Night was deepening, and the weather suddenly turned strange — just moments ago the sky had been filled with stars, but now thick clouds had gathered… and snowflakes were drifting down.

  At this moment, Yi (Yì，毅), the deputy general (fùjiàng，副将), and the strategist (cānmóu，参谋) were huddled together in a corner, squatting to keep warm while chatting idly.

  “I say, Yi…”

  The strategist glanced at Qing (Qīng，青), then leaned close to Yi’s ear to gossip. “—Everyone’s curious. How is it that our normally taciturn, tightlipped captain turns into a completely different person the moment she sees you? It’s nothing like the image we have of her.”

  “Mm, right, I’ve wondered about that too,” the deputy general chimed in, rubbing the bruises on his face and blurting out, “Does Big Sis (dàjiětóu，大姐头) have some misunderstanding about you? She’s always hitting and scolding — hurts like crazy, like a tigress…”

  “Shh… haven’t you been beaten enough? Stop butting in…”

  To keep the three of them safe, the strategist quickly clamped a hand over that unfiltered mouth, stole a glance at Qing, and whispered, “Don’t take it to heart. He’s just a rough fellow. I just can’t figure out how such a dignified female general could have this side to her.”

  “Ahem—well, you know what they say: hitting means she cares, scolding means she loves you…”

  Yi paused, then said seriously, “We grew up together. She wasn’t like this before — but it’s lonely at the top. Ever since she became captain of the Guardian Squad (shǒuhù duì，守护队), she’s had to shoulder the safety and expectations of the entire town. With such pressure and responsibility, she naturally became this way. She’s strict, even a bit cold, but don’t take it personally.”

  “How could we! We’d never complain…” the deputy general called out, ice pack pressed to his face.

  Startled, the strategist quickly covered his mouth again. “In truth, everyone knows our captain only looks stern on the outside. She’s the classic ‘cold exterior, warm heart’ — sharp tongue, soft heart. She truly cares about us. I even voted for her in the election, despite my family’s pressure. I wasn’t happy at first — being led by such a young girl at my age — but it doesn’t matter. I’ve no ambition for rank, and besides, she once saved my life at the risk of her own. I owe her.”

  The strategist, now past forty, came from a prestigious family and had a proud nature. Yet after years in the squad with little advancement, he’d seen much and lived by the saying: “Only with detachment can one find clarity.”

  The family he mentioned was one of the three great clans of Baihu County (Báihǔ Jùn，白虎郡) in the main city — the wealthiest. The Zhuge clan (Zhūgě jiāzú，诸葛家族) held the highest status, while the Dongfang clan (Dōngfāng jiā，东方家) wielded the most power, producing every city lord for generations and coveting both the captaincy of the Guardian Squad and the clan leadership.

  The deputy nodded in admiration. “Big Sis may be young, but her martial arts are topnotch — one of the very best!”

  “—It’s just a pity the clan leader didn’t let her attend the interview back then…” the strategist sighed.

  As the clouds slowly dispersed, the silver moon once again lit the night sky, and the snowfall eased. Our little protagonist was about to make an entrance — the story was only just beginning.

  Outside the city, a vast field the size of a football pitch lay blanketed in white, with only a single road leading toward a distant forest. This road was paved with composite stone bricks infused with hightech molecular polymers — retro, nonslip, durable, selfrepairing, and selfcleaning. While snow piled thick on the grass to either side, the road remained clear and visible.

  The cold deepened. The three by Qing’s side huddled closer in their corner, shivering as they chatted.

  “Report!”

  A scout shouted, “We’ve spotted numerous exotic beasts (Yìshòu，异兽) ahead! They seem to be heading this way, but their speed changes — as if they’re waiting for something. And in front of them… there’s a person, also coming this way.”

  These exotic beasts were a race with a long history and civilization, like the Guardians, but unlike ordinary animals. Most had unusual appearances and innate talents; some exceptional ones could evolve, gaining new abilities, changing forms, even taking human shape.

  Within the barrier near the city lived many exotic beasts, most gentle and reclusive. Occasionally, a few might slip out through a weak spot in the barrier or wander into human cities by accident, but they were harmless. Never before had so many emerged at once…

  “They’re here!”

  Qing peered through her telescope, then called to the three, “What are you still crouching there for? Get over here!”

  They shivered involuntarily, then scurried over to join her, crouching to observe.

  “This is strange. I think we should proceed cautiously, Captain,” the strategist advised.

