A hundred people formed one unit, departing in sequence. The magnificent procession running around the military camp at the foot of the mountain was quite a spectacular sight. Although everyone grumbled and shouted complaints, they didn’t slack off. The instructor in charge of He Yan’s unit was surnamed Liang, called Liang Ping, who was just as fierce and merciless as Head Instructor Shen. He commanded, “Form ranks quickly, depart!”

At his order, everyone began the weighted long-distance run with their unit. He Yan felt like she was carrying a stone block with a large sandbag on her back, pressing down on her body until she could barely maintain stability. Since becoming Young Lady He, she had accompanied He Yunsheng up the mountain daily to chop firewood, which only served to make the young lady’s frail body healthier, or perhaps slightly more robust than other girls her age. But Xiao Jue’s iron-blooded training methods were truly difficult to endure.

In the past, He Yan could handle it, but in the present, He Yan struggled greatly.

People constantly overtook He Yan. Most recruits were strong and imposing in build, and even those who weren’t particularly tall were mostly from poor families accustomed to heavy labor. Though running laps with sandbags was tiring, it was manageable for them. Those as weak as He Yan were rare – the few similar cases had died on the way to Liangzhou. In terms of physical aptitude at the Liangzhou garrison under White Moon Mountain, He Yan was the weakest one.

The brothers Shi Tou and Xiao Mai ran very fast. They were used to chasing prey while hunting in the mountains, often running around with captured games tied to their bodies, so this was relatively easy for them. Hong Shan, probably being slightly older, was already panting after one lap. Wiping sweat from his forehead, he said, “Ah, this isn’t something humans should do.”

When he received no response from He Yan, he looked back to find her ten steps behind. He slowed down slightly to wait for her and asked, “A He, can you hold on? You look uncomfortable.”

He Yan’s face was pale, with large beads of sweat rolling from her hairline to her chin before disappearing into her clothes. Carrying the sandbag, she looked like one of those children sold by their parents to work as laborers at the capital’s docks – a pitiful sight.

“I’m fine, Brother Shan, don’t worry about me. You go ahead first. I’m slow, just let me run at my own pace in the back,” He Yan smiled. “You can rest in the pavilion after finishing early, don’t wait for me.”

“Why don’t you tell the instructor,” Hong Shan hesitated, and seeing no one paying attention to them nearby, he leaned in and whispered, “Or secretly run fewer laps, since no one will notice.”

“I know what I’m doing,” He Yan laughed. “Brother Shan, go ahead. We’ll meet up later.”

Only after repeatedly confirming that He Yan didn’t need help did Hong Shan run ahead with his sandbag. He Yan scratched her head and gave a helpless smile.

Tell the instructor she couldn’t do it? Impossible. Once in the military camp, you had to manage even if you couldn’t. Secretly run fewer laps? Impossible. Though it seemed no one was watching now, these instructors were very cunning, with hidden monitors along the path. Running fewer laps would violate military discipline and result in a beating. She knew this when she was a general, and as a common soldier, there was no reason to try to find loopholes.

However… she wiped away the sweat that had rolled onto her eyelids and looked up at the golden sun suspended overhead.

It was hot!

…

Someone walked out of the garrison.

Cheng Lisu fanned himself with a folding fan, looking toward the mountain peaks shrouded in clouds and mist, and happily exclaimed, “The scenery here is too beautiful, ten thousand times better than the capital! Uncle has such good taste!”

Xiao Jue followed behind him, wearing a black gold long robe embroidered with cloud patterns, a long sword slanted at his waist, eyes like stars, lips like touches of vermillion, naturally refined and elegantly handsome. He looked like a noble young master who happened to be passing through, adding a touch of brilliance even to this harsh land.

“They’re running, tsk tsk,” Cheng Lisu shook his head, “If I had to do this, I definitely wouldn’t last fifteen minutes.”

“Then you should go back.” The response was an icy mockery.

“Ah, what did you say? The wind is too strong, I can’t hear… Uncle, look who’s coming?” Cheng Lisu awkwardly changed the subject.

The arrival was Instructor Shen Han, who stopped before the two and saluted Xiao Jue, saying, “Commander.”

“How are the recruits?” Xiao Jue asked.

“They look decent. There are a few who aren’t doing well, but they might improve with practice,” Shen Han replied.

“What’s going on with that person?” Cheng Lisu pointed into the distance. “Looks like they’re about to collapse from running.”

On the long path, there was a small-statured youth running – though “running” might be generous, as he was moving extremely slowly. He had fallen far behind the unit ahead, and in fact, he looked so weak that the sandbag on his back appeared heavier than his person.

“That’s one of Liang Ping’s soldiers, on their fourth lap.”

“Fourth lap?” Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow.

While others had already started their seventh lap, this person was only on their fourth lap, falling so far behind. He said coldly, “Too poor aptitude.”

Cheng Lisu and Shen Han exchanged glances but said nothing. Being labeled as having “too poor aptitude” by Xiao Jue meant they were truly inadequate – the kind that couldn’t go to battle.

“Having poor aptitude isn’t so bad,” Cheng Lisu thought of something and smiled brightly. “Being a cook isn’t bad either. What if he’s good at it?”

He Yan, who was being hopefully attributed with “good cooking skills,” was currently too exhausted from running to know what to say. The sandbag on her back was truly heavy, but she had to continue. Because she clearly understood that the current physical training was just the beginning. After some time, skill training would gradually be added, such as bow and arrow, crossbow, and blade work.

But if one couldn’t even handle physical training, they wouldn’t qualify for skill training and would be directly assigned to be a cook.

She didn’t want to be a cook.

Near the cooling pavilion, Hong Shan finished his final lap and finally found Xiao Mai and Shi Tou resting in the pavilion, going over to sit beside them.

Xiao Mai looked around and asked, “Where’s Brother A He? Hasn’t he come out yet?”

“Don’t know, haven’t seen him,” Hong Shan was also somewhat worried. “This kid wouldn’t have stopped running because he couldn’t continue, right?”

“Didn’t you tell Brother A He to secretly run fewer laps?” Xiao Mai said quietly. “After all, no one would see.”

“I told him early on! This kid is stubborn as a mule, and wouldn’t listen to me. What could I do?” Hong Shan threw up his hands.

As they were talking, Shi Tou suddenly spoke, “Here he comes.”

Following his gaze, they saw a youth slowly running from the end of the forest path. The sandbag on his back was disproportionately large compared to his frame, his hair had become matted with sweat, and sweat drops slowly fell from his forehead to his chin, seeping into the soil below. He ran past the cooling pavilion without even glancing their way, continuing forward to begin a new lap.

“He’s still running…” Xiao Mai murmured.

He Yan didn’t stop.