After He Yan announced the results of the martial arts competition, his gaze drifted into the distance.
The figure quietly slipping away was the lonely silhouette of Ye Qingxuan.
Then, He Yan’s figure turned into a blur, moving at lightning speed as he dashed into the distance.
Inside the main hall of the Black Bird Guards, He Yan sat quietly with his eyes closed, resting.
In front of him stood a woman around forty years old, dressed in a turquoise Black Bird uniform.
After arriving, the woman felt a little puzzled.
The martial arts competition had just ended, and Deputy Envoy He Yan had urgently summoned her.
Could it be that those creepy things in the White Path Mansion had shown up again?
She had actually been planning to go comfort that young lady, Ye Qingxuan.
Before Little Yanran left, she had entrusted her with taking Ye Qingxuan under her wing and personally guiding her in martial arts.
Just as the woman was lost in thought, He Yan opened his eyes and spoke softly.
“Huang Envoy Zhong Ling, the reason I called you here is to inform you of something important.”
“Envoy Xuan has given an order…”
After listening, Zhong Ling looked at He Yan in disbelief, as if questioning Deputy Envoy He Yan’s words.
This time, for the martial arts competition, Envoy Xuan had decided to add three special slots for key training.
And one of those slots had actually landed on Ye Qingxuan.
Envoy Xuan’s decision was simply unheard of, setting a precedent for the White Path Mansion.
In the past, when they added key training slots, it was usually just one at most. Never before had there been three added at once like today.
“Deputy Envoy, isn’t Envoy Xuan afraid of…” Zhong Ling began.
Since Zhong Ling and He Yan had a fairly close working relationship, she felt comfortable reminding him.
Each additional slot meant the White Path Mansion would need even more martial arts resources.
Would the Tian Du Black Bird Command agree to that?
And then there were those guys from the Black Feather Guard, who would be showing up any time now.
Wasn’t Envoy Xuan worried about getting entangled with those Black Feather Guard members?
He Yan understood Zhong Ling’s concerns and gave her a reassuring look.
“Don’t worry. Envoy Xuan will make all the final decisions.”
“Our job is simply to follow Envoy Xuan’s orders!”
Hearing He Yan’s confirmation, a hint of joy spread across Zhong Ling’s brow.
She was happy for that girl, Ye Qingxuan.
Who would have thought that little lady Ye Qingxuan would be so lucky as to catch Envoy Xuan’s eye?
He Yan noticed Zhong Ling’s excitement and knew she was eager to go notify Ye Qingxuan right away.
“Alright, Zhong Ling, you don’t need to stay here any longer. Go ahead and tell the young lady, Ye Qingxuan.”
“Yes, Deputy Envoy!”
“I’ll go inform Ye Qingxuan right now!”
With that, Zhong Ling turned around, took several quick strides out the door, and dashed off in a certain direction.
The Western Courtyard of the Black Bird Guards was where the Yellow-level Black Bird Envoys lived. It took up about one-tenth of the entire Black Bird Mansion.
And thanks to her connection with Zhong Ling, Ye Qingxuan was staying there with her.
In one particular courtyard, Ye Qingxuan sat on a stone stool with a look of utter despair. She lifted her head and stared at the boundless sky.
“Is there really no way for me to return to Tian Du in this lifetime?”
“It’s my own fault. I’ve failed my father’s important trust.”
“And I’ve disappointed Sister Yanran too.”
Just then, the courtyard gate was quietly pushed open from outside.
It was Zhong Ling.
As soon as Zhong Ling stepped inside and saw Ye Qingxuan in this state, she immediately understood how she was feeling.
Seeing that the visitor was Zhong Ling, Ye Qingxuan’s face turned even paler and more lifeless.
“Sister Ling, I failed!”
“It seems I’ll have a hard time ever seeing Sister Yanran again.”
Seeing this, Zhong Ling quickly walked over and placed a hand on Ye Qingxuan’s head.
Zhong Ling had originally wanted to keep her in suspense, but seeing Ye Qingxuan’s condition, she felt she needed to share the good news as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, Zhong Ling was truly afraid that this young lady might lose her martial spirit and have her confidence shattered.
“Qingxuan, Deputy Envoy He Yan just summoned me.”
“It’s about you.”
Hearing this, Ye Qingxuan’s full attention was captured.
Deputy Envoy He Yan was one of the three highest-ranking officials in the Black Bird Guards.
How could such an important person be talking about someone like me?
“I won’t keep you in suspense, little lady. The Deputy Envoy was simply conveying Envoy Xuan’s orders.”
“After this martial arts competition ends, three additional slots will be added.”
“These are key training slots for the Black Bird Guards.”
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Ye Qingxuan’s beautiful eyes. She looked up at Zhong Ling, her delicate body beginning to tremble uncontrollably.
What Sister Ling meant was…
Could it be that she was one of those three slots?
“That’s right, little lady. You have been personally designated by Envoy Xuan himself!”
“Really?”
“Sister Ling, this…!”
Ye Qingxuan was suddenly overwhelmed with excitement. This slot, for her, was undoubtedly the most important opportunity of her life.
It’s Lu Xuan!
Why did he give a slot to me?
Countless thoughts raced through Ye Qingxuan’s mind.
But in the midst of her joy, she immediately thought of another problem.
“But… Sister Ling!”
“If Envoy Xuan does this, won’t it seem a little unfair?”
“I’m afraid people might secretly criticize Envoy Xuan for being unjust!”
Her nervous, anxious expression caught Zhong Ling’s eye.
Zhong Ling’s lips slowly curled into a playful smile, and she teased, “Oh my, little Qingxuan is worried about Envoy Xuan now?”
“Sister Ling!”
“I…” Ye Qingxuan’s usually cool and composed face instantly flushed bright red at Zhong Ling’s teasing expression.
“Alright, little Qingxuan, I won’t tease you anymore.”
“What Envoy Xuan does is not for the likes of us to question!”
“Oh, scratch that. No one in the entire White Path Mansion has the right to question Envoy Xuan.”
“Besides, in this world, there’s no such thing as absolute fairness or unfairness.”
“The basis for any kind of fairness is having the absolute power to back it up.”
“Does that put your mind at ease, little Qingxuan?”
“Don’t waste this wonderful opportunity.”
As soon as Zhong Ling finished speaking, she remembered something else and casually mentioned it.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“From what Deputy Envoy said, the people who get the other two slots… you seem to know them?”
“Huh?”
“I know them?”
Ye Qingxuan racked her brain, trying to remember. Weren’t the people she knew just a handful?
“Don’t overthink it. First thing tomorrow morning, I’ll personally take you to meet Envoy Xuan.”
“Everyone who got a slot will gather there.”
Having received her slot, Ye Qingxuan felt as if she had been given a new lease on life. Her previous gloomy and lifeless mood had completely vanished.
“Okay!”
