The Master Artisant of Peach Garden Style (Battle of Changban part 6)
In the years of Taiyuan (376 - 396 AD) of the reign of Emperor Xiaowu of Jin dynasty, there lived in Wuling a man who made his living as a fisherman. Sailing up a stream one day, he forgot how far he had travelled when all at once he saw a grove of peach blossoms stretching hundreds paces on both banks of the stream. There were no other kinds of trees but verdant grass in full splendour an angry flowers in profusion. Enticed by the sight, the fisherman sailed on to have a complete view of the grove - Tao Yuanming's essay of Peach Blossom Springs
XXX
Everyone fell silent before the scene before them.
The sudden throw of two javelin right before them made both Zhang Liao and Zhang He momentarily taken back. Their warhorse was startled that it need to be calmed, and fortunately it was the less problem they faced. Because a bigger problem is awaiting nonchalantly right before them.
"Wenyuan, aren't you going to march?" Zhang He asked although she herself felt wary.
"It is not that I am afraid, but…." Shia gritted her teeth, her eyes fell on the dust cloud raised behind this lone fellow. Having more experience from past numerous battle, Wenyuan was less reckless than her early day of serving Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu. Her intuition and experience has sharpened her as more capable general who can judge wisely on the situation and not act based on spur of emotion no matter what situation she faced.
It is indeed understandable that these two elites of elites among Cao Cao's army was halting their movement, after seeing a lone warrior standing on this Changban bridge, separating the big river. Her figure was like a drunk man driven by her madness. She stood by calmly as if waiting for a challenge for her figure, halting everyone trying to pass here. Alone, guarding this place.
Everyone was taken for a moment seeing this unusual sight. Previously a single madman has brave through their undomittable formation now another mad man was stand tall here, and though it was a desolate and lonely scene where everything comes to a tranquil serene sight of soundless beauty stand before them. The sound of soldiers marching and warhorse trampling come to end, but in their mind the beating sound of wardrums shouts loudly on their mind as if a situation of raging battlefield.
Zhang Liao and Zhang He both was still trying to assess the situation before them. As they still thinking, Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Jie finally catch up with them.
"Sister Wenyuan! Why are you stopping?" as she asked Shia who remain alerted, her eyes was set on the small figure of a warrior standing on guard atop of the bridge. "She is just one man who has lost her mind!" As she shouted her discontent she rushed riding on the bridge "Follow me, Xiahou Jie!"
"Yes sister!"
"Ah wait!" Zhang He yelled in anguish while Zhang Liao grumbled in annoyance "That idiot!" Wenyuan finally force her warhorse, followed by Zhang He. "does not she notice that this was plain suspicious!?"
"Haha…! She is just one midget standing on our path! I am not afraid…." While she spoke of her feeling which rushing to her brain, she did not notice that the bridge was hard to cross as if intentionally tampered. "Eh!? Why is it hard to move on!?" as her mind was distracted by this obstacle on this narrow bridge, she did not notice Zhang Fei rushing closer to her with her viper lance swung toward her direction
"Little Xiahou Ba!" "sister!" even Xiahou Jie was shocked by her sudden display of ginkang in welcoming their attack, so fast unhindered by this narrow space in this bridge! The lance raised and her small figure gave her advantage that her opponent easily missed her presence. While they are distracted and caught unprepared of this sudden assault, and it was just then that Xiahou Ba finally turned to see that her life was beyond the door to the other world (I mean death). She unknowingly cursed on realizing her predicament.
"Shi…-" but it was too late, the lance was swung hard, and lowered… cleaving the body…. at that time Xiahou Ba's horsemanship was greatly unbalanced by the uneven ground of the bridge surfaced that the attack coincidently missed its target, but…. As she lost her balance, another thing from her was cut. Her saddle and stir up was cleaved and cut, with her warhorse becoming the main victim of this sudden attack.
The attack send her down , falling into the river followed with a big splash.
"Little Xiahou Ba!" the other warriors, especially Zhang Liao and Zhang He shouted in shock and dismay thinking that she got finished in loud splash. Xiahou Jie who is thinking of Xiahou Ba's safety lessened his own warhorse pace and quickly looked for her from above the bridge "sister! sister Xiahou Ba!"
Another splashing sound from the river, and it was Xiahou Ba struggling to rise to the water surface, quickly swimming against the current "Damn! this river is deep!" She coughed as she felt some of the water got swallowed in, "I thought I was a goner!" thankfully, her horse become her shield of the sudden impact and the attack missed because she was struggling in controlling her wobbly horsemanship due to the broken bridge's surface.
There is a looks of relief from Xiahou Jie, seeing his Xiahou sister's safety. But as he was about to concern himself with the sister's well being, he notices Xiahou Ba's countenance paled and looked panicked "Xiahou Jie, behind you!" as he turned back, Zhang Fei already moved behind him and raised her serpent lance aimed at him… with single thrust it would be the end for his life. He looked stunned seeing the supposedly the end of his life with the looks of butcher knife behind him to slaughter him.
*Clang-!
"Oh, no you don't!" Wenyuan shouted as she quickly pulled back Xiahou Jie from Zhang Fei's unblockable spear thrust, while the spear itself was blocked with great difficulty using Zhang He's full body length tian sword; the Defeater of Evil.
