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The entire platoon moved through the secret passage for half an hour before finally encountering branching paths. Every so often, groups of ten people would split off from the main group to take a different fork.
This repeated four times until it was finally Qing Xuanling's group's turn.
Qing Ziyi separated from Instructor Huan and Qing Linxi and approached them with an expressionless face.
"Your group is already formed, and you even know a battle formation, so you will constitute a squad. However, you're all too young to operate alone." Qing Ziyi's voice was monotone. "Therefore, I will be captain of this squad—the Crimson Sword Squad."
"I expect everyone to follow my orders precisely. This is war, not a children's game."
Her voice turned icy at the end, clearly treating the matter of discipline with absolute seriousness.
Qing Xuanling wasn't surprised. If there was one thing she'd learned about Qing Ziyi during their brief time together, it was that she deeply valued her own life. She tolerated no element that might unnecessarily endanger her.
"We all agree, Captain Ziyi," Qing Muyu stepped forward, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect. "I assure you we'll follow your orders to the letter."
Qing Ziyi nodded in acknowledgment. She already knew Qing Muyu and the others from the past week, so she wasn't truly worried. She'd even worked with the one person who hadn't come last week, so her earlier words were merely routine caution.
She quickly led the Crimson Sword Squad down their assigned path, walking several minutes before finally spotting an exit.
Qing Ziyi said little as she climbed the stairs that appeared after a long stretch of walking. On the other side of the door at the stairwell's top lay a completely empty secondhand shop—no one in sight.
Qing Huayan looked around curiously. "Isn't this a secondhand armor shop? Does the clan own this place?"
The Qing clan operated several shops within the city—mainly selling artifacts, armor, and to a lesser extent, pills—which served as major income sources. But Qing Huayan hadn't expected the clan to own a secondhand store, likely used only as an emergency escape route.
Qing Ziyi, without much enthusiasm, answered. "The clan often has surplus defective artifacts from apprentices, so the Young Master decided to use these excess goods to establish several cover businesses for urgent situations."
Everyone's eyes widened, marveling at the Young Master's foresight. Though they'd always admired him, it was only in recent months they truly realized no one deserved the title "Young Master" more than he did.
He always had novel ideas and almost absurdly far-reaching foresight.
Qing Xuanling exited the shop with the others, still amazed by the Young Master's planning. People outside glanced at them briefly before losing interest. According to Qing Ziyi, they'd already sent a decoy group of ten into the shop to maintain appearances.
But Qing Xuanling was surprised to find the street they'd emerged onto extremely familiar.
She quickly turned her head, spotting—as expected—a storefront she'd visited many times over the past two years.
"Immortal's Junkyard…"
Qing Xuanling murmured with mixed emotions. She hadn't seen Madam Yechan since the Demonic Tournament Disaster. The woman seemed to have vanished—along with everything inside her shop.
The store had been completely empty when Qing Xuanling visited weeks ago.
She felt conflicted about Lady Yechan again—not out of ill will. From what she'd heard, Madam Yechan had greatly aided the clan back then. Without her help, Qing Huomei and Qing Xuyun likely would've died.
What troubled her was the fear she might never see her again.
The cultivation world was vast. Their clan was currently situated in a remote part of their region, but farther south—in the proper human territories—lay nine provinces filled with prosperous, powerful cities far grander than Ziyu City.
Ziyu City felt enormous now, but compared to the outside world, it was barely a speck of dust. How could she ever find one person in such a vast world?
Unconsciously, Qing Xuanling walked toward Immortal's Junkyard—but Qing Ziyi grabbed her wrist.
"Xuanling, why are you separating from the group?" Qing Ziyi sent a voice transmission, her tone sharp. "I told you to follow my orders. I don't care your reasons—focus and follow me."
Qing Xuanling lowered her head in acknowledgment. She took a deep breath and quickly followed Qing Ziyi—but suddenly froze, making Qing Ziyi glare at her in annoyance.
She smiled strangely cheerful and quickly apologized. "Sorry, sorry—I won't get distracted again."
