The prince is fierce: Who dares to steal my woman?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's lips curled into a cold smile, a smile that contained both determination and a hint of mockery: "Oh? If that's the case, then I should put righteousness above family ties, so as to demonstrate my selfless and fearless heart, Xiao Jinyan."

Upon hearing this, Yu Yan's face turned even paler. He almost pleaded, "No, General Xiao! If you kill me, the Grand Secretary will never let this go!"

His voice carried a hint of panic as he tried to intimidate the iron-fisted general with the shadow of his power.

However, Xiao Jinyan simply shook his head slightly. The Xuanming Sword he gripped tightly in his hand gleamed with a ghostly blue light under the candlelight, its tip trembling slightly, as if it too was anticipating the impending slaughter.

"With the Xuanming Sword in my hands, I can slay tyrannical emperors and cut down treacherous officials. Even if the Chamberlain is corrupt and lawless, I will kill him without hesitation. As for you, Yu Yan, you are nothing but a dog raised by Yu Jin. Killing you is as easy as crushing an ant."

His tone was filled with unwavering determination, each word like a heavy hammer striking Yu Yan's heart.

Just then, two heavily armored soldiers strode into the tent, their eyes radiating an undeniable authority. Without hesitation, they grabbed Yu Yan and dragged him out of the tent as if he were a lifeless corpse. Yu Yan's struggles and cries for help seemed utterly futile at that moment, only earning him more merciless treatment.

With a bloodcurdling scream like a pig being slaughtered piercing the night sky, followed by the dull thud of a heavy object falling to the ground, Yu Yan's head rolled to the ground, blood splattering everywhere and staining a patch of the camp ground red.

This scene caused all the soldiers present to gasp in shock; they had never seen Xiao Jinyan so decisive and ruthless.

Xiao Jinyan coldly observed all of this, his eyes devoid of any emotion. Once everything had calmed down, he slowly spoke, his voice as cold as frost: "Pass down the order that all soldiers assemble at the drill ground tomorrow. I want everyone to understand that whoever violates military law will be punished accordingly."

The following day, at the Tiger Guard Camp drill ground.

As the first rays of dawn pierced the thin mist and gently brushed against the ancient city walls, a somber atmosphere filled the drill ground. Morning dew glistened on the tips of the grass, as if nature were a silent witness to the scene about to unfold. The entire army, clad in iron armor and wielding spears, stood in neat rows like an iron torrent on the vast drill ground, every pair of eyes gleaming with unwavering resolve and anticipation.

Suddenly, a cold wind blew by, and on the tall flagpole in the center of the drill ground, a bloodstained human head hung conspicuously—it was Yu Yan. Once upon a time, this powerful quartermaster, relying on his relationship with the prime minister, wielded immense influence in the army, but who would have imagined that he would end up like this?

Dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, Xiao Jinyan strode into the center of the training ground with a heroic air. His sharp eyes, like those of an eagle, swept across the entire field, and every soldier whose gaze fell upon him involuntarily straightened their backs.

"Fellow soldiers, Yu Yan has embezzled military funds and lined his own pockets. He has been beheaded according to military law!"

The voice was steady and powerful, piercing the silence of the early morning.

These words caused an uproar throughout the army, their shock palpable. The soldiers exchanged bewildered glances, their hearts filled with both contempt for Yu Yan and awe of Xiao Jinyan's decisive methods.

Seeing this, Xiao Jinyan gently raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. His voice rang out again: "I have ordered people to confiscate Yu Yan's house. All the proceeds will be used to pay the outstanding military pay. If there is any shortfall, I, Xiao Jinyan, am willing to make up for it with my personal property."

"The general is mighty!"

"Long live the general!"

Upon hearing this, a thunderous cheer erupted on the training ground, dispelling the soldiers' doubts and replacing them with boundless admiration for the young commander.

People were whispering among themselves...

"This General Xiao is nothing like the playboy described in the legends; on the contrary, he seems like a true hero with a sense of responsibility!"

"Yes, he is highly skilled in martial arts; even General Wang is no match for him!"

"Moreover, he is decisive in killing and clear in rewarding and punishing..."

As the cheers gradually subsided, Xiao Jinyan looked at Huan Rongzu beside him with a hint of trust and expectation: "Huan Rongzu, I hereby appoint you as the quartermaster of the Tiger Warriors. From now on, you will be fully responsible for the distribution of military rations and the procurement of military supplies."

Upon hearing this, Huan Rongzu's eyes flashed with surprise, followed by immense excitement and determination. He clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice strong and clear: "Yes, Your Highness! This humble servant will certainly live up to your trust and do a good job in logistics for the Tiger Warriors, so that the soldiers have no worries about the rear!"

Xiao Jinyan smiled slightly and said, "Rongzu, don't call me Prince in the Tiger Guard Camp, call me General."

Huan Rongzu quickly saluted and respectfully replied, "Yes, General."

Xiao Jinyan slowly raised his arm, pointed at Huan Rongzu, and said to the soldiers, "Soldiers, this man is my trusted confidant, Xiao Jinyan. Today I appoint him as the quartermaster. Are you all satisfied with this?"

Before the words were even finished, the soldiers were silent for a moment, then erupted in a thunderous response: "We're convinced!"

That voice, carrying the trust and respect of countless soldiers, seemed capable of shaking mountains and rivers. Everyone knew that Xiao Jinyan had just killed a corrupt official who embezzled military funds, so how could he appoint another corrupt official?

Xiao Jinyan's lips curled into a satisfied smile, but then his tone shifted, becoming stern: "Soldiers, although I trust Huan Rongzu, military law is as firm as a mountain, allowing no favoritism. You must all keep a close watch on him. If he is found guilty of even the slightest act of corruption, I, Xiao Jinyan, will show no leniency and will execute him on the spot!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers erupted in cheers and shouts of approval, as if an invisible force was stirring within them, further strengthening their resolve to follow Xiao Jinyan and achieve great things.

As the commotion subsided, Xiao Jinyan turned his gaze to Luo Chuan, who stood to the side, his expression focused. His voice was deep and powerful: "Luo Chuan, today I appoint you as Eagle Banner Captain, and order you to immediately select astute and capable men from the Tiger Guard Camp to form a secret intelligence battalion of around a hundred men, which you will personally command."

The secret intelligence battalion was responsible for gathering intelligence, capturing enemy generals (capturing prisoners), assassinations, spreading rumors, and infiltrating, which is what is commonly known as "spies".

Upon hearing this, a resolute glint flashed in Luo Chuan's eyes. He knelt on one knee, his voice firm and powerful: "Yes, General! Luo Chuan will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Then, Xiao Jinyan strode over to Wang Xuanyu beside him, scrutinizing him sharply, and asked in a low voice, "Xuanyu, how is your archery?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xuanyu smiled confidently, a composure and pride born from countless trials: "I, Wang Xuanyu, am an archer who never misses a shot, a master archer who can hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces. I dare not say I am invincible, but within the Tiger Warrior Camp, I am confident that no one can match me."

A playful smile appeared on Xiao Jinyan's lips. Sunlight danced on his angular face, shimmering with a hint of unruliness and confidence.

"Xuan Yu, are you sure you won't miss with your archery skills?"

His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of skepticism beneath the playful tone.