Chapter 31: The Foot Soldiers' Battle with Zhang Fei

  "Xu Feng, do you really want to fight Zhang Fei? I think this kid is brave and fierce, but he actually dares to defy you. If you don't punish him severely, where will your prestige be in the army?" Zhou Cang strongly suppressed his anger and advised anxiously.

  "I know, but if we punish him now, Zhang Fei will definitely not accept it. The soldiers of the three armies will also have complaints behind their backs. We are a military team, and as generals, we don't understand martial arts or strategy, so naturally, the soldiers won't be convinced either. I have a plan in mind, today is an opportunity for me to establish my authority and shut up all the gossip." Xu Feng said confidently.

  Although Xu Feng's marksmanship is not skilled, as a traverser, Xu Feng also wants to see if the profound and intricate martial arts of later generations have the power to fight against the Three Kingdoms' generals. Defeating Zhang Fei was not something Xu Feng had thought about, but supporting twenty or thirty rounds should still be manageable. After all, Xu Feng has also learned a lot of kung fu for many days, with some foundation, and the martial arts that have been passed down for two thousand years will not be so vulnerable to defeat.

  "I wonder if you're a cavalry or infantry?" Zhang Fei stood proudly, holding his snake spear and gazing at Xu Feng with an air of superiority and unbridled arrogance.

  "Haha, let's fight then. I, Xu Feng, was just a commoner before and didn't learn any skills, only knowing some rough fist and foot techniques. Since you insist on challenging me, I'll muster up the courage to show my clumsiness. If I'm lucky enough to last twenty or thirty rounds, don't forget what you promised!" Xu Feng loudly reminded Zhang Fei, also to inform the soldiers at the scene that he didn't know martial arts, so even if he lost, they wouldn't laugh at him.

  Xu Feng's move, retreating to advance, immediately won the recognition of many Yellow Turban generals. A refugee who can't even eat a full meal, if he has time to learn martial arts, who would believe it?

  "I naturally remember that if you can persist for twenty rounds, from now on, whether in front of or behind the horse, I, Zhang Fei, will have no complaints whatsoever."

  "Alright, with all three armies as witnesses, I'm sure you, Zhang Fei, are not a man without credibility."

  "That's natural." Zhang Fei nodded and said with relish.

  "Alright... watch this." Xu Feng charged at Zhang Fei with his bare fists, suddenly accelerating into a swift sprint. He launched himself into the air, unleashing a whirlwind kick that flashed in the sunlight, its speed incredibly fast as it hurtled towards Zhang Fei's chest. Zhang Fei's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed "Well done!" As he crossed his arms to block the attack from above.

  "With a loud roar from Zhang Fei, his iron-like arms firmly held up Xu Feng's rapid kick. However, Xu Feng's body flipped in mid-air, and with the other leg, he kicked high and struck downwards with even greater speed and a more sinister angle. Although Zhang Fei was powerful, his speed was clearly no match for Xu Feng's agility. Caught off guard by this unusual move, Zhang Fei's left shoulder was kicked, and his body retreated backwards. His face turned red with embarrassment, and he secretly warned himself that Xu Feng indeed had some tricks up his sleeve."

  Both feet landed, Xu Feng closely followed with one hand supporting the ground, his right leg swept back, autumn wind falling leaves leg, Zhang Fei once again made a low stance move, his body swayed, and he retreated two steps again.

  "Good..." Seeing Xu Feng's three consecutive moves, Zhang Fei was completely on the defensive. Xue Cheng and others led the applause, calling out "well done". No one expected that Deputy General Xu Feng would have such hidden skills, making Zhang Fei take hit after hit. Everyone couldn't help but join in, cheering and clapping.

  "What kind of move is this?" Zhang Fei stood still, exclaiming in surprise.

  "Haha, but these are just some unrefined and unsophisticated boxing skills, how's that? Still meets your expectations, right?"

