Traversing several different locations and passing through a number of battles, on the tenth day of their flight, the group finally set foot on the territory of Yue City.

Zhao Yusheng’s boat lay concealed in the westernmost reaches of Yue City, in its most treacherous region.

Yue City was a notorious place within the Feng Clan’s domain — a city known throughout the land for its poison craft.

Passing through the bustling heart of the city and pressing steadily westward, the path to Black Lagoon required crossing a place so dangerous it had earned the name: Utter Ruin.

It was a place used by the people of Yue City expressly for breeding venomous creatures — steeped in countless legends, shrouded in mystery.

After entering Yue City, the group divided into three teams, each approaching the agreed rendezvous point from a different direction, slowly converging on it.

Two days later, everyone finally gathered at an abandoned little village just outside the breeding grounds.

“Father! You’re alright — I missed you so much!”

The moment Feng Jiu’er stepped through the door, she pressed close to Feng Li’s side.

Apart from Feng Li, Zhan Qingcheng, Mu Mu, and Jian Yi, none of the others — not even Xue Gu and Qiaomu — knew what had become of Feng Li along the way, let alone the rest.

Xue Gu and Qiaomu had grown accustomed to it throughout the journey; amid the chaos of flight, no one had pressed for details.

“My lady, is this—” Zhao Yusheng looked up as Feng Jiu’er came in, his face lighting up with excitement. “Is this my father-in-law?”

Feng Jiu’er had barely turned around before she saw the man walking toward her.

The fact that she managed not to collapse on the spot from shock — Feng Jiu’er felt her ability to adapt had improved yet again.

“My lady—”

Before Feng Jiu’er could get a word in, Feng Li glanced at Zhao Yusheng, then turned to look at her.

“Father, don’t listen to his nonsense.”

Feng Jiu’er shot Zhao Yusheng a look, then turned back and slipped her arm through Feng Li’s. “I am not his lady.”

“You are indeed my lady.”

Zhao Yusheng’s expression was perfectly serious. “We performed the wedding ritual together.”

This girl — vanishing without a word, and leaving him to worry for so long.

No matter how he looked at it, she was his lady. Zhao Yusheng felt that worrying about her was the most natural thing in the world.

“You’re angry that I didn’t protect you properly? I’ll pay closer attention from now on.”

Zhao Yusheng’s words gave Feng Jiu’er a headache. Did he truly not notice that a certain man standing behind her had gone completely dark in the face?

After two days apart, the tension between herself and the Ninth Imperial Uncle had only just begun to ease — and now it looked as though things were back to where they started.

Qiaomu had said her own situation was difficult; Feng Jiu’er felt hers was harder still.

None of them had asked for any of this — so why had this fellow suddenly started taking it all so seriously?

“Stop talking nonsense. What is the route from here? Get ready and brief everyone.”

As the words left her mouth, Feng Jiu’er grasped Feng Li’s hand, her slender fingers resting lightly on his pulse.

“Father, don’t believe a word of his nonsense — it’s all a misunderstanding. I’ll explain when there’s time.”

The words were for Feng Li’s ears, but also for Zhan Qingcheng’s. The air pressure in the room was uncomfortably low, and no one was at ease.

“Jiu’er—” “Stop dithering. Go and prepare.”

Zhao Yusheng seemed on the verge of arguing back, but was cut off by Feng Jiu’er’s sharp, cold voice.

“Alright.”

Zhao Yusheng gave a nod. “Whatever the case, I will get you and my father-in-law safely away from the Feng Clan’s territory.”

As Zhao Yusheng turned to leave, Long Eleven strode in.

“Your Highness, this is a confidential report from Master Yu.”

“What does it say?”

Zhan Qingcheng’s measured voice carried across the room.

Seeing that His Highness asked openly, Long Eleven understood that the Prince did not regard the man beside Miss Jiu’er as an outsider.

He gave a nod and reported, “Master Yu says the Eighth Prince is moving troops to attack Phoenix City, and urges Your Highness to return as quickly as possible.”

