Evan Chu slowly turned around and looked at Selena with a smile. "You’re not mad anymore, are you?"
Selena smiled gently, her voice impossibly soft. "Hehe, how could I ever be mad at you? You said you wanted to head back, right? Let’s go!"
Evan was speechless inside. "Big sis, what’s with you? You change so fast—one of these days, you’re going to scare me to death."
Of course, he wouldn’t dare say that out loud—who knew how she’d react next? With Selena, you could never predict what came next.
The two of them headed back into the city. The Royal Capital was still bustling as ever, but Evan was sure it wouldn’t be long before chaos broke out here. With all the hidden powers lurking, this place was a powder keg waiting to explode.
"I’m not going back! I worked so hard to become a Royal Capital Guard—at least let me enjoy it for a bit! Otherwise, all my effort would be wasted," Woody Luo protested.
"Alright, enough joking around. How’d you guys do on the last test?" Evan asked, grinning. The tension from before was gone, replaced by the usual playful banter.
"Alright. But Lin’er, remember—never offend that distinguished guest. Her status is special—even I wouldn’t dare cross her. Keep that in mind! Now, go on."
"What are you worried about? It’s not like this place is a dragon’s den. I’ll just take the veil off—who would dare be rude to you with me here?" Selena laughed, reaching up to remove her veil.
"Better keep it on. With your looks, you’ll have every guy in here hating me. I’d rather not get killed by jealous stares," Evan quickly stopped her.
With Selena’s beauty, she’d definitely cause a stir. Evan really didn’t want any more attention right now.
"Go on, I’ll just wait here for you," Selena said.
Evan nodded and left the room, heading straight for the training field. Soon, Gavin Wei and Woody Luo appeared in his line of sight.
"Brother Long, where’d you go? I couldn’t find you yesterday, and I looked for you again this morning but you were still gone," Gavin Wei said.
Woody Luo leaned in close and sniffed Evan, then burst out laughing, "Ha! You smell like a woman—come on, fess up! Did you sneak out to the brothels?"
"You’re the one with a dog’s nose! Mine’s just naturally sensitive, especially to women’s perfume. So, spill it—where’d you go?" Woody Luo pressed, grinning mischievously.
"I went out to have a little fun. These last few days have been killing me—I had to blow off some steam, you know?" Evan grinned wickedly, deliberately letting his eyes fall to Woody Luo’s chest, which was probably getting squashed out of shape by her disguise.
"I went out to have a little fun. These last few days have been killing me—I had to blow off some steam, you know?" Evan grinned wickedly, deliberately letting his eyes fall to Woody Luo’s chest, which was probably getting squashed out of shape by her disguise.
"What are you staring at?" Woody Luo caught Evan’s gaze and shouted, her face instantly turning bright red.
"N-nothing! I was just wondering if binding yourself up like that would mess up your, uh, figure. Just curious, that’s all," Evan said with a laugh.
After General Roland Lowell finished speaking, he glanced around and, satisfied that no one spoke up, smiled and said, "You all did well today. You’re dismissed—Logan Zhao and Woody Luo, stay behind!"
Everyone left with their armor, even the previously stationed Royal Capital Guards. Only Evan, Woody Luo, and Gavin Wei remained in the massive hall.
"You actually believe her? Do I look like that kind of guy?" Evan said seriously.
"You totally are! You were just being a creep to me a second ago," Rowena snapped, feeling more and more annoyed by his teasing.
"Alright, enough joking around. How’d you guys do on the last test?" Evan asked.
"I’m not going back! I worked so hard to become a Royal Capital Guard—at least let me enjoy it for a bit! Otherwise, all my effort would be wasted," Woody Luo protested.
"Definitely awesome. To celebrate you guys clearing the gates, we’re going out for drinks tonight!" Evan laughed.
Just then, General Roland Lowell’s voice rang out from the drill ground: "The third gate has ended. Only eighty-seven people passed this time. If you didn’t make it, you can leave the field. Better luck next time—and if you want to be a regular soldier, you can go to the Ministry of War for your armor."
"Those who passed, follow me to the Royal Capital Guard camp. I have orders for you."
After Evan and Woody Luo left the hall, Woody asked, "How come you’re Evan? And who’s that distinguished guest?"
Some chose to go to the Ministry of War for their armor and become regular soldiers, while others hoped to try again next year and officially join the Royal Capital Guard.
Evan and Gavin followed the others with General Roland Lowell to a huge hall in the camp. Dozens of Royal Capital Guards were already standing inside, the atmosphere tense and solemn.
General Roland sat at the head of the hall and addressed everyone: "You’re the elite left out of more than ten thousand candidates—the pride of the Heavenly Dragon Empire."
"I’m glad you could all become members of the Royal Capital Guard. But the situation in the Heavenly Dragon Empire isn’t as simple as it looks—right now, we’re facing internal strife and external threats. The Empire needs you to resolve the turmoil within and resist enemies from without."
"Now, you’ll each receive your personal armor. This armor is made of refined bronze—a mid-grade spirit artifact. Take good care of it."
Several Royal Capital Guards distributed the armor, which had been prepared in advance. Everyone’s face lit up with excitement and joy as they received their gear.
"There will be a major change in the capital soon, so be mentally prepared. The Royal Capital Guard will be divided into squads of twenty. Soon, you’ll be assigned to different groups."
"For the next few days, I want everyone to stay put. A mutiny could break out at any time—and that’s when the Empire will need you most."
"In a few days, we’ll distribute the Starstones and daily necessities you’ll need for training. For now, get used to the camp environment."
"Because of the special situation, you’ll stay in your original resting rooms at the training field for now. Morning drills are mandatory every day."
After General Roland finished speaking, he glanced around and, satisfied that no one spoke up, smiled and said, "You all did well today. You’re dismissed—Logan Zhao and Woody Luo, stay behind!"
Everyone left with their armor, even the previously stationed Royal Capital Guards. Only Evan, Woody Luo, and Gavin Wei remained in the massive hall.
"Evan, the Second Prince asked me to tell you to stay here for a few days. The distinguished guest will also remain. Winston Ying should be making his move soon—when the time is right, we’ll discuss our plans." General Roland said.
"I’ll follow the Great General’s arrangements. Anywhere is fine for me," Evan replied with a smile.
"Lin’er, you should head back to the General’s manor. A young lady shouldn’t spend all day surrounded by men—you’ve already proven your strength, that’s enough. Don’t make things difficult for your father," General Roland said.
"I’m not going back! I worked so hard to become a Royal Capital Guard—at least let me enjoy it for a bit! Otherwise, all my effort would be wasted," Rowena protested.
General Roland looked a bit troubled. Evan suggested, "How about letting her stay a few days? Dream Maiden could use a female companion anyway—it’d be more convenient for both of them."
"Alright. But Lin’er, remember—never offend that distinguished guest. Her status is special—even I wouldn’t dare cross her. Keep that in mind! Now, go on."
"Thank you, Father. I understand!" Rowena said.
After Evan and Rowena left the hall, Rowena asked, "How come you’re Evan? And who’s that distinguished guest?"