If it weren't for actually being in the Three Kingdoms period, Fei Qian would never have known the difference between a spear and a lance. He always thought that a lance was just a spear with a red tassel, and a spear was a lance without the tassel—just different names for the same thing.
But today, at Lü Bu's place, Fei Qian finally saw that there is a significant difference between a spear and a lance.
The blade of a spear is generally longer and flatter, while the lance's blade is slightly shorter and more angular. Simply put, a spear is like a short sword attached to a long wooden pole...
In general, a lance is shorter and smaller in all aspects compared to a spear, similar to what we often see in later generations.
The spear Lü Bu used today had a long and wide blade, about four fingers wide and two palms long, with engravings on it. The shaft below the blade was pitch black and shiny, made of some unknown material.
While watching Lü Bu demonstrate his martial arts, Fei Qian noticed that besides thrusting and stabbing, Lü Bu also utilized the spear's characteristics, incorporating some slashing and cutting movements.
Although Fei Qian didn't fully understand, he saw Lü Bu wreaking havoc in the courtyard like a human tornado. The sharp spear wind even stirred up the fallen leaves, swirling around Lü Bu like a black dragon, roaring with the sound of the spear slicing through the air...
When Zhang Liao (Zhang Wenyuan) entered the backyard, this was the scene he witnessed.
Lü Bu was in the middle of his enthusiastic display. Seeing Zhang Liao arrive, he didn't say much but quickly walked to the weapon rack in the corner of the yard. With a flick of his spear, he sent a lance flying straight toward Zhang Liao.
Clearly, Zhang Liao was no stranger to such situations. He tossed aside his cloak, caught the lance mid-air, and with a flick of his wrist, created a dozen lance flowers before thrusting toward Lü Bu.
Lü Bu's spear was powerful yet agile, while Zhang Liao's lance moved like a spring, its bright blade and red tassel darting left and right unpredictably.
The two engaged in a fierce duel in the small backyard, their weapons never straying far from each other's vital points, as if they were mortal enemies on the battlefield. Fei Qian watched with bated breath.
Earlier, Lü Bu's solo display had only stirred up the leaves that the servants hadn't yet swept away. But now, with Zhang Liao joining in, the clash of their energies sent sand and stones flying, and the trees in the yard shed their leaves like rain. The falling leaves were torn apart by the sharp gusts of wind, swirling around the two combatants...
"I'm done! I'm hungry!" Zhang Liao pushed Lü Bu back slightly, leaped away, and planted his lance into the ground. "You call me here to fight or to eat?"
Lü Bu laughed heartily. "Alright, alright! Let's eat first, then we can fight again later."
Fight again after eating? Fei Qian thought to himself. Don't these people have appendixes? If they get appendicitis in this era, aside from finding Hua Tuo, there's no one else who can treat it...
"Come, Wenyuan," Lü Bu said, pulling Fei Qian over and introducing him to Zhang Liao. "This is the disciple of Cai Yong and Liu Yuanzhu! Guess who he is?"
Fei Qian figured Lü Bu must be quite drunk by now. He had already said he was the disciple of Cai Yong and Liu Yuanzhu, yet he still asked Zhang Liao to guess...
Zhang Liao was a head taller than Fei Qian, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a square face, and a bronze complexion. He had a short beard on his chin, giving him a sharp and capable appearance.
Hearing Lü Bu's question, which already had an answer, Zhang Liao wasn't surprised. He clasped his hands in greeting to Fei Qian, who quickly returned the gesture.
Lü Bu laughed again, holding onto Fei Qian with one hand and Zhang Liao with the other as they returned to the banquet. He loudly called for the servants to clear the old dishes and bring new ones, while explaining to Zhang Liao how he had met Fei Qian.
As Lü Bu spoke, Fei Qian remembered that Zhang Liao, also known as Zhang Wenyuan, was one of the "Five Elite Generals." He was later honored as one of the sixty-four famous generals of the Tang Dynasty, while figures like Ma Chao and Zhao Yun didn't make the list...
Fei Qian smiled and handed Zhang Liao a brush and paper. "General Zhang, could you also give me an autograph?"
Lü Bu laughed. "Of course! But why didn't Gao Shun come?" Only then did Lü Bu notice that Gao Shun hadn't arrived with Zhang Liao.
"Gao Shun is stationed at the eastern camp. With the city gates about to close, it's inconvenient to travel. He sends his apologies to the Marquis," Zhang Liao explained as he signed.
Lü Bu nodded. "It's my oversight. No matter. It's a shame he couldn't meet Brother Ziyuan, but we'll make up for it next time."—Men's friendships are built over drinks, and after just one round, Fei Qian had already become "Brother Ziyuan."
After Fei Qian carefully dried Zhang Liao's autograph and tucked it away, he suddenly remembered something: wasn't Lü Bu supposed to wield the Halberd of the Sky? Why hadn't he seen it?
He had seen Red Hare when he arrived at Lü Bu's residence. Even someone like Fei Qian, who didn't know much about horses, could tell it was an exceptional steed—taller than average and full of vitality. But there was no sign of the Halberd of the Sky. The horse's back only carried a spear...
"May I ask, Marquis, where is the Halberd of the Sky?"—No wonder Fei Qian felt something was off. Red Hare and the Halberd of the Sky were Lü Bu's two iconic pieces of equipment. With them, his combat power would skyrocket by at least 20 points...
Lü Bu let out a drunken hiccup and asked, puzzled, "The Halberd of the Sky? Why are you asking me about that?"
Fei Qian's heart skipped a beat. He cautiously asked, "Marquis, isn't your weapon... the Halberd of the Sky?"
"I use a spear! What halberd?" Lü Bu looked at Fei Qian. "Brother, are you drunk? I've always used a spear. But now that you mention the Halberd of the Sky..."
Lü Bu scratched his head and pondered. Both the spear and the Halberd of the Sky were heavy weapons, with the halberd being even heavier. Recently, he had felt his strength increasing, and the spear now felt a bit too light. Maybe it was time to try the Halberd of the Sky?
Of course, Lü Bu didn't consider the reason for his increased strength. Back in Bingzhou, he often didn't have enough food and sometimes had to dig for wild yams. But now, in Luoyang, as a high-ranking official and a marquis, he feasted on meat and wine every day. How could his strength remain the same as before?
The more Lü Bu thought about it, the more he felt he should try the Halberd of the Sky. While a spear could still be used for slashing and cutting, it was ultimately just a straight pole. It couldn't compare to the versatility of the Halberd of the Sky.
At Lü Bu's level of martial skill, he was moving from simple techniques to more intricate and refined movements, focusing increasingly on various skills. So when Fei Qian brought it up, and after some thought, Lü Bu immediately stood up and said, "You two wait here for a moment. I'm going to the armory to find a Halberd of the Sky!"
With that, he left Fei Qian and Zhang Liao behind, rushing off like a gust of wind.
Fei Qian thought to himself, 'Oh no, did I just accidentally trigger some hidden skill for Lü Bu?'