Chapter 278 Abusing the Scum (Second Update)
Today, the sky is overcast.
The soldiers of the Tiger Mountain Camp had completed their morning drills and were now arrayed in a grand procession on the parade ground.
Tang Ming rode his horse, strutting arrogantly past each of the formations.
Vice General Hu rode alongside him, slightly behind by about half a horse's length.
In terms of rank, both were fifth-rank officials; in terms of seniority, Vice General Hu was far more experienced than Tang Ming, the newly appointed vice general.
But who can blame Tang Ming for having an uncle who is the Grand Marshal of the Army?
Tang Ming himself is brave enough. In just a few days, he has been promoted from captain to deputy general. Perhaps it won't be long before he becomes a proper general.
Deputy General Hu didn't dare offend this little Buddha.
"How are those people standing?" Tang Ming stopped his horse and pointed to a square formation at the very back. "They're all crooked and crooked. Can't they even stand properly? What use are these useless people to the army?"
Deputy General Hu broke out in a cold sweat. That... that straight posture wasn't enough?
This is nitpicking.
Too.
That formation was full of the original Gu family army. In his early years, the old Marquis Gu had a falling out with the Grand Marshal of the Army. After the Gu family army was incorporated into his command, some generals treated the Gu family army differently and caused them a lot of embarrassment.
As for Tang Ming, after entering the camp, he made no attempt to hide his suppression of the Gu family army.
For example, at this time—
Tang Ming said coldly, "Everyone on the side, disperse. That group of people, stay and keep standing there until I'm satisfied!"
"..." Deputy General Hu waved his hand at the guard beside him, "Why aren't you going yet?"
"Yes." The guard relayed Tang Ming's order.
Everyone was used to this, gave those people a sympathetic look, and went to the dining hall for breakfast.
Those people stood there all morning until the competition started, and they didn't get to eat breakfast. But it's impossible to let them eat now, and even if we did, the dining hall would have been cleaned up long ago.
Deputy General Hu inexplicably felt that Tang Ming was being a bit too harsh on him today. Although he had made things difficult for Tang Ming in the past, he would never let anyone go hungry on such an important day.
If this were applied to the battlefield, wouldn't it mean sending soldiers to fight on empty stomachs?
Deputy General Hu was puzzled, but dared not say anything.
The military camp has two arenas, one large and one small.
The large arena is usually used only for annual martial arts competitions; we're using the small arena today.
Martial arts competitions have always been a tradition in the military camp. The original purpose was to boost morale and select talents. Each champion received a reward of ten taels of silver.
Most of the soldiers were from commoner backgrounds. They coveted money, but they coveted even more the opportunity to be noticed by the generals.
The reason why Deputy General Hu took a liking to Xue Ningxiang's brother-in-law, Zhou Erzhuang, was because Zhou Erzhuang had defeated a very powerful squad leader in the arena.
The arena begins.
Tang Ming, along with Vice General Hu and several other generals from the Tiger Mountain Camp, sat on the temporary viewing platform directly opposite.
However, to their surprise, the first person to go on stage was Gu Changqing.
Gu Changqing, dressed in dark brocade robes and holding a Qingxuan longsword, stood gracefully on the arena, under the vast sky.
The spot where Tang Ming had been beaten by Gu Changqing was still throbbing. He narrowed his eyes coldly and asked, "What's going on? Why is Commandant Gu on the field?"
Yes, why is Gu Changqing here to compete?
He's interested in a ring of this caliber?
In the past, the arena was always led by generals, and the arena would be handed over to the other soldiers only after the generals had competed. Later, as the military camp became more bureaucratic, generals with official ranks felt that winning was not a source of pride, and losing was shameful, so they gradually withdrew from the arena.
This was Gu Changqing's first time stepping onto the arena.
He faced the wind, his hair bound by a jade crown, his robes fluttering in the wind, his imposing presence like a rainbow!
For a long time, no one dared to go up.
Gu Changqing then began to call out names. As a captain, no one could refuse unless he called out names of higher rank than himself.
The first name he called was Fu Peng.
These are Tang Ming's men.
Gu Changqing showed no respect to Tang Ming, knocking him off the stage in a single move.
After that, Gu Changqing picked out seventeen or eighteen more, all of whom were under Tang Ming's command, and they were all instantly annihilated in one move.
Tang Ming clenched his fists.
It would be unreasonable for him not to realize that Gu Changqing was deliberately targeting him.
