xymnovel Chapter 105 The Tiger Warriors Shock the Court Officials
Chapter 105 The Tiger Warriors Shock the Court Officials
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
The war drums thundered, their sound shaking the heavens.
Eight thousand cavalrymen, divided into eight formations, slowly marched from the east side of the parade ground.
Warhorses marched in orderly steps, cavalrymen stood at attention with their spears at the ready, their black armor reflecting the morning light like a torrent of steel.
Each formation was preceded by a large flag bearing the words "Tiger Warriors," with a general riding a horse beneath it—the Eight Vajras.
"First strike, break through the enemy lines!" Zhao Zilong shouted.
Zhou Tong raised his spear high, and the thousand riders behind him roared in unison, "Break the formation!"
The roar was deafening, and the killing intent soared to the heavens.
These thousand people were all fifth-rank martial artists, their blood and qi connected, and they actually condensed into a blood-red phantom in the air, shaped like a fierce tiger.
On the viewing platform, many officials gasped in shock.
"Qi and blood condense into form... a sign of the formation's perfect completion!"
"How could it be possible for a thousand people to be exactly the same in just three months?"
The Empress nodded slightly, a hint of approval in her eyes.
After the first wave, the second wave followed.
"Second formation, the Vanguard Camp!"
Wang Meng roared, and a thousand riders responded. Their qi and blood also materialized into a form, which was a ferocious wolf.
Next came the third and fourth formations... Each formation had different phantom images of qi and blood, such as a lion, a cheetah, or a giant bear.
After the eight formations were completed, eight ferocious beasts of blood and energy hovered in the air, exuding a majestic aura.
But this is just an appetizer.
The eight generals returned to their positions, and eight thousand cavalrymen re-formed their ranks in the center of the parade ground.
Zhao Zilong stood on horseback at the front of the battle, his Dragon Gallant Silver Spear pointing towards the sky.
"Tiger Warriors - Martial Arts Drill!"
"roar!"
Eight thousand cavalrymen roared in unison, the sound so powerful that the viewing platform trembled slightly.
Immediately afterwards, the battle formation began to change.
The eight smaller formations spread out and closed like flower petals, forming a huge circular formation.
The cavalrymen weaved through the ranks at great speed, yet remained perfectly organized.
The circular formation rotates like a millstone grinding—this is a defensive formation that can withstand an attack from an enemy force several times larger.
With the Tiger Legion's formation and the Eight Vajra Generals leading it, no one without a late-stage Celestial Realm cultivation level could break the array.
The formation changed again in the next moment.
The circular formation unfolded, transforming into sharp arrows.
Zhao Zilong was the arrowhead, the Eight Vajras were the two wings, and eight thousand iron cavalry pierced straight ahead like sharp blades.
"charge!"
The sound of horses' hooves thundered, and the earth trembled.
The momentum of the eight thousand iron cavalry charging forward actually condensed into a visible torrent of blood, tearing the air apart wherever they passed.
On the viewing platform, many civil officials turned pale.
They had never experienced this terrifying killing intent up close before.
Even some military officers looked solemn.
Such a charge would likely crush even a grandmaster.
Halfway through the charge, the formation changed for the third time.
The arrowhead formation split in two, transforming into two long dragons that crisscrossed each other, like scissors strangling each other.
This is the "Double Dragon Strangulation Formation," suitable for encircling and annihilating enemy troops.
After the three formations were practiced, the eight thousand cavalrymen lined up again, standing solemnly like a forest.
The entire parade ground was completely silent.
Everyone was awestruck by the army's imposing presence.
The Empress slowly stood up, her gaze sweeping over the iron cavalry below the stage, then looking at Lin Chen, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.
"Duke Zhenguo," she said, her voice carrying throughout the hall, "the Tiger Legion... is very well trained."
Lin Chen rose and bowed: "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. This is due to the soldiers' bravery and I dare not take credit for it."
"Those who have rendered meritorious service deserve a reward," the Empress said calmly, her voice suddenly rising.
"Each soldier of the Tiger Legion will be rewarded with one hundred taels of gold and granted the title of 'Elite Warrior'! The Eight Vajras—"
Her gaze swept over Zhou Tong and his eight companions:
"Zhou Tong, Wang Meng, Li Hu, Zhang Biao, Zhao Kui, Sun Wu, Chen Qing, and Liu An, you eight men have distinguished yourselves in training and are hereby awarded the title of Zhaowu General, a third-rank official, and appointed as commanders of the Tiger-Ben Army!"
