Mythical Three Kingdoms

Zhang Fei silently swallowed his saliva, the overwhelming aura of Xiliang Iron Cavalry charging forward gave him the feeling of facing an unmatched warrior. As expected of one of the strongest armies under the heavens, just their aura alone would make ordinary people dare not to confront them.

”Zijian returned with quite the flourish.” Fa Zheng clicked his tongue in amazement. He had barely enjoyed a few days of peaceful life at home before Zhang Fei dragged him back to the battlefield. However, he didn’t complain; achievements stemmed from the battlefield, and so did titles of nobility. This was the place where men forged their glories.

”As expected of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry...” Chen Xi tugged at the corners of his mouth as he spoke. This army, the largest and most ferocious of elites, lived up to its name.

”However, while they look intimidating from afar, up close there’s quite a bit of disorder.” Chen Chi, who had been stationed in Jiyin, came forward to meet Hua Xiong and his men. As the Xiliang Iron Cavalry came nearer, their equipment became more clearly visible.

It could be said that if not for their fearsome and heroic aura that caused everyone to feel an almost suffocating pressure, calling the Xiliang Iron Cavalry refugees wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

A glance over them revealed that apart from a few leaders who wore armor, presumably officers, the rest of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry had almost nothing that could connect them to the concept of ”iron”—perhaps only their weapons. And even those weren’t standardized—this supposedly elite force didn’t even have uniform weapons.

”It’s only an issue of equipment. The strength lies not in the weapons but in the people. Don’t be fooled by their lack of armor or protective gear; they are still the strongest cavalry in the world!” Zhang Fei said gruffly. Despite their refugee-like appearance, Zhang Fei could only feel admiration for the Xiliang Iron Cavalry. For this ragtag band to claim the title of the world’s strongest cavalry—bearing just a weapon in their hands—was truly remarkable.

”Exactly, any military force that meets them head-on in the plains is doomed. The harsh environment of Yongliang has forged their robust physicality, and the drawn-out battles with the Hu People have tempered their unyielding backbone of steel—external factors will not alter that,” Chen Xi said with a heavy expression.

”Marshal Chen!” Hua Xiong led his troops as they charged forward, clasping his fists in salute. Within the military camp, the massive banner bearing the character ’Chen’ had already made Chen Xi’s identity on this campaign unmistakably clear.

”Enough with the formalities in the camp. I’ve already deployed over three hundred military medics, and I’ve brought veteran soldiers skilled in battlefield first aid as well. Let’s save lives first; in the heat of summer, untreated wounds will easily worsen,” Chen Xi said, waving his hand and addressing Hua Xiong. ”As for standardized armor and weapons, I’ve prepared those as well.”

”Sigh, many brothers’ wounds have already festered. We pushed ourselves to return here, but I fear some of the men won’t make it.” Hua Xiong sighed heavily. He didn’t even want to mention how some of the wounded had already succumbed along the way.

”Follow me into the camp. Medics, save the injured immediately! As for the soldiers, after such a grueling journey, let them eat first. Other matters can wait,” Chen Xi said with a sigh, ordering the medics to act quickly. Zhang Fei patted Hua Xiong’s shoulder and said, ”Well done.”

”Alas, out of the forty thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry, after fighting dozens of Qiang clans, less than twenty thousand remain, including the injured and ill. Even my retinue is completely gone,” Hua Xiong said painfully.

Li Jue’s final decision baffled Hua Xiong. He couldn’t understand why Li Jue hadn’t surrendered to him from the beginning. Hua Xiong believed that if Li Jue had surrendered, he would have sacrificed everything to secure a retreat to Yanzhou, to Liu Bei’s territory.

”Don’t dwell on it,” Liu Ye said while patting Hua Xiong’s shoulder. He understood Hua Xiong’s thoughts, but he also realized that Li Jue had made the wisest choice. If things had gone as Hua Xiong wished and Li Jue’s entire group had been accepted, even Liu Bei would’ve found it difficult to manage.

[Li Youu is truly formidable...] Liu Ye turned his gaze to the east. He was certain that Li Youu was indeed Li Ru, but he had no intention of exposing this fact. As long as they both shared the common goal of protecting Liu Bei, that was enough.

”Gong Xi, lead them to collect their weapons and armor,” Chen Xi said to Chen Chi. Although the armor and weapons were third-line Tuntian Soldiers’ stock, they were still vastly superior compared to the Xiliang Soldiers who had none.

”Wang Fang, Li Meng, take them to retrieve their weaponry and armor—grab some extra as reserves, but don’t waste resources,” Hua Xiong turned to his officers and instructed. In the past, he might not have cared much, but seeing the Xiliang Iron Cavalry again reminded Hua Xiong of how they had once fought—iron armor had always been a mere dream, and having leather armor was already considered fortunate.

”Yes!” Wang Fang and Li Meng clasped their fists in salute, leading the Xiliang Iron Cavalry to the rear camp to collect armor. For Hua Xiong’s orders, they complied without hesitation. Li Jue, Guo Si, and Fan Chou had already headed to the Western Regions, Zhang Ji was dead, and the Xiliang Iron Cavalry in the Central Plains recognized only Li Ru, Hua Xiong, and Zhang Xiu as their leaders.

Hua Xiong watched Hu Feng’s departing figure before quietly retracting his gaze.

”The way you’re looking at him feels rather sentimental,” Zhang Fei asked curiously.

”He’s Zhiran’s nephew. I had high hopes for Boyuan, but it’s a pity he defected to Cao Cao,” Hua Xiong sighed. Even now, he couldn’t fathom why Zhang Xiu hadn’t chosen to follow him.

”Ah, don’t worry, I’ll look after him too. Speaking of which, I haven’t noticed you having any close relatives,” Zhang Fei said as he nodded, instantly understanding the source of Hua Xiong’s gaze. The one companion who once shared the same pot with him was now reduced to leaving behind just this one surviving relative—of course, he would care.

”No need to look after him; everything he needs, he must fight to earn himself. Don’t tell anyone about this—my only responsibility is to ensure that his every achievement remains undiminished. Beyond that, I won’t do anything else,” Hua Xiong said, shaking his head. ”As for the relative you mentioned, I met him when I was begging on the streets...”

”Ah.” Zhang Fei didn’t press further, nodding and leaving the matter alone. He understood very well who Hua Xiong was referring to.

”How is the situation in Guanzhong?” Chen Xi chatted idly with Liu Ye as they walked together.

”Not very good. With Cao Cao entering and taking control of Guanzhong, it’s already inevitable. Although Hann Sui is touted as the Nine Curves Yellow River, how should I put it—based on my assessment, if he dared enter Guanzhong, even if I only had a tenth of his forces, I’d be able to devour him entirely,” Liu Ye said with a smirk of disdain.

”Fine, fine. Guanzi produces generals; Guandong produces ministers. You know how it is. Where do you think Cao Cao is planning to expand next?” Chen Xi nodded and asked.

”Exactly. In Sili, I came across many experts. Though not all belong to Cao Cao, Zijian admitted to being unable to overcome four or five of them. Among them, there were one or two individuals Zijian guessed might not be any weaker than Zilong...”

”Is this a joke? ’Guanzi produces generals’ doesn’t mean you can churn them out like this,” Chen Xi turned and scrutinized Liu Ye.

”Zijian, you’re not joking, right?” Zhang Fei, with his keen senses, subtly chimed in. Liu Ye and Chen Xi’s conversation had reached his ears word for word. (To be continued. If you enjoy this story, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)