In the spacious clearing of the back garden, Ziqing stood dressed in black combat attire, hands clasped behind her back, feet shoulder-width apart, standing perfectly upright!

All emotion had long since been composed away. At this moment, her hair was tied up high, her face bare of any makeup, dressed in a decidedly androgynous style that blended her naturally graceful beauty with her iron-willed temperament to perfect effect, faintly carrying an air of the same commanding presence Jun Beiyue possessed—like a black poppy, one that everyone knew was poison, yet couldn’t help being drawn to nonetheless.

Situ Haonan, having caught up, found himself watching in fascination off to the side.

Three months had been the original agreement, yet half a year had somehow slipped by already. At this moment, standing just as straight-backed as Ziqing, the seven young people before her were no longer the small beggar children they had once been!

Four boys and three girls, dressed identically regardless of gender, in black combat attire with dark hair tightly bound back, their expressions equally uniform—stubborn and stern.

Though the training had been brutal, it was nothing compared to the days of begging on the streets without enough to eat. After half a year, these children remained lean, but had all grown noticeably taller, their bodies hardened and resilient.

Ziqing’s sharp eyes swept carefully over each of them, one by one, before finally speaking coldly. “I’m pleased to see you’ve all managed to survive.”

“As previously agreed, those who can pass my test will remain by my side. Those who cannot will continue training, until they can.”

“Yes!” all seven answered in unison, their voices still young yet full of force.

“Come attack me.” Ziqing said, planting her feet firmly, the hands clasped behind her back immediately balling into fists.

Situ Haonan watched the seven children with amused interest, about to offer his opinion, when quite unexpectedly, all seven charged straight at Ziqing from every direction without the slightest hesitation, showing no sign of slowing even as they closed in—one using the full force of their charge to slam into her back, another swinging a fist straight at the back of her head, another aiming for her throat, two more striking at her left and right flanks, and two more kicking viciously at the backs of her knees!

They had chosen close combat, and their first strikes went straight for the most vulnerable points—obeying orders completely, showing not the slightest mercy!

A satisfied smile curved at Ziqing’s lips, her sharp eyes focused on the movements directly ahead and to both sides, while her ears tracked the attack from behind—yet she didn’t move at all!

Even Situ Haonan couldn’t help but tense up. Time was running out, the attacks were about to land—what was this woman planning to do!

But then, in that critical split second, Ziqing tilted her head to one side, then raised her right foot, immediately bending left at the waist, then dropped her right foot back down, raised her left foot, bent right at the waist, then leaned her body forward—dodging all seven attacks in succession, her timing precise to the exact fraction of a second, not off by even a hair!

All seven attacks missed their mark, yet none of the attackers grew discouraged, giving neither themselves nor Ziqing a moment to catch their breath, launching another wave of attacks immediately!

And Ziqing dodged every single one, effortlessly evading even as the situation grew increasingly urgent!

Finally, her gaze turned cold, and she suddenly drove her knee forward. The person charging head-on tried to retreat, but it was already too late—he was struck hard and sent flying. Only Ziqing and that person truly knew how much force had been behind that blow, yet he immediately scrambled back up, only to suddenly drop low and slide directly toward Ziqing’s feet. Ziqing snorted coldly, raising her other foot to kick down—only for that person to hook her leg, grunting as he strained against her!

Ziqing, unable to stand steady on one foot, was forced to set the other down. That person immediately shouted sharply, “Everyone, attack together, at the exact same moment, not a fraction off!”

This person was none other than Guxi!

At once, the other six attacked in unison, once again targeting the body’s most vulnerable points!

Ziqing immediately split her legs and dropped down, pinning down the foot that had originally hooked her ankle, and said coldly, “Anyone who dares move again, I’ll cripple their leg!”

But no one heeded her words—the assault from all sides continued regardless. Ziqing’s grip suddenly tightened with greater force, and Guxi’s brow furrowed tightly, yet he made no sound.

Ziqing truly didn’t move at all, and the other six truly did strike home. Ziqing’s eyes remained steady as she took the hits without flinching, then finally raised one hand high. “Good!”

