The First Warrior to Break 100 in Combat Power

Hearing Yuan Feng ask him this, Yuan Shu thought to himself that Xi Zhicai was really capable. He hadn't even made the request yet, and his father had already delivered it to him.

Yuan Shu quickly put on a well-behaved expression and said:

"I will respectfully follow Father's arrangements. However, learning swordsmanship in a martial arts hall yields little results. Could we invite the swordsmanship teacher to our home for private instruction?"

Hearing Yuan Shu's words, Yuan Feng thought for a moment and realized he had a point. This was the difference between classroom teaching and hiring a private tutor.

Private tutoring was obviously more effective.

After some contemplation, Yuan Feng said:

"My son speaks reasonably. Very well, prepare yourself for swordsmanship training. I will take care of inviting the teacher to our residence."

Although Wang Yue was quite famous now, as the current Minister of Works, how could it be difficult for him to hire a swordsmanship teacher?

As long as the payment offered to Wang Yue exceeded what he earned from running the martial arts hall, it would be enough.

That very afternoon, Wang Yue was invited to the Yuan residence.

He arrived wearing a blue martial outfit, exuding an intense sword aura, clearly a master swordsman.

"System, check Wang Yue's attributes!" Yuan Shu commanded the system.

"Ding! System received the command! Retrieving Wang Yue's attributes... Query successful!"

"Talent Name: Wang Yue

Wang Yue's Attributes:

Martial Strength: 99, Leadership: 61, Intelligence: 65, Politics: 37, Charisma: 69, Luck: 51"

"Wang Yue's Skills:

Sword Saint: When fighting with a sword, Martial Strength increases by 5 points.

Heroic Aura: Wang Yue is a peerless hero. His presence intimidates opponents, reducing their Martial Strength by 1 to 3 points (the reduction varies based on the opponent's Martial Strength—the weaker the opponent, the greater the reduction)."

Yuan Shu inwardly sighed in admiration. Wang Yue truly lived up to his title as the Sword Saint—a supreme expert.

His skills were also straightforward and powerful, granting him a permanent 5-point boost in Martial Strength.

Combined with his base Martial Strength of 99...

He was the first person Yuan Shu had encountered with a Martial Strength exceeding 100, demonstrating how terrifying Wang Yue's combat power was.

If such an expert could be used for his own purposes, even facing Lü Bu in the future would not be a problem.

"May I ask, young master, are you the Chaos Star of the Warring Times?" Wang Yue's first words upon seeing Yuan Shu were direct, without any pretense of a teacher's authority or unnecessary politeness.

Yuan Shu responded just as directly: "Indeed, I am the Chaos Star. May I ask how Master Wang learned of this?"

Wang Yue clearly held a favorable impression of him; otherwise, he wouldn't have sent his disciple, Shi A, to follow his orders.

Since Wang Yue knew he was the Chaos Star, he must have had his own sources. There was no point in hiding it.

It was better to admit it outright—it would make him seem more composed.

Swish! Without another word, Wang Yue suddenly drew his sword from his waist and pointed it directly at Yuan Shu.

Yuan Shu was completely stunned. What was going on?

The helper he had worked so hard to bring into his residence… was about to kill him?!

It was over! With Wang Yue's 104 Martial Strength, there was no way he could survive this!

"Master Wang, don't be impulsive… Look, this is our first time meeting, and we have no past grudges, right?" Yuan Shu's only option now was to try and reason with Wang Yue to spare his life.

"My good friend Xu Shao told me that young master is the Chaos Star of the Warring Times, a man who will bring calamity to the world. So, if I were to cut you down right now, would the world not find peace?" Wang Yue said as he moved his sword even closer to Yuan Shu.

Yuan Shu cursed inwardly. Xu Shao, you've really set me up this time!

He frantically thought of how to deal with Wang Yue. This man was bold and reckless—he had dared to infiltrate the Qiang tribe's stronghold alone to assassinate their leader. That meant he would certainly dare to kill him now.

