Chapter 56: Fierce Warrior? Peerless? Chen Cong!

Page 1

Hua Xiong instinctively sensed something was amiss.

The drums were strange, the horses were strange, the men were strange…

The rebel army had lost two duels in succession, and their morale should have been low. Yet their war drums thundered, showing not the slightest hint of despair.

Trained warhorses would never amble across a battlefield.

And that man—he appeared to be a rookie, looking as though he might fall from his saddle at any moment, yet somehow he never did.

Moreover, the tall steed beneath him was extraordinary. It is said a divine horse chooses its master; without the proper bearing, how could one tame such a creature?

What perplexed Hua Xiong most was the faint chill that lingered on his back.

As a seasoned general, hardened by countless battles, Hua Xiong understood one truth well: unusual appearances often conceal cunning.

He turned his reins, not advancing, but instead guiding his horse to retreat slowly.

From afar, he called out, “Declare your name!”

Chen Cong laughed, “General Hua, you are truly forgetful—do you not recognize an old acquaintance from Luoyang?”

An old acquaintance?

Hua Xiong was even more bewildered. He must have met this man before, but no matter how he searched his memory, he could not recall any fragment of him.

One advanced, the other retreated.

Chen Cong pressed forward, but did not rush, savoring the tense atmosphere as the two armies’ champions faced off.

Strictly speaking, this was his first time on the battlefield.

Fitting, then, that Hua Xiong should be the first to lead him into the ranks of war.

Previously, his duels had lacked armor, lacked a horse, lacked comrades to cheer him on—something had always been missing.

Hua Xiong retreated, already swallowed by the ranks of the cool cavalry, suddenly startled.

Of course!

That man rode alone, yet he commanded five hundred flying cavalry; if anyone should fear, it ought to be the other side. What was there for him to fear?

“General, look!”

Hua Xiong followed the direction indicated by his rider. Across the field, the enemy’s camp had somehow grown crowded.

Flowing robes caught the wind, dignified as the lord of heaven and earth—Yuan Shao!

A jade ornament as large as a fist, standing with hands behind his back and nostrils flared—Yuan Shu!

Eyes sharp as blades, hand resting on sword, posture as upright as a spear—Sun Wentai, the mighty tiger of Jiangdong.

Short and dark-faced, unarmored, beating the war drum with all his might.

That man—he would recognize him even if he turned to ashes—the treacherous villain who deceived him under the guise of exchanging military duties: Cao Cao!

Cao…

Hua Xiong reined in his horse, suddenly lifting his head, his face filled with astonishment. “It’s you, the Cao family servant!”

Thud!~

A powerful hoof struck the ground; the horse, Absolute Shadow, raised its head high, nostrils flaring with robust breath. Its eyes shone with a piercing brilliance.

Winged Tiger spear lifted lightly, gleaming coldly; the heavy helmet could barely conceal the excitement in his eyes.

Armored steeds and golden spears, swallowing the world like a tiger—tonight!

Page 2

Chen Cong gripped his spear tightly, his whole body trembling with excitement.

Roar!!~~

“Chen Cong of Qiao County stands here! Little Hua Xiong, dismount and surrender!”

His skyward roar startled the cool cavalry, driving them to retreat; his shout seemed to shake the very heavens.

In the next moment—

His flying horse dashed forward, a shadowy blur, plunging straight into the ranks of cool cavalry.

Hua Xiong’s heart was shaken; he finally realized that the familiar face was not only that of Cao’s servant, but also the portrait used to hunt the outlaw, Chen Cong!

They were one and the same!

Memories surged forth. Hua Xiong dared not fight, turning his horse deeper into the ranks, shouting with all his might.

“Attack, quickly! Kill him!”

But…

The outcome was already decided.

Back then, Chen Cong faced two hundred flying cavalry without armor or horse, yet dared to charge boldly.

Now, clad in armor, mounted on Absolute Shadow—swifter than an arrow—armed with the finest spear techniques gathered from a hundred schools, he regarded five hundred cool cavalry as mere grass.

The spearhead spun; lives were as fragile as paper where it passed.

