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Chapter 901: Another Side of Ma Chao
🕑 Added 2024-10-25 07:36:50 +0000 UTCDespite Zhang Fei's mumbling being very soft and distant from Ma Chao, any practitioner of Internal Qi Leaving the Body would have keen ears and sharp vision. Zhang Fei's words reached Ma Chao clearly, and instantly Ma Chao felt as if he had received a heavy blow.
Thinking back to when he was in Xiliang and had never seen a practitioner of Internal Qi Leaving the Body, he was initially fooled by Zhang Xiu into thinking he was facing a disguised Lü Bu. When he realized it wasn’t Lü Bu, he thought he was up against an unparalleled expert, only to find out that this unparalleled expert was captured alive... captured alive...
Later, when he arrived in Chang'an, Ma Chao encountered many experts, including the one who captured Zhang Xiu. Ma Chao had secretly challenged him but found out after just one punch that he was defeated.
That was their first encounter. It was a fight without weapons. The opponent didn't even attack. Ma Chao threw a punch at his opponent’s abdomen and chest, only for the opponent to scratch his head in confusion, casually grab him with one hand, and throw him outside the wall. The strength was truly despairing...
What made Ma Chao feel hopeless was that after he threw a punch at Dian Wei, Dian Wei showed no reaction. His muscles, which were previously loose, were as firm as iron at that moment. Despite Ma Chao's punch, he didn’t feel any indentation in Dian Wei’s abdomen or chest.
Although Ma Chao was also a practitioner of Internal Qi Leaving the Body, even if his close combat ability was reduced, it was still disheartening that his punch had no effect.
Of course, Ma Chao didn't know that apart from cultivating Internal Qi, one could also train the body, and Dian Wei was the strongest among the top-tier body trainers.
In terms of close combat and fighting with weapons, no one could surpass him. Even without weapons, Dian Wei could endure Lü Bu's attacks and crush him with sheer strength. That was confidence!
Naturally, Ma Chao, who couldn’t even defeat Hua Xiong at that time, would have no chance against Dian Wei in close combat.
Fortunately, Cao Cao had plans for Ma Chao and Pang De; otherwise, just Ma Chao's reckless attempt to climb over the wall to seek death would have been enough for Dian Wei to smash him.
After the first encounter, there was a second. Perseverance is a quality every martial artist should have. After being fully equipped, Ma Chao challenged Dian Wei again. This time, Ma Chao clearly stated that he was seeking guidance, and with Cao Cao's instructions, Dian Wei did not hold back, letting Ma Chao strike after drinking the fine Xiliang wine he brought.
Naturally, Ma Chao unleashed his strongest abilities. He used every technique available and, after enhancing his spirit and energy, struck with his peak attack. Yet Dian Wei, not mounted on a horse, used brute force to knock Ma Chao away with a single spear thrust.
At that moment, Ma Chao understood completely. If his explosive power couldn't reach a third of Dian Wei's strength, his current techniques and skills would be completely ineffective against Dian Wei. This was the true meaning of overpowering skill with sheer force.
Having drunk Ma Chao's wine and with Cao Cao's specific instructions, Dian Wei naturally shared some experience with Ma Chao.
The essence of his advice was that despite Ma Chao's current strength, his body was not yet fully developed, leaving a lot of room for improvement. Similarly, though his Internal Qi was sufficient, his strength and endurance were still far from adequate. The enhancement from Internal Qi had its limits.
Although Ma Chao's strength seemed terrifying among his peers, he was considered a bottom-tier existence among higher-level experts, even inferior to Zhao Yun, who relied on techniques and speed.
Being young, there was still ample room for improvement. If he could gain another year, he might not face such embarrassing situations. Despite having Internal Qi not inferior to others, his physical condition hampered his performance.
"Ah~" Ma Chao roared to the sky while riding on his steed, Li Fei Sha, known as the top steed in the world. Naturally, it could stand in mid-air, and under such conditions, Ma Chao never needed to worry about his safety. As long as he didn't act recklessly, Li Fei Sha was enough to carry him away from danger.
After a loud roar, the golden Internal Qi around Ma Chao surged wildly, deepening in color as it flowed around him like liquid gold.
"Xiliang's Ma Chao, Ma Mengqi, asks General Zhang for guidance!" After adjusting his mindset, Ma Chao cupped his fists towards Zhang Fei, no longer aggressive but respectfully seeking advice as a junior to a senior.
"Indeed a person of significance," Fa Zheng slowly turned around, covering his lower face with a carved wooden fan, his expression vague as he spoke.
"Ma Mengqi, you are now qualified to know my name. I am Fa Xiangzhi from Fufeng. You should understand why I targeted you after hearing this name. However, you are quite impressive." Fa Zheng closed the fan and said proudly.
"You are Fa Xiangzhi." Ma Chao said with a solemn expression. Several months ago, the Fa family ancestral home was renovated with the courtesy of a princely state, a major event that the Ma family in Fufeng couldn't be unaware of. Only a few people under twenty were granted titles, and the man before him was one of them. Unfortunately, Ma Chao had already made an enemy of him and would never compromise.
"That’s right, but no need to be surprised. We will meet frequently in the future," Fa Zheng said calmly, without much harshness. The other party indeed deserved the title of a hero, but there was nothing more.
"General Zhang, sorry to disturb you. I'll leave the rest to you." Fa Zheng patted Zhang Fei's shoulder, smiled, and then turned to leave.
Zhang Fei looked at Fa Zheng’s calm demeanor with confusion. Although he didn’t know why Fa Zheng came, he could clearly feel that the other party’s concerns had eased and was no longer as focused on certain issues as before.
After Fa Zheng left, Zhang Fei grinned. Previously, he had been poked around by Xiahou Yuan, not daring to retaliate. Now that he had a punching bag, he happily assured Ma Chao that he would go easy on him.
Zhang Fei indeed didn't use full force. After all, he and Ma Teng had no enmity and even had some rapport, so there might be opportunities for future exchanges. Although Zhang Fei had the chance to seriously hurt Ma Chao, he only went as far as to hit him lightly, thus maintaining a bit of goodwill with Ma Chao.
Ma Chao could sense this too, but he took it as if nothing had happened since Zhang Fei didn’t speak about it. He was here to spar with experts to improve his martial skills, and Zhang Fei’s powerful attacks taught him a lot, even though no extra words were exchanged.
Over the next two days, Ma Chao took advantage of the relaxed relations and Fa Zheng not bothering him, repeatedly challenging Zhang Fei. Each time he made some progress, making Zhang Fei sigh, "Youth is indeed a good thing!"
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