When the sun was nearly at the horizon, the sound of drumbeats carried from the direction of the Longqi Academy’s rear mountain.

The drumbeats, driven by inner force, spread quickly across the mountain wilderness. The students who had been gathering herbs immediately turned and began the journey back.

“Let’s head out. With what we’ve got, we won’t place second — we’ll place first.”

Mu Mu was in particularly good spirits today. No one had expected this usually cold and aloof person to even crack a joke.

Each person glanced down at their own bamboo basket. Even Xiao Yingtao, who had recovered last, had a basket that was nearly full.

In good spirits all around, they set off on the return journey.

Though the hillside was some distance away, they still had plenty of time to make it back.

On the way back, they finally had the leisure to appreciate the scenery around them. To their surprise, the mountain forests of the rear mountain were breathtakingly beautiful, like a painting come to life.

“That flower is gorgeous!” Xiao Yingtao’s sharp eyes caught sight of a few small blossoms among the dense undergrowth, and she narrowed her eyes and darted over.

No one paid it much mind — it was only natural for a young woman to love pretty things.

“Jiu’er doesn’t seem the least bit interested in any of this.” Shan Yidao gave her a good-natured grin. “Girls usually love these things — why don’t you?”

Along the way, Xiao Yingtao had stopped at every pretty flower and plant she spotted, while Feng Jiu’er hadn’t spared them so much as an extra glance.

“I only care about medicinal herbs. And food, of course.” Back in the modern world, she had been a proper food enthusiast.

Which was precisely how she had ended up eating something delicious before anything else — and been tricked into signing that indenture agreement with Longqi Academy.

Though she had to admit, being tricked had felt rather satisfying.

Suddenly, Mu Mu’s expression shifted. He raised his hand in a silent gesture for quiet. Over by the undergrowth, Xiao Yingtao was beckoning them without a sound.

Judging by the look on her face, she had spotted something extraordinary.

The others exchanged a glance, an inexplicable tension rising in their chests. They crept carefully toward her and crouched together behind a grassy rise on the high slope.

Parting the grass, they peered down. Not far below, two figures in black were conversing.

Dressed like that, their intentions were clearly not good. What were they doing, having slipped into the rear mountain of the military academy? Could they be spies sent by an enemy nation to gather intelligence?

The military academy was where Bei Mu’s nation trained its finest military talent. If spies had infiltrated this place—

The two figures below finished their exchange and were about to leave. In that instant, the four on the slope above all turned their eyes to Mu Mu.

“If they really are spies, this could concern the security of the entire nation.” Shan Yidao’s face was taut with urgency. “Should we follow them and find out?”

“But if we do, we won’t make it back in time — we’ll lose the competition.”

Xing Zizou was torn. Shan Yidao was right, but what if they missed the deadline?

Xiao Yingtao looked at Mu Mu, as though waiting entirely for his decision.

Mu Mu’s brows drew into a sharp line. He watched as the figures in black moved steadily farther away in a particular direction. His large hand tightened.

“The safety of the academy comes first.” Feng Jiu’er looked at him steadily.

Mu Mu pressed his lips together in a thin line. At last, he rose to his feet. “My lightness arts and Shan Yidao’s are the strongest. We’ll follow them. The rest of you go back and report. If we really do miss the deadline, at least there are still two of you.”

Shan Yidao raised no objection. Like Mu Mu, he unclipped his bamboo basket and handed it over, and both of them immediately moved off in the direction the figures in black had gone.

“What do we do?” Xiao Yingtao stared after Mu Mu’s retreating figure, her face creased with worry. “There are only two of them — what if they can’t handle those people in black? They could be in danger!”

But Feng Jiu’er had already risen to her feet. As she tightened the clip on her own bamboo basket, she said, “One team goes together. If we go back, we go back together.” Her lightness arts were poor — so rather than wait for Xing Zizou and Xiao Yingtao, she set off after the others first.