A cold, still place grew lively in the late afternoon.

The liveliness came not from more people arriving, but from the roasted chicken in Tuoba Keyan’s hands, and the two roasted wild rabbits turning on the rack.

When Feng Jiu’er came out of the thatched cottage, the smell of meat reached her from far away.

“It smells so wonderful! I want two drumsticks — no, three.”

Qiao Mu finished sorting through the gathered medicinal herbs and came walking toward her.

“Keyan made plenty. You can eat your fill. Over there is also pigeon broth — you had best be able to manage it.”

“Three days and three nights — I ate only two bowls of white congee and one sweet potato. Do you think I can manage it?” Feng Jiu’er sat down in the grass behind Tuoba Keyan.

Qiao Mu went over and sat down beside her.

Jian Yi took a roasted chicken from Tuoba Keyan’s hands and brought it back.

Watching the delicacy in Jian Yi’s hands, Feng Jiu’er’s stomach gurgled continuously, and the saliva nearly ran out of the corners of her mouth.

Qiao Mu pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at the corner of Feng Jiu’er’s lips.

Feng Jiu’er turned her head to shoot her a look, then shifted herself closer to Jian Yi.

“Jian Yi, the drumsticks — I want both of them. You need plenty of protein right now. Eat the breast meat — that will do you well.”

“As for Qiao Mu, what is left is the carcass. I am sure she will clean it to the bone.”

“You cannot treat me that way. I caught the two chickens, after all — I can at least eat some meat.” Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiu’er and raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Qiao Mu, the rabbit is done. Would you please call my foster mother and my shifu out?” Tuoba Keyan said softly.

Long Feiyan and Tuoba Keyan did not share the relationship of shifu and disciple, but Long Feiyan had indeed taught Tuoba Keyan martial arts.

When the two met again, Tuoba Keyan addressed Long Feiyan as shifu directly, and Long Feiyan did not object.

At the time, Xue Gu had spared Tuoba Keyan’s life because she had noticed that his martial arts bore a resemblance to Long Feiyan’s.

“All right.” Qiao Mu stood, and walked off toward the other thatched cottage.

Under the setting sun, on a patch of grass full of life — two worn blankets and a battered low table served as the dining place for everyone that day.

Feng Jiu’er had eaten the two drumsticks, and Jian Yi was gnawing on the breast meat.

Qiao Mu and Xue Gu came out with several bowls of pigeon broth and a large pot of rice.

Everything that could be used looked worn and battered, but it did nothing at all to dampen anyone’s appetite.

Chicken, rabbit, broth, rice, and also corn — Feng Jiu’er ate a great deal that day.

Not until she could no longer fit another mouthful did she stop, wipe her mouth, lean against Jian Yi’s shoulder, and rub her little belly.

“Satisfied now?” Qiao Mu glanced sideways at the person beside her.

Feng Jiu’er raised her eyelids to look at her, then closed them again.

“More or less. If I could eat like this every day, I would be round as a ball in two or three days.”

“Jiu’er.” Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from a distance.

Feng Jiu’er sat up at once and looked in the direction from which the voice had come.

Two people could be seen on horseback, approaching rapidly.

Feng Jiu’er narrowed her eyes slightly before she could make out the two riders.

Xiao Yingtao had truly been unable to hold back the excitement in her heart — yet after calling out she felt a little regret.

Who knew whether there were other eyes and ears in the vicinity?

The setting sun fell across Xiao Yingtao and Xing Zizhou, stretching their shadows very long.

Before the horse had even stopped, Xiao Yingtao leaped off its back and came flying toward the group.

“Jiu’er.” When she finally came to a stop and was very close to everyone, Xiao Yingtao’s eyes were already red with emotion, unable to say a word.

After a long while, Xiao Yingtao squeezed two words out of her mouth: “Jiu’er.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at her and opened both arms.

Xiao Yingtao bit her lip, stepped forward, and hugged her tightly.

Feng Jiu’er hugged Xiao Yingtao back, saying nothing.

Qiao Mu stood up, glanced at the two of them, stepped forward, and wrapped both of them in her arms.

“All right, there is still meat and broth — go and eat some. Whatever it is, eat first, then talk.”

Xiao Yingtao released Feng Jiu’er and nodded.

She casually used the back of her hand to wipe her cheeks, and the corners of her mouth rose in a cheerful smile.

“Qiao Mu said you would certainly be all right, and indeed you are.”

“What could possibly happen to me? Come quickly — try the rabbit Keyan roasted. It is very fragrant.”

“All right.” Xiao Yingtao nodded. Flanked on left and right, the three came to sit beside the low table.

Before long, Xiao Yingtao’s bright, lively voice rang out across the grass.

That night, a good number of brothers arrived throughout the night, and everyone made camp on the grass to rest.

In a somewhat larger tent, everyone sat gathered in a circle on the ground.

Feng Jiu’er, Qiao Mu, Xiao Yingtao, Jian Yi, Xing Zizhou, Tuoba Keyan, and a few brothers.

“From this point on, we will be staying in the Black Ravine for quite a long time, in search of the legendary treasure.” Feng Jiu’er looked at everyone and said quietly.

“The information we hold right now is still insufficient. Locating the treasure will involve a certain degree of difficulty.”

“How large the Black Ravine is in its entirety, we do not have a precise figure for at present. Based on the information available, it can be confirmed that the treasure is somewhere in this area.”

“Before we begin searching for the treasure, there are some preparations we need to make.”

“Xing Zizhou.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Xing Zizhou and called his name softly.

“Yes.” Xing Zizhou met her gaze and nodded.

“You will be responsible for investigating the larger organisations inside the Black Ravine.” Feng Jiu’er’s voice continued.

“Be as thorough as possible — ideally, have even the specific numbers inside their camps accounted for. Only once the situation is clearly understood can we avoid trouble as much as possible.”

“Of course, if any are willing to submit in future, we can also consider bringing them together and building up our own ranks.”

As she spoke, Feng Jiu’er did not forget to glance at Qiao Mu.

Qiao Mu pressed her brow together lightly, but said nothing.

“Understood.” Xing Zizhou replied softly.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and shifted her gaze to Tuoba Keyan. “Keyan, we will be staying here two or three days.”

“Over these two or three days, take the brothers and look for food — meat in particular. Prepare a good amount, and make it into dried meat and meat paste in ways that will extend how long it can be kept.”

“Provisions must also be prepared — grain, tubers, flour, noodles, and so on. Have some brothers search nearby, and send a few brothers into town to purchase.”

“But be careful in all things — especially the brothers entering town.”

“How long we are to stay in the Black Ravine is still unknown. The provisions must be thoroughly prepared, just in case.”

“Yes.” Tuoba Keyan accepted his orders with a nod.

Feng Jiu’er looked at Xiao Yingtao and said quietly: “However much silver Keyan’s side needs, you keep track of it.”

“Also, make a list of any daily necessities that need purchasing and give it to Keyan.”

“We are making one trip into town now, and it is unknown when the next trip will be.”

“Yes.” Xiao Yingtao nodded. “I will assist Keyan with this matter. Jiu’er, do not worry.”