Legend of the Female General

Chapter 84: Breaking the Formation

After a long silence, Wang Ba finally couldn't hold back and asked, "What kind of formation are you talking about... what is it?"

"Marching and deploying troops—a commander must learn to strategize and arrange formations. Military formations are derived from the adaptations of the Eight Trigrams and the Art of War," He Yan explained. "But it's a long story. However, the formation here right now..."

"What about it?" Shitou asked.

"It's not a military formation, just an ordinary Eight Trigrams formation," He Yan replied.

She truly didn’t understand why a formation had suddenly appeared here. There had been nothing like it when they ascended the mountain, and Wang Xiaohan’s group hadn’t encountered it either. It seemed to have been set up specifically for them—or perhaps just for her. But why?

"Then... can you get us out?" Jiang Jiao asked, watching her expression closely.

"Of course."

At this, even Huang Xiong was surprised. "You even know how to handle this?"

He Yan smiled faintly. "I know a little."

Her "a little" usually meant "a lot." The others fell silent. He Yan knew that observers were undoubtedly hidden all over the mountain, watching their every move. Her words and actions were surely being scrutinized right now. She absolutely couldn’t reveal any weakness.

Perhaps Xiao Jue had set up this formation specifically to test her skills? After all, she had never heard of "Flag Competition" ending with a formation-breaking challenge. It seemed that getting into the Nine Banners Battalion was truly no simple feat. If everyone in the battalion could break formations, then the Nine Banners Battalion was indeed extraordinary. With such an elite cavalry under his command, no wonder Xiao Jue was invincible in battle.

Thinking this, she said, "Follow me closely. Walk exactly where I walk, and don’t take a single wrong step."

He Yan rarely spoke with such gravity, so Jiang Jiao and the others immediately became cautious, following her footsteps as they slowly made their way down the mountain.

As they walked, Huang Xiong remarked, "Brother He, who taught you this skill?"

He Yan chuckled. "I learned from a master."

"I thought so," Huang Xiong nodded. "Your master must have been a peerless expert. Otherwise, how could you know everything?"

He Yan lowered her head with a faint smile but didn’t answer. In truth, the Flying Goose General’s prowess on the battlefield wasn’t particularly rare. The world was never short of fearless heroes. Though her martial skills were excellent, she was far from being the best in the world, let alone capable of taking on multiple opponents single-handedly. What the Flying Goose General excelled at was military strategy and formations.

Her master had indeed been a peerless expert, but as a woman, her physical strength and build were inherently inferior to men’s. One must know how to leverage strengths and compensate for weaknesses. Learning to command troops and arrange formations was far more valuable than fighting alone on the battlefield. Her master had been most skilled in the Eight Trigrams and the Art of War, so she combined these with military tactics, eventually becoming the renowned Flying Goose General.

A commander must learn to train troops and arrange formations, but why did the Nine Banners Battalion members also need to know this? He Yan couldn’t make sense of it, and with no leads, she could only set the question aside for now and continue descending the mountain. She could have simply broken the formation here and destroyed it, but she wasn’t entirely sure whether it had been set up for her. What if it was meant for someone else? If she presumptuously destroyed it, what would happen to those who came after?

So she led Jiang Jiao and the others out through the "life gate" of the formation.

To her, this formation was as easy as turning her hand—second nature. But to the hidden observers watching, it was nothing short of astonishing.Ma Damei and Liang Ping were hiding in the shadows, watching as He Yan and his group moved away. They gaped at each other, both seeing the astonishment in the other's eyes.

"He... he just left like that?" Liang Ping stammered.

"As if it were nothing..." Ma Damei murmured.

He Yan hadn't even paused to think or consider how to break the formation. With just one glance, he knew the way out. To think such a figure had emerged among their recruits—so far, nothing seemed capable of stopping him.

This should have been a good thing—a young hero, peerless and extraordinary. Any commander would consider themselves blessed to have such a talent under their command. But given the current complex situation, and considering Chief Instructor Shen's ambiguous stance last time, it was hard to say whether this was a blessing or a curse.

