The few days allotted for the tour passed more quickly than Ma Shouying had expected, as though time itself had decided to hurry him along toward a choice that had already been made long before he was consciously aware of it.
Early that morning, he boarded the so called long distance Solar Car in Xi'an, its smooth departure utterly lacking the jolting discomfort he had grown accustomed to in military wagons, and after most of the day had slipped by amid quiet travel and reflection, he finally returned to the Tianzhu Mountain barracks. The moment his boots touched familiar ground, he summoned his subordinates without delay, stood before them with a straight back and steady gaze, and announced in a voice that carried neither hesitation nor drama, yet struck with undeniable weight.
"I have decided to join the Dao Xuan Tianzun Daoist Sect's militia. From today onward, I will no longer use the name Lao Huihui. My name is Ma Shouying."
The men before him stirred slightly, though none dared interrupt.
"Those who are willing to continue following me may come with me," Ma Shouying continued, his tone firm yet unforced. "Those who are weary of war and wish to return to civilian life may leave here and now. I will not compel anyone, nor will I hold it against you."
Once his words settled, the choice was made with surprising clarity. Five hundred men stepped forward, bowed, and laid down their arms, choosing a return to ordinary life. The remaining two thousand five hundred border army cavalry, however, stood fast, their posture unyielding, choosing to follow Ma Shouying into a new future without the slightest wavering.
After a careful assessment conducted by Chief Instructor Cheng Xu, the Gao Family Village Militia officially gained a new formation, one that had been sorely lacking until now.
The Iron Cavalry Battalion.
Ma Shouying was appointed its battalion commander, entrusted with the responsibility of close quarters combat, breakthrough assaults, and decisive spearhead operations against enemy lines. This unit was specifically intended to compensate for the militia's long standing weakness in close combat capability, as well as its insufficient pursuit and flanking power once an enemy formation began to collapse.
Huangpu Military Academy.
On the parade ground, Flat Rabbit and Zheng Gouzi were running laps.
Early that very morning, Flat Rabbit had once again earned himself punishment, and the reason this time was impressive even by his own questionable standards. In the dead of night, he had led several newly enrolled junior students in what he proudly called a practical exercise, namely a night raid on the enemy camp.
The only problem was that the chosen target of this daring operation turned out to be the small building where Headmaster Sun Chuanting himself resided.
The junior students, fresh to the academy and utterly unfamiliar with its layout, had no idea whose residence it was. Fueled by youthful enthusiasm and Flat Rabbit's unshakable confidence, they charged in without hesitation and surrounded the building as though storming a genuine enemy stronghold.
Fortunately for all involved, Sun Chuanting was equally accomplished in both civil and military pursuits, and even when awakened by chaos in the middle of the night, he remained calm and decisive. Grabbing a wooden stick, he stepped outside and promptly thrashed the so called assassins until their cries of pain echoed across the courtyard.
Only after the lights were lit did both sides finally realize exactly who they had been attacking.
Thus, Flat Rabbit was punished.
Zheng Gouzi, having passionately pleaded on his behalf, was sentenced to run alongside him.
Sun Chuanting's exact words had been delivered with icy clarity. "Gouzi, since you enjoy helping your rabbit brother so much, when he runs laps, you will help him run as well."
And so, the rabbit and the dog were now sweating side by side, their brotherhood reinforced through shared suffering.
As they ran, panting and wiping sweat from their brows, the two of them noticed a group entering the academy gates. These men were tall and broad shouldered, each leading a warhorse, their presence steady and imposing, yet their eyes carried the unmistakable uncertainty of newcomers unsure of where to go.
Flat Rabbit's eyes immediately lit up.
He jogged over, still technically running laps, and cheerfully called out, "Oh? New recruits, are we?"
The man at the front of the group was no longer young, yet his demeanor was courteous and composed. He cupped his fist toward Flat Rabbit and spoke respectfully. "I recognize you. I saw you on Gaojia News a few days ago. Red Team Leader, Flat Rabbit."
Flat Rabbit laughed heartily, clearly pleased. "That's right. That would be your humble rabbit lord. And you are?"
