【Fulong Camp — Dark Guard Training Ground】
The morning sunlight had just pierced through the tall trees of the training ground, scattering mottled shadows across the earth.
Over twenty youths in tight uniforms stood in formation.
Li Xuan stood straight in the middle of the line, a standard short blade at his waist, his expression serious.
It had been two months since he entered the camp in August—this was his first time attending the legendary “dark guard” specialty training.
Beside him stood two people:
Shen Qingci, dressed in a green robe, yawning as he lazily adjusted the scouting tools in his sleeves, though a hint of sharp cleverness was hidden in his eyes.
A Man, with a high ponytail and an innocent, slightly confused gaze, nervously fiddling with the short crossbow at his waist, his cheeks carrying a hint of youthful awkwardness.
Not far away, Yan Chiyu pushed up his large glasses while absentmindedly wiping his newly invented mechanical gloves. The metal parts gleamed under the sunlight, while his eyes occasionally swept forward with vigilance.
Footsteps sounded—so light they were almost silent.
A figure in black slowly walked in.
The person wore a silver-patterned black mask, revealing only a sharp jawline and a pair of deep, unreadable eyes.
Mo Ying.
Li Xuan’s pupils slightly shrank.
He muttered inwardly:
“Isn’t that Mo Ying? Rumor says he’s an intelligence operative personally trained by that Zhao Tiger. How did he suddenly become an instructor? Don’t tell me Zhao Tiger is even cutting training budgets and making spies double as teachers…”
Mo Ying carried a wooden box in his hand, standing tall like a pine tree. His presence carried the sharpness of someone who had trained for years in combat.
Yet when his gaze swept across the line—and briefly landed on Li Xuan—he paused slightly.
Even the tip of his ear quietly turned faint red.
“Today’s lesson: infiltration, reconnaissance, espionage, and intelligence transmission.”
Mo Ying’s voice came through the mask, slightly hoarse as if deliberately lowered, carrying a subtle tension.
“First—disguise. For a dark guard, disguise is the foundation of survival.”
He opened the wooden box. Inside were wigs, facial masks, and pigments.
He picked up a middle-aged man’s face mask and demonstrated how to apply it quickly.
Halfway through, his gaze drifted again toward Li Xuan.
His mind flashed back to the recent incident when he lost control in his berserk state.
The warm sensation of Li Xuan’s purification still lingered in his memory—like spring wind melting frozen ice, unsettling his heart.
“Ahem.”
He quickly withdrew his gaze, pretending to cough.
His movements stiffened slightly as he pressed the mask into place.
“Disguise requires attention to detail—eyebrows, eyes, posture. Everything must match the identity. No flaws allowed.”
Li Xuan watched with interest.
“This is basically just a face-changing trick… easy.”
Shen Qingci added lazily beside him:
“Brother Xuan, don’t underestimate it. Remember the skin-tone layering technique from last time. Thin layers, multiple coats. Otherwise sweat will turn you into a spotted cat.”
A Man leaned closer, blushing:
“Blade… coolest!”
“Gather intel… I, I’ll try!”
Yan Chiyu snorted:
“With your temper, you’ll probably trigger traps and need us to rescue you.”
Behind them, several female purification trainees were whispering:
“Don’t you think Mo Ying is super handsome?”
“He keeps looking over here… is he looking at me?”
“I want to see his face under the mask so badly…”
“That height… that figure… total ideal type!”
Li Xuan’s ear twitched.
He thought silently:
“You haven’t seen him when he goes berserk… but honestly, last time I did catch a glimpse. Barely clothed, abs and V-line showing… and those eyes full of longing. Now that I think about it… it was kind of… attractive?”
He froze mid-thought.
Just then, he looked up—and met Mo Ying’s eyes.
Mo Ying flinched like a thief caught in the act, instantly looking away. His ears turned even redder.
He spoke hurriedly:
“N-next exercise—reconnaissance. Split into five groups. Infiltrate the eastern forest and retrieve intelligence scrolls. Return in half an hour!”
During grouping, Li Xuan, Shen Qingci, A Man, and Yan Chiyu ended up together.
Forest Training
As soon as they entered the forest, A Man rushed forward—only to be grabbed back by Yan Chiyu.
“Don’t rush. Mo Ying said there are traps. Let Shen Qingci lead.”
Shen Qingci lazily took out thin needles from his sleeve and inserted them into the ground.
“Trap-detection probes. Follow me.”
A Man nodded seriously:
“I, follow!”
Suddenly, Mo Ying’s voice came from behind them.
“There are traps in the forest. Watch your step. Don’t act recklessly.”
Li Xuan turned back.
Mo Ying stood at the edge of the forest, eyes fixed tightly on him. When Li Xuan looked over, he quickly turned away and pretended to observe surroundings.
A Man whispered:
“Mo teacher… caring!”
Yan Chiyu said lightly:
“Obviously. He treats you differently.”
Shen Qingci grinned:
“More than that. His eyes are glued to you like adhesive.”
Li Xuan shook his head helplessly.
“Stop guessing. Focus.”
But Mo Ying outside the forest was already restless.
His fingers brushed the edge of his mask.
All he could think about was Li Xuan.
“After training… should I find an excuse to call him to my tent?”
“Maybe say the purification last time wasn’t fully stabilized…”
His ears turned red again.
Fu’an Inn
Night deepened.
Inside the rear room of Fu’an Inn, Li Yunpeng stood by the desk, expression cold as frost.
A dark guard knelt before him, reporting intelligence from Fulong Camp.
“Reporting, young master. Recent movements in Fulong Camp have been confirmed.”
“Zhao Chengyuan has been recruiting new disciples extensively, dividing them into two paths—Reaper and Purification. Clearly building his personal force.”
“Half a month ago, the return of Purple Judgment Flower caused major unrest. The camp is now heavily guarded.”
Li Yunpeng frowned slightly.
“Continue.”
“Among the new recruits, two stand out.”
“One is Shen Qingci. Appears frivolous, but is highly skilled in infiltration and mechanisms. Several tracking attempts failed. Likely top-tier assassin-type dark guard.”
Li Yunpeng responded calmly.
“Not a threat.”
The dark guard hesitated.
“The other is Li Xuan.”
Li Yunpeng’s finger paused.
“Li Xuan…?”
“Yes. Entered the camp only two months ago, but already extremely prominent. Known as a ‘walking medical hall.’”
“He can heal injuries rapidly, stabilize berserk states, and purify chaotic energy. His abilities exceed normal purification masters by several times.”
“Camp casualties have dropped significantly since his arrival.”
Silence fell.
Only the flickering candle sound remained.
Li Yunpeng slowly walked to the window, fingers tightening on the frame.
His thoughts churned violently.
“Zhao Chengyuan… not only blocking my search for White Owl, but also hiding such a monster-level talent?”
“Reaper who can act like a Purification master… this is a strategic piece.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Li Xuan…”
“Interesting.”
“Very interesting.”
He turned back sharply.
“Investigate everything about him. His origin, appearance, limits, weaknesses—even trivial habits.”
“And—find an opportunity. Bring him to me.”
“Dead or alive. I want him.”
“Or at least… remove him from Zhao Chengyuan’s side.”
“Yes!”
The dark guard vanished into the night.
Li Yunpeng remained under the flickering light.
His smile deepened slightly.
White Owl was still missing.
Now another variable had appeared.
This game… was getting more interesting.