The dense forest swallowed half the sun as it dipped below the mountain. He Yan's group had finally exited the formation. She stopped and looked back, where the formation of stones and dead branches was now barely visible in the distance.

"Did we make it out?" Wang Ba asked.

"Indeed."

Wang Ba brightened. "Damn it, nothing can stop us now, right? I reckon we'll be down the mountain in less than half an hour."

Jiang Jiao was also relieved. "Finally, it's almost over." Noticing He Yan still gazing behind them, he asked, "Is something wrong?"

"No." He Yan shook her head. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that the formation had been strangely placed. Even during her earlier confrontation with Lei Hou, there had been something off. These small discomforts were like tiny pebbles in a boot—irritating and unsettling, making it hard for her to feel any joy. She felt as though she had overlooked something, leaving her uneasy.

"It's getting dark. We should head down soon," Huang Xiong urged.

He Yan pushed aside her thoughts. "Let's go."

...

The sun slipped past White Moon Mountain and sank into the Wulu River, half-submerged in the water. The surface shimmered crimson under the sunset, its rippling light like spilled jewels from a woman's opened vanity.

Inside the room, a pot of tea had long gone cold.

It was evening—a gentle breeze stirred the blue curtains, and autumn hues stretched far and wide. Two men sat across from each other over a game of chess, one barely masking his agitation, the other calm and unreadable.

Someone entered from outside and announced, "The first team has descended the mountain."

Shen Han turned to Fei Nu, waiting for the name.

"It's He Yan."

Three words. Shen Han leaned back slightly, his body relaxing.

The result was unexpected yet made perfect sense. He had suspected this outcome from the start but had harbored doubts. Now that it was confirmed, he felt momentarily adrift.

The black piece landed with a soft click. The young man opposite him looked up and said mildly, "You lose."

Shen Han: "...The Commander's skill is unmatched. I am no match for you." In all these hours, he hadn't won a single game.

He couldn't fathom how Xiao Jue had the patience for such leisurely play.

"Commander, they've descended. Should we proceed with the rewards now—"

"No need," Xiao Jue's lips curved slightly. "Let Du Mao handle it. The Mid-Autumn Festival is in five days. We'll distribute the rewards then."

"What about the Vanguard Battalion? Should He Yan be admitted?" Shen Han hesitated. He Yan had secured first place—naturally, he should join the Vanguard Battalion. But his identity was still under suspicion, and with his allegiances unclear, wouldn't it be reckless to agree so hastily?"No," the young man stood up, gazing at the osmanthus tree outside the window. The tree was in bloom, its fragrance overwhelming, complementing his presence like a gentleman of jade on a fine night. He said, "Let Lei Hou join the Vanguard Battalion."

...

After passing through the formation, it took only half an hour to descend the mountain and reach the garrison.

A few torches flickered outside the Martial Arts Field. Everything was as calm as usual—no instructors guarding the entrance, none of the anticipated celebratory scenes. The group exchanged puzzled glances.

"I thought there'd be a victory banquet," Wang Ba grumbled. "Why is there nothing?"

Just then, someone inside the Martial Arts Field noticed them and approached. As the figure drew near, they recognized him as Du Mao.

Du Mao wasn't as excited as he had been when seeing them off in the morning. His expression was calm as he asked, "Where are the flags?"

He Yan pulled out the large bundle of flags from her robe. Her chest had been bulging with them, and handing them over brought instant relief.

Du Mao counted them. "Twenty?"

"Exactly," Jiang Jiao replied, still exhilarated. He couldn't help adding, "We must be first, right?"

"You are first," Du Mao nodded, tucking the flags away. "Go back, wash up, and rest. You can sleep an extra hour tomorrow before coming to the Martial Arts Field. You've worked hard today."

There was still no mention of rewards. Wang Ba asked, "That's it?"

Du Mao looked at him. "What else did you expect?"

Wang Ba had no retort, feeling inexplicably wronged. Du Mao said, "I'll report to the Head Instructor now. Don't linger here—you're all sweaty. Go wash and eat." With that, he left without another glance.

