The next afternoon, inside the Yellow Turban Army's large camp thirty li away, Guan Hai was gathered with a group of Generals, plotting.
Guan Hai stood with his hands behind his back, carefully observing the map, while the other dozen or so Generals stood to his left and right.
After a long while, Guan Hai slowly said, "Zhao Commandery, have things been settled over there?"
A General below said, "Protector, rest assured, the Commandant of Zhao Commandery, Situ Ming, and his eight subordinates have all joined our sacred religion. Now, the thirty thousand troops of Zhao Commandery are all ours, waiting only for Protector's command to immediately attack Liangqi and head straight for Ye City!"
"Good! Zhang Baiqi, Li Damu!"
Two Generals immediately stepped out from among the crowd: "Zhang He is here!"
"You two will lead five thousand Soldiers, depart tonight, and travel through the night to Zhao Commandery to take command of the Zhao Commandery troops. After I begin the war with Zhang Chen, you will combine with the Zhao Commandery Soldiers to attack Liangqi. Within half a day, you must take Liangqi and strike directly at Ye City!"
"Zhang He receives the order!"
"Yang Feng!"
"Zhang He is here!"
"How are the people sent to the Quliang large camp these past few days?"
Yang Feng said, "Protector, that Zhang Chen is quite cautious. He sent cavalry to patrol the surroundings, and many of our brothers were driven away, completely unable to approach the large camp."
"Never mind, I had already expected it wouldn't be so smooth. Have the brothers withdraw," Guan Hai said. "It seems we can only have a frontal decisive battle."
After Guan Hai finished speaking, a General said with some concern, "But, Protector, a frontal decisive battle is disadvantageous to our army..."
"Don't worry, I have my own arrangements," Guan Hai said. "How are the three thousand puppet Soldiers prepared?"
Another General responded, "Reporting to Protector, they have been secretly transported to the rear camp and settled. However, those puppets have been restless these past few days. If they lose control, I fear..."
Guan Hai waved his hand: "No matter, tomorrow night is the full moon night. After one last ritual refinement, they will completely lose their sentience and obey my commands. By then, these puppets will be a sharp sword, helping us sweep away Wei Commandery and pacify Ji Province!"
Upon hearing this, the Generals' expressions changed slightly, and they said in unison, "We wish Protector success in his first battle!"
"Remember, no one is allowed to approach except for the guards. Furthermore, the curtains on the cages must absolutely not be lifted. Although these puppets are impervious to blades and spears, and unaffected by water and fire, they cannot see sunlight. Once exposed to light, they will immediately turn into blood!"
"Protector, rest assured, Zhang He will remember."
"Everyone, the Blue Heaven is dead, the yellow heaven shall rise." After Guan Hai finished speaking, he propped his hand on the commander's desk and said with a stern expression, "This time, let this ignorant child get a good look at the power of my 'Taiping Way'!"
After Guan Hai finished speaking, he revealed an evil and charming cold smile, and a strong killing intent appeared in his eyes.
...
Unconsciously, another two days passed. Today was the day of the agreed-upon battle.
Over the past two days, the patrolling cavalry sent by Zhang Chen did discover many suspicious individuals. The Soldiers, following Zhang Chen's orders, drove them away one by one. By yesterday, there were no longer any unusual occurrences in the surroundings.
Zhang Chen guessed that the other party likely saw no opportunity and simply gave up.
In the early morning, Zhang Chen and a group of Generals led the large army to the open field.
The terrain here was open, just as the scout cavalry had reported. Looking out, there was nothing to obstruct the view; no place for ambushes, and no cover. It was indeed an excellent location suitable for field battles.
When the two armies clashed here, it was purely a test of their respective combat strength, without any cunning schemes or stratagems.
Zhang Chen ordered the army to array their formation. The three armies were orderly and majestic, their momentum like a rainbow.
Looking at the opposite side, some were wearing cloth clothes, some were wearing leather armor, the better-equipped ones were wearing iron armor, and the weapons in their hands were also varied, some even holding hoes and shovels.
However, they were all uniformly wearing Yellow Turbans on their heads, which was particularly conspicuous.
Zhang Chen, Ju Shou, and Zhang He sat upright on their horses, located in the center of the army, flanked by the First to Ascend and Trap Camp battalions. Qian Zhao and Fang Ping each led a cavalry unit, positioned on the left and right wings.
