Mythical Three Kingdoms

"Quickly notify the Vanguard in the rear!" Juo Yi resisted Zhao Yun's sword with all his might. Seeing Hee Mao, Hann Meng, Zhao Rui, and others rushing forward, he immediately became enraged. "These idiots can't see how unfavorable the situation is for them and are still charging in to die!"

Juo Yi roared loudly, instantly helping Yuan Shao's military generals understand how to respond. It was clear that Zhao Yun was growing fiercer as the battle persisted, completely disregarding the explosive attacks from Yann Liang and Juo Yi. Whether it was Yann Liang's extraordinary Power of Heart Spirit or Juo Yi's nearly infinite Power of Military Spirit, against Zhao Yun in this state, they all became mere whetstones!

"Zilong, quickly kill Yuan Shao!" Chen Xi yelled toward Zhao Yun, braving the spiritual shock from the opposing side. "Trust yourself; you can absolutely do this!"

"Die!" The sword shadow in Zhao Yun's hand exploded in that instant, slashing fiercely toward Yann Liang. Comparatively, killing Yann Liang was easier than killing Juo Yi, whose nearly infinite Inner Qi needed no amplification from the Power of Heart Spirit.

"Good timing!" Yann Liang's eyes hardened with determination. Before Zhao Yun's sword stance could fully unfold, he charged toward Zhao Yun and swept his sword at Liu Bei, who was already approaching Yuan Shao.

"Splat!" Zhao Yun forcibly redirected his sword stance, intercepting Yann Liang while still slashing toward Yuan Shao.

Yann Liang shifted sideways, inserting himself into the battlefield between Liu Bei and Yuan Shao. He raised his left arm and used his body to block the lingering sword shadow of Zhao Yun.

A flash of blood streaked by. Yann Liang, gripping his sword with one hand, gazed at Zhao Yun with fierce resolve. A massive wound was carved into his left arm and torso, so deep that even his bones bore scratches. Yet he showed no sign of fear or panic, standing tall in front of Yuan Shao.

He licked his lips. In this moment, the entire central hall fell into an eerie silence. Yann Liang stood there, gripping his sword single-handedly as fresh blood dripped from his wounds. Rather than diminishing his aura, it seemed to amplify it, exuding a sense of bravery and ferocity.

"Lord, please retreat first." Without turning his head, Yann Liang fixated his gaze on Zhao Yun. The timing he had been waiting for was precisely when Yuan Shao retreated to his side. At the cost of serious injuries, protecting Yuan Shao behind him made all future possibilities manageable.

Liu Bei stood beside Zhao Yun, observing Yann Liang, who was locked in a stare with Zhao Yun. Though blood flowed relentlessly, it did not weaken Yann Liang in the slightest; instead, it added layers of savagery. Perhaps, to Yann Liang, Yuan Shao was like the heavens themselves.

"Be careful," Yuan Shao replied dully, staring at the tense standoff between his forces and Liu Bei's. Despite the larger numbers on his side, they did not hold an advantage.

Liu Bei watched Yuan Shao retreat gradually. Hesitating for a moment, he performed a flourish with his double-edged sword before sliding it back into its scabbard. Assessing his unscathed troops, he nodded decisively and ordered, "We're leaving."

Yuan Shao watched as Liu Bei and his men retreated gradually without much hatred or anger. Instead, as Liu Bei had previously remarked, if the reckless bravery of a few warriors could bring an end to this war, then it should be utilized!

"Lord..." Juo Yi, on guard against Liu Bei's forces returning with a backward thrust after their departure, also followed them out. The remaining people present exchanged glances, all crestfallen as they looked toward Yuan Shao.

"Say no more. Return to our camp to recuperate. Once fully healed, we'll talk further," Yuan Shao said calmly. This time, he had also glimpsed Liu Bei's resolve. Liu Bei's willingness to disregard reputation and act decisively illuminated another facet of his nature—Liu Bei pursued simplicity and effectiveness.

