In less than a morning, Jiu Yue had already made a name for herself in the training camp.
Nearly half the people there had crossed blades with her—and lost. The other half were still watching from the sidelines.
Jiu Yue, however, couldn’t care less… In her eyes, these people were more like low-level monsters to grind for experience points. After beating enough of them, they might even drop some gear.
Remembering her main purpose for coming here, she politely asked Old Tao, "Anyone else left to fight?"
Old Tao: "…Huh?"
Jiu Yue pointed at Qiu Dongfang and said, "He told me this place could custom-make equipment. How many more people do I need to beat before I can get my gear?"
Old Tao shot Qiu Dongfang an impassive look, then immediately turned back to Jiu Yue with a face wrinkled like a chrysanthemum in forced cheer.
"No need, not a single one! What kind of weapon would you like? I’ll take you to Old Luo—he’s the best craftsman here!" Old Tao respectfully escorted Jiu Yue to the weaponsmith’s workshop.
…
Three days later.
Qiu Dongfang finally came to take Jiu Yue away.
Before their departure, Feng Qi—still battered but undeterred—limped out to wave at her with admiration shining in his eyes. "Sis! I’ll train hard and catch up to you! Wait for me!"
Jiu Yue gave the crowd an encouraging look. "You’re all welcome to come find me for a spar!"
The crowd: "…" Thanks, but no thanks.
As soon as the two figures disappeared into the bamboo forest, Old Tao’s smile collapsed.
For three whole days, he’d been forcing that grin—so much that his nasolabial folds had deepened!
Fei Tong silently handed him a mirror. Old Tao examined his reflection mournfully, then noticed Feng Qi still buzzing with excitement out of the corner of his eye. His lip twitched, and he couldn’t resist snapping, "Did she actually knock your brains loose? Didn’t you get beaten enough? You still want to go after her?"
Feng Qi turned back, baffled. "Of course I do! She’s even stronger than you!"
In Feng Qi’s mind, Jiu Yue had now surpassed everyone in the training camp—including Old Tao—as the strongest fighter he’d ever seen.
Filled with determination, Feng Qi declared, "I’m going to get that strong too! No wonder the prince always says no amount of training compares to venturing out into the world… Hey, Old Tao, what if I—ow!"
"What if nothing! You’re my handpicked disciple! Betray the training camp, and I’ll break your legs!" Old Tao smacked him on the head.
Feng Qi rubbed his sore scalp, aggrieved. "Who said anything about betraying the camp? I meant maybe in a few months, I’ll try the prince’s assessment!"
Only those who passed the assessment would qualify for selection to serve in the prince’s residence.
Old Tao: "…Why didn’t you say so earlier?"
Feng Qi rolled his eyes and ignored him, turning instead to Fei Tong with an invitation. "Fei Tong, let’s do it together! If Jiu Yue can do it, so can you!"
Fei Tong was the only woman in the training camp.
By nature, she was fiercely competitive and refused to accept defeat, but her skills had always been middling at best. After witnessing Jiu Yue’s strength, however, even Fei Tong’s fighting spirit had been ignited.
"Alright!" Fei Tong exhaled, her eyes gleaming. "You focus on recovering first. Then we’ll ramp up our training. Next time Senior Jiu Yue visits, we’ll challenge her!"
Feng Qi grinned. "Next time won’t be long!"
Old Tao, standing nearby: "…"
Of course it won’t be long! That demoness even left her dog here! Me, a seasoned assassin trainer, reduced to dog-sitting!
Old Tao wiped away an imaginary tear… then hurried off to check on the dog.
On the way back, Jiu Yue couldn’t help but wonder, "Didn’t you say I’d have to stay at the training camp for seven days? Why’d you come get me today?"
Qiu Dongfang thought, If I hadn’t, Old Tao would’ve started bawling.
But outwardly, he maintained a solemn expression. "The prince has a new mission for you."
Jiu Yue narrowed her eyes skeptically. "What mission? Can’t Mo Jin and the others handle it?"
She had a sneaking suspicion that Sima Qing was exploiting her… Ever since joining the residence, every mission had landed on her plate! Qiu Dongfang at least tagged along sometimes, but Mo Jin and the others were just freeloading!
Qiu Dongfang saw right through her and chuckled. "This time, it’s really not the prince singling you out… You’re the only one suited for this task."
Jiu Yue froze, then scowled. "Aha! So you admit he was targeting me before!"
Qiu Dongfang: "…"
He coughed awkwardly. "Of course not… Let’s focus on the mission."
This assignment required infiltrating the target’s residence to retrieve an account book. Unless absolutely necessary, no lives were to be taken—doing so might alert the enemy.
"An account book?" Jiu Yue caught on. "Corrupt official?"
Qiu Dongfang nodded. "The prince will explain the details… I’ll be heading to Yunjiang first. When you arrive, I’ll rendezvous with you."
Yunjiang…
This mission even involved travel!
Jiu Yue perked up. After parting ways with Qiu Dongfang, she headed straight back to the prince’s residence.
Stepping into the courtyard, she spotted Sima Qing walking toward the house.
"Your Highness!" she called out immediately. "Your Highness, you can walk now!"
Sima Qing, startled: "…"
He turned, meeting her gaze—full of encouragement and maternal pride. "Your Highness! Come on, take a few more steps! That’s it! You can do it!"
After three blissfully peaceful days, the sudden return of her boisterous energy made Sima Qing’s temple throb.
"…This prince has been walking all morning." His tone made it clear he wouldn’t indulge her request. He clasped his hands behind his back. "Inside. There are matters to discuss."
Jiu Yue was a little disappointed.
A disabled prince walking briskly—what a historic moment!
Sighing inwardly, she followed him inside, where he tossed her a slip of paper.
"Prefect of Yunjiang…" Jiu Yue read aloud, then asked curiously, "Where’s Yunjiang?"
Sima Qing replied, "About five hundred li to the south."
A day or two by fast horse.
Quite a distance.
Sima Qing continued, "The prefect has colluded with local salt merchants, extorting vast sums from the people… However, he must not die before you retrieve the account book."
Jiu Yue paused, then understood.
This wasn’t just any ledger. From what she knew, such books served two purposes: recording ill-gotten gains and acting as leverage over corrupt officials.
It undoubtedly contained names of other accomplices.
Killing the prefect before securing it would only spook the others into hiding or destroying their records, making the investigation far harder.
But if she couldn’t resort to force… how was she supposed to find it?
These things were never easy to locate.
Corrupt officials were nothing if not cautious.
Noticing her confusion, Sima Qing tapped the table and handed her a second slip.
Jiu Yue unfolded it and saw two words: Song Shu.
"The prefect’s son. Start with him—and no, I don’t mean kill him. Use him as your entry point." Sima Qing rarely elaborated, but this time, he added, "His father, Song Lan, is a lecher. You can exploit that through Song Shu to gain access to the residence."