"Tsk." Zhang Fei looked visibly annoyed by the sudden interference, and indeed it was a feat almost impossible as Zhang Wenyuan herself was forced to abandon her stallion and use ginkang due to the narrow width nature of this Changban bridge along the wide river. Both of these two veteran generals was forced to abandon their superiority in speed to save their comrade. RinRin grin grow wider seeing the old face again.
"Junyi, can you hold her out?" Wenyuan asked while she was busy dragging Xiahou Jie. Her attention was at Zhang He who used most of her strength to defend Zhang Fei's hard attack. Zhang He gave a simple nodded and she turned to Xiahou Jie "Brother Xiahou Jie, are you harmed?"
"No, my apologize for giving you the trouble." Xiahou Jie was quite stunned, but his heart burned with rage of this humiliated defeat "That bitch… i will make her pay." Zhang Liao however quickly pulled him away. "It is unwise to act carelessly, please withdraw first for now." Xiahou Jie nodded, he felt a bit injury from the lance grazing him. Zhang He notices this at simple glance and spoke to Wenyuan while she hold RinRin's continous attack.
"Wenyuan, go get brother Xiahou Jie to safety." Zhang He turned to Zhang Liao urging her help Xiahou Jie. "I stay here to hold this fellow for a while."
"Careful, Junyi." Zhang Liao asserted "The Art of Tactics (Wu Zi) says; 'for one to attack ten, nothing is better than a narrow defile. For ten to attack hundred, nothing is better than deep ravine. For hundred to attack ten thousand, nothing is better than a dangerous pass'."
Now if you have a small number of troops, ambush your enemy in confined road, sounding the war drums and gongs. Even if their numbers are great, they would be startled. Thus it is said, when employing larger troops, fight in flat terrain; when employing smaller troops, fight in naturally confined terrain." - Art of Tactics (Wu Zi), on the chapter when outnumbered by enemies.
"Yeah, I get it….. the possibility of ambuh is still large." Zhang He swung her full body length tian sword into hard swing to force RinRin to move back and made distance with her. "But, I know this fellow too well…. So rest assured." The beautiful and graceful general whose long black hair made every male gasp as if forgotting to breath calmly declared with looks of confidence toward this tiny female general who looked glaringly threatening.
Well… once again, to remind you readers…. Zhang He was modelled after Kotonoha Katsura from Schooldays, and she is sooooo hottt! That I complain why so lacking of her getting raped by Sawanaga scene! Makoto was boring! (except in cross day manga) yeah you see… the scene when Taisuke rape Kotonoha was sooo interesting that I felt the need to store them in my phone and enjoy them whenever I feel bored. What a pity that Cross day has no such interesting scene… but I heard HQ had Sekai got raped but where the fuck!? I fail to find them except the boring half hearted 3some… on the other hand Shiny battle days has fun adult Kokoro getting molested all her whole life by Makoto (HIGH FIVE SIR!), man…! and adult Kokoro is so beautiful … as expected from Katsura gene! She is soooo tasty… and her background story is very very very interesting. Makoto taking advantage of her innocence repeatedly molest and raped her which made her often depressed but she kept this secret because she does not want to hurt her sister feeling who has got impregnated by Mankoto (what a good girl! hahahahaha!) Damn… I want to see what kind of face Kokoro made whenever she sees Mankoto and Kotonoha happily talking each other intimately ….. it needed to be made into special scene…. But alas, overflow only care about stupid boring shit. I mean who cares about this and that or about Mankoto father or what!?
RinRin grinned dangerously seeing Zhang He dashed with brandished 'Defeater of Evil' artifact filled with intention to kill her, while Zhang Liao has pulled both Xiahou Jie and Xiahou Ba back to the other side of the bridge while waiting for the remaining army of Cao Cao to arrive here.
"Onee-chan, you are too brave. Do you think that you can handle RinRin alone?" RinRin mocked Zhang He as they are exchanging blows as the viper lance spun parrying the quick moving swordsmanship which based on the girl taught by big white baboon (or an ape). "You underestimate RinRin too much-nanoda!" the lance once again thrusted right toward Zhang He's vital point.
However, Zhang He unfazedly directed the attack and parried them to hit empty air, an elegant move from the Yue Maiden Sword. with thin mocking smile, the sword spun after parrying the attack to drill through RinRin' defense.
"Fu." Zhang He calmly speak "I've defeated you last time, would it be different now?"
RinRin cooly avoided her sword stab, as she pulled the viper lance, she made sweeping motion which force Zhang He to move backward as the narrow bridge limited her space for fighting, and thankfully RinRin small figure gave her more advantage and she seems used fighting in this kind of ground. As Zhang He moved back RinRin changed her handling of her viper lance, in a sudden movement she pulled the lance and straighten them up to stand tall and then in succession move grabbed them and use them to throw her body to send a double kick at Zhang He direction.
Zhang He, unaware and caught unprepared of this unorthodox move was taken aback as she can not contain the force of RinRin bouncing at her and blowing her back behind. She was pushed back as she desperately defend herself, followed by RinRin cries in using most of her weight to force her down on this single blow.
"Kuh-!" Zhang He was blown, as she felt RinRin hitting hard her body back. Though her light armor managed to protect her most, but the force RinRin made by this sudden attack blow her back behind and enough to made her kneeled down.
