Under Mu Qing's guidance, Feng Qi and Lü Yue walked into the Dawn Estate.
The estate was expansive. As they followed the main road, the left side revealed a snow bamboo forest, where several white bear cubs were playing. On the right was a sizable natural hot spring lake, with a pathway leading from the main road to a pavilion at the lake's center. Beyond the lake were clusters of buildings accessible by circling around via the main road.
Moving further in, they came across rows of functional buildings, each serving specific purposes: training rooms, an armory, an underground parking lot, a cinema—everything one could possibly need was present.
Past the functional area lay the residential district. Rows of independent houses stood in neat alignment. During their walk, Mu Qing explained that the Dawn Battle Squad had nearly 10,000 members now. Living arrangements were structured with five people per house, with rooms chosen freely. High-ranking members of the squad, however, were entitled to two-person houses.
"What about you?" Feng Qi asked curiously after hearing her explanation.
"As the commander, of course, I have a house to myself. A little privilege never hurts," Mu Qing replied with a smile.
After walking a bit more, they arrived in front of a house. Mu Qing turned to Feng Qi and said, "Ah Qi, this will be your home from now on. My house is right next door, number 001, and Lü Yue will stay in 003."
Hearing this, Feng Qi quickly waved his hand in protest. "This isn't right. I just got here, and I'm already getting special treatment. If the squad members see this, they might think I'm some sort of toy boy you're keeping. I'd lose all my dignity."
Mu Qing rolled her eyes at his response. "Toy boy? My decisions are absolute within the squad. They'll respect whatever arrangements I make."
"Then let's compromise," Feng Qi suggested earnestly. "Let Lü Yue and I share a house. Having a whole place to myself feels like too much."
Seeing the seriousness in his expression, Mu Qing nodded. "Alright, you two can stay together. The house is already prepared for you. Unpack your belongings, and later tonight, we'll have a welcome ceremony in the dining hall. I need to handle some matters first."
"Got it. You go ahead," Feng Qi responded, nodding.
With that, he and Lü Yue carried their luggage up the stairs to the front door and pushed it open.
The interior was styled in a clean black-and-white palette, with fully furnished rooms. On the second floor, Feng Qi chose a bedroom, unpacked his belongings, and neatly arranged his clothes in the wardrobe.
After finishing, he opened the glass doors leading to the balcony. Compared to the warmth of the heated house, the cold air outside was a stark contrast, like stepping into a completely different world.
Standing on the balcony, he took in the scenery of the Dawn Estate. In front of the residential buildings was a winding green pathway leading to the B Residential District. Beyond that was the hot spring lake, its surface shrouded in a misty white haze, resembling a heavenly landscape.
The tranquil environment was serene and invigorating. Yet, Feng Qi knew that beneath this picturesque exterior lay a harsh reality. This was the front line—a place where countless bodies were buried beneath the snow, a grim testament to the ongoing battles.
News reports often highlighted stories from the front lines, including the privileges enjoyed by frontline warriors. Yet no one ever questioned these benefits. Everyone understood the burdens these soldiers bore. Their lives were akin to walking a tightrope over death itself. Each mission carried the uncertainty of whether they would live to see another sunrise.
After a while, Feng Qi stepped back inside. Coincidentally, Lü Yue emerged from his room at the same time, and together, they explored the house, familiarizing themselves with each floor and the function of each room.
When night fell, Mu Qing arrived again. Walking into the house, she found Feng Qi and Lü Yue lounging on the couch, watching satellite television. A smile appeared on her face. "Come with me to the dining hall. It's time for your welcome ceremony."
Feng Qi got up from the couch, curiosity piqued. "There are nearly 10,000 members in the squad now, right? If you hold a welcome ceremony for every new member, wouldn't that be incredibly troublesome?"
Mu Qing shook her head and explained, "Of course not. If we did that for every newcomer, it'd be chaos. That's why I set a rule: welcome ceremonies are only held within the small teams to which new members are assigned. Exceptions are made during the annual graduation season, where we hold a squad-wide welcome ceremony for the influx of new recruits."
Hearing this, Feng Qi quickly waved his hands. "Let's keep it simple. Just the three of us having dinner sounds good enough. A squad-wide ceremony feels too grand for me."
"Don't forget, you're the vice-commander of the Dawn Battle Squad," Mu Qing said with a playful wink.
Feng Qi froze momentarily. He had intended to discuss the vice-commander position with her upon his arrival. Given the Dawn Battle Squad's growth over the years, it felt inappropriate for someone as unfamiliar as him to suddenly assume such a high-ranking role. He believed he needed time to prove himself before fulfilling his long-standing promise.
Feng Qi had prior experience leading an organization. In a previous timeline, he had built the Breaking Dawn organization from scratch, watching it grow steadily under his leadership. Yet, despite his familiarity with leadership roles, he knew the importance of earning trust and recognition before taking on such a responsibility.
With this in mind, he turned to Mu Qing and said, "Senior, I don't think I'm ready to be vice-commander just yet. I need time to transition into the role."
Mu Qing seemed to understand his hesitation. Looking him in the eye, she said firmly, "In my eyes, Ah Qi, you're a natural-born leader. You possess all the qualities a leader should have—kindness, decisiveness, resilience, sacrifice, and talent. Back then, we all looked to you as our anchor."
