“The person went that direction, pursue!” The lead guard pointed, directing the City Guard.

With sufficient manpower, the City Guard pursued in the indicated direction. Fan Cheng’s other guards looked at their leader, someone asking shakily: “Young Master is dead, what should we do?”

As for Fan Cheng’s guards who failed to protect him, the Fan family would surely hold them accountable – at best severe punishment, at worst… death from redirected anger.

“Who killed Young Master?” someone asked.

“I crossed blades with that person – extremely skilled,” the leader clenched his fist. “I was no match.”

“Were they targeting Young Master? Heavens, who could it be?”

Who knew? Fan Cheng had committed so many evil deeds. Whoever wanted his life harbored long-standing hatred. The girls he had violated had parents and brothers – perhaps it was revenge for their loved ones, or something else. The person was dead now; catching the killer would reveal everything.

“Young Lady He…” someone finally remembered He Yan.

“Must be dead by now.”

Such deep river water, so cold – a girl with little strength falling in would likely perish. But what did it matter? No one cared. If He Yan lived, she might face the Fan family’s anger. Death was better, ending everything – at least the He family’s involvement would end here.

“Dead is dead,” the leader said numbly. “Better dead.”

One sentence determined He Yan’s fate.

…

Hoofbeats echoed endlessly through the deep streets, the city’s people anxious.

A youth in green clothing walked calmly past a ruined temple where beggars gathered, casually tossing wet old clothes into a long-abandoned dry well.

She had already changed clothes while fleeing, with spring garments worn underneath – she only needed to discard the outer old clothes. The headscarf was unnecessary now, as it would draw attention. She touched a wall, coating her hand with dust, then patted and smeared the black dust on her face. Her previously too-fair complexion immediately darkened somewhat, looking like… an ordinary young man who worked outdoors.

But still a handsome young man.

The youth walked unhurriedly forward as the City Guard searched everywhere behind her. He Yan’s heart wasn’t as calm as her exterior suggested.

Fan Cheng’s guards had fought with her – careful observation would reveal her build. Appearance could be disguised, but body size couldn’t deceive. The capital’s City Guard weren’t useless wastrels, and hiding wouldn’t be easy. Even fleeing to a ruined temple, questioning the beggars would reveal her as a stranger. As for leaving the city, the gates were surely sealed by now, with strict inspections for entering and leaving for the next month. Searching house by house would eventually reveal her.

Troublesome.

The Fan family was even more powerful than she’d imagined, mobilizing so many people to chase one person. Having barely saved her life, He Yan wasn’t willing to lose it here.

With the City Guard approaching from every direction, He Yan was in grave danger.

Suddenly, she remembered something and pulled an object from her sleeve.

The paper was crumpled, and rain-soaked, making the writing almost illegible. It was the military recruitment notice He Yunsheng had torn from the wall that day.

Recruitment…

The recruitment station was in the open ground outside the western city’s horse grounds, where tents had been set up. Many people filled out documents there, underwent simple examinations, and would depart together when the time came. This rushed recruitment for Liangzhou probably wouldn’t be very strict – even the age requirement wasn’t limited to prime adults. Unless extremely poor, who would willingly suffer hardship in peaceful times?

But this recruitment notice came at exactly the right time.

Now a fugitive, staying in the capital was unwise – if discovered, involving the He family would be worse. Moreover, merely staying in the capital seemed pointless. The He family was too distant from her, and the Liu family was even more unreachable nobility. She wasn’t yet able to stand at their level to claim what was hers.

Better to join the army. Leave the city with the recruits – there was where she belonged.

Heaven never seals all paths; fate makes its arrangements. She had been wondering how to reasonably explain her departure to the He father and son, but now no other explanation was needed, as this was the only path forward. Recruitment ended tomorrow – she had arrived just in time on the final evening.

He Yan smiled, her mood unexpectedly lightening. Without further hesitation, she strode toward the western city’s horse grounds.

The western horse grounds had originally been stable, but since the recruitment tents were set up, the horses had been dispersed. At the front of the long tent sat a red-faced man with a long sword at his waist. Due to the rain, he wore a felt hat. His eyes were like bronze bells, naturally imposing. He was dozing intermittently.

Recruitment was nearly over. Tomorrow, the recruits would head to Liangzhou together. By this time, those willing to join had already enlisted – there shouldn’t be new arrivals.

When He Yan approached, the man didn’t even lift his eyelids. She had to say: “Brother, is recruitment finished?”

The man looked her up and down, drawling: “No.”

“That’s good.” He Yan’s eyebrows lifted in joy. “I’ve come to enlist.”

“You?” The red-faced man showed a critical expression. “Brother, how old are you?”

“Sixteen.”

“Sixteen,” the man pondered. “Your build doesn’t look sixteen. Never done heavy work at home, I’d guess. Joining the army isn’t a joke – if you’re playing around, go home early, don’t waste my time.”

“Brother, I truly want to enlist.” He Yan thought of the brothers from her previous military experience, imitating their grief-stricken expressions. “I have no one left at home, can’t survive. If I don’t join the army, my only option is to sell myself as a servant. Better to face the battlefield – either die in battle or earn merit for a different life. Besides, Brother,” she leaned closer, lowering her voice, “with this sudden recruitment, you’re probably short on numbers. One more is better than one less, helps make up the count, right?”

Her words moved the man, who thought it true – he just wanted to fill the quota quickly. He said: “Fine, fine, if you want to go die, I won’t stop you. But let me be clear – the army camp isn’t a place for pleasure. If you can’t handle it and try to desert, you’ll face military law.”

“I won’t desert.” He Yan swore solemnly.

The red-faced man snorted. He’d seen many such youths – all confident when joining, but when the real battle came, they’d wet themselves in fear.

“Then fill out this document.” He handed the paper to He Yan.

Outside the western horse grounds, the City Guard turned their horses around. Ahead were the Liangzhou recruitment tents – no need to continue forward.

He Yan swiftly wrote two characters.

This time, she used her name.

He Yan.