"Zhongkang, is your injury severe?" Liu Bei's forces retreated swiftly. After boarding their ship, Chen Xi looked worriedly at Xuu Chu's gaping chest wound, which clearly affected his internal organs.

"I won't die," Xuu Chu replied, coughing up blood. "Wen Chou won't be in better shape either. I struck him with a lethal palm, though he managed to devise a method to detonate his Inner Qi, blowing out half of one of my lungs."

Chen Xi smirked unwillingly. Half a lung destroyed and the heart affected, yet Xuu Chu could still speak. Apart from some pallor and occasional bleeding from his chest, there seemed to be no other differences. Truly, the Inner Qi Manifestation was monstrous; its vitality was terrifyingly resilient.

"That's good. How long do you think Wen Chou will take to recover?" Chen Xi pondered before asking. "From what I saw, your palm caused his chest to cave in."

"I estimate his heart shattered partially. However, considering my own reconstructed body, it'll probably take me even longer to fully recover. The upside is that my combat power rebounds faster than his," Xuu Chu responded with some hesitation.

Xuu Chu's bodily modifications, modeled after Dian Wei's cultivation methods, involved reinforcing his internal organs. Thanks to this, Wen Chou's secret technique didn't inflict crippling damage on him. Ordinary Inner Qi Manifestation strikes would have shattered Xuu Chu's five vital organs entirely—leading to certain death.

Still, Wen Chou didn't escape unscathed either. He hadn't expected Xuu Chu to retain combat power after enduring such a blow. Were it not for Wen Chou retreating to dissipate the force, his heart would have been utterly destroyed. On the flip side, had Xuu Chu possessed Wen Chou's ability to detonate Inner Qi inside an opponent, the simultaneous internal and external attack would have spelled Wen Chou's demise.

"Lord Xuande, what a pity. In the end, it seems we still need armies to battle armies. I had hoped for a duel between kings to settle this," Chen Xi remarked after confirming Xuu Chu's injuries, turning to Liu Bei.

"There's nothing to regret," Liu Bei shook his head. "Part of what Yuan Shao said resonates with me. Civil officials and military generals must be forged in the chaos of a turbulent era to achieve greatness." Not one to dwell on remorse, Liu Bei quickly shifted his mindset. Although failing to eliminate Yuan Shao left some disappointment, Liu Bei adjusted quickly.

"Still, Zilong, you had a chance to kill Yuan Shao earlier. Why didn't you act?" Liu Bei asked, puzzled.

"There was someone behind Yuan Shao watching us closely—a figure whose power equals Taoist Master Zuo's level. Likely an immortal guarding Yuan Shao. Had I attempted to slay him, their elusive movement techniques might have endangered your safety, my Lord," Zhao Yun answered helplessly. Though he had the opportunity to strike, he couldn't guarantee Liu Bei's security.

"These people..." Chen Xi frowned. "So their intent is to ensure Yuan Shao doesn't fall under such circumstances?"

"Not necessarily, Marquis Chen. I only protected Yuan Shao from assassination. Previously, if someone attempted to kill Yuan Shao outright, I wouldn't have intervened, as that wouldn't constitute an assassination." A voice suddenly rang beside Chen Xi.

"You're the immortal safeguarding Yuan Shao?" Chen Xi steadied his nerves and questioned calmly.

"Yes, I'm still on the ship. However, I cannot intervene or speak in situations like this. Yuan Shao surviving this ordeal was truly fate. Had he disregarded me, he would already be successful now," the voice sighed faintly.

"If you don't wish to concern yourself with Yuan Shao, why protect him?" Chen Xi asked, perplexed.

"The price of lingering in the Central Plains," the figure hesitated briefly before replying in a melancholic tone. "In the future, should a similar chance arise, deliver the fatal blow. No one will stop you then. Most of us support Lord Xuande."

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)