Chapter 91

(Seeking recommendations, hoping to reach 3,000 votes today, Yanzi respectfully requests)

As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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Yuan Fang discovered that the layer of skin on his chest had miraculously become extremely hard, as tough as a turtle's shell.

It was this layer of hard skin that blocked Gongsun Zan's fatal blow, protecting his vital heart.

"Could it be that my bio-enhanced body has undergone a sudden mutation at a critical moment, a self-protection mechanism?" In an instant, Yuan Fang understood the reason.

Practicing martial arts and refining the skin, even at the highest level, only makes the skin as tough as cowhide.

While cowhide is tough and can defend against cold arrows, how could it possibly withstand Gongsun Zan's full-force attack from close range?

Moreover, how could the skin, even if it were harder, be as hard as a turtle's shell!

Undoubtedly, this was similar to the previous time when Yuan Fang faced Zang Ba, and his eyes suddenly mutated, gaining the ability to see far.

The difference this time was that his skin had hardened at the moment of life and death, protecting his heart with its super hardness.

The super adaptability and self-protection ability of the bio-virus once again saved Yuan Fang at a critical moment.

"This bio-virus is truly amazing, far beyond my imagination. I wonder what other miraculous functions it has..."

Surprised, Yuan Fang remembered that Gongsun Zan had already fled. He gathered his thoughts, picked up the skull-crushing staff, and was about to pursue.

Just as he was about to ride out, he suddenly felt an extremely intense hunger, making him weak and his strength rapidly waning. He could barely hold the skull-crushing staff steady.

"What's happening? Why am I suddenly so hungry?"

Yuan Fang supported himself on the horse's back, sat down, and was surprised by this sudden weakness.

Suddenly, he realized that this must be the adverse effect of the rapid hardening of the skin.

He felt that the hardening of the skin on his chest was not a real transformation into a turtle's shell, but rather a rapid densification of the skin, making it so dense that even a spear could not penetrate it.

This densification of the skin would inevitably consume a large amount of energy in a short time, leading to intense hunger and physical weakness.

This principle was similar to how, after intense martial arts training, his body would self-recover but require a large amount of meat to replenish the energy.

"Where is Gongsun Zan running? Leave your life behind!" Yan Liang roared like thunder, pursuing Gongsun Zan, who was fleeing in panic.

Yuan Fang waved his hand to stop him: "Zi Zheng, there's no need to pursue further. Gongsun Zan has lost his weapon and helmet, and his dignity is shattered. Leaving him alive will benefit us."

If Gongsun Zan were to die, the entire Gongsun group would collapse, and Liu Yu would seemingly control all of Youzhou. However, with his low military capability, he would be easily defeated.

At that time, Yuan Shao would become the most powerful warlord in Hebei and could swiftly annex Youzhou without much effort.

At that time, with his current strength, Yuan Shao would be even harder to deal with.

Killing Gongsun Zan would benefit Yuan Shao more than Yuan Fang.

Yuan Fang wasn't that foolish. He wanted to keep Gongsun Zan alive to use him to check Yuan Shao. This way, even if the one-year period was up and he had to confront Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao wouldn't dare to use all his forces against him.

Yan Liang, with his wisdom, couldn't understand Yuan Fang's intentions, but seeing that Gongsun Zan had already fled, he suppressed his desire to pursue.

Yuan Fang picked up Gongsun Zan's silver spear and raised Gongsun Zan's golden helmet high, as if it were Gongsun Zan's head.

Seeing this, Yan Liang couldn't help but be surprised: "Gongsun Zan's martial arts are said to be nearly at the bone-forging stage. How could you take his weapon and knock off his helmet? Could it be that your martial arts have already reached the bone-forging stage?"

Yan Liang, a master at the organ-refining level and a rare martial arts genius, was amazed by Yuan Fang's rapid improvement in martial arts over just a few months, a talent that even he couldn't match.

He didn't know that the reason for Yuan Fang's rapid improvement in martial arts, besides his intense training, had another secret.

Faced with Yan Liang's admiration, Yuan Fang couldn't reveal the secret to him and could only accept the admiration.

Laughing, Yuan Fang pointed forward: "Zi Zheng, are you already satisfied with the killing?"

Yan Liang's body trembled, and the killing intent that had just subsided was reignited by Yuan Fang's stern question.

Roaring, Yan Liang charged out, his war knife slicing through the enemy ranks like a madman, reaping heads.

Yuan Fang, exhausted, had no heart for more killing. He stayed on his horse, excitedly watching his soldiers fight.

