The decision to create the Yue Shadow Guard did not remain only words.
After their first night of discussion in the sixth month, the ten young men of the Yue family began preparing carefully. They understood that such a force must be built slowly and secretly.
If word spread too early, many people in the capital might become suspicious.
Therefore, they decided to begin the selection process in the seventh month.
---
The Seventh Month – Choosing the Shadow Guard
Early one morning, Yue Ming, the eldest cousin, gathered the others in the training courtyard.
"We cannot recruit ordinary soldiers," he said.
"The Shadow Guard must be loyal, skilled, and disciplined."
Yue Jun nodded.
"And they must be people who will never betray the Yue family."
Yue Rui added with a grin, "And they must be strong enough to survive Yue Heng's training."
Everyone laughed.
Standing beside them, Yue Heng crossed his arms calmly.
"Strength alone is not enough."
"They must also be intelligent and patient."
Over the next several weeks, the Yue cousins quietly observed many fighters.
Some came from retired soldiers.
Some were wandering martial artists.
Some were young men who had served in local militias.
But only a few met the strict standards set by the Yue family.
Every candidate was tested in three areas:
Combat ability
Discipline
Loyalty
Those who failed were quietly dismissed.
Those who passed were invited to join the Yue residence for special training.
By the end of the seventh month, twenty carefully chosen fighters had been selected.
They were the first members of the Yue Shadow Guard.
---
The Eighth Month – Training Begins
Training began before sunrise every day.
The Shadow Guard trainees gathered in the secluded training grounds behind the Yue residence.
Standing before them was Yue Heng, the commander of the training.
His presence alone was intimidating.
"From today onward," he said calmly, "you are no longer ordinary fighters."
"You will become the shield and blade of the Yue family."
The trainees stood silently.
Then the training began.
They practiced:
Sword combat
Close-range fighting
Silent movement
Night operations
Observation and information gathering
The training was extremely demanding.
Many fighters struggled during the first weeks.
But slowly, their abilities began to grow.
---
The Nine Cousins Training Together
While the Shadow Guard trainees were improving, Yue Heng also trained his nine cousins and brothers personally.
Although they all had different careers, they insisted on learning combat skills.
"Even scholars should know how to defend themselves," Yue Jun said once.
Yue Heng agreed.
Every evening, the cousins gathered again in the training yard.
One by one, Yue Heng corrected their movements.
Yue Ming developed strong leadership and steady sword control.
Yue Qiu mastered defensive techniques.
Yue Liang showed impressive agility.
Yue Tao improved his endurance and discipline.
Yue Jun learned to analyze combat situations quickly.
Yue An favored clever and unpredictable tactics.
Yue Rui focused on speed and movement.
Yue Han combined medical knowledge with precise strikes to pressure points.
Yue Bo trained with fierce determination, often staying longer than everyone else.
At first, their skills were uneven.
But after weeks of practice, their improvement became obvious.
One evening after training, Yue Rui wiped sweat from his forehead and laughed.
"If the court scholars saw us now, they would faint."
Yue Jun smirked.
"They would say we are behaving like soldiers instead of officials."
Nearby, Yue Heng nodded with satisfaction.
"You are all improving quickly."
---
The Ninth Month – The Shadow Guard's Strength
By the ninth month, the training had continued for three full months.
The results were remarkable.
The twenty Shadow Guard members moved like silent shadows across the training field.
Their coordination was precise.
Their combat skills had become sharp and disciplined.
During a final training exercise, Yue Heng ordered them to demonstrate their abilities.
Within moments, the trainees executed a complex formation, surrounding their target with incredible speed.
Even the Yue cousins were impressed.
Yue Ming nodded slowly.
"They have become much stronger."
Yue Jun observed carefully.
"With more time, they could rival elite military units."
Yue Heng looked at the trainees with pride.
"You have done well."
"But remember—"
His voice became serious.
"A Shadow Guard does not exist for glory."
"You exist to protect."
The men bowed deeply.
"We understand."
---
A Quiet but Powerful Force
That night, the ten young men of the Yue family stood together on the training grounds.
Before them stood the newly formed Yue Shadow Guard.
They were not large in number.
But their discipline and strength were already impressive.
Yue Rui whispered with excitement,
"We've created something incredible."
Yue Ming nodded.
"This force will protect our family."
Yue Jun added quietly,
"And one day… perhaps the empire as well."
Under the moonlight, the members of the Yue Shadow Guard stood silently.
Like shadows waiting in the darkness.
Strong.
Loyal.
And ready.