As she was still struggling after attack, RinRin continue by raising her viper lance hight to deliver a finishing blow while she is unprepared from her attack. Zhang He relying on her intuition quickly defended herself although she almost barely get the lethal blow. And the loud noise of two metal weapon impacting , as both gritted… but now… RinRin herself wore a mocking expression seeing Zhang He struggling to defend herself.
"Don't flatter yourself onee-chan." RinRin spoke as they are clashing weapon again. She spun her viper lance again after making a distance before delivering the second blow "you only won against RinRin because there is onii-chan with you last time. Now, you will not be so fortunate." RinRin glared "Because RinRin is actually very strong!"
Zhang He gritted her teeth, feeling cold seething fury in her body, as RinRin has spoke the thing that hurt her feeling most…. She calmly made another battle stance after she recovered. "Little kid…. You've dared me now." The feeling engulfing Zhang He was now the intention to really take
"Onee-chan seems to be the type who easily lose her cool whenever got provoked…." RinRin continue with her belittling expression, "Not that hard opponent." RinRin continue her sneer, however Zhang He already dashed toward her with sword raised and pointed straight at her.
"Yue Maiden Sword… - Zhuan Zhu slays King Liao….."
This assassination move was supposedly one of the most frightening killer move of the Yue Maiden Sword style martial arts, however…. Zhang He seems to forgot several things. The bridge narrow situation made her attack path predictable as it only goes straight forward, hence she lost in momentum and surprise element. Secondly…..
"Nano…..DA!" RinRin easily read her attack due to this advantageous battle terrain which mostly like 2D fighting game, if this is 3d you can still scroll away to avoid the incoming attack however the straight line limit made her strike easily read and her opponent can easily made preventing move.
With thrusting sweep, the attack was stopped and Zhang He was overwhelmed by Zhang Fei's greater strength. Zhang Fei in second move after locking her attack exerted most of her strength to push Zhang He back to the other side of the bridge where she come from.
Impatience…. Just like how Yang Xiu reprimand her on the way she fight. Zhang He felt a bit discontent after being thrown back at the end of the bridge and expulsed away with her mere strength. She sighed….advisor…. do am I still that powerless … which is why you asked me to refine my emotion?
"Really powerful….. as Yunchang once spoke to me during our private time."
Zhang He and Zhang Liao sees that Karin and her troops has stationed and waited before the bridge, admiring they way they fought earlier…. Who would have thought she had finally reached this place when less expected? As the old saying goes; Speak of Cao Cao and thus she arrives….. or not. No one is mentioning her by the way.
"However…. You are alone, while most of my army is here…. Do you really think that you can take us all alone?" Karin asserted, as she calmly asked atop her stallion.
RinRin sees that most of Cao Cao's army swarming this place even more frightening than the swarm of hungry locust during the plague. She unfazedly welcomed their arrival without any looks of being discouraged, no her face spoke only of confidence and no shreds looks of fright exist in her face.
"Curly onee-chan… (She meant Karin btw), RinRin is very strong you know?" Her eyes glared and shone as if a mad beast released from its bound.
Karin calmly spoke "even if it is true, you are but a one man…. could you guard this bridge alone then? No matter how mad or powerful you are…."
"That does not matter…. RinRin is here…. And while RinRin is standing here….. NOONE SHALL GET TO PASS HERE! That is what I promised to Sei and Tohka nee-chan!"
"I see…" Karin seeing that persuasion would not work anymore gave a hand gesture for her army to make a move, troops quickly arrange themselves while still cautioning of the terrain here, it was still technically place where the advantage of number does not matter in narrow battle ground however… it now depend on RinRin's persistance. "First troop, prepare for my command."
On hearing her declaration that those massive army was about to move against her, RinRin resolved herself and accept this situation with bright smile…. With a feeling of power surging inside her… whether it is her adrenaline or excitement that a stage is prepared for her to show off her true skilll, she once again brandished her viper lance…. With a resolve like a demon standing in guard.
"Onii-chan said that there is a power sleeping within me." RinRin declared with a large grin, but this sinister smile was different from her usual playful attitude. "Though… I never believe even for a second of his evaluation…"RinRin stopped as if reminiscing something that made her feeling filled with unspoken yearning and longing for someone. "That is because RinRin's power is always awaken!" It is as if different person was speaking now.
Both Karin, Shia (Zhang Liao), Zhang He, and most of Cao Cao's general was perplexed by the unbelievable scene and what they heard just now. It was something that they would never forget…. Something that awoke their basic instinct to seek for perserving their life….. While the figure of Zhang Fei swinging her famed viper lance burned into their mind and started getting blurry, as if their eyes playing tricks on them… as it get distorted and …..
"Fantasy Move: The Peach Garden Artist!"
A figure of well endowed slender warrior whose elegance and beauty comparable even to the like of Zhang He and Yunchang stood in place of the early tiny warrior who use the name 'Zhang Fei Yide'… this strong looking warrior whose looks of elegance sparked and unhindered by her pressuring feeling she stood with determination and resolve beyond life and death spun the viper lance which RinRin previously wielded (welll easily speaking without metaphor or hyperbole … she is the adult version of RinRin who might made you surprised that the figure of snotty lil brat she had usually vanished without trace now). As fogs of war dispersed and their vision returned, they looked shocked seeing this unknown fellow in place of brat RinRin.