Utterly heartless.

Watching Du Mao's retreating figure, the group felt the night breeze grow colder. Only after Du Mao was out of earshot did Wang Ba dare to point at his back and complain, "What's his problem? Just leaving us like this? At least give us some explanation! After slaving away all day, it's all for nothing?"

Huang Xiong and Jiang Jiao were also disappointed, but Shitou spoke up: "Maybe the rewards won't be given today. There are still recruits who haven't come down the mountain yet."

"True," He Yan agreed. "We don't know when the last group will return. Besides, the instructors need time to discuss the prizes—it's not something they can decide on the spot."

Wang Ba shot her a sour look. "Of course you don't care. Your prize—entry into the Vanguard Battalion—is practically guaranteed. Easy for you to say."

"Once I'm in the Vanguard Battalion, I'll get you two jars of good wine," He Yan promised solemnly, clapping him on the shoulder.

Wang Ba shook her off with a snort. "Save your words, old man. I'm going back!"

Since they didn't share quarters, the group parted ways at the Martial Arts Field. When He Yan and Shitou returned to their room, the previously quiet space instantly buzzed with excitement.

Xiao Mai was the first to rush forward, throwing himself at Shitou. "Brother! How did it go? How many flags did you get? What's your rank?"

For once, Shitou allowed himself a faint smile. "All of them."The room was stunned for a moment before erupting into cheers. He Yan was nearly lifted and tossed into the air as Hong Shan exclaimed exaggeratedly, "All of them? You guys went all out! Ah He, you're amazing—first place again this time. I bet it won't be long before you move out of this room. I heard the soldiers in the vanguard camp eat and sleep better than us. Ah, I’m so jealous!"

"Shitou, Brother He, tell us quickly—how did you seize the banners?"

"Yeah, with so many new recruits on the mountain, did you get into any fights? Was it thrilling?"

"Grabbing twenty banners must’ve involved fights, right? But you don’t seem too banged up. Were the others really that weak?"

Amid the clamor, He Yan had no choice but to say, "Brothers, let us eat and drink first. We’ll tell you everything slowly—no need to rush."

And so, the storytelling lasted until late at night.

Outside, the sounds of the other new recruits descending the mountain one after another could be heard—none missing. Only then did He Yan finally relax. When the night deepened and everyone was asleep, she seized the chance to sneak off to a secluded spot by the river to bathe.

The long summer had finally passed, and the river water was gradually turning cold. As she submerged herself, He Yan couldn’t help but shiver. She worried—autumn was still manageable, but come winter, she wouldn’t be able to bathe in the communal baths with the other recruits. She had no idea how icy the river would become then. The cold was one thing, but what excuse could she possibly use to explain why she insisted on bathing in freezing river water instead of using hot water?

People would think she was insane!

This was exactly why she needed to join the Nine Banners Battalion as soon as possible. Xiao Jue, being both wealthy and of noble birth, surely wouldn’t mistreat his trusted aides. At the very least, it would be more convenient than her current situation.

Gradually adjusting to the cold, He Yan splashed water on herself and rubbed the soap Xiao Mai had given her over her body.

All the new recruits had returned safely, with no reports of anyone left behind. This meant the formation on the mountain path must have been removed after He Yan and the others passed through. The formation had indeed been set up specifically for her—Xiao Jue truly wanted her in the Nine Banners Battalion and had deliberately tested her abilities. Since she had passed, he must be satisfied with her, making her admission all but certain. From now on, she’d need to perform even better—the more pleased Xiao Jue was, the closer she could get to becoming his right-hand man, indispensable.

But there was that Lei Hou today. Fighting him had left He Yan with an inexplicable sense of unease. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t pinpoint what exactly felt off. Even now, it lingered. Shaking her head, she decided to find some excuse to spar with him again in a few days—perhaps then she could figure it out.

But that man fought ruthlessly. She’d have to stay on guard.

He Yan rinsed off the soap, dried herself with a cloth, and dressed before heading back. Ever since that encounter with Xiao Jue by the Wulu River, she had made sure to bathe far, far away to avoid running into him again. Thinking about it, she really was living cautiously as a new recruit.

