Li Yan had at last followed Strategist Ji to the main gate of the training ground. As soon as they stepped out of the gate, Strategist Ji glanced at the distant crowd of waiting candidates and then halted at the entrance. Li Yan, stepping out behind him, had just planned to mention that he would go convey the situation to Li Guoxin before leaving—when, before he could even speak, his teacher turned toward him with a gentle smile and asked, "Among those waiting, is there someone who brought you here?"
Quickly, Li Yan replied, "Master, a respected elder from my family has sent his disciple—me—to apply for enlistment."
"Ah, in that case, go over and greet him, and then come back with me," said Strategist Ji.
"Understood—thank you, Master," Li Yan responded, his heart lifting with relief and pride. After bowing respectfully, he strode purposefully into the throng.
At the entrance, several guards on duty, having overheard their brief exchange, instantly recognized that the young man before them had been accepted as a disciple by Strategist Ji. They knew all too well how challenging it was for Strategist Ji to select his disciples, and a few among them could not help but feel a tinge of envy. One of the junior squad leaders stepped forward, clasped his hands in salute to the strategist, and said, "Congratulations, Strategist Ji—at long last your wish is fulfilled." The strategist inclined his head in acknowledgment with a warm, knowing smile, then resumed standing with his arms folded.
After offering his congratulations, the junior officer quietly returned to his post. In his mind, he resolved that he must seize any future chance to get close to this newly chosen disciple. After all, having a teacher as renowned as Strategist Ji could one day prove to be a most valuable asset in the military; a strong connection with the strategist might well serve as a powerful foothold. Of course, he also knew that many likely harbored similar hopes.
Without lingering on the squad leader's inner musings, Li Yan soon reached the designated waiting area. Aware that he must not keep his teacher waiting, he decided to be brief. Pulling aside Li Guoxin—whose face bore a mixture of hope and disbelief—he whispered something to him. At first, Li Guoxin appeared composed, but as Li Yan continued, his mouth gradually opened in astonishment, and he repeatedly exhaled soft "he, he" sounds until he could hardly utter another word.
When Li Yan had finished, Li Guoxin stood there, dumbfounded. Realizing his companion's stunned silence, Li Yan called out a few more times. Noticing that Li Guoxin still responded only with a vacant "oh, oh," Li Yan felt a surge of shame welling up within him.
Seeing that Uncle Li Guoxin was still slow to recover, he bowed to him and then swiftly turned to the carriage. He retrieved his package, then set off again toward the training-ground entrance.
When Li Yan finally rejoined his teacher, he did not wait for further instructions. Instead, he bowed deeply and said, "Master, I have already explained everything to our elder at home."
The strategist smiled broadly and replied, "Very well then; come with me back to our headquarters." After a brief pause, he added, "I normally dislike having a large retinue in tow, so it will just be the two of us today."
Li Yan found this rather peculiar. He remembered how the village elders had described the grand, imposing processions of high officials—scenes of splendid display, even sometimes forcefully clearing the streets—yet he had never seen an official so flanked with attendants. Still, he did not press the matter further. After all, he had never witnessed such pomp in person. With that thought, he tightened the strap of his package over his shoulder and set off in pursuit of his teacher.
Soon after the two had departed, the waiting crowd erupted into excited chatter. While Strategist Ji had stood at the gate earlier, many had recognized him; and now that they saw both him and Li Yan emerge together—and even heard Strategist Ji speaking kindly to the young man—a group quickly drifted toward them. One enterprising individual even stepped forward and, drawing another person along, made his way toward the cluster. This naturally caught the attention of nosy onlookers, and a few curious souls crept a bit closer. Though Li Yan had only spoken in a low voice to Li Guoxin, his words were not completely private, and those nearby could pick up snippets—especially in light of Li Guoxin's shock-stricken expression. Even people who initially thought nothing of it began to wonder what could have happened.
Only after a short while did Li Guoxin regain his composure. He muttered to himself, "So it truly is Strategist Ji. But is what Li Yan said really true? How can a new applicant have so effortlessly secured a position at Strategist Ji's side—as well as the appointment of Vice Ensign of the Anti-Insult Unit? Good heavens—is this truly the case?"
Li Guoxin was not entirely unacquainted with military ranks; he recalled that such a position, roughly equivalent to a rank "from the eighth level downward," was not typically attainable by a fresh recruit—even a veteran with countless battles and a few great merits would rarely rise so swiftly.
Thus, inside, Li Guoxin's mind churned with uncertainty. For a time he did not know how to process the situation. Gradually, his shock faded and his thoughts began to steady, though one question persisted: why had Strategist Ji taken such a liking to Li Yan? Li Yan, after all, was a simple village youth—someone who had grown up in the same humble surroundings, hardly marked by any extraordinary traits except perhaps for a rare measure of calm and composure beyond his peers. But was that truly the qualification that attracted Strategist Ji's discerning eye?
Before Li Guoxin could dwell any further on these matters, voices from nearby began to circulate. Those within earshot shared their speculations in hushed tones; and in the area where Strategist Ji had just departed, the crowd exploded with chatter—many exclaiming in disbelief that a mere new applicant could so serendipitously align himself with Strategist Ji's "great leg," so to speak. The talk was astonishing, and some even encircled Li Guoxin to ask questions. Overwhelmed, Li Guoxin managed a few stammered replies before he quickly forced his way through the crowd, dismounted from his carriage, and left in haste. He needed a guesthouse at once to sort out these bewildering developments, for by dawn he intended to rush back and spread the news to his entire village that the young man had climbed rapidly to fame.