Moreover, from what he knew, Wang Yue was obsessed with seeking official status but had been repeatedly denied. So how much loyalty could he really have toward the Han dynasty?

Before, Shi A respected him so much. If it was an act, then it was too convincing.

Most likely, Wang Yue heard from Xu Shao that he was the Chaos Star of the Turbulent Times and wanted to establish his legacy under his command.

As the saying goes, "A ruler chooses his ministers, and ministers also choose their ruler." Even if Wang Yue wanted to join him, he couldn't just bow his head and pledge allegiance immediately—he had to test him first.

Thinking of this, Yuan Shu felt slightly relieved and silently commanded the system:

"System, check if Wang Yue has any intent to kill me."

"Ding! Wang Yue's skills 'Sword Saint' and 'Heroic Gallant' have not been activated. This person has no intent to kill."

Hearing this, Yuan Shu was completely at ease.

So, after all this, you're just acting?

Alright then, since you've started your performance, I might as well join in.

Let's see who's the real master actor.

Knowing he was not in danger, Yuan Shu didn't dodge but instead took a step forward in the direction of Wang Yue's sword, almost running into it.

Fortunately, Wang Yue reacted quickly and pulled his sword back slightly.

At this moment, Wang Yue was screaming internally, No way! Is this Chaos Star of the Turbulent Times really this bold? I was just trying to intimidate him, but he's actually risking his life?!

Yuan Shu fixed his gaze on Wang Yue and spoke loudly:

"Master Wang, the current emperor is incompetent, and the court is controlled by a group of eunuchs who exploit the people and sell official positions. Surely, you are not unaware of this?

Now, public resentment is boiling over, and people across the land are rising in rebellion. The court is struggling to cope, and the conflict between the people and the imperial court grows more intense by the day.

Yet the emperor believes the world is at peace, indulging in pleasure all day long, while the nobles and ministers turn a blind eye to the people's suffering.

The wealthy feast while the poor freeze and starve in the streets—is this the peace you, Wang Yue, desire?!"

Wang Yue secretly nodded in approval.

This Chaos Star saw the situation so clearly yet was still able to portray himself as an idle noble son.

Even when facing his sword, he remained calm and eloquent.

He was truly a man of great courage!

A hero of his time!

He sheathed his sword and asked Yuan Shu:

"Then tell me, if you throw the world into chaos, will the people not suffer?"

Wang Yue was testing not only Yuan Shu's abilities but also whether he genuinely cared for the people.

Seeing Wang Yue withdraw his sword, Yuan Shu felt somewhat relieved.

Even though the system had already assured him that Wang Yue had no intent to kill,

being threatened at swordpoint by such a powerful warrior would make anyone uneasy.

Yuan Shu thought to himself, If I want you to sincerely submit to me, I must continue my act.

So he took another step toward Wang Yue, but instead of looking at him, he gazed at the sky at a 45-degree angle and said:

"The one who disrupts Han is Han itself, not me.

As the saying goes, 'Heroes are forged by turbulent times.' Without turmoil, even a hero has no place to prove his worth.

The Han dynasty has already rotted to its core.

When it prospers, the people suffer.

When it falls, the people suffer still.

I wish to restore order to the world and rebuild an era of peace, saving the people from their misery.

Master Wang, would you be willing to aid me?"

Yuan Shu's words struck Wang Yue's heart directly.

"The one who disrupts Han is Han itself!" Yuan Shu was right—if the rulers of the Han dynasty hadn't led themselves to ruin, how could they have driven the people to such desperate straits?

"When it prospers, the people suffer. When it falls, the people suffer still." What powerful words!

Only someone who truly cared about the people's suffering could say such things.

Looking at Yuan Shu's face, illuminated by the surrounding light, Wang Yue sighed:

Though still young, Yuan Shu has such great ambition. He is truly my destined lord!