The military camp stood on the western outskirts of Xindu City.
Shen Ying and the boy emperor were riding side by side. From a distance, they could already see the neat rows of tents and the drill grounds. They were completely different from the military camps and training grounds they had seen in the capital.
A guard blocked their way outside the camp gate.
Shen Ying reined in her horse and called out, “Young man, I’m General Shen’s younger sister. I need to see him about something.”
“The military camp is an important site. No unauthorized persons may enter.” The young guard did not move an inch. His cold gaze swept over Shen Ying and the boy emperor behind her. “Please turn back.”
“I really am your general’s biological sister!” Shen Ying raised her voice. “Just go in and announce me.”
The guard remained unmoved. “Military orders are absolute. Anyone without a token of entry may not enter the camp.”
Shen Ying was so frustrated and angry that she was nearly speechless.
The boy emperor followed behind her and tried to persuade her. “Elder Sister, why don’t we go back for now?”
“Go back? Why should I? I’m not going back!”
Shen Ying turned around and glared at the boy emperor.
Just as she was about to try ingratiating herself with the guard, a rapid clatter of hooves suddenly sounded behind them.
“What are you doing here?”
Hearing a woman’s voice behind her, Shen Ying instinctively turned around. Her face immediately lit up.
“General Feng! It’s me—we’ve met before. My name is Shen Ying, and my elder brothers are Shen Jue and Shen Yu. I came to see them!”
Shen Ying had worshipped her elder brother Shen Jue ever since she was little. He had slain countless enemies on the battlefield, and now that she had encountered General Feng Chunya, a female commander equally renowned throughout the north, how could she not be thrilled?
Women of Great Yong were not allowed to enter military camps. Shen Ying had always thought herself an oddity because she loved practicing with weapons. It was only after coming to Xindu City that she learned women could not only enter military camps, but could also take the field and become great generals through military merit!
The boy emperor could hardly believe his eyes as he watched Shen Ying stare at Feng Chunya with stars in her eyes.
Was this really the Third Miss Shen he knew? Hadn’t she always been proud and looked down on everyone? Why was she being so ingratiating toward this rather plain-looking General Feng?
She wasn’t even this enthusiastic toward General Shen, was she?
He couldn’t help wondering.
Feng Chunya looked at the young girl. “I remember you. You’re here to see General Shen? Is something urgent?”
Shen Ying blushed. “There is something urgent, but seeing General Feng would work just as well.”
“What is it?” Feng Chunya scratched her head. Because of her friendship with Shen Yu and Shen Jue, she was willing to look after Shen Ying. “Tell me. If it’s something I can help with, I definitely will.”
Shen Ying hesitated before lifting her head. She gazed fervently at Feng Chunya and declared, “I want to go south with you! Don’t let my size fool you—I’m very good in a fight!”
Feng Chunya shook her head without hesitation.
“Sister Shen Ying, I’m afraid that won’t do.”
Shen Ying grew anxious. “Why not? Is it because I was punished by the Divine Lady?”
Her eyes reddened with grievance.
“It’s not because of that.” Feng Chunya explained, “It’s because only ten thousand people have been selected for this expedition south. The roster has already been finalized—there’s one person for every slot.”
“If you want to go, you’ll have to beat one of those ten thousand soldiers and take his place.”
As she spoke, she looked at the girl, who was not even as tall as her chin, and stated with certainty, “You can’t beat them.”
Shen Ying thrust out her chin. “Don’t underestimate me! I’ve practiced martial arts with my father and brothers since I was three. I may not be a top expert, but I’m not so weak that I can’t even beat an ordinary soldier!”
As she spoke, her brows were filled with pride.
Feng Chunya glanced at her and decided not to discourage her further. With a helpless sigh, she said, “Fine. Come with me.”
This time, the guard did not stop Shen Ying and the boy emperor. He withdrew the iron spear in his hands and slowly pulled open the camp gate.
Shen Ying grabbed the boy emperor by the sleeve and followed Feng Chunya into the camp.
The instant they stepped inside, both of them froze.
This military camp was nothing like the chaotic camps in the capital, nor was it filled with lazy, listless soldiers.
The camp roads were broad and straight. Every ten paces, a bright red flag was planted in the ground, its fabric snapping loudly in the wind.
Wooden racks stood along the roadside. The long spears on them had been arranged by length, with every spearpoint facing in the same direction and gleaming coldly. They were even more orderly than the brush rack in the emperor’s study.
Shen Ying’s eyes settled on the row of spears. She could not hide the admiration in her gaze.
She reached out to touch one, then withdrew her hand. “These spears look even better than my father’s treasured spear. You leave such priceless weapons lying beside the road? Aren’t you afraid someone will steal them?”
Feng Chunya said in her simple, honest way, “The military regulations are strict. No one would dare steal anything. Besides, nobody likes using spears like these anymore. If you stole one home, you’d only complain that it took up too much space.”
Shen Ying and the boy emperor exchanged a glance. Then they saw the same shock reflected in each other’s eyes.
Perhaps it was only their imagination, but judging from Feng Chunya’s tone, they had the strange feeling that these priceless divine weapons were considered nothing more than scrap metal in Xindu City.
Feng Chunya led them to the drill ground.
“These are the people who will be accompanying the Divine Lady south this time.”
Shen Ying and the boy emperor followed the direction of Feng Chunya’s finger. A perfectly ordered formation came into view, and their expressions turned blank with astonishment.
Dozens of soldiers dressed in short tunics stood in two lines. Under the blazing sun, they were practicing their punches in the open space.
At first glance, their movements seemed no different from ordinary boxing techniques. But on closer inspection, Shen Ying’s pupils suddenly contracted.
The lanky soldier in the front row threw a punch, and a visible ring of air burst from his fist.
With a muffled boom, the straw target three zhang away trembled. A clear fist mark had appeared in its center.
The boy emperor swallowed audibly.
“What… what kind of martial art is that?”
His voice cracked.
Feng Chunya did not conceal the truth. “The Divine Lady once passed down a body-tempering technique. Nowadays, everyone in the north practices it. Even children only a few years old can send out a shockwave with their fists if they have a talent for martial arts.”
Shen Ying fell silent.
She might not enjoy studying, but she was no fool. After witnessing the power of that punch, she knew perfectly well that she was no match for them. Naturally, she had no intention of disgracing herself by challenging anyone and becoming a laughingstock.
“General Feng, may I learn this body-tempering technique?” she asked, her voice tinged with longing.
“Of course.”
Shen Ying was instantly overjoyed. She had just opened her mouth to say more when a voice interrupted her.
“General Feng, the three-day deadline has arrived. We should go to the city gate together and await the Divine Lady’s arrival.”
Shen Jue rode over on horseback.
When he noticed Shen Ying and the boy emperor beside Feng Chunya, his brows drew together.
“What are you two doing here?”
Shen Ying gave an awkward smile. “Big Brother, I heard you were going south to follow the Goddess, so I came to see you off.”
With the expedition south about to begin, Shen Jue had no time to deal with Shen Ying. After discussing matters with Feng Chunya, he led ten thousand elite soldiers in a mighty procession to the city gate, where they waited quietly for the Divine Lady to descend.