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!" The eight men dismounted and knelt on one knee, their voices booming like thunder.
They gave the Empress plenty of face.
The Empress continued:
"Zhao Zilong, for his skillful training of troops and effective command of the army, is hereby awarded the rank of General Zhongwu, a second-rank official! He is also bestowed with a set of golden armor and a royal horse!"
Zhao Zilong knelt on one knee: "This humble general obeys the decree! Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Furthermore," the Empress said, looking at Lin Chen.
"Duke Lin Chen, who was meritorious in establishing the Tiger Warrior Army, was awarded three thousand spirit stones and one hundred jars of imperial wine."
After your coming-of-age ceremony, you will still be in charge of all affairs related to the Tiger Legion, but the registration of soldiers, the allocation of provisions, and the deployment of troops will all require my imperial decree.
This was a clever way of putting it—it gave Lin Chen face while making it clear that the Tiger Legion was a national army, not a private army.
Lin Chen understood immediately and bowed, saying:
"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. The Tiger Warriors are the army of the Great Yan, Your Majesty's army. I will certainly do my duty and live up to Your Majesty's grace."
The Empress nodded in satisfaction and sat down again.
Her gaze seemed to casually sweep over a certain spot on the viewing platform, where eight women dressed in gorgeous attire sat—Lin Chen's seven sisters-in-law and Su Xiaoxiao.
Liu Ruyan was dressed in red, looking heroic and spirited, but her face was a little pale, and she occasionally touched her lower abdomen.
Chu Yueyao is elegant and graceful, Qin Shuyan is dignified and composed, Xiao Yulou is dressed in a strong and stylish outfit, Wen Ruoxi is dressed in brocade and gorgeous clothes, Ye Qingying is dressed in a black robe and has a cool and aloof air, Murong Xue is dressed in palace attire and gentle and graceful, and Su Xiaoxiao is dressed in a green dress and elegant and refined.
The eight women, each with their own unique charm, became a beautiful sight on the parade ground.
Many officials glanced over furtively, their eyes filled with envy.
Lin Chen is truly blessed...
……
After the military parade ended, the Empress returned to the palace, and the officials gradually dispersed.
Lin Chen ordered Zhao Zilong to lead the troops back to camp to reward them, while he accompanied his seven sisters-in-law and Su Xiaoxiao back to the mansion.
Inside the carriage, Wen Ruoxi exclaimed excitedly:
"Eighth Brother, the Tiger Army is so impressive! The momentum of their charge made my heart pound even from the viewing platform."
Xiao Yulou nodded: "Indeed formidable. The combined blood and energy of eight thousand iron cavalry is enough to threaten a Grandmaster. If they were to form a battle formation, even a Celestial Realm expert would have to avoid their sharp edge."
Qin Shuyan laughed and said, "What's most impressive is His Majesty's bestowal of titles—it not only gave face to Eighth Brother but also clarified the affiliation of the Tiger Legion. His Majesty is indeed His Majesty."
Lin Chen leaned back against the carriage and said lazily:
"Your Majesty is wise. Let's just be good subjects. Anyway, the Tiger Legion has been trained, my mission is complete, and I can relax a bit from now on."
Liu Ruyan sat opposite him and said softly, "Eighth Brother, I would like to ask Second Sister to take my pulse when we get back."
Lin Chen immediately sat up straight: "Is your sister-in-law feeling unwell?"
"No..." Liu Ruyan blushed slightly, "It's just that my period is seven days late, and I've been feeling weak and nauseous lately. I'm afraid it might be..."
The women's eyes lit up.
Chu Yueyao grasped her hand:
"Sister-in-law, I'll take your pulse as soon as we get back. If it really is a pregnancy pulse, that would be incredibly joyous news!"
Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat. Calculating the time, his sister-in-law had been a bit too hasty that night, and considering the effects of the Spirit-Nourishing Pill, it should be...
He coughed lightly: "Um... let's talk about it when we get back, let's talk about it when we get back."
The women understood and stopped mentioning it, but their eyes were all smiling.
The carriage returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and Chu Yueyao immediately pulled Liu Ruyan to Xinglin Garden.
Lin Chen wanted to go with them, but Qin Shuyan stopped him.
"Eighth brother, let second sister take your pulse first. If it's truly good news, then we can tell you."
Lin Chen scratched his head: "Alright. I'll go to the study first."