Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1747 - 1647: Boyuan, Come—Uncle Will Teach You the Ultimate Secret of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry… (Part 2)
"Luckily, I’m fine." Sun Ce felt fortunate to have narrowly escaped death, and the Eastern Wu soldiers completely calmed down without any hint of panic after Sun Ce appeared.
"Sun Bofu?" Chen Xi raised an eyebrow and asked. Honestly, Chen Xi had never been this close to Sun Ce. "I heard you went north alone. Given your character, how many people did you encounter? Looking at your stance, it doesn’t seem like you came alone."
"Chen Zichuan?" Sun Ce looked Chen Xi up and down, the query in his tone was evident, but he seemed certain.
"Yes, it’s indeed me," Chen Xi nodded and said.
"Had I known you were almost as handsome as Gongjin, we should’ve visited Yingchuan back then. There are only a few people of our generation." Sun Ce said cheerfully, not treating himself as an outsider at all.
Chen Xi frowned slightly, then relaxed. His appearance wasn’t particularly attractive, especially when compared to Zhou Yu and Sun Ce. Sun Ce’s words, however, had a deeper meaning that Chen Xi understood.
It wasn’t just about Chen Xi’s current prestige and demeanor but also a reflection on past regrets. To this day, everyone knew how Liu Bei met Chen Xi, and many wished it were themselves in Liu Bei’s position back then.
"It’s a pity that Gongjin suits you better. As for future cooperation, there might be more opportunities, and with even closer ties," Chen Xi said with a smile. However, before Zhou Yu could ponder deeply, Chen Xi continued, "But for now, we should focus on addressing the most pressing matters ahead."
At this point, Chen Xi and his group did not hold back, activating all Legion Talents, with various radiances covering the entire legion nearly completely. Under Zhou Yu’s prompt, Sun Ce did not activate his Monarch Talent.
The speed of the entire legion abruptly increased significantly. Behind them, Zhang He, Zhang Xiu, Ma Chao, and others all rushed forward on horseback. When both sides met, Zhou Yu immediately turned his horse back. Having been pursued all the way till now, Zhou Yu, with a belly full of anger, was not about to leave easily without retaliating.
"It seems we made it in time. Congratulations, brother-in-law!" Ma Chao rushed over and extended his hand towards Zhao Yun, who in turn extended his hand as well. However, Ma Chao then grabbed the hesitantly shrinking Ma Yunlu beside Zhao Yun and sneered, "Yunlu, where do you think you’re going?"
"Big brother... long time no see." Ma Yunlu said, crying.
"Hmph, I’ll deal with you when we get back." Ma Chao said coldly, while Ma Yunlu tearfully clutched Zhao Yun’s armor, and Zhao Yun responded with a reassuring look.
As Zhang Xiu rode over, Hua Xiong’s eyes lit up. "Boyuan, bring your troops and fight alongside me. I’ll teach you the ultimate technique of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry!"
Zhang Xiu paused, but didn’t think much about it. For him, there wasn’t any deep animosity between any of the people present, so collaboration was possible. Hua Xiong offered to teach him the ultimate technique of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, and Zhang Xiu naturally took it seriously since Hua Xiong’s record with the Iron Cavalry was real, so there might be some kind of ultimate technique.
"Long time no see, Uncle Hua." Zhang Xiu bowed to Hua Xiong. Logically, Hua Xiong wasn’t much older than Zhang Xiu, but courtesy could not be abandoned.
"Not bad, the Zhang Family should be very pleased seeing your current state," Hua Xiong said with a smile, then glanced at Hu Che’er. "I reckon now not only can you not defeat me, but you might not even be able to conquer Hu Che’er. Your uncle left you quite an inheritance."
"Indeed, my uncle treated me very kindly, as did my aunt." Zhang Xiu recalled Zhang Ji and sighed. Back then, he was indeed passionate. If it weren’t for Zhang Ji dragging him along, Zhang Xiu might have really made a move against Hua Xiong during that incident in Chang’an, and it’s clear Hua Xiong didn’t hold a grudge for it.
"I’ll teach you the ultimate technique of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry," Hua Xiong said softly, turning his head away. Zhang Xiu nodded, and because he was close, he could clearly perceive the difference between the Xiliang Iron Cavalry behind Hua Xiong and his own.
