of leading troops. Are you willing to learn?"
Yang Zaixing's solemn, calm voice resonated.
Huang Xu was utterly stunned on the spot, looking in disbelief at the awe-inspiring General before him, who exuded a powerful aura.
What did he hear?
The chaotic era of the Han Dynasty is about to begin, and the Azure Dragon is latent within Zhang Shihao?
Zhang Shihao has the destiny to restore the Han Dynasty and rescue it from its impending collapse?
"This... how is this possible? Isn't Brother Shihao a Eunuch? How could he have a destiny?"
Huang Xu was dumbfounded.
...
The next day, in the early morning, Huang Xu awoke from his dream, suddenly sprang up with a carp-flip, and rushed into the training grounds.
A long spear in hand, the spear moved like a dragon, executing a set of exquisite spear techniques, with spear flowers blooming one after another.
Although still very unpracticed, it was quite convincing.
"Huh, Brother, how do you know how to use a spear? Didn't Father only teach us to use sabers?"
Huang Wu Die, who had come out for morning exercise, looked at Huang Xu practicing with the spear in surprise and asked.
"This... this..." Huang Xu stood dumbfounded, feeling the even more surging power within his body, his strong physique, and the Yang Family spear techniques in his mind. Huang Xu was completely stunned and stammered to the surprised Huang Wu Die beside him:
"Sister, Master said Brother Shihao has the Azure Dragon attached to him and has a destiny, but isn't Brother Shihao a Eunuch?"
Hearing Huang Xu's uncertain murmur, it was Huang Wu Die's turn to be dumbfounded, then she grew anxious, touched Huang Xu's head, and asked worriedly:
"Brother, have you lost your mind? Why are you talking nonsense?"
...