Chapter Fifty: Humbling the Marquis of the Tiger, the Might of a Single Spear

“I’ll wait for you at the training grounds,”

“No need. I may not excel at much, but my stamina is unmatched. I could fight three hundred rounds without issue!” Xu Chu waved his hand.

“Very well, let’s go!” Chu Feng replied, his tone calm as he led the way.

…

Before long, they arrived at the military camp.

At that moment, countless armored soldiers gathered around. In the center, Chu Feng mounted his horse, picked up his city-breaking halberd, glanced at Xu Chu, and smiled, “Come, I’ll let you strike three times. Let’s see if you’re worthy of my full strength!”

“???” Xu Chu’s bull-like eyes rolled in anger. He thought himself quite arrogant, but Chu Feng was even more brazen.

“Hmph! Watch my blade!” Xu Chu spurred his horse in fury, brandishing his broadsword and charging straight ahead. He prided himself on his physical strength, unmatched by any, and with his fierce blade, few could withstand a full-force strike.

As the broadsword cleaved down with immense force, Chu Feng’s eyes flashed with fierceness, and he met it head-on with his halberd.

Clang!

An ear-piercing metallic sound rang out.

Xu Chu felt a numbness in his palms, almost tearing, and his broadsword was knocked backward by the halberd, only stopping after it was driven into the sand behind him.

“Impressive… So strong!” Xu Chu was astonished.

This man’s strength far surpassed his own, and judging by his composed demeanor, he likely hadn’t even used his full power. Just one blow was enough for Xu Chu to realize how powerful Chu Feng truly was.

“Well done!” The surrounding soldiers applauded.

Xu Chu’s kinsmen stared at Chu Feng in disbelief. They knew exactly what Xu Chu was capable of—perhaps not the finest in martial skill, but in brute strength, no one could compare. Once, he yanked an ox’s tail and walked a hundred paces, sending a group of Yellow Turban rebels fleeing in terror. Yet pure strength alone, Xu Chu was bested by Chu Feng.

If this were a fight to the death, Xu Chu likely wouldn’t last thirty rounds.

“Not bad, your strength is impressive!” Chu Feng felt the tingling in his palm and smiled lightly. Compared to his bouts with Zhao Fan, Zhao Fan could never match him in raw power.

“Continue, two strikes remain!”

Xu Chu said nothing, his expression grave—there was an oppressive aura. He pulled his horse back a good distance, and under everyone’s gaze, charged again.

The first strike, he had held back, thinking Chu Feng was only defending and thus had the advantage. But now, he realized he had underestimated his opponent!

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This time, he would give it his all!

Chu Feng’s expression grew serious. Heroes of the realm should never be underestimated. This time, he chose to meet the blow head-on. As the broadsword descended with force, Chu Feng raised his halberd to block.

Another clang!

The sound was shrill. Chu Feng’s palm trembled slightly, and the counterforce nearly tore through Xu Chu’s hands. This blow was even stronger than the last, but Chu Feng still received it.

Xu Chu exerted his full strength, yet could not advance even an inch.

This was his strongest strike, yet to Chu Feng, it was nothing. Xu Chu’s confidence was shaken.

His broadsword relied on brute force, but if he couldn’t match Chu Feng in strength, what hope was there in skill?

Xu Chu now understood his place and drew his horse aside again.

“One last strike remains!”

Upon hearing Chu Feng’s words, Xu Chu was no longer angry. He respected those with true ability and said heartily, “I, Xu Chu, am willing to hold the reins and stirrup for my lord!”

“Oh? You’re giving up?”

“I know I am outmatched. But for this last strike, let me receive your halberd, my lord. Is that acceptable?” Xu Chu was eager—his broadsword was strongest on offense, and even with the advantage, he could not win. He wanted to see how Chu Feng would fare on the attack.

“Ha! Very well!” Chu Feng laughed.

As he spoke, Chu Feng slanted his halberd into the sand, and his black steed, feeling his fighting spirit, neighed excitedly, hooves pawing the earth, then surged forward.

