Chapter 97: The Three Heroes Battle Su Ming

A single fall from the horse could be dismissed as carelessness—no matter. But to fall twice in succession, that was downright embarrassing!

Zhang Fei once again tumbled from his mount, landing squarely on the ground in a humiliating heap.

Su Ming did not rush to strike; instead, he teased, “Oh! You’ve fallen off your horse again.”

“Zhang Yide, have you eaten too much today? Or not enough? What’s the matter with you, falling twice in a row like this?”

Zhang Fei had been stubborn moments before. He claimed that his second brother, Guan Yu, lost to Su Ming at the Yellow River ferry due to illness. Now Su Ming turned the question on Zhang Fei himself: “Are you feeling unwell today, too?”

Su Ming’s words dripped with mockery, and Zhang Fei wished he could disappear into a mouse hole. His pride stung deeply at the taunt.

Despite knowing full well that he was no match for Su Ming, Zhang Fei was determined to prove his worth. After mounting his horse, he charged at Su Ming once more.

He thought to himself, “When has Zhang San ever been so humiliated? Even if I can’t defeat you today, I’ll at least drench you in blood.”

Seeing Zhang Fei throw himself into the fight so desperately, Liu Bei watching from behind could no longer remain calm.

Zhang Fei was clearly outmatched, yet he pressed on—wasn’t this courting death?

“Once or twice is understandable, but not a third time!” Liu Bei said anxiously. “Our third brother has fallen twice already; why continue to fight?”

His gaze turned to Guan Yu. The meaning was clear: Second brother, don’t just watch—go help our third brother!

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were sworn brothers, their bond forged with blood and loyalty. Guan Yu knew Zhang Fei’s nature well: fiercely proud and unwilling to lose face. Having fallen twice already, if he couldn’t best Su Ming today, it would be a disaster.

For days now, Guan Yu had refrained from battle, sparing the Cao camp from harm out of gratitude to Cao Cao for letting him go.

But now, with Zhang Fei’s life at stake, Guan Yu could no longer hold back.

Though Cao Cao treated him well, it could never compare to the bond shared between the three brothers.

As Zhang Fei teetered on the brink of defeat, Guan Yu spurred his legendary Red Hare horse forward, gripping his Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

“Su Ming, do not harm my third brother!” he roared, charging like a blazing sunset cloud towards Su Ming.

Without hesitation, Guan Yu plunged into the fray, unleashing his signature moves.

His first three strikes were powerful and heavy—his most formidable technique.

Though Guan Yu lacked Zhang Fei’s stamina, his explosive strength far surpassed him.

Seeing Guan Yu’s charge, Su Ming shifted his focus.

He had faced Guan Yu before and did not underestimate those first three strikes.

The likes of Hua Xiong, Yan Liang, and Wen Chou—fearsome generals all—had fallen to those opening blows.

In the blink of an eye, Guan Yu closed the distance.

Without a word, he raised his blade and struck.

“Clang!”

The heavy clash rang out as Su Ming blocked the first strike.

Unyielding, Guan Yu swung the second blow.

Su Ming’s Phoenix Wing Golden Halberd swept forward, meeting the strike with another resounding “clang!”—he blocked the second as well.

Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, sworn brothers and frequent sparring partners, knew each other’s moves intimately.

Zhang Fei understood just how deadly those first three strikes were.

Yet even after two, Guan Yu had failed to breach Su Ming’s defense.

“Impressive kid!” Zhang Fei admitted begrudgingly, unable to deny Su Ming’s martial prowess.

The fight stirred memories of the three heroes battling Lü Bu beneath Hulao Pass.

“Second brother, let’s attack together.”

“You strike at his upper three routes; I’ll take the lower three!” Zhang Fei shouted to Guan Yu.

The two brothers launched a coordinated assault—Guan Yu with his fearsome third strike, Zhang Fei wielding his mighty spear.

Su Ming remained unruffled: his right hand wielded the Phoenix Wing Golden Halberd, clashing with Guan Yu’s Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

His left hand deftly drew a golden hammer to block Zhang Fei’s spear.

“Clang! Clang!”

One after another, the clash of metal rang out as Su Ming absorbed their combined assault.

His horse swayed slightly under the force, clearly feeling the impact.

Though strained, Su Ming held firm.

However, Guan Yu’s initial three strikes had drained some of his strength—his combat power dropped from 100 to 98.

Now, with both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at 98, even their combined might could not overwhelm Su Ming.

After fifty exchanges, the three remained evenly matched.

But by the hundredth round, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu sensed something amiss.

The two brothers were exhausted, their strength waning with each strike.

Yet Su Ming seemed invigorated, as if fueled by an unseen energy.

Battling such formidable opponents had greatly enhanced Su Ming’s own abilities.

At this point, the fusion rate of Yuwen Chengdu’s martial soul within him had risen steadily, reaching 98%.

At fifty rounds, it hit 98%, and even after a hundred rounds, it remained steady.

It seemed to have plateaued.

The pressure exerted by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had reached its limit.

Suddenly, Su Ming recalled the battle beneath Hulao Pass—the three heroes against Lü Bu.

If Guan Yu and Zhang Fei’s combined strength was all he faced, then it was time to add one more.

With a smirk, Su Ming taunted, “Is that all you two brothers can do? If so, I’d have you both under my horse in less than thirty moves.”

“By the way, what about your fourth brother, Zi Long? Rested enough? If so, bring him out here too!”

His words sent a chill through the watching generals on both sides.

They thought, What audacity! This youth dares to challenge three top generals alone.

(End of chapter)