Chapter 50: Wei Yan Submits

  Wei Yan ignored Yan Liang's offer of surrender, knowing that his martial arts skills were inferior, yet he still fought to the death.

  Yan Liang didn't expect that with just a few bold and heroic words, he would be able to summon Wei Yan to come and surrender.

  Historically, Wei Yan valued Liu Bei's title of "Han Imperial Uncle" and thus took the initiative to surrender and follow him, showing that he was also a wise man who recognized a noble lord.

  Although Yan Liang has been defeated by Liu Biao and Cao Cao, his reputation is still not as widespread as that of Liu Bei. It's not easy to persuade Wei Yan to surrender with just one word.

  "Wei Yan is indeed as arrogant as the rumors say. Anyway, you can't escape, so today I'll let you experience the prowess of Yan Lian."

  Ambition burst forth in his heart, Yan Liang's mouth curled up with a hint of arrogance, his robust body moved, and the steel knife in his hand struck out once more.

  The sword flashed like a flowing light, striking after being released but arriving first, and with the force of Mount Tai pressing down on his head, he chopped down at Wei Yan.

  Wei Yan knew this knife's power was fierce and strong, so he hastily raised his own knife with all his might to block it.

  Ouch!!!

  A metallic clang, a piercing shockwave, shook the eardrums of those around, causing them to throb with pain.

  Wei Yan only felt a massive force like a flood pouring down, causing his blood to churn and his raised arms to be pressed down, his entire body's muscles and bones creaking in response, as if they were about to snap.

  "This Yan Liang's knife skill is actually so ——"

  Before he could even react, Yan Liang turned his horse around and swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming to cut Wei Yan down at the waist.

  Wei Yan was shocked by Yan Liang's swift move and didn't have time to think much, hastily raised his sword to slantingly block.

  Rolling mighty power, once again surging upwards.

  Wei Yan's body shook violently, and he hastily clamped his legs tightly around the horse's belly, barely managing to steady himself.

  The second knife barely landed, and the blood in his abdomen surged even more violently.

  At this time, Wei Yan's previous arrogance had completely disappeared, and the look of astonishment on his face was uncontrollable.

  Yan Liang didn't even give him a chance to catch his breath, one knife after another, the attack was like mercury pouring down, crazy and violent.

  In an instant, dozens of moves passed, Yan Liang's knife method opened wide and far, still operating with ease.

  On the other hand, Wei Yan was still fighting evenly, without revealing any weaknesses, but his breathing had become heavy and he was showing signs of exhaustion.

  If only considering martial arts, Wei Yan is no match for Lü Bu. If Lü Bu had fought with all his might, Wei Yan would not have retreated in defeat, but would have already become a ghost under the blade.

  Such a great talent, Yan Liang would not have tolerated killing him. Now, he strolled leisurely in the empty courtyard and engaged in a fight with him. On one hand, he wanted to test Wei Yan's potential; on the other hand, he also wanted to show off his own martial arts skills and composure.

  Another ten moves passed, and Yan Liang suddenly let out a low whistle. The force on his knife increased sharply, and in just a few moves, he forced Wei Yan to respond hastily.

  At this time, Wei Yan was deeply convinced of Yan Liang's martial arts and did not dare to have any slight contempt in his heart. He also knew that Yan Liang had not used all his strength to fight him, and the sudden exertion now was a warning to himself to know his place and not to be presumptuous again.

  Wei Yan's temper was violent, but he wasn't a fool who didn't know when to advance or retreat. He knew that Yan Liang was showing mercy by sparing his life and had no intention of killing him.

  After a few rounds, Wei Yan exerted all his strength and launched a fierce counterattack with several strokes. He took advantage of the opening to turn his horse around and leap out of the battle array.

  Yan Liang did not take advantage of the situation to kill him, but instead stood still with his horse, embracing his large knife, and a hint of admiration appeared on his sharp face.

  If Wei Yan really doesn't know life or death, advance or retreat, then he is not qualified to be a qualified commander, and killing him would not be a pity.

  Now Wei Yan knew it was difficult and retreated, Yan Liang secretly admired him in his heart.

  Wei Yan turned his horse around with a complex gaze at Yan Liang, an expression that seemed to have a hint of hatred yet also a hint of respect.

