Thirty-five new students were divided into seven teams of five.

The seven teams were now undergoing an assessment — which was, in fact, a competition.

Everyone was to head to the rear mountain and search for designated medicinal herbs. At dusk, when the sun dipped behind the western mountains, someone would beat a drum at the rear mountain training ground.

At the first drumbeat, everyone was required to return at once. At the second drumbeat, all members had to be back in formation.

Between the first and second drumbeat, there was only half a shichen.

Once back in formation, designated personnel would tally the medicinal herbs each team had gathered. Incorrect herbs would incur point deductions; only correct herbs would count toward a team’s score.

The team with the lowest score was required to eliminate one member — that person would be permanently struck from the rolls of the Longqi Army.

“Good heavens — and this is only the first day of enrollment!” The moment Officer Huo Yan finished speaking, someone immediately began to grumble.

Huo Yan’s gaze swept over. “Who spoke?”

Everyone’s eyes fell on the man who had just complained. Huo Yan’s brow furrowed slightly. “Push-up position — thirty!”

Feng Jiu’er did not yet know what “push-up position” referred to, but the man’s expression had already snapped to attention; he dropped to the ground at once and began thirty push-ups.

So that was what this era called push-ups — “folding-knife stance.” Quite the education.

Military discipline truly was strict — one careless word, thirty push-ups. After that, no matter what anyone was feeling inside, not a soul dared to open their mouth again.

After the time it took to burn one stick of incense, the seven divided teams immediately entered the mountain forest to search for medicinal herbs.

Within Feng Jiu’er’s team, there were two women in total, and she was one of them.

The other was called Xiao Yingtao. Everyone called her Xiao Yingtao. She had a lovely figure, stood about the same height as Jiu’er, looked sweet and pretty, and was always smiling. The moment the team was formed, everyone took an instant liking to her.

Their division was called Team Four-Two. Besides the two young women, the team included Mu Mu — the oldest at twenty-three — Xing Zizou, who carried a certain rakish, dashing air, and Shan Yidao, who was exceptionally good-natured and perpetually grinning.

Mu Mu was the most serious of the group. Xing Zizou liked to walk alongside Xiao Yingtao, while Shan Yidao was particularly attentive toward Jiu’er.

Even so, military life left no room for anyone to look after or be looked after — every person had to remain sharp and focused. No one who had made it in was weak.

“Do you think this is the herb we’re looking for?” Xiao Yingtao was the first to spot something and immediately moved toward it.

“Wait!” Feng Jiu’er stepped forward quickly and said in a low, firm voice, “What we’re looking for is dragongrass. This is agave. The two look similar, but one is medicine and one is poison.”

“Poison?” Shan Yidao came over. Xing Zizou had already positioned himself just behind Xiao Yingtao.

Even Mu Mu, typically the most serious, walked over and scrutinized it carefully.

“Impossible — it’s exactly the right kind. I wouldn’t make a mistake.” Xiao Yingtao was anxious, and before anyone could stop her, she yanked the plant from the ground.

She turned back to look at Mu Mu with a smile, the kind that brought out two charming dimples on her cheeks. “Mu Mu, don’t you think it’s — Ah! My hand!”

Her hand — in an instant, it went completely numb.

“It’s nothing serious. Drop the agave. It should ease gradually in about the time it takes to burn one stick of incense.”

For someone who would not listen, further words were useless. If she could not tell the difference, let the pain teach her.

After that, no one dared to be careless again.

Feng Jiu’er and Mu Mu took the lead and moved ahead. Shan Yidao caught up, his face full of curiosity. “Jiu’er, you’re incredible — how could you tell the difference?”

“With my eyes.”

“…”

“Can you still walk? If not, I’ll—” Xing Zizou moved to help Xiao Yingtao. But Xiao Yingtao bit her lip and said, “I can walk.”