Suryehok was shot dead by Jiang Huoer's Triple Barrel Fire Gun before anyone could react. Shao Bu met the same fate, killed while the crowd still stood stunned, scrambling to figure out how to rescue the princess.

Yang Su's neck seemed stiff. He slowly turned his head and stared blankly at Jiang Huoer.

"I've got fast hands, no choice," Jiang Huoer said, waving dismissively. "Comes from firing cannons—one shot a day or several, built up over years."

Lieutenant Liu's cheeks flushed pink. "What is this kid blabbering? So ridiculous."

Yang Su wanted to laugh but couldn't. This child was terrifying. With that hand speed aimed at him, he wouldn't survive without activating the War God Mark.

"You really dare to do that..." Yang Su sighed. "Hong Ying, check on the princess. She's badly shaken."

Princess Taikang hadn't expected a corpse to appear beside her in an instant. She never thought the boy would fire while a knife pressed her throat.

She froze, too scared to move, her whole body rigid.

"Princess, are you alright?" Lieutenant Liu approached, placing a hand on Taikang's back. She channeled inner energy steadily into the princess.

After a short while, Taikang slowly regained feeling, her blood warming again.

Yang Su and Jiang Huoer walked over. Suryehok's Mongol Elite Troops surrendered or were killed by the Imperial Guard. Most chose life—cherishing it, just like Jiang Huoer's philosophy.

"Hey! Why glare at me like a vicious dog?" Jiang Huoer called to Taikang. In Spirit Martial Town, such glares earned that label—it felt normal to him.

"Wha——————"

Yang Su and Lieutenant Liu exchanged stunned looks. Was this kid missing a screw? A bit clueless?

"Ahem... I never asked your name, young brother. What's it? Where from?" Yang Su rushed to change the subject—it felt dangerous.

"Jiang Huoer. From Spirit Martial Town."

"Spirit Martial Town!?" They glanced at each other. "You guessed our identities, then?"

"Yeah. You're the Capital Examination Team for the Capital Interview."

"You're traveling here? Not joining the interview?" Yang Su calculated the timeline. At normal speed, they'd have finished and headed back. This kid staying meant he wasn't a participant.

"Yeah. I can't cultivate the War God Mark."

"Can't cultivate it!? Impossible!" Yang Su placed a palm on Jiang Huoer's back, channeling inner energy like Lieutenant Liu had.

"This..." Yang Su paused.

"What?" Lieutenant Liu asked.

"Blocked... in several spots. Born with clogged meridians?" He recalled the boy's confident spirit and felt deep regret—he couldn't cultivate the War God Mark.

"No big deal. I just hate confinement," Jiang Huoer grinned. "Even without the Mark, I could work in a Blacksmith Workshop in the capital. I'll take you to that Brocade Guard Officer. Fastest route takes two days. Your Spirit Martial Town trip will be delayed."

"I'll send urgent word later," Yang Su replied. "But you said reaching Xiao Hao takes over two days. Did you know this two days ago?"

"No. Found out yesterday morning."

"Then... how did you get here?"

"That canyon has a connecting rock. I took a shortcut—less than a day." Jiang Huoer beamed. "I trust my stamina."

Amazing.

Yang Su saw a youth of limitless potential—if only he could cultivate the War God Mark.

Yang Su and Lieutenant Liu marveled at Jiang Huoer's feat. But Princess Taikang seethed. Palace life spoiled her, yet none dared cross her—her mischievous tricks were addictive, relentless.

Little Jiang Huoer. Did she, First Princess of Great Ming, fear him?

"Ahem, General Yang," Taikang announced, "I'll assign him to the Celestial Mechanism Camp."

"Princess?" Yang Su blinked. Moments ago, she'd glared at the boy; now she pulled strings for him?

"Yes! He saved me—and all of us. Without him, we'd perish here. My Imperial Father teaches gratitude. I must repay him deeply~"

Jiang Huoer sensed malice. She was plotting.

"No need, Your Highness, I—"

"A princess's command. Dare you disobey?" Taikang smiled sweetly. Jiang Huoer felt pure venom beneath it.

Her order stood like the Emperor's. With no higher rank present, Jiang Huoer had to obey.

"You must come to the capital with us," Yang Su said grimly. "But first, join us in Spirit Martial Town. After the Capital Interview, we'll head to the Imperial Capital together."