Chapter 29: Tong Yuan Arrives

  Just seven days before the New Year, Tong Yuan finally arrived under Ao Lie's eager anticipation. Two young men came with him, the older one was about twenty years old, and the younger one was only fifteen or sixteen.

  Wang Ao's old ancestor and Ao Lie welcomed them out of the mansion, where they saw three people sitting on horseback: Tong Yuan and his two disciples. Ao Lie quietly sized up the three men; Tong Yuan was about fifty years old, but his hair showed no signs of graying. Behind Tong Yuan to the left stood a slightly older youth with thick eyebrows and big eyes, looking handsome and elegant. To the right stood a younger youth with skin as white as jade, two sword-like eyebrows raised, very handsome.

  When Wang Ao Laozu walked out, Tong Yuan and the two young men hastily dismounted their horses. Tong Yuan quickly stepped forward to Wang Ao Laozu's front, before he could even speak, his face was already covered with tears, choking as he said: "Your younger brother Tong Yuan pays respects to older brother." Wang Ao Laozu also felt a bit of sorrow, slightly bowing his head and pulling up the kneeling Tong Yuan. After carefully looking at Tong Yuan for a while, he finally said: "Younger brother's demeanor remains unchanged, it brings great comfort to my heart." Tong Yuan stretched out both hands to support Wang Ao, with a hint of self-reproach in his voice: "After not seeing each other for many years, older brother has become much more aged. From now on, let younger brother serve and attend to older brother's side, never parting again."

  Wang Ao, the old ancestor, laughed loudly and said: "How many years have not seen each other, but my younger brother has become so sentimental." Tong Yuan wiped away the tears on his face and said seriously: "When I was young, I was an orphan. If it weren't for my older brother's care, how could I be where I am today? Now that my older brother is getting old and his youth is gone, I should serve him by his side and never leave." After finishing speaking, Tong Yuan turned around to face the two disciples and said: "You two still haven't greeted your master's wife?" The two young men heard this and quickly walked forward, kneeling in front of Wang Ao and saying in unison: "Disciples Zhang Xiu and Zhao Yun pay their respects to Master's wife."

  It's really the two of them! Listening to Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun's words, Ao Lie suddenly felt his heart racing. These two are both famous generals in later generations, and finally let Ao Lie see them.

  Wang Ao Lao Zu waved his hand and smiled: "Forget it, get up quickly. Your master and I are as close as brothers, so you don't have to be polite."

  Ao Lie hastily stepped forward two steps, his left hand supporting Zhang Xiu's arm and his right hand supporting Zhao Yun's arm, pulling the two fellow disciples to their feet.

  Tong Yuan saw Ao Lie's movements and asked Wang Ao, "Brother, is this young man the 'Little Overlord' Ao Lie you praised in your letter?"

  Ao Lie knelt down in front of Tong Yuan, saying loudly: "Disciple Ao Lie pays respects to Master Uncle. As for the nickname 'Little Overlord', it's really too much honor for disciple, disciple is ashamed and dare not accept."

  Tong Yuan pulled up Ao Lie and said, "Everything has its cause, since the world gives you this nickname, it must be that my virtuous nephew is brave and unmatched."

  "Wang Ao Lao Zu shook his head repeatedly and said, 'Junior brother, don't praise him anymore. If you continue to flatter him, he'll become arrogant. Besides, when did I ever excessively praise him? You're unaware that teaching such a disciple has turned my hair white with worry!'"

  Tong Yuan said in surprise, "But Brother Wang didn't say that in his letter..." Wang Ao Lao Zu hastily interrupted Tong Yuan's words: "I think your two disciples are really talented and have an extraordinary bearing, much better than my foolish disciple." Upon hearing Wang Ao Lao Zu's words, everyone present understood the truth - Wang Ao Lao Zu wasn't dissatisfied with Ao Lie's foolishness at all; on the contrary, he liked Ao Lie very much. He was just afraid that Ao Lie would become arrogant and complacent, so he occasionally criticized him in his speech. Ao Lie had long been used to this.

  Zhang Hua and Zhao Yun turned around, facing Ao Lie with their fists clasped in respect: "Greetings, elder brother." Ao Lie asked in surprise: "Elder brother? I'm younger than both of you, how dare you address me as such?"

  Kong Xiu looked puzzled, and Wang Xiu Lao Zu explained: "The rules of our sect are that the first to enter is called Shixiong (older brother), and the next to enter is called Shidi (younger brother). You entered before them, so they call you Shixiong."

  At this time, Ao Laozhang and Liu Yu also received the news that Wang Ao's master brother had arrived at the gate of the mansion. The two men came out of the mansion together, one out of respect for Wang Ao, and the other in admiration for the great name of Qiang Shen Tong Yuan.