Meanwhile, those who stayed behind, now convinced of the news's authenticity, began hatching their own schemes. Many wondered if they too might find a way to attach themselves to such influential patrons, hoping that perhaps their families or relatives might also benefit from a fortunate connection.
Li Yan continued following Strategist Ji until they reached the inner city near the North Gate. The strategist moved silently, with the casual grace of one strolling through his own garden, yet his pace was swift. Li Yan, whose childhood had been spent accompanying elders on mountain hunts, was able to keep up, though it took him considerable effort—nearly seventy to eighty percent of his energy—to match his teacher's effortless stride. Observing his master's seemingly effortless pace made him long even more for the promising life that lay ahead.
When they finally arrived at the North Gate, Li Yan was momentarily startled. Could it be that the strategist's residence was located right by the gate? He quickly realized his error, for his teacher did not slow or veer off course.
At the gate, about seven or eight soldiers—led by a junior squad leader—were checking those who were passing through. Li Yan looked around and discerned that these were not the same soldiers from Liu Chengyong's unit; they must have been rotated out.
The junior squad leader, noticing Strategist Ji's approach, immediately stepped forward and saluted with clasped hands. Receiving a slight nod and a smile from the strategist, the squad leader then led the group checking exits away, and Li Yan followed closely.
After Strategist Ji and Li Yan had left the North Gate, the junior squad leader observed Li Yan's retreating figure and murmured to himself, "Strange—this kid's face is unfamiliar, yet he is not one of the regular attendants of Master Ji's household. Who could manage to stay so close to Master Ji?"
After leaving the city, Li Yan mused in perplexity. Beyond the city stretched a broad avenue running north, flanked on both sides by endless, undulating hills whose depths seemed immeasurable. Could it be that his teacher's quarters in fact lay in a town several dozen li away? He had heard that there were garrisons further afield, but that would be unbearably distant. The thought of making such a journey daily—without the comfort of a carriage or mount—seemed exhausting. Although a journey of a few dozen li might not be inherently difficult for him, the monotony of such long walks was still disheartening.
On the road, Strategist Ji said nothing, as if lost in contemplation, leaving Li Yan to silently trudge along at close quarters while his mind wandered freely.
After roughly two li outside the city, Strategist Ji suddenly slipped off the main road toward the western mountains. Observing closely, Li Yan saw that a mountain path led deep into the western ranges. Although such paths were common along the city's outskirts, he hardly gave it a thought—until now, when his teacher unexpectedly veered down that trail.
The western mountains were far more imposing in depth than the eastern ranges. While the eastern mountains extended a few hundred li before giving way to the flat lands of the Central Plains—where one could ride horses at top speed—the western expanse was shrouded in mystery. The locals only knew that one might travel four or five hundred li to reach the unseen interior, where countless unknown beasts roamed, and where, for every ten who entered, nine might perish. Even the top martial artists of the jianghu dared not venture too deeply.
Li Yan recalled that Marshal Hong had once led a group of elite fighters roughly four hundred li into the wilds, and they encountered numerous venomous creatures and fierce beasts; though he retreated decisively, his subordinate forces suffered heavy losses, and Hong himself bore a monstrous scar from a beast's tail. Had he delayed even a moment longer, that tail might well have pierced his temple and sealed his fate on the spot.
Strategist Ji led Li Yan along the winding mountain path, gaining height among towering trees and thick brush. It was now nearly dusk; though the autumn day still seemed long, the sun was setting, and the light beneath the dense canopy had dimmed. At the top of the stone steps they had just ascended, a narrow passage—just two or three people wide—remained clear.
Finding a large, flat clearing in the mountains was no small feat; this area was clearly a man-made space, carefully leveled. Facing the exit of the stone steps were rows of sturdy bluestone huts, about four or five in each row, aligned neatly. Although modest in size, they were impeccably tidy. The expansive clearing itself was paved with smooth fragments of bluestone, and here and there sandbags and pits had been arranged in orderly fashion.
Upon reaching the clearing, Li Yan observed eight soldiers standing in two rows with spears, vigilantly watching the entrance to the stone steps. When they recognized Strategist Ji, they performed a formal salute and then resumed their positions on either side, merely glancing in Li Yan's direction without inquiring further.
Strategist Ji nodded subtly to the guards and then strode purposefully into the center of the clearing. After just a few steps, he paused and turned to one of them, saying, "Oh, you—go call everyone out. I have an announcement to make."
One guard responded, "Yes, sir," and rushed to the center, loudly proclaiming, "The Master has returned—everyone, come out!" Before long, a dozen or so people emerged from the bluestone huts on either side and gathered in the center.
Ever since ascending the platform, Li Yan had been trailing his teacher. He had noted, earlier, that many people came and went from the bluestone houses—and he had even seen thin trails of blue smoke rising from the rooftops, along with a faint, pleasant aroma. Yet in the dimming light, the details were hard to make out, and the feeble interior lamps did little to illuminate distant figures.
Once the group had assembled, Strategist Ji moved to the center of the clearing and waved toward Li Yan. Approaching, Li Yan discovered that besides the eight soldiers at the entrance, there were another twelve wearing the same standard uniform—and, most surprisingly, among the assembly were three middle-aged women.
Among these, the women and a couple of the soldiers in the middle stood out as they watched Li Yan with curious, even slightly puzzled, expressions. The others remained impassive.
"This is my newly recruited disciple, Li Yan. He will be residing here from now on," declared Strategist Ji, gesturing toward Li Yan. Then he added, "This area is also my residence. The twenty soldiers you see here were dispatched by the Marshal as guards, and the remaining women are in charge of our meals and the washing of our garments."
Li Yan observed them closely, though he was surprised to note that several of the onlookers regarded him with strangely odd expressions—a detail that left him rather puzzled.