Chapter 37: Shunko is Quite Nice, It Sounds So Familiar!

Chen Cong sat astride his horse.

“Xu Pang, I’m getting married, not burying someone—why that funeral face? Come on, give your lord a smile.”

Xu Chu led the horse.

“My surname is Xu, given name Chu, courtesy name Zhongkang. If you want a laugh, go to the brothel. I’m not good at smiling.”

Heh!~

This fellow’s temper is really something—no wonder he’s called the Tiger. Clearly, he’s never been battered by society. With this attitude, he wouldn’t even make it as a security guard in modern times.

“Alright, forget the horse. I told you, you’ll be a general.”

“The wind’s strong; mind you don’t bite your tongue.”

Such a tough mouth!

Mi Heng immediately felt he’d found a kindred spirit, dismounted, and drew close to Xu Chu.

“Zhongkang, let’s have a drink together sometime.”

Seeing the little upstart who just called him all show and no substance, Xu Chu replied with a blank face, “I don’t drink with sparrows.”

Mi Heng’s fury surged.

He’d always been the one to hurl insults, and others could only beat him up in return. If today this dull-witted brute left him speechless, how could he hold his head high in Cao’s camp?

He shot back, “The phoenix soars through the nine skies, spreading its wings across the heavens; the mayfly looks up and sees only the shadow, not the height. That’s what it means to look—a sparrow.”

Xu Chu gave his arm a slight shake, knocking Mi Heng aside, and scoffed, “I’ve never seen a phoenix that only chirps and doesn’t fly. Not even as good as a sparrow.”

Mi Heng exploded, “Ignorant brute! Rude! Barbaric! Incorrigible!”

“Tch~ Sparrow.”

“A brute ignorant of Zhou rites, hence his behavior is disgraceful!”

“Sparrow.”

Chen Cong doubled over laughing.

It had to be Xu Pang!

Mi Heng debating with him was simply picking the wrong opponent.

Actually—

The real reason Mi Heng always silenced others was that his targets cared about their dignity. At least they’d read some books and knew that gentlemen argue with words, not fists.

Xu Chu? Call him a brute, and he thinks you’re praising him.

This kind of blockhead, even Boss Cao struggles to rein him in, let alone Mi Heng with his convoluted insults—phoenixes, mayflies, Zhou rites.

If you want to poke him, you have to strike at what he’s proudest of.

He’s beefy and strong—tell him he’s just fat.

He’s fearless and brazen—say he’s a spoiled mama’s boy.

He’s loyal—accuse him of being two-faced, just pretending to be honest.

Of course—

You’d better be tough, or at least able to take a beating. If you talk about gentlemanly conduct to Xu Chu, he’ll just scorn your weak limbs.

Mi Heng cares about face, and he’s not thick-skinned enough, so he’s helpless before Xu Chu.

Amid the noisy banter, the bridal procession circled the main street of Qiao County.

Glancing at the sun, it was still a while before noon.

...

At the gates of the Cao Mansion.

Cao Ren’s eyes sparkled as he watched the bridal procession approach in the distance.

“Yuanrang, Han Sheng isn’t here! Shall we... give it a try?”

“Agreed!”

Originally, the four of them were blocking the gate just for show.

After all, Huang Zhong had been in Qiao County for over two months, and everyone had spent plenty of time with him.

Plus, there was the legendary invincible Chen Zining—there was simply no contest.

But now it was different.

With Huang Zhong absent, the four of them together might just give the new groom a proper welcome!

To spare Rong’er any hardship after marriage?

That argument was a bit thin...

“I don’t know, look at that groom’s attendant—he doesn’t look easy to handle,” Cao Hong expressed doubt.

“Just fat, nothing more!”

While the team was still some distance away, as Xiahou Yuan spoke, Chen Cong had already arrived at the gate.

That bold remark was heard loud and clear.

Chen Cong couldn’t help but admire this elder’s courage—just as he’d considered Xu Chu’s sore spot, it was hit dead on.

