Captain Wei, the officer in-charge of trainees, barked commands. "From the ranks, begin drills"
The first test was weight endurance laps. Each trainee was expected to run 20 full laps around the massive, sprawling training field- terrains thick with hills and uneven steps while carrying steel sandbags slung across their shoulders.
Shen LiuYan struggled to lift hers at first; the bag was nearly half her body weight. Other trainees sprint ahead, dust kicking up behind them like taunts.
She staggered a bit- then moved.
LiuYan stumbled on the second lap, legs too small, sandbag too heavy for her. But she didn't stop. She kept running forward. A group of older trainees ran pass her, laughing mockingly.
By the final lap, Han Yueming had doubled back and matched her pace, muttering,
"Don't mind others. You're still faster than me on my first day."
Second test was weapon forms. Wooden staffs were swung in patterns as trainees repeated each stance. LiuYan's hands trembled under the weight and the earlier test, but her movements were precise, yet slower. She struggled to keep up with the other boys. The officer in- charge, captain Wei, gave a half sigh and turned his attention elsewhere.
But Han Jiutian wasn't looking away. The wooden staffs used in the military trainings were different to those swords they used when they practiced at the Han residence.
Watching his sister stumble through her forms, he eventually came over during the break.
"A-Yan, your grip on the staff is too tight. Father was right. You're using your physical strength more than enough. Use your spiritual flow."
He stood beside her, corrected her stances then stepped back.
"Keep up, little sis, you're doing great. But I won't be able to help later"
Shen LiuYan followed her elder brother's teachings, and the forms struck cleaner and faster than before.
By midday, the sun hung overhead, heat shimmering across the stone yard. The trainees were given a quick lunch — plain rice balls and herbal broth — and a short rest before the next segment: spiritual focus.
They were instructed to meditate under the old pine tree, sensing the movement of their inner energy.
Shen LiuYan sat cross-legged, sweat lining her temple. Her spiritual flow pulsed — unstable but growing. A faint shimmer of silver-blue flickered at her palm. Not strong like her brothers — but steadier than before.
Captain Wei raised an eyebrow, faintly impressed.
As dusk neared, and drills wrapped up, Shen LiuYan was covered in dust and bruises. Her arms trembled with fatigue. But her stance was solid — unmoving
As she walked beside her brothers toward the main courtyard, Yueming nudged Jiutian with a sly grin.
"Careful big brother, you have already lost once. What if she makes it a habit? You gonna loose your title as the future general"
Han Jiutian rolled his eyes but smirked, rubbing his shoulder theatrically.
"Then I guess I better start training harder. Our little sister is no joke."
LiuYan said nothing, walking ahead of them — dust-streaked, silent, and glowing in the gold of sunset.
But her faint smile, hidden in the fading light, said everything.