Your Majesty, please spare Diao Chan; your yang energy is too strong.

The meaning is clear.

Stop talking about those irrelevant things; they're not very useful.

Since you didn't directly lead the army, you instead invited Zhou Heng to the city tower for a gathering.

They just want to use their power to intimidate others.

If Zhou Heng agrees to return to your command, it will be a win-win situation, and there will be no need to take any action.

If you disagree, you should take action to remove Zhou Heng.

Since that's the case...

Then let's not play those pointless games anymore, let's just rely on our own abilities.

I've heard that your strongest fighter is Erhu Hou.

I am not very talented, but I would like to see what it is all about.

If you win me over.

Zhou Heng was naturally powerless to resist in your hands.

If you can't even take me down, what makes you think you can take down Zhou Heng with just the people behind you?

"Very well, since General Zhao is interested, Xu Chu, you can play along with him."

Cao Cao nodded.

I am well aware of this principle.

Ultimately, it all comes down to ability.

Although it seems that the advantage is in my hands now, Zhou Heng is already a caged bird in his hands.

But unless it comes down to the very last moment.

He did not want to resort to arms.

Therefore, the best way is to demonstrate your strength through your subordinates.

Make Zhou Heng obediently submit.

Since you are so confident in the abilities of your subordinates.

Then I'll shatter your confidence.

By then, even your strongest men will fall to my hands.

Is there any way for them to resist?

As for Zhao Yun, he naturally knew him.

Ever since he learned that Zhou Heng was plotting against him, his attention to Zhou Heng had even surpassed that to Yuan Shu.

He naturally knew his subordinates very well.

Zhao Yun was indeed excellent.

He has a record of fighting Wen Chou for thirty rounds to a draw.

But that's all.

In his opinion, he was still somewhat inferior to Xu Chu, who was under his command.

If that's the case, then what is there to fear?

However, it is clear that his information is outdated.

If it were six or seven years ago...

Zhao Yun's strength was indeed not great, because he had just entered the martial arts world at that time.

There was no process of fighting against top-level masters.

Moreover, they are in the early stages of adulthood.

His strength did not reach its peak.

Now, as time goes by, he has mastered the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear to an unparalleled degree.

He even created his own Seven-Probe Coiled Serpent Spear.

His strength had truly reached its peak.

After all, in a few years, Zhao Yun will be the one who single-handedly charges into Cao Cao's 830,000-strong army, making seven incursions and seven withdrawals.

Their strength is improving every single second.

We cannot view it with outdated perspectives.

However, Cao Cao was naturally unaware of this news.

Because of what happened to Brother Zhao Yun, he hasn't taken action for many years.

The only time he ever made a move was when he killed an insignificant Chunyu Qiong.

Everyone knows what kind of person Chunyu Qiong is.

Despite its impressive reputation, its actual strength is utterly negligible.

He was far inferior to Ji Ling.

Not to mention comparing him to his general Xu Chu.

"As ordered."

Xu Chu nodded and immediately strode out.

"please."

Soon, a space about ten meters long was created on the city wall by the crowd.

Enough for two people to fight.

"please."

Both of them are ruthless.

Without further ado, they launched a fierce attack on the other side.

After all, everyone with eyes can see that now.

This battle was largely related to the situation of their respective lords.

Naturally, it's impossible for them to hold back.

"drink."

Xu Chu roared, his arm veins bulging, and the ancient sword in his hand drew a semi-circle in the air.

With a single, powerful strike, he cleaved Mount Hua in two, aiming straight for Zhao Yun's head.

"Well done."

Zhao Yun's expression remained unchanged.

He dodged his attack with just a slight sidestep, then kicked out with his right foot, the spear in his hand.

He thrust straight at the opponent's chest.

Xu Chu was greatly surprised.

He quickly dodged it.

For a moment, the two men clashed wildly on the city wall like two fierce tigers.

In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged more than thirty blows.

As time went on, Xu Chu, who had been evenly matched with Xu Chu, was now sweating profusely.

Although they haven't fallen behind yet, judging from the current situation...

It's only a matter of time before we fall into a disadvantageous position.

"I didn't expect Zhao Yun to be so strong. I'm afraid Xu Chu will be at a disadvantage in less than fifty rounds."

Although Cao Cao was not a top-tier expert.

But don't think he was just a scholar; someone who could assassinate Dong Zhuo must have had some real skills.

Even if they can't compare to the top experts.

But they still have good eyesight.

In an instant, the difference between the two became apparent.

Xu Chu was indeed very strong, and foot combat was his forte.

However, the opponent's attacks are more suited to a battle formation charge.

Every move was powerful and heavy, made with all one's might.

This is a move commonly used by people with superhuman strength.

One strike and you're dead; a mere bump into you is an injury.

Therefore, the power of each move is immense.

In contrast, Zhao Yun followed a skill-based approach, relying on agility and dexterity.

It wouldn't be a problem for the two to fight in a short period of time.

However, the longer the time...

The greater the strain on Xu Chu, the more he will be drained.

After all, Xu Chu's every move was powerful and heavy, which took a huge toll on his stamina.

If the other party confronts you head-on, that's fine.

But the opponent happened to take a more agile approach.

They simply won't confront you head-on.

It's like having immense power within you, but being unable to unleash it—it's incredibly frustrating.

"Oh no, Zhao Yun's attack method is completely different from Xu Chu's."

"If this continues, even with Xu Chu's innate superhuman strength, he won't be able to hold out for long."

"On the contrary, we must concentrate on dealing with the opponent's lightning-fast attacks."

"It was a huge drain on him, both mentally and physically."

"I'm afraid he won't last a hundred rounds before he's defeated."

The generals behind Cao Cao were all formidable figures.

The difference between the two sides was quickly apparent.

His expression changed slightly.

"Brother, I think we should take advantage of the fact that Zhao Yun is currently being held back by Xu Chu."

"We'll take down Zhou Heng."

"Even if the other party has extraordinary abilities, they will be hesitant to act rashly."

"how do you feel?"

Xiahou Dun said in a low voice.

He then looked at his younger brother.

"Brother, don't hesitate, this is a rare opportunity."

"If Xu Chu is defeated, I'm afraid that the few of us might not be able to defeat the combined forces of Zhang He, Gao Lan, and Zhao Yun, the Four Pillars of Hebei."

"Now, while Zhao Yun is tied up, we can take advantage of the situation."

"As long as Miao Cai and I join forces to stop Zhang He and Gao Lan, the remaining Zhou Heng and Xin Ping are just scholars, powerless and helpless. They can be easily manipulated by you, elder brother."

"Once he falls into our hands, even if he has extraordinary abilities, he won't be able to use them and will only be able to serve us."

“Even his troops, Xuzhou belongs to us.”