“Brute!” A thunderous roar shook everyone’s eardrums.

Xu Chu strode forward, lowering his head to butt Xiahou Yuan’s forehead, growling fiercely, “Have you heard of Xu Chu of Qiao County?”

The two men were of similar height.

But Xu Chu was twice as broad as Xiahou Yuan—his arms thicker than most men’s legs—giving off an overwhelming sense of power.

Up close, Xiahou Yuan was truly startled.

And hearing Xu Chu’s name, he nearly regretted everything.

Xu Chu of Qiao County—that madman who could drag nine oxen backwards—how could he not have heard?

Reputation never matches reality. He’d thought it was exaggerated, but seeing him now, the man looked more like a bear in human skin.

No matter how hard Xiahou Yuan thought, he couldn’t figure out how the groom, who only arrived yesterday, had managed to have Xu Chu as his horse attendant.

“Just Xu the Ox, causing trouble without regard—do you know Grandfather Xiahou Dun?”

Xu Chu ignored Xiahou Yuan, glancing back coolly, “Even the Xiahou Dun who killed fourteen men is nothing special.”

Chen Cong dismounted, pushing the two aside, one with each hand.

“So, brothers, what’s the meaning of this? Such a grand groom standing here, and you don’t see him?”

Cao Ren smoothed things over, “Hahaha, Zining, don’t mind us. On this joyous day, we just want some fun. If you get past this, you’ll win the bride.”

And if you don’t, we’ll let you through anyway.

Cao Ren left the last part unsaid.

As the representative of heartbreak in Cao’s camp, he knew what to say and what would hurt feelings.

“Leave Xiahou Dun to me.”

Chen Cong pushed Xu Chu aside, “No need.”

On a day of celebration, letting this brute run wild would only ruin things for himself.

Besides, it wasn’t a real fight.

It was just a show of strength...

Chen Cong stepped forward, bumping Cao Ren aside with his shoulder. He hooked his foot, tripping Cao Hong. He headbutted Xiahou Yuan, then spread his hands, pressing down on Xiahou Dun’s shoulders.

“Dun, if you concede now, I’ll let you keep your dignity.”

If they were mounted, weapons in hand, Chen Cong might hesitate a little.

Xiahou Dun fought recklessly, Xiahou Yuan excelled at riding and archery, Cao Hong had some courage, and Cao Ren... well, he was just tagging along.

All things considered,

One was a mid-level champion, one a lower-tier, one somewhere between first and second-rate, and one an extra.

Definitely capable, but maybe not a tough match.

But as for a bare-handed, playful contest?

Chen Cong declared: Come, let the so-called Four Guardians be bundled together!

Xiahou Dun’s pupils contracted.

Amateurs watch the spectacle; experts see the technique.

Overbearing strength isn’t frightening, but being able to control it precisely without harming others is truly terrifying.

That signifies an extraordinary mastery of force.

In a duel, it translates to perfect control over the rhythm of combat.

And this young man was too fast—speed alone is one thing, but he wasted not a single movement.

A born general!

Xiahou Dun knew he couldn’t win, so he found himself an out.

Laughing, he said, “Zining, after today you’ll be my nephew-in-law. Mind your manners when addressing your elders—‘Dun’ isn’t what you should call me.”

“Dun, it’s fine in casual talk, but if you try to take advantage, don’t blame your nephew-in-law for not holding back.”

A bead of sweat slid down Xiahou Dun’s forehead, his mouth twitching as he forced a smile, “I’m quite sturdy.”

Chen Cong laughed, “You’d better be.”

With that,

Chen Cong raised his foot and stamped heavily on the ground.

Boom!~

With a deafening crash, Xiahou Dun felt his body jolt. He looked down, utterly stunned.

The previously flat ground had sunken in, a pit surrounded by cracks like a spider’s web.

Seeing Chen Cong's half-smile, Xiahou Dun surrendered in a second.

“We’re all brothers sharing the same pot—‘Dun’ it is! Sounds friendly, I like it!”