Chapter 124: Zhao Yun Takes an Apprentice

Ma Chao lifted his head with an air of arrogance, his eyes burning with the desire for battle as he looked at Zhao Yun. "If you want me to take you as my master, that is possible, but only if you can defeat me. Otherwise, it is absolutely out of the question." Ma Chao would certainly not let such an opportunity to spar with Zhao Yun slip by.

Liu Yao looked at the cocky Ma Chao with amusement and laughed, "No problem. I agree to this on Zilong's behalf." Ma Chao was no match for Zhao Yun at this stage; it would be good to let Zhao Yun teach him a lesson, polish his arrogance, and let him realize how high the sky truly is.

Ma Chao was delighted upon hearing this. "Thank you, my lord." He then turned his head to look at Zhao Yun with a haughty expression.

Since Liu Yao had already consented, Zhao Yun naturally would not refuse. Moreover, he needed to demonstrate his prowess before Ma Chao; otherwise, how could he expect the boy to willingly accept him as a master?

"This... My lord, is that wise?" Ma Teng asked with hesitation. A formal apprenticeship had unexpectedly turned into a duel. Ma Teng knew the capabilities of both men well; Ma Chao was destined to lose, and he worried that the blow to his son's pride might leave a shadow that would hinder his future progress in martial arts.

Sensing Ma Teng's concern, Liu Yao consoled him, "Shoucheng, do not worry. Zilong will know how to temper his actions."

Ma Teng nodded, unable to say anything more.

"This place is too cramped. Let us head to the courtyard outside," Liu Yao said with a smile, stepping out first. The others followed suit.

In the outer courtyard, Ma Chao and Zhao Yun stood facing each other.

"Hmph, Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong! Today, I, Ma Chao, shall defeat you and let you know the true power of Ma Mengqi of Xiliang!" Ma Chao held his long spear forward, declaring proudly.

Watching Ma Chao, Zhao Yun could not help but sneer inwardly. To break a man’s arrogance, one must be even more arrogant than he. Zhao Yun shifted his spear to his left hand and placed his right hand behind his back, watching Ma Chao calmly.

Ma Chao frowned at this. "What do you think you are doing!?"

"Defeating you with only my left hand is already a victory without honor," Zhao Yun replied indifferently.

Ma Chao was enraged. He had never been looked down upon like this, and for someone as prideful as he, it was intolerable. He immediately brandished his spear and thrust it toward Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun casually deflected the blow with his own spear. A thunderous "clang" echoed throughout the courtyard.

Feeling the force behind Ma Chao’s strike, Zhao Yun was privately startled. *If he possesses such strength at this age, then in a few years, he will be no less formidable than Brother Yide.*

Ma Chao, failing with his first strike, followed up with a sweeping blow aimed at Zhao Yun’s waist. Yet, it was still easily parried by Zhao Yun’s left hand.

"Hm, the power of that strike was decent, but the angle was lacking..."

"If that thrust had been more cunning, it would have been much better."

"What kind of stance is this? You are exposing your vitals to your opponent. If someone were to strike directly at your waist, your life would be forfeit."

Ma Chao grew increasingly furious. He was already frustrated by his inability to land a hit on Zhao Yun, and being lectured mid-battle only added to his irritation. Once his composure shattered, his form naturally fell apart.

Seeing that the time was right, Zhao Yun executed a circular motion with his spear, drawing Ma Chao’s tiger-headed golden spear into his own momentum. "Let go!" Zhao Yun commanded with a shout. Ma Chao cried out as his spear was wrenched from his grasp and sent flying, piercing deep into a century-old tree in the courtyard. The spear vibrated with a humming sound, a testament to the masterful technique Zhao Yun had used to neutralize the attack.

Ma Chao stood there, his eyes vacant. He had realized he was no match for Zhao Yun, but he had not expected to be defeated as if he were being toyed with. For a moment, he could not accept it.

"What? Is that all it takes to break you? If so, you will never surpass me in this lifetime. Such a wastrel is not worth taking as a student," Zhao Yun said coldly.

"Mengqi!" Ma Teng cried out in alarm, stepping forward to intervene. Fearing for his son, he was ready to rush in, but Liu Yao stopped him. "Do not worry, Zilong is in control," Liu Yao said firmly.

"Who are you calling a wastrel?" Upon hearing those words, anger flared in Ma Chao’s eyes as he glared at Zhao Yun. Had he not been disarmed, he would have charged back to fight for another "three hundred rounds."

Seeing Ma Chao regain his spirit, Zhao Yun chuckled. "In my eyes, those who do not keep their word are wastrels."

Ma Chao paused, realizing that Zhao Yun had been guiding him all along. He walked up to Zhao Yun and bowed respectfully. "Ma Chao greets his master." He then raised his head, his eyes full of fighting spirit, and said firmly, "Though I am not your equal now, one day, I will surely defeat you, Master."

"Haha! If my disciple has such ambition, then I shall await that day," Zhao Yun laughed heartily. Who would not want their disciple to surpass them? He felt this way, just as his own master, Tong Yuan, once had.

"Hahaha, congratulations, Zilong, for taking in such an outstanding disciple. And congratulations to you, Mengqi; a master like Zilong is not easily found," Liu Yao said, walking over with a smile.

Ma Teng looked at Ma Chao with gratification, happy that his son had found such a worthy mentor.

"Thank you, my lord," Ma Chao and Zhao Yun said in unison.

"Today we celebrate a great victory, and coincide with Zilong taking on a fine student. I shall have a banquet prepared to celebrate," Liu Yao declared. With the Qiang tribe subdued, there was no harm in enjoying some wine.

Ten days later, Liu Yao had resolved all affairs in Jincheng. The Qiang people were either captured or killed, and they were no longer seen within the borders of the Han. Liu Yao and Huangfu Song led their armies back toward Luoyang in triumph.

Liu Yao brought Ma Chao and Ma Dai with him. They were promising talents; if Zhao Yun could train Ma Chao well, and if he were encouraged to study literature and military strategy, he would surely become more than just a fierce warrior—he would grow into a commander capable of leading an army.

As for the great warrior Pang De, Liu Yao did not insist on taking him, as Pang De wished to remain by Ma Teng’s side. Liu Yao did not mind; since Ma Teng was now his subordinate, Pang De serving him was effectively serving the cause. Furthermore, Ma Teng would need a capable general to command troops for him in the future. While Ma Teng was a powerful warrior, he lacked Pang De’s tactical acumen. With Pang De’s assistance, Liu Yao felt at ease.

Thus, Ma Teng and Pang De returned to Wuwei with the army and the twenty thousand horses that Liu Yao had secured, ready to build their power. As for the title of Administrator of Wuwei, that would be a simple matter once Liu Yao returned to Luoyang; Emperor Ling of Han would certainly not refuse.