Chapter 28: Sparring in Martial Arts

"His Majesty, Old Minister will take you there now…" Hearing Liu Bian heading to the generals' camp, Lu Zhi immediately stepped forward to lead the way.

The generals' residence is behind Zhao Xian Guan, separated by a sizable courtyard from the scholars' dwelling, effectively isolating the sounds generated when the generals spar.

"Alright, fight well, big guy, just like that…" As the few reached the doorway, a burst of shouts rang out, followed immediately by the sounds of combat.

"Hahaha, exhilarating, exhilarating! Brother, your skill is impressive; in Tian Xia, aside from my Second Brother, few can match you!"

Among them, a black‑faced youth standing seven chi tall, with a leopard‑patterned head and ringed eyes, barked in a coarse voice, laughing boisterously.

"Hahaha, you're not bad either, but beating me is impossible."

Opposite him, the youth he was dueling, tall and as muscular as an ox, towering and robust, retorted unwilling to yield.

"Let's not make a fuss; let's go see the excitement together." Liu Bian turned, warned the crowd with a voice, then stepped into the courtyard.

At that moment, two tall, muscular men were locked in a fierce duel on the field, their fight utterly relentless.

On the side, many spectators were cheering loudly.

Looking at their appearances, Liu Bian, recalling the military generals he knew from the Three Kingdoms Period, roughly identified who the two were; to confirm his guess, he immediately used Probe Eye on them…

"Name: Dian Wei

Age: 19

Realm: First Rank

Identity: Commoner

Talent: Heaven Grade Top Quality

Constitution: Cang Tian Overlord Body (unawakened)

Technique: None

Loyalty: 85

…

Name: Zhang Fei

Age: 18

Identity: Blade Officer

Talent: Heaven Grade Top Quality

Constitution: Po Jun Holy Body (unawakened)

Technique: None

Loyalty: 69

"Hahaha, indeed these two, and both possess Holy-level Constitution; their future achievements will be limitless!"

"Now, the Emperor's guard general is finally in place! With Zhang Fei here, surely Guan Yu and Liu Bei have also arrived." Immediately, Liu Bian's gaze turned toward the crowd.

…

Name: Liu Bei

Age: 26

Realm: Second Rank

Identity: Military Sima

Talent: Earth Grade Xiappin

Constitution: Gu Huo Emperor Body

Technique: None

Loyalty: -60

"This, what a fellow, loyalty of minus sixty; how can this guy harbor such hatred toward the Emperor? Moreover, that Gu Huo Emperor Body suits him well."

Liu Bian looked at Liu Bei's loyalty column, the conspicuous crimson font, and was left speechless.

He had never met Liu Bei, yet this fellow already bore such hatred toward him, and, recalling history, this fellow, whenever meeting anyone, would say, "Bei is a descendant of Zhongshan Jing Wang!" thereby attracting many talents.

However, back then Zhongshan Jing Wang Liu Sheng had numerous offspring. It is said that he alone had over a hundred sons, and over the past three hundred years, Liu Sheng's descendants are estimated to be spread throughout the entire Han Empire.

Now, Liu Bei has been granted by the system an Emperor-grade Constitution like Gu Huo Emperor Body, and coupled with his self‑proclaimed title as a member of the Han Imperial Clan, it is likely he can carve out a career.

However, with only Liu Bei's single Emperor Body, Liu Bian cannot stir any waves.

Not to mention, officials of the Han Empire now all practice the cultivation method Liu Bian gave them, so their loyalty will gradually rise to the maximum, whereas Liu Bei's loyalty toward Liu Bian cannot even reach the level required for the cultivation method; if he continues to harbor hostility toward Liu Bian, his future achievements will be no better than an ordinary citizen of the Han Empire.

Frankly, Liu Bei's outward persona is all a façade; deep down he intends to use his Han Imperial Clan status to achieve his own goal of becoming emperor.

For such a person, unless Liu Bian still plans to recruit Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he would never be spared.

Once the recruitment of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei succeeds, Liu Bian will arbitrarily assign Liu Bei a position as a County Commandant; then, any excuse can be used to deal with him.

Having settled on how to handle Liu Bei, Liu Bian began to examine the others.

…

Name: Xu Chu

Age: 18

Realm: First Rank

Identity: Commoner

Talent: Heaven Grade Top Quality

Constitution: Mo Hu Holy Body (unawakened)

Technique: None

Loyalty: 83

…

Name: Guan Yu

Age: 19

Realm: First‑class

Identity: Horse‑archer

Talent: Heaven Grade Top Quality

Physique: Qing Long Holy Body (unawakened)

Loyalty: 87

……

Besides these people, there are Zhang He, Xu Huang, and Gao Lan; all three possess Huang Ti and are also rare talents.

As for the others, they are all people I have never heard of.

"Brother Yide, I concede!" In the arena, the two duelists also decided the victor, and ultimately Zhang Fei was slightly outmatched.

"Hahaha, Brother Dian Wei, your martial skill is truly excellent; I lose with both heart and mouth convinced. You are, aside from Second Brother, the first person to defeat me. From now on, let's spar properly," Zhang Fei said, looking at Dian Wei and laughing.

"Fine, spar with you, Brother Yide; I'll enjoy it greatly." Hearing Zhang Fei's invitation, Dian Wei immediately agreed. It was hard to find a worthy opponent, and to miss this would be a pity.

"Lu Zhi, hold on a moment; Talented One, go test their abilities," Liu Bian hurriedly stopped Lu Zhi, gesturing toward Xiahou Dun.

"I obey the command." Xiahou Dun then walked into the arena.

"Seeing you spar, I'm feeling a bit itchy; how about I spar with you all as well," Xiahou Dun slowly entered the arena, flicked his fingers, and a crack! sounded as he said disdainfully to the crowd.

Seeing Xiahou Dun's contemptuous demeanor, the crowd grew hot‑tempered; they are all martial practitioners, who would look down on whom!

"Second Brother, this kid is just asking for a beating; I'll go teach him a lesson!" The hot‑tempered Zhang Fei, seeing Xiahou Dun's scornful tone, instantly roared.

Having said that, he prepared to charge at Xiahou Dun.

"San Di, not yet; first see who this person is, daring such arrogance," the usually proud Guan Yu, seeing Xiahou Dun's attitude, was also somewhat angry.

"Kid, you can't beat me alone; you should all attack together!" Without heeding the enraged Zhang Fei, Xiahou Dun glanced at the crowd and said with a composed expression.

"How dare you, where did this rogue come from, daring such arrogance, truly ignorant of death!!!" The crowd inside, hearing this, all became extremely angry.

"Your Majesty, does General Xiahou intend to take on many at once? Though Old Minister knows General Xiahou's martial skill is extraordinary, it still cannot stop the crowd's assault! Moreover, among them are quite a few highly skilled warriors!"

"Hehe, rest assured, my dear minister, these people cannot harm the Talented One."

"Your Majesty, could it be that General Xiahou… has already entered the Houtian Realm..."