...

The next day, all the recruits who had gone up the mountain the previous day were allowed an hour of rest in their tents. Cheng Li Su came looking for He Yan.Young Master Cheng brought He Yan two round pomegranates and sat cross-legged on her bed, saying, "I only found out last night that you all went for the flag competition. My uncle locked me in my room all day—I spent the whole day copying texts. If I had known, I would have come to watch you."

He leaned closer to He Yan. "I heard you took twenty flags, Brother. That makes you the top recruit in Liang Province this time."

He Yan grinned as she split open the pomegranate Cheng Li Su had brought. It was large and perfectly round, the inside ripe and bursting with ruby-like seeds that made one's mouth water. She picked out a few to eat and replied, "Just luck, really. A fluke."

"Brother, you're amazing at everything—except you're too modest!" Cheng Li Su said earnestly. "How can you call this luck? You're just that good!"

"Well, if I'm so good," He Yan teased, hoping to fish for information, "do you think I can make it into the Nine Banners Battalion?"

"That's..." The words "of course" died in Cheng Li Su's throat.

Normally, it would have been a given, the most natural thing in the world. But Cheng Li Su still remembered how Xiao Jue had questioned him not long ago—his attitude toward He Yan hadn’t seemed particularly approving.

"I think you've already proven one thing to everyone, Brother," Cheng Li Su said carefully, choosing his words. "You're the best in Liang Province, no question about it. Any ordinary person would choose you for the Nine Banners Battalion."

His hint was clear enough—"any ordinary person." But Xiao Jue was far from ordinary, so no one could say for sure what the outcome would be.

He Yan didn’t catch the trap in Cheng Li Su’s words, perhaps because she was too confident in herself. After all, she had swept all the flags in the competition—that alone spoke volumes about her skill. Moreover, looking back on the event, she felt she had performed exceptionally well. She knew how to utilize people, set ambushes, and even when facing Lei Hou, she hadn’t lost. She had even effortlessly dismantled the formation Xiao Jue had added at the end. He Yan was certain that even among Xiao Jue’s current Nine Banners Battalion, she would rank among the best.

How could Xiao Jue pass up such talent?

She was so pleased with herself that she didn’t notice how her visible delight only made Cheng Li Su grow more uneasy.

"By the way, do you know when the rewards will be announced?" He Yan asked. "It didn’t happen yesterday, and if not today, it must be soon. You’re always with your uncle—you must know something."

Cheng Li Su exhaled in relief. This was a question he could answer. "It’s almost Mid-Autumn Festival, isn’t it? On the night of the fifteenth, the camp will hold the reward ceremony."

He Yan paused. "Mid-Autumn Festival?"

"Yeah," Cheng Li Su sighed. "Time flies. It feels like I just arrived in Liang Province, and now it’s already Mid-Autumn."

He Yan studied him. The usually spirited young man now wore a rare trace of melancholy. "Are you homesick?" she asked.

The melancholy vanished so quickly it was hard to tell if it had ever been there. Cheng Li Su flicked his sleeve and huffed, "What? No! Is the scenery in Liang Province not good enough? Or is my uncle not handsome enough? Why would I be homesick? I’m having the time of my life here! I don’t want to go back and get engaged!"

He Yan: "..."At this age, children probably always yearn for a bit more freedom.

Cheng Li Su turned to her and asked, "Big brother, what about you? Do you want to go back?"

The young man lowered his gaze, his profile casting shadows that made his expression hard to discern. Her voice carried a hint of laughter, tinged with an almost imperceptible wistfulness, as she replied, "It's alright. I don't miss home much."

...

The following days passed uneventfully. Discussions about the flag competition remained lively only among the new recruits in private, with everyone speculating about what kind of reward the top contender would receive. The instructors remained remarkably calm and tight-lipped, revealing nothing—which only made people all the more restless and curious.

The autumn moon grew fuller with each passing day. In the blink of an eye, four days passed, and the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.

(End of Chapter)