Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 253 Ancient Evil Lai, Modern Tiger Fool

Chapter 253 Ancient Evil Lai, Contemporary Tiger Fool
A few days later.

Jinyang City, on the banks of the Fen River.

The World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament is nearing its end, with only the final champion and runner-up remaining to be determined.

The final showdown between the two powerhouses has made this magnificent city of Bingzhou even more exciting.

During the months of the conference, the people of Jinyang and even the entire Bingzhou reaped great benefits. The large influx of outsiders brought a great deal of commercial activity, and Bingzhou's economy was much more prosperous than last year.

The crowd surged, gathering at the venue and gazing at the main arena standing in the center.

Cheers and shouts of approval soared into the sky.

Dian Wei was a chivalrous hero from Chenliu.

He wore a full set of protective leather armor provided by the tournament, and held a pair of dark, heavy halberds with sharp tips.

He stood there like a moving volcano, his huge, bell-like eyes burning with the most intense desire for the title of "Number One in the World".

Xu Chu, a Tiger-like warrior from Qiao Commandery, was more robust and imposing than Dian Wei. He also wore a full set of protective leather armor and casually carried a thick-backed ring-pommel sword on his shoulder.

He had a smile on his face the whole time, looking at Dian Wei with eager anticipation.

The title of the best in the world is right before our eyes!
These two were the final contenders in the tournament.

The winner takes all!
Second place in the loser's bracket!
"Roar--!"

Dian Wei couldn't hold back any longer and let out a deafening roar! He stomped his feet on the ground, his burly body bursting with astonishing power as he charged forward, swinging his twin halberds up and down, aiming straight for Xu Chu's head and abdomen!
Without any probing, the attack was a desperate, deadly strike!
Faced with this earth-shattering attack, Xu Chu's smug smile vanished, replaced by a glint of cunning in his eyes! He lowered his stance, his center of gravity sinking like a mountain! The thick-backed, ring-pommel sword hummed as he gripped it with both hands and fiercely swung it up!

"clang--!!!"

A deafening roar, capable of shattering metal and splitting stone, resounded throughout the training ground!

Despite his upper halberd being blocked, Dian Wei remained unfazed, and his lower halberd was already unleashed! Xu Chu's old strength was exhausted, and new strength had not yet been generated!
At the critical moment! Xu Chu twisted his waist like a taut bow, his massive body sliding half a step to the side by the slightest difference!

"Swoosh—!" Dian Wei's halberd grazed the side of Xu Chu's leather armor, leaving deep scratches on the thick, tough leather surface!

Dian Wei's attack missed, fueling his ferocity even more! His twin halberds unleashed a storm of power! Chopping, smashing, sweeping, hooking, thrusting! Each strike contained the force to destroy cities and fortresses!

Xu Chu transformed into the most impregnable fortress.

His footwork was as steady as a mountain, and his thick-backed ring-pommel sword moved like an impregnable fortress. The heavy and refined sword light accurately blocked, deflected, and guided Dian Wei's ferocious attacks time and time again!
"Clang! Clang! Clang!..."

Each collision was like a giant hammer striking a drum, sparks flying and iron filings flying everywhere! The sounds echoed continuously across the arena!

Pure, violent aesthetics! A clash of primal forces! Tens of thousands of spectators roared in deafening cheers!
"Happy! So happy!"

"Hahaha, so happy!"

Dian Wei laughed wildly, his attacks becoming increasingly fierce, his halberd withstanding a heavy sweeping blow from Xu Chu.

He used the momentum to spin around and thrust his other halberd straight at Xu Chu's slightly open abdomen, like a poisonous dragon!

Xu Chu's pupils contracted slightly, his sword thrust was hard to reverse! With a low roar, his free left hand shot out like lightning, fingers spread wide, carrying a force that tore through the air, fiercely grabbing at the halberd shaft that Dian Wei was thrusting at!
At the same time, the abdominal muscles instantly tensed up like iron!
"Thud!" The halberd tip pierced the breastplate on the leather armor's abdomen, designed to protect the fighter's weak point! The steel breastplate was deeply dented inwards! Xu Chu groaned, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth!