As their confusion and perplexion was still remain, the elegant lady made a threatening looks and declared which finally erased all doubt and suspicion of this lady identity. With viper lance in her hand, and her mature looks and big boobs…. The air of experienced mature pugilist …. Who had transcended her naivety and curiosity…. She declared.
"VILLAIN CAO! ZHANG YIDE OF YAN IS HERE!"
Everyone although they know it themselves that before them are but a single warrior standing on their path… unknowingly the feeling of fright made them startled beyond belief. Even their horse shared their master feeling that they resist the control because of this unspeakable fear.
While the riders and most of Cao Cao's soldier try to calm their resisting stallion, the more experienced warriors like set their eyes on this lone madman. The strategists on the other hand tries hard to readthrough and predict this fellow's real thought concealed behind this blatant bravado.
But one thing is sure for now, that before them is really Zhang Yide who stand alone guarding this Changban bridge, waiting for a challenge… before he present her aesthetic sense before Cao Cao's whole army.
Even in my sleep, my eyes remained unclosed…. So how could I am ignorant of my own power?
XXX
The grove stretched as far as the source of the stream, where the fisherman found a hill with an opening that seemed to be lit within. He left his boat and entered the opening. At first the opening was very narrow, barely allowing him to pass, but as he went on some dozen of paces, a wide view suddenly opened before him! - Tao Yuanming's essay of Peach Blossom Springs
Before them is a long narrow bridge laid above the Han (Xiang) river which flows down to the south to the Great River (Changjiang). The whole army was halted because of the appearance of this single warrior guarding the entrance of the bridge. This was such unexpected situation beyond their common sense and they are uncertain how to react on it. Meanwhile the strategist and general was not seeing this lone warrior but the rising dust and smoke beyond the forest at the opposite of the ground across the bridge.
Everything seems to come to a halt. Some scouts were sent to look another passing, so it maybe an attempt to delay and distract this guardian while they would flank her from behind. This however has not gave them effective solution to remedy this trouble before them.
"The dust cloud behind her…. it could be an ambush." Xun You asserted in irritation as she fail to read through the opponent's mind. "Damn it…." on the other hand Cao Cao does not seems to react and only made careful observation. Then, she finally gestured some soldiers to take care of her.
The five man riders move and charged toward the narrow bridge entrance , they take her each from different direction to make her unable to retaliate. That was the plan however…. The fair lady lowered her body and made arc moving sweep movement, and it cleaved through right toward all direction they try to take her down. A movement like a serpent.
All quickly felled before her mighty viper lance, and smirking as if unsatisfied and gave her opponent mocking sneer, she voiced her discontent in her loud howl.
"THIS ZHANG FEI IS ALREADY HERE! AREN'T THERE ANY MORE WORTHY CHALLENGER!?"
Her loud howl shocked the whole ground and disturbed the animal hiding in the forest and at the Changban's steppe and once again the soldiers and the warhorse was feeling threatened as if facing a big predator who is their natural enemy. Panic ensues with her howl that was like a frightening beast.
It was as if her voice contained most of her strength and power that it enough to shake off their confidence and morale. In Chinese martial arts there is a skill which had a similar effect as it also weaponize the soundwave into ultrasonic rate that might rupture the eardrum of their opponents. It does not matter whether the voice is loud or not according to (db) decibel measurement, as it influence the height of soundwave frequency acceptable below man's ear (infrasonic). As the continous exposure to low frequency soundwave might influence human with odd sensation like nauseate feeling or even as far as hallucination, some might harm man's internal organ.
In Chinese Martial Arts, this move of focusing qi energy to dantian and transferring them to voice chord and expell them as if ball of energy into soundwave is known as 'Lion's Roar' technique. It is a technique way more frightening than expelling ball of energy like kamehameha or hadouken, because you can not see soundwave, neither can you measure its reach of distance. By the way if you don't understand my explanation, don't feel bad because I am just jerking around writing gibberish to make this explanation look lengthy and cool, but honesty I don't get what I am writing about this so called 'Lion's Roar' technique. However learning from Kungfu Hustle, the old lady Xiaolongnu used a hollowed down bronze mast bell to enhance her Lion Roar's technique like a big megaphone (not that really new because Chinese TV Drama God of Honor/Nezha also do the same) oh and also Xie Xun from Jin Yong's YitianTulongji also used the same martial arts beside Qishangquan (well… Kazuto's Phantom Movement Shaytaan was based on Qiankundanuoyi thought :P).
Zhang Fei's Lion Roar was so frightening that it affect not just the animal hidings behind the forest but even Cao Cao's army horse and subsconsciously their rider. It indirectly spoke of how high the influence she made psychologically and mentally to each of them, by this blunt provocation. That is why even the experienced warhorse grow restless.
Seeing her provocation had no effect, Zhang Fei push more of her words to incite them into blind rage. A clever psychological maneuver of attacking their warrior's conscience. She laughed loud mocking them.
"HAHAHAHA! A MIGHTY ARMY OF THE NORTH TOO SCARED TO MAKE ANY MOVE!" Zhang Fei raised her viper lance in insulting gesture. "COME HERE YOU COWARD! I DARE YOU!" followed by her loud laughter.
Well this worked, and they felt impatient as Cao Cao and her strategist has not given them permission to make a move, while buzzing of their anger and frustation grows louder. Some of them yelled loudly "F*CK! YOU THINK WE SCARED!? I'LL GIVE YOU ONE!" most of them about to rush if not stopped by their commanders glare.
