Chapter 462

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Sometimes when passing through a city gate, the soldiers guarding it would meddle and ask, "Where are you rushing off to?" Qianqian always answered simply: "Enlisting."

Hearing this, the guards would often sigh with emotion, then ask no further.

Along this journey, Qianqian traveled fairly smoothly. This sleep of hers unexpectedly lasted half a day.

By the time she woke, night had fallen and lanterns were lit. After eating, Qianqian decided to go out for a stroll.

Walking through streets and alleys, Qianqian heard many people enthusiastically discussing enlistment.

As it turned out, this place was very close to Chunning City; anyone going to enlist would pass through here. During this period, quite a few people had already arrived.

Qianqian did not know the exact location of the registration point; hearing everyone chatting so heatedly, she couldn't help but approach to ask.

At this moment, an auntie enthusiastically said to Qianqian: "Young man, the registration point is just outside Chunning City! Walk from here toward Chunning City and you'll see it!"

Qianqian hurriedly thanked her: "Many thanks for telling me, Auntie!" Finished speaking, she hastily turned and left.

The auntie watched Qianqian's receding figure and couldn't help but sigh: "This young man looks so thin, yet he actually has the courage to enlist!"

Galloping all the way, Qianqian's gaze remained fixed ahead — the direction of Chunning City.

As the distance closed, she saw more and more people ahead; the line wound like a long dragon.

Qianqian rode forward and soon reached the tail of the line. To her surprise, the queue was so long that even on horseback she would have to walk a good while to reach the end.

Finally, around midday, Qianqian finally saw the end of the line.

Two small tables placed side by side; behind them sat four people, heads bowed, brushes in hand, swiftly recording something.

Qianqian observed from horseback for a moment and understood: this was the registration point, and those four were presumably the officials responsible for recording information.

Thinking of that long queue, Qianqian felt a bit troubled. She hesitated, then decided to first find lodging in Chunning City and come queue early tomorrow morning.

So Qianqian turned her horse and galloped toward Chunning City. The guards at the gate asked routinely as usual: "Who goes there?"

Qianqian answered loudly: "One who enlists!"

Hearing this, the guard said nothing more and directly let her into the city.

After entering, Qianqian searched around and finally found a decent inn. She handed her horse to the waiter, then went inside and asked for a guest room.

A night without words.

The next day, before dawn, just past the Hour of the Tiger, Qianqian had already packed up and prepared to set out for registration. She stood by the window, looking at the pitch-black streets outside, heart full of anticipation.

Finally, the city gate slowly opened; Qianqian didn't hesitate, spurring her horse out like an arrow from a bow, racing toward the registration point.

When Qianqian arrived on site, she was surprised to find five or six people already queuing. She hurried to the tail of the line and stood in the seventh position.

Out of curiosity, Qianqian asked the man in front of her: "Big Brother, what time did you all come? How come so early?"

That man looked about thirty-something; he turned and replied: "We arrived last night! But we came a bit late, registration had already ended, so we didn't enter the city — just found a spot nearby to sleep, then came queue at first light."

Qianqian nodded, showing understanding, then said: "So that's how it is."

At this, the man in front added: "It's still early; there's still one double-hour before registration starts, so let's just wait slowly."

Thus these few people queued while chatting lively. As time passed, more and more people came to queue; the line grew longer and longer, stretching to where Qianqian could almost not see the end.

Finally, after a long wait, the people in charge of tallying registrations arrived leisurely.

Exactly the same as yesterday — still those four people, two tables — and Qianqian was seventh in line, so in the second round it was her turn.

The registrar looked up, glanced at her, and asked expressionlessly: "Name, age, native place?"

Qianqian had long planned this; she answered without hesitation: "Wang Ming'an, sixteen years old, from Liujiacun in Chungu City."

She had deliberately reported her age a bit older; after all, being slightly older might give an impression of more maturity and steadiness.

However, sixteen isn't that old; the moment his voice fell, it drew the attention of several people around, who all turned their heads, curiously sizing up this young boy who had come to enlist at merely sixteen.

The registrar said nothing more, merely swiftly recorded Qianqian's information on paper, then handed her a specially made small round token.

The token was pitch-black all over, with silver lines outlining the character "Qi"; it looked quite archaic.

Qianqian carefully accepted the token, examined it closely, then tucked it into her bosom.

Seeing this, the registrar continued: "Keep this token safe. Assemble here promptly on the first of the tenth month. Then someone will lead you all together to the camp for training.

Remember: if you can't endure the training, you may choose to return the way you came; but if you can persist, you'll have a chance to become a member of the Qi Family Army."

Qianqian smiled and nodded, indicating she understood, then thanked Eldest Brother. After thanking him, she unhesitatingly took the token, turned, and left.

Back at the inn, Qianqian calmed down and carefully calculated the days. She found there were less than half a month left until the first of the tenth month.

With such a long stretch, she couldn't just wait here idly; she had to find something to do.

After some thought, Qianqian decided to have Shi Er investigate the situation in Xishang Kingdom. As for herself, she planned to wander around Chunning City, have a good time, and enjoy this rare leisure.

Over the next few days, Qianqian had a very pleasant time. She strolled through Chunning City's streets and alleys, admiring the city's scenery, sampling various delicacies, experiencing the local customs.

However, time flies; in a blink four days had passed. Just as Qianqian was playing happily, Shi Er finally returned.

The moment Shi Er returned, he rushed to report to Qianqian everything he had found out.

He took a deep breath, then slowly spoke: "Master, after Subordinate's extensive inquiries, I've learned that Xishang Kingdom has not been peaceful lately."