I Can Strengthen Infinitely

Chapter 552: Chapter 318: Five Elements Spiritual Roots—Fire Spirit Root (Part 2)

Within the Yuan Army was a strategist named Fan Wan, a man of loyalty and generosity, highly beloved by all with many good friends.

On this day, Yuan Huangzhong was drinking tea and reading within his private tent when, quite suddenly, Fan Wan burst inside without invitation.

The army has its regulations, which Yuan Huangzhong valued above all. Seeing Fan Wan so blatantly disregarding the rules, his brows furrowed as he spoke, "Fan Wan, is there something of importance?"

"General, I made acquaintance with several good friends in Jiangnan. Each of them possesses extraordinary strength and masterful magic. Upon witnessing General Wen’s unfortunate death on the battlefield, and knowing the enemy’s experts are not to be underestimated, I sent word a few days ago and had letters delivered,

inviting them here to lend you a hand. At this moment, they are waiting outside. Should they take action, they will surely help you take Yangzhou Prefecture."

"Hm!" Yuan Huangzhong was taken aback.

For a subordinate to take the initiative to solve your troubles, to find a solution before you’ve even thought of one, is precisely what any superior would most wish for.

Though he did not yet know the true power of the men Fan Wan had brought, in such crucial times, it was enough for Yuan Huangzhong to be pleased just to have a solution presented.

At least now, there was someone who might share his worries and help resolve them.

"Good, well done, bring them in at once." Yuan Huangzhong straightened his back, speaking happily.

"At your command." Fan Wan nodded, and immediately walked out of the tent, soon returning with four people in tow.

At first glance, the four all displayed extraordinary bearing.

The first was a handsome young lord with sword brows and starry eyes, dressed in a white robe patterned with ink-wash mountains and rivers, a jade belt at his waist, and holding a refined violet-gold-boned parasol. He exuded a carefree, decadent air, as if a scion just walked out of a wealthy household.

The second was a bald, bearded, dark-skinned burly man, robed in a red kasaya, carrying a heavy iron staff on his shoulder, wearing straw sandals—soaked in a wild, brash aura that could not be hidden.

The third was a hunchbacked elder, clutching a red-wood cane with a deer’s head, from which hung a crimson gourd. He wore a landlord’s grand robe, a "Shou Gong" hat, red face, white eyebrows, and his forehead bulged like a longevity peach—giving him an odd appearance.

The fourth was tall and slender, a middle-aged man with a drooping mustache, both hands tucked into his sleeves, with a tattered wooden case strapped to his back, its contents unknown.

Looking at the four, tossed into a crowd, not one seemed like an expert. Yuan Huangzhong had seen much in his years—and well knew that you could not judge a master by appearances.

Since Fan Wan dared invite these four, he must be supremely confident in them.

So, Yuan Huangzhong immediately strode forward and, with the courtesy of a scholar seeking wise men, greeted them in turn: "Honored guests from afar, you’ve come a long way and worked hard. May I ask your esteemed names?"

The elegant young lord cupped his hands and smiled: "No need for courtesy, General Yuan. I am Bai Ma Scholar, He Yongnian."

The dark-skinned burly man rumbled, "I’m a porter who walks the world. General can just call me Ah Dan."

The hunchbacked old man said, "I am Bai Liushan, Liu Daoyuan."

The last, seeming not fond of speech, realized he had to introduce himself, lest Yuan Huangzhong lose face.

"Lu Yuan."

Of the four names, not a single one was familiar to Yuan Huangzhong, yet for the sake of propriety, he still had to declare, "I have long heard of your great names, sirs."

"Honored guests, the expert in Yangzhou Prefecture is no easy match—my Right General didn’t withstand even fifty moves before perishing at his hands. Now that Fan Wan has invited you to assist, I am deeply grateful. But, above all, safety must come first—at no point risk your lives."

"Don’t worry, General Yuan. The four of us have come here with confidence. You need only command your army; leave the rest to us." Liu Daoyuan said.

Seeing such confidence from them, Yuan Huangzhong’s mind was much at ease. With such bravado, these four must surely be experts.

"No need to hurry. As you have traveled far, allow me to host a welcoming feast. You should eat and drink your fill, replenish your strength, and only then set about defeating these rebels."

Yuan Huangzhong was so hospitable, the four did not refuse.

Fan Wan silently nodded—if this succeeded, his merits would be considerable indeed.

The next day.

At first light, from the Yuan Army camps, bugle horns suddenly blared. Inside Yangzhou Prefecture, the Sanhuang’s defenders instantly became vigilant.

Though Changqing had slain Wendian with a single sword some days before, these men had no idea Wendian was the Yuan Army’s top general, so continued to fret daily.

Company after company formed up from the camp, shaping themselves into military formations, sixteen squares in total, standing just beyond the range of Yangzhou Prefecture’s archers.

Sanhuang, Changqing, Fu Bo, and their officers mounted the city walls, gazing toward the Yuan Army’s positions.

Leading the vanguard were four eccentric figures, each riding an exotic beast.

He Yongnian sat astride a white deer with fur like snow. Ah Dan rode a bald, squat mule.

Liu Daoyuan atop a blue ox with a broken horn, and Lu Yuan astride a huge wild boar clad in battle armor.

This combination stood out remarkably, drawing the full gaze of everyone on Sanhuang’s side.

"So they’ve been quiet these days just to secretly go find some help." Changqing laughed.

Fu Bo’s face was grim: "If not for your insistence on sparing them, the two of us could have driven these people away entirely by now."

"They’re too weak—whoever they call for won’t be much better. Surely they can’t be Grandmasters? Today, let’s defeat them again. This time, we show no mercy and slaughter this army to the last man." Changqing said indifferently.

"Be cautious, do not underestimate the enemy." Fu Bo drew his weapon.

The two of them leapt from the city walls; to stand alone before tens of thousands means either supreme confidence or utter foolishness.

Fu Bo and Changqing are certainly the former, but if Qin Yuesheng knew these two could’ve long since wiped out the enemy completely and ended future troubles—

Yet still relied on their own strength, giving the enemy time to call in reinforcements, he’d surely come over and punch Changqing and Fu Bo both in the face out of anger.

Such arrogance—to do such things, as if there were no true masters left in the world.

Each with a sword, they appeared most dashing.

He Yongnian, atop his white deer, waved his small fan: "The two of you must know the world is still under the Great Tang. By joining the rebels, you make enemies of the realm."

"The Tang’s fortune has already faded—don’t you see how the last emperor plunged the world into ruin? The people can’t live in peace, can scarcely eat, have lost their homes, lost the sky. Such a country deserves a change of rule." Fu Bo replied.

Changqing chimed in: "Indeed. If you two had any sense, you’d choose the right side, depart at once—don’t stand in opposition to our king."

"Truly a band of rebels—spare us your excuses." Liu Daoyuan frowned and shook his head, not letting He Yongnian waste more words.

He slapped the blue ox at his feet; the ox immediately strode straight toward Changqing and Fu Bo.

"Good!" Changqing flashed his sword, and a crescent Sword Qi roared from its blade, flying swiftly at Liu Daoyuan.

Liu Daoyuan struck down with his deer-horn staff, easily dispersing the Sword Qi into the air—a remarkable feat, proving him a match for Changqing.

Changqing didn’t mind. That strike was but a probe, not his full strength. That Liu Daoyuan could withstand it meant little.

As the two drew nearer, Liu Daoyuan suddenly reached for the crimson gourd on his staff. With a twist, he popped off its stopper, and at once, a red light shone from its mouth.

Whoosh!

A beam of red light shot forth, hurtling straight at Changqing.