  Liu Yu, as the host, first clasped his fists and said: "I have long admired the great name of Gun God Tong Yuan, today I finally get to meet you. Please come in quickly." Then there were soldiers who came forward to help Tong Yuan and the three others lead their war horses to the rear stables for feeding.

  A group of people walked and talked, and soon they arrived at the main hall of the government office. After the host and guest took their seats, Liu Yu smiled and said to Tong Yuan: "Since Wang Shi sent a letter, my son has been eagerly waiting day and night, I don't know why Brother Tong is so late?" Tong Yuan pointed to Zhang Yi and Zhao Yun and said: "It's because these two brothers' spear skills are at the most critical moment of practice, can't be delayed, so it delayed our journey."

  Ao Shuang said on the side: "I've long heard that Qiang Shen Tong Yuan's 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Gun' and Wang Shi's 'Eight Trigrams Swimming Dragon Gun' are known as the world's two ultimate skills. Can you let the younger generation demonstrate a few moves, so that us old men can open our eyes?" Liu Yue heard this and looked at Ao Lie, Zhang Xiu, and Zhao Yun.

  Only Ou Lie's face was calm and couldn't see any meaning; Zhang Xiu had a look of eagerness to try; while Zhao Yun was slightly shy, slightly lowered his head, looking at the table in front of him.

  Wang Ao Lao Zu immediately laughed and said, "Lie Er is dull-witted, I'm afraid he can't compete with his two junior brothers. However, since you three are from the same school, it won't hurt to exchange blows." Tong Yuan responded in agreement, "That's exactly right. These two disciples of mine have extremely high natural talent, so they often get a bit arrogant. Today is a good opportunity for Lie Er to teach them a lesson and let them know that there are people beyond their own abilities."

  Liu Yu listened to the conversation between Wang Ao and Tong Yuan, and couldn't help but laugh: "Alright, alright, both of you are gun gods who highly praise your fellow disciples while belittling your own disciples. Is there such logic in the world?"

  When he finished, everyone burst out laughing. However, Zhang Huai did not laugh and jumped out to say to Ao Lie: "I've long heard that brother is brave and powerful, earning the title of 'Little Overlord'. I'd like to ask brother to teach me a thing or two, what do you think?" Zhang Huai's nickname was the Northern Gun King, while Ao Lie's nickname was the Little Overlord. In comparison, Zhang Huai's nickname seemed somewhat inferior, so he couldn't hold back and directly challenged Ao Lie.

  Ao Lie glanced at Wang Ao Lao Zu and Tong Yuan, seeing the two nod slightly in unison. He replied: "Shidi is known as the Northern Land Gun King, his gun skills must be extraordinary and unconventional. Although I am Shixiong, I'm still young and only learned some superficial techniques from our master. I hope Shidi will spare me."

  Zhang Xiu smiled and said, "Brother is too modest." After finishing speaking, he turned around and walked towards the courtyard outside the hall. Ao Lie also stood up and followed him out.

  In the courtyard, a soldier brought two identical long guns for the two men. They were standard issue weapons of the Youzhou army. Zhang Hua picked up one of the long guns and weighed it in his hand, feeling that it was quite suitable for him. Then he shook the gun and assumed the "Welcome Phoenix" stance. This move was actually one of Tong Yuan's signature moves from his famous "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" spear technique, which contained a hint of respect towards his opponent.

  After seeing Zhang Liao's gun technique, Ao Lie also picked up his long spear, but he didn't make any moves, just standing there with both hands holding the spear. Zhang Liao was shocked in his heart, what kind of move is this? It's full of loopholes!

  Thinking of returning, his hands didn't slow down. Zhang Xiu twisted his long spear and charged straight at Ao Lie's exposed left shoulder. Ao Lie remained calm and unhurried, grasping the gun handle with his left hand, moving it three inches to the left on the handle before tightening his grip again. Then he suddenly exerted force, his left hand below and right hand above, holding the spear shaft diagonally upwards, blocking Zhang Xiu's attack.

  Seeing Ao Lie's casual block, Zhang Xiu's gun technique was blocked. Tong Yuan, who was sitting in the hall watching the battle, asked Wang Ao in a low voice: "Brother, this block is indeed the essence of gun technique, is it a new move you've recently come up with?" Wang Ao smiled and shook his head: "I'm telling you, don't believe me if you don't want to, but this move was actually thought up by Lie himself. He even transformed this blocking technique into a knife technique and taught it to his subordinates. And he gave this knife technique a name - Blood Kill Eight Slashes."

  Tong Yuan looked at Wang Jue in surprise, making sure his senior brother was not joking. His heart was even more surprised and suspicious. At the age of ten, he could create his own gun method? And it can also transform the gun method into a knife method to pass on to his subordinates? Isn't this against the rhythm of heaven?

