As Wang Yue predicted, the fight between Zhang Fei and Xu Chu on the stage was becoming increasingly intense.

Soon, the two had fought forty rounds. Zhang Fei's stamina was gradually failing, and his breathing became much more rapid. On the other hand, Xu Chu was much stronger.

After watching for a moment, Liu Hong turned to look at Lü Bu, who was completely absorbed in his work.

"Fengxian, what do you think?"

A glint of light flashed in Lü Bu's eyes: "Zhang Fei will definitely lose this battle, but he is quite good. He dares to give up his advantages and challenge his limits. In a few years, he will probably be hard-pressed to defeat him."

Liu Hong smiled and nodded: "This person is indeed talented, but he needs to be properly trained."

Liu Hong had high hopes for Zhang Fei, a brave and intelligent fellow. He believed that if he was trained properly, Zhang Fei would surely become a great general who guarded a region in the future.

"Bang! Bang!"

Two dull thuds reached everyone's ears. The two fighters on the stage had each taken a punch and were now staggering backward.

Xu Chu looked at Zhang Fei and said in a deep voice, "My comrade, you should just admit defeat. You might win in two years, but not now!"

Zhang Fei rubbed his chest and grinned, "I've never known how to write the word 'defeat' since I was a child. Now that we're on the dueling platform, it's either you who falls or I who fall. You think I'll admit defeat? Impossible!"

With that, Zhang Fei roared and charged forward. Although he knew he would lose, he was still unwilling to accept defeat.

"You're pretty good, but I'll do my best to defeat you!"

As he spoke, Xu Chu rushed forward, his enormous fist smashing directly into Zhang Fei's face.

Guan Yu, who was watching the battle from the front of the stage, narrowed his eyes and a trace of worry flashed across his face.

If that punch had landed, Zhang Fei would have been seriously injured, and even Liu Hong's eyelids twitched in surprise.

Fortunately, Zhang Fei reacted quickly, ducking low to avoid Xu Chu's punch. He then grabbed Xu Chu's wrist with his right hand and punched Xu Chu in the abdomen with his left fist.

Xu Chu reacted quickly, immediately reaching out his left hand to grab Zhang Fei's left wrist.

And so, the two remained locked in a stalemate on the stage, their initial attacks turning into a contest of strength, each trying their best to overpower the other.

Seeing the two locked in a stalemate on the stage, Liu Hong looked at Dian Wei beside him and said, "Go and tell them to stop!"

"Yes, young master!"

Dian Wei nodded, then squeezed into the crowd and strode towards the dueling platform.

Seeing the towering man, the trainees who had been pushed aside didn't dare to complain.

Soon, Dian Wei arrived at the front of the platform and flipped himself up onto it.

Upon seeing Dian Wei suddenly step onto the stage, Guan Yu and the Xiahou brothers below the stage both changed their expressions.

Guan Yu showed a hint of relief, while the Xiahou brothers looked more afraid.

They knew Dian Wei, and now that Dian Wei had arrived, the Emperor must have arrived as well.

Thinking of this, Xiahou Yuan's face turned pale instantly, and the pain on his forehead disappeared in an instant. He then cautiously turned his head to look behind him.

"Gulp!"

Upon seeing Liu Hong surrounded by Lü Bu, Huang Zhong, and others, Xiahou Yuan couldn't help but swallow hard.

At the same time, Dian Wei arrived in front of Zhang Fei and Xu Chu, who were wrestling, and without saying a word, he stretched out his hands and grabbed their wrists at the same time.

"Young Master said you should stop!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Dian Wei exerted force with both hands simultaneously, like two iron clamps, and to everyone's astonishment, forcefully separated the two.

"Whoosh!"

Zhang Fei and Xu Chu, separated from their companions, were also leaning on their knees, their faces flushed, panting heavily, and turning their heads to look at each other.

"His Majesty?"

Upon discovering that the emperor was watching them from not far away, the two of them, catching their breath, hurriedly jumped off the dueling platform and quickly walked forward.

The trainees below the stage all turned to look. Although Liu Hong was dressed casually, they recognized the emperor at a glance.

The students who were watching immediately stood up straight, clenched their right fists and pounded their chests.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!!"

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Zhang Fei and Xu Chu approached Liu Hong and gave him a military salute.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Liu Hong surveyed the group of students with a warm smile: "No need for formalities!!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"

After bowing, Liu Hong looked at Zhang Fei and Xu Chu. When he saw that the two had bruises on their faces and bodies, the smile on his face disappeared.

Liu Hong frowned and reprimanded, "You two are both trainees of the Imperial Guard, why did you hit so hard? Was that not a friendly sparring match, but a brawl?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

Seeing that the emperor was somewhat angry, Zhang Fei and Xu Chu hurriedly knelt on one knee to beg for forgiveness.

The two who had been fighting fiercely on stage like ferocious beasts just moments before now seemed like two docile kittens in front of Liu Hong.

Liu Hong waved his hand: "Get up. You are all colleagues, all my trusted advisors. You may spar with each other in the future, but you must never ruin the friendship between colleagues!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhang Fei and Xu Chu responded with a heavy voice, then stood up.

After glancing at the two men, Liu Hong looked up and immediately spotted the Xiahou brothers hiding behind the crowd.

Liu Hong smirked: "You two brothers, come here!"

Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan shrank their necks and quickly came to Liu Hong.

Seeing the large bump on Xiahou Yuan's forehead, Liu Hong's lips twitched, and then he said in a deep voice:

"Tell me, what happened?"

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