Chapter 103: A Worthy Opponent

"I am Zhao Yun, under the command of the Great Han General of the Flying Cavalry." Zhao Yun said calmly, without a single word of unnecessary chatter.

"You are Zhao Yun?! The Zhao Yun who slew the Yellow Turban 'General of the People' Zhang Liang?!" Zang Ba exclaimed in shock. It was not just Liu Yao who had become famous during the Yellow Turban campaign; his top generals—Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Huang Zhong—had also gained renown. Furthermore, the fame of Liu Yao’s two invincible units, the Vanguard and the Assault Battalions, had spread far and wide, known to all under heaven.

"Indeed," Zhao Yun replied with his characteristic cool detachment.

A flicker of fighting spirit ignited in Zang Ba's eyes. He issued a challenge: "I have long admired the Great General Liu Yao. I have heard that his subordinate, General Zhao, is a master of martial arts, and seeing you today, I find the rumors to be true. I fancy myself somewhat skilled in the arts of war; would General Zhao be willing to offer me some pointers?" Martial artists who encountered famous figures often sought to defeat them, hoping to use their reputation to elevate their own standing and achieve fame across the land.

Zhao Yun frowned. He had come to protect Guo Jia, not to engage in duels. He turned to look at Guo Jia, his eyes asking for guidance. Guo Jia pondered for a moment before smiling and nodding at Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun cupped his hands and said, "Then I ask for your instruction, Commander."

"Splendid! I love dealing with straightforward men like you. Please!" Zang Ba cried out excitedly, leading the way out of the tent. His four brothers followed close behind.

As Guo Jia passed Zhao Yun, he whispered, "Defeat him with all your might." Although he had only exchanged a few words with Zang Ba, his keen insight into human nature told him that Zang Ba shared a temperament similar to Zhang Fei's—a bold and forthright man. If Zhao Yun were to act timidly, Zang Ba would likely react poorly, much like Zhang Fei would. Moreover, Guo Jia needed to intimidate Zang Ba and demonstrate the true strength of their side, which would give him greater leverage in the upcoming negotiations.

"But..." Zhao Yun hesitated, confused. He had originally intended to go easy on Zang Ba, fearing that if he defeated the man on his own turf, Zang Ba might fly into a rage. In such a situation, even Zhao Yun was not certain he could protect Guo Jia amidst so many enemies.

Guo Jia, however, offered no further explanation and strode out of the tent.

"Sigh!" Zhao Yun let out a helpless sigh and followed. As a soldier, his duty was to obey orders, and he would do exactly as instructed. Besides, he knew Guo Jia’s capabilities and trusted that he would not act without purpose.

On a patch of open ground not far from the tents, Zhao Yun and Zang Ba stood facing each other, while Guo Jia and Zang Ba's four brothers watched from the sidelines.

On Mount Tai, there were naturally no horses to be found, so they had to fight on foot. Fortunately, Zhao Yun had studied under the "Spear God" Tong Yuan of Penglai. Tong Yuan was a wandering knight by origin, and although he used a spear, his footwork was even more formidable than his mounted skills. Zhao Yun’s prowess in infantry combat was therefore exceptional, unlike ordinary generals whose abilities would diminish by thirty percent once they dismounted.

Zang Ba wielded a five-foot-long ring-pommel saber, his face filled with fighting spirit as he stared at Zhao Yun, who stood as calmly as if the world around him held no concern.

"Please!" "Please!" the two said in unison, cupping their hands.

For some reason, seeing Zhao Yun’s indifferent expression caused Zang Ba’s anger to flare up. He charged toward Zhao Yun, bringing his saber down in a powerful strike meant to split a mountain.

Zhao Yun raised his hands to parry the inevitable blow. From the impact, he gauged Zang Ba's martial level. Since Guo Jia had ordered him to use his full strength, Zhao Yun held nothing back. Suddenly, he unleashed his killing intent, his eyes sharpening like blades. With a burst of strength, he flicked Zang Ba’s saber aside.

"Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix!" Zhao Yun shouted. In the blink of an eye, the single spear in his hands seemed to multiply into two, four, eight, and eventually countless spear shadows. Zang Ba was dazzled, having no idea how to defend himself. He could only raise his saber in a desperate, wild block, lamenting in his heart, "My life is at an end!" He regretted his overconfident challenge.

Suddenly, the hundred-plus spear shadows converged back into one, piercing directly toward Zang Ba’s saber.

With a metallic "clang," Zang Ba felt his palm vibrate violently. The saber was knocked from his grip, and the sheer force sent him stumbling back until he fell to the ground.

Seeing that Zang Ba was defeated, Zhao Yun withdrew his spear and stood quietly, watching him. Had he not feared that killing Zang Ba would cause a catastrophe from which he and Guo Jia could not escape, the strike could have easily taken the man's life. He had deliberately aimed only at the weapon.

In truth, Zang Ba was not weak; his skill was comparable to Gao Shun's. He had been defeated in two moves only because he had been arrogant and impetuous—the cardinal sins of a warrior. Had he fought calmly, he could have held his own for at least twenty rounds.

Zang Ba stared in disbelief at his hands, which were split and bleeding. He was stunned. He had always prided himself on his prowess, yet he had been defeated in just two moves—or perhaps even one. How could the proud Zang Ba accept this?

"Big Brother!" Zang Ba's four brothers rushed over. Wu Dun and Yin Li helped him up, while Sun Guan and Sun Kang stood by, watching without moving.

Seeing Zang Ba’s condition, Zhao Yun knew he had been devastated. If he were allowed to sink into despair, he would be ruined. "Victory and defeat are common occurrences," Zhao Yun advised. "If you cannot bear this much, why practice martial arts at all?"

Faithful words are often hard to hear, but this rebuke served as a wake-up call for Zang Ba. He cupped his hands to Zhao Yun, saying gratefully, "Thank you for your guidance."

The gratitude was genuine. Zhao Yun had not only spared his life but had also offered him wisdom that prevented him from spiraling into self-destruction. Zang Ba took this great kindness to heart.

"You are welcome," Zhao Yun said casually. It was a mere trifle to him, not worth noting. Moreover, since Liu Yao and Guo Jia intended to recruit Zang Ba, a little help was of no consequence.

"Big Brother, this guy is no good! He dared to wound you. Let me take the men and wipe them out!" Wu Dun shouted angrily at Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun’s grip on his spear tightened, and he stood guard, watching the men. If Zang Ba gave the slightest signal of agreement, he would immediately seize him to threaten the others and ensure Guo Jia’s safe departure from the mountain.

"You scoundrel!" Zang Ba roared. "What did I tell you? One must know how to repay kindness. General Zhao just spared my life; do you want me to repay kindness with enmity? Where would that leave me? Apologize to General Zhao at once!"

Guo Jia, watching from the side, nodded with a smile, as if he had expected this all along.

Wu Dun shrank back, as he respected Zang Ba above all else. He said reluctantly, "Please forgive my offense, General Zhao."

"It is of no consequence," Zhao Yun said, his grip on the spear loosening.

"General Zhao, I am defeated by your hand, and I, Zang Ba, am convinced. Come, let us enter the tent to drink and converse." Zang Ba invited him excitedly.

"After you."