Strike, block, entangle, seize—all could kill.

Thrust, jab, flick, lift, stab—blood flowed like rivers.

A fierce tiger among sheep; the thick scent of blood only roused the beast’s savagery.

In the heat of battle, the flying spear transformed into a hammer; Chen Cong leaped high and smashed down.

The charging cool cavalry had no time to react, crushed to pieces by overwhelming force.

Absolute Shadow’s four hooves flew, catching its master securely. Straightening the bent spear, the horse and rider plunged once more into the fray.

Unmatched valor!

Roar!~ Roar!~ Roar!~

Magnificent!~~

Allied soldiers felt their blood boil, shouting in unison.

Xu Chu let out a tiger’s roar, tore off his armor to reveal exaggerated muscles, lifted Cao Cao like a chick, ignored his resentful glare, seized the drumstick, and struck the war drum as though it were the enemy’s head.

“Splendid, Chen Zining! With such a godlike general before us, who dares claim invincibility?” Yuan Shu punched the parapet, grimacing in pain.

No one cared about his display.

Whether princes, generals, or soldiers, every eye was fixed on Chen Cong.

One man, one horse, one spear—slaughtering five hundred cavalry in chaos.

No one had seen such a duel; none had even heard of it before.

Only Liu Bei frowned deeply, three parts longing, seven parts wary.

Such a fierce warrior—how could he be a bandit?

He sighed mournfully.

“Brother, do you have worries?”

Liu Bei sighed, troubled. “Should we face him as an enemy someday, could Yun Chang withstand this man?”

Page 3

Zhang Fei jumped in, “All are men of honor—how could we become enemies?”

Liu Bei shook his head, silent.

Guan Yu stroked his long beard and smiled, “Our brother is ambitious, thinking far ahead. Don’t ask.”

Liu Bei understood.

With his second brother’s proud temperament, silence was itself an answer.

Yun Chang… likely could not match Chen Cong.

Liu Bei’s heart was bitter; the setting sun seemed especially glaring, like the blood-red twilight of the declining Han dynasty.

“Xuande need not worry. Zining is merely unruly; he will not threaten the Han court.”

Liu Bei was startled, turning to see Cao Cao appear beside him, saluting with a fist.

“General Cao, you jest. I mean no harm—only, upon seeing such a formidable general, my mind was thrown into confusion.”

Cao Cao smiled, hands behind his back as he gazed at Chen Cong, pride shining in his eyes.

“I blame myself for being busy with affairs, never properly instructing Zining. If Xuande does not mind, would you come to Qiao County to teach him?”

Zhang Fei laughed, “That’s right! Our brother studied under the great scholar Lu Zhi; instructing Chen Zining is more than enough.”

Guan Yu pressed Zhang Fei down, sternly, “Yide, be silent!”

“What’s wrong? Qiao County is better than that little county in Pingyuan; our brother can’t be stuck as a magistrate all his life.”

For a moment, Liu Bei was tempted.

Not for his own sake.

If he could rekindle Chen Cong’s loyalty to the emperor, it would be a great achievement.

But in the end, he only saluted Cao Cao and closed his eyes, saying no more.

Judging by himself—if Liu Bei had such a valiant son-in-law, would he lack time to instruct him?

Teaching was but an excuse.

Chen Cong’s rebellion had its roots in Cao Cao!

Cao Cao sighed inwardly, regretting as he saluted and withdrew.

“Big brother, why ask Liu Bei to teach Zining? He’s merely a petty magistrate—how can he teach our Cao clan’s son-in-law?”

Cao Cao glanced at Cao Ren. “If not him, would I ask you to teach?”

Uh…

Cao Ren scratched his head awkwardly. “I mean, with Liu Bei’s odd temperament, would Zining even heed his instruction?”

Cao Cao ignored him.

As the saying goes, those who are close to vermilion become red, those close to ink become black. Asking Liu Bei to teach Chen Cong was also a way to let Chen Cong influence the Liu brothers.

For a confidant, there were things Chen Cong could understand, but Cao Ren could not.

The distinction was not merely closeness, but a vast difference in trust and reliance.