"I am Ma Shouying," the man replied. "I have only recently joined the militia. I am unfamiliar with its new weapons and discipline, so I have come to Huangpu Military Academy for short term training. Everyone behind me is the same."
Flat Rabbit burst into laughter. "So you're new recruits. Excellent, excellent. Your rabbit lord here loves helping newcomers and standing up for justice. If you don't understand anything, just ask me."
Ma Shouying reached back and patted the warhorse beside him. "I saw it on the broadcast. Rabbit lord said that if he had a cavalry unit, he would not fear artillery. I am skilled in horsemanship, and from today onward, I am willing to serve as your vanguard, charging into battle to help you seize enemy artillery positions."
Flat Rabbit laughed so hard he nearly tripped over his own feet. "Excellent. Truly excellent. Next exercise, the cavalry unit will be counting on you. We will go and chop off White Mao's head."
From a corner of the training ground came a cold, mocking voice. "Stop boasting. Next time, I will be the one chopping off your rabbit head."
Laughter immediately rippled across the field.
Such loud and unrestrained exchanges were commonplace within the military academy, and the students had long since grown accustomed to them.
Ma Shouying surveyed his surroundings quietly, a sense of unexpected comfort rising in his chest. This truly was a good place. These were all soldiers, yet none carried the unruly air of bandits or mercenaries. Instead, they radiated a disciplined ease, a confidence that put others at rest. With the exception of the rabbit lord, of course.
Flat Rabbit pointed toward a building behind the academy. "New students go over there to report. I'll finish this good deed properly and take you myself."
He jogged the entire way, leading Ma Shouying straight toward Sun Chuanting's small building.
This was the very building Flat Rabbit had targeted in last night's night raid, and numerous footprints still marred its walls from failed climbing attempts, giving the structure a strangely comical appearance.
Ma Shouying frowned slightly as he studied the marks, wondering how anyone could have even managed to leave footprints so high up the wall.
Before he could ponder it further, the door opened, and Sun Chuanting stepped out.
He had already received notice through the Dao Xuan Tianzun Embroidery Statue, and the moment his eyes fell upon Ma Shouying, they brightened noticeably.
Ma Shouying also examined the man before him with care.
Sun Chuanting spoke without preamble. "As for horsemanship, I have little to teach you. Your training here will focus on firearms and coordinated operations."
Ma Shouying cupped his fist. "I will follow the Headmaster's instruction."
"Hey, hey," Flat Rabbit suddenly interjected, still jogging in place. "Headmaster Sun, he's cavalry. You're not going to teach him mounted tactics, but firearms instead? That's completely wrong. Our militia lacks excellent close combat cavalry, not firearm units."
"You have not finished your punishment," Sun Chuanting replied flatly. "Why do you still have time to interrupt?"
"I'm still running," Flat Rabbit protested.
Sun Chuanting was momentarily speechless.
Flat Rabbit continued eagerly. "Teach them cavalry tactics. Let them become elite cavalry. Don't mislead perfectly good horsemen."
Sun Chuanting snorted. "What do you know? These men do not need me to teach them that."
"Nonsense," Flat Rabbit scoffed. "They're still greenhorns."
Sun Chuanting gave a crooked smile and turned to Ma Shouying. "Greenhorns, give your senior here a small demonstration, so he does not truly believe you are inexperienced. There is no need to be overly modest."
Ma Shouying cupped his fist, then mounted his horse in a single smooth motion, as effortless as flowing water.
Behind him, every single officer, all centurions or above, mounted simultaneously, their movements precise and synchronized.
Flat Rabbit froze.
Ma Shouying raised his hand. "Brothers, let us show the Headmaster what we can do."
A unified roar answered him.
The cavalry surged forward as one, hooves pounding the ground like rolling thunder. At the forefront, Ma Shouying executed a flawless stirrup hide, his body vanishing beneath his horse's belly. The dozen men behind him mirrored the motion perfectly, hanging inverted beneath their mounts as if sharing a single mind.
In the next instant, they flipped upright, Kaiyuan bows already in hand. With a twist of their bodies, arrows were loosed in unison, slicing through the air before striking the ground in front of Flat Rabbit in a perfect circle, each impact precise and evenly spaced.
Flat Rabbit stood there, mouth open, words utterly failing him.