Zhang Chen looked into the distance and saw that in the opposing army, the leading Generals were also sitting upright on their horses, ready for battle.
Due to the great distance, Zhang Chen was unable to activate his Insight Eye to observe the detailed information of these Generals.
Before long, a round of drums finished.
A General was seen emerging from the opposing army, holding a long saber, urging his horse forward, and shouting loudly, "Where is Prefect of Wei Commandery Zhang Chen?"
Zhang Chen frowned, held his Xuan Tie Si Leng Qiang (Black Iron Four Edged Spear), and urged his horse forward. The Soldiers in front all retreated to the sides, clearing a path.
Zhang Chen urged his horse to the front of the formation and said, "This official is the Prefect of Wei Commandery, Zhang Chen Zhang Zifan! Who is the approaching General, report your name!"
While Zhang Chen was speaking, he had already secretly activated his Insight Eye, sizing up the person who had arrived.
【Name: Guan Hai】
【Owned Attributes: Yellow Turban Commander (Gold), Heavenly Strength (Gold), Pinnacle Swordsmanship (Gold), The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven (Gold)】
【Yellow Turban Commander (Gold)】: You are the Yellow Turban Army's commander, the backbone of the Yellow Turban Army. (The Yellow Turban Army's and Black Mountain Army's attack power, defense, and morale are greatly increased)
【The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven (Gold)】: You have cultivated The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven, and have reached a considerable level. (The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven is a secret immortal scripture. Different cultivation levels result in different attribute levels. The higher the level, the higher the attribute level and the deeper the Dao techniques.)
!!!
Zhang Chen couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.
This Guan Hai, his attributes are actually this powerful!
Four gold attributes, even Zhang He cannot reach this level.
Right, after all, how could someone who could fight dozens of moves with Lord Guan be an ordinary person?
However, among these four attributes, the others were fine, but only The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven made Zhang Chen somewhat apprehensive.
Could it be that this miraculous book actually exists in the world?
Legend says that Zhang Jiao entered the mountains to gather herbs, met Immortal Nanhua, who taught him The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven. Afterwards, he cultivated the techniques within, and could summon wind and rain, scatter beans to form Soldiers...
Zhang Chen had always thought that was just unofficial history and legends. Although the Yellow Turban Uprising did happen in history, Zhang Jiao didn't necessarily know any immortal techniques. His methods of treating illnesses with talisman water were merely common ways to deceive people.
But, this attribute on Guan Hai...
Could it be, this is actually true? Immortal techniques actually exist in the world?
Zhang Chen suddenly remembered the man in the yellow robe who rescued Chu Yan outside Yingtao County that day. Could his method of summoning fierce winds have come from this The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven?
Just then, Guan Hai spoke, "This General is the head of the thirty-six Yellow Turban commanders, Guan Hai! Zhang Chen, child, that day you killed four of my Generals and destroyed my fifty thousand strong army. Today, this General will come and test your skills!"
Zhang Chen snorted coldly and said, "Hmph! You do not recognize the Mandate of Heaven, you offend the heavenly might, and you dare to rebel against your superiors, truly bringing about your own destruction!"
While Zhang Chen was speaking, he secretly activated Hand of Plunder towards Guan Hai.
【Ding! Plunder failed! The opponent's strength is too great, the host cannot plunder the opponent's attribute!】
As expected, it failed again!
Although Zhang Chen had anticipated it, his heart still sank.
This meant that only by defeating Guan Hai could he obtain the attribute.
But wanting to defeat him, how could it be easy?
He had four gold attributes. His Heavenly Strength in terms of strength was equal to Zhang Chen's. Pinnacle Swordsmanship was even one rank higher than Zhang Chen's Proficient Spear Technique.
Although the Xuan Tie Si Leng Qiang (Black Iron Four Edged Spear) could enhance spear technique power, it didn't say it could raise the rank. Being one rank lower was still being lower.
In front of him, Zhang Chen had no advantage whatsoever.
But at this moment, as Guan Hai looked at Zhang Chen, his heart was faintly filled with fear.
Why just now, when he was looking at me, did I feel my internal true qi leaking out, as if it were out of control?
But this feeling was fleeting. Was I being overly suspicious?
Guan Hai muttered to himself, could it be that this kid also has some unusual methods?