Chapter 18: The World's First Army

  Tang An arrived at the entrance, and on the edge of the stone lion at the entrance, it was indeed that butterfly-like girl.

  Miao Miao is now holding up a small pouch with an air of triumph, and swinging it back and forth, saying with a smile: "There are twenty or thirty taels of silver in your pouch, I guess this money must be for buying jewelry for the girl you have a crush on?"

  That soldier looked only a few years older than Miao Miao, just at the age of first love. He was from Ji Bei, his home was not far from the border, and he had just joined the Hu Bao army this year. The money was given to him by the commander as a reward for the three armies yesterday. Hearing that Yanjing was prosperous, he wanted to use this money to buy some beautiful hair accessories for Xiao Ling in the neighboring village, just like those rich young ladies wore on their heads. He was spoken to by Miao Miao about his heart's desire, and suddenly his face turned bright red with shyness, stubbornly showing his still slightly childish face, pretending to be fierce and saying: "You quickly return my money, otherwise I won't be polite to you. If it weren't for the fact that you're a girl, I would have beaten you up long ago."

  The other soldiers nearby saw this and laughed even louder, with one of them teasing: "Little Zhang, are you not hitting her because she's pretty? Tell me, is she prettier or is that little Ling from the neighboring village prettier?" Before Little Zhang could respond, the old soldier continued to talk to himself: "I think it must be her. I've never seen a girl as lively and lovely as her in all my years. Who knows how beautiful she'll become when she grows up? I'm afraid many people will come knocking on their door."

  Miao Miao was praised by him, and she felt extremely happy. Girls, of course, all like it when others praise their beauty, and Miao Miao is no exception. Which young girl doesn't have a crush? She had someone she liked, so naturally, she cared even more about her appearance.

  Miao Miao grasped the money bag tightly, stared at the little soldier, and smiled slyly. With a crisp tone, she asked: "Tell me, am I pretty or is that Xiaoling from your neighboring village pretty? If you answer well, I'll return the money to you." As she spoke, she deliberately fluttered her beautiful big eyes.

  The little soldier's face turned even redder, and he muttered to himself, unable to speak. After a while, however, he said loudly: "My mother says that a real man must never tell lies. I like Xiaoling, so she is the most beautiful in the world to me. You want to force me to say you are more beautiful than Xiaoling, but Xiaoling will not be happy if she knows. I would rather not have that money and not say you are more beautiful than Xiaoling!"

  Miao Miao's beautiful eyes rolled around, but her mouth let out a sigh as she returned the money bag: "Even if you make me sound more charming, what's the use? I don't like you anyway. You look so wooden, maybe for your whole life you won't be able to win Xiao Ling's heart. Men, why can't you just be straightforward?"

  The little soldier got the money bag and was no longer angry. He smiled on his face, but didn't care that Miao Miao was talking to herself and not to him.

  "What you said is right. After I go back this time, I will ask a matchmaker to propose!"

  Miao Miao listened to his sweet words, but her heart felt sour and she didn't know why. She just sighed: "I don't know when Brother Tang will understand my feelings."

  Just then, Tang An came out from inside.

  Miao Miao saw Tang An, her eyes lit up instantly, the jade butterfly on her forehead seemed to fly away, and she rushed towards Tang An.

  Tang An hesitated for a moment, after all, he couldn't bear it, and stroked Miao Miao's back, letting her lean against his chest.

  He actually understands, he understands the girl's mind more than anyone else. Maybe thinking of himself, maybe there won't be another chance to make any promises to her again, so let her be happy for a few days anyway.

  Tang An then said to Miao Miao: "I won't abandon you, don't worry."

  Miao Miao heard this and suddenly felt like crying. She just held Tang An tighter. She was a very simple person. As long as Tang An made a promise, she wouldn't care about anything else.

  Yesterday, she had wanted to sneak into the Nian Mansion to gather information, but was almost caught by patrolling soldiers. She also thought of stealing that treasured sword from ancient times at the most famous antique shop in the capital, but since she had promised Tang An not to steal again, she restrained herself once more.

  She had no choice but to spend the whole night guarding the gate of the mansion, hoping to get some news. So, she used her own despicable little tricks, thinking that those soldiers were all good men who fought for their country and would not make things difficult for a small woman like herself.

  Perhaps understanding Miao's intentions, Tang An gently patted her back and said: "If I survive this time, I'll take you home, okay?"

  Miao Miao heard this, she finally couldn't help but cry, it was a kind of happiness after waiting bitterly.

  She choked back a sob and raised her head, foolishly asking: "Really? Then will I have a home again in the future?" But she didn't hear Tang An's sentence, if he were still alive.

