After a while, Wang Ba finally couldn’t help but ask, “What formation are you talking about… what is it?”

“Military formations – generals must learn to deploy troops and arrange formations. Battle formations are derived from the Art of the Nine Palaces,” He Yan explained. “It’s a long story, but this current formation…”

“What about it?” Shi Tou asked.

“It’s not a military formation, just a regular Eight Trigrams formation,” He Yan answered.

She truly didn’t understand why a formation suddenly appeared here. It wasn’t present when they climbed up the mountain, and Wang Xiaohan’s group hadn’t encountered it either. It seemed to be specifically prepared for them, or rather for her. But why?

“Can you… find your way out?” Jiang Jiao asked, studying her expression.

“Of course.”

Now Huang Xiong was also surprised. “You know this too?”

He Yan smiled slightly. “I know a little.”

Her “knowing a little” usually meant “knowing a lot.” Everyone fell silent. He Yan knew that observers were hidden throughout the mountain watching their situation, and her current actions were surely being monitored by hidden eyes. She absolutely couldn’t show any sign of inability.

Perhaps Xiao Jue had specifically set up this formation to test her abilities? After all, she’d never seen “flag competition” end with breaking through a formation before. It seemed that joining the Nine Banners Camp wasn’t a simple matter. If everyone in the Nine Banners Camp could break formations, then it truly was extraordinary. No wonder Xiao Jue remained undefeated with such an elite cavalry unit.

Thinking this, she said, “Follow me. Walk exactly as I do, and don’t misstep.”

He Yan’s rare serious demeanor made Jiang Jiao and the others immediately cautious. They followed her footsteps, slowly descending the mountain.

While walking, Huang Xiong asked, “Brother He, who taught you this skill?”

He Yan smiled. “I learned from a master.”

“I thought so,” Huang Xiong nodded. “Your master must be an exceptional expert. How else could you know everything?”

He Yan lowered her head and smiled without answering. In fact, General Flying Swan’s battlefield prowess wasn’t particularly remarkable. The world never lacked fearless heroes. Although her martial skills were good, they weren’t the best in the world, let alone enough to fight against multiple opponents. General Flying Swan’s greatest strength was in military formations and tactics.

Her master was indeed an exceptional expert, but as a woman, she was naturally inferior to men in physical strength and build. People should know their strengths and weaknesses. Learning to deploy troops and command armies was more valuable than fighting alone on the battlefield. Her master excelled in the Art of the Nine Palaces, which she combined with military strategy to become the renowned General Flying Swan.

While generals should learn troop deployment and formations, why did the Nine Banners Camp members need to learn this? He Yan couldn’t figure it out no matter how much she pondered. Unable to find any clues, she set aside her thoughts and continued down the mountain. She could have broken the formation directly, but she wasn’t sure if it was truly meant for her. If it was prepared for someone else, what would happen to those who came after if she presumptively destroyed it?

So she led Jiang Jiao and the others through the exit path.

The formation was child’s play to her, but to the hidden observers, it was an extraordinary feat.

Ma Damei and Liang Ping were currently hidden in the shadows. Watching He Yan’s group leave, they exchanged glances, both seeing the astonishment in each other’s eyes.

“He… he just walked through like that?” Liang Ping stuttered.

“As if it was nothing…” Ma Damei said.

He Yan hadn’t even stopped to think or consider how to break the formation. She merely glanced at it and knew how to exit. To have such a remarkable person among their new recruits, so far seemingly unstoppable.

This should have been good news – a heroic youth of exceptional ability. Any commander would consider it several lifetimes of good fortune to have such a warrior. However, given the complex current situation and Instructor Shen’s previous reaction, it was unclear whether this was a blessing or a curse.

The dense forest stretched before them, half the sun already set behind the mountain. He Yan’s group had emerged from the formation. She stopped and looked back – the formation made of stones and dead branches was now barely visible in the dim light.

“We made it through?” Wang Ba asked.

“Yes.”

Wang Ba became excited. “By his grandmother, nothing can stop us now, right? I reckon we’ll be down the mountain in less than half an hour.”

Jiang Jiao was also pleased. “Finally, it’s almost over.” Seeing He Yan still gazing behind them, he asked, “Is something wrong?”

“No,” He Yan shook her head. She still found the formation’s sudden appearance strange, and there had been something odd about her encounter with Lei Hou. These inconsistencies were like small stones in her boots, making her uncomfortable and unable to feel joy. She felt she had overlooked something and remained uneasy.

“It’s getting dark. We should head down soon,” Huang Xiong said.

He Yan pulled back her thoughts and simply said, “Let’s go.”

[Continued in next part…]

The sun had set beyond White Moon Mountain, sinking into the Five Deer River. Half submerged in the water, the sunset dyed the surface blood-red and brilliant, rippling with light like scattered jewels from a woman’s makeup box spread across the entire surface.

In a room, a pot of tea had grown completely cold.

It was dusk, with gentle winds stirring green curtains as autumn colors spread near and far. Of the two people playing Go, one’s expression betrayed anxiety while the other remained perfectly calm.

Someone entered from outside and announced, “The first team has come down the mountain.”