Ha, is Gu Changqing standing up for the Gu family army or avenging his half-brother?
Gu Changqing defeated another of Tang Ming's men without even using a weapon.
He looked at Tang Ming, his provocation undisguised: "Is this the kind of soldiers Vice General Tang led? Nothing special."
The provocation tactic was absolutely effective on Tang Ming, especially in front of the entire army; Tang Ming couldn't afford to lose face like that!
Tang Ming looked coldly at Gu Changqing, grabbed the sword on the table, and leaped up, landing steadily on the arena.
Everyone was stunned.
No way?
What day is it today?
Is Tang Family's Little Tyrant about to clash with the Cold-Faced Yama?
Is it that exciting?
Gu Changqing and Tang Ming's relationship has never been harmonious, but this is the first time they have openly confronted each other. Tang Ming has actually provoked Gu Changqing countless times, but Gu Changqing always chooses to ignore him.
Everyone thought the two of them were not a good match.
"It seems that Commandant Gu provoked Deputy General Tang first..."
"Yes, what happened to him?"
"I don't know, his eyes are so scary."
Everyone noticed Gu Changqing's unusual demeanor today. He was always a cold-faced tyrant in the military camp, but he was neither impulsive nor provocative, let alone shrouded in a huge killing intent like he is now.
This Commander Gu is truly terrifying.
Tang Ming chuckled: "Admit it, you're actually jealous of me, jealous that I became a deputy general and suddenly got the upper hand over you. What revenge for your brother? I've been thinking about it, and you, Gu Changqing, aren't exactly the kind of brotherly person."
Gu Changqing didn't waste any words with him. He threw out his longsword, drew it out in mid-air, and kicked the scabbard, sending it hurtling towards Tang Ming!
Tang Ming's expression changed, and he suddenly turned to the side. The scabbard flew past his face and landed steadily on the wall behind the arena.
Those wall panels... they're made of stone!
It takes a lot of strength to insert such a blunt scabbard!
Tang Ming's gaze fell on Gu Changqing, and an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.
He knew all along that Gu Changqing was hiding his strength, but he didn't know exactly how much he was hiding. In the Eighteen Bronze Men Formation, he made it to the twelfth level, while Gu Changqing made it to the thirteenth level.
But the strength of that move just now was at least at level fifteen or higher.
Tang Ming suddenly regretted going on stage.
But it's too late to go down now.
With so many people watching him, he couldn't surrender, and he couldn't lose!
Tang Ming also drew his sword, threw the scabbard back to his subordinate, and then slashed at Gu Changqing with his sword.
The old Marquis's weapon was a nine-section whip, so Gu Changqing was actually most skilled with whips, but he didn't like using nine-section whips.
Seeing Tang Ming's sword coming towards him, Gu Changqing did not dodge.
Was this person terrified by their own sword energy?
The moment this thought flashed through Tang Ming's mind, he was struck by Gu Changqing's sword!
Tang Ming was stunned; he simply couldn't see how Gu Changqing made his move!
The sword pierced through Tang Ming's armor, leaving a gash on his right abdomen, from which blood gushed out!
Everyone was stunned!
Although...swords have no eyes, isn't this attack a bit too fast and too ruthless?
Tang Ming clutched his wound in disbelief, took a few steps back, looked at the blood, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Gu Changqing, you're asking for death!"
A cold glint flashed in Gu Changqing's eyes: "I told you, don't even think about hitting him, I'll kill you! Not secretly, but I'll beat you to a pulp, trample you under my feet, and then kill you!"
Tang Ming suddenly realized that Gu Changqing was serious, and he seemed to understand why Gu Changqing did this.
Gu Changqing was humiliating him!
Because he humiliated Gu Yan, Gu Changqing wanted to make him pay tenfold, a hundredfold!
Tang Ming clenched his fists: "Are you crazy! Aren't you afraid you'll have to pay with your life?"
Gu Changqing showed himself whether he was afraid or not with his actions, and then slashed with his sword, cutting open Tang Ming's right abdomen.
The third sword strike pierced Tang Ming's left arm.
The fourth sword strike wounded Tang Ming's left leg.
The fifth sword...
From the moment Tang Ming made his move, he didn't win a single move against Gu Changqing. On the contrary, every sword strike from Gu Changqing drew blood from Tang Ming.
This is not a martial arts competition.
It was a one-sided crushing defeat!
