That day, He Yan was surrounded by recruits seeking friendship until midnight, promising countless times to teach them swordplay, and finally got to bed late. Given the hour, she decided to skip her usual nighttime training at the practice grounds.

Xiao Mai lay facing her, one hand beneath his head, eyes sparkling as he said, “Brother He was so impressive today!”

“Tell me,” He Yan pondered for a moment, “During my sword match with Uncle Huang today, did Commander Xiao watch until the end?”

She was still thinking about Xiao Jue from earlier that day. How could he leave without watching her excellent swordplay? Hadn’t she wasted her efforts? Perhaps Xiao Jue found her swordplay too ordinary to be worth watching.

“Huh?” Xiao Mai hadn’t expected this question and tried hard to remember before answering, “The Commander came for a while, then left. But the end of your match was so intense, we were all focused on you and didn’t notice when the Commander left. He probably… watched until the end?”

He Yan turned over worriedly.

“Brother He, do you want the Commander to see?” Xiao Mai asked.

“Of course I do. After mastering both civil and martial arts, one serves the emperor. I need to prove my worth first, but if he doesn’t even watch, how will he know I’m the best in Liangzhou Wei?”

Hong Shan’s leisurely voice drifted over, “Your reputation as Liangzhou Wei’s finest has already spread far. Don’t worry, there will be plenty more opportunities for matches in the coming days. Commander Xiao will surely see you in action eventually.”

That would be good, He Yan thought as she closed her eyes.

…

Hong Shan’s prediction proved correct. Early the next morning, right after weighted running and before archery practice, Liang Ping approached He Yan: “Come with me.”

He Yan followed, confused, to the long path behind the training grounds where two others waited with three horses. He Yan recognized them as Liangzhou Wei instructors – Du Mao, who often spoke with Liang Ping, and Ma Da Mei, a small elderly man with graying hair.

“Instructor Liang, what’s this about?” He Yan asked, puzzled. Surely they weren’t making her an instructor? A recruit couldn’t become an instructor, that’s not how promotions worked, and besides, she didn’t want to be an instructor at Liangzhou Wei!

Liang Ping’s words put her mind at ease.

“Didn’t you say on the training grounds the other day that you’d accept any challenge in Liangzhou Wei, one match per day, winning every time?” Liang Ping asked.

Though unsure of his meaning, He Yan nodded, “That’s right.”

“Then today, the three of us will compete with you in mounted archery.” Du Mao stepped forward, handing He Yan the reins. “Right now!”

“What?” He Yan was surprised. “You want to compete with me?”

She had set up the challenge platform to make a name among the new recruits, not thinking about the instructors. What was this about? These weren’t young men – why were they so eager to compete? Could there be some plot?

Her suspicious gaze fell on them, and Ma Da Mei, the small elderly man with graying hair, smiled and said, “What’s wrong, young man? Are you afraid to compete with us instructors? We thought you were brave, but you’re scared already?”

Ma Da Mei’s smiling face was full of wrinkles but not unpleasant, appearing as kindly as an elder relative. However, He Yan knew he wasn’t as benevolent as he appeared – his words were meant to provoke her. But now that things had reached this point, if she refused, she’d be labeled a coward. Someone like Xiao Jue, who couldn’t tolerate any flaws, would surely never let her join the Jiu Qi Ying.

Thinking this through, she laughed heartily, “How could I be? I was just worried about embarrassing myself in front of the instructors and hesitated. Since you’re willing to teach me, how dare I not accept? Let’s compete, one match at a time.”

The three instructors exchanged glances and nodded, “Good!”

He Yan had become famous in Liangzhou Wei, and any movement she made became instantly known. When news spread that three instructors would compete with He Yan in mounted archery, all the recruits went wild wanting to watch, but their instructors held them back, insisting they stay at the training grounds.

This was Shen Han’s arrangement. Though Xiao Jue only wanted to test He Yan, they couldn’t risk the instructors’ reputation. If He Yan won – however unlikely – would the recruits respect He Yan or their instructors more? It was hard to say.

Better to keep it private.

While recruits couldn’t watch this exciting match, neither could Cheng Li Su, who wasn’t a recruit. He was locked in his room at Liangzhou Wei with guards posted outside, unable to leave.

Unaware of He Yan’s upcoming mounted archery competition, he had been suddenly confined and thought something had happened at Liangzhou Wei. He pounded on the door, shouting, “What’s happening? Is there a military revolt? Why won’t you let me out? Uncle, why are you locking me up?”

The guard’s emotionless voice came from outside, “Young Master, the Commander said you can’t leave until you’ve copied the ‘Selections of Refined Literature’ three times.”

“You might as well kill me! Why don’t you just execute me?” Cheng Li Su sat angrily at the table. Three copies would take him a month to complete!

Outside, Shen Han and Xiao Jue were walking away.

Shen Han glanced back and said, “Young Master Cheng seems quite fond of He Yan. If He Yan is suspicious, could his approach to Young Master Cheng have ulterior motives?”

“Very likely,” Xiao Jue replied. “He Yan learned about the Jiu Qi Ying from Cheng Li Su.”

Shen Han was silent for a moment before saying, “If that’s true, it’s truly troubling.”

Someone with hidden intentions had infiltrated Liangzhou Wei’s recruits – He Yan wasn’t likely to be the only one. If there were others, the situation would be dire. Worse still, they knew nothing about it. If Xiao Jue hadn’t happened to notice He Yan’s distinctive footwork, all of Liangzhou Wei might have fallen into enemy hands.

As they talked, they reached the horse track by the training grounds. The four contestants each held their horses’ reins at the track’s end. First was Liang Ping, then Du Mao, followed by Ma Da Mei, and finally He Yan, all mounting their horses in sequence.

He Yan was positioned at the far side with the smallest horse, likely chosen to suit her build. She mounted skillfully, holding the reins with a quiver of arrows and longbow on her back, appearing quite different from her usual frail self.

Without formal riding gear, the sunlight caught her crimson training clothes, casting a special heroic air over her delicate features. With a smile playing at her lips and her martial bearing, she briefly captured the stunning presence of a young general.

Shen Han secretly glanced at Xiao Jue beside him. The latter’s expression was lazy and indifferent, his thoughts unknown, but Shen Han knew that for just a moment, He Yan had resembled him slightly.