Shen Han looked toward Flying Slave, waiting to hear the names.

“It’s He Yan.”

At these three words, Shen Han leaned back slightly, his entire body relaxing.

This result was both unexpected and logical. He had guessed this outcome early on but had doubts. Now that it was confirmed, he felt somewhat at a loss.

A black piece was placed, and the young man across from him looked up and said quietly, “You lost.”

Shen Han replied, “Your Go skills are superior, Governor. I am humbled.” He hadn’t won once all afternoon.

It was curious how Xiao Jue could maintain such composure playing Go at a time like this.

“Governor, now that they’ve come down, should we discuss rewards…”

“No need,” Xiao Jue’s lips curved slightly. “Let Du Mao handle it. Five days from now is the Mid-Autumn Festival. We’ll give out rewards on that night.”

“About the Vanguard Camp matter, should we let He Yan join?” Shen Han asked hesitantly. He Yan had won first place and naturally should enter the Vanguard Camp. But his identity was suspicious, and with loyalties unclear, was it wise to agree so hastily?

“No,” the young man stood up and looked out the window at the osmanthus tree. The tree was in bloom, its fragrance overwhelming. Standing there, he appeared as refined as jade, a gentleman in the beautiful night. He said, “Let Lei Hou join the Vanguard Camp.”

After passing through the formation, it took only half an hour to descend the mountain and reach the garrison.

A few torches flickered outside the training ground. Everything was as peaceful as usual – no instructors waiting at the gate, none of the grand celebration they had imagined. They looked at each other in confusion.

“I thought there’d be a victory feast,” Wang Ba said disappointedly. “Why is there nothing?”

Just then, someone from the training ground spotted them and walked over. As he got closer, they recognized him as Du Mao.

Du Mao wasn’t as excited as when he sent them off in the morning. His expression was calm as he asked upon seeing them, “Where are the flags?”

He Yan pulled out the bundle of flags from her chest, where they had been making her clothing bulge. Handing them over brought immediate relief.

Du Mao counted them. “Twenty flags?”

“That’s right.” Jiang Jiao, still excited, couldn’t help asking, “We must be first, right?”

“Yes, first.” Du Mao nodded, securing the flags, and told them, “Go back, take a bath, and rest. Tomorrow morning you can come to the training ground an hour later. You’ve worked hard today.”

Still showing no intention of discussing rewards, Wang Ba asked, “That’s it?”

Du Mao looked at him. “What else?”

Wang Ba couldn’t respond and felt inexplicably wronged. Du Mao said, “I need to report to the Head Instructor first. Don’t stay here – you’re all sweaty. Go wash up and eat something.” With that, he left without further regard for them.

Truly heartless.

Watching Du Mao’s retreating figure, they all felt the night wind grow colder. After Du Mao was far enough away, Wang Ba dared to point at his back and ask, “What’s the meaning of this? Just leaving us hanging? We deserve some explanation! We worked hard all day for nothing!”

Huang Xiong and Jiang Jiao were also disappointed, but Shi Tou spoke up, “Perhaps they’re not announcing rewards today since some recruits haven’t come down yet.”

“Correct,” He Yan agreed. “We don’t know when the last recruit will come down. Besides, the instructors need time to discuss the rewards – they can’t decide immediately.”

Wang Ba glanced at her and said sourly, “Of course you don’t care. Your reward – joining the Vanguard Camp – is practically guaranteed, so naturally you can say that.”

“When I join the Vanguard Camp, I’ll get you two jars of good wine,” He Yan said solemnly, patting his shoulder.

Wang Ba shrugged off her hand and snorted twice. “Whatever you say, this old man is going back!”

Since they didn’t share quarters, they parted ways at the training ground. When He Yan and Shi Tou returned to their room, the previously quiet space suddenly became lively.

Xiao Mai was the first to rush forward, pouncing in front of Shi Tou: “Brother! How did it go? How many flags did you get? What place did you rank?”

Shi Tou showed a rare smile and said, “All of them.”

The room froze for a moment before erupting in cheers. He Yan was almost lifted and thrown into the air as Hong Shan shouted dramatically, “All of them? You went all out! Ah He, you’re amazing! First place again – I bet it won’t be long before you’re not living here anymore. I heard the soldiers in the Vanguard Camp eat and sleep better than us. Ah, I’m so jealous!”

“Shi Tou, Brother He, tell us quickly how you captured the flags!”

“Yeah, with so many recruits on the mountain, did you fight? Was it exciting?”

“With twenty flags, there must have been fights! But you don’t seem injured – were the others that weak?”

The noise was overwhelming. He Yan had to say, “Brothers, let us eat something and drink some water first. We’ll tell you everything slowly, don’t rush.”

This conversation lasted until late into the night.

Outside, they heard other recruits coming down the mountain one after another, none missing. He Yan finally felt relieved. Late at night when everyone was gone, she secretly went to a secluded spot by the river to bathe.

The long summer had finally passed, and the river water was growing cool. As her body entered the water, He Yan couldn’t help but shiver. She worried that while the summer and autumn days were fine, come winter, she couldn’t bathe with the other recruits in the washroom. Who knew how icy the river would become? The cold was secondary – what excuse could she use then to explain why she insisted on bathing in cold river water instead of using hot water?

