On the most bustling ancient street of the city stood the headquarters of the most formidable local force—the Mercenary Guild.
Though the Guild was neither part of the Eight Great Houses nor affiliated with the City Lord's Mansion, it operated as a fiercely independent entity.
Dozens of mercenary groups, large and small, were registered under its banner, all receiving missions through the Guild. Each day, the Guild publicly posted new assignments along with corresponding rewards, drawing in eager participants.
As mercenaries often risked life and limb for coin, it was no surprise that apothecaries and medicinal shops clustered heavily around the area.
Gu Qingli had never set foot on this street before. She glanced about with curiosity. Streams of mercenaries flowed in and out of the Guild's great doors—men and women of every appearance, yet most bore the air of seasoned killers.
"I heard the Snow Tiger Corps took on a Class-Two mission," murmured one man in mercenary garb as he exited the Guild. "With Captain Han Dahuo away, it's dangerous. Vice-Captain Sun Jie isn't nearly as strong, and the Blood Wolf Gang has been eyeing them like hungry jackals."
"Still, Sun Jie is a One-Star Martial King, and he's leading a sizable force," another offered. "Perhaps it won't be such a slaughter."
"A single Martial King against a Class-Two mission? Don't be naïve. Even if they succeed, the losses will be steep."
"And once the Blood Wolves move in for the kill... another bloodbath is certain."
"The two factions have long been at each other's throats," the men sighed, shaking their heads as they passed by Gu Qingli.
She froze where she stood, brows furrowing deeply.
Her father was a member of the Snow Tiger Corps. Was he part of this mission? A Class-Four, Two-Star magical beast was equivalent to a Two-Star Martial King—and beasts, with their powerful bodies, were always more terrifying than men.
She had witnessed the might of a King-ranked fighter. Though her father was an Eight-Star Martial Warrior, in such a battle, anyone beneath the King stage was little more than cannon fodder.
A sudden dread clenched her chest. Abandoning her plan to purchase a cauldron, she spun on her heel and sprinted toward the Snow Tiger Corps' headquarters.
The Corps resided at the end of the same street.
Renowned throughout Loulan City, their estate was vast and imposing. A fierce stone tiger loomed above the gate, exuding majesty and power. Four armored guards stood watch beside the entrance.
"Brother, I'm looking for Gu Zhan. Do you know if he left on a mission today?" Gu Qingli asked anxiously.
One of the guards cast her a glance, noting her youthful features and the faint, breathtaking elegance already taking shape on her face. He smiled kindly.
"So you're looking for the Fourth Young Master of the Gu family? He left with the team at dawn. Is it urgent?"
"Where did they go? Was it that Class-Two mission?"
Her heart pounded wildly; her palms grew clammy with cold sweat.
Please, let nothing happen to him, she prayed silently.
"Yes, they went to the Qi Shui River near the Demon Forest. How did you know—"
Before the guard could finish his sentence, Gu Qingli had already vanished like a streak of lightning.
The two guards exchanged stunned glances, eyes wide in disbelief.
"What… what kind of speed was that?"
"Did we just see a ghost? How can a girl barely in her teens move like that?"
Gu Qingli cared nothing for the astonishment in their eyes. Pushing her body to its limits, she tore through the air, leaving only an afterimage in her wake as she raced madly toward the perilous depths of the Demon Forest.
Her young face was grave, her eyes filled with a silent desperation—and a burning, unwavering resolve.