Zhang Fei meanwhile walked closer to their direction, which made them further inflamed. Cao Cao cursed "Damn, she know how to incite our troop…. Too narrow, this terrain goes to her favor… she know how to take advantage of her favorable terrain…."
"Our troops are getting impatient, this girl is not as stupid as she looks…. The time we fall to her instigation… that is the time we fall prey to her trap." Xun You asserted, and thus she decide to make another gesture to let another group of riders to attack her.
Yet the result is still the same.
As the riders rush and come closer to the reach of the viper lance, at that time they see their head separated from their body! blood splattered as the head separated like a droplet of red rain soaking the soil, bursting into brilliant color mesmerizing the observer who falls into fright and admiration to this scenery.
Like a master painter showing off her masterpiece in creation. The swinging movement of the viper lance was like Wang Zhixi's brush flowing endlessly without stopping as each lines produces words.
Too easy…. the time when the body and the head separated, it was done in brilliant simplicity as if an ordinary scene, as if the master showed her superficial skills….. indeed…. It was not just like she was used to do it, but because such things was but an ordinary thing for her.
Indeed…
Amongst hundred thousands of my enemies…. I still take their head with ease ….. Yes! very easy, like fetching items from own pocket!
The splattered droplets of blood after the blade separated their heads, bursting open and fallen down like floating flower petals …. As if painting the scenery, like newly bloomed peach blossom trees in her garden.
"Now got you." Xun You calmly spoke, as the master painter was distracted by this melancholic feeling. With cold smile to reply her mocking laughter, Yue Jin's Elite Qingzhou army was getting closer to her direction with Li Dian's group serving as the van. On the other hand Yu Jin elite archers group, Xu Huang's cavalry was already on the move.
XXX
There was an expansive plains scattered with orderly houses, lush fields, beautiful ponds and clumps of mulberry and bamboo trees. Foothpath crisscrossed the fields where the crowing of cocks and the barking of dogs were heard within distance. The men and womend working in the fields were attired in the same manners as the people living outside; both old and young enjoyed happy life. They were amazed to see the fisherman and asked him where he had come from. - Tao Yuanming's essay of Peach Blossom Springs
"Moron." Li Dian, leading the van smirked as she calmly gestured her troops to open direct fire. At once the simplified Qin Style crossbow were releasing their bolts. Zhang Fei calmly moved back several step slowly before sommersaulting backward to avoid the fire. She managed to avoid most of the fire and repelled the rest with her viper lance. Li Dian shouted "Now, General Yu Jin!"
"The wind is not favorable, however…." Yu Jin lowered her hands, ordering his elite archer groups to open volley to Zhang Fei's direction. This time is more precise as it was unlike length limited crossbow. Zhang Fei jumped back once and make a hard landing, making the tampered woods on the bridge hurled up.
As the barrages of arrows comes at her like a violent downpour from above, she calmly twisted her viper lance and spun it to repel most of the shot, the sight was chilling and mind blowing for them seeing each of the arrows trying to reach her was dropping down around her without managing to strike her down. Though the hurling arrows was almost like unstoppable downpour, and her spear play was dazzlingly stunning that it was as if out of this world, like how master calligrapher control her writing brush.
The warrior lady with the viper lance unflinchingly strike down all the arrows fired away like swarm of lotus, and everyone look greatly stunned seeing she blocked every arrows shot at her. though indeed she had the advantage of narrow positioning to measure out the arrows trajectory but strike down those arrows was beyond belief. Yu Jin seeing this was momentarily perplexed before he announced before his elite archer units, and declared them loudly to let them heard.
"…Enough, prepare for second volley." Right after the barrage has lessened. In succession, another group of arrow replaced the exhausted first group and then…. "Now… fire away!" Yu Jin spoke.
As Zhang Fei was kneeling down after exhausting herself of repelling and deflecting most of the attack alone, she was stunned seeing another volley was shot again. Gritting her teeth and feeling her grip on the viper lance become firmer, she quickly rosed up and jumped backward… for moment it was a move to gave her time to avoid the closest arrows, but another reason is….
As she made a hard landing, the dilapidated bridge shaken away, and then she raised up the bridge platform which she already tampered back then to act as a shield for her to protect her from being shot by the arrows. Hiding herself behind those makeshift mantlet ignoring the violent downpour of the rain of arrows, while she gathered the remaining recovered energy.
The archers group was stunned seeing her action. It seems she already make account of this situation hence she made those preparation beforehand beside the hiding troops behind the forest which they had suspected since they reached this place. The raised bridge platform acting as her wall of protection was showered down with numerous arrows, and noticing that the arrows has lessened, she calmly discard those walls and kicked them toward the archers at powerful blows.
The archer was shocked by those flying walls, but as soon as those walls flunged at them Yue Jin kicked them down with her bare handed martial arts which resembled Hung Gar style. Seeing this made Zhang Fei grinning mockingly, while Yue Jin only sees her coldly… and thus she shouted again with voice filled with qi energy like her previous use of Lion's roar;
"Villain Cao! Aren't you going to march forward or are you too afraid of this single warrior standing on your path?" Zhang Fei declared "HAHAHAA! You think you can bully me by relying on this numbers of soldier? Think again Villain CAO!" Zhang Fei glared, and some of the soldiers once again was affected by her imposing looks. "WATCH THIS EXALTED ZHANG SPANKING YOUR BUTT!"
