Chapter 54: Hua Xiong Issues a Challenge

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The galloping horse sped by, its hooves thundering as the heavy gate scraped the ground with a beastly roar.

The scout leapt from his mount and ascended the steps, striding swiftly to stand before a man as burly as a bear.

Dropping to one knee and clasping his fists, he announced, "General, the enemy's main force has encamped seven li beyond the Si River. Their tents stretch endlessly, and from afar it appears their troops number no less than three hundred thousand."

Hua Xiong toyed with the red helmet in his hand, scoffing, "No matter how many chickens and dogs gather, can they pluck the whiskers of tigers and leopards? Prepare five hundred swift riders. I shall go and reminisce with Cao Mengde."

Vice General Hu Zhen stepped forward, fists clasped in counsel, "General, before departure, Master Wen You urged repeatedly— the enemy's force is vast. We must defend within the pass, not rashly attack."

Hua Xiong patted Hu Zhen's shoulder. "Has Master Wen You ever set foot on a battlefield?"

"That... he has not."

"Then rest easy and guard the pass. I’ll take only the swift riders, coming and going as I please. These vermin cannot hold me."

"As you command."

He hefted a nine-foot-long blade, his fighting spirit surging like a tidal wave.

Hua Xiong had awaited this day for a long time.

As an old soldier from Xiliang, he had followed Dong Zhuo from early on. Perhaps he lacked brilliance, but among the Xiliang generals, none were fiercer than he.

Now, in his prime, commanding fifty thousand from a mighty fortress to repel the rebel army—how could he not pledge his life for the Grand Tutor?

...

Drums thundered.

As the messenger relayed the news, the allied command tent sank into a strange silence.

The soldier had to repeat himself.

"Alliance Leader, the great general of Xiliang, Hua Xiong, issues a challenge."

Yuan Shao coughed twice, forcing himself to ask, "Who will face Hua Xiong?"

The assembled lords quickly averted their eyes, unwilling to meet Yuan Shao's gaze.

Yuan Shu sneered, "Some people appear to be the alliance leader, but truly lack the people's support."

Han Fu, governor of Jizhou, stepped forward.

He stood beside Yuan Shao, but his choice contrasted sharply with Gongsun Zan's. Gongsun Zan was ambitious, predicting future conflict with Yuan Shao. Han Fu, as a Yuan family protégé, understood their foundation, preferring safety and stability.

He only hoped Yuan Shu wouldn’t take things too far for the sake of the greater cause.

Han Fu gritted his teeth and declared, "I have a great general, Pan Feng, whose valor is unmatched—perhaps not inferior to Chen Zining."

Everyone turned in unison.

Did they hear correctly?

Not inferior to Chen Cong?

Were heroes so numerous these days?

Yuan Shao was overjoyed.

He’d grown weary of Yuan Shu and Chen Cong’s antics. To hear such good news, whether true or not, at least it would dampen those two troublemakers’ spirits.

"Where is Pan Feng?"

An eight-foot giant strode forward, head held high, surveying the crowd. His massive axe struck the ground with impressive force.

"Alliance Leader, rest assured. Hua Xiong is nothing. I shall go forth, behead him, and bring you his head for your wine."

Seeing Pan Feng's imposing figure, Yuan Shao’s delight grew. With muscles like that, why should he be any less than Chen Cong?

Had he known Han Fu commanded such a fierce warrior, would he have endured so much humiliation?

Yuan Shao went up and warmly grasped Pan Feng’s shoulder.

"Bring hot wine! I wish to send General Pan off."

Moments later, the wine was warmed. Pan Feng raised his cup and drained it in one gulp, glaring at Yuan Shu as he passed, as if to show off.

Of course, Yuan Shu was not one to tolerate this. He immediately ordered his attendant, "Record this. Starting tomorrow, reduce Jizhou’s rations by thirty percent."

"Yes, sir."

Han Fu’s teeth itched with anger; he cursed bitterly in his heart.

Why glare at Yuan Shu? Just fight and be done with it!

...

The spring wind blew, war drums rolled, and the allied camp gates swung wide.

Hua Xiong looked out, instantly tightening his reins, ready to flee at a moment’s notice.

The challenger stood over eight feet tall, awe-inspiring, possessed of remarkable strength.

He matched the description perfectly.

If not for unusual strength, how could he wield such a giant axe?

"You... are Chen Cong, Chen Zining?"

Hua Xiong dared come only because he’d learned from Zhang Liao that Chen Cong lacked a good horse.

