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Chapter 628: Yan Liang and Guan Yu
🕑 Added 2024-09-27 04:23:11 +0000 UTCMany things are easier said than done. Chen Xi was well aware that a military soul was the ultimate transformation of willpower, just as he knew that the Eight Trigrams Formation was likely the ultimate transformation of cloud energy. However, Chen Xi also understood that even though he knew what to do, he lacked the means to push these transformations to their extremes. This was Chen Xi's most frustrating realization. Despite having knowledge from the future, which allowed him to summarize many mystical concepts using scientific methods, he understood that knowing something doesn't equate to being able to accomplish it. This is what truly drove home the meaning of the phrase "easier said than done" for Chen Xi. However, if he didn’t attempt it, there would be no result, so Chen Xi still decided to create a military formation—one with a single attribute, purely focused on enhancing attack, and pushing the transformation of cloud energy to its limits.
Just as Chen Xi was leading his army across the river, Yan Liang received the news. Tian Feng had instructed Yan Liang to strictly guard the camp and keep a close eye on Lü Bu's encampment. Yan Liang indeed followed the instructions, but he did not reinforce the two outposts along the river. As a result, Chen Xi’s forces, covered by archers and led by Xu Chu, swiftly overran the positions.
“Hmph, so they really came! Relay my orders: Zhu Han, Zhou Ang, Jiang Gu, and Wang Mo, defend the four sides of the main camp. Zhu Ling, Ji Yong, follow me into battle!” Yan Liang commanded immediately after receiving the new intelligence report from the scouts.
“Yes, sir!” Zhu Han, Zhou Ang, Jiang Gu, and Wang Mo responded in unison before heading out, each leading their respective troops to defend the four sides of the camp.
“Jiang Qi, you will hold the main camp. Liu Xian and Liu Yu, each of you will lead your troops as backup,” Yan Liang continued to issue commands.
“Very well,” Jiang Qi agreed after a brief consideration. “But please be cautious, General.”
“Don’t worry, I’m aware. I’m not a monster like Lü Bu; I won't be fighting against multiple enemies at once. Guan Yunchang may be brave, but he’s only on par with me. As for Zhao Zilong, he may not be as strong as rumors suggest,” Yan Liang said dismissively, having planned for this scenario since Tian Feng had hurriedly left.
“General Yan, I wish to see the battlefield myself,” said Yuan Tan, speaking up for the first time. This was his first time leading troops in battle, and although Yuan Shao had repeatedly instructed him to follow Tian Feng's command, with Tian Feng now absent, Yuan Tan believed he had found a good opportunity.
“Master Yuan, this situation is quite dangerous. It would be best if you stayed in the central command tent. Your presence here is of great morale to our troops. As the saying goes, ‘A noble son does not sit beneath a dangling roof,’” Jiang Qi quickly intervened, worried that Yuan Tan’s presence on the battlefield might lead to disaster.
“Master Yuan, you mustn’t go. This battle is dangerous. The scouts reported earlier that Liu Bei’s army has mobilized entirely. My intent in leading troops into battle is merely to dull Guan Yu's edge and boost our morale for the upcoming defense. I cannot afford to bring too many soldiers, so it will be perilous,” Yan Liang outright rejected the idea, his tone much more forceful than Jiang Qi’s. Unlike Jiang Qi’s soft persuasion, Yan Liang’s firm refusal made it clear that the situation was grave.
Yuan Tan, intimidated by Yan Liang’s demeanor, relented. Yan Liang was not only a beloved general under Yuan Shao but also a loyal officer who would readily die for him. Yuan Tan quickly realized that the situation was more dire than he had anticipated.
“Very well, I shall remain in the central command tent and await your triumphant return, General Yan,” Yuan Tan replied with a deep bow, demonstrating his awareness of the situation. Despite his ambitions, Yuan Tan still had the sense to retreat in the face of overwhelming danger, particularly when his authority could be questioned.
“Rest assured, Master Yuan,” Yan Liang said, standing up and cupping his fists. “Do not worry; we will not be defeated. Junyi has not gone far. After the military adviser left, I sent someone to notify Zhang He to bring reinforcements. We just need to hold out for an hour.”
“That’s good to hear,” Yuan Tan nodded repeatedly. Victory was the primary concern for any commander, and Yuan Tan was no different.
As Chen Xi’s forces slowly crossed the river, Yan Liang had already assembled two thousand sword and shield soldiers, along with archers, to await them outside the camp. Seeing Guan Yu leading the cavalry at the forefront, Yan Liang rode out to meet him. “Guan Yunchang! Why have you led your army to our Hebei lands? What gives you the right to invade?”
“This is the land of the Han Dynasty! My lord Liu Xuande is a scion of the Han imperial family. We march upon Han soil; what’s wrong with that? On the contrary, your lord Yuan Benchu is merely a governor of Jizhou. What gives him the right to send troops into Yanzhou?” Guan Yu retorted, firmly repeating the rhetoric that Chen Xi had prepared. The identity of a royal family member, while not providing tangible benefits, gave them the moral high ground and strong legitimacy.
Yan Liang was momentarily stunned, then became furious. “Guan Yu, do not rely on the power of words. If you have the guts, face me in battle and see whose blade is sharper!” Yan Liang roared as he brandished his long-handled sword, a wave of fierce bloodthirsty energy surging toward Guan Yu.
“I have no time for your games. Soldiers, charge!” Guan Yu bellowed.
At his command, the cavalry under Guan Yu split to the left and right, charging towards the flanks. Guan Yu himself led the Broadsword Unit to the front of the army. With a loud shout, a blue light burst from him, enveloping the seven or eight thousand soldiers under Chen Chi's command. Guan Yu then led his unit straight toward Yan Liang, aiming to create an opportunity for Chen Chi.
“Kill!” Chen Chi swiftly relayed the order with flags, forming the army into rows of fish-scale formations that charged toward Tian Feng's central camp.
At the moment Chen Chi issued his order, the left and right wings of Chen Xi’s army charged towards the flanks of Tian Feng’s camp. As Chen Xi had stated earlier, this was to be an all-out attack. There would be no time-wasting duels; they would directly crush Yuan Shao’s forces head-on!
“Clang!” Yan Liang was baffled by Chen Xi’s side, refusing to engage in verbal sparring or single combat and instead launching a full-scale assault. He swung his sword, deflecting a crossbow bolt fired from the opposing side, and then led his guards into a clash with Guan Yu. Retreating without a fight was not in Yan Liang’s nature; he had long wanted to test his skills against Guan Yu and see whose blade was superior.
“Guan Yu, today I will show you the fruits of my years of hard training!” Yan Liang shouted, as his great sword flared with a blood-red glow and slashed toward Guan Yu. After countless hours of practice with the spear, Yan Liang could now wield his sword with precise and unyielding power.
“Boom!” The two clashed with a tremendous noise, both taking several steps back. A radiant blue aura shone from Guan Yu’s body, while a phantom of a green dragon appeared behind him, exuding an aura of authority and cold pride. Meanwhile, a blood-red dragon emerged behind Yan Liang, radiating domineering power.
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