Chapter 2

The Xiliang Army was originally the strongest frontier warlord force in the world.

After annexing Ding Yuan’s Bingzhou Army and the Imperial Guards of Luoyang, their strength had reached an unprecedented level.

And the Guandong Coalition?

In Hua Xiong’s view, they were at most a mob gathered together.

In terms of combat power, they might have a little, but definitely not much.

Relying on the seventy thousand Xiliang elites in his hands, Hua Xiong believed in his heart that his probability of victory was not low.

Even if he were to sally out of the city to fight, he should be able to catch the Warlord Coalition off guard!

He acted as soon as he thought of it.

Hua Xiong’s thoughts were instantly deeply attracted by the idea of "sallying out to fight."

Not to mention anything else, if he could behead one or two warlords from the Coalition, he would definitely be even more valued by his boss, Dong Zhuo!

Among the Xiliang generals, although Hua Xiong was touted as having the highest martial prowess.

In reality, when it came to commanding troops and fighting wars, the ones Dong Zhuo trusted most were Li Jue, Guo Si, Fan Chou, and Zhang Ji.

These four generals were also known as the "Xiliang Army F4."

In Dong Zhuo’s eyes, these four were to be cultivated as commanders capable of holding their own.

As for Hua Xiong, at present, he was at best a talent for a vanguard general.

Regarding this, Hua Xiong had always been holding back a breath of resentment.

He wanted to prove himself through his battle record.

It was precisely because of this that when Lu Bu acknowledged Dong Zhuo as his foster father, Hua Xiong had stood out regardless of the consequences to challenge Lu Bu.

Although the final result was that he was beaten terribly by Lu Bu.

Hua Xiong had still proven his presence in such a way.

Later, upon hearing the news that the Guandong Coalition was gathering at Suanzao, Hua Xiong had volunteered to serve as the vanguard general.

This was a tremendous opportunity.

As long as Hua Xiong could seize it.

He would definitely be able to rack up a significant battle record.

But unfortunately.

Hua Xiong did not know that this Guandong Coalition was full of hidden talents.

At this moment, he was single-mindedly thinking of establishing merit.

Just as Hua Xiong was preparing to walk down from the city tower.

He suddenly discovered that not far away, a black-robed scholar was walking toward this side in a leisurely manner.

With his excellent eyesight, he identified at a glance that the black-robed scholar was coming from the direction of the Guandong Coalition.

"What is this person trying to do?"

"Could it be that he wants to enter my Sishui Pass to act as a mole?"

For a moment, a thousand thoughts raced through Hua Xiong’s mind.

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Although Hua Xiong is a brute, he still possesses the necessary vigilance.

A single person is walking toward Sishui Pass with a swaggering gait.

No matter which angle you look at it from, this is a highly abnormal affair.

After much deliberation, Hua Xiong decides to dispatch a squad of soldiers to intercept Gu Yi, who is walking this way.

……

Gazing at the dozens of Xiliang armored soldiers coming toward him,

the expression on Gu Yi’s face does not change in the slightest, appearing incomparably calm and composed.

"Gentlemen, I am merely a lone individual."

"However, I have a matter of considerable importance that I need to report to your General Hua Xiong."

"I ask that you please escort me into the pass."

Hearing Gu Yi’s tone, which is completely devoid of panic, the Xiliang armored soldiers fall into a momentary silence.

For some reason, a latent voice suddenly emerges in their hearts, making it impossible for them to harbor even the slightest bit of malice toward the person before them.

The next instant, a scene that had never happened before unfolds!

The squad leader of the Xiliang armored soldiers, with a gentle tone, bows to Gu Yi and says:

"We are acting under the orders of General Hua Xiong; we shall now escort you, sir, into the pass to see General Hua Xiong."

Stunned, my friend!

Is this still the usually arrogant and domineering Xiliang Army?

Aside from their own people, the Xiliang Army has never been this kind to anyone else.

But right now, under the effect of Gu Yi’s [Eloquent and Persuasive] talent trait, these Xiliang soldiers subconsciously agree to his request.

Seeing this scene, a smile appears at the corner of Gu Yi’s mouth.

Immediately, under the escort of the Xiliang armored soldiers, he swaggeringly ascends Sishui Pass.

"Reporting to the General, this gentleman has been brought by us."

Upon reaching Sishui Pass, the Xiliang squad leader reports to Hua Xiong.

"Hmm?"

A flash of doubt crosses Hua Xiong’s mind.

He had clearly ordered for this person to be intercepted.

Yet now, listening to the squad leader’s tone, it sounds as if they had invited this person up instead.

Could it be that there was an error in the tone he used when speaking earlier?

Otherwise, why would this group of loyal and domineering Xiliang soldiers be so polite to this scholar in black robes?

However, since the person has already been brought up, it is not appropriate for Hua Xiong to reprimand his Xiliang soldiers.

He raises his eyebrows slightly, sizing up Gu Yi.

He then speaks:

"If this General is not mistaken, you just came from the direction where those rebels of the Guandong coalition are located, right?"

"Could it be that you want to infiltrate my Sishui Pass to act as a spy?"

Having said this, a sharp, imposing aura erupts from Hua Xiong’s body.

Although his martial prowess is not considered the absolute best in the world, looking across the heroes of the world, it is still at a respectable level.

In the various games of his past life, if Hua Xiong’s martial prowess were quantified, it could even reach a height of ninety points!

It can be called the threshold of a first-class warrior. (Above first-class are super-first-class and top-tier powerhouses.)

For instance, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, with data points greater than ninety-five, are considered super-first-class fierce warriors.

And those like Lu Bu, whose data exceeds one hundred points, are considered top-tier powerhouses.

However, Hua Xiong’s imposing aura is destined to be of absolutely no use against Gu Yi.

Gu Yi smiles calmly and replies:

"General, there is no need to be anxious."

"If I were a mole, the General would not need to listen to what I have to say; you could simply have me imprisoned."

"But if I am not a mole, I can assist the General in achieving a great accomplishment!"

"Right or wrong, the General can judge for himself."

These words pique Hua Xiong’s intense interest.

Someone who can remain calm and composed in the face of his pressure must either possess superior martial arts or have a mindset far beyond that of an ordinary person.

And the scholar in black robes before him clearly lacks the strength to truss a chicken; he does not look like someone with superior martial arts.

Then there is only one possibility.

It is that this scholar in black robes has a state of mind that is by no means ordinary!

As for such figures, Hua Xiong has only met two so far.

One is the chief strategist of the Xiliang Army, Li Ru, Li Wenyou, who is also the eldest son-in-law of his boss, Dong Zhuo.