The 41st Chapter: The True Qi of the World's Greatest Family Heir

  At this time, due to the weakening of the wind and rain, the soldiers of the Heavenly Balance Army not far away had discovered the enemy's surprise attack. Although many people were in a state of confusion, there were also loyal and brave warriors who formed small teams and rushed towards the place where they were ambushed.

  Among them, the most eye-catching one was nine feet tall, holding a fifty-pound fine iron long knife in his hand, and still with a hint of childishness on his face, it was Zhou Cang, the number one confidant under Zhang Fei.

  Seeing the rescue arrive, Zhang's courage was boosted, and he slid his way to the front of the second enemy.

  This enemy, of medium build and pale complexion, was dressed in exquisite attire, not at all like a roughneck who would commit murder and arson, but rather like a refined gentleman. Although his face showed a hint of panic, his hand still grasped a long sword steadily.

  Zhang Kuang was also a master swordsman, and he could naturally tell the good from the bad with one glance. Although the sword in his hand was taken from the treasure of a wealthy family with over 800 households, Zhang Kuang could still affirmatively judge that the precious sword in the opponent's hand was even better than the precious sword in his own hand!

  He is an important young man in a big family!

  After realizing this point, Zhang Kuang's mind flashed two options like sparks from flint.

  Kill? Or capture?

  In this current world, the power of aristocratic families and powerful clans is so great that Zhang Kuang's knowledge from a later generation makes him feel unbelievable. Almost every county in the Great Han has a powerful clan with thousands of private soldiers. If you don't want to make an irreconcilable enemy out of such a powerful clan, it's probably not easy to kill this person...

  Zhang Kuang, who was deep in thought, slowed down slightly. The young nobleman in front of him had a good eye for things. Taking advantage of Zhang Kuang's brief distraction, the long sword in his hand moved like a flexible snake, spitting out sharp needles. Zhang Kuang, being careless for a moment, was actually suppressed by his opponent!

  In the flash of sword light, Zhang Kuang parried six swords from the enemy and counterattacked with five, turning the situation around. From the clash of sword edges, Zhang Kuang confirmed that his opponent's body was not tempered by "battle aura", but rather a kind of profound "true energy". This further confirmed Zhang Kuang's judgment about the enemy's identity.

  To know, "war qi" and "true qi", although only one word different, have a difference of heaven.

  So-called "war qi", by name alone, is simply internal energy used for combat purposes.

  The Great Han Dynasty was prosperous in martial arts, and countless "warrior's breath" training methods were passed down among the military and civilians. As a practical and easy-to-understand training method, even illiterate people could learn it with ease.

  Although there are various "war qi", there is a distinction between high and low. However, as long as one can cultivate any kind of "war qi" to perfection, they can become the legendary "Tiger Wolf General". Moreover, the cultivation of "war qi" does not require high innate talent. As long as one puts in enough effort, they will eventually achieve something.

  Of course, whether it is a great success or a small one depends on an individual's luck.

  And "Zhen Qi", is not that simple. Compared to the simplicity and directness of "Zheng Qi" cultivation and application, "Zhen Qi" is a rather complex system of cultivation.

  Different "true energy" techniques can achieve vastly different effects, and also have extremely high requirements for the qualifications of practitioners. Just like Zhang Kuang, among his peers, there were twelve young men from the Zhang family, but in the end, only four of them successfully cultivated the "Tai Ping True Energy". And as for those who reached the Great Completion realm, aside from Zhang Kuang whose martial arts abilities greatly increased after being possessed by a transmigrator, there was no one else.

  And cultivating "true energy" is much more expensive than cultivating "battle energy".

  Let's take Zhang Kuang as an example. He practiced "Tai Ping True Qi" for ten years, and the cost of the medicine used for diet alone was as high as 200,000 yuan. If it weren't for the fact that the Zhang family was extremely wealthy and the Tai Ping Sect had a way to collect wealth, how could they afford such expenses?

  As for the purpose of "true energy", it also varies with different types of "true energy". Some can increase a person's agility, some can increase a person's strength, some can enhance a person's vision, and so on. However, there is one most important commonality, which is: it can greatly improve the health and longevity of the practitioner.

  Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages. If simply comparing combat effectiveness, even the strongest "true energy" is usually not a match for the most basic "battle energy". For warriors who aspire to join the military and gain merit, the more cost-effective "battle energy" naturally gains their favor.