Her smile widened as she replayed in her mind the sudden voice transmission she'd received:
"Sister Yechan didn't want you to know this, but why should I obey her? She's currently recovering from injuries and hiding from some enemies, so she can't come see you. But she'll stay in Ziyu City for a few more years—you might meet sooner than you expect~"
Su Meiren's voice carried a playful tone—clearly doing something she shouldn't. But Qing Xuanling was delighted by it.
Her steps grew light as she followed Qing Ziyi out of the city. They'd rendezvous with the rest of the platoon at a secret clan meeting point in the Scarlet Forest.
The Crimson Sword Squad moved stealthily and low-profile, ensuring they drew no attention. Soon, Qing Xuanling found herself beyond the city's great walls.
She looked up at the towering trees with crimson leaves of the Scarlet Forest, feeling nostalgic. She'd spent much time here, constantly fighting for her life. In a way, she'd grown up in this forest.
Qing Huayan approached her side with a smile. "I remember saying I wanted you to guide me on a forest excursion, but it seems unnecessary now."
"I can still teach you some things that will be useful if you ever come here alone," Qing Xuanling replied with a smile. "I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I'm quite skilled at navigating this forest."
Qing Ziyi, walking ahead, turned around. "That's quite rare. Even among the clan's eldest, few know how to navigating the Scarlet Forest. Most who learn enough to be considered experts die in the forest..."
An awkward smile appeared on Qing Xuanling's face. "I understand why. The forest's outskirts are manageable, but the deeper you go, the worse it gets. I've survived mostly through luck and caution. Of course, most of what I've learned came from old hunters in the city who gave me plenty of advice."
The others looked at Qing Xuanling with interest. The Scarlet Forest was practically a separate ecosystem and society from Ziyu City.
It wasn't wrong to say people behaved entirely differently in the forest versus the city. Hearing such stories was fascinating for these youths who'd spent nearly their entire lives confined within the clan.
Qing Ziyi narrowed her eyes slightly. "Good—then you'll guide us. I truly don't know how to move through this forest." She handed Qing Xuanling a map. "Here's where we'll meet the rest of the platoon."
Qing Xuanling's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly nodded and took the map. She oriented herself rapidly and realized she knew the meeting spot.
"Alright, follow me. Don't stray more than five meters from me."
She said little else and took the lead, skillfully navigating the dense paths—avoiding roots and leaping over hidden holes. Her companions lacked her skill, tripping over these natural traps several times. Even Qing Ziyi.
Qing Xuanling smiled faintly as she oriented herself using familiar trees. "Everyone's like this at first. It's not obvious, but walking through a forest full of roots and mud isn't easy."
The others said nothing. Though challenging, they knew they needed to adapt quickly. Most battles they'd fight would be on similar terrain. It'd be a cruel joke to die in combat just because they tripped over a root.
They walked for nearly ten minutes before finally finding a small clearing already occupied by several people. Qing Xuanling narrowed her eyes but relaxed upon recognizing their vivid red uniforms—the same she wore.
It was their squad's official uniform.
Qing Ziyi took the lead again and approached the other platoon members.
"Captain Ziyi reports arrival at the rendezvous point!"
Instructor Huan's voice came immediately. "Acknowledged."
Qing Xuanling entered the clearing, noting thirty people already present. Only the last squad remained. She'd already asked Qing Ziyi—all squads in the platoon consisted of ten soldiers and one captain.
She scanned the clearing and noticed no one sat too comfortably—as if ready to move instantly. She followed suit, staying seated but alert in a corner.
The final squad arrived five minutes later.
Instructor Huan stood as everyone assembled.
"Now that we're all here, we can move. We'll maintain a moderately quick pace, resting only after 5 PM. According to the Young Master's calculations, the clan will enter conflict with the Mo clan in exactly five days, so we must reach the Ink Sword Sect's spiritual mine within four days at most."
He pulled out a map and showed it to everyone, pointing from one mark to another. "The mine is three days' travel from our current position, but there may be obstacles en route. I expect everyone to maintain a swift marching pace. With that said—move out! We've no time to waste!"