Chapter 25: Down Horse Prestige (First Update)

  "Chen Xuanli, you old fellow, every time you come, you block me outside." Gao Lishi's face was full of smiles, he took a step forward and punched Chen Xuanli on the shoulder.

  Both were old men of the East Palace, and had followed Li Longji before he came to power, serving together for decades, with a good relationship, and Gao Lishi's actions were very intimate.

  "You're a high-ranking official, who can stop you from entering?" Chen Xuanli patted Gao Lishi's shoulder.

  "Easy does it!" Gao Lishi's shoulders slumped, and he gave Chen Xuanli a white-eyed stare, saying: "Who doesn't know you're strong? Are you intentionally trying to shatter my bones?"

  Chen Xuanli, who had taken advantage of the situation, was in a great mood and asked: "Lord Gao, what brings you here?"

  "This is General Li Changguo, a close relative of the imperial family and a high-ranking military officer...". Gaoli Shi briefed him on the situation.

  "Are you Li Changguo?" Chen Xuanyi's eyebrows furrowed, his face turned solemn, and his smile vanished in an instant as he glared at Li Changguo.

  "Li Changguo has seen Dragon General Long Wu." Li Changguo knew the situation was not right, but he was not afraid and stepped forward to pay his respects.

  "You were the vanguard of Gao Xianzhi's southern expedition, and although you have military achievements, you captured Su Shi Li. However, this achievement is nothing in our Longwu Army." Chen Xuanyi looked at Li Changguo with disdain, not putting him in his eyes at all.

  The soldiers of Longwu Army have all experienced a hundred battles and have made no small military achievements. Chen Xuanli's words were not exaggerated.

  "Our Longwu Army is the most elite army of the Tang Dynasty, with everyone being carefully selected and each one being a hero. To become a member of the Longwu Army, you must go through our selection." Chen Xuanyu's mouth curled up slightly as he said, "Those who are famous in vain are not worthy of being part of the Longwu Army."

  Dismount and show your power!

  This is just the beginning!

  Li Changguo originally met with courtesy, but unexpectedly Chen Xuanli gave him a warning shot, and he couldn't help but proudly say: "Li Changguo followed the vice governor of Anxi, Gao Xianzhi, on his southern expedition. We opened roads through mountains and built bridges over waters, encountering countless difficulties and constant bloodshed. I didn't even frown once. If General Longwu thinks my reputation is undeserved, then draw your sword, and I'll take it from here."

  In the army, only the strong are revered, and only the strong have status. The weak get no sympathy and can only be despised. Since Chen Xuanli has made it clear that he wants to teach Li Changguo a lesson, Li Changguo has nothing to worry about. When the troops come, we'll fight back; when the flood comes, we'll build dams.

  "Li Changguo..." Gao Lishi was both surprised and astonished, hastily rushing to Li Changguo to rebuke him, saying: "Stop your nonsense! Quickly apologize to General Longwu."

  "Huh!" Chen Xuanli was also surprised.

  He was an old man of the East Palace, Li Longji's beloved general. Otherwise, Li Longji would not have handed over the Dragon Martial Army to him for management, which is equivalent to handing over his life and property to him. Who saw him without showing three points of respect?

  It was Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong who were also very polite to him.

  "I've heard that you have the bravery of a thousand men, not inferior to Qin Qiong or Wei Guang. I'd like to see it for myself!" Chen Xuanli frowned and said to Li Changguo, "Our Longwu Army has hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with masters as numerous as clouds. Do you dare accept their challenge?"

  "What's there to be afraid of!" Li Changguo replied with an air of pride, his tone not loud but firm.

  "In that case, let's go ahead!" Chen Xuanli turned around and walked away quickly.

  Gao Lishi was stunned and gave Li Changgui a look, but was dragged into the camp by Chen Xuanli, only to shake his head and smile bitterly.

  Li Changguo took big strides and followed him up.

  "This man is really ignorant of good and evil, daring to speak to General Long Wu like that, he's looking for trouble!"

  "Look at his appearance, indeed he is quite skilled, but we are the Dragon Martial Army, with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and masters as numerous as clouds. Which one of them doesn't have their own special skills? If he knows what's good for him, he should admit defeat now while he still can. But if he really wants to accept the challenge, he will definitely regret coming to the Dragon Martial Army."

  Looking at Li Changguo's back, the Longwu Army soldiers whispered to each other, and according to their words, Li Changguo was dead for sure.

