In an unnamed little tower not far away, three Dragon Guard officers dressed in black brocade combat uniforms leaned against the window and watched, taking in the entire battle that had just unfolded.
The woman in the middle was around thirty. She had an oval face, skin as fair as snow, brows like distant mountains, eyes like autumn water, and a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Her hair was black and lustrous, arranged in a simple bun and secured with a jade hairpin, giving her an elegant, understated appearance.
She was tall and slender, with a slim waist and graceful curves. Every movement radiated confidence and composure, drawing people's eyes to her involuntarily.
A black brocade combat uniform with purple patterns—she was actually a Military Marquis of the Dragon Guard!
To her left stood a middle-aged man. His eyes were black and bright as stars, deep and spirited, revealing keen powers of observation and an unwavering will.
A prominent saber scar ran across his face, stretching from the outer corner of his left eye all the way to his chin. Rather than detracting from his appearance, it added a touch of coldness and authority.
He was not tall, but no one would mistake him for a short man. His entire body seemed to brim with vigor—a frightening, intimidating strength.
To her right stood a gaunt old man. He had a broad forehead, and beneath his high, prominent nose were tightly pressed lips that revealed his meticulous and focused nature.
His eyes were bright and sharp, filled with wisdom and insight.
His sparse gray hair was neatly combed back, making him look clean and trim.
Their black brocade combat uniforms bore blue patterns. Both men were Garrison Generals of the Dragon Guard.
"Do you also want that Qin brat dead?" The gaunt old man was the first to speak.
When the woman did not respond, he pressed on. "Feng Xiniang, don't forget that Boss Xiao sent us here to protect him. Why didn't you order us to intervene when things were so dangerous just now?"
"Are you worried that this brat will threaten Boss Xiao's future once he grows stronger, so you deliberately stood by and watched?"
"Foolish! What you've done will only make things difficult for Boss Xiao!"
"Shut up, Gongsun Ling. If you don't speak, no one will mistake you for a mute!" The woman called Feng Xiniang tossed out those words and turned to head downstairs.
"What was that supposed to mean?" Gongsun Ling helplessly looked at the middle-aged man beside him. "Hua Ping, say something fair!"
"I think you're overthinking it." Hua Ping spoke briefly and plainly, then followed Feng Xiniang downstairs.
"How am I overthinking it? Explain yourself!" Gongsun Ling hurried after him.
"Military Marquis Feng didn't take this brat seriously in the first place. Why would she bother going out of her way to let him die?" Hua Ping said indifferently.
"Didn't take him seriously?" Gongsun Ling looked utterly confused.
"Boss Xiao's talent is the highest I've ever seen in my life. No matter how extraordinarily gifted this brat is, the two of them are nearly ten years apart. The gap created by ten years of cultivation is one he can never cross, no matter what he does. Since he's destined never to catch up with Boss Xiao, why would Military Marquis Feng need to snuff him out in advance?" Hua Ping explained, then reached his verdict. "You're just getting old and thinking too much!"
"Then why didn't she let us help just now?"
"Was anything wrong with that brat in the end?"
"Well... no!"
"Exactly."
"Uh, so we're just leaving like this?"
"You don't need to worry. Hua Cuo has already taken men to follow him."
"So you all arranged everything and kept me in the dark!" Gongsun Ling suddenly understood. With an embarrassed expression, he apologized to Feng Xiniang. "Um, Military Marquis, I was just anxious earlier. Don't take those words to heart!"
"Get lost! When we return, I'll transfer you to Yang Kaitai!" Feng Xiniang tossed out the words and mounted her horse.
"Don't! Having me stare at that dead man's face all day would be worse than killing me!"
"Insulting your superior behind his back. I'll remember that." Hua Ping teased from the side.
"I... this..." Gongsun Ling looked mortified.
"Haha... haha..."
Qin Shuang galloped along the official road. By his own estimate, he would be back in Chaoge City within half a day. Thinking of his mother, whom he rarely got to see, he unconsciously lashed his horse even harder.
A rider followed close behind him. The young man on horseback had a youthful, innocent face, but his eyes held a sharp, determined resolve, and his entire face radiated confidence and ambitious drive.
His flamboyant hairstyle and uninhibited movements, together with the youthful energy that filled him from head to toe, seemed to announce to everyone that he possessed an intense ambition to pursue his dreams!
Hua Cuo, a Section Leader under the Shanzhou Division of the Desolation Unit (Camp) of the Dragon Guard!
"Brother Shuang!" A familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind a nearby mound.
Qin Shuang recognized the voice. He immediately reined in his fine horse and exclaimed in astonishment, "Little Fish?"
The three of them met atop the mound. Seeing that Jiang Xiaoyu looked even more travel-worn and haggard than he did, Qin Shuang asked curiously, "Little Fish, did you just return from completing a mission?"
"No. I came here specifically to wait for you. It's already been five days!" Jiang Xiaoyu had none of his usual liveliness, looking instead utterly dispirited.
Qin Shuang keenly sensed that something was wrong. "What happened?"
Jiang Xiaoyu glanced at Hua Cuo behind Qin Shuang, hesitating to speak.
"We're all comrades," Qin Shuang said, immediately understanding his concern.
Jiang Xiaoyu paused. Although he had organized his thoughts and rehearsed countless times, when he actually faced Qin Shuang, he still felt somewhat awkward. "Brother Shuang, a month ago, Commander Wuchen, the Military Sima, was killed by mistake while carrying out a mission. The Moon Division didn't even think of avenging him. Instead, several Military Marquises began fighting among themselves for power, turning the entire Moon Division into a complete mess."
"The Commander of the Moon Division of the Cosmos Unit (Camp), Poison Hand Medicine King Wuchen? What does that have to do with the Divine Division of our Yu Unit (Camp)?" Qin Shuang blurted out, then immediately realized the answer. He asked, "Did something happen to Ling Su?"
"Yes. Her senior brothers and sisters have confined her in the Moon Division's offices and are forcing her to hand over Commander Wuchen's posthumous work, the Medicine King Divine Chapter!"
"Confined?" Qin Shuang's expression changed drastically, and frost seemed to descend over his face.
Jiang Xiaoyu nodded. Before he could say anything, Qin Shuang grabbed him by the collar. "How could you stand by and watch them confine Ling Su? Don't forget, she's not only a member of our Divine Division in the Yu Unit (Camp), she's also your lifesaver!"
"Brother Shuang, we're all Dragon Guard, after all. I was afraid things would become too strained!" Jiang Xiaoyu said sheepishly.
"Too strained? Why aren't they afraid of that? This is outrageous!"
"Brother Shuang, I stayed here to wait for you because I wanted you to decide what to do once you returned. Tell us what to do, and we'll all follow your lead!" Jiang Xiaoyu said solemnly, his eyes bloodshot.
"Go back and summon everyone. All our people in Chaoge City must gather at Fugui Mountain Villa immediately!" Qin Shuang said decisively. "Immediately!"
"Yes!"
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