Not Competing with the Lan Family Father and Son

"Ha ha ha, still planning to run?" Zhang Fei laughed as he tossed the spear in his hand to an attendant.

Jiang Wei lowered his head and answered softly, "Just as General said, Jiang Wei is inferior in skill. I simply had no ability to escape back to Tianshui."

Zhang Fei gently patted Jiang Wei's shoulder and encouraged him. "Boyue, don't belittle yourself. To withstand so many of my attacks, your martial skill is already outstanding among the younger generation. Under my elder brother's command, you ought to rank among the top five."

The words grated harshly on Jiang Wei's ears. Liu Bei occupied no more than Jing Province, Yi Province, and Jiao Province—yet he could only rank a mere top five under him? Zhang Fei, were you really praising me?

"May I ask who the top five are?" Jiang Wei asked, unwilling to concede.

Zhang Fei frowned and thought for a moment before slowly giving his answer. "Speaking solely of martial skill among the younger generation, Lan Ziyu's two sons and Second Brother's eldest son, Guan Ping, securely hold the top three spots. As for my useless son Zhang Bao, Second Brother's younger son Guan Xing, Lan Tian's disciple Deng Ai, and you, Boyue—the four of you may contend for the final two places."

Jiang Wei was greatly startled. Rumor had it that Lan Tian excelled at strategy and governing the realm. How could his sons and disciple possess such exceptional martial skill as well?

"May I ask who deserves first place?" Jiang Wei pressed.

"By all rights, it should be the Lan family's second young master, Lan Ji—Lan Zhongling. At twelve, he slew Jiangdong's Han Dang on the battlefield. His elder brother, Lan Yuan—Lan Boyang—can also exchange dozens of moves with me, but he has little record of