A javelin was retrieved hidden beneath the bridge platform and tossed at high velocity right toward Cao Cao's army direction, the soldiers was startled by how powerful her display of throw was, judging from the range she shown it.
"HA! ONCE AGAIN!" Another javelin was tossed straight aiming at Cao Cao herself "COME FORWARD! AFRAID?" while the soldiers frantically ran trying to avoid the attack Cao Cao herself unflincingly stood on her position without trying to avoid… this is not because of her arrogance or what but because….
She trust the skill of her loyal warriors. As she unflinchingly and calmly watch the javelin's tip stopped right before her eyes. "How frightening….. her throw even surpassed the range and the power of a released arrow." Karin calmly commented as if sharing her opinion to Xu Chu who had stopped the javelin with her Fantasy Move 'Bronze Colossus of Qin' , cladded in full heavy armor…. Smoke rises from the javelin having stopped and grabbed midair in its flight.
Xu Chu coldly remarked "indeed, Karin-sama. What a throw." She calmly discarded the javelin and returned the javelin back to its owner with no less stunning throw. Zhang Fei let the javelin pass her by and landed one step before her. "General Yue Jin!"
Yue Jin nodded, and she changed the arrangement and let her Qingzhou infantry to arrange themselves in phalanx formation. Shield raised and spear leveled and they slowly move toward the bridge and cross atop of it. seeing this sight, Zhang Fei only grinned thinly as if waiting for this time to happen.
Yue Jin shouted "If she toss another javelin at us, ignore it. we can withstand it with the testudo acting as our wall!" The brave Qingzhou infantry yell expressing their confirmation at the order issued. And it did so, as they are starting to move atop the bridge, Zhang Fei suddenly walked away from their moving path.
"You are running away, now!?" Yue Jin shouted seeing Zhange Fei turned her back on them. But before she can spoke her frustation, she notices Zhang Fei's grinning from behind… and this made her looked confused pondering what is she planning to do. Zhang Fei stopped walking and then suddenly crouch down again, taking a single javelin with her. the soldiers prepared herself for the possibility of her aiming again at them. But no, this time Zhang Fei calmly wrapped around the lower part of the speartips with wet looking cloth.
And then…..
She lit the cloth and the javelin with fire, for a moment Yue Jin felt shudder in her gut feeling, quickly in her intuition she shouted her command "Everyone! pull back! Withdraw! Get off from the bridge!" The Qingzhou elite was unable to understand what their commanding officers order… on the other hand Zhang Fei's preparation are all but finished.
With condenscending looks, she raised the javelin and quickly hurling them right toward the Qingzhou army positioning. Yue Jin was startled in wide eyes seeing those fire spear thrown at their direction, her mind yelled in shock "Damn…. too late!"
The fire spear (javelin) struck the dilapidated bridge and soon it start to burn. The Qingzhou was startled and panick ensues. As the fire began to consumes the dry wood of the dilapidated bridge, no… it was also tampered to made them more prone to burning by soaking them before hand with oil and dried grass. Smoke and fire made them more panic and as they try to move back and this only made their situation worse that those caught in the middle of this disorder was trampled by their more powerful fellow who thought of their safety. Some even in their frantic decision decided to jump off the bridge uncarring of the violent water that Xiahou Ba herself almost get caught up and drown…. Or at least drifted away. In this frightening scene Zhang Fei's grim laughter can be heard.
And that is not just that, having burnt off, the wood of that bridge previously being tampered and only flimsily sustaining its own weight started to losing its strength after the fire and then….
*Crack….!
With a loud noise the bridge begin to crumble and collapse due to the weight it had to supported by the confused soldiers trying to avoid the fire attacks and having burnt and torn apart. This sight was horrifying as those soldiers was frantically running during the ensuing panic. Those atop and below the bridge was almost drown in the loud splash when the bridge collapsed and drown.
Yue Jin tries to calm the situation, but all her soldiers was frightened due to the collapsing bridge, those with clear minds tries to help those about to be drown and ordered to swam to safety.
"The old bridge collapsed, and I guess this is her doing." Xun You remarked in gritting teeth. "Damn, she got us bad." Xun You tries to calm her mind although Zhang Fei's annoying laughter almost made her lose concentration and temper.
Zhang Fei ended this part by moving her viper lance as if master calligrapher stopped moving her brush after giving the last mark from her brush. This only added to all Cao Cao's retainers frustation on this blatant humiliation she made to most of their armies.
"NOW, FOR MY FINISHING TOUCH!" Zhang Fei rose and move again her writing brush (Viper lance) her movement was smooth that it almost captvating like a lone figure of peach blossom tree across the riverside about to open its buds and flourish before the expecting appreciator. "Please witness it expectantly…."
…and let it burns deep in to your mind!
XXX
On their part, they told him how their ancestors had arrived at this remote corner of the world together with their wives, children and fellow villagers in order to escape the tyrannous rule of the Qin dynasty and how they had settled down here, cutting themselves from the rest of the world. When the fisherman asked them what dynasty they were living in, they were ignorant of the Han dynasty and let alone the Wei and Jin dynasties. - Tao Yuanming's essay of Peach Blossom Springs
Javelins was once again thrown relentlessly and the strength of each throws made the soldiers felt wary. Xu Huang and her cavalry groups routed the soldiers to keep them from losing the morale. Continous battlescream imbued with her Lion's roar made the soldiers morale influenced and seeing that she is alone, the soldiers are in danger of losing confidence and when the words lets out, it would made Cao Cao's elite become laughing stocks. That is what they try to avoid.