How much could truly be trained in half a year? Simply surviving would already be considered impressive. Her standards were extremely high, yet never unrealistic.

She knew exactly how much force lay behind those six strikes when they landed on her body.

Her evaluation focused on two key points: first, the critical fundamentals of close-quarters combat—precision of movement, exactness of timing; second, understanding when to sacrifice and let go.

Soon, all seven lined up neatly once more, and Ziqing asked earnestly, “Do you remember what I told you about what kind of people mercenaries are?”

“People who make a living through combat!” they answered in unison.

“Very good. From today onward, you belong to Prince Yao’s mansion, serving this princess consort. Guxi will serve as team leader, and from now on, he will lead you directly!” Ziqing said earnestly.

“Yes!” they answered together.

Once everyone had dispersed, Shiliang spoke up timidly. “Mistress, I trained alongside them too. I want to be a mercenary as well.”

Ziqing’s sharp gaze softened at once. She ruffled Shiliang’s bangs and said flatly, “Silly girl, staying by my side, you’ll learn far more…”

That very day, Ziqing wasted no further time. Once everything was arranged, she bid farewell to Emperor Tianhui and set out for Nanzhao.

The carriage rolled away into the distance, and only then did those who had come to see her off begin murmuring among themselves before finally dispersing. High atop the city wall, Jun Beiyao drew his bow full, aiming at that retreating figure, veins bulging with fury at his temples—yet in the end, the arrow was never loosed.

“Xuanyuan Lige, let me tell you this—if you don’t act before Jun Beiyue wakes, you will never restore Great Qin’s glory, not ever!”

Xuanyuan Lige sat quietly nearby, letting the wind toss his robes and long hair, watching that retreating figure without blinking, and said flatly, “Don’t worry. Xuanyuan Zhaoxi is far more anxious than you are—she’s already set out ahead.”

With that, he immediately leapt down from the city gate and rode off in pursuit.

At that very moment, atop the city wall, Jun Beichen too watched that retreating figure with a face full of hatred.

“Mother Consort, I will make sure Han Ziqing never returns from this journey!”

“If she truly is a descendant of the Lonely Isle, then going to Nanzhao is walking straight into her own death!” Consort Yi said with a cold, sinister smile.

Ziqing brought few people with her, but all of them elite—one or two carriages, a handful of mounted attendants front and back, with Situ Haonan riding along as well. At the very least, within Da Zhou’s borders, no one dared touch her.

The journey proceeded smoothly. Ziqing spoke little, rarely leaving the carriage, studying reports on Nanzhao’s conditions, only occasionally asking whether there was any news of Jun Beiyue.

Time slipped by quickly, and before long ten days had passed, with Situ City now just ahead on their route.

Situ Haonan lay back with his hands pillowed behind his head, glancing sideways at Ziqing. “That… when we reach Situ City… about Xin’er, don’t say anything, just leave it to me.”

“That’s a matter between you and Jun Beiyue.” Ziqing said bluntly, her attention fixed on the historical records in her hands, concerning the seductive incense. It was indeed recorded as originating from the Lonely Isle of Nanzhao—yet oddly, the term “Lonely Isle” appeared nowhere at all in Nanzhao’s own official historical records!

Situ Haonan chewed on a twig, glancing repeatedly at Ziqing, unconsciously drifting off again.

Ziqing looked up casually and immediately frowned. “What are you staring at!”

Situ Haonan snapped his head away at once, looking somewhat embarrassed. But Ziqing paid him no further attention, tossing over a few historical texts instead. “Look at these, not a single mention of the Lonely Isle anywhere. Strange, isn’t it?”

Situ Haonan hid his awkwardness, resuming his usual careless demeanor, yawning as he explained, “What’s so strange about that? Nanzhao has always been a peculiar kingdom—aside from the annual Water-Splashing Festival, they never have any dealings with outside powers whatsoever. It’s unbearably hot there, crawling with poisonous vermin—no one wants to go there without good reason! I’m not entirely sure myself, we can ask around once we reach Situ City!”