Chapter Twelve: Liu Yao's Martial Skills

Before long, the imperial physician withdrew his hand.

“Imperial Physician, how is my son?” Huang Zhong immediately grabbed the physician, his voice trembling with anxiety.

The physician ignored him and turned to Liu Yao, saying, “Your Highness, the young master’s condition is due to congenital weakness. I’m afraid I have no means to cure him; I can only preserve his life.”

“What?!” Huang Zhong’s face went pale as if the sky had collapsed over him. Lady Huang, standing nearby, burst into tears.

Liu Yao frowned. “Is there truly nothing that can be done?”

“I am truly at my wit’s end,” the physician replied, shame coloring his words.

“Very well. If there is no cure, then do all you can to keep him alive.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will write a prescription. If he takes it for a month, he should stabilize. But…” The physician hesitated.

“Hmph. Speak plainly,” Liu Yao ordered coldly.

“Yes, of course.” The physician wiped the sweat from his brow. “It’s just that the medicines required are exceedingly rare and costly.” He cast a sidelong glance at Huang Zhong, whose simple clothes betrayed no sign of wealth, spurring his concern.

“Never mind that. Your only task is to write the prescription,” Liu Yao replied dismissively. In the palace storerooms, century-old ginseng was stored by the sackful, and even thousand-year-old roots were not uncommon.

“Yes, Your Highness.” The physician quickly wrote out the prescription and handed it to Liu Yao before taking his leave.

Seeing Huang Zhong’s face, now etched with utter despair, Liu Yao spoke with gentle resignation, “Han Sheng, do not lose hope. I know of a miraculous physician in this world who can surely cure your son. For now, the most important thing is to fetch the medicine quickly and keep your son safe.”

“Master, do you truly mean this?” Huang Zhong’s eyes flickered with renewed hope.

“Why would I deceive you?” Liu Yao smiled.

“No, Master, that’s not what I meant…” Huang Zhong stammered, embarrassed.

“I understand. Shi Ah, accompany Han Sheng to get the medicine. If you need any rare herbs, take them from the palace stores.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Time passed quickly. After taking the prescribed medicine, Huang Xu’s condition improved greatly; his coughing was much less severe. Huang Zhong’s gratitude toward Liu Yao deepened as well. Now, Liu Yao and Huang Zhong found themselves together on the training grounds.

“No, no, I cannot! How could I possibly spar with you, Master?” Huang Zhong waved his hands, unwilling to agree.

“Han Sheng, I have trained for years with Wang Yue, but despite my progress, I have never tasted real combat. You, however, are among the greatest generals of our time. Only by crossing arms with you can I measure my own abilities,” Liu Yao said, frustration clouding his face.

“But you are my master, I…” Huang Zhong still resisted with all his might.

At that, Liu Yao’s patience snapped. “If you refuse to spar with me, you needn’t serve under my command any longer.”

“What?” Huang Zhong was stunned. He was a man who repaid kindness, and since Liu Yao had saved his son, he was duty-bound to repay him. How could he just leave? That would make him an ingrate.

Seeing Liu Yao’s unwavering gaze, Huang Zhong finally relented. “Very well, Master. I accept, but only if we stop before anyone is harmed.”

“As it should be.” Liu Yao’s face brightened with excitement.

The two stood facing each other—Huang Zhong wielding a great saber, Liu Yao choosing his favorite weapon, the spear, king of arms. Though he had learned swordsmanship from Wang Yue, swordplay was not suited to the battlefield. Fortunately, the sword and spear shared one key principle—thrusting. Thus, Liu Yao managed to adapt his sword techniques into a makeshift spear style, albeit a crude one.

Inexperienced, Liu Yao made the first move, thrusting straight at Huang Zhong’s face. Huang Zhong dodged effortlessly. Liu Yao spun around, using the spear like a staff, bringing it crashing down. Huang Zhong raised his saber horizontally and absorbed the heavy blow. Thanks to the alterations from his tattoos, Liu Yao possessed astonishing strength.

“What immense power! I never imagined the master possessed such natural might,” Huang Zhong thought, deciding to shift from brute force to technique, redirecting Liu Yao’s strength.

The duel continued for more than a dozen exchanges, each meeting blow with blow.

Liu Yao knew his own limitations—he was no match for Huang Zhong and could tell the general was holding back.

“Han Sheng, do not go easy on me. Defeat me as quickly as you can. I want to see the true gap between us,” Liu Yao said resolutely.

Looking into Liu Yao’s determined eyes, Huang Zhong realized there was no dissuading him. “Very well!”

As he spoke, an overwhelming killing intent erupted from Huang Zhong, the kind possessed only by generals who had survived countless battles and taken many lives. This nearly tangible aura was far beyond anything Liu Yao, who had scarcely seen bloodshed, could withstand. Instantly, Liu Yao was engulfed by fear, his body trembling, his grip on his spear faltering.

Without another word, Huang Zhong struck twice at lightning speed, his saber hammering Liu Yao’s spear. Numbed by the blows, Liu Yao lost his grip, and the weapon flew from his hands.

Rubbing his still-tingling hands, Liu Yao forced a bitter smile. “I thought I was rather capable, but I was defeated in just two moves.”

“Master, are you hurt?” Huang Zhong retrieved the spear and returned it.

“No harm done, Han Sheng. Today you’ve shown me what a true gap in skill looks like. I never realized how lacking I was,” Liu Yao replied, dejection written all over his face. His confidence had been shattered.

“No, Master, you are mistaken,” Huang Zhong protested.

“Oh? How so?”

“Your strength alone is remarkable, enough to be considered superb. What you lack are spear techniques and the experience of real combat. Your spearwork, forgive me, is little more than wild, powerful swings. And because you haven’t faced the slaughter of battle, you cannot withstand my killing intent, which made you tremble and lose your weapon. If you can overcome these two shortcomings, you may not become a peerless general, but you can certainly rank among the very best,” Huang Zhong explained.

“Is that so?” Liu Yao’s spirits lifted; he realized he was not worthless after all.

“It’s true.”

“Hahaha! I’m delighted today. Come, Han Sheng, let me treat you to some wine. I have some rare Firecloud Brew in my private stock,” Liu Yao laughed heartily.

“You mean the Firecloud Brew sold by the Firecloud Trading House, the one worth a gold tael per jar?” Huang Zhong exclaimed, swallowing hard.

“Oh? You know of it even in Jingzhou?”

“Of course, Master. There’s a branch of the Firecloud Trading House in Jingzhou, but there a jar sells for ten gold taels. As a mere gate captain, I could never afford it,” Huang Zhong replied sheepishly.

“Haha, well, the Firecloud Trading House belongs to me. Go call Ziyi and Yuanhao. From now on, you can drink as much as you want!” Liu Yao laughed generously.

“Then, Master, don’t blame me if I don’t hold back!” Huang Zhong replied, realizing how easygoing Liu Yao was and joining in with the banter.

The group drank heartily together. Only Liu Yao, being younger, kept his wits about him and sipped lightly. After arranging for the three drunken men to be taken back to their rooms, Liu Yao returned alone to the Cai Residence to prepare for the journey to Youzhou.

With supplies, weapons, and soldiers ready, and with Huang Zhong and his companions arrived, it was nearly time to set out. Yet mobilizing all these resources could not be accomplished in a single day; more preparations were still needed.