Tang Ming, the pride of the emperor and the second-best fighter in the army, is he really so easily defeated?
"stop!"
Deputy General Hu couldn't stand it anymore; if they continued to beat Tang Ming, he would be dead.
Instead of stopping, Gu Changqing thrust his sword towards Tang Ming's heart!
Everyone gasped in shock!
Tang Ming was already too exhausted to move, just like Gu Yan who was also unable to move last night. He had become a lamb to be slaughtered.
His face had lost all color.
For a military general, being so humiliated on the arena is no different from being a commoner being pinned down and defiled.
He tasted Gu Yan's despair and humiliation!
No sooner said than done, a powerful gust of wind swept in, knocking Tang Ming away from Gu Changqing's sword.
Tang Ming crashed into the wall and coughed up a mouthful of blood, but at least he avoided a fatal blow.
A tall and imposing figure landed on the arena, shielding Tang Ming behind him.
Upon recognizing the person, Tang Ming excitedly crawled over and hugged the man's leg: "Uncle! He's going to kill me!"
Tang Yueshan's icy gaze fell on Gu Changqing's face: "Does Commandant Gu not know the rules of the martial arts competition? No one may take a life!"
"Is he even human?" Gu Changqing asked coldly.
Tang Ming glanced at his uncle guiltily.
Tang Yueshan didn't look at him: "It is true that he was too harsh in punishing the old members of the Gu family, but if you want to take his life because of this, I'm afraid you are the one who is even more excessive."
Gu Changqing did not explain.
That's fine too.
Gu Yan's secret was preserved.
Tang Yueshan sneered, "Then how about I exchange a few blows with you!"
Tang Yueshan was known for protecting his own, which is why almost no one in the capital dared to provoke Tang Ming. Even if they were bullied by Tang Ming, they could only swallow their anger.
Tang Ming glared at Gu Changqing with deep hatred, a vengeful glint in his eyes: "Uncle! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him to avenge me!"
In front of the entire army camp, Tang Yueshan could not possibly kill Gu Changqing, but it would be easy for him to suffer a little.
However, just as he was about to make his move, a voice as clear as a bell rang out: "Wait!"
Gu Changqing frowned.
Deputy General Hu and the others turned their heads and saw the old Marquis?
The old Marquis was followed by the unhurried Marquis Xuanping.
The old Marquis has retired and no longer holds any official position, but Marquis Xuanping is the Grand General of the State, and everyone except Tang Yueshan has to pay him respects.
Tang Yueshan held a higher official rank than him, but his social status was inferior. Marquis Xuanping was a first-rank military marquis and a member of the imperial family.
Tang Yueshan reluctantly cupped his hands in a perfunctory gesture.
Marquis Xuanping didn't seem to mind. He smiled faintly and said, "It's been a long time. I hope you've been well, Lord Tang."
Tang Yueshan had a bad relationship with the old Marquis, and not much better with the Marquis of Xuanping. The former was because of past grievances, and the latter... apart from their different stances, it was simply because the Marquis of Xuanping was too infuriating!
Tang Yueshan was only a few years older than Marquis Xuanping, but when the two stood together, it looked like they were from different generations.
Marquis Xuanping put his hands in his sleeves and looked at Tang Yueshan's round belly with a half-smile: "It seems that Lord Tang has been eating a lot of oil lately. Is the salary of the Grand Marshal of the Army of the World too high? Now that you are the Grand Marshal, you shouldn't be frowning all the time. Look at you, you have more wrinkles."
Tang Yueshan was furious.
This is a perfect example of bringing up the most sensitive topic.
To be honest, he was wronged. Tang Yueshan was a handsome man when he was young, but now he has become a greasy middle-aged man.
Looking at Marquis Xuanping again, he looked like this twenty years ago, and he still looks like this twenty years later!
How infuriating!
If someone else had insulted him like that, would he still say something like, "What's the point of a man being so good-looking? Does he know martial arts? Can he fight? Can he go to war and kill enemies?"
But you can't say that to Marquis Xuanping.
The arrival of Marquis Xuanping immediately threw the atmosphere off course.
Tang Yueshan's resentment towards Gu Changqing was largely absorbed by Marquis Xuanping, to the point that when the old Marquis suggested bringing Gu Changqing back to his residence for strict discipline, Tang Yueshan readily agreed.
Of course, Tang Ming also fainted due to severe injuries and excessive blood loss.
(End of this chapter)
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