“Miss Jiu’er, head upstream — the water is cleaner up there.” A young woman came forward with a smile.

“I test the stream water for poison from time to time, so anyone trying to poison us would have a very difficult time of it.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er met the young woman’s gaze and gave a satisfied nod.

“Miss Jiu’er, breakfast has been set aside for you. Please go eat before you do anything else — your body needs proper rest, and you must not push yourself too hard.” Another young woman spoke up.

“Mm, thank you for your care.” Feng Jiu’er looked at the young woman who had spoken, then swept a glance over everyone around her. “My body is perfectly fine — no need to worry.”

“I always said our Miss Jiu’er would be perfectly all right.” A young man in the middle of butchering a pig said with a grin.

“Everyone get back to what you were doing — we have already taken up too much of Miss Jiu’er’s time.”

Everyone looked at the young man, gave a collective nod, then turned back to Feng Jiu’er for one more glance before turning around and returning to their work.

Feng Jiu’er looked at her brothers, the smile on her lips unwavering.

She must not forget her original intention — she was the one who had brought them out here, and it was her responsibility to give them all a good life.

The three of them had slept until the sun was practically beating down overhead, and there was no time to waste any further.

They hurried through washing up, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and then followed their brothers into the mountain forest.

In the western woodland, a number of brothers were hard at work.

The herb gathering was handled by those from the original Tianji Hall who had knowledge of medicinal plants. Looking at stretch upon stretch of practical and costly herbs, everyone worked with growing enthusiasm.

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao joined in the herb gathering as well, while Qiao Mu had appeared briefly after their arrival — and then vanished without a trace.

On a hilltop, a young woman dressed in deep purple-black robes stood motionless in the breeze.

She stared with unwavering eyes at five ferocious, wolf-like dogs before her, her gaze resolute and unshakeable.

All five dogs were a uniform jet black — each one large and powerfully built, with thick, strong limbs, and eyes that gleamed with a feral, bloodthirsty light.

Any ordinary person whose path was blocked by five ferocious hunting dogs like these would have little hope of surviving.

Yet the woman standing in the wind showed not the slightest trace of fear.

In fact, given the current situation, it was she who had driven the five dogs to the edge of a cliff — not the other way around.

She stared unblinking at the dog standing in the center, and that dog stared back at her just as unmoving — as though human and beast were somehow capable of conversing.

On the clifftop, nothing grew. The sunlight blazed down with full intensity, yet the killing intent that hung in the air gave everything a faintly cold edge.

After some unknown length of time, the lead dog let out a furious bark, and the two dogs on the outermost flanks launched themselves simultaneously toward Qiao Mu.

Qiao Mu drew no weapon — she met them empty-handed.

Before long, the fierce edge of the two hunting dogs was forced down, and after a few more exchanges, both dogs were driven back.

Just those two dogs had required thirty percent of Qiao Mu’s strength — they were clearly far from weak.

Qiao Mu had no desire to injure them. She only wanted them to submit.

The lead dog, sensing that things were going badly, let out another furious bark.

In an instant, all five dogs closed in on Qiao Mu together — each one fierce and savage, and even the two that had just been driven back found their fighting spirit rekindled.

Watching these ferocious creatures hurl themselves at her all at once, Qiao Mu felt her blood surging with excitement.

By evening, the brothers were all converging back toward the camp, their faces glowing with the joy of a bountiful harvest.

When Qiao Mu appeared, Feng Jiu’er and the others were gathered together, savoring the fruits of their day’s labor.

The table was laden with fish and shrimp, large chunks of braised meat, wild vegetables, and coarse grains — everything one could want.

To celebrate the day’s harvest, Feng Jiu’er had given the order herself — a good meal tonight meant the strength to keep working tomorrow.

“It is General Qiao.” A young woman seated at the same table as Feng Jiu’er rose to her feet and pointed in one direction.

She was not the only one — other brothers too caught sight of this wholly unexpected scene.

Within moments, everyone was on their feet, looking out toward the direction of the setting sun.

Qiao Mu stood in the center. On either side of her stood five creatures larger than wolves in total.

The evening sun fell from behind, stretching the shadows of Qiao Mu and the five dogs long and far across the ground.

Qiao Mu was already tall among women — but standing there now, she appeared even more imposing.

The five fierce beasts, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, gave off an overwhelming sense of raw power and dominance.

It was as though this one person and five beasts — wherever they went — would sweep everything before them and emerge victorious.

“Qiao Mu, did you actually tame them?” Xiao Yingtao stood up and wanted to go over, but in the end could not bring herself to take the first step.

Looking at these five creatures that appeared to weigh as much as she did, she swallowed hard and found herself neither able to sit nor stand comfortably.

“Stop posing and come over here.” Feng Jiu’er curved her lips slightly and waved a hand. “Eat something first, then I will treat your wounds.”

This person had vanished for more than half the day, and returned having tamed five hunting dogs in one go. That level of ability was something even Feng Jiu’er had to admit was beyond her.

Perhaps her own martial skill surpassed Qiao Mu’s — but when it came to sheer courage, she fell short.

“Alright.” Qiao Mu curved her lips faintly and stepped forward.

After she had walked several paces, the five dogs followed, drawing closer to the group.

Most of the brothers’ eyes were fixed on the five hunting dogs — everyone had their own reaction, and those who were frightened were not few, but those who were filled with admiration were the majority.

Their General Qiao — a woman — had done something many men would not dare attempt. Everyone’s respect for Qiao Mu only deepened.

Seeing Qiao Mu approach, Xiao Yingtao shifted to make room, though her eyes never once moved away from those fierce creatures.

The five hunting dogs came to a halt just as they were about to reach the crowd.

Without anyone issuing a command, they turned as one and spread out, standing with their backs to the group in a formation that was unmistakably one of guardianship.

Wild creatures tamed only moments ago — and yet they already understood the human heart so well. The brothers could scarcely believe what they were seeing.

“Qiao Mu.” Xiao Yingtao patted Qiao Mu on the arm as she sat down beside her, her gaze still fixed on the hunting dogs. “Are they guarding everyone?”

“Qiao Mu, how did you manage it? Five of them, all at once, and so well-behaved at that — someone who did not know better might think you had raised them from pups.”

“Xiao Yingtao, be gentle!” Qiao Mu turned her head and shot Xiao Yingtao a look.

“Your shoulder is injured too?” Feng Jiu’er gently tugged at the torn, ragged edge of Qiao Mu’s sleeve and turned her around.

“I did not expect five to show up, but since they were this united, I was not about to leave a single one behind.” Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiu’er and said.

“A few small injuries are to be expected. If I do not show them what I am made of, animals and people alike will never truly submit to you.”

Feng Jiu’er gently pulled back the large tear in Qiao Mu’s sleeve to take a look, and she too drew in a sharp breath involuntarily.

“It is a good thing you knew to apply herbs to stop the bleeding. Otherwise, no amount of blood would have been enough to lose.”

“It is nothing.” Qiao Mu pushed Feng Jiu’er’s hand away. “I am absolutely starving — scoop me some meat, and give me the big pieces.”