  Wei Yan suddenly burst out laughing and said loudly, "People say that Yanzi's martial arts are unparalleled, even the beautiful beard general couldn't defeat him. Today I see it for myself, indeed his reputation is not exaggerated."

  Wei Yan's demeanor was indeed arrogant, but his words did not conceal his admiration.

  Yan Liang smiled slightly and said lightly, "An old account from years ago is not worth mentioning. On the other hand, Wei Wenchang is young and has such martial arts skills, it really makes me look at him in a new light."

  Hearing this, Wei Yan couldn't help but reveal a hint of unusual expression on his face.

  Wei Yan vaguely remembered that when they first met, he had only reported his name and not his courtesy name, but Yan Liang kept mentioning the two words "Wen Chang".

  "General Yan is in Hebei, and yet he also knows of Wei's name?" Wei Yan couldn't help but ask in surprise.

  Yan Liang smiled and said: "Wen Chang is a young and promising general of Jingzhou, General Cao must have heard of him."

  A hint of complacency appeared on Wei Yan's cold and stern face.

  Although he claimed to be a martial arts genius, due to his humble origin, he could only serve as a low-ranking military officer under Liu Biao. Not to mention people outside of Jingzhou, even Liu Biao himself might not know that Wei Yan existed under his command.

  Now, Yan Liang, a famous general from Hebei who shook Jing and Xiang with his might, regarded him so highly and even claimed to have heard of him long ago.

  This was undoubtedly a great satisfaction for Wei Yan's self-esteem.

  A single word dispelled all the hostility on Wei Yan's face, and the famous general from Hebei before him seemed a few points more approachable.

  Wei Yan's psychological changes did not escape Yan Liang's eyes.

  He said in a loud voice: "Yan's head, today you Wei brothers are afraid of not getting it. Yan still has military affairs on his body and will bid farewell for now. If one day Wei brothers have the interest, come to my XinYe, I can have a good fight with Wei brothers."

  Having said that, Yan Liang swept his long knife and drew a deep mark three feet in front of the horse.

  "Please tell Liu that the area north of this line is my territory, and if he dares to send even one soldier across it, I, Yan Liang, will personally lead a large army to Xiangyang to settle the score with him."

  Yan Liang's tone was filled with an unmistakable majesty, and this threatening remark made the Jingzhou army behind Wei Yan listen with a stern expression.

  Yan Liang turned his horse's head and slowly rode northwards with a leisurely gaze.

  Wei Yan gazed at the spot where Yan Liang had disappeared into the distance, never daring to cross that boundary. After a long while, he finally sighed and said: "This Yan Liang has some heroic spirit, no wonder those useless people like Cai Mao have been defeated time and again."

  Wei Yan sighed and shook his head, then turned his horse southward and left.

  On the side of Xinye, after marching for a short while, Wei Yan couldn't help but say: "I see that Wei Yan's martial arts skills are quite impressive, he is indeed a talent worth using. General, it seems you also have intentions to recruit him, so why did you let him return just now?"

  Yan Liang said calmly, "Wei Yan is arrogant and proud. Rather than humbling ourselves to ask him to surrender, it would be better to lure him into coming voluntarily, making it easier to control this man."

  After listening to the book, he suddenly realized.

  Yan Liang's ability to identify people and his approach to seeking talent varied according to the individual, this kind of insight and demeanor once again made Yi Jie look at him with new eyes.

  A hint of admiration flashed across his eyes as he gazed at the medical book.

  At dusk, Wei Yan led his troops back to Xiangyang City.

  In the big tent of the military camp in the city, Cai Mao was anxiously waiting for news.

  When he heard that Wei Yan had returned, Cai Mao was overjoyed and hastily ordered him to be brought in.

  A moment later, that majestic figure stepped into the tent, with a slightly dim expression on his face.

  Seeing Wei Yan's expression, Cai Mao's heart cooled down halfway, but still holding onto hope, he asked: "Was Yan Liang's head cut off?"

  "General Cao, I failed to behead Yan Liang."

  Wei Yan did not conceal anything and frankly admitted his own failure.

  Upon hearing this, Cai Mao's face suddenly darkened.