Seeing Zhang Chen charging at him, Liu Bei was greatly alarmed. He parried with his twin swords, barely blocking Zhang Chen's spear.
The Xuan Tie Si Leng Qiang (Black Iron Four Edged Spear) was heavy, and Liu Bei was not known for his strength. With this blow, he only felt a numbness in both arms, almost unable to hold on.
Fortunately, the Soldiers beside him attacked together. Zhang Chen had no choice but to turn his spear to defend, and within a few moves, he again sent over a dozen Soldiers flying.
Liu Bei, having taken a move from Zhang Chen, was greatly startled. He thought to himself, this person's martial skill is extraordinary. Although not as good as Guan Yu or Zhang Fei, he can still be considered a first-rate fierce General!
No wonder Liu Yan is so wary of him. To be like this at such a young age, what would happen if he develops in Ji Province for a few years?
Regardless of whether he has the ambition to usurp, today, he must die!
A murderous intent flashed in Liu Bei's eyes. He immediately shouted, "Zhang Fei! Second Brother has held back Zhao Zilong, quickly! Let's combine our strength and kill Zhang Chen!"
Liu Bei was secretly calculating in his heart.
First get rid of Zhang Chen, then we'll work together to capture that Zhao Zilong. Once he's captured and brought back to Pingyuan, I'll treat him with courtesy, and if all else fails, I'll cry for him to see. With this 'righteousness' of mine, am I still afraid he won't surrender?
Zhang Chen must be killed, and Zhao Zilong, I've decided I must have him too!
Such a fierce General must be mine, he must be mine!
Liu Bei thought this to himself, then urged his horse forward to meet him. Zhang Fei also galloped up, and the two immediately engaged Zhang Chen in battle.
On the other side, Zhao Yun and Guan Yu had already fought for over a hundred bouts. The more Guan Yu fought, the more startled he became. He had always been arrogant, but he didn't expect this white-robed General to be so formidable, able to fight him for so long without defeat.
At this time, Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, and a group of Soldiers had already surrounded and attacked Zhang Chen.
Seeing this, Zhao Yun was instantly furious and roared, "Bah! You're bullying the few with the many, how shameless!"
Seeing this situation, Guan Yu also frowned. His Green Dragon Crescent Blade couldn't help but pause. Zhao Yun immediately parried it with a spear thrust and urged his horse to break into the encirclement.
How could those Soldiers on the periphery be Zhao Yun's opponents? As Zhao Yun charged in, he pierced and stabbed repeatedly, sending them falling from their horses.
And within the heavy encirclement, this time Zhang Chen no longer felt as disheartened as before. Instead, he made up his mind that even if he were to die, he would fight until the very last moment.
At this moment, Liu Bei only wanted to kill Zhang Chen. His twin swords flashed with numerous strikes, attacking Zhang Chen.
Unfortunately, using swords while on horseback was inherently unsuitable. Although Liu Bei had 【Peerless Swordsmanship】, when fighting against long weapons while mounted, his skill level directly dropped two tiers, only equivalent to the purple realm. Under Zhang Chen's Pinnacle of Spear Skill, he naturally couldn't gain any advantage.
As for Zhang Fei, he had just fought a long battle with Zhao Yun and was now somewhat lacking in stamina. Zhang Chen seized the opportunity, specifically targeting Liu Bei, forcing Zhang Fei to divert his attention to protect Liu Bei.
At this point, their combined attack created less pressure on Zhang Chen than Zhang Fei alone had just moments before.
"Harm not the Lord, Zhao Zilong is here!"
A sharp roar, a horse raising dust, followed immediately by a silver spear suddenly thrusting out, sweeping away Liu Bei's twin swords.
Zhang Fei knew Zhao Yun was formidable. Seeing this situation, he quickly blocked Zhao Yun and shouted loudly, "Boss, hurry and leave!"
"Zhang Fei, be careful!" Liu Bei was full of panic. He quickly turned his horse's head, just about to escape, but Zhang Chen's Xuan Tie Si Leng Qiang (Black Iron Four Edged Spear) suddenly thrust out.
Liu Bei was quick-witted and swift-handed. He twisted his body, parried with his twin swords behind him, and barely avoided it.
But this spear thrust still grazed his left arm, and blood immediately flowed out.
"Retreat! Quick, retreat!"
Liu Bei was greatly alarmed in his heart and hurriedly gave the order, but only then did he realize that there were only a few of the five hundred Soldiers left.