In an instant, he was upon his opponent.

Chu Feng and his horse stood firm, and the halberd smashed down like a charging steed. Xu Chu was startled, gathered his breath, and raised his broadsword to meet the attack.

Clang!

The metallic ring was deafening.

Xu Chu’s arms felt heavy, and the halberd came within inches of his shoulder. His hands were now dripping with blood, the force so great it flushed his face red.

“Ahh—!”

Xu Chu’s warhorse cried out in pain, unable to withstand the pressure. Chu Feng pressed harder, and the horse stumbled back two steps, then collapsed with a wail.

Xu Chu retreated several paces, breathing heavily, his chest heaving violently. He looked at Chu Feng with newfound reverence.

Such power from one halberd! Even with a fine horse, he would not last more than twenty or thirty rounds against Chu Feng—perhaps even fewer. This man was formidable, perhaps even on par with the legendary Lu Bu.

The watching soldiers and Xu Chu’s kin all gasped in shock, their hearts pounding. What strength!

They had heard from Chu Feng’s personal guards that he could fight a hundred men alone, but had thought it mere rumor. Now, Chu Feng had felled a warhorse with a single blow!

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Crucially, this burly man was slightly stronger than Zhao Fan, whose skills they had seen firsthand. Did this mean their lord was even more formidable? Instantly, the crowd cheered as one.

Lu Su and Liu Ye were filled with admiration.

Chu Feng’s martial prowess was truly unmatched!

“Ha! Xu Chu, how about it? I told you he was ten times stronger than me, but you wouldn’t believe it. Even if you and I joined forces, we couldn’t last more than a few dozen rounds against our lord!” Zhao Fan laughed, arms crossed.

Xu Chu rolled his eyes, then clasped his fists and said, “My lord, these are the loyal warriors and kinsmen who follow me. Each can fight ten men alone. What do you think?”

“Since they are both brave and skilled, form a Tiger Guard. You will be the commander, responsible for my protection and command,” Chu Feng said after a moment’s thought.

In later years, these men were assigned similar roles by Cao Cao. All were men of honor and valor, perfectly suited to protect him. Besides, he needed to train Zhao Fan for command.

“Thank you, my lord!” Xu Chu and his men called out.

“My lord, I still have relatives and elders at Xu Family Village. I worry about Cao Cao…” Xu Chu said anxiously. He was satisfied with his lord, so he had to consider relocating his kin.

“Move them to Shouchun. I’ll arrange their resettlement,” Chu Feng promised with a wave.

“Thank you, my lord!”

Now Xu Chu had no more worries.

“Zhao Fan, take Zhongkang to treat his wounds and familiarize him with the camp. Also, organize them into the ranks,” Chu Feng instructed.

“Understood,” Zhao Fan replied.

Chu Feng finished speaking and was about to leave when Yan Xiang rode up, dismounted, and called urgently, “My lord, disaster has struck!”

“Explain,” Chu Feng frowned.

“My lord, recently, salt merchants from Guangling and Jiangdong have rarely come. I paid it no mind, but now, in Peiguo, Jiujiang, and Lujiang, salt prices have soared. The people can hardly find salt to eat,” Yan Xiang reported anxiously.

“Moreover, rumor has it that cheap coarse salt is available in the south, along with land grants and food rations. The people everywhere are growing restless.”

“Hmph, Sun Ce must be behind this. If there’s no salt, contact merchants from other provinces,” Chu Feng said angrily. Sun Ce was truly unscrupulous.

He knew that by punishing him, Eastern Wu’s sea salt would have no market, harming both sides. But Sun Ce’s goal was clearly to weaken his power.

“My lord, salt for the Huai and Ru regions depends almost entirely on the coastal supply from Eastern Wu’s Guangling and other places. Sourcing from elsewhere is not only expensive, but no one would come,” Lu Su said, his brows furrowed in concern.

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