Chapter 1332: Brave Warrior
Qu Qi was slightly stunned, then laughed heartily, "With the General as company, I can travel anywhere in the world with ease."
Unlike other military generals under Liu Bei, Wuu Anguo has always had a low presence, and relatively speaking, his strength isn't particularly strong. However, with his innate divine strength as a foundation, he rarely suffers losses in battles of the same level.
Back when the world had not yet reached the era of Inner Qi Manifestation, he could still exchange thirty moves with Lyu Bu at Hulao Pass. Although he lost, his skills were no joke.
When Kong Rong went to Chang'an, he entrusted this responsibility to Wuu Anguo. On one hand, it was because he understood that Wuu Anguo couldn't unleash his full potential under his command; on the other hand, it was also to place the future into Liu Bei's hands.
Having once shared friendship and understanding, and with Wuu Anguo as a link, if something happened to Kong Rong in the future, this connection could ensure the Kong Family's peace.
Liu Bei always had good arrangements for Wuu Anguo. Wuu Anguo was not the type of general who could command troops in battle, so Liu Bei kept him by his side as an escort. It can be said that from that time on, Wuu Anguo gradually faded out of the circle of valiant generals.
After his stunning appearance at Hulao Pass, Wuu Anguo almost never engaged in any battles at the same level, but it is undeniable that his strength remained at a relatively high level. At least Hua Xiong definitely wasn't his match unless Hua Xiong could fly.
To be precise, Hua Xiong serves as a dividing line between super first-class and first-class fighters. If you can beat Hua Xiong, then you are super first-class; if not, then you are first-class. Even though there are many with Inner Qi Manifestation, few can truly topple Hua Xiong.
Yann Liang was so fierce back then, but against Hua Xiong he could only say he might win. Of course, the Yann Liang, whose faith was fully instilled, doesn't count. At that time, Yann Liang was really strong. If Guan Yu had not held onto his trump card, it would have been difficult to win.
Since I don't have a talent for leading troops, I should strive to do well in being an escort. With a great iron hammer weighing over a ton in hand, it can defend against all arrows. Even Huang Zhong's sure-hit arrow, which can pierce through a mountain, cannot pierce through a great hammer weapon of Inner Qi Manifestation.
There is nothing better in this world than the defense of a great hammer. Of course, you need to be able to use it. As one with innate divine strength, even without Inner Qi, I can throw half a ton of stone with no pressure at all when using Inner Qi.
With 500 pounds in the left hand and 3,600 pounds in the right, it's not that it can't be wielded; it's just that if you get stuck in a military formation, swinging the 3,600-pound one a couple of times could be too consuming. Playing around with the 500-pound one is easier, as Guan Yu's knife and Lyu Bu's heavy halberd barely weigh over one hundred pounds.
It's not that heavier ones can't be swung, but you need to consider what to do when you can't use Inner Qi. For solo duels, always use the bigger one; though slow in motion, it's simple and brutal, with great defense and strong attack.
Of course, even bigger sizes are pointless because larger ones limit your vision. The 3,600-pound one is already a solid iron ball with a diameter of 88 centimeters, and fighting with this thing makes your horse run slower, although, for an escort, this can be used as a shield besides for combat.
Leaving the weapon aside, the most important thing now is that Wuu Anguo's Inner Qi is close to the critical point of Inner Qi Manifestation. This is also the reason why he can't fly. As an escort, as a brave warrior who can't lead troops, he believed in doing one thing and loving it.
Since Liu Bei can't fly, his flying ability is insignificant. His main aim is to ensure Liu Bei's safety, which led him to choose to rebuild himself, being much more relentless than Xuu Chu or Zhang Fei, as he was just a step away from his Inner Qi dropping to Qi Refining to Gang.
In the realm of Inner Qi Manifestation, almost all his Inner Qi has been used to enhance physical quality, thereby greatly enhancing his innate divine strength. Now he's developed himself into a muscular hulk.
If he could succeed in dropping to Qi Refining to Gang, then Wuu Anguo believes he would qualify to claim the title of the best escort. However, as for the realm of Inner Qi Manifestation, post-breakthrough methods for returning have been a mystery.
Thus, over the past few years, Wuu Anguo has been practicing intensively yet still finds himself stuck at the edge of Inner Qi Manifestation, unable to make the final breakthrough. Unlike Dian Wei, who could infuse every bit of Inner Qi into his body, creating a balance between Inner Qi generation and consumption, Wuu Anguo was unable to do so.
This is the biggest difference between Wuu Anguo and Dian Wei. Every moment, Dian Wei's generated Inner Qi is absorbed by his body, constantly strengthening it. However, the other generals do not always actively reinforce their bodies with Inner Qi.
[I need to practice more.] Wuu Anguo realized there might be a problem when he couldn't drop below Inner Qi Manifestation no matter what.
After sensing the internal state of Zhou Tai's body, Wuu Anguo confirmed that he was completely different from generals who only train their bodies. He was still a general who cultivated Inner Qi, unlike those who trained their bodies, much like Xuu Chu and Zhang Fei.
After informing Xuu Chu of these revelations, Xuu Chu didn't feel anything special. Xuu Chu felt that as long as he was strong enough, there was no need to delve into these issues. Besides, Xuu Chu didn't see the benefit of being like Dian Wei, who couldn't fly. If you're besieged, what could you do then?
At this moment, Liu Bei asked Xuu Chu and Wuu Anguo who was willing to escort Qu Qi on his journey across the world. Considering the current state of the world, letting Qu Qi go out alone was definitely unsettling for Liu Bei; Qu Qi was someone impactful enough to influence the rise and fall of a nation.
Wuu Anguo immediately stepped up to take on this task without hesitation, and this relieved Xuu Chu greatly, just like Qu Qi said, with a general as company, the world can be traversed without worry.
Xuu Chu endorsed this statement, thinking Wuu Anguo was even more suitable to act as Qu Qi's personal escort instead of an escort for generals of a large army.
Though Wuu Anguo's skill in commanding troops was lacking, having honed his skills to this level, even with restrictions on Inner Qi, breaking someone out of an encirclement of over a thousand people was easier for him than it would have been for others.
Therefore, with Wuu Anguo safeguarding Qu Qi, Liu Bei had absolutely no concerns. Indeed, the initial question was more because it wasn't appropriate for Liu Bei to directly assign Wuu Anguo to escort Qu Qi, and although Liu Bei considered he treated Wuu Anguo well, the Tiger Guard Army was still under the control of Xuu Chu.
It's a fact that Liu Bei judged characters accurately. He knew Wuu Anguo would not care about such things, but occasionally Liu Bei pondered if there was a knot in Wuu Anguo's heart. Thus, after Wuu Anguo accepted this mission, Liu Bei discussed deeply with him all through the night.
After that night, Liu Bei completely understood Wuu Anguo's mindset and had no worries henceforth, naturally feeling at ease to have Wuu Anguo protect Qu Qi.
For one year, at least during the first year, Qu Qi absolutely needed protection. After achievements in the second year, just as Qu Qi said, "In the vast world, where I pass by, no obstacles!"
Of course, Liu Bei also hopes Wuu Anguo can accomplish his martial arts. The empire's contentions are about everything, and whether it's what Qu Qi is doing now or what Wuu Anguo is doing, every little bit will have a significant impact on the future!