Liu Bei couldn't help but be filled with regret. These troops were ones he had painstakingly gathered. He hadn't expected that this time he not only failed to kill Zhang Chen but also lost this small foundation. This time, the loss was truly immense!
There was nothing he could do. The most pressing matter was to retreat first.
Zhang Chen, the grudge from today will surely be repaid another day!
"Second Brother, Zhang Fei, don't linger in battle, retreat quickly!"
Liu Bei shouted as he turned his horse and left.
Zhang Chen narrowed his eyes, the corner of his mouth curving slightly upward.
Hand of Plunder! Activate!
【Ding! Congratulations to the Host for successfully plundering the red trait "Zhaolie Benevolence (Red)", gaining 1000 Plunder Points!】
【Zhaolie Benevolence (Red)】: You are benevolent and rule the world with righteousness, deeply loved by the people. (Greatly increases popular support and public order in your territory.)
Haha!
I didn't expect that just trying it out would actually result in a successful plunder!
With this trait, I presume he will be able to stabilize the overall situation in Ji Province faster.
Liu Bei has always been known for his righteousness. Without this, it's like losing his foundation for survival. Can he still stand in the world in the future?
Hmph! Liu Bei, you brought this upon yourself, you can't blame me!
At Liu Bei's command, Zhang Fei also stopped lingering in battle, feinted a spear thrust, and turned his horse to leave.
Guan Yu frowned, also turned his horse's head, and led the dozens of remaining Soldiers to retreat.
Alas, an unjust battle is indeed difficult to win!
Guan Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
He had originally disagreed with today's matter. Not to mention Zhang Chen's great achievement in suppressing the Yellow Turbans, just the words in that letter were merely Liu Yan's baseless conjecture, saying that Zhang Chen harbored ill intentions. Where was there even a shred of proof?
But Boss believed this without a doubt. Why was this? Boss had always been righteous, why did he act like this this time?
Guan Yu was very puzzled in his heart.
After the troops retreated, the two dismounted. Zhang Chen came before Zhao Yun, bowed, and said, "Today, I was fortunate to be saved by the General. Otherwise, this life of mine would have been hard to preserve. General, you saved my life. Could you return with me? I will surely thank the General with generous gifts and express my gratitude for saving my life!"
"Zhang Chen, you speak too seriously." Zhao Yun returned the bow and said, "Lord, you suppressed the Yellow Turbans and saved the people from suffering. You are a rare good official. How could Zilong allow anyone to harm the Lord?"
Zhang Chen continued, "I see the General's bravery, divine and extraordinary, like a god descended to earth. May I ask where the General is from and where he intends to go?"
Zhao Yun said, "Yun is from Zhending, Changshan. I have practiced martial arts in the mountains since childhood. Now that my skills are complete, I have come down the mountain, wishing to travel the world, seek an enlightened Lord, and achieve great deeds!"
Zhang Chen was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly said, "So, General, you are also from Ji Province! His Majesty has already issued an imperial decree, appointing me as the Governor of Ji Province, in charge of Ji Province's military and political affairs. Ji Province has been severely damaged by the Yellow Turbans and is in a state of great recovery. Now is the time for reconstruction. Since the General has a heart to serve the country, why not stay and help me govern the prefecture? It would also be considered benefiting the local area, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
"Lord... have you already taken office as Prefect?"
Zhang Chen nodded and said, "That's right, the imperial decree has been issued. My return to Ji Province this time is to take up the position of Prefect. The affairs of a prefecture are numerous and complex. I alone cannot manage it; I need civil and military officials to assist me greatly. Now is precisely the time to employ talented people, General. I sincerely invite you, hoping you will stay in Ji Province, help me manage military affairs, and work for the well-being of the millions of people in Ji Province!"
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, he looked at Zhao Yun with eyes full of hope.
After a long while, Zhao Yun seemed to have made up his mind. He knelt on one knee and bowed to Zhang Chen, saying, "Lord, you are benevolent and righteous. Yun is deeply impressed and willing to serve the Lord, offering the service of a dog or horse!"
"General, quickly rise!" Zhang Chen hurriedly helped Zhao Yun up, his heart already filled with excitement.
Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong, a top famous General renowned in the history of the Three Kingdoms! Unexpectedly, in this life, he is now mine!
"General, let's go back to Ye City with me!"