Gu Qinghan's First Encounter with Xiao Yan

"Grand Commander!"

Several Black Seal Army soldiers drinking by the street immediately rose to their feet when they saw Gu Qinghan passing by, greeting her respectfully with faint embarrassment on their faces.

Seeing this, Gu Qinghan merely raised her hand slightly without reprimanding them, speaking in a gentle, pleasant voice.

"There really hasn't been much to do lately, so consider it a break. But don't forget that we still have a mission. Don't drink too much."

"Yes!"

The Black Seal Army soldiers answered solemnly, then awkwardly raised their cups toward Gu Qinghan.

"Grand Commander, why don't you have a drink with us?"

"I'll pass. You drink on your own. With me here, I'm afraid you won't be able to relax."

Gu Qinghan raised her hand in refusal, making the soldiers even more embarrassed.

She was right. Colleagues could drink happily together and say whatever they wanted, but if their superior sat at the same table, they could never be so uninhibited. They would inevitably feel restrained.

Gu Qinghan smiled softly at this, then slowly left. As the Black Seal Army soldiers watched her back recede into the distance, they deeply breathed a sigh of relief.

When Gu Qinghan caught them drinking and making merry in broad daylight, they had nearly thought they were about to receive a harsh scolding. They had not expected her to let them off so easily.

The group soon shook their heads and sat back down to resume drinking merrily. They had always stayed within the Gu Clan, and as members of the strictly disciplined Black Seal Army, their days were usually filled with harsh training. Such a rare chance to relax would likely never come again, so naturally they had to enjoy it properly.

Gu Qinghan, already some distance away, heard the renewed laughter and