  She didn't understand, she just thought that Tang An was the most powerful person in this world, and there wouldn't be anyone more powerful than him. Because in her heart, Tang An was the strongest.

  Tang An smiled and nodded. "From now on, my home is your home. We have a mother, a father, and a small courtyard, everything is here, no need to wander around anymore."

  But Tong An still had one more sentence left unsaid. "As long as we are all still alive..."

  On June 6th, he didn't know if he could survive that day.

  It should be okay, right?

  He is uncertain.

  Half a month later, in the northern part of the capital city of Yanjing, the Tiger and Leopard Brigade set up their camp.

  The wind is strong, the sun is high in the sky, the dark-colored banner flies in the wind, and the golden embroidery of the tiger and leopard pattern rustles. The intense killing atmosphere envelops everyone's head, along with the heart that has been jumping and waiting for a long time.

  "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"...

  A loud drumbeat came from afar, and the earth also slightly trembled in response.

  "Ladies and gentlemen."

  A crimson cloak fluttering in the wind and sand, standing atop a high platform, its rustling sound growing increasingly majestic.

  Nian Wushuang didn't come today, because he is no longer the Grand Marshal of the Hu Bao Army. Unexpectedly, half a month ago in the imperial court, Nian Wushuang was suddenly transferred by the Emperor to the northwest military camp in Yongzhou as the Grand Governor, with full authority to protect Yongzhou and prevent the Rongdi from invading from the northwest.

  Thus, Yuan Wanli naturally became the commander-in-chief of the Tiger and Leopard Army. Without leaving the Tiger and Leopard Army, he could become the commander-in-chief, which was undoubtedly the most delightful thing for Yuan Wanli. In these few days, he was even more spirited and his whole person was in high spirits. Every other day, he would run to the Tiger and Leopard Army's military camp to take a look around, check some documents, touch this and that. From now on, the number one strongest army under heaven would be surnamed Yuan!

  "A thousand Tiger and Leopard Brigade have already taken their positions on the training grounds, and another two thousand are to be selected from among you. Now, hurry up and go draw lots for the martial competition, don't waste any more time! I still need to lead you all in a battle against the Rongdi King's court!"

  At that moment, the tens of thousands of people present heard this and their passions were stirred up by Yuan Wanjun. They loudly cheered: "Tiger and leopard are mighty! The general is mighty! Wherever they go, they will conquer! Blood will be washed from the royal court!" Each one excitedly grabbed their own weapons and rushed wildly towards the drill ground.

  When people were still a long distance away from the school field, they saw the Tiger and Leopard Brigade in the distance! A vast expanse of black, divided into three large blocks. Silent without a single miscellaneous sound. One thousand people gathered together, not a single voice, each person holding a long gun, with a three-foot curved knife at their waist, the long guns standing like a forest, looking from afar like an iron thicket. One thousand people all wore dark heavy armor, with tiger and leopard chest guards on their chests. Each of the one thousand people emitted a thick aura of killing intent, that killing intent gathering together, so dense it could scare timid people into fainting!

  Seeing this dense and silent standing tiger leopard army, Tang An felt that he was facing a vast and endless sea of death at this moment.

  This intense aura is suffocating! Terrifying!

  The treasured sword in his hand suddenly hummed with a buzzing sound, as if it had sensed the boundless evil energy and was excited beyond measure.

  Frost, this was sent by Yuan Wanli. It is three feet seven inches long and weighs thirty-six catties, which is three times the weight of an ordinary treasured sword. The density of that cold iron is surprisingly so great.

  It is said that this sword was naturally formed in heaven and has not undergone any tempering, even the hilt is made of cold iron. The entire sword was formed before the creation of the world, invincible and extremely sharp, it is a treasure of the ancient kings of Rongdi!

  When he saw the entire army of Hu Bao Jun, Tang An completely understood... why Yuan Wanli was so disdainful of Shu Shan Jian Pai and Quan Tian Jiao that day! A thousand tigers and leopards, added together, are not just a cumulative number. The thousand people together are like a giant beast that chooses to devour humans. This giant beast emits an extremely evil aura, and relying solely on this thick evil aura is enough to make people lose the courage to resist.

  There are only a thousand people here, but the complete Tiger and Leopard Army is three thousand! Who in the world can muster up the courage to resist three times as many Tiger and Leopard warriors?

  Even a Tianjie strongman wouldn't dare, would he?

  This is the real number one army in the world!

  "Ding! System task officially starts: Participate in the Tiger Leopard Army Martial Arts Tournament, earn 10 reputation points for each win, and receive a mysterious reward after entering the finals."