"This is the front line," Mu Qing began, her voice steady yet firm. "Here, team positions are determined by capability. If you believe you have what it takes to fulfill the duties of a vice-commander, step up, take the role, and prove yourself with time."
"When I first arrived at the front lines, it was the same. I fought for my position as a core member of the team because I knew I was capable. Humility has no place here. I hope to see the same boldness you once showed, the sharpness that defined you."
Her gaze, filled with trust and expectation, locked onto Feng Qi. A soft smile crept onto his lips as he nodded. "Alright, Commander. Vice-Commander Feng Qi, reporting for duty!"
Mu Qing's smile widened. "You don't need to call me 'Commander' in private, Ah Qi."
"Alright then, Senior," Feng Qi replied, his tone more relaxed.
Their lighthearted exchange made Lü Yue, still lounging on the sofa, feel like an awkward extra. He glanced down at the sword resting on his lap, muttering under his breath, "Hmph, women only slow down my sword-drawing speed."
8:00 PM
In the grand dining hall of the Dawn Domain Combat Squad, thousands of members gathered. The atmosphere was orderly, disciplined. At the front of the room, Mu Qing led Feng Qi to the podium.
Standing on the stage, Feng Qi quickly noticed the rigid discipline within the squad. Without Mu Qing's word, not a single person dared to speak. Every member sat upright, their posture impeccable.
"Let me introduce someone special to all of you," Mu Qing announced, her voice echoing through the hall. "This is Feng Qi, our new vice-commander. Like me, he is an alumnus of Star City Academy. I'm sure many of you have already heard of him!"
Her words were met with thunderous applause.
Feng Qi, however, was baffled. How would they possibly know who I am?
Noticing his confusion, Mu Qing stepped closer, her tone teasing yet warm. "You've been an inspiration for the team for years. I've often shared stories of you, quoting the lessons you taught us and highlighting your remarkable talent. They all know you, even if you don't know them."
"That's setting me up for failure," Feng Qi muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes.
Mu Qing gave a playful shrug. "You've got the skills to back it up. Be confident."
Stepping back, she added, "The welcome ceremony is simple. Just say a few words, introduce yourself to everyone, and let them get to know you."
Feng Qi nodded, stepping forward to face the gathered squad. Memories of another timeline surfaced—one where he had stood before a crowd, but it was on a very different stage: a public execution.
Pushing those thoughts aside, he opted for a straightforward introduction. No lofty declarations of ambition or bold promises about the squad's future. Just a few sentences about himself before stepping off the stage amidst a wave of applause.
In his mind, respect was earned through actions, not words.
Dinner
Over dinner, Mu Qing introduced Feng Qi to the key leaders of the Dawn Domain Combat Squad. From their conversations, he learned about the current state of the squad.
The Dawn Domain Combat Squad had 8,687 members, divided into eight battalions of roughly 1,000 members each. Each battalion was further divided into three smaller squads. For standard missions, tasks were assigned at the battalion level. For larger operations, like driving back domain fields, the entire squad mobilized, with Mu Qing leading the charge.
While most squad commanders primarily focused on strategy and coordination, Mu Qing was an exception. She wasn't just a commander—she was the squad's central pillar and strongest combatant. Over the years, her leadership had solidified her position as the squad's anchor. Her presence alone inspired unwavering faith and trust.
For the members of the Dawn Domain Combat Squad, her presence in battle wasn't just reassuring—it was practically a guarantee of victory. It was this extraordinary charisma that had, in another timeline, inspired countless followers to stand by her side despite overwhelming odds.
As he listened to the stories shared by the squad leaders at the table, Feng Qi couldn't help but recall the camaraderie described by Xia Long and Yan Yue in previous timelines. Here, he felt it firsthand. This was a bond forged through life-and-death battles, a trust earned through shared sacrifice. There was no need for pretenses or formalities.
The atmosphere was warm and lively. For the first time in years, Feng Qi found himself drinking freely, his guard down.
11:00 PM
After dinner, Feng Qi and Lü Yue returned to their quarters. After washing up, Feng Qi lay in bed, but sleep eluded him. Restless, he got up, put on a robe, and stepped onto the balcony.
Outside, snowflakes continued to fall, the cold wind cutting through the air. Above, the aurora painted the night sky in vibrant green streaks. The stars sparkled brilliantly, untainted by pollution.
As he stood there, a gentle melody drifted through the air, carried by the wind. The tune was melancholic yet uplifting, evoking memories of their first meeting by the lake all those years ago. Listening closely, Feng Qi noticed the melody carried hints of hope, like a dawn breaking through the darkness.
Turning toward the source of the sound, he spotted Mu Qing on the balcony of the neighboring house. She held the white harmonica he had given her years ago. Her gaze was fixed on the sky as she played, the soft notes weaving through the silence.
When the song ended, she turned to him, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Ah Qi, it's been nine years since we first met."
"Yes," Feng Qi replied softly. "We've kept our promise from back then—to walk into the future together."
Their smiles met, a shared warmth in the cold night.
As Feng Qi turned his gaze back to the stars, a sense of peace washed over him. For the first time in a long while, he felt grounded, his existence tangible and meaningful. Even though every timeline led to a hellish future, each version of himself lived a unique story.
Feeling playful, he called out, "Senior, play another tune! How about something cheerful—maybe 'The Mighty River Flows Eastward'?"
Mu Qing paused, giving him a long look before letting out a resigned sigh. "…Really?"