Karin was stunned and fell into contemplation, one part of her questioning why this fellow stubbornly guarding that bridge while risking her life without fear, on other part there is sense of worry that she has already fallen to the enemy traps, and if she carelessly pull out and routed the troops to avoid direct clash with Zhang Fei, she will become laughing stocks because her so called elite army was routed by one soldiers out of fear.
"She really got us bad, Xun You." Karin sighed, knowing that she can not release herself from this psychological trap which she suspected Kongming set up for her. "Now I can not flee even if I want to…. "
Witness it, witness this eerily moving scenery….
"My elite cavalry, archers, and infantry can not have their advantage because she already occupy the best position… and they can not unleash their full potential in such treacherous terrain."
"And here is a welcoming gift from Advisor Zhuge!" Zhang Fei fitted somekind of bags into the javelin where a string dangling out from it, and thus she litted the string as it become a fuse for the bags. "Welcome to the southern region, Villain Cao!"
The javelin was hurled fast, with frightening speed and strength as it produce a violent noise. While Cao Cao was pondering what kind of bag of trick Zhuge Liang had prepared for her this time, she notices that the bag attached made small explosion and spread fire around the ground.
Fire…. And the ground…. Is filled with dry grass steppe some in closer inspection was filled with dried rice husk, and straws. Cao Cao's mind stopped for a moment seeing the small fire and smoke it produces… then several javelins shot earlier acting like stakes as if a beacon to mark a target…
And the wind blows right to their direction…. Cao Cao pondered after thinking for herself while Zhang Fei only stood to oversee the small fire as if waiting for something…. Fire, smoke…. And as she dismounted from her stallion, and inspected the soil she found dried husk, straws, and even dried small branch often used for fire wood… could it be….. Karin pondered as she recall that this was like a preparation for incendiary tactics.
The dust of clouds which stopped her troops previously hiding behind the forest also stopped…. A distraction, and this…. She felt her mind was alarmed by this founding. The soils contain many inflammable materials deliberately set up here, and the javelin was like marking beacon … and that last bag of tricks was like warning… could it be there is some of them mixed…?
As Mengde finally realize what happened, from the opposing side of her standing, arrows were released… no, it was no ordinary arrows. It was a set barrage of … incendiary arrows! And as if her eyes was playing tricks to her… she notices that Zhang Fei once again gave a mocking smile followed with gesture as if inviting her to admire the finishing touch a maestro had already made.
And those barrage was mostly precise…. As they all hit near where the javelin made it marks with fire and smoke… and fire started to burn the ground, as if creating a wall of fire before them.
Xun You pondered…. That kind of precision, that kind of accuracy is what Beiping's White Riders are famous of…. And now, although Zhao Yun was not leading them in setting the ambush, a fellow whose archery was no less than her is in charge, no perhaps even she is the master herself.
Xiahou Yuan's eye might not be as good as her sister's fantasy move… however it was good enough to see who is leading them as the smoke and fogs of the war settles and faintly reveales it with careful sighting. And she gritted her teeth seeing the familiar face again…. Who previously humilate her…. that Huang Furen… with confident looks, ordering the archers troops of her own and the White Riders to pull away from the scene after finishing their task.
Fires sparks and it flared up… the air causing ash, dust and smokes flying and rising above….and the wind…. Fanned up the fire as it goes wilder and blows right to their direction, right before their faces.
"Karin-sama…. This…." Xun You who sees burning ashes, smokes dust and remaining embers and fire flying and blown by the wind…. Looks visibly worried. And Karin tacitly understand what this sly advisor try to imply…. That Liu Bei's has for long prepared an ambush right here in this position as if predicting that her troops will surely passing this place… hence the existence of preplanted flammable materials here deliberately mixed with grounds….and in this open plain where her mighty army from the north who had experienced numerous battle should have their full potential and advantage in deployment all was gathered here…. This made them like a sitting duck vulnerable for ambush and sudden attack. Thought there is still flaws for this plan, however Karin pondered who would have planned such desperate scheme?
Fire started and the soil became walls of fire and the obstacle for Cao Cao's army march. The other general frantically ordered for safety withdrawal and speedy evacuation to avoid the fire and smoke attack from this many walls of fire before them. And the size of the army that should have become their advantage turn this situation into a mess as they can not effectively mobilize as they slowly changing chain of command; turning van into rear and rear into van…. A situation that made everyone feeling nervous.
As the other generals are doing their job, Karin took this chance to converse with her sly advisor who is responsible for overall troop deployment. "Xun You, this traps…. Would not this delay our movement for long?"
"Indeed…. Just now I had a vision that the fire was a deliberate attempt to hinder our movement to Nanjun…" Xun You feeling furious "Damn, this delaying tactics! Could it be Liu Bei already reached Fortress Jiangling?"
