nagpurpolice Chapter 129 Military Parade: A Difficult Challenge!
Chapter 129 Military Parade: A Difficult Challenge!
Chapter 129 Military Parade: A Difficult Challenge!
Three days later, it was time for Shen Ci to set off.
Shen Yan left early, and Lin Qingwei saw him off. After watching Shen Yan's departing figure, she sighed.
She knew in her heart that she didn't know when they would meet again.
Shen Yan followed Shen Ci to the training ground, where the soldiers had already been mustered.
At dawn, the rising sun pierced through the clouds, casting a golden glow.
The soldiers stood in formation, their weapons gleaming like frost, their cold light sharp and menacing.
Ten thousand soldiers assembled, yet not a single word could be heard, only heavy breathing and the neighing of horses.
With banners fluttering, Shen Ci looked at the soldiers below and felt a surge of pride rising in his heart.
He thought to himself, "This is an elite force, this is the Shen family's confidence."
"9
Although he was the son of a duke, this was his first time leading the Vermilion Bird Army.
Being able to command the Vermilion Bird Army filled Shen Ci with immense excitement.
But just then, an untimely voice rang out.
"The Vermilion Bird Army is a battle-hardened force, and its generals always lead from the front. How can someone as frail as you, young master, possibly charge into battle?"
Shen Ci frowned upon hearing his words.
He recognized the man; he was Meng Lie, a commander in the Vermilion Bird Army. True to his name, he was fierce and unlikable.
He was a troublemaker in the army, and had done things like disobeying orders, killing prisoners, and letting his troops plunder.
He even slaughtered a Xiongnu tribe when he was guarding the border.
The reason he was still in the army was entirely due to Meng Lie's strength and skill in battle.
He was already at the peak of the fourth rank, and based on his merits and realm, he shouldn't have been a general with ten thousand men.
Unfortunately, Meng Lie is capable of both meritorious service and trouble, and his merits and demerits cancel each other out, which has led to the current situation.
Shen Ci spoke up, "According to the general's words, how dare I accept this?"
Meng Lie said calmly, "Of course, it's a fight. If you defeat the centurion, you can take a thousand men with you today. If you defeat me, you can take all of them with you."
Before Shen Ci could speak, Shen Rong, who was standing to the side, could no longer hold back.
"This is His Majesty's order; how dare you disobey?"
"We dare not disobey orders, but if we are not convinced today, we will not be able to reach Jiangnan Prefecture in half a month."
Meng Lie sneered.
He harbored deep resentment towards Emperor Xuanwu, and since Shen Moxuan was not leading the expedition this time, the soldiers naturally complained bitterly and were extremely opposed.
In the last suppression of the White Lotus Sect, the Vermilion Bird Army suffered heavy casualties, but the fallen brothers did not receive the compensation they deserved.
Shen Moxuan was also seriously injured as a result. Although Meng Lie was impulsive, he was not stupid.
He understood that Emperor Xuanwu must have been plotting something, otherwise they wouldn't have fallen into the ambush.
They wouldn't have lost so many brothers, Meng Lie felt a lingering resentment.
He didn't care who Shen Ci was; the Vermilion Bird Army only recognized Shen Moxuan.
Even his own son is not allowed.
Although Shen Ci also practices martial arts, his level is not high; he is currently only at the eighth rank.
He didn't have much talent in martial arts, which is why he chose the path of civil service examinations.
Let alone dealing with Meng Lie, he wouldn't even be a match for a centurion in the Vermilion Bird Army.
Shen Rong was furious; how could he stand idly by when his master had been humiliated?
"You know perfectly well that your martial arts level is low, yet you still say such things. Aren't you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?"
Meng Lie laughed and said, "Since his cultivation level is so low, he shouldn't embarrass himself by coming here."
Shen Ci waved his hand and said, "Since you want to fight, then I'll fight you."
Meng Lie frowned. He hadn't expected Shen Ci to actually agree. His original intention was simply to provoke Shen Moxuan.