  “Cautious, my foot…” the deputy muttered, rolling up his sleeves. “Just charge!”

  “Wait — look at their eyes…”

  Yi took the telescope Qing handed him. What he saw shocked him: countless pairs of tiny red dots. But the enemy had retreated, and the barrier was repaired — how could this be? No… they look less like they’re attacking, more like they’re hunting… And that person… holding something… wait, is that—

  The figure was an elder (Zhǎngzhě，长者), stooped and staggering through the snow, leaving uneven footprints. Her silver hair spilled over her robe, one hand wielding a blade, inner energy extending from her fingertips into silver swordqi. Blood stained her arm, faint lights flickering there. Her other hand clutched something to her chest, guarding it as if it were more precious than her life.

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  “Yes!”

  Qing leapt onto the wall, her expression calm and resolute. “It’s Master (Shīfu，师父)!”

  She and Yi locked eyes and nodded. Yi replied firmly, “Don’t worry — I’ve got this.”

  “Mm. Everyone, hold position and prepare for battle!”

  Standing tall, Qing placed one hand over her chest and shouted, “Formation Squad!”

  “Here!”

  Five members stepped forward.

  “Form up!”

  “Yes!”

  They began forming seals in sequence, chanting incantations as formation diagrams beneath their feet merged into points of light, transmitting to Qing.

  She focused, a glow forming on her forehead. With a light push of her feet, she shot forward like an arrow toward the enemy, weaving through the night sky, one hand over her chest, murmuring the formation spell.

  For Qing, formations were second nature. Compared to formation techniques (zhènshù，阵术), full formations (zhènfǎ，阵法) were more powerful and lasted longer — the best choice now. But this was her first time using such a complex restoration formation.

  Unlike techniques, formations required perfect coordination and precise control — a challenge for someone as independent and impatient as Qing. In the past, to meet her master’s standards, she had trained endlessly with her team. Now, though much improved, she still dared not slacken before her master, executing every step with care.

  Given the situation, only with the Formation Squad’s support could she unleash the formation’s full power.

  By now, the redeyed beasts had closed in, some with eyes so dark they were almost purple.

  Meanwhile, the elder, nearly spent, had her own plan. From the bundle she guarded, a tiny hand emerged and waved. She glanced at it, exhaled, and smiled faintly. In an instant, she stopped wielding her blade, channeled her strength into her legs, and tried to widen the gap from her pursuers.

  But the predators would not give up. A pack of canid beasts closed in, eager to strike. One lunged from behind, grinning grotesquely, claws outstretched — only to have the elder sidestep with a strange footwork, clutching her bundle tighter. The beast skimmed past, smiling at the bundle, but plunged headfirst into a snowdrift.

  “Heehee…”

  The elder frowned, but at the sound of laughter from the bundle, her lips curved upward.

  Yet the danger was far from over. A larger, fiercer feline beast bared its fangs, eyes glowing crimson, leaping from above to attack. The canids circled warily, cheering it on and waiting to snatch the spoils.

  In an instant, the elder was surrounded, with no gap left for retreat. The two razorsharp leopard claws were about to strike home. The pursuing beasts’ faces lit with the joy of imminent victory.

  At that moment, Qing (Qīng，青) was racing at full speed. Though she had closed the distance to the battlefield, she was still just a fraction too far. Seeing her master in danger, her filial heart clenched with urgency.

  With glowing fingertips, she finished inscribing the EightTrigram Diagram (bā zhèn tú，八阵图), focusing her mind and steadying her breath, ready to unleash the formation.

  On the city wall, the soldiers, though weary, stood at full alert. But the three — Yi (Yì，毅), the deputy general (fùjiàng，副将), and the strategist (cānmóu，参谋) — still huddled together, eyes fixed ahead, holding their own little conference.

  “Hey, Xiao Yi, what’s with our captain today? She’s never fought like this before. Even using your Zhuge clan’s (Zhūgě yīzú，诸葛一族) secret art, the EightTrigram Sky Engraving (bā zhèn kè kōng，八阵刻空)… These enemies don’t seem like they’d trouble her much. Honestly, we could all go home and sleep…”

  The strategist yawned, puzzled. Age had made him an early sleeper, and after days without rest, he was barely keeping his eyes open.

  “Because she’s someone important — I can’t afford even the slightest mistake…”

  Yi kept his eyes fixed on his family in the distance, his gaze unusually serious. Almost unconsciously, he stroked the stubble on his chin, anxiety gnawing at him inside.

