Chapter 161: Huang Chao, Zhang Guiba, Meng Juehai
Deep in the city, the huge palace is majestic and stretches out, like a wild beast lurking in the mountains. The night is as dark as the abyss, and it has opened its huge mouth to swallow up all prying eyes.

The dark and deep palace exudes a mysterious and gloomy atmosphere.

The palace is located in a desolate area, surrounded by dense woods and silent lakes. The outer walls of the palace are tall and thick, made of black stones, and look ancient and solid. The entrance of the palace is guarded by a pair of huge iron doors, which are engraved with various strange patterns, and seem to hide endless secrets.

Walking into the palace, one is greeted by darkness. The interior of the palace is filled with thick shadows, with only faint lights flickering from the incense candle holders on the walls. These candle holders emit a faint yellow light, barely illuminating a small area around them, further highlighting the dark atmosphere of the palace.

The interior of the palace is intricate, with maze-like corridors and rooms that seem to have no end. The walls are covered with old portraits and decorations, revealing the vicissitudes and decay of the years. But the paintings are all various ghosts, green-faced monsters with fangs, three-headed and six-armed demons, and evil spirits with tentacles all over their bodies. Dust permeates the air, giving people a feeling of desolation and loneliness.

Walking through the corridor, we entered the hall, which was the darkest and deepest place in the palace. A huge crystal chandelier hung on the tall ceiling, but the light was swallowed by the darkness, and only a faint light shone through the crystal surface. In the center of the hall stood a huge and ancient throne, covered with faded velvet and old decorations, as if witnessing the passage of countless years.

In this dark and deep palace, there seemed to be countless hidden and unknown secrets. Every corner exuded a weird and gloomy atmosphere, which made people feel fear and curiosity.

On the throne, a figure was hidden in the dark shadows.

He was tall and sturdy, with solid muscles, revealing immense strength and power. His face was fierce and sharp, and his eyes flashed with coldness and cruelty. His thick black hair fluttered above his head like a crow, further highlighting his majesty and dominance.

His thick eyebrows were like two sharp swords, locked tightly together, as if ready to launch a fatal attack on the enemy at any time. His eyes were deep and sharp, like two cold stars, revealing endless determination and cruelty. When he looked at others, it seemed as if he could see through every thought and plan in their hearts.

His face is hard and angular, revealing firmness and determination. His chin has a distinct angle, giving people an indestructible feeling. His lips are tightly pursed, as if he is ready to issue orders and exert pressure at any time.

He was wearing a black armor that shone with cold light. The armor was inlaid with exquisite metal patterns, symbolizing his rule and authority. He held a huge and sharp weapon in his hand. This weapon seemed to be born for him and could easily cut off anything that stood in his way.

His steps were firm and powerful, and every step exuded dominance and majesty. When he walked by, people could not help but give way, feeling the sense of oppression and dominance emanating from him.

What a fierce and tyrannical hero! What a devil Huang Chao is!
In front of him stood several tall and burly evil generals with ferocious faces and vicious looks.

They were the other four of Huang Chao's Five Tiger Generals except Zhu Wen, namely, Silver Spear General Zhang Guiba, Iron Spear General Deng Tianwang, Southern Sword King Meng Juehai, and White Jade General Ge Congzhou.

Zhang Guiba ranks fifth among the Five Tigers of the Great Qi Dynasty and is also the fourteenth outstanding figure of the Late Tang Dynasty.

Zhang Guiba's origin is extraordinary. He is a descendant of Zhang Liao, and his father is Zhang Churang, the King of Northern Spears. Zhang Churang helped Pang Xun to start an army, but after the defeat, he became a monk. His family was also implicated and wanted. Zhang Guiba, Zhang Guihou, and Zhang Guimou had to wander around with their mother. After their mother died, the three Zhang Guiba brothers took refuge with Meng Juehai in Jinding Taihang Mountain and became bandits.

When Huang Chao passed by Taihang Mountain, he met Zhang Guiba and Meng Juehai and became sworn brothers. Huang Chao was Zhang Churang's apprentice, and he valued his master's three apprentices very much. He passed on the plum blossom spear he learned from Luo Jiaxian to them on behalf of his master. Among the three, Zhang Guiba had the best understanding and learned the most. After the uprising, the three brothers of Zhang Guiba had always followed Huang Chao and made great contributions. After Huang Chao became emperor, he appointed Zhang Guiba as the right general and the commander of Tongguan, and guarded Tongguan with Zhang Guihou and Zhang Guimou. In addition, Huang Chao specially asked someone to make three eight-treasure panlong bright silver spears for the three Zhang brothers, which was extremely generous.

Zhang Guiba was indeed extraordinary and had the talent of a great general. When Jin Wang Li Keyong attacked Tongguan, Zhang Guiba had defeated Li Siyuan, but unfortunately the three brothers were also defeated by Li Cunxiao's spear. The three of them were too ashamed to see Huang Chao again, so they went to Juyang Mountain to become bandits, ready to wait for the opportunity to come out of the mountain again. Later, after hearing that Huang Chao had committed suicide, the three brothers gathered their men and horses to go to Chang'an to fight Li Cunxiao and Huang Chao for revenge. Coincidentally, the three met Ge Congzhou, Qi Kerang and others. Ge Congzhou knew that it was impossible to do anything, so he persuaded the three to return to Juyang Mountain. It was not until Zhu Wen and Li Keyong fell out that the four of them took people to Zhu Wen, wanting to use his power to avenge Huang Chao. In the end, Li Cunxiao died before Zhang Guiba and others, but he was also killed by Yang Gun in the subsequent battle.

Meng Juehai ranks second among the Five Tiger Generals of the Great Qi Dynasty and is also the eleventh hero of the Late Tang Dynasty.

Meng Juehai is from Lingnan, with extraordinary arm strength and great courage. When he was young, Meng Juehai learned swordsmanship from a famous teacher and mastered the Spring and Autumn swordsmanship. He admired Guan Yu, a famous general in the Three Kingdoms, the most, so he made a Santing Qinglong Yanyue Sword, so he was called Meng Juehai the Big Knife. Moreover, Meng Juehai was fearless and had a nickname of "Tearing the Sky". However, at that time, treacherous officials were in power and heroes were buried. Although Meng Juehai had extraordinary skills, he had to make a living by selling private salt and had some friendship with Huang Chao. Later, Meng Juehai accidentally killed a bartender and had to go to Jinding Taihang Mountain to become a bandit and a mountain king.

When Huang Chao and Ge Congzhou went to Chang'an, they met Meng Juehai again and became sworn brothers. After Huang Chao's uprising, the brave and combative Meng Juehai served as the vanguard officer. He killed more than 380 generals and never lost a battle. He was also called an invincible hero. However, after the invincible general Li Cunxiao was born, he captured Meng Juehai alive in one round and took him back with him under his arm.

Thinking about what kind of person Meng Juehai was, he couldn't stand it and struggled desperately. Li Cunxiao also squeezed Meng Juehai harder and harder, and finally squeezed him to death.

(End of this chapter)