According to the map, the route from here to Phoenix City required passing through several towns, but far more of the journey involved crossing mountains and rivers.

Ancient roads were truly difficult to travel. While official roads existed, they were not as safe as their name suggested.

Some official roads still cut through deep forests and dense mountains — they had simply been traveled before and cleared of the worst terrain, so they were not quite as wild and desolate as a completely uncharted path.

The final stretch approaching Phoenix City was the most treacherous of all.

“Phoenix City was invaded by forces from the Southern Yue Kingdom some days ago. The garrison general sent an urgent dispatch requesting aid, and two of the Ninth Prince’s armies have already been deployed to provide support.”

Ever since witnessing the command token in Feng Jiu’er’s hand, Huo Yan had accepted her without question as his commanding superior.

And so every thought he had, he discussed with Jiu’er, and any news he received, he relayed to Feng Jiu’er at the first opportunity.

“At present, no new reports have come back from that front — both sides are still at a standoff.”

“General Huo, I have a question.” Feng Jiu’er furrowed her brow slightly.

Huo Yan responded at once. “Please speak freely, General Feng.”

“If there is an urgent message from the frontier that needs to be sent back, roughly how many days would it take to reach the imperial capital?”

“That depends on which frontier city it concerns. Phoenix City lies at the southernmost edge of Bei Mu — the journey is extremely long. The message your subordinate received today, for instance, describes events that occurred five days ago.”

“The signal riders at each relay station are already using the fastest horses available, traveling day and night at their greatest speed, changing riders along the way without ever stopping.”

“So even traveling day and night without rest, the news that reaches our hands has already happened four or five days ago?”

Feng Jiu’er’s brow furrowed even more deeply. “Are there no carrier pigeons or the like that can transmit information quickly?”

“General Feng, riding day and night at full gallop is already the fastest method available to us. As for carrier pigeons—”

Huo Yan shook his head with a faint smile. “Carrier pigeons are used on occasion, but they cannot be relied upon for official military communications. The security simply is not reliable enough.”

When such vital intelligence is involved, and its authenticity cannot be guaranteed, no one dares act on it lightly.

Feng Jiu’er understood this herself, of course — for once a great army is set in motion, every decision carries tremendous weight.

One wrong decision could cost tens of thousands of lives.

But transmitting information this way was truly too slow. With no mobile devices, no telegraphs — it was genuinely inconvenient.

“Understood. General Huo, please inform me immediately of any news from Phoenix City.”

“Yes, your subordinate obeys.”

Huo Yan had formerly been their commanding officer, and Feng Jiu’er had always answered to him. Now that their positions were reversed, Huo Yan adapted quickly, whereas it was Feng Jiu’er who found herself struggling to adjust.

Still, she was slowly growing accustomed to it.

“By the way — the message I asked you to have spread, how is that progressing?” Feng Jiu’er asked.

“In reply to General Feng: the news that the Ninth Prince is traveling with our procession should have already spread throughout the entire imperial capital by now. All those who need to know have surely learned of it.”

The Empress’s appearance today had not been part of Feng Jiu’er’s plans — yet her arrival had ultimately done them a great favor.

A person who dared refuse the Empress herself and even lay a hand on her could only be the Ninth Prince. There was truly no one else in the world who would dare.

Anyone who kept close watch on the Ninth Prince’s movements would inevitably hear this news and would likely already be preparing to act.

“General Huo, I ask that you have everyone remain on their highest alert. All defenses must be kept tight. Throughout this journey, our lives could be in danger at any moment.”