  Taking all these characteristics into account, the "True Qi" is usually only passed down among some powerful families and clans, and among the direct descendants of those who do not rely too much on their own martial power. The fact that one's opponent has cultivated "True Qi" means that he must be a direct descendant of a noble family.

  Thinking of this, Zhang Kuang's mind settled on a strategy, deciding that it would be better to only injure and not kill the opponent. Especially since he discovered that his swordsmanship was slightly inferior to his own.

  However, the opponent's plan was also quite good. After confirming Zhang Kuang's martial arts skills far exceeded his own, this young master of a wealthy family decisively retreated and stood shoulder to shoulder with another attacker, loudly shouting:

  "Brother Cao! Save me!"

  The leader of the invaders who were in a fierce battle with Le Jin, heard the cry for help, turned his head and was shocked. He feigned a spear attack and loudly called out to his subordinates:

  "Stop! Retreat!"

  These attackers, however, were extremely obedient to the leader's orders and retreated in a flurry, turning around and leaving. The Imperial Guards had suffered heavy casualties in the brief but intense battle and were unable to pursue, allowing the attackers' withdrawal to seem rather leisurely.

  Lei Jin's martial arts skills were superior to those of his opponent's leader, but unfortunately, the two helpers on the opposing side were not pushovers either. He had no choice but to follow closely behind the attacker, step by step.

  However, the leader of the attackers had to stop abruptly after charging at Zhang Kuang a few steps. Because Zhang Kuang's quick sword was now placed on the neck artery of that noble young master. On the side of the tree, there was the third enemy that Zhang Kuang had dealt with in this battle.

  The "Tai Ping True Qi" that Zhang Kuang practiced, although it performed poorly in head-on confrontations on the battlefield, was able to greatly enhance his ability to dodge and weave in a small range.

  Just now, Zhang Kuang took advantage of the tree's cover, circled around two enemies for a few laps, and suddenly stabbed out with his sword. With the help of the dense and substantial sword energy, his treasured sword penetrated half a foot thick tree trunk, killing the third enemy in one move. The second enemy who lost his helper was easily captured by Zhang Kuang in his panic.

  Although the sword just now had consumed half of Zhang Kuang's true energy, with the help of the forest environment, even if the leader of the attackers was skilled in gunplay, Zhang Kuang still had confidence to retreat unscathed. Therefore, after capturing the opponent's important figure, he did not use the captive as a shield, but instead stood carelessly in front of the leader of the attackers.

  "Let him go!"

  The leader of the incoming troops had an extremely helpless look in his eyes. He was secretly regretting why he had come to provoke this strange Yellow Turban Army. His elder brother had already told him about the strength of this Yellow Turban Army, but he didn't take it seriously. As a result...

  At the same time, the leader of the invaders still had some inexplicable feelings in his heart.

  Taking advantage of the strong storm, it suddenly launched a surprise attack from the forest and has made the most of the situation. As a result, under such an advantageous situation, it still hasn't fully utilized its strength. It seems that what brother said is indeed true. This Yellow Turban army can actually withstand the attack of "Jiangdong's Fierce Tiger" Sun Jian.

  Just as Zhang Kuang was about to speak, the young master of a noble family who had been captured by him shouted out first:

  "Brother Cao, retreat quickly! Immediately report back to Lord Cao and bring a large army here to negotiate with the enemy..."

  Zhang Kuang Yun's strength was formidable, and with a single press of his sword against the young master's throat, he was about to be silenced. Unexpectedly, this young master had an extraordinary amount of courage, and with a slight tilt of his head, he dodged the sword's force and continued speaking:

  "Quickly retreat and bring a large army back! This is the only way to save me! Otherwise, you will also be trapped..."

  "What a racket!"

  Zhang Kuang struck a blow on the back of this garrulous fellow's head, knocking him unconscious.

  "You just wait! Cao will surely have his revenge one day!"

  The leader of the incoming troops, although with fierce anger in his eyes, still reluctantly waved his hand and led the remaining men to run quickly through the forest. At this time, Zhang Kuang had only one person left by his side, Le Jin, and he was no match for them, so he had no choice but to let them go.

  Waiting until Zhou Cang led his men in pursuit, they chased through two or three miles of forest, only to see a group of horsemen in the distance, kicking up mud and water as they galloped away.