Others would think she was crazy!

This was why she needed to join the Nine Banners Camp quickly. Xiao Jue, being wealthy and from a noble background, wouldn’t mistreat his trusted subordinates. It would surely be more convenient than now.

As her body gradually adapted to the coolness, He Yan splashed some water on herself and used the soap Xiao Mai had given her.

All recruits had come down the mountain, with no reports of anyone left behind. This meant the formation on the descent path must have been removed after He Yan’s group passed. The formation was indeed prepared for her, He Yan thought. Xiao Jue truly wanted her in the Nine Banners Camp and deliberately tested her abilities. Given this and her success, Xiao Jue must be satisfied with her, making her entry into the Nine Banners Camp almost certain. She would need to continue impressing him – the more satisfied he was, the more likely she would become his trusted aide, ideally his right hand, indispensable.

However, Lei Hou – something felt off about their fight. She couldn’t pinpoint what exactly, even now. She could only shake her head, thinking she should find an excuse to spar with him again in a few days to figure out what was bothering her.

But he showed no mercy in combat, so she would need to be cautious.

He Yan rinsed off the soap, dried herself thoroughly, and dressed before heading back. Since encountering Xiao Jue by the Five Deer River, she always bathed far away to avoid meeting him again. Thinking about it, she was being quite careful as a recruit.

The next day, all recruits who had gone up the mountain were given an extra hour of rest in their quarters. Cheng Lisu came to visit He Yan.

The young master Cheng brought two round pomegranates and sat cross-legged on her bed, saying, “I only learned last night that you went to compete for flags. My uncle kept me locked up all day copying texts. If I had known, I would have come to watch.”

He leaned closer to He Yan. “I heard you got twenty flags, Brother. You’re first among the Liang Prefecture recruits now.”

He Yan smiled as she opened one of the pomegranates Cheng Lisu brought. They were large and round, perfectly ripe inside. When opened, the seeds gleamed like red crystals, making one’s mouth water. He Yan ate a few seeds while answering, “Just good luck, nothing more.”

“Brother, everything about you is good except you’re too modest!” Cheng Lisu said seriously. “How can this be just luck? You’re truly skilled!”

“If I’m so skilled,” He Yan smiled, hoping to get some information from him, “do you think I can join the Nine Banners Camp?”

“That’s…” Cheng Lisu swallowed the “of course” that almost came out.

Normally, this would be natural, but Cheng Lisu remembered Xiao Jue’s attitude toward He Yan when he had extracted information from him recently – it didn’t seem appreciative.

“I think, Brother, you’ve proven one thing to everyone – you’re undoubtedly the best in Liang Prefecture Garrison,” Cheng Lisu carefully chose his words. “Any ordinary person would choose you for the Nine Banners Camp.”

His hint was quite clear – “any ordinary person” would, but Xiao Jue wasn’t ordinary, so the outcome was uncertain.

He Yan didn’t notice the trap in Cheng Lisu’s words, perhaps being too confident. After all, in this flag competition, she had captured all the flags, which demonstrated her capabilities. Moreover, reviewing the entire competition, He Yan felt she had performed excellently. She knew how to use people, set traps, be clever, and hadn’t lost to Lei Hou in combat. She had even easily broken through Xiao Jue’s final formation test. He Yan believed she would rank among the top even in Xiao Jue’s current Nine Banners Camp.

How could Xiao Jue pass up such talent?

She was so pleased that she didn’t notice how Cheng Lisu grew more nervous as she showed more happiness.

“But do you know when they’ll announce the rewards?” He Yan asked. “There was nothing yesterday or today, so it must be in the next few days. You’re inseparable from your uncle, surely you know something.”

Cheng Lisu relaxed, able to answer this question. “Isn’t the Mid-Autumn Festival coming? They’ll announce rewards on the night of the fifteenth.”

He Yan paused slightly. “Mid-Autumn?”

“Yes,” Cheng Lisu sighed. “Time flies. I feel like I just arrived in Liang Prefecture, and now it’s already the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

He Yan looked at him – the usually vibrant young noble rarely showed worry on his face. He Yan asked, “Are you homesick?”

The worry quickly faded, so quickly one might doubt it had been there at all. Cheng Lisu waved his sleeve angrily, “How could that be? Is Liang Prefecture’s scenery not beautiful enough? Is my uncle ugly? Why would I miss home? I’m having too much fun here! I don’t want to go back for an arranged marriage!”

He Yan: “…”

Children at this age always yearned for freedom.

Cheng Lisu turned to her and asked, “What about you, Brother? Do you miss home?”

The youth lowered her gaze, and the passing shadow made her expression hard to read. Her voice carried a smile with a barely noticeable trace of uncertainty as she said, “It’s fine. I don’t miss home.”

The following days continued as usual. Discussions about the flag competition remained lively among the recruits in private, with everyone speculating about what rewards the first-place winner would receive. The instructors remained remarkably calm and tight-lipped, not revealing anything. This made people even more anxious.

The autumn moon grew fuller day by day. In the blink of an eye, four days passed, and the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.