Chapter 109: A Duel Before the Battle Lines

Liu Yao cast a disdainful glance at Li Wenhou, then turned to Han Sui and taunted, “Han Sui, you are the leader of these Qiang people, yet you allow your underlings’ dogs to speak freely before you’ve even said a word? I always said the Qiang are barbarians who don’t understand respect or hierarchy.”

“You!!” Li Wenhou’s fury ignited instantly. As a proud and noble commander of the Qiang tribe, to be called a dog was utterly infuriating.

Before Li Wenhou could react, Beigong Boyu gripped his shoulder firmly and shook his head, signaling him to keep calm.

Li Wenhou understood the warning and ceased his movements, though his eyes still blazed with rage, glaring at Liu Yao as if he wanted to devour him alive.

Liu Yao glanced at Beigong Boyu and sneered inwardly. “Not all these Qiang are completely brainless. At least Beigong Boyu is somewhat composed and hasn’t fallen for my provocation.”

Then Liu Yao issued a challenge. “I hear your Qiang warriors are numerous. Do you dare to fight?”

“Hmph, why wouldn’t we?” Han Sui responded disdainfully. He had absolute confidence in his son-in-law, Yan Xing. Without further words, he spurred his horse and returned to the main camp. Liu Yao smirked and followed suit.

Soon, a Qiang general emerged from their ranks, brandishing a long spear. He shouted disdainfully toward the Han encampment, “I am Liwa, a brave warrior of the Qiang! Han people, do you dare face me in battle?”

Li Wenhou looked on proudly at Liwa. Liwa was ranked among the top ten warriors of the entire Qiang tribe. Facing the Han, whom he considered as meek as sheep, would be a mere formality.

Liu Yao glanced at the challenger and noted with surprise that it was not Yan Xing but a Qiang warrior. This meant there was no need to send out Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei. He turned to Zang Ba beside him and said, “Xuangao, this is your first battle since joining my forces in Youzhou. Make it a good one.”

Zang Ba was thrilled. He clasped his fists and declared, “General Mimo will not disappoint your trust.” With that, he rode forward to confront the enemy.

“I am Zang Ba, captain under the Han’s renowned Cavalry General. Qiang dogs, prepare to die!” Zang Ba shouted fiercely, wielding his great blade as he swung at the Qiang warrior’s head.

Liwa raised his spear to counter and charged at Zang Ba.

The clash rang out sharply as the two warriors narrowly avoided each other’s strikes. Yet their hearts were worlds apart.

“Hmph, this Qiang is surprisingly weak. Even at seventy percent of my strength, I barely had to exert myself,” Zang Ba thought disdainfully.

Liwa, by contrast, was stunned. “I never imagined there were such warriors among the Han. Weren’t they supposed to be meek lambs, easy prey?” His arm trembled painfully, his grip weakening as his injured spear nearly slipped from his hand.

After one exchange, both warriors pulled back on their horses to prepare for another round. Liwa’s strength was inferior even to Zang Ba’s, let alone his skill. The Qiang’s so-called martial arts were merely brute force, much like Liu Yao’s crude methods, lacking any real technique. Though not a top-tier fighter, Zang Ba was more than capable of handling such opponents.

After five rounds, Liwa let out a pained scream as Zang Ba cleaved him in two, killing him instantly beneath his horse.

“Xuangao is mighty!” Liu Yao roared triumphantly, and his soldiers echoed his cry, their morale soaring to rival that of the Qiang.

“I have not failed your trust, my lord,” Zang Ba said as he returned, saluting Liu Yao.

“Xuangao, well done,” Liu Yao smiled, then turned to Zhang Fei. “Yide, you’re up next.”

Zhang Fei laughed heartily, grumbling, “Finally it’s my turn. I was about to burst from holding back.” He spurred his horse and charged into the fray.

“Hear me, Zhang Fei, the bold general under the Han’s Cavalry Commander! Qiang scum, who dares face death?” Zhang Fei’s thunderous roar echoed through the Qiang camp, startling several horses to rear up. Fortunately, the Qiang, skilled horsemen from childhood, quickly regained control.

The entire Qiang camp grew uneasy, some even fearful, as they stared at the fierce, black-faced Han warrior.

Beigong Boyu knew Zhang Fei was not to be trifled with. He bit his lip and addressed a towering, muscular man standing nearby, whose arms were as thick as an ordinary man’s thigh.

“Hassan, you are our tribe’s greatest warrior. Go and slay that enemy general. Return victorious, and I will reward you with ten beauties and a hundred pieces of gold.”

Hassan was indeed the tribe’s top warrior, wielding a massive war hammer weighing one hundred pounds. In sheer weight, only Liu Yao’s unstoppable Thunderstorm Blade surpassed it. Hassan’s strength was tremendous; a single blow could wound or kill outright. Though his weapon had no sharp edge, its destructive power was formidable. Beigong Boyu had absolute faith in him. How could the black-faced Han be a match for their champion?

“Thank you, great commander!” Hassan called excitedly, already imagining the rewards within reach. He spurred his horse and charged at Zhang Fei. “Hassan, the Qiang warrior, is here! Han, come forward and face death!” Raising his giant hammer, he brought it crashing down upon Zhang Fei.

“Waaah!” Zhang Fei shrieked, deliberately testing Hassan’s strength. He did not dodge but met the blow head-on. Behind him, Huangfu Song’s soldiers broke into a cold sweat. If that hammer had landed on them, they would have been smashed to pulp.

“Damn, this guy’s strength is no joke,” Zhang Fei muttered, pushing the hammer aside. Then he sneered, “Strong as you are, you’re still far from my master’s level.”

“See my spear!” Zhang Fei roared. His serpent spear blurred as it multiplied into numerous phantom spears, darting like venomous snakes toward Hassan’s body from every impossible angle.

Hassan scrambled to block the strikes but eventually missed one that pierced his abdomen. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he used the hammer’s handle to press down hard on the serpent spear, trying to prevent Zhang Fei from withdrawing it.

Zhang Fei scoffed, veins bulging in his arms. With a mighty yell, he flicked his spear upward, sending Hassan and his massive hammer soaring more than ten meters into the air.

“Ahhh!” Hassan flailed helplessly, unable to counter. Zhang Fei grinned savagely, planting his serpent spear firmly in the ground and ignoring it, while Hassan fell freely above him.

A sharp sound of piercing flesh followed as the spear skewered Hassan, pinning him to the earth. His eyes glazed over; he was already dead.

Zhang Fei grasped his serpent spear and defiantly shouted to the Qiang camp, “Hahaha! Your mighty first warrior? Complete nonsense! Who’s next to face death?”

The Qiang were thrown into disarray. Hassan was their pride, yet he had been slain so swiftly by a Han general with such an overwhelming technique. Panic spread, and morale plummeted.

“Yide is mighty!” a Han soldier shouted, morale surging once more.

Liu Yao watched Zhang Fei’s display and openly applauded. Such a decisive victory dealt a crushing blow to the Qiang spirit.