  Wang Ao Laozu smiled with satisfaction and continued: "Younger brother, you continue to watch. This 'inferior disciple' of mine still has some good points." Some good points? It's simply against the heavens! Tong Yuan thought to himself in secret.

  Looking at the courtyard again, Zhang Xiu's one move was ineffective and was easily blocked by Ao Lie. His face was a bit unbearable, after all, he was ten years older than Ao Lie as his junior brother. Being so easily blocked by Ao Lie, how could Zhang Xiu feel good about it?

  With a change in gun technique, Zhang Xiu couldn't help but bring out the vicious moves of the Hundred Birds朝凰 Gun. In a dense layer of overlapping gun shadows, it was impossible to see where the gun tip was pointing. This move is called Phoenix Three-Point Head, with extremely strong misleading properties, often able to unexpectedly wound opponents.

  But Ao Lie was not surprised at all, took a step forward, raised the long spear in his hand over his head, and then slammed it down with force. The long spear made a faint sound of breaking wind, and swooped down towards Zhang Xiu's layered gun shadows. As soon as this move came out, everyone except Wang Ao was shocked. What does the sound of breaking wind represent? It represents the huge power that can produce sound at an extremely fast speed, which means that Ao Lie's spear, seemingly simple in style, actually contains immense power and incredible speed. What made Tong Yuan and Zhao Yun even more stunned was that the landing point of Ao Lie's spear was exactly the tip of Zhang Xiu's gun hidden in the layered shadows! How did he know about this weakness? Was it simply because of his eyesight? That would be truly unbelievable. The two masters looked at each other, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

  More intuitive is Zhang Xiu, who is in the midst of battle. He can't understand how Ao Lie's simple spear managed to easily find his hidden gun tip. However, there was no time for him to think about it, as the long spear under Ao Lie's swing had already smashed into its own shadow, breaking through layer after layer of shadows, accurately striking his own gun tip.

  Clang! A clear and brief sound of metal clashing rang out. Relying on years of experience, just by hearing this sound, Tong Yuan knew that Zhang Hua had lost, and it was a clean and decisive defeat. The shorter the sound of metal clashing, the shorter the time the two weapons collided, which means that under Ao Lie's one blow, Zhang Hua's long spear was immediately knocked down.

  Looking into the courtyard again, sure enough, Zhang Xiu was standing still, his long spear quietly lying on the ground in the courtyard. Looking back at Ao Lie, he was still as calm and composed as before, holding his long spear with both hands, standing casually. It seemed that the one who had just made a thunderous strike was not him at all.

  Zhang Hua stood still, looking down at the spear that had been knocked out of his hand, then looked up at Ao Lie's calm and composed face. He opened his mouth to say something, but his words were bitter and he couldn't get anything out. In the end, he could only let out a sigh and said to Ao Lie: "Brother, your spear skills are divine, rivaling those of our master and father. I, your younger brother, am in awe." With just two moves, Ao Lie had knocked the spear out of Zhang Hua's hand, causing even the normally arrogant Zhang Hua to feel a sense of respect for Ao Lie.

  Tong Yuan turned his head to look at Zhao Yun: "Zi Long, you also go try a few rounds." Zhao Yun shook his head with a bitter smile and said: "Master, my martial arts are on par with Yu Wei's older brother. Yu Wei's older brother was defeated by Ao Sheng in just two moves. What's the point of me trying again?"

  Zhang Hua also walked into the hall at this time, and after hearing Zhao Yun's words, he said: "Zilong's martial arts are far superior to mine, and it's possible that he can compete with Ao Shixiong for a while." Although it was encouraging Zhao Yun and Ao Lie to try their skills, the words also showed that Zhao Yun might not be able to surpass Ao Lie in a short time, but as time went on, he would inevitably fall behind.

  Wang Ao said: "Zi Long, go ahead and try it out. It doesn't matter who wins or loses since we're all from the same school. Your master and I also want to use this opportunity to see how well you've grasped gun techniques."

  Tong Yuan said, "I've already discussed it with my senior brother. For a period of time from now on, Lie'er will be taught by me, while the two of you will be taught by your master's sister. Zi Long, just show off your spear skills and let your master's sister take a look."

  Zhoa Yun heard this and didn't decline, walked into the courtyard to pick up Zhang Xiu's dropped long spear, saluted Ao Lie with his spear: "Please, Ao Shixiong, teach me." Ao Lie was also unexpectedly surprised at this moment, finally going to exchange blows with Zhao Yun who would shake the world in the future. For Ao Lie, who was a martial arts fanatic in his past life, this was undoubtedly an eagerly anticipated event.