But his left hand, which was reaching for the halberd shaft, gripped the front of the shaft like an iron clamp!
"Let go!" Xu Chu roared, gathering all his strength in his left hand and forcefully twisting downwards!
Dian Wei felt an immense force surge through him, his tiger's mouth about to split open! With a roar, the muscles in his right arm bulged as he gripped the halberd handle tightly in a fierce struggle!
The two were like giants locked in a wrestling match, locked in a stalemate on the stage!

The entire room fell silent! Everyone's heart was in their throat!
Just as this suffocating stalemate reached its peak, a weary knight silently ascended to the best viewing platform directly in front of the main arena.

Though his crimson battle robe was covered in dust, it still blazed like a raging flame. With his double halberds held diagonally in his hand, it was none other than Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian!

Lu Bu's gaze, like that of a hawk, instantly pierced through a distance of dozens of steps, landing precisely on the figures wrestling on the main arena.

His narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes remained defiant, but deeper within them, a hint of seriousness and... intense fighting spirit flickered!

Dian Wei's ferocity and Xu Chu's steadfastness made him realize the weight of his opponents.

He didn't make a sound to disturb them, but quietly walked to the edge of the viewing platform, handed the double halberds to Ah Shan beside him, and stared intently at every detail on the arena.

"Fengxian is back."

Zhang Xian's eyes were fixed on the arena, his voice neither loud nor soft.

Lu Bu clasped his hands and bowed: "This humble general, Lu Bu, was ordered by my lord to go deep into the northern desert to survey and map the land. It took half a year, and I have fortunately fulfilled my mission! Now the map is half completed, and I present it to my lord!"

Zhang Xian shifted his gaze from the arena to Lü Bu, who appeared travel-worn but still vigorous, and a gentle smile appeared on his face: "Fengxian, you have worked hard! The northern deserts are bitterly cold and fraught with danger. It is truly a blessing for Bingzhou that you have returned safely and successfully! Guards, bring a seat!"

"Thank you, my lord!" Lü Bu clasped his hands in thanks, but did not sit down immediately. Instead, he presented the wooden box.

Xiahou Lan took the wooden box and placed it on the table beside Zhang Xian.

Zhang Xian did not rush to open the arena. He turned his gaze back to the arena and praised, "Fengxian's return is just in time. These two are both tigers and warriors of our time. This battle is absolutely spectacular."

Following Zhang Xian's gaze, Lü Bu saw Dian Wei and Xu Chu locked in a stalemate, the aftershocks of their clash causing the arena to tremble.

His eyes burned with the fire of battle as he said in a deep voice, "What my lord says is absolutely right! These two men, one fierce and unparalleled, the other as steady as a mountain, are indeed rare and formidable warriors! Judging from their strength, I too am... itching to be one!"

He then changed the subject, his tone tinged with a mixture of probing and fervor: "However, in my humble opinion, his moves are wide and sweeping, and while they are powerful, they lack subtlety and variation. If he were to encounter a truly discerning master who can anticipate the situation and control the subtle nuances, he might not be able to hold out for long. I dare say that such strength and power, though it may make him a formidable opponent for a time, may not be worthy of the title of 'Number One Under Heaven'!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xian raised the corners of his mouth slightly and gave Lü Bu a meaningful look: "Oh? In your opinion, who is worthy of this title, Fengxian?"

Lu Bu took a deep breath, stared intently at Zhang Xian, and raised his voice suddenly, filled with a tangible reverence.

"In my humble opinion, the pinnacle of martial prowess in the world belongs to only my lord! Your halberd is supremely domineering and unpredictable! It foresees the enemy's moves and controls every detail! I have known you for a long time, but I have been defeated in several battles. Although these two are brave, they are nothing but chickens and dogs under your halberd!"

"If the title of 'Number One Under Heaven' falls into the hands of these two, I will not accept it! I humbly request that you, my lord, grant me this honor!"

He suddenly knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, looked up at Zhang Xian, and said in a passionate voice: "This humble general dares to request that my lord allow me to fight two against one after the two of them have finished their duel!"

