Chapter 90: Ma Chao

  As he watched the crimson blade slash down towards his face, Zhang Xiu's heart was filled with panic. He hastily grasped for his technique, wanting to use the Yangping Zhudu Seal to block it once more. However, as soon as he clenched his fist, his mind shook violently and a mouthful of blood spurted out.

  At this critical moment, Zhang Xi's mind also became much clearer, and he suddenly understood what was going on: "Zhang Lu Xiao Er!"

  Before he could even curse, the crimson light engulfed him entirely. When the radiance dissipated, the crowd saw a corpse kneeling there, with Zhang Shu's severed arm lying nearby.

  Moreover, it is unknown what kind of mysterious skill Liu Xuan used with this knife, but the two segments of the corpse did not spurt out blood. This strange situation was even more terrifying than the scene where fresh blood flew everywhere.

  Liu Xuan, who caused all this, merely hummed a sound, then with a swing of his long knife, the blood stains on it were flung onto the ground. Afterwards, he slowly sheathed the Chi Xiao into its scabbard.

  The red glow dissipated, but Liu Xuan's movements didn't stop. He stretched out his hand and grabbed the Yang Ping Zhi Du Gong Yin that was still floating in mid-air. This thing was a treasure of the Tian Shi Dao sect, although Liu Xuan didn't know this, he could also tell that it was extraordinary. Although he already had the Six Seals in his hands, who would be willing to have fewer magical artifacts?

  But unexpectedly, as soon as he stretched out his hand, Yang Pingzhi's seal suddenly flashed a burst of light, making it hard for people to open their eyes. Liu Xuan squinted and continued to grab forward, but unexpectedly grabbed nothing.

  Just then the light dissipated, and Liu Xuan looked again, only to find that the Yangping Zhidu Gongyin had vanished without a trace.

  "Could it be that this treasure has some special array to prevent it from falling into outsiders' hands?"

  It's nothing unusual, many sects' treasures have this ability, which is to automatically return to the sect's location when the current owner dies suddenly, in order to prevent the treasure from being taken away.

  "It seems that the seal is a very important thing for the Tian Shi Dao, unfortunately my Tian Zi Long Qi can't be used, otherwise how could this treasure slip away from me."

  He secretly regretted it for a moment, Liu Xuan glanced at Zhang Xi's body with a slanted eye, then ordered Cheng Lian, who was not far from him: "Take everything off this person and bring it to me. As for the corpse, just find a place to burn it."

  Liu Xuan's previous performance had already stunned everyone present, and having also played the role of emperor for a while, he gradually gained an air of majesty. As soon as he spoke, there was an unstoppable momentum. Cheng Lian was still a bit dazed at this time, but he hastily responded with a sound.

  Originally, Lü Bu's performance had already shocked them enough. At that time, these several generals under Lü Bu thought that Lü Bu was already invincible in the world - although there was still that Taoist from Nanyang, but after Lü Bu burst out, they also felt that Lü Bu would not be much worse than that Taoist.

  Didn't expect to see the Emperor take action personally today, and it turns out that the Emperor is actually so powerful.

  It can evoke the thunder of nine heavens to kill the enemy, and the last knife is almost at its peak. Most people only see a flash of human shadow, then a red light flashes in front of their eyes, and Zhang Zhu's head has already been separated from his body. Most people ask themselves if they can withstand this blow, let alone the previous thunderous strike?

  After a comparison in his heart, he suddenly realized that even if they thought Lü Bu was strong to the extreme, he would probably not be able to withstand more than a few moves under Liu Xuan's hands - although Lü Bu's strength was fierce, but one move and one style between them could still be seen clearly, and being visible meant there was a possibility of dodging.

  But Liu Xuan's movements... they really couldn't see clearly.

  These people naturally didn't know that Liu Xuan would be so fast, and also have an overbearing effect. This move wasn't something that just anyone could comprehend, but among the skills that Liu Xuan had imparted to them, there were still some similar moves - it was just a matter of whether or not they could comprehend those moves.

  Look at Ma Teng and his son again, Ma Chao's eyes are shining brightly at this time, with a very interested expression. He remembered Liu Ye's letter, it was because of Liu Xuan's performance that made Ma Chao feel that his choice was not wrong, only by the emperor's side could he have the opportunity to learn these magical moves - he was not very interested in those spells, but rather in Liu Xuan's last knife being so fast and sharp, he was very curious about how the Son of Heaven did it.

  Moreover, Ma Chao's eyesight and insight were extremely strong. He noticed that before Liu Xuan drew his sword, a ball-shaped aura formed around him, and he suspected that there was some connection between this phenomenon and the subsequent sword strike.

  "You must master that move."

  Compared with Ma Chao's simple thoughts, his father thought a lot more.

  Ma Teng after all occupies Liangzhou territory, under his command there are tens of thousands of soldiers and horses. Although he is now loyal to the imperial court, in his heart there is still a bit of small calculation.

  But today, he discovered that his own small abacus was not to be underestimated, and if he wasn't careful, it could bring about a disaster. Especially after seeing the Emperor's strength, he suddenly thought: "Who in Xiliang can withstand Your Majesty's one blow?"

  After some thought, I realized that there wasn't a single one. Looking at it this way, if I were to make any disloyal moves, the Emperor would personally lead an expedition against me, and wouldn't that be a surefire way to get myself exterminated?

