That day, He Yan had made another grand display.

On the way back, He Yan encountered Wang Ba hiding in the crowd. He had come to watch He Yan’s spear match with Jiang Jiao and was trying to leave quietly, but unfortunately was spotted by He Yan, who called out from afar: “Brother Wang!”

Under everyone’s gaze, Wang Ba’s face darkened, but he forced himself to call out “Boss” in a mosquito-like whisper. He Yan smiled at him, and he turned and fled as if being chased.

“Brother He, you’re something,” Xiao Mai said admiringly.

“There will be more of this in the future, you’ll have to get used to it.” He Yan stood on tiptoes to ruffle Xiao Mai’s hair. Seeing this, Hong Shan burst out laughing, “Still acting like everyone’s boss when you should focus on growing taller first.”

He Yan shrugged – man proposes, God disposes; growing taller wasn’t something that could be forced.

Perhaps because she was in a good mood that day, when He Yan returned from her usual late-night secret practice session, she unexpectedly had a dream.

In the dream, she stood on the training ground platform, with everyone calling her boss. Cheng Li Su ran over, grinning as he said, “Brother He, you’ve made it into the Nine Banners Army!”

“Really?” She was also delighted, but then a voice called out, “He Ru Fei?”

She turned to see Xiao Jue, who stared at her coldly, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “Are you He Yan, or He Ru Fei?”

He Ru Fei – upon hearing this name, she suddenly awoke from her dream, sitting up to find herself drenched in sweat.

Outside, daylight was bright, and Hong Shan was opening the window. Seeing her wiping sweat, he casually remarked, “It’s been unbearably hot these past few days, probably going to rain soon. After a few showers, the weather should cool down. Damn, I don’t want to spend another summer in Liangzhou Guard – I’ve already lost a layer of skin from the heat.”

He Yan smiled, still somewhat unsettled. Xiao Mai noticed and asked curiously, “Brother He looks unwell, is it the summer heat? Would you like some tea?”

“No need, it’s just the heat,” He Yan said, getting up to put on her shoes. “A morning run will help work up a good sweat.”

After the morning weighted run, they went to the training ground for weapons practice, today focusing on sword techniques. As they practiced, a group of people approached and stopped in front of He Yan.

He Yan lowered her sword.

“Do your words from yesterday still hold?” the leader asked in a deep voice.

He was a bald man with dragon-like eyebrows and a leopard’s neck, built like iron and steel. Around his neck hung a string of prayer beads, each bead as large as a finger and gleaming with a dark luster. He held a gold-backed broadsword and was many years He Yan’s senior, probably past forty or even fifty. Yet he showed no signs of weakness or fatigue, rather like a tightly coiled bear.

“My name is Huang Xiong,” the bald man said in a gruff voice. “I want to test my sword skills against yours.”

The eavesdropping recruits immediately became excited.

“Ah, someone’s stepped up, so quickly! I knew our Liangzhou Guard, with tens of thousands of brave men, would find someone to teach this kid a lesson!”

“Yes, yes, crush his arrogance, avenge our dried biscuits!”

“I don’t think He Yan will be so cocky this time. Look at Huang Xiong’s sword – it’s no ordinary weapon! He must have been a wandering warrior before.”

He Yan had also noticed Huang Xiong’s sword – the blade was crimson, with a thick back and sharp edge, the tip flat with a slight curve. Such a sword was very heavy, difficult for ordinary people to wield, but perfectly suited for a warrior like Huang Xiong.

“You have an excellent sword,” He Yan praised.

Hearing this, Huang Xiong’s gaze softened slightly. “It’s been my friend for thirty years.”

He Yan inwardly marveled, thinking of her own Qing Lang sword. Now that she had rejoined as a recruit, and having left in such a hurry, unlike Huang Xiong, she couldn’t bring her sword to Liangzhou. Not having a familiar weapon felt quite uncomfortable.

At this moment, she truly envied Huang Xiong.

Seeing He Yan’s delayed response, Huang Xiong frowned, “Didn’t you say yesterday you’d accept all challengers? Having second thoughts now?”

He Yan was startled for a moment, then smiled, “Not at all, I keep my word. We can start right now.”

Under everyone’s gaze, she calmly walked up to the training ground platform.

Below, Liang Ping watched He Yan’s movements with a numb expression.

Du Mao leaned against a tree, speaking with schadenfreude, “This He Yan of yours knows how to stir up trouble.”

Liang Ping wanted to slap him twice – if Du Mao hadn’t meddled yesterday by suggesting the match between Jiang Jiao and He Yan, He Yan wouldn’t have gone to the training platform or said anything about setting up challenges, and today’s situation wouldn’t have happened.

Now that even Head Instructor Shen had tacitly approved, Liang Ping couldn’t stop it. He could only silently pray that today’s He Yan would also have good fortune and pass through safely.

Cheng Li Su sat in Xiao Jue’s room, idly doodling on a small table. His uncle was reading documents from the capital, having been at it all morning without pause.

Cheng Li Su was feeling bored. He was just thinking about going to check out the training grounds for some entertainment when someone knocked on the door. Xiao Jue said, “Enter.”

It was Shen Han.

Shen Han walked to Xiao Jue’s side and spoke quietly. Cheng Li Su moved his chair closer, straining to hear, and caught a few words.

“He Yan… Huang Xiong… sword match… training ground.”

For once, Cheng Li Su’s usually slow mind worked brilliantly, quickly understanding the situation. Someone was going to duel He Yan with swords, right now at the training ground. His heart suddenly raced with excitement – as expected of his big brother, someone had already come to challenge him just a day after his declaration. He wanted to go watch right away!

Cheng Li Su quietly put down his brush and paper, and while Xiao Jue’s back was turned, gave Shen Han a meaningful look as he tried to sneak out of the room.

Just as he reached the door, Xiao Jue said flatly, “Cheng Li Su.”

Cheng Li Su: “…”

He responded dejectedly, wondering how his uncle could always catch him despite not having extra eyes.

Coming clean, Cheng Li Su ran to Xiao Jue’s side and said sheepishly, “Uncle, I just want to take a look. My big brother is having a sword match – how can I not watch it? It’s about loyalty. I’ll come back to practice calligraphy right after, I promise!”

Xiao Jue looked up at him, “Did I say you couldn’t go?”

“Eh?” Cheng Li Su’s face immediately lit up. “I can go? Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’m off then!” He turned to run, but Xiao Jue said, “Wait.”

Cheng Li Su looked at him suspiciously.

The latter stood up and walked toward the door with Shen Han, “I’m coming too.”

Cheng Li Su was dumbfounded.

“Isn’t your big brother trying to join the Nine Banners Army?” The youth’s lips curled slightly, “I also want to see how he plans to accomplish that.”