  Yi was an orphan. From a very young age, he had wandered alone, until he came here — discovered and adopted by the elder (Zhǎngzhě，长者), who also took him as her disciple. He had been about six years old then. As for Qing, she had arrived here as an infant. The elder had raised her, taught her martial arts. To Qing, the elder was both master and family — as dear as a parent — and thus someone of utmost importance in her heart.

  The strategist and the deputy general followed Yi’s gaze, all three of them stroking their chins in unison.

  “Hey — Yi, what happened to that beard you worked so hard to grow?” The strategist glanced at him, puzzled, and asked with concern.

  “Oh… that — I, uh, cut it off!”

  Yi, who had been fully focused, suddenly realized what was being asked. He shifted his posture, covering awkwardly, his eyes darting away. The strategist, being a perceptive man, saw his reaction and let the matter drop.

  “Heh heh… come on! Big Sis (dàjiětóu，大姐头) cut it, didn’t she? I saw it!” the deputy general blurted out, grinning foolishly, his voice booming.

  “Pfft… hahaha…”

  The nearby soldiers, drawn by the sudden comedy, couldn’t help but chuckle. Yi and the strategist could only exchange a speechless glance, then turn away as if they didn’t know him, looking back toward the distance.

  That figure wreathed in green aura in the night sky was being battered by cold currents as sharp as blades. Yet the female general seemed unfazed, focused only on the battlefield and the people she wished to protect.

  Suddenly, her brows twitched, and calm resolve shone in her eyes — the counterattack began.

  “Heh heh…”

  The laughter rang out again, sounding like a child’s voice. Then, a beam of light fell from the heavens — thunder flashing with dazzling brilliance struck the redeyed leopard deadon. The force was overwhelming; in an instant, the leopard was blasted into a charred ball of fur, teeth and claws scattered, smoke curling from its body. It could only stare wideeyed, give an awkward grin, then collapse into the snow.

  — Yet despite its ferocity, the natural force had been controlled with precision, harming no one else.

  But though the redeyed leopard had fallen, reinforcements were fast approaching. And the three jackals lurking nearby seized the moment to attack — swift and wellcoordinated: one from above, one from below, one from behind.

  “Awoo… awoo… awoo—”

  Three cries of pain later, the elder and her bundle were unharmed — but the jackals themselves lay defeated.

  As they had lunged, the snow on the ground suddenly gathered into two massive hands. The lower jackal was seized in a crushing grip, tongue lolling as it stared at the bundle in helpless frustration. The one attacking from behind was swatted into a snowbank, twitching all over. The last, untouched, grinned wide in premature triumph — only to be swept away moments later by a sudden gust of wind.

  The battle eased, but from within the elder’s bundle came no more laughter — only the faint sound of gentle breathing.

  On the battlefield, Qing’s brows finally relaxed. She had just reached the range to deploy her formation. Her hands flew through seals…

  “Heaven, Earth, Man, Time, Sound, Rhythm, Star — Formation★Pole Star Big Dipper (jíxīng běidǒu，极星北斗)!”

  She brought her palms together, unleashing the great array she had been charging. Beneath the elder’s feet, a formation core flared to life, radiant light spreading outward into the pattern of the Eight Trigrams.

  Landing, Qing pressed her hands down, then thrust upward. A green barrier sprang into being. Two or three beasts rushing in slammed into it with a resounding thud — and were instantly flung back in a burst of light.

  Around the barrier, countless energy spheres crackled like starlight, orbiting in the pattern of the Big Dipper. Bolts of lightning and cries of pain mingled; most of the enemy fell where they stood.

  “All units, hear my order!”

  From the city wall, Yi’s shout rang out. He knew — the counterattack had come.

  “Formation Squad, hold on a bit longer! Archers, draw to full, be ready to support at any moment! Scouts, keep probing ahead — report any anomaly at once! Deputy, ready the carriage at the main gate and await my command to open it…”

  At his command, the wall’s defenders straightened, ready for action.

  “Lock… and… present!”

  In the soldiers’ hands, their specialized weapons gleamed with arcs of light, arrows nocked and drawn. “—Dubhe, Merak, Alioth…”

  Beams of formation light, now reinforced, streamed back into the distant EightTrigram array.

  “Yes!”

  What is the Elder (Master) truly protecting inside the bundle? Why are the powerful beasts hunting it so fiercely?