  "It seems that being loyal to the imperial court was indeed the right move."

  He secretly wiped the cold sweat, Ma Teng was extremely grateful that he had chosen to follow the imperial court, rather than listening to Li Jue and Guo Si's words, occupying the northwest and confronting the imperial court, otherwise it would not be Zhang Su lying on the ground with his belongings taken away, but probably himself.

  He was just rejoicing when he saw the Emperor turn his head and smile at Ma Teng: "You have come from afar, you must be very tired, you should rest first?"

  "Your Majesty," Ma Teng hastily replied, "I am still in good spirits and do not need to rest."

  Liu Xuan nodded, then led the way to the main tent. Guan Yu and Xiahou Dun had already put away their weapons and made a gesture of invitation to Ma Teng. Ma's father and son naturally followed them into the main tent, while Guan Yu and Xiahou Dun continued to follow behind, their hands still resting on the hilts of their swords at their waists.

  Before long, a large group of civil and military officials entered the main tent. The generals only allowed Lü Bu and Zhang Liao to enter, while the other officers stayed outside to tidy up their troops and camps. Originally, Guan Yu and Xiahou Dun should not have come in here, but since they wanted to keep an eye on Ma Teng's father and son, they also entered together.

  Liu Xuan sat down first, and at this time no one said anything about completing the courtesy before taking a seat. The emperor had just shown off his own strength, and even staged an assassination play in front of the ministers, so who would dare to say those words at this time?

  Yang Biao, although an old minister, was not muddle-headed. At this time, he also quietly sat down and then began to shift his attention to the Ma family father and son.

  What happened next was nothing special, Ma Teng again expressed his loyalty in front of everyone, and finally said: "I heard that Your Majesty is reorganizing the Imperial Guard, my son is still young, but he has some military prowess, why not let him go to the Imperial Guard to assist Your Majesty, at the same time, it can also broaden my son's horizons and learn something real."

  This is simply sending his own son as a hostage to the capital, with Ma Teng's eldest son in the capital, Ma Teng will not be acting recklessly outside.

  Xun Yu and Guo Jia exchanged a glance, both nodding slightly, knowing that today's unexpected turn of events had unexpectedly strengthened Ma Teng's loyalty to the imperial court, an unexpected delight.

  Take another look at the several civil and military officials in the account, Lü Bu and Zhang Liao had long since made up their minds to be loyal. Xiahou Dun and Guan Yu were also gazing intently at this moment, occasionally glancing at Your Majesty, which was precisely the impact of that scene on the two men just now.

  "Needless to say, today these generals have witnessed Your Majesty's power and prestige. I estimate that from now on it will be difficult for them to harbor any further disloyal thoughts. As long as we have these generals as the foundation, the world can be pacified."

  As for the group of generals under Liu Xuan's command, Guo Jia and Xun Yu both put in a lot of thought to understand them, and were finally surprised to discover that each and every one of them was a rare talent, with their own strengths.

  Excluding Cao Cao and Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, Cao Ren, Guan Yu, and Xiahou Yuan were all capable of standing alone as a commander. If Zhang Fei's temper had not been so violent, he would also have been considered a commanding talent in the eyes of Xun Yu.

  The rest of the people, although slightly inferior to the commander, were more than enough for the general. With so many talents, it's no wonder that the emperor was willing to let Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song focus on doing political affairs, because Liu Xuan didn't have to worry about having no generals to use.

  As soon as they thought of this, Guo Jia and Xun Yu both felt it was quite strange: "Could it be that the Emperor had long known that he didn't fear having no capable generals?"

  If that's the case, then we need to carefully push forward. First of all, the Emperor and Cao Cao had already stood together early on, but at that time, there were no generals under Cao Cao's command. The Cao brothers and Xiahou brothers were all summoned by Cao Cao through letters later on.

  Think carefully, at that time Liu Xuan had not yet ascended to the throne and had not adjusted the powers of Huangfu Song and several others. Perhaps it was only later, after seeing that these people had outstanding abilities, that he did this?

  Only in this way can it be explained, otherwise it can only be assumed that the Son of Heaven has the ability to foresee, and even knows what kind of talent he will get in the future, which is also unthinkable.

  It was later that Lü Bu surrendered, although it was within Liu Xuan's plan, but how did Liu Xuan know about these generals under Lü Bu's command?

  Xun Yu and Guo Jia would never have guessed that Liu Xuan already knew about these people, so they could only assume that Your Majesty had the ability to recognize talent and know who was capable.

  This is the most important ability for an emperor - an emperor can lack bravery, lack outstanding abilities, but must have the ability to identify people, know who can be used and who cannot be used. As long as this point is achieved, even if one's own abilities are average, it is still possible to dominate the world.

  It was based on this judgment that when Liu Xuan spoke very enthusiastically with Ma Chao, both Xun Yu and Guo Jia noticed this young man who was only fifteen or sixteen years old.

  "Isn't this also a talent?"

  If Liu Xuan knew what the two were thinking, he would surely tell them: "This is not just a talent, this is a great talent!" Now that Ma Teng has actually taken the initiative to deliver Ma Chao into his own hands, he feels that the greatest gain of this trip to the northwest is none other than this.

  It's frustrating... I finally managed to finish writing early these past few days, but then a ton of things came up and I've been running around all day...