The courtyard of the Heaven Character Camp was much quieter than expected.
Unlike the Xuan Battalion, where people often drilled or gathered in small groups to chat, this entire courtyard was empty and silent.
As Jiang Yuechu was observing, the door to a side room opened, and two figures walked out.
One of them was burly and imposing; Jiang Yuechu had an impression of him.
He seemed to be surnamed Shi?
The other person beside him was a thin man.
He was frail, his face pale to the point of looking sickly. He walked slightly hunched over, occasionally raising a hand to cover his mouth and cough softly, appearing utterly delicate.
"Old Li, Old Li! I was just looking for you..."
Officer Shi had a booming voice. As soon as he saw Li Qingyuan, he strode quickly toward him.
But halfway through his sentence, he noticed the young woman beside him, and his voice abruptly stopped.
"Uh..."
Li Qingyuan stepped forward and introduced her: "Brother Shi, this is Jiang Yuechu, Brigade Commander Jiang. She is now a colleague in our Heaven Character Camp. Speak freely, we are all family."
Officer Shi's face instantly flushed deep red. As if remembering something, his eyes darted away, afraid to meet Jiang Yuechu's gaze.
He stiffly cupped his fists and spoke in a muffled voice.
"I am Shi Chongyue, Brigade Commander of the Heaven Character Camp."
Finally, as if to salvage some face, he suddenly puffed out his chest and added a nonsensical remark.
"Half-step Core Formation! I will definitely achieve a Breakthrough within six months!"
This inexplicable statement left Jiang Yuechu somewhat confused.
Li Qingyuan, however, understood instantly and twitched his lips.
Shi Chongyue was simply unbalanced upon seeing that Jiang Yuechu, a mere girl, had already entered Core Formation at such a young age.
But why didn't he consider why a woman could surpass countless Prodigies and enter Core Formation at this age?
Maintaining a humble and respectful attitude toward those above one's own Realm—that was the proper mindset.
He shook his head, choosing not to expose him, and looked instead at the thin man who hadn't spoken, smiling: "Miss Jiang, this is Zhao Yi, also a Brigade Commander in our camp."
The man named Zhao Yi nodded slightly at Jiang Yuechu in greeting, but his eyes continuously scrutinized her.
Seeing that no one acknowledged his bold declaration, Shi Chongyue felt even more embarrassed. He cleared his throat twice and forcefully steered the conversation back.
"Old Li, you came at the right time. Lord Wei just passed word that there seems to be some movement near the Black River."
"The Black River?"
Li Qingyuan frowned, pondered for a moment, and slowly said: "I did hear previously that the Black River flowed backward for three days, the water was foul-smelling, and all the fish and shrimp died... But I recall that matter was already resolved? The river water has long since become clear again, so why would there be further activity?"
Hearing this, Jiang Yuechu's heart stirred.
The Black River?
Wasn't her very first assignment upon joining the Demon Suppression Division at the Black River?
"How should I know?"
Shi Chongyue pouted, looking impatient. "Lord Wei just said that two days ago, a scout from the Yellow Character Battalion happened to pass by and reported that Demonic Qi was rising again upstream of the Black River. He could see it from a distance, and it looked like something was about to emerge."
He turned to look at Li Qingyuan and said gruffly: "Anyway, we don't have any assignments right now. We might as well take a trip. Old Li, are you going?"
"What a coincidence."
Before Li Qingyuan could answer, Jiang Yuechu suddenly spoke.
Her calm gaze swept over the three men. "The matter at the Black River was handled by me. The Demon in that river was a Black-Scaled Water Monster, and I already killed it."
As soon as she said this, Shi Chongyue and the sickly Zhao Yi both stared at her.
"Oh?"
Li Qingyuan was stunned for a moment, then looked enlightened and chuckled: "Such a coincidence?"
"Since that's the case, Miss Jiang is quite familiar with that location. How about... we all go together, and treat this as your first assignment upon joining our Heaven Character Camp?"
"Alright."
Jiang Yuechu nodded decisively.
She was just worried about not having Demons to kill.
She was naturally eager to go.
But Shi Chongyue seemed reluctant, stammering and looking utterly unwilling.
"We can go, but... but..."
But he couldn't articulate what that 'but' was.
Seeing his appearance, both Li Qingyuan and Zhao Yi frowned slightly.
Zhao Yi suddenly smiled. "In that case, it's settled. Brother Shi, let's go prepare the horses. Brother Li and Miss Jiang, please go ahead. We will collect our mounts and meet outside the Dusi."
Li Qingyuan nodded. "Thank you both for your trouble."
Zhao Yi said no more, gave Jiang Yuechu another slight nod, and then pulled Shi Chongyue, who still wanted to say something, toward the courtyard exit.
Once the two had walked far away, Li Qingyuan turned back, a hint of apology on his face.
"Miss Jiang, please don't take offense..."
"It's fine. I'm not that petty."
...Meanwhile.
Just after walking out of the Heaven Character Camp gate, Zhao Yi stopped.
He turned around, confirmed that Li Qingyuan and Jiang Yuechu had not yet followed, then released his grip and frowned at the indignant Shi Chongyue beside him.
"Brother Shi."
"What is it?"
"You seem to... have some issue with Miss Jiang?"
"I..."
Zhao Yi didn't wait for him to defend himself and continued on his own: "In the path of martial Dao, the capable always lead. When has gender ever mattered? If you lack even this much tolerance, wouldn't others laugh at you if word got out?"
Shi Chongyue's mouth twitched violently.
Damn it!
What could he say?
Should he tell Zhao Yi that he had made a vow in his heart back then?
That she was practically half his mother now?
If he said that, how could Shi Chongyue ever show his face again!
Immediately, his neck stiffened even more, and he vehemently denied it: "Nonsense! Don't talk rubbish! Am I, Shi Chongyue, such a petty person?"
"Oh?"
Zhao Yi looked at him like this, a trace of understanding flashing in his eyes.
"Then... you're afraid of her?"
"I'm afraid of her?!"
Shi Chongyue suddenly thrust out his chest. "Ridiculous!"
"Don't look just because she entered Core Formation; her experience is still shallow! If we really fought, it would be a nine-to-one split between her and me!"
"A nine-to-one split?"
Hearing this, Zhao Yi stopped, turned his head, and looked at him with an expression reserved for an idiot.
"She, alone, killed the Core Formation Great Demon, Heaven-Pacifying True Lord, outside the pass."
"Given that achievement, your so-called nine-to-one split probably means she throws one punch, and you descend to the Nine Springs to keep the Heaven-Pacifying True Lord company."
"..."