Princess? Dragon Maiden? Open Fire!

A princess could be willful, but Jiang Huoer couldn’t. The princess could issue an order summoning you to the Imperial Capital, yet you couldn’t disobey and refuse to go.

Prisoners weren’t allowed into Spirit Martial Town. Yang Su ordered two of the twenty-seven examiners to escort the captives back to the capital with three hundred elite soldiers. He specifically chose two smooth talkers. Before they reached the Imperial Capital, they’d need to phrase this incident carefully. If a reckless examiner reported it to His Majesty, the Emperor’s wrath might flare.

The situation was grave, but the outcome wasn’t. Only ten of the five hundred elite soldiers had died—killed by shrapnel from Jiang Huoer’s cannonballs. Yet compared to Jiang Huoer saving everyone’s lives, those ten deaths weighed less. His merits outweighed his faults. Yang Su wouldn’t pursue the matter, and neither would the Emperor. In fact, once back in the capital, His Majesty might even summon Jiang Huoer for a reward. After all, without him, they’d all be dead here.

Yang Su never considered that even without Jiang Huoer, they wouldn’t have perished. Someone had been secretly tracking them all along.

It was that same person who’d watched Jiang Huoer from the small woods, smiling with keen interest.

“Aren’t you going to offer me something to eat?” As the group rested in the valley at noon, a figure appeared beside Yang Su.

No one had noticed his arrival.

“C-Commander Sun?!” Yang Su hurriedly bowed. By rank, Commander Sun should have greeted him first, but his unit demanded utmost respect.

“General Yang, no need for such formalities,” Sun Haishuo quickly lifted him up. “You’ll humble me.”

“How could I not bow to the commander of the Heavenly Fire Divine Army?” Throughout the Ming Dynasty, no one dared disrespect them.

“Enough of that. No outsiders here—we’re just friends now.” Sun Haishuo sat down.

“Lieutenant Liu greets the commander,” Liu Hongying also bowed hastily.

“Mm.” Sun Haishuo nodded. “Where’s the Princess?”

“You knew the Princess accompanied us?” Yang Su was surprised.

“Not just knew—I’m the Emperor’s secret bodyguard assigned to her.” Sun Haishuo grinned. “I saw the battle earlier. If that boy hadn’t shown up, I’d have intervened.”

“So you’ve been following us all this time?” Yang Su handed him a bowl of wine. It had been found in a stable behind the trail—likely brought by the Mongol Troops from the Northern Frontier. Rich and fragrant, it was excellent liquor.

“Exactly.” Sun Haishuo took the bowl and drained it in one gulp. “Fine wine!”

Yang Su refilled his bowl from the jar.

“You still haven’t told me where the Princess is. She was here moments ago.”

“She went with the boy Jiang Huoer to the stables. He said he’d scavenge useful items, and Her Highness followed.”

“So his name’s Jiang Huoer? It suits him—quite different from his ruthless cannon-firing just now.” Sun Haishuo chuckled.

“You saw him fire the cannons?”

“Yes. I was on a tree nearby. His movements were fluid, no hesitation—he’s clearly experienced with cannon fire.”

“Jiang Huoer told me he’s from Spirit Martial Town. He built those cannons and guns himself.” Yang Su accepted a bowl of wine from Liu Hongying. “Between us, Commander, that boy’s talent is exceptional. If he could cultivate the War God Imprint, his future achievements would rival ours.”

“Oh? So he can’t cultivate it?”

“I channeled my inner energy through his body. No outlet—I found many severed pathways. Not man-made; likely innate.” Yang Su sighed. “A pity.”

“Hmm… a Divine Mechanist who can’t cultivate and only fires cannons? Interesting.”

“What did you say, Commander?” Yang Su hadn’t caught Sun Haishuo’s muttering.

“Nothing. Drink up!”

Meanwhile, in the stables, the boy rummaged through feed troughs and cluttered storage rooms. Taikang watched him darting about and found him oddly amusing.

“Hey! What are you digging for?” she called.

“Just browsing. Hoping to find treasure.” Jiang Huoer figured there might be flint or odd trinkets—anything from the Northern Frontier would do.

“You’ve been at it forever and found nothing. Come out and play with me.”

“How old are you, still playing? Boring.” Jiang Huoer waved her off. “Go bother someone else. Don’t interrupt my work.”

“You dare call me annoying?!” Taikang yelled. “Jiang Huoer, get out here! That’s an order!”

“Your princess act doesn’t work on me. This place isn’t—” Before he finished, a large hand yanked him up. He looked at the soldier holding him—a man wearing a resigned expression.

Jiang Huoer could ignore Taikang when alone, but soldiers couldn’t.

“Fine, I’m out. What do you want?” *Such a pretty face, yet such a temper.*

“Nothing. Just stand here with me.” Taikang declared. “Don’t move a muscle without my command!”

“Bye.” Jiang Huoer stepped away, waving.

“You—!”

“Deputy Commander Sun pays respects to Her Highness.” Yang Su had brought Sun Haishuo to the stables.

“Vice Commander Sun?!” Taikang was startled. “What brings you here?”

“His Majesty ordered me to protect Your Highness. For letting you face danger earlier, I deserve death.” It was protocol—he had to say it.

“Nonsense. I’m perfectly fine.” Taikang shot Jiang Huoer a glare. *Thanks to you, I have a cut on my neck.*

“This must be young Jiang.” Sun Haishuo studied him and nodded. “Yang Su mentioned the Princess wants you in the Celestial Mechanism Camp. I have a question for you, lad.”

“What is it?”

“Will you be my apprentice?”

Yang Su and Taikang exchanged shocked glances. *You’d take an apprentice who can’t cultivate the War God Imprint?!*

“No reply means consent. From today, you’re my disciple.”