Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1030: Chapter 986: No Second in Martial Arts

Xuu Zijiang’s General Ranking listed thirty-six positions, but all thirty-six were occupied by Lord Wenn Lyu Fengxian. The overall evaluation was a simple statement: ”In martial prowess, there is no second; there’s no need to rank after the first.”

How can such a ranking method be satisfactory? It’s important to know that after the List of Extraordinary Women, everyone from the renowned scholars and noble princes to the common populace and the Three Religions and Nine Schools were eagerly anticipating, only to be presented with such an outcome.

One must recognize a situation called expectation, and clearly, due to the strong influence of the List of Extraordinary Women and the mixed reactions to the Heroes Ranking, as well as Xuu Zijiang’s previous integrity, the world had overly high expectations for his General Ranking, resulting in...

”Thirty-six versions of Lord Wenn?” Guan Yu’s expression was unpleasant as he glanced over the official announcement, snorted coldly, and although he found the statement ”In martial prowess, there is no second” resonating with him, he remarked, ”Hmph, while it’s not practical, there is truth to it.”

After reading it, Guan Yu once again immersed himself in his understanding of sword techniques. The notion of ”In martial prowess, there is no second” served as a strong stimulus for him.

”Lyu Fengxian, is it?” Huang Zhong stroked his beard, feeling somewhat displeased. The battle under Jiangling City years ago ended without a decisive outcome, but facing Lyu Bu at the time was indeed somewhat overwhelming. Although Huang Zhong was dissatisfied, upon seeing the phrase ”In martial prowess, there is no second,” he fell silent, knowing that only the strongest among martial artists truly mattered.

Gently caressing his Red Blood Sword, Huang Zhong slowly executed his sword technique. Unlike before, when he couldn’t control the Ice Power, Huang Zhong had now fully mastered it and was eager to have another grand battle with Lyu Bu. His peak period wouldn’t last much longer.

It wasn’t due to a decline in Huang Zhong’s physical quality; on the contrary, after the Yangtze River burst its banks that time, Huang Zhong had transitioned from Rigidity Inner Qi to Flexible Internal Qi, achieving a harmonious state from the pinnacle of extreme refinement to perfection, but this was a different kind of perfection — a transcendent state arising from extreme yang yielding to yin, rather than the perfection where Inner Qi reaches its ultimate manifestation.

As a result, Huang Zhong’s physical attributes had already recovered to their peak. However, as Huang Xu’s body recovered, Huang Zhong, concerned for his beloved son, was prepared for his power to diminish. He could not endure once more seeing his son in a near-death situation.

It can be said that once Huang Xu’s body recovers to a degree where it can bear Huang Zhong’s strength, Huang Zhong would unhesitatingly elevate Huang Xu’s power to the middle-late stage of Inner Qi Manifestation.

Inner Qi Manifestation grants immunity to all diseases, plagues, and curses, offering potent recovery abilities. Additionally, with Huang Zhong’s Green Horse beneath him, Huang Xu would face no threats to his life in any situation.

Similarly, after doing so, Huang Zhong would essentially have no possibility of breaking through further; even the lost strength might never be regained. Hence, before this, he hoped for a proper fight with Lyu Bu.

”That pesky fellow again!” Zhang Fei’s face had turned as dark as a pot bottom upon seeing Lyu Bu’s name on the announcement, but other than cursing, he didn’t take any excessive actions. If it were anyone else at the top of the list, Zhang Fei would surely have raised the Serpent Spear and gone to settle the matter.

”Truly worthy of Lord Wenn.” Hua Xiong glanced briefly before losing interest; it was an almost inevitable outcome.

”Lord Wenn...” Ma Chao recalled the time he was struck into the thunderclouds, feeling a slight shiver — truly a monster. Although having thirty-six versions of Lord Wenn seemed excessive, Ma Chao decided not to make additional remarks.