“The Eighth Prince—”

Feng Jiu’er drew in a slow breath, rose to her feet, and said, “Why is Zhao Yusheng not here yet? We must return immediately.”

The fact that the man had left his post for her sake — that was already done and could not be undone.

But Feng Jiu’er had not forgotten: the people of Phoenix City placed their faith in the Ninth Imperial Uncle without reservation.

If they ever learned that the Ninth Imperial Uncle had abandoned each and every one of them for the sake of a woman, no one would ever look up to the Ninth Imperial Uncle again.

“Here.”

The moment Feng Jiu’er’s voice fell, Zhao Yusheng and Long Yi carried in a long table.

The table was pieced together from planks of different colours and ages, some new and some old — plainly a makeshift construction.

Zhao Yusheng and Long Yi set the battered table down. Zhao Yusheng produced something that resembled a map, placed it on the surface, and spread it open.

Feng Jiu’er stepped forward, and the others gradually gathered around the table.

“Whatever method we use, we must return to Phoenix City at the fastest possible speed.”

“Taking the same route we came by would be the fastest.”

Zhao Yusheng glanced up at Feng Jiu’er, then lowered his eyes to the opened map, his finger coming to rest on a point.

“Everyone, look here — this is where we are now.”

“This is the western part of Yue City. According to reports from our people, the pursuing soldiers are currently concentrated here.” Zhao Yusheng pressed another spot on the map.

“This is also thanks to Jiu’er and the Ninth Prince diverting their attention.”

“The western, northern, and eastern faces of Yue City all border Black Lagoon. Even if they now believe we intend to leave from the north, they will find their way here soon enough.”

“The shorter the time we take to leave, the more advantageous it is for us.”

Everyone’s gaze followed Zhao Yusheng’s hand to a region on the map rendered in a deeper shade.

“What you’re all looking at now is the place the people of Feng Clan call the place of Utter Ruin.”

“Look at this here.”

Zhao Yusheng’s hand came to rest on a spot, and he looked up at Feng Jiu’er before lowering his head again.

“Yue City is also known as Poison City. I mentioned this in my letters to everyone, but — passing through Yue City into Black Lagoon is the fastest route.”

“Any other route out would add at least half again as much distance.”

“What you see here is the zone in Yue City where venomous creatures are bred. Word has it that there are all manner of poison beasts inside. Passing through this area will carry a certain degree of danger.”

“The medicinal herbs I asked you to prepare — how are the preparations coming along?”

Feng Jiu’er looked at Zhao Yusheng and asked.

“For the most part, they’re ready.” Zhao Yusheng met Feng Jiu’er’s eyes and replied quietly, “I’ll take you to have a look shortly.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er gave a nod. “Before we enter the breeding grounds, we must have sufficient antidotes on hand.”

Her gaze dropped to the darkest-coloured region on the map, and she placed her palm upon it.

“The stretch between the breeding grounds and Black Lagoon — what do we know about the terrain there?”

From the map, it was clear that the breeding grounds themselves took up only a small fraction of the total area.

In other words, after clearing the breeding grounds and before reaching Black Lagoon, there was still a considerable distance yet to travel.

“Exactly.” Zhao Yusheng bent over the section of the map that Feng Jiu’er had indicated. “That is also the most concerning stretch.”

“There are many rumours surrounding this area. Some people claim there are enormously large venomous creatures inside — species unknown to the wider world.”

“Things like serpents larger than a man, serpents that can fly, giant scorpions, carnivorous venomous spiders, and more.”

“Those are all rumours, however. As for what is actually in there — nothing has been confirmed.”

The moment he finished speaking, Zhao Yusheng produced a specially crafted writing instrument, leaned over the map, and began making markings on it.

Watching the careful, meticulous way he worked, Feng Jiu’er knew that this map had not been easy to come by.

This fellow — he truly was a rare and exceptional talent.