Zhang Xian looked at Lü Bu, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He shook his head, picked up the wooden box on the table, and opened it. Inside, on a sheepskin map stained with blood, were clearly depicted rivers, mountains, and hills.

He spoke calmly as he looked at the blueprints.

"The tournament has its own rules. The title of number one in the world undoubtedly belongs to the champion. I know you may not be convinced, but rules are rules."

"If you want to fight, you can challenge them both after the tournament. Given their personalities, it's unlikely they'll refuse."

Lu Bu remained unmoved, but changed his mind. He said again, "In my humble opinion, only you, my lord, are worthy of the title of the best in the world. The conference is about to end, how can we not have a grand finale!"

"This humble general thinks..."

He looked at Zhang Xian with fervor and said, word by word.

"This humble general wishes to challenge my lord once again, and I humbly request your permission!"

As soon as Lü Bu uttered these words...

Xun Yu, who was standing next to Zhang Xian, suddenly stood up: "Lu Bu! How dare you!"

Wang Lie and other civil officials were also shocked and furious, and their rebukes were incessant.

Lu Bu showed no reaction to the rebuke from his lord's civil officials. He never cared about others' opinions, but only his lord deserved to be number one in the world; others...
Not qualified!
Seeing the fervor in Lü Bu's eyes, Zhang Xian slowly rose from the main seat.

With black hair adorned with a jade hairpin and a gentle face, his movements were composed, exuding an aura of absolute control.

Zhang Xian's gaze calmly swept across the entire arena, finally landing on Lü Bu, who was kneeling on one knee, his eyes burning with fervor and anticipation.

A helpless yet indulgent smile appeared on his lips.

“Fengxian, oh Fengxian.” Zhang Xian’s voice was not loud, but carried a hint of teasing.

"You've just returned to Bingzhou, still covered in dust from your journey, and you can't wait to find me some amusement?"

Lu Bu raised his head, his gaze intense: "My lord's divine might is unparalleled. Only your personal presence can truly make this title of 'Number One Under Heaven' rightful! It will command the heroes of all directions to submit willingly to your command! If my lord deems this humble general arrogant..."

"This humble general is willing to accept military punishment! I only beg my lord to grant this victory, so as to demonstrate the prosperity of the military fortunes of Bingzhou!"

Zhang Xian looked at him quietly, his eyes deep, as if he could see through the loyalty beneath his arrogance and the almost obsessive worship.

A moment of silence.

Finally, Zhang Xian shook his head and sighed softly.

"That's fine."

"Since Fengxian insists on holding a closing ceremony, I will grant your wish. However, the merit of venturing deep into the desert will be lost. Are you still willing?"

"This humble general feels as if he has been bathed in sweet rain!"

Lü Bu was overjoyed.

Zhang Xian waved his hand, continuing to watch the final competition on stage, signaling him to calm down.

The closing ceremony is the closing ceremony, but the competition at the conference continues.

Two of the most formidable warriors of their time wrestled together, each wielding a short halberd.

Under the combined force of both sides, the iron halberd, which was not particularly fine, began to bend little by little.

Both of them blushed, but neither of them backed down.

As time slowly passed, everyone present held their breath, and the entire assembly was silent as they watched the two figures on the arena.

嘎.
吱.
boom!
With a crisp sound, both of them stumbled back several steps and nearly fell.

With their inhuman brute force, the short halberd was actually snapped in two!
Admittedly, Dian Wei's short halberd was not made of any particularly good materials.

But it's still iron!

There was an uproar.

A deafening cheer erupted immediately!
"it is good!"

"Big win!"

"Divine power in this era!"

The venue, now reopened, was deafeningly noisy.

But neither of them, who had taken a few steps back, showed any intention of giving in.

They steadied themselves, discarded their weapons, and locked in close combat, determined to overpower their opponent with sheer strength.

Zhang Xian clapped lightly on the stage.

He glanced at Lü Bu and pointed at them, saying...

Ancient evil!

The Tiger Fool of Our Time!