Faced with Zhang He's flattery, Zhao Yun showed no smugness on his face, but instead looked at Zhang He with great respect.

"Brother Zhang, you're too kind. I only learned this spear technique through my master's instruction, and it's still far from your original style!"

"Oh, Brother Zhao, you flatter me. My mediocre marksmanship is nothing. If you don't mind, Brother Zhao, could we spar from time to time?"

While Zhang He remained humble, he couldn't help but feel a desire to befriend Zhao Yun, who was both highly skilled in martial arts and extremely polite.

"That would be even better! I would be more than happy to exchange skills with Brother Zhang!"

Faced with Zhang He's overtures, Zhao Yun nodded in agreement with delight.

Seeing this, Zhang He's face lit up with joy. He then picked up the wooden spear that had fallen to the ground and looked at Zhao Yun.

"Brother Zhao, let's play again!!"

"good!"

Zhao Yun agreed and then got into position again.

Soon, the two swift gun shadows clashed again, the sound of wooden guns clashing echoing continuously across the open ground of the camp.

In the days that followed, Zhao Yun and Zhang He would get up early every day to practice together, and their relationship grew stronger.

After more than ten days, the young men from the other counties who had passed the examinations also arrived and moved into the villa.

In just ten days, they will be able to officially enter the gates of the Imperial Guard.

The once empty camp became lively with the arrival of these teenagers.

Just as dawn broke that day, Zhao Yun and Zhang He returned to the courtyard and began their sparring practice.

After these days of practice, Zhang He's marksmanship has improved significantly, and he is becoming more and more adept at maneuvering.

While the two were fighting, not far away, two pairs of eyes were watching their every move closely.

Zhang He and Zhao Yun stopped fighting after sixty rounds.

"Excellent! Absolutely brilliant! Your marksmanship has truly broadened my horizons!"

Just as Zhao Yun and his companion stopped fighting, a person watching from a distance shouted "Good!" and walked forward as he spoke.

The other person glanced at Zhao Yun and his companion, hesitated for a moment, and then silently followed behind the first person.

The man in front approached Zhao Yun and Zhang He and bowed respectfully.

"I am Zhang Liao from Yanmen, courtesy name Wenyuan. I was just impressed by your superb spear skills and couldn't help but come to bother you. I hope you won't take offense!"

"Brother Wenyuan, you are too kind. I am Zhao Yun of Changshan, courtesy name Zilong!"

Zhao Yun returned the greeting politely with a cupped-hand salute, then looked at Zhang He beside him and said with a smile, "Brother Junyi, you and Brother Wenyuan share the same surname!"

Zhang He smiled and cupped his hands in greeting to Zhang Liao: "I am Zhang He from Hejian, courtesy name Junyi!"

Zhang Liao smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Greetings, Brother Junyi!"

After the three exchanged greetings, Zhao Yun also looked at the person following behind Zhang Liao and bowed in return.

"May I ask your honorable name, sir?"

Upon hearing this, the man pursed his lips, then returned the greeting and said, "My name is Yang Yan, courtesy name Qiangming!"

"Oh, then may I ask where Brother Qiangming is from?" Zhao Yun asked again.

"this……"

Yang Yan paused for a moment, then said, "I am a Qiang person who came to the Han Dynasty later, and I now live in Jincheng!"

"I see! Brother Qiangming, you are also skilled in spear fighting?"

Zhao Yun nodded, showing no unusual expression regarding Yang Yan's Qiang identity, and then inquired about Yang Yan's martial arts skills.

Zhao Yun's kind attitude warmed Yang Yan's heart and increased his goodwill towards him.

Yang Yan then politely replied, "I wouldn't say I'm an expert; I only studied under my godfather for a short period of time!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun immediately looked at Zhang He and said, "Brother Junyi, it seems we have two more companions from now on!"

"That would be best!" Zhang He agreed with a smile.

In Zhang He's view, it was still early, and those who came out at this time were all diligent people, so he was naturally willing to befriend them.

Then, Zhao Yun looked at Yang Yan and said with a smile, "Brother Qiangming, how about we have a friendly spar?"

"good!!"

Yang Yan smiled and nodded, picked up a wooden spear from the weapon rack, and then walked up to Zhao Yun and got into a fighting stance.

Although Yang Yan's stance wasn't as standard as Zhao Yun's, it was still quite proper.

Zhao Yun immediately stepped forward with his spear and began to fight Yang Yan.

After exchanging less than ten blows, Zhao Yun sensed a flaw in Yang Yan's spear technique: although swift and powerful, it lacked agility.

Of course, this is not because Yang Yan is not skilled enough, but because he lacks guidance from a master, which is why Yang Yan cannot maintain a balance of strength in his hands.

Zhao Yun then sheathed his spear and changed his attack strategy, feeding Yang Yan his moves. He would only counterattack when Yang Yan showed a weakness.

Yang Yan clearly understood Zhao Yun's intention and couldn't help but cast a grateful glance at him, then began to practice even more diligently.

Only by making friends with people like this can you truly improve yourself.

Zhao Yun and Yang Yan fought for sixty rounds before finally stopping.

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Zilong. I am deeply grateful!"

After putting away his gun, Yang Yan bowed to Zhao Yun with a grateful expression.

Through the battle just now, he clearly felt his own improvement. He admired Zhao Yun's spear skills and character.

Zhao Yun laughed and said, "Haha~, Qiang Ming, you're too kind. As the saying goes, true friends are hard to find. Between you and me, we only discuss sparring, nothing else..."

"Brother Zilong, you are a true gentleman. I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to meet you today!"

Seeing this, Zhang Liao's goodwill towards Zhao Yun also increased, and he couldn't help but want to befriend him.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!