How could he not know that Shen Ci's martial arts level was low, and that any centurion in the army could defeat him?
However, since things have come to this point, words cannot be taken back. If Shen Ci wants to fight, then so be it.
Meng Lie selected a centurion to step forward.
"Xiao Zhan, go and experience the young master's superior skills."
Shen Yan watched from the side, his gaze slightly narrowed, as if deep in thought, pondering to himself.
Today's attack was clearly premeditated, but it's unclear why Meng Lie did it this way.
The news of the expedition had been conveyed to the Vermilion Bird Army a few days prior.
After all, when an army goes to war, it's not something they can just leave at any time.
The man named Xiao Zhan possessed an aura far stronger than Shen Ci's.
Shen Ci is destined to lose this battle.
As expected, Shen Ci was defeated in just two moves.
It was rare for Shen Yan to see a hint of helplessness on his face.
He thought to himself, "This is like a scholar encountering a soldier—you can't reason with him!"
Meng Lie sneered, "Young master, in my opinion, you should go find the Duke as soon as possible! As long as he is willing to lead the team, we can set off immediately."
When Shen Rong saw that Shen Ci was injured, his face turned red and he said angrily, "What kind of skill is it to bully a scholar? If you have the guts, fight me!"
Shen Rong's aura had reached its peak at this moment; this was the second time Shen Yan had seen him make a move.
Last time at the Iron Robe Hall, Shen Yan thought Shen Rong was like a god.
Looking at it now, it doesn't seem that strong, even though only a few months have passed.
He couldn't help but sigh, things have changed, it all seems like yesterday.
Meng Lie sensed Shen Rong's presence and his expression turned serious.
"Heh! You're courting death. I won't hold back. If you beat me, what you said earlier will stand."
The two fought fiercely on the training ground, stirring up clouds of yellow dust from the hard loess soil.
The soldiers couldn't help but step back, making room for them to fight.
Shen Yan looked at the two people on the field and sighed inwardly.
Their levels of cultivation were similar, but Meng Lie was a cut above.
Shen Rong's moves were ruthless and fierce, but Meng Lie was able to counter them perfectly.
If Shen Yan wasn't mistaken, Meng Lie should also be practicing external martial arts.
Meng Lie's flesh and bones had long been tempered to perfection, and Shen Rong had indeed met his match.
Although Shen Rong's moves were fierce, they could not cause much damage to Meng Lie.
The energy consumed was astonishing, while Meng Lie handled it with ease.
With the tide turning and the tide rising, Shen Rong will likely be defeated soon.
Shen Ci's eyes were also filled with worry, and he sighed inwardly.
"Ah! Indeed, the truth of this world ultimately comes down to strength."
Meng Lie dared to bully him like this only because his cultivation level was low. If Shen Ci had half of Shen Moxuan's skill...
Such a thing would never happen today.
He could only pray in his heart that Shen Rong would be safe and sound.
Shen Ci had already prepared to travel to Jiangnan Prefecture alone.
He had heard about the Vermilion Bird Army's affairs, so he wasn't surprised that they acted this way.
After all, Emperor Xuanwu still hasn't given an explanation.
Shen Moxuan did not appease the soldiers, and there was inevitably some resentment in the army.
Shen Ci knew Shen Moxuan's predicament; Emperor Xuanwu had been suppressing military generals for quite some time.
Shen Moxuan's achievements have surpassed those of the emperor, and there is no longer any reward to be given. Emperor Xuanwu naturally does not want him to continue to grow stronger.
While Shen Ci was in a daze, the outcome of the match had already been decided.
Just as Shen Yan had predicted, Shen Rong lost.
Meng Lie looked coldly at Shen Rong, whose strength was almost equal to his own.
He was able to defeat him entirely through his physical strength.
Even so, he still suffered some injuries.
"Young master, it seems you won't be able to take a single soldier with you today! You'd better summon the Duke as soon as possible!"