Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1132: Chapter 1088: Zhang Xiu’s Cards

Zhang Xiu, who was now sharpening his skills at the front, was completely unaware of the significant events that had recently occurred in his family. His mind was still focused on how to show his worth.

Whether it was his uncle Zhang Ji’s instructions before his passing or the matters told by Zhong Yao, they made Zhang Xiu understand that to remain steadily in Cao Cao’s faction, he needed to demonstrate his value!

Zhang Xiu, who originally thought he was one of the top valiant generals in the world, had been completely awakened by Dian Wei’s headbutt. As his uncle said, the Central Plains are the essence of the world; perhaps he really isn’t that significant.

This led Zhang Xiu to curb his arrogance. The change in mindset pushed his martial arts to new heights. Moreover, after Zhang Ji’s death, he took on the heavy responsibilities left by his uncle alone, without the shelter of his predecessors, showing significant growth.

This time, as the vanguard, Zhang Xiu brought along all the foundation left by Zhang Ji. He wanted a grand battle to vent the frustration within his heart.

Yet sometimes things don’t go as planned. Zhang Xiu wanted to prove his worth on the battlefield, but the Xianbei did not give him the chance, or rather, it was Lyu Bu who denied him this opportunity.

Hence, for the past few days, Zhang Xiu sat in the camp drilling his men. His relationship with Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and others was merely nodding acquaintances. As an outer general, there was some distance between him and the generals of the Cao Family, and he was not one to curry favor, so the relationship between both sides was indifferent.

Likewise, Xu Huang, who was participating in the Cao Army’s large-scale operation for the first time, found himself in a similar situation. As a surrendering general from Yang Feng’s side, there was still some suspicion in the Cao Family, given that Yang Feng had already been entered into the Yang clan. Therefore, Xu Huang being watched was understandable.

However, compared to Zhang Ji who had Zhong Yao’s assurance and wielded over four thousand solid iron cavalry, Xu Huang’s forces were considerably weaker.

This was why Cao Ren and others were not worried about Xu Huang possibly causing trouble; however, they were completely unaware that Xu Huang had effective methods for drilling and commanding troops. In a real battle, even with weak forces, he might not necessarily lose to Xiahou and others.

Additionally, with people like Cai Yang, Le Jin, and Li Dian under Cao Cao’s command, saying they were valiant generals was not at all an issue; it’s just that the elite troops had not yet been gathered and displayed before others.

However, no matter how brave the generals were, unless personal strength reached a defying level, no individual could resist an army. Although the Xianbei army’s morale greatly weakened, their numbers were still there.

Even Lyu Bu, a super expert, achieved that level only with the support of the Vanguard Soul and Millennia-Old Belief, whereas Cao Ren’s side was unfortunately far from such mystical elements, and they could only dream of Military Spirit.

Without the support of Military Spirit, it was impossible to exert one’s true strength within the Cloud Qi, and thus they could only rely on Cloud Qi to counter Cloud Qi. Leading the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, Zhang Xiu did not fear the great Xianbei army, but neither Cao Ren nor Zhang Xiu would foolishly waste such elite troops in this cannon fodder battlefield.

This is a decisive elite force, one that determines victory with a single blow. Yuan Liu’s battle, Hua Xiong taught all the world’s cavalry a lesson. The mounted archers need not be mentioned, but the Tugi Cavalryman must break the stalemate on the battlefield and secure a decisive victory.

Therefore, like commanders such as Cao Ren who have a grasp of the big picture and understand the situation of the Cao Army, they would never harm their combat power for a little suspicion.

”General, General Cao invites you for a discussion.” A courier saluted Zhang Xiu, who was contemplating whether to attack.

”Alright, I’ll be there right away.” Zhang Xiu nodded and then instructed the courier, ”Bring Hu Che’er to me.”

Soon, a robust man with sparse, yellowed hair came into Zhang Xiu’s tent, carrying a hefty, bowl-thick refined iron club. ”Master, what is it?”

”Help me scout the Xianbei camp. You’re the only one under me who can do this.” Zhang Xiu sighed, saying, ”Hu Che’er is considered his confidant; a strong warrior without Inner Qi, whom even Zhang Xiu wasn’t sure he could easily defeat.”

”I’m on my way.” Hu Che’er saluted, saying that ever since Zhang Xiu picked him up from Xiliang, many years had passed, and he had transformed from a wild man who couldn’t speak into a rough but civil soldier.

”Be careful, and avoid conflicts with others,” Zhang Xiu waved, signaling Hu Che’er to leave. It wasn’t that he feared for Hu Che’er’s safety, rather he worried that Hu might cause trouble.

Before encountering Dian Wei, Zhang Xiu was unaware of Hu Che’er’s condition and lamented Hu Che’er’s good physique which couldn’t cultivate Inner Qi. But after being defeated by Dian Wei, Zhang understood that Hu Che’er was naturally on a different path.

It’s safe to say that as long as Hu Che’er did not reveal his enormous strength, which was not inferior to the Early Stage of Inner Qi Manifestation, no one in the Cao Camp, except for Dian Wei, would notice him.

As previously mentioned, it’s through experiencing hardships that one grows. Without Zhang Ji’s shelter, Zhang Xiu also learned what to conceal—exhibiting parts brilliantly while absolutely ensuring survival methods wouldn’t be known, with Hu Che’er as his personal soldier being his greatest trump card.

It’s worth noting that Zhang Xiu once took Hu Che’er to observe Dian Wei from afar, according to Hu Che’er’s words, ”If Dian Wei were without his weapon, they could have a battle, and there’s a slight chance he might win.”

Of course, Zhang Xiu didn’t trust these words, but he had a certain grasp of Hu Che’er’s strength. In foot battles, Hu Che’er was nearly at Inner Qi Manifestation Perfection, although he couldn’t fly, but purely due to his physique, with explosive power and endurance far exceeding ordinary people.

This was also why Zhang Xiu was willing to prepare a bowl-thick refined iron club for Hu Che’er; a hidden Inner Qi Separation in his command, loyal enough to always be worth investing in.

However, the disguise Zhang Xiu gave Hu Che’er was that of a big fool, full of brute strength, a dullard ignorant of Inner Qi. Although Hu Che’er indeed was such a figure, Zhang Xiu wouldn’t guarantee that he had revealed everything.

After all, anything that exceeds a certain limit undergoes a qualitative change. Conventional brute strength is quite manageable, but when this brute strength nears Dian Wei’s level, it certainly cannot be said to be easy to handle.

Watching Hu Che’er leave the camp, Zhang Xiu wasn’t too worried about his safety. He was only focused on his performance this time; as the vanguard of the Cao Army, he couldn’t return empty-handed and couldn’t allow his first battle to end like this.

[Lyu Bu charged into the central army and killed the Xianbei Chanyu. If I could kill Kebinen or Mohuto from the White Tribe (later chief of the Murong Tribe), achieving a decisive victory with the support of the Qiang and Hu is not impossible.] Zhang Xiu half considered, half fantasized.

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