...
Liu Bei felt a bit uneasy as Chen Xi looked him up and down ever since he turned his gaze away from Yuan Shao.
"Zichuan, if you have something to say, just say it. Staring at me like that won't help you," Liu Bei coughed lightly and asked Chen Xi, who was still staring at him.
"Oh, nothing much. I was just curious. Yuan Shao can emit such an aura of kingship and dominance, so why can't you, Xuande?" Chen Xi looked at Liu Bei with great interest. At least in the past month of following Liu Bei, he had never seen him exude that kind of overwhelming aura that made heroes from all over bow down, unlike Yuan Shao, who occasionally surprised Chen Xi.
"What do you mean by 'aura of kingship'? How could I compare with the alliance leader?" Liu Bei asked, puzzled. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and even the bandit-like Hua Xiong were all curious and looked at Chen Xi.
"It's that kind of aura that makes heroes from all over bow down with a single gesture, like what the alliance leader did before, directly using his magnanimity and spirit to convince Sun Wentai. You saw how moved General Sun was, almost hugging the alliance leader's thigh," Chen Xi gestured a couple of times. Seeing that the others didn't understand, he gave an example.
"Zichuan, you shouldn't say such things carelessly," Liu Bei had a strange smile on his face, but he told Chen Xi not to talk nonsense.
"Alright," Chen Xi shrugged. "In a while, Lu Bu will definitely come to challenge. Yun, how is your archery?"
Zhao Yun looked at Chen Xi in confusion but nodded, "My master specifically taught me archery. I'm fairly skilled."
"Oh, then I'll leave it to you. If Lu Bu comes to cause trouble, don't intervene if he defeats someone in three or five moves. But if someone holds on for twenty or thirty moves and is about to lose, you step in and save them. We'll consider it a good deed," Chen Xi smiled and then turned to Zhang Fei with a sly grin, "Third Brother, what did you say last night when we were drinking?"
"Isn't it just Lu Bu? I'll tear him apart!" Zhang Fei's dark face turned even darker, but his voice showed no fear. Behind him, three strong allies, even if they didn't fight and just kept the pressure, he believed that even if he couldn't beat Lu Bu, Lu Bu wouldn't be able to do anything to him because he had backup.
Alright, Zhang Fei's loud voice made everyone present hear him. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao glanced at Zhang Fei with smiles, not showing contempt, only a few people whispered and pointed, but Zhang Fei didn't care about their opinions.
"Okay, I hope you can tear him apart," Chen Xi said helplessly.
At that moment, a tall, yellow-faced man rode over and saluted Guan Yu, "Xiahou Yuan greets General Liu Bei, Brother Yun, and Brother Zhang."
"You did well," Guan Yu opened his half-closed eyes slightly.
"I hope we can spar if there's an opportunity," Xiahou Yuan cupped his hands in salute.
"Okay," Guan Yu still spoke sparingly. He wasn't very familiar with Xiahou Yuan, so just being able to speak was already good.
"You managed to break through thanks to Lu Bu, tsk tsk tsk," Zhang Fei looked at his future father-in-law with curiosity, making Xiahou Yuan a bit embarrassed. But if Xiahou Yuan knew that this guy would marry his daughter, he might have slapped him.
"If you want to fight Lu Bu, you should prepare more. His ferocity last night still gives me chills," Xiahou Yuan advised. The brutality of Lu Bu was deeply ingrained in him, and he vowed never to provoke Lu Bu unless necessary.
"Hahaha, don't worry, see these people? They're here to support me. Nothing will happen," Zhang Fei said carelessly, feeling proud. With three super experts by his side, even Lu Bu would have a hard time.
"Then I wish you success," Xiahou Yuan looked at Zhang Fei, then at Zhao Yun and Guan Yu, not seeing anything special. Helplessly, he decided not to dampen Zhang Fei's enthusiasm.
"Don't worry, even if I can't win, Lu Bu won't get any advantage. I have brothers," Zhang Fei said proudly, glancing at Guan Yu, who also nodded slightly.
"In that case, I feel relieved. If you need help, just call," Xiahou Yuan saw Guan Yu nodding and felt reassured. In his opinion, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei together wouldn't be in danger, even if they couldn't win.
Lu Bu sat under the gate of Hulao Pass, his tall figure basking in the morning sun, looking like a god. The surroundings were silent, not a single guard was in sight. This was Lu Bu's confidence and the acknowledgment of his strength by all the soldiers. Anyone who wanted to pass only needed to defeat Lu Bu, but who could?
Looking at the black line on the horizon, Lu Bu's sharp eyes could clearly see every hair. Naturally, he had already identified his targets: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the one who dared to shoot arrows at him yesterday. His halberd only needed to be stained with the blood of the strong.
As for Red Hare, Lu Bu had untied its reins, letting it roam freely. He wasn't afraid of anyone stealing Red Hare. Not only was Red Hare as strong as an inner energy master, but Lu Bu's reputation was also enough to make anyone back off from such thoughts.
Of course, Lu Bu knew that Red Hare wouldn't go far, just wandering within a dozen miles. When needed, a long whistle would bring it back, crossing the distance like a fiery line to become his steed once more, ready to help him slay any foe.
"They're coming," Lu Bu stood up, looking at the approaching coalition of the eighteen lords. A strange thought suddenly arose: would it be interesting to charge over and kill them all now? Or perhaps shoot an arrow spread at them to cause chaos?
Lu Bu, with such thoughts, saw no need to hide. Charging over would require summoning Red Hare. He thought for a moment and took out his treasured bow and four arrow-like short spears, drawing the bow and aiming at the coalition gathering on the horizon.
With a loud bang, Lu Bu didn't even look at the direction he shot at. He drew another four arrows, repeating the process four times before putting away his bow.
As soon as Lu Bu's arrows locked onto them from a distance, Zhao Yun took out his treasured bow from his horse but didn't nock an arrow, just drew it. As the sonic boom cloud appeared, Zhao Yun drew an arrow, and four consecutive silver-blue arrows shattered the incoming arrows.
"A hidden blade?" Zhao Yun looked at the gold-red energy arrows emerging from the debris after both sides' arrows collided, his calm face showing a hint of fighting spirit.
Drawing his bow, the buzzing sound gathered on the string. Letting go, the silver-blue threads went against the current, covering the path of the golden-red arrows, "Returning the favor!"