The Northern Army Camp established an independent training ground in the east, where Sima Jing, the former commander of the Shadow Guard, was training troops for Liang Xiao.
The facilities included extensive climbing and crawling obstacles, some bearing a striking resemblance to modern military training equipment.
Upon Liang Xiao's arrival, Sima Jing warmly welcomed him into the camp and reported on the progress.
After six months of rigorous training and elimination, the thousand elite soldiers, specifically chosen for their sharp minds and agile bodies, had reached their target numbers.
Though still far from the caliber of the Shadow Guard, they could now defeat regular soldiers in a direct confrontation. However, their true value lay in gathering intelligence and conducting covert operations across various regions, a role unmatched by conventional troops.
"My Lord Marquis, as you instructed, we've instilled in them the ideology of loyalty to the sovereign, making them understand they fight for our ruler and the people, merely serving you and me. Their families are also well taken care of. Their faith is even stronger than that of ordinary elites, but they haven't yet reached the standard of elite soldiers you require," Sima Jing explained patiently.
"Their household registrations have been erased, making them untraceable. However, they carry Shadow Guard identification tokens and military registration certificates, which allows them to act as Shadow Guards and pass freely through various regions."
The Shadow Guard's military registration certificates also included portraits, making them difficult to forge even if a Shadow Guard were to fall in the field.
Liang Xiao remained satisfied and expressed his gratitude, "Senior, you have worked hard!"
"It's nothing, after all, you are the one recognized by the Sovereign..." Sima Jing trailed off, falling silent as the troops in the distance began to assemble.
As the former commander of the Shadow Guard, Sima Jing was well aware of Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing's relationship and provided his full support, dedicating even more vigor to training the soldiers. After all, they were all family.
Liang Xiao personally inspected the thousand men. Seeing their spirited demeanor, he couldn't help but praise, "Excellent recruits!"
These individuals ranged from fifteen to thirty years old, allowing for effective disguises across different age groups. Their physiques also varied, with different builds and heights. However, their spirit was uniform, and a gleam of faith seemed to flicker in their eyes, with their gazes towards Liang Xiao being particularly fervent.
Day after day, Sima Jing recounted the virtues of Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing to them. As a special troop painstakingly cultivated by Liang Xiao, they couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and pride in the presence of the Grand Qian's Marquis of Anguo, despite having undergone psychological training.
"From this day forward, you shall be known as the '潜狼卫' (Qian Lang Wei) – the Hidden Wolf Guards! You will lurk in the shadows, cunning and coordinated like wolves, protecting the people of Grand Qian in a different capacity!"
With Liang Xiao's command, the assembled men responded with fervor, "Yes!"
At this moment, the Qian Lang Wei finally had a name, and their ranks were steadily taking shape. One-quarter of the members were elite soldiers previously selected from the Northern Army Camp for reconnaissance and espionage, forming the core of the unit. This was also to facilitate their deployment as soon as possible.
However, these older individuals found it more challenging to forge deep-seated loyalty, thus they could not be casually entrusted with the most critical confidential missions. Regardless, Liang Xiao now possessed a functional special espionage unit.
"Half of the training you undergo daily was provided by the Marquis. Your current benefits were also fought for by the Marquis," Sima Jing explained.
The men expressed their gratitude once more, bowing deeply to Liang Xiao, "We shall follow the Marquis's orders!"
Liang Xiao handed Sima Jing several mission checklists he had brought. Sima Jing quickly reviewed them and immediately made arrangements.
By dusk, two hundred Qian Lang Wei had already disguised themselves and departed the camp. Sima Jing stood at the camp gate, watching Liang Xiao's carriage gradually recede, and murmured to himself, "Heaven truly blesses our Sovereign..."
The Shadow Guard did not easily believe in deities or spirits, not even the Heavenly General. Sima Jing himself did not believe in divine intervention. It was only after Lü Yi truthfully informed Sima Jing of Liang Xiao's true identity that Sima Jing had an epiphany and realized with deep emotion that it was indeed heaven protecting Xiao Qing.
Since Liang Xiao was the true "Imperial Lord" and "Marquis," Sima Jing felt no need to hold back, dedicating himself fully to the training, hoping that the other Qian Lang Wei would soon be trained and deployed across various regions and countries for intelligence missions.
It was already nighttime when Liang Xiao returned to his courtyard, so he was not in a hurry to visit the Qingtian Guard.
"Sophia, how is she?" Liang Xiao asked Klisti.
"My sister's emotions have stabilized considerably. She can now converse and laugh with me. She seems to have been a very warm and talkative young woman originally," Klisti replied truthfully.
Liang Xiao mused. Klisti did not disturb him further, but mustered her courage, embraced Liang Xiao's arm, and nestled into his shoulder. Liang Xiao was her Heavenly General, her entire world. While familial affection was important, she understood more clearly that Liang Xiao would never harm her, nor would he wish her to be hurt. Since Liang Xiao remained somewhat wary of Sophia, she could not completely trust this sister, especially as she herself harbored some doubts. If their mother was a witch, why had her sister and brother survived?
"Are you still so reserved around me?" Liang Xiao's gentle voice reached her ears. Klisti responded weakly, "Being able to marry you is already an extraordinary gift from heaven..."
Liang Xiao held Klisti in his arms and comforted her, "I don't want you to be so humble. You are as important as they are, because you are already my woman. Have confidence, be dignified and graceful like your sister Qingxue, that is how a princess should be."
Klisti was deeply moved and shyly agreed, then asked, "Then, can I tease you like Sister Qinwan?"
Liang Xiao: ...
Klisti dared not speak.
"Of course," Liang Xiao said with a smile. *Doesn't she know the consequences of me holding a grudge?*
Klisti smiled happily. Liang Xiao also smiled happily. However, Klisti did not dare to act rashly for the moment, as she suddenly recalled the "outcome" for Jian Qinwan, who had been carried into the bathhouse by Liang Xiao and then carried out blushing...
They nestled together for a long time before Liang Xiao finally said, "Actually, I suspect your sister might be involved with the Huichun Sect, so we must remain vigilant in the long term, but without harming her. You cannot be alone with her for now. In any case, her condition is much better than before."
Klisti obediently agreed and then asked, "Then, if my sister is indeed innocent, will you also..."
Liang Xiao replied, "Matters of affection depend on fate; one cannot force them. How can I be ungrateful and let you down again?"
Klisti's heart was filled with sweetness, and she nodded again. However, Liang Xiao's tone abruptly shifted, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "You must first have a baby with me. That is the urgent matter. My family was almost without an heir."
The Heavenly General could also be so wicked and amusing... Klisti's face instantly flushed red: "Oh, okay!"
In the elegantly fragrant room, Sophia sat on the bed, hugging her knees with her head buried, her eyes closed. The two maids responsible for her care were the same palace maids who had looked after her at the Honglu Temple, their faces filled with sympathy. The sister of the Marquis of Anguo often spoke to herself like this. Sophia, with her head buried in her knees, slowly opened her eyes, a fierce glint appearing, and then narrowed them as she spoke to herself.
In the capital, Zuo Jing and the Yuntian Guard's interrogation also finally yielded results. Zuo Jing looked towards the north and snorted, "As expected, it still requires this old lady to take action myself~"