Gongsun Zan, having lost his helmet and weapon, fled in disgrace. The morale of the over 30,000 Youzhou soldiers plummeted, and they were in a state of complete collapse, each one fleeing in panic.

The Yuan army soldiers, however, were spirited, unleashing their long-suppressed anger, using the enemy's blood to quench their fury.

The battle raged from late night until dawn.

As the sun rose, the noise and screams on the battlefield finally ceased.

Yuan Fang looked around and saw that the vast Youzhou camp had been completely destroyed, with thousands of bodies lying scattered.

Blood had dyed the ground for miles, turning it into a vast, bloody carpet.

The broken bodies and countless shattered weapons were scattered like decorations on the bloody carpet.

Amidst the rising smoke, the blood-soaked "Yuan" banner stood tall in the center of the enemy camp, proudly declaring that victory belonged to Yuan Fang and his soldiers.

The blood-soaked soldiers were all filled with high morale and unquenched killing intent.

Their young faces were radiant with the joy of victory and the pride of surviving a bloody battle and earning merit.

Yuan Fang looked at his soldiers, feeling both hunger and immense satisfaction and joy.

After months of hard fighting, he had finally achieved a great victory, repelling Gongsun Zan's unjust invasion, and even taking Gongsun Zan's weapon and helmet, forcing him to flee in disgrace.

If defeating Shan Jing and Tian Kai were just minor victories, then today's defeat of Gongsun Zan, a formidable opponent, truly demonstrated his might and brought him fame across the land.

Feeling elated, Yuan Fang played with Gongsun Zan's golden helmet and couldn't help but laugh wildly.

Amidst the laughter, the generals, each carrying the fruits of victory, came to meet him.

This night raid had resulted in nearly 7,000 Gongsun Zan soldiers being killed, with another 4,000 surrendering. Only a little over half of the Youzhou army followed Gongsun Zan in his disgraceful retreat to the north.

This was truly a great victory!

"Master, I have captured a man named Guan Jing, who is Gongsun Zan's chief strategist," Taishi Ci called out excitedly, riding up and throwing the man he had under his arm to the ground.

Guan Jing "ouch" as he landed, falling flat on his face.

He cried out in pain, struggled to get up, and pretended to brush the dirt off his clothes before standing up straight, feigning composure as he looked around.

Finally, Guan Jing's gaze fell on Yuan Fang, and he bowed slightly, calmly saying, "You must be the second Master Yuan. I am Guan Jing, the chief strategist of General Gongsun."

Yuan Fang ignored him and asked Guo Huai, "Bo Ji, what kind of person is this Guan Jing?"

Guo Huai lowered his voice and said, "Master, according to my knowledge, Guan Jing is known as Gongsun Zan's chief strategist, but in reality, he is most skilled at flattery and deceit, though he has some intelligence, he is a complete scoundrel."

So that's how it is.

Disgust appeared in Yuan Fang's eyes as he glared at Guan Jing, his killing intent barely concealed.

Guan Jing, however, was oblivious to his fate, and raised his head, saying, "Today, Master Yuan has indeed won, but it was a lucky victory. My lord, General Gongsun, is still powerful and will return to seek revenge."

Pausing, Guan Jing smiled and said, "However, I can persuade my lord not to be your enemy. If Master Yuan is willing, I can mediate and bring about a truce. What do you think, Master?"

Guan Jing thought that Yuan Fang, considering his influence over Gongsun Zan, would spare his life.

Unfortunately, he was wrong.

Yuan Fang sneered and said, "The mad dog Gongsun Zan has been defeated by me. If he doesn't know when to stop and dares to invade again, I will ensure he never returns. Why would I bother to make peace with a dog on the run?"

As the harsh words left his mouth, Guan Jing's body trembled, and his expression changed.

Before he could say more, Yuan Fang sternly ordered, "Bring this scoundrel to the top of Pingyuan City and execute him by slicing him into pieces to honor the people of Pingyuan who were killed."

The order was given, and the soldiers rushed forward, dragging Guan Jing to Pingyuan City.

Guan Jing, terrified, no longer pretended to be calm and screamed, "Master Yuan, let's talk! Please show mercy, please spare my life—"

Yuan Fang remained unmoved, watching as Guan Jing was dragged away.

As the screams faded into the distance, Yuan Fang's gaze shifted south, his eyes filled with killing intent, and he coldly said, "Having defeated Gongsun Zan, it's time to turn south and deal with the old dog Tao Qian!"

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(End of the page)