Page 36 of The Nightblood Prince

“I think this is everyone,” Caikun announced when I returned to the barracks.

“As some of you may know, my name is Wu Caikun. My father is the chief general of the First Army, and I will be your commander. I believe it’s fair to warn everyone beforehand that I was raised among soldiers.

By nature, I set a high standard for my men.

I expect every one of you to become the best soldiers you can possibly embody before our inevitable advancement to the front lines. ”

He counted heads with his eyes. “There’s a saying in the army: military laws are above even the country’s laws.

Hence, I expect every single one of you to familiarize yourself with the fifty-eight laws of the army.

With every law broken, intentional or accidental, you will be punished with ten laps around the camp, regardless of weather. Understood?”

“Understood!” some of the men responded in unison.

“To start us off, rule number seventeen is that our beds and the barracks must be kept clean and free of clutter at all times.” He gestured at the bunk beside him, littered with my bag and the scattered pieces of clothes I’d used to solidify my claim to that precious corner bed. “Whose bed is this?”

Skies. On the first day?

Gingerly, I raised my hand.

Upon seeing me, Caikun’s lips curved into a crooked half smile. “Ten laps around camp, Horse Whisperer!”

He then turned to another bed, three down from mine, cluttered with peanut shells and stray cards from an earlier game. “Whose bed is this? Ten laps around camp!”

I sighed, pulled my coat tighter around me, and braved the cold once more. Behind me, I could still hear Caikun giving out laps like red envelopes on New Year.

On my way out of the tent, I passed Luyao. “Call me Little Li from now on,” I whispered.

“What?”

“Don’t let anyone know my name is Fei.”