Chapter 14: Ominous Words (Seeking Recommendations and Bookmarks!)

  He saw a gun firing a single line, and a knife chopping a large piece. Liu Bian was considered to be the first time he had seen a true master of marksmanship practicing martial arts. In his previous life, he didn't have the chance to see it, but in this life, he had the opportunity to see it yet never showed any interest in watching. Seventeen years of his life seemed to have left no impression on him, muddled and blurry.

  Now, looking at Zhang Huan's gun, it doesn't have the grandeur of the past impression, but has a different kind of oppressive momentum. He knows that this is probably what is called actual combat gun technique, rather than that dance-like fancy gun.

  For a moment, he was overjoyed that he hadn't sold out his martial arts skills, and compared to such techniques, the 21st century's martial arts might not be so advanced after all.

  "Good marksmanship!" Liu Bian couldn't help but applaud and praise: "Zi Zhang is indeed a good shooter, worthy of being a brave warrior from Liangzhou."

  "Your Majesty, it's not just Liangzhou that produces brave warriors." Wang Yue said with a tone of discontent.

  Liu Bian's eyes rolled around: "Do you want to have a contest with him?"

  Wang Yue was taken aback, he just didn't want to give in, and casually said a sentence, but didn't mean to compete with Zhang Xiu. Besides, he was a swordsman, good at close combat, while Zhang Xiu was a spearman, good at cavalry battles, how could they be matched?

  Before Wang Yue could speak, Liu Bian said again: "If you can defeat him, I will also let you choose a sword from the secret vault."

  Upon hearing this, Wang Yue swallowed the excuses that had risen to his lips and cupped his hands in respect: "Yes!" He drew his sword and walked up to Zhang Xiu, revealing the blade with a faint smile: "General Zhang, it is the Emperor's order, not my intention to take advantage of you."

  Zhang Hua raised an eyebrow: "No harm, being able to cross swords with the number one swordsman in the capital is also my honor. Although I'm not as good at fighting on foot as I am on horseback, I can barely hold out against you for a few moves, it shouldn't be a problem."

  When he heard this, Liu Bian suddenly realized that it was actually a case of the pot calling the kettle black, and Wang Yue had taken advantage of him. However, looking at Zhang Hua's demeanor, he should have confidence and would not be defeated. Even if he lost, he would still have something to say for himself, and if he won by chance, defeating the number one swordsman in the capital under unfavorable circumstances, he would make a name for himself throughout the land.

  A few words hid too many mysteries. If it weren't for Liu Bian's character, with his previous foolishness, he would definitely not have heard the subtleties in this.

  Wang Yue also seemed to have understood Zhang Xiu's meaning, but he was equally confident, pinched a sword finger, jumped forward and stabbed with a divided heart.

  Like Zhang Hua's marksmanship, his swordsmanship was also neat and efficient, without any fancy moves, somewhat similar to the fencing of later generations, but even more fierce, like a tiger pouncing on its prey, with an unstoppable momentum.

  Zhang Xiu held the gun in his hand, opened up the long sword, and stabbed towards Wang Yue's heart. Wang Yue turned his arm, brushed aside Zhang Xiu's long spear, and the long sword slid past the spear shaft to stab Zhang Xiu again. Zhang Xiu raised an eyebrow, let out a loud shout, and instead of retreating, he advanced forward, pushing both arms to open up Wang Yue's long sword, lifting the gun tail, and smashing it towards Wang Yue's neck.

  With this loud shout, the dark gunstock of the long spear burst out with a faint light, wrapping Wang Yue's long sword inside. Wang Yue's eyes narrowed, and he let out a soft whistle as he quickly retreated. Zhang Hua counterattacked successfully, not giving Wang Yue another chance, and in one breath, he stabbed seven times in succession. In an instant, the courtyard was like a raging storm, leaving people breathless.

  "Ding ding dang" a sudden loud sound, Wang Yue swung the long sword in his hand, blocking Zhang Xiang's attack in the brief moment, retreating seven steps.

  The two of them parted as soon as they touched, standing five steps apart. Wang Yue's face looked unpleasant, while Zhang Hua stood holding his spear with a smile on his face.

  "Alright!"

  Wang Yue's face changed, and he slowly sheathed his sword. "Good spear!"

  Zhang Hua burst out laughing, lovingly gazing at the powerful gun in his hand: "Indeed a fine gun." He turned to face Liu Bian, bowing deeply: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for bestowing this gun upon me. I vow to use it to protect Your Majesty."

  Liu Bian nodded and quickly opened his mouth: "Is this gun useful against Zhang?"

  "It's useful." Zhang Hua said without hesitation: "With this spear, I will have to practice bitterly for five years. If it is paired with the good horse bestowed by Your Majesty, I hope to improve a level."

  "So now you have confidence in fighting against Lü Bu?"

  "Even if I can't win, I have a way to retreat with my whole body." Zhang Fei said loudly with great momentum and spirit. It can be seen that he has just obtained precious guns and horses, and is eager to fight against Lü Bu. "I am willing to fight against Lü Bu."

  "Very good." Liu Bian turned around and looked at Jia Xiang, "Wen He, are you confident now?"

  Jia Xu bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I understand."

  Liu Bian smiled slightly, his smile somewhat heavy. It's easy to talk to smart people, but the pressure is also great.

  ……

  Meng Zhen, Jia Yi and Qiao Yu met on a narrow road at Mengjin.

  Qiao Ying's figure was slender and elegant, with a refined and courteous demeanor. When she saw Jia You, she smiled slightly, straightened up in the carriage, and bowed her hands.

  Jia Xu had no choice but to return the courtesy. To mention it, he and Qiao Rui used to be colleagues, working together as Langzhong in the palace back then. However, Qiao Rui was a member of the Qiao family from Liangguo, being Bridge Xuan's nephew, naturally able to socialize with Yuan Shu, a public gate son, not something Jia Xu, a humble door, could compare to.

  "Wen He, have you come to see Director Ding?"

  Jia Xun nodded and revealed a wry smile. "Brother Wen Hua has taken the lead again."

  Qiao Hua laughed: "Wenhe brother came too early, and it's not necessarily useful. It's the will of heaven, why force it? Haven't you heard that proverb?"

  Jia Yu looked bewildered: "I don't know which sentence Brother Wen Hua is referring to?"

  Qiao Rong was about to speak, but immediately closed his mouth again, shook his head and sighed: "Wen He, you're still the same, too sinister. Alright, go find Ding Yuan, I'll also go back and report."

  Jia Xun stood by, watching Qiao Feng drift away, a cold smile rising at the corner of his mouth.

  He certainly knew which prophecy Bridge Hua was referring to: "Look at the house, stop at whose house?" However, there are too many prophecies, who knows which one is true and which one is false? Taking a step back, this Yuan (Yuan) is which Yuan, is it Yuan Shao or Yuan Shu? The Yuan family has not yet succeeded, but has already split into two factions. In the future, brothers will not be in harmony, heaven knows what the outcome will be.

  Jia Xu got on the carriage and headed back to Ding Yuan's camp. In the distance, the Yellow River came into view, and he thought of the scene he saw yesterday by the riverbank, Jia Xu narrowed his eyes and sneered to himself.

  Whose house is this? There's me, Jia Wen and Zai, who knows what will happen. Maybe one day, you Qiao Ru will still stand in front of me, asking me to plead for you in front of the emperor. At that time, I'll see if you can still smile so confidently, so happily.