"No, seeing for this kind of setting… I have different opinion. This fire was mostly deployed to buy time…. That Liu Bei has given up her intention to conquer Nanjun." Karin sighed… "Bridge destroyed and many refugees with her…. with such baggage she brought, marching to Nanjun would be a massacre…. She had directed to another place…." Karin sighed…. "So, Xuande… it seems our relationships are indeed iredeemable…. What a pity…. that we would oppose each other to the bitter end." Karin finally accept this having seen through what is beyond Zhang Fei's bluff in this Changban bridge.
The Analects of Confucius annotated: "My disciples, remember this! An oppressive government is even more frightening than a fierce tiger!"
XXX
The record of history did not describe Zhang Fei's detailed appearance nor mentioned her background as wine seller and butcher. It was believed that Luo Guanzhong with his creativity may have attributed those background and traits due to her shortcoming which caused her unfortunate demise.
Zhang Fei stood solemnly gazing and watching Cao Cao's army moving away from the fire and smokes blown right at their position. This scenery remind her of flower gazing at the time when the peach tree fully blossomed and its flowers flourish with winds blows carrying along its loose petals.
It was such a mesmerizing and enthralling sight, as the flower petals carried by the wind sparked far and releases its fragrance so the flower gazer can admire its pleasantness. It made everyone fascinated and drown into its beauty want to pour wines to enjoy the scene and burned it deep into mind… as the blooming flowers chills the feeling of everyone who had shared the beauty they displayed.
Even with Shan Fu's meticulous preparation and traps he had set up posthumously, and Zhuge Liang's bags of trick to use it to full potential and Huang Zhong's troops raining them down with fire and smoke alike carried by the wind… they would be no use and unexecuteable if not for this fellow who knows the wilderness and terrains like the back of her hands and her skill to manipulate her opponent's temper.
Impressive display! A masterpiece finished by the maestro herself!
Who would have thought that this was made possible by the fellow who was said as crude and brute? This masterpiece would made one fall into sigh of admiration having seen it themselves! A combination of ingenious complex artistry in the art of war… blossoming like brilliant flowers, as the old poems goes to recite it!
The young and elegant peach tree, brilliant are the blossoms.
I wish the young lady, to be affluent in food and drinks
-.-
The young and elegant peach tree, flourishing are its fruits.
I wish the young lady, to be prosperous in wealth
-.-
The young and elegant peach tree, luxuriant are its leaves
I wish the young lady, to be in comfortable abode
- Book of Ode (Shijing), Song of Southern Zhou, The Beautiful Peach Blossoms
Karin and the other generals who understand aesthetic beauty like her was fall into perplexion as they continou admire this bold move they were presented with… and they acknowledge it deep in their heart….
Indeed, She is the master artisant of Peach Garden style!
However…. Karin also smirked… "Mencius says; 'Read the poets real intention into expressions beyond words he write down.' Impressive stunt that Zhang Fei had displayed to us….really, worthy of respect!" But the words continued with darken expression coming from her side "Unfortunately…. I dare to say that you also have exhausted all your means to overcome us…." Karin thus clasped her hand as if giving her final respect to her. "Nice fight, Imperial Sister Liu…. However I doubt that you can continue resisting my army…. With only less than hundreds…. No perhaps it was not more than twenty strong men on your side?"
Everyone seems to be awakened by Karin's bold declaration, and even Zhang Fei was silenced… because …. She acknowledged that Mengde has seen right through her scheme…. bluff over bluff presented before them to ensure their success and safety in securing fleeing path… and this showdown in Changban bridge was their last bet.
Peach blossoms trees cannot spoke any words, yet a path is laid trodden beneath them. - Sima Qian's Record of Grand Historian (Shiji) on the biography of Li Guang
XXX
Extracted from Record of Three Kingdom (Sanguo Zhi) on the biography of Zhang Fei style named Yide:
Zhang Fei led 20 cavalrymen to act as the rearguard. She thus destroyed a bridge and guard them alone, glaring and pointing her spear toward the incoming army, shouting; "I am Zhang Yide of Yan! anyone can come and challenge me to fight to death!" None of the enemies dared to venture near, and a clashing of armies was avoided.
Hence, to this day it was famously remembered that Zhang Fei's shout repulse Cao Cao's army.
Author Note:
I lost my appetite in making comment, hence to the review:
Fire lord 626: you're welcome
Enigma95: well…. I dunno what you will expect, but I hope you enjoy this
Fire lord 626 (19/2): haven't make plan about Hinari, except that she will compete against Zhongda in Hanzhong
San: No, Hinari (Pang Tong Shiyuan) hates Dong Wu…. At least Renfa for monopolizing the thing she want most.
Tsun: well… I modelled this situation on Drupadi's cheerharan. So that.
Xiahou En only made partial appearance in early part of Jingzhou's subjugation and participated in massacre of Dong Cheng's Cabal in Xu Du (Xu Chang) in attempt to root out Yuan clan's insider and instigator to revolt when Cao Cao was preoccupied in her invasion to Northern province. So it does not matter if you forgot him. I did not plan to make him back story because his role is to die and gave Qinggang to Zhao Yun…. Well though I once planned to establish that he is often jealous of Yang Xiu (Kazuto) who often showered with affection and trust from Cao Cao and all her close cliques and confidate. But I think it is pointless to add such details for someone who will die in their debut hence I changed my mind.
Squabbling whether they should submit or fight Cao Cao, that is what Renfa is facing inside.
Enigma95 (8/1) well….