Special War God

The other generals became impatient when they saw Mao Zizhuang's dilemma.

Li Xiuyan said: "The general gave you such a big gift, and you are still so indifferent?"

Chen Tongkai also echoed: "Xia Zhongnan trains with other centurions every day. Can't you let other centurions learn something too?"

Liu Dabazi was also curious: "Is there any secret in Xia Zhongnan's training?"

This question made everyone pay more attention to Mao Zizhuang.

Mao Zizhuang sighed and said, "You only know one side of the story, but not the other. I didn't expect that Xia Zhongnan is really just an empty shell."

Yu Zejun asked: "What do you mean?"

Mao Zizhuang sighed and said, "Do you know? In the past month, Xia Zhongnan has had his 100-man team practice queuing and standing every day, not martial arts. Although their standing postures are very good, as you can see now, it is amazing, but they have never practiced martial arts and only know some farmer's moves. Isn't this just for show?"

Qiu Butong asked in surprise: "After such a long time, have they really not practiced any martial arts? Doesn't everyone carry a long stick? Is that a spear with the tip removed? I remember that Xia Zhongnan defeated Diwu Dechang with a spear, so his spear skills should be very good. Is he holding back?"

This was an internal martial arts competition. The spears had their heads removed, and the blades of swords, axes and other weapons were covered to prevent them from injuring the soldiers. Mao Zizhuang smiled bitterly and replied, "Haha, it can't be said that they didn't practice at all. They only practiced the most basic straight thrust, including stabbing, thrusting, hooking, blocking, entanglement, circling, blocking, grabbing, poking, poking, and knocking. By the way, in recent days, they have added a 'spear-lifting' action before the straight thrust. Maybe in the future, when they have practiced all these moves, they can become an elite force. But now, it's just surface work."

After listening to Mao Zizhuang's explanation, everyone looked at Xia Zhongnan's magnificent military posture and was speechless for a moment. Liu Dabazi originally had high hopes for Xia Zhongnan. Seeing the momentum of the 100-man team led by him, he was very happy and thought that Xia Zhongnan had done what he said and really found a talent. At this moment, his mood became complicated.

Later, the troops from the five departments gathered at the martial arts training ground. Liu Dabazi looked around, and his eyes couldn't help but fall on Xia Zhongnan's 100-man team. This team was too conspicuous. Just standing there, it looked mighty and majestic, and was not on the same level as other teams. It would be unreasonable not to regard them as a powerful army.

He stood up, walked to the front, faced the ten thousand soldiers below, and shouted loudly: "Brothers, a month has passed, and I am extremely happy to see you again. A month ago, we were just a group of scattered soldiers, but now, I have felt the momentum of the army from you. I believe that as long as time permits, our Chifang Army Thirteenth Army will surely become a lion that is invincible. Today is the first large-scale competition of the entire army. I declare that the first-place 100-man team will be rewarded with five taels of silver for each member; the second-place 100-man team will be rewarded with three taels of silver for each member; the third-place 100-man team will be rewarded with one tael of silver for each member; the fourth to tenth-place 100-man teams will be rewarded with fifty copper plates for each member."

The reward was quite generous. The five taels of silver each member of the first-place 100-man team received was enough to support a low-income family for a year. These soldiers came from poor families all over Chifangzhou. When they heard about the generous reward, they were excited and hoped to get the bounty to supplement their family income. Didn't they join the army just to make a living?

Seeing the soldiers' reactions, Liu Dabazi spoke again: "Brothers, the bounty mentioned before is for outstanding performance, but if you satisfy me, I declare that I will give each of you an extra fifty copper coins as an incentive! In our Chifang Army's Thirteenth Army, as long as everyone tries their best and makes progress, I will never be stingy with rewards."

Now, the soldiers were even more excited. Many of them shouted their gratitude to the general and felt that joining the 13th Army was worth it.

Finally, Liu Dabazi announced: "Now, I declare that the grand competition of the 13th Army of the Chifang Army has officially begun!"

After saying this, he returned to his seat. Deputy General Zuoqiu Juemin stepped forward and ordered the army to separate, freeing up the central area for the competition. During the official competition, the two teams of 100 people faced off in this highly anticipated venue.

Zuoqiu Juemin explained the rules of the game again: Soldiers from the two teams tied blue and yellow ribbons on their helmets to distinguish them, and the edges of their weapons were sealed and painted red. Once they hit the other side's armor, a bright red mark would be left. The marked soldier was considered injured and could no longer participate in the battle. During the process, more than 20 cultivators served as referees. If the injured soldier dared to take action, it would be considered a violation and his bounty qualification would be revoked.

The rules are clear and not difficult to enforce.

Under his arrangement, the teams of 100 people led by Qiu Butong and Li Xiuyan were divided into two teams to enter the venue.

Stimulated by the generous reward, the soldiers of the two centuries stared at each other with fierce eyes, wishing they could rush up and chop down their opponents immediately.

Zuoqiu Juemin shouted "Let the competition begin", and the two teams rushed towards each other in a mess. They met in the center line. In an instant, a large number of people were hit by weapons. The soldiers with marks on their bodies dropped their weapons, hugged their heads and curled up on the ground, allowing others to continue fighting.

The soldiers watching were so excited that their blood boiled. Even though this was just a competition and not a real battlefield, the fierce clash between two hundred people was still shocking to those of them who had never been on a battlefield.

The game was very fast, because no one ran away and they fought to the end. In just a quarter of an hour, the winner was decided, Zuo Qiutong's team of 100 men was completely wiped out, and Li Xiuyan's team of 100 men had only eight men left.

Li Xiuyan bowed to Zuo Qiutong and said with a smile: "It seems that my guys have won. Commander Zuo, I accept the victory!"

Zuo Qiutong glanced at him and said calmly: "It's just a small-scale competition. Li Dutong is taking it too seriously!"

It was hard to describe the feeling after hearing this tone and words. Li Xiuyan looked cold and turned his head away, while the others smiled silently.