  "It's me Zhang Fei underestimating you, come again..." Zhang Fei praised and tightened his fists, rushing up again.

  In a mountain cave under the Dahong Mountain near Zhuo County, Liu Bei's arm injury worsened due to lack of timely treatment, became inflamed and suppurated, and the pain intensified. As Xu Gong was garrisoned in Zhuo County, Liu Bei and his companions did not dare to show their faces. They had no money on them, and if it were not for Guan Yu hunting in the mountains to barely sustain themselves, Liu Bei would have starved to death at the foot of the mountain long ago. As for seeking medical treatment, it was even more out of the question; apart from gathering some herbal medicine on the mountain, Guan Yu had no other means.

  Until Xu Feng and others left Zhuo County, the two dared to sneak back to Zhuo County. Under the cover of night, Liu Bei secretly returned home and found that Xu Feng not only did not make things difficult for his elderly mother but also sent people to deliver a lot of money and grain to her, allowing her to enjoy her later years without suffering from hunger and cold.

  Liu Bei's mother was still quite righteous, knowing that the Yellow Turbans were not evil, scolded Liu Bei until he was covered in blood, making him hang his head in shame and listen to her teachings without daring to utter a word of rebuttal. He even promised not to take action against the Yellow Turbans again. However, after leaving Zhuo County, Liu Bei did not show any remorse, but instead became more resentful towards Xu Feng, feeling that he was intentionally humiliating him.

  "We'll go to the north. I heard that the imperial court has dispatched General Lu Zhi to launch a surprise attack on Zhang Jiao's rebel army. In the past, I had served under General Lu Zhi, and he will surely be delighted if we join him. The two of us can take this opportunity to make great contributions and kill enemies, helping the imperial court to eliminate the rebels as soon as possible." Liu Bei said with gritted teeth, his eyes gleaming with a fierce killing intent, as if he had an irreconcilable feud with the Yellow Turbans. Guan Yu was taken aback by this.

  "Big brother, didn't you promise Auntie that you wouldn't take action against the Yellow Turbans? Moreover, in the past, you also promised Xu Feng that you wouldn't take action against the Yellow Turbans again. Are you..." Guan Yu reminded him, unable to hold back.

  "Xu Feng... Hmph, one day I'll chop him into a million pieces. Without him, the three of us brothers might be... Ah, my poor little brother, you died so miserably! Don't worry, I'll definitely avenge your death and bring Xu Feng's head to offer to your spirit." Liu Bei's eyes turned red, and tears fell down without warning.

  Hearing Liu Bei say this, Guan Yu felt unhappy in his heart and didn't dare to blame him, so he just sighed heavily beside him.

  "Who's speaking ill of me behind my back?" Xu Feng, who was in the midst of a fierce battle with Zhang Fei, suddenly let out a loud sneeze, his movements momentarily stalled. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Fei struck Xu Feng with an elbow blow, sending him crashing to the ground.

  "Zhang Fei, you're cheating!" Xu Feng burst out in anger.

  Zhang Fei's face didn't flush, his heart didn't skip a beat, and he smiled nonchalantly, "Your moves are strange and unpredictable. If not for this, I wouldn't know how many more rounds we'd need to fight. Xu Feng, I concede. From now on, I, Zhang Fei, will submit to your disposal, without any further argument."

  "Alright, come on! Zhang Fei is lawless and openly insults the commander-in-chief, disrupting military morale. Take him down and give him thirty military lashes! Zhang Fei, do you admit your guilt?"

  "Zhang Fei is willing to accept punishment." Zhang Fei's words were always followed by actions, and in the face of Xu Feng's rod punishment, he accepted it calmly, without any complaints.

  "Very well, execute the punishment."

  "Bang bang bang..." As expected of the Yan people's Zhang Fei, thirty military clubs didn't make him frown at all. Even with his butt blossoming, the corners of his mouth still had an fearless smile, making people look at him and can't help but admire and secretly cheer.