The words had barely left Feng Jiu’er’s lips before she had already returned to stand before Huo Yan.

There was no particular expression on her face — only composure, without a trace of resentment.

“Officer Huo, when all is said and done, it was I who led everyone away from the main group and to another hillside to gather herbs.”

“The fault is mine. I am willing to accept the punishment and withdraw from Dragon Martial Army.”

“Jiu’er.” Mu Mu’s alarm surged — a wave of suffocating pressure rising in his chest, nearly making him cough up blood again.

The other three clenched their fists but did not know what to say.

None of them wanted to withdraw. None of them wanted anyone else to withdraw either. Though they had been together for only half a day, in that half day they had faced life and death side by side, and bonds had already formed.

Yet military orders stood firm as mountains. Today, if no one withdrew, the entire squad would fall.

How were they to choose?

“Officer Huo, regarding this matter—” Mu Mu coughed twice and seemed about to say more, but Xiao Yingtao pulled him back.

“You are the strongest among us — you should not be the one eliminated!” Xiao Yingtao’s eyes were red. “The fault is mine. I am the one who should withdraw.”

She stepped before Huo Yan and scrubbed fiercely at her tears. “I withdraw! At worst, I’ll go home and get married!”

It was a poor attempt at a joke, and not the slightest bit funny. Among the several hundred members of Dragon Fourth Army, not a single face held even a flicker of amusement.

Only Feng Jiu’er spoke. “Indeed — Xiao Yingtao is so lovely, going home and marrying into a good family would suit her well. However…”

Her expression shifted to one of seriousness, and she continued to address Huo Yan. “The gravest mistake in judgment was mine. If someone must be eliminated, it must be me — otherwise, it will not sit right with anyone.”

“Very well then. Member of Dragon Fourth Army, Feng Jiu’er, hear your verdict. Following the assessment, Feng Jiu’er—”

“The Academic Director has arrived!” A guard’s clear voice rang out from beyond.

Huo Yan startled, the words dying in his mouth. He turned at once to receive the arrival. “Academic Director!”

Fang Zheng gave a mild nod and stepped forward with measured, unhurried strides, his gaze passing briefly over Feng Jiu’er’s face before settling on Huo Yan.

“The men in black within the forest were arranged by the Ninth Prince as a trial for the new students. Although Squad Four-Two did not succeed in subduing them, they demonstrated a genuine intent to protect the academy.”

“They earned neither merit nor fault, yet showed a heart willing to defend the academy. The Ninth Prince has specially granted that all members of Squad Four-Two may remain. Once each member’s injuries have healed, they will undergo a second round of assessment.”

The Academic Director’s words sent a sudden brightness sweeping through every face in Squad Four-Two. Xiao Yingtao nearly shrieked out loud, and even Mu Mu finally allowed a faint, eased smile to reach his eyes.

He looked at Feng Jiu’er and gave a small nod — his gaze at that moment filled with nothing but gratitude.

Feng Jiu’er only offered a light smile in return, though buried within it was a trace of strain that most would never notice.

Since this was the Ninth Prince’s arrangement, what could Huo Yan possibly say?

With Squad Four-Two retaining all its members, the remaining elimination quota fell to the other six squads — the one with the worst results would now have to select their own person to withdraw.

Whatever the case, Squad Four-Two had managed to clear this particular hurdle, at least for now.

Since Mu Mu was injured, the group immediately helped him back to rest.

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao were assigned to the women’s quarters, sharing a room with three occupants — the third being a young woman from another squad, though she too was a member of Dragon Fourth Army.

After settling in, Xiao Yingtao promptly gathered some food and went off to visit Mu Mu.

Feng Jiu’er, meanwhile, wandered about the rear courtyard for a time, gathering information until she confirmed that Ninth Imperial Uncle had yet to leave Dragon Martial Academy. She then quietly made her way toward his courtyard.

At last, at the arched entrance to Clear Wind Courtyard, she encountered Yu Jingfeng, who was just about to step inside.

“Miss Jiu’er?” Yu Jingfeng’s brow furrowed. “What are you doing here?”

Feng Jiu’er said lightly, “I want to see Ninth Imperial Uncle.”