  Li Changguo listened to their words, but didn't take it seriously. He had been in the Tang army for so long, how could he not understand the situation of the Tang army? In the army, one must be strong, hiding and covering up would only make others look down on you.

  Li Changguo decided that this time he must make a big show of it, otherwise his position in the Longwu Army would be very pathetic.

  "Pass it on!"

  As soon as Chen Xuanli entered the camp, he loudly ordered: "Deploy three thousand Longwu troops."

  The Dragon Martial Army is full of masters, each one a good hand. With three thousand Dragon Martial Army soldiers, how many masters will there be? Just thinking about it makes people dizzy. Even if Li Changguo had three heads and six arms, he wouldn't be able to cope. Chen Xuanyu's move was ruthless enough.

  Rumble!

  Orders were given and a team of Longwu soldiers came forward, their formation was neat and tidy, with rows and columns standing upright, their momentum shocked the sky and stunned people.

  The Dragon Warrior's physique was tall and majestic, like an iron tower standing there, as unshakeable as a green pine.

  "It's indeed worthy of being the most elite army of the Great Tang!" Li Changguo watched with his eyes and praised in his heart.

  "Follow me!" Chen Xuanli beckoned to Li Changguo with a wave of his hand, quickly stepping up onto the high platform in front. "Engaging in martial arts competitions is an everyday occurrence in the Dragon Martial Army," he said. "This is the arena, and you will be accepting challenges from our soldiers on this stage."

  "Wheel war is too troublesome, let them come up together!" Li Changguo scolded Chen Xuanyu.

  "You...are arrogant enough, soon you will be crying."

  Chen Xuanli's words stunned Li Changguo, his nose was not a nose, his eyes were not eyes, he let out a cold hum and shouted loudly to the Longwu army below: "Brave warriors of the Great Tang, this is the valiant lieutenant of the Anxi Protectorate, who followed Gao Xianzhi on the southern expedition and captured Su Shi alive. He claims to have the bravery of a thousand men, his courage is not inferior to Qin Qiong or Wei Zheng, he is the number one fierce general of the Anxi Protectorate, do you dare challenge him?"

  He only said that Li Changguo was a person from the Anxi Protectorate, and did not say he was a person from the Longwu Army, which means he does not acknowledge Li Changguo as part of the Longwu Army.

  Yes!

  A single word answer, yet earth-shattering and awe-inspiring.

  "Bring it on!"

  Chen Xuanyu's white beard fluttered in the wind, looking very majestic and powerful.

  "Brush!"

  The three thousand Dragon Warrior Army collectively took a step forward, with each person's eyes radiating intense light.

  They were all seasoned warriors, with extremely bold and daring spirits. Even if Li Changguo was the first fierce general of Anxi Protectorate, it would not be possible for them to be intimidated by him. Not only did they not fear him, but instead their fighting spirit was stirred up, and they all wished to compete with Li Changguo.

  "Come out, all of you!" Chen Xuanli pointed at the three men and said: "Li Changguo captured Su Shi alive, making a great contribution to the Tang Dynasty. However, compared to your ancestors' contributions, this achievement is nothing. You, tell him about your ancestors' military achievements!"

  "My name is Su Wei, and I am a descendant of Xing Guo Gong who destroyed the Western Turks!"

  Su Dingfang destroyed the Western Turks and made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty, being granted the title of Duke of Xingguo.

  It turned out to be a descendant of Su Dingfang, this origin is big enough, Chen Xuanyu's mouth cornered upwards, slanting Li Changguo, extremely pleased.

  "My name is Cheng Hao, and my ancestors were Cheng Yi."

  Cheng Zhi Jie is none other than the famous Cheng Yaojin, a renowned general of the Tang Dynasty, and this origin is also not small.

  "My name is Li Yi, a collateral branch of the Li family, and my ancestors were Dukes who Guarded the Country."

  This is even more impressive, it turns out to be a descendant of Li Jing.

  The soldiers of the Dragon Martial Army came from two sources: one was selected from among hundreds of thousands of Tang troops, choosing those who were quick-witted and skilled in battle; the second was selecting brave ones from among the sons of meritorious officials.

  Chen Xuanli, isn't this intentionally making things difficult for Li Changguo? Don't you have the merit of capturing Su Dingfang alive? That little merit of yours is nothing compared to Li Jing, Su Dingfang, and Cheng Yaojin.

  The scene was extremely unfavorable for Li Changguo, Chen Xuanyu's eyes narrowed and he seemed to be enjoying himself, staring at Li Changguo with a raised corner of his mouth.