Liu Bei felt a bit uneasy as Chen Xi's gaze shifted from Yuan Shao to him, appraising him from top to bottom.
"Zichuan, if you have something to say, just speak. Staring at me without a word won't enable me to help you," Liu Bei softly coughed twice and asked Chen Xi, who was still looking at him.
"Oh, it's nothing much. I was just curious why, unlike Yuan Shao, who emanates an Aura of Domination, Lord Xuande doesn't seem to have it." Chen Xi looked at Liu Bei with great interest. He had been following Liu Bei for over a month and had not seen Liu Bei exude that intimidating presence that commanded respect and submission from the heroes in all directions. On the contrary, it was the continuously underestimated Yuan Shao who occasionally caught Chen Xi's attention.
"What Aura of Domination? How could I dare to compare myself with the Alliance Hierarch?" Liu Bei asked, puzzled, while Guan, Zhang, and Zhao—as well as Hua Xiong, who was made up to look almost like bandits—also watched Chen Xi with curiosity.
"It's that demeanor which shakes one's very being, commanding the Feudal Lords to bow with respect. Hmm, just like what the Alliance Hierarch did before, subduing Sunx Wentai with his magnanimity and sheer force of character. General Sunx was so moved he nearly clung to the Alliance Hierarch's legs," Chen Xi gesticulated and then provided an example when he saw that everyone still didn't understand.
"Zichuan, that's not something you should speak of carelessly," Liu Bei said with a strange smile on his face, even though he told Chen Xi to stop talking recklessly.
"Alright," Chen Xi shrugged. "Lyu Bu will definitely come forward for a challenge later. How is Brother Yun's archery?"
Zhao Yun looked puzzled at Chen Xi but nodded. "My master specifically taught me archery. It's passable, just shy of excellence."
"Oh, then I'll leave it to you. If Lyu Bu comes to make trouble, don't interfere if they can defeat him within a few moves. But if someone withstands him for twenty or thirty moves and their defeat becomes imminent, Brother Yun, you should step in and save them. Let's consider it building good karma," Chen Xi said with a smile and then turned his head to give Zhang Fei a conspiratorial grin, "Third brother, what did you say when we drank yesterday?"
"It's just Lyu Bu, isn't it? I'll tear him apart!" Zhang Fei's dark face grew even more intense, but there was not much fear in his voice. Even if he slacked off with three powerful companions behind him, simply by maintaining a threat, he wouldn't lose to Lyu Bu. If he had to run, Lyu Bu couldn't do anything to him—who would fault him for having many brothers?
Alright, Zhang Fei's loud voice ensured that everyone present heard him. Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and others looked at Zhang Fei with a smile, showing no contempt. Only a few whispered and pointed at Zhang Fei, but for Zhang Fei, who had thick skin, this was of no concern.
"Alright then, I hope you can tear him apart," Chen Xi said helplessly.
At that moment, a tall man with a sallow complexion rode over on a horse and saluted Guan Yu, "Xiahou Miaocai pays respects to Lord Xuande, Brother Yunchang, and Yide."
"You are not bad," Guan Yu said, his half-squinted eyes opening slightly.
"I hope I have the chance to spar with Brother Yunchang someday," Xiahou Yuan said with his hands clasped in a salute.
"Fine," the second brother was as sparing with words as ever; it wasn't too bad to speak normally, considering he wasn't familiar with Xiahou Yuan.
"You actually made a breakthrough with the help of Lyu Bu, tsk tsk tsk." Zhang Fei looked at his future father-in-law with a face full of curiosity, clicking his tongue in wonder. It made Xiahou Yuan a bit embarrassed, but if Xiahou Yuan knew that this guy would marry his daughter in the future, he probably would have slapped him already.
"If Yide wishes to fight with Lyu Bu," Xiahou Yuan cautioned, "you should prepare more. The ferocity of Lyu Bu last night still leaves me shaking. He's engraved in my bones, and unless it's absolutely necessary, I'm definitely not provoking that monster again."
"Hahaha, don't worry, don't worry, do you see? These guys are here to back me up; nothing will happen," Zhang Fei said boldly, his face oozing pride. With three super experts at his side, even Lyu Bu might capsize in the gutter.
"Then I wish Yide victory in raising his banners," Xiahou Yuan remarked as he looked over Zhang Fei and then at Zhao Yun and Guan Yu. He saw nothing out of the ordinary and, helpless to dampen Zhang Fei's enthusiasm, chose not to.
"Rest assured, even if I can't win, Lyu Bu won't be getting any advantage either. I have brothers," Zhang Fei said, looking proudly at Guan Yu, who nodded subtly in agreement.
"Since that's the case, I'm also relieved. If there's a need, remember to give me a shout," Xiahou Yuan said upon seeing Guan Yu's nod. In his view, even if Guan and Zhang couldn't defeat Lyu Bu, they wouldn't be in any danger.
Lyu Bu sat at the base of Hulao Pass's gatehouse, his towering frame bathed in the Chaoyang resembling a Celestial God. His surroundings were eerily silent—no soldiers guarding the city were visible. This was Lyu Bu's confidence and a testament to the soldiers' recognition of his strength. That place, void of soldiers, indicated that to pass, one simply had to defeat Lyu Bu. But could anyone actually do it?
Staring at the dark line on the horizon, Lyu Bu's vision was sharp enough to see every detail of each individual. Naturally, he had identified his targets: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the one who dared to shoot an arrow at him yesterday. His Sky Piercer yearned to be stained only with the blood of the strong.
As for Red Hare, Lyu Bu had already untied its reins, allowing it to wander as it pleased. He was not worried about anyone stealing Red Hare, not with its strength that was comparable to an Inner Qi Manifestation, nor did he fear for its safety considering his own formidable reputation. This was enough to deter anyone thinking of laying their hands on Red Hare.
Of course, Lyu Bu also knew that Red Hare wouldn't stray far, roaming within a ten-mile radius. When needed, a single long whistle would see Red Hare racing over, becoming a fiery streak across the void to become his steed once again, ready to follow him in slaying any enemy daring to confront him.
"They're here." Lyu Bu stood up, eyeing the gathering of the Eighteen Feudal Lords. A peculiar idea surged within him—if he charged over now and killed that bunch, wouldn't it be interesting? Or perhaps unleashing a barrage of Qi Arrows in that direction would send them into chaos, wouldn't it?
Harboring such thoughts, Lyu Bu made no attempt to hide them. A charge would require summoning Red Hare. After thinking it over, Lyu Bu picked up his Precious Carved Bow and drew out four arrows the size of short spears. He drew his bow and loosed the arrows towards the gathered leaders of the Eighteen Feudal Lords upon the horizon.
With a blast, Lyu Bu didn't bother to watch the flight of his arrows. He placed another four arrows on the bow, repeating the action four times before putting his bow and arrows away.
As Lyu Bu's arrows locked on from a distance, Zhao Yun took out his own Precious Bow from his horse's back. However, he did not nock an arrow, merely pretending to pull back. As the sound wave cloud appeared, Zhao Yun fully drew and released four continuous silver-blue Qi Arrows that shattered the incoming arrows.
"Hidden Blade, hmm?" Zhao Yun calmly noted as several gold-red Qi Arrows flew from the ashes of the destroyed arrows, gliding like meteors. A hint of battle spirit formed on his composed face.
Drawing the bowstring, a buzzing sound converged above it. Releasing, silver-blue threads flew in reverse, covering the path traced by the gold-red glow. "It's only polite to return the favor!"