Under Zhang Xiu’s command, the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, reputed to be at the pinnacle of elite troops, showed a clear difference when intersected with Hua Xiong’s Iron Cavalry. Though many soldiers among them were injured, the overwhelming aura was evident, making Zhang Xiu acutely aware of the disparity between them.
[Uncle seems to have forgotten to teach me the ultimate technique. Despite coming from the backbone of the Jincheng battle’s supreme elite, the gap is unexpectedly considerable.] Zhang Xiu thought silently, waiting for Hua Xiong to speak.
At this moment, both armies lined up, and although the Northern Huns and Dingling People held an absolute advantage in terms of manpower, having joined forces with Kun Wan, the Northern Huns Guards had replenished all their troops. Sixty thousand elites, guarded by nearly two hundred thousand Miscellaneous Hun, stood under the banners with solemn expressions.
On the other side, with five thousand White Horses retreating, Zhang Xiu’s three thousand Xiliang elite and a thousand regular cavalry arrived, coupled with Zhang He’s two thousand Heavy Cavalry donning armor, Ma Chao’s two thousand elite cavalry and two thousand regular cavalry joined together, allowing Zhou Yu’s side to muster over twenty thousand elite troops, despite being significantly outnumbered. Nonetheless, they were all under the radiance of Legion Talents.
Hua Xiong gave Zhou Yu a glance, and Zhou Yu considered for a moment before nodding. Hua Xiong then galloped forward, stopping one arrow’s distance from the opposing side.
"Previously, the great Northern Huns Guards cost us dearly with their ability to replenish troops. But this time, I’m curious to see just how many troops you can replenish!" Hua Xiong sneered at the Huns Guards flanking Kun Wan as he raised his blade.
In that instant, all soldiers under Hua Xiong’s command and those under Zhang Xiu, inheriting Zhang Ji’s elite Xiliang Headquarters, instinctively raised their weapons, as the wind began to stir gently. From the core of the Headquarters, the call from the spirit resonated, as traces of ink-black starlight sporadically escaped from their bodies.
As the starlight poured into Hua Xiong’s body, the morale of the troops under Zhang Xiu surged, a rate of empowerment that left Zhang Xiu in awe—truly the ultimate technique!
Until a certain threshold was breached, it abruptly ceased, with more than half of the three thousand most elite Headquarters Iron Cavalry under Zhang Xiu achieving a breakthrough, while the remaining half continued to emit the Power of Military Spirit, yet unable to advance further.
Hua Xiong’s Xiliang Iron Cavalry Legion already reached its full capacity. Even with potential to breach this level, the remaining cavalry were hindered by lack of position, unable to breakthrough.
"Gongjin, what technique is this? It feels far more terrifying than the Legion Talent." Sun Ce looked on in horror at the scene before him. If the Xiliang Iron Cavalry from before was within the limits of vulnerability, now they were undoubtedly beyond what could be managed.
"This is the ultimate transformation of the legion that regards the Legion Talent as merely beneath it," Zhou Yu stated bluntly. Sun Ce was momentarily stunned, "Military Spirit Legion?"
"You actually know?" Zhou Yu said in surprise. In his mind, Sun Ce always seemed straightforward and naive. How, in such a short time apart, Sun Ce learned of such advanced knowledge?
"Oh, I encountered Liang Dao along the way. He taught me those things." Sun Ce recalled Jia Kui’s gesture, indicating he should do whatever he wants without interference, quite similar to Zhou Yu’s attitude.
With Sun Ce’s explanation, Zhou Yu roughly understood the situation. Sun Ce’s innate ability to encounter exceptional individuals on the street didn’t particularly surprise Zhou Yu, as he long became accustomed to it.
At this point, not only Sun Ce was whispering, but Ma Chao and others as well, while Zhang He was among those who grasped the reality, as someone who idolized in Vanguard reserves, surely understood the Military Spirit Legion.
"So strong..." Zhang Xiu was still marveling at the situation, entirely unaware that Hua Xiong had already taken control of most of his legion.
"Is this the power we once longed for?" A Chiliarch under Zhang Xiu silently voiced while holding his Long Spear.
They were once reserves of the Flying Bear, yet regrettably, that day never arrived. And today, when it seemed the legend of Xiliang had vanished, they found themselves being elevated once again.
