"Clang-!"
Yuan Tan's question was answered by the perfectly synchronized sound of blades being drawn. All three thousand soldiers drew their sabers, their gleaming blades reflecting the sunlight overhead, dazzling and chilling.
Zhang Liao sat astride his horse with his saber held crosswise and stared coldly at Yuan Tan. "By decree of the Son of Heaven, any who dare disobey-"
"Execute them!"
As the words fell, all three thousand soldiers took one step forward!
A surge of killing intent shot skyward!
Standing before such an elite army, the remnants of Taishi Ci's forces turned pale, their legs trembling, almost ready to flee first, even though they knew that killing intent was not directed at them.
If even they reacted this way, there was no need to speak of Yuan Tan and the many Qing Province soldiers being treated as enemies. The instant the three thousand Xu Province troops unleashed their killing intent, they felt chills down their backs despite the midday sun.
The same thought rose in everyone's mind-they were absolutely no match for this army, even with twice its numbers!
Yuan Tan was alarmed as well. Only now did he notice the uniform black armor and standard-issue straight sabers of the Xu Province troops. Their equipment was far superior to that of his Qing Province army!
Where did Lü Bu get the money to equip an army like this?
And where did they get such excellent equipment?
Shock and doubt churned in Yuan Tan's mind.
If only the three thousand men before him were so well equipped, that would be understandable. But if there were ten thousand... Ten thousand armored soldiers-the very thought sent a chill through him. How many men in the realm possessed such an army?
It would be enough to sweep across all of Ji Province!