Volume 1, Chapter 18: Successive Breakthroughs and Zaixing’s Escape

On the seventh day, within the training grounds, Xu Huang and Yang Zaixing were locked in an intense duel.

Or rather, Xu Huang was struggling to withstand Yang Zaixing’s relentless offensive. Having initially been able to hold out for forty rounds, he had now pushed himself to endure for sixty. Everyone watching was filled with admiration for Xu Huang’s tenacity.

Sixty-one rounds, sixty-two rounds...
Xu Huang gritted his teeth, refusing to yield.
Sixty-three, sixty-four.
Finally, at the sixty-fifth round, a surge of immense power erupted from within Xu Huang.

"Hah!" Xu Huang let out a thunderous roar, his axe descending with the force of a mountain-splitting landslide toward Yang Zaixing.

Faced with this sudden explosion of strength, Yang Zaixing, who had been holding back, immediately turned serious. He swung his iron spear, sweeping it across with the velocity of a lightning bolt!

Clang!

The deafening collision of weapons generated a massive shockwave, sending a gust of air rolling outward and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Immediately following this, a notification appeared on Liu Xie’s system interface:
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host. Through relentless effort, Xu Huang has broken through his own limits and created an axe technique: The Twelve Mountain-Splitting Forms. Might +2.]

On the sidelines, Liu Xie, who had been sipping tea and enjoying snacks while watching Xu Huang get repeatedly pummeled by Yang Zaixing, was initially quite entertained. But seeing Xu Huang’s sudden outburst and the system notification, Liu Xie’s eyes widened: This was actually possible?

[Xu Huang, courtesy name Gongming]
Command: 91
Might: 95 (+2)
Intelligence: 78
Politics: 69
Charisma: 77
Loyalty: 85
Special Abilities:
1. Bearing of Zhou Yafu: When commanding cavalry, troop movement speed increases by 10%, unit Might +2, and the commanded troops will not rout.
2. Twelve Mountain-Splitting Axes: A technique created by Xu Huang breaking through his own limits. For every form stacked and executed, Might +1.

Liu Xie stared at the system interface in utter shock. Not only had the base Might increased by 2 points, but the self-created axe technique granted an additional +1 Might for each form used. If all twelve forms were executed, Xu Huang’s stacked Might would reach 107!

That was even higher than Yang Zaixing’s maximum Might of 103 during a duel!

[Ding! Xu Huang has currently succeeded in creating the first three forms.]

...System, are you playing with me? If there are only three, why call it the "Twelve Forms"?

[Potential, you weakling—do you even understand?]

...Fine, I’ve been insulted by the system.
Three forms it is. A +3 Might bonus brings him to 98, which is enough to stand firm among the many experts of the Three Kingdoms era. Xu Huang, oh Xu Huang, your weakness in individual duels has finally been addressed!

But why only three axes? It reminded Liu Xie of Cheng Yaojin, that lucky general—or was "buffoon" a more accurate term?

After his breakthrough, Xu Huang’s capabilities erupted fully. Even so, after his "three axes," he exchanged a few more blows with Yang Zaixing before being defeated once again. After all, his stamina had been significantly drained, his new skill could not yet be adjusted with flexibility, and under the suppression of Yang Zaixing’s 100 Might, Xu Huang’s defeat was no disgrace.

Seeing Xu Huang break through his limits under Yang Zaixing’s pressure, Hu Che'er was also spurred into action. He forcibly dragged an utterly miserable-looking Yang Zaixing into a spar. Under the helpless gaze of Xu Huang, Hu Che'er fought tooth and nail, nearly catching Yang Zaixing off guard and almost disarming him.

Thus, Hu Che'er was tormented by Yang Zaixing for two days, with Xu Huang occasionally joining in when he needed to hone his new axe technique. Ultimately, under immense pressure, Hu Che'er also achieved his own breakthrough!

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host. Hu Che'er has broken through his limits in adversity. Might +2.]

Hu Che'er
Command: 27
Might: 90 (+2)
Intelligence: 41
Politics: 2
Charisma: 30
Special Abilities:
1. Forceful Seizure: During combat, there is a chance to snatch the opponent's weapon, temporarily reducing their Might by 5 points.
2. Pushing Force: When executing a Forceful Seizure, applying a push causes the opponent's reaction force to disrupt their stance, temporarily reducing their Might by 3 points.
Loyalty: 95

Although Hu Che'er’s new ability didn't buff himself directly, weakening the enemy was effectively the same thing! Moreover, this ability was rather nasty. With his immense strength, he would pretend to snatch the weapon, forcing the opponent to lean back in resistance. Hu Che'er would then apply a push; wouldn't that mean two opposing forces acting on the victim simultaneously? The resulting loss of balance would cause the opponent to lose 3 points of Might, making it easier for Hu Che'er to seize the weapon and trigger another 5-point reduction. He could even use the stolen weapon as a projectile...

The thought of it made one fear for his opponents: who would be the first poor soul to be killed by his own weapon under Hu Che'er’s hand?

At that moment, Liu Xie didn't know what to feel. Watching Xu Huang and Hu Che'er successively break through their limits and increase their Might, he was tempted to step onto the field and spar with Yang Zaixing himself. However, the massive difference in Might would result in a one-sided beating. As the Son of Heaven, his own face didn't matter much, but losing the dignity of his ancestors—and worse, the dignity of a man from the 21st century—would be an unforgivable sin!

Still, this didn't stop Liu Xie from looking at Yang Zaixing with a strange glint in his eyes: If all his generals could be "tormented" by Yang Zaixing and achieve breakthroughs, wouldn't that be wonderful?

Yang Zaixing felt his hair stand on end under Liu Xie’s meaningful gaze—it was the same look he had given Xu Huang!

*If I can't beat them, I can at least run away, right?*
Yang Zaixing hurriedly found an excuse and beat a hasty retreat.

Before Liu Xie could react, Yang Zaixing had already vanished.
Looking at the equally bewildered Xu Huang and Hu Che'er, Liu Xie asked, "What did General Yang just say?"

Xu Huang swallowed hard and replied, "Your Majesty, General Yang said his wife is in labor, and he must return to see the delivery!"

Wife? In labor? Delivery?
Liu Xie asked in confusion, "Isn't Zaixing a lone wolf? How could he have a wife in labor?"

Xu Huang shook his head, indicating he had no idea.

*Good heavens, Yang Zaixing, you can't even come up with a decent excuse for desertion. You truly live up to your reputation as an indomitable god of war!*