But his own blood-sweat steed could run a thousand li a day; escape was always an option.

Otherwise, facing that fierce god unprepared, Hua Xiong would be wary.

Pan Feng was furious at the question, shouting, "How can a mere child be compared to me? I am Pan Feng, chief general of Jizhou, here to slay you!"

Hua Xiong laughed.

He’d seen many braggarts before—so long as it wasn’t Chen Cong.

He raised his blade and beckoned with a contemptuous flick of the wrist. "Fool, come and meet your death."

Pan Feng, enraged, charged forward, loosening the reins and grasping his axe in both hands, swinging heavily at Hua Xiong.

Hua Xiong, meanwhile, gripped his blade in both hands across his chest.

At the moment the weapons clashed, Hua Xiong, relying on experience, angled his blade to deflect the force, but Pan Feng’s movements nearly made him drop his jaw.

The giant axe scraped across the blade, but the force was so uncontrolled that it struck the ground heavily, nearly dragging Pan Feng from his horse.

Was this man here for comic relief?

If you don’t have the strength, don’t wield such a heavy weapon...

Pan Feng, unaware he’d been despised eight hundred times over by Hua Xiong, grunted as he dragged up the giant axe.

"You’ve some skill, villain."

"Chief general of Jizhou—just you?"

Hua Xiong grinned wickedly and spurred his horse, swinging his long blade at Pan Feng in a flurry.

Pan Feng had never seen such ferocity.

After parrying a few blows, he turned his horse to flee, but Hua Xiong’s horse was faster; within three heartbeats, he caught up and, instead of slashing, struck Pan Feng’s face with the flat of his blade.

Smack!~

The massive blade landed hard, sending Pan Feng tumbling from his horse. He rolled several times before sitting up, only to receive another heavy blow to the right side of his face.

Damn, how dare you try to frighten me.

Hua Xiong was furious. He decided to take this fool back, and slap him with his blade twenty times a day!

"Tie him up!"

The Xiliang riders immediately rode out, tying Pan Feng with ropes.

Hua Xiong rode to the camp gates, brandishing his blade and shouting, "Next challenger! Send another to die!"

...

"Disaster!"

"Disaster!!~"

The messenger burst into the command tent, trembling as he faced Yuan Shao. "Bad news, Alliance Leader—General Pan Feng was captured alive after less than three exchanges with the enemy."

"What!"

Yuan Shao jumped to his feet, every muscle in his face twitching.

Three exchanges? Captured alive?

It hurt!

His face hurt.

Curse Han Wenjie, curse Pan Feng!

If you’re incompetent, don’t volunteer. Now he’d handed his face to Yuan Shu for mockery!

Yuan Shu laughed heartily, "Bring hot wine, I wish to send General Pan off. Oh, I can’t—my stomach aches from laughing!"

"You!!!"

Yuan Shao glared fiercely at Han Fu, stubbornly declaring, "If only Yan Liang or Wen Chou were here, Hua Xiong would not dare be so arrogant!"

Yuan Shu laughed even louder, clutching his stomach, barely able to breathe, "Ha...haha...ha! Yuan Benchu, are you trying to kill me with laughter? You should say... Yan Liang and Wen Chou are each not inferior to Chen Cong, Hua Xiong could be slain with a flick! Hahaha!"

No matter how refined Yuan Shao was, he could not endure repeated face-to-face ridicule; he immediately overturned the table.

Pointing angrily at Yuan Shu, he shouted, "Yuan Gonglu! You just want to seize the Alliance Leader’s position! Come, sit in the main seat. If you can drive off Hua Xiong today, I’ll let you be Alliance Leader!"

Yuan Shu didn’t hesitate, pushing Yuan Shao aside and taking the seat.

Chen Cong, delighted, stepped forward.

Kill Hua Xiong, seal the deal, all would be well!

Who would have expected Yuan Shu, after laughing, to lose his wits entirely.

He waved at Chen Cong, "Why use an ox-cleaver for a chicken? My general Yu She is fierce—Hua Xiong is nothing, can be slain at will."

Chen Cong was bewildered, "Yuan Mishui! Have you been drinking fake wine?"

"Where’s the harm in what Zining says? This is no private matter—call me Alliance Leader, not Yuan Mishui."

"You—"

"Enough, Zining, sit down and watch someone else’s disgrace."

Chen Cong gaped, at a loss for words.

What now?

No easy victory, is that it?