”Meng Qi, you want to participate in the Qiang People’s Alliance?” Pang De looked at Ma Chao with some curiosity. He had initially thought Ma Chao would curse loudly upon seeing the General Ranking, yet Ma Chao merely touched his own armor and said nothing, which intrigued Pang De. However, this was not the time to inquire.

”Yes, I want to join the Qiang People’s Alliance, and I also want the position of King of Qiang.” Ma Chao nodded confidently.

In truth, Ma Chao only now discovered that previously Pang De was slightly more formidable than him; there was nothing he could do since Pang De was older and had slightly more accumulation in Qi Refining to Gang, thus achieving a higher level upon breaking through Inner Qi Manifestation. But that was merely it.

”King of Qiang?” A glint of surprise flashed in Pang De’s eyes. ”You plan to fight against the Hundred Qiang alone?”

”Hmph, I will definitely achieve it.” Ma Chao declared confidently.

In reality, Ma Chao was akin to a duck being pushed onto a perch. It wasn’t just snowing on the Great Prairie; there was snow in Xiliang too. The Qiang people and Xianbei were in the same predicament, having no grain and thus opting to raid, leading to the alliance meeting being advanced slightly.

Ma Chao’s explosive power relying on lightning was indeed extraordinarily fierce, but ultimately his endurance was too lacking. It’s true to say he wasn’t afraid of single combat with experts but dreaded endurance battles.

In the Battle of the Hundred Qiang, Ma Chao worried whether he could last through it. Yet in such a situation of being pushed onto the perch, could he choose not to go just because he couldn’t withstand it? The survival of the Ma Clan depended on him; how could he not advance, even if he dreaded it, he had to face it bravely!

”Be cautious, Yano Xing is also participating in the Hundred Qiang Alliance. If you advance, he will certainly try to block you.” Pang De held little hope; the Battle of the Hundred Qiang, if it were so easily overcome, the Qiang Clan would have been unified long ago rather than divided into a hundred factions.

”I’ve been wanting revenge for a while, but considering he’s under my uncle’s command, this time, even if I encounter him, I won’t land a killing blow!” Ma Chao sneered. His understanding of Hann Sui had grown, allowing Ma Chao to let go of past grudges, but with Yano Xing, the one who nearly killed him, he couldn’t simply forgive and forget.

”I’m just afraid you won’t encounter him.” Pang De shook his head. ”He’ll surely participate towards the end. After all, he’s recognized as a very strong warrior and knowing your power, he’ll surely step up only when you’re exhausted.”

”Hengheng, that sneaky man, I’ll definitely be cautious.” Ma Chao waved his hand, maintaining strong confidence in his abilities.

After returning, Ma Chao specifically sought out Dian Wei for a spar. According to Dian Wei, his thirty-move trump card was enough to make any military general at the pinnacle of Inner Qi Manifestation incredibly embarrassed, although Ma Chao never felt Dian Wei was embarrassed in any way.

”Just stay vigilant.” Pang De nodded, fully recognizing Ma Chao’s strength. Moreover, with Lifeisha, there was no worry about Ma Chao’s safety.

”By the way, recently find a herd of wild horses and capture three thousand warhorses for me. At least ten should be at Qi Refining to Gang level, and the rest can be whatever. Also, get me two thousand pack horses; I have a use for them.” Ma Chao instructed Pang De.

”This number is quite large, and it’s not the season for wild horses to roam. I’ll do my best.” Pang De frowned, not understanding why Ma Chao needed so many horses. Warhorses he could understand, but what did he want with pack horses?

”Just ensure it’s done, and preferably quickly.” Ma Chao waved dismissively.

Aside from the abundance of horses, Xiliang had little else; sometimes a herd of wild horses on the Great Prairie numbered over a thousand. Though they had a wild temperament, they were undeniably fine horses. This was the gift Ma Chao prepared to send Sun Ce, though this gift required payment, only needing the price of three thousand Border Commandery warhorses. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)