Qiaomu glanced sideways at Zhao Yusheng, raising an eyebrow slightly, her gaze landing on Feng Jiu’er.

“Zhao Yusheng, don’t make it sound like General Long is entrusting his daughter to you. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were the one marrying Jiu’er.”

“Who’s marrying Jiu’er?” Xiao Yingtao lifted the curtain and walked in from outside.

With elders present, they couldn’t normally act however they pleased, but hearing such a relaxed topic being discussed inside, Xiao Yingtao forgot her manners.

After spending time together, everyone understood that Jiu’er’s mother wasn’t as strict as they had imagined—seriousness was only called for when the situation actually demanded it.

“Me.” Suddenly, a seated man stood up.

Everyone, including Long Feiyan, couldn’t help but look at the one who had spoken.

Jian Yi stepped forward to Feng Jiu’er’s side, looking at Zhao Yusheng, his thick brows furrowing slightly.

Feng Jiu’er swept a glance over Jian Yi, then withdrew her gaze.

She hadn’t expected that the fellow behind her still had more to say.

“Jiu’er has already agreed. No one else will get a chance!”

In Jian Yi’s naive way of thinking, whoever arrived first owned Jiu’er—so now that Di Wuya was gone, he had to put himself first.

“Jiu’er, you agreed?” Qiaomu looked at Jian Yi, then at Long Feiyan and Feng Jiu’er, suspicion plain in her eyes.

Before Feng Jiu’er could speak, Zhao Yusheng’s voice rang out as well: “Jiu’er, did you really agree?”

Feng Jiu’er raised her eyes to look at the pairs of eyes fixed on her, feeling utterly speechless, as if she had a grievance with heaven itself and no one to voice it to.

“Jian Yi, can you stop talking nonsense?” She let out a soft sigh and said flatly.

This fellow—no matter how she explained it, he just wouldn’t understand. What else could she do?

“I thought Jian Yi risked his life jumping down to find you, and you were so moved you agreed.” The corners of Qiaomu’s mouth lifted, unable to hide the amusement on her face.

She raised her eyes and looked at Jian Yi standing behind Feng Jiu’er, frowning slightly.

“That’s not right, Jian Yi. When exactly did you fall for Jiu’er? You’re not marrying her just to repay a debt of gratitude, are you?”

“Would you really do something that puts you at such a disadvantage?”

Feng Jiu’er pushed Qiaomu, saying coldly, “Marrying me—who’s at a disadvantage? Stop fooling around, go take care of things. Don’t you have work to do?”

“Right, business matters most. Jiu’er’s marriage is a small matter, just a small matter.” Qiaomu coughed lightly and bowed respectfully to Long Feiyan again.

“General Long…”

“Jian Yi, what are you doing?” Before Qiaomu could finish speaking, the woman beside her was pulled by someone.

The words Qiaomu had meant to say were swallowed in shock.

Who would have thought that, just as she was being serious, Jian Yi would actually pick Jiu’er up, shielding her in his arms with one hand.

Everyone looked again at this unexpected side of Jian Yi.

Jian Yi lowered his eyes to look at the woman in his arms, his expression utterly serious. “I said before, I won’t let that person appear.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his eyes to look at Zhao Yusheng, his expression grave. “No matter who it is, it’s not allowed!”

Jian Yi swept a glance at Zhao Yusheng, released Feng Jiu’er, turned, and walked away.

“No need to assign me to a squad. From now on, wherever Jiu’er goes, I go.”

Xiao Yingtao’s gaze barely left Jian Yi, not until he had left the tent and disappeared from everyone’s sight did she come back to herself.

“Jian Yi is so handsome! Jiu’er, don’t you think so?”

When Xiao Yingtao turned around, she realized that everyone was looking at her.

She pressed her lips together and immediately lowered her head, walking toward Xing Zizhou.

Xing Zizhou, seeing the woman approaching him, stood up and gave up his seat.

Xiao Yingtao said nothing and obediently sat down in what had been Xing Zizhou’s seat.

Qiaomu really wanted to stay serious, but the situation wouldn’t allow it—who would have guessed Jian Yi would pull a stunt like that?

She looked at Feng Jiu’er and said quietly, “Jiu’er, Jian Yi seems to be serious. Shouldn’t you think it over?”

“Qiaomu!” Feng Jiu’er looked at Qiaomu, narrowing her eyes. “This fellow’s gone mad, and you’re going along with him?”

Qiaomu raised an eyebrow and withdrew her gaze, but couldn’t help turning her head to glance at Zhao Yusheng.

“Brother Zhao, Jian Yi’s words were clearly aimed at you. You’d best be careful.”

“Don’t be fooled by how battered he looks right now. He’s the number one assassin of the Bei Mu Kingdom. Once he’s recovered, I guarantee you’ll be no match for him.”

Qiaomu didn’t give Feng Jiu’er any chance to respond, and once again bowed to Long Feiyan.

“General Long, Xue Gu and I will go arrange matters. Farewell!”

With that one line, Qiaomu turned and left, the real reason being that she was afraid of getting scolded.

Qiaomu left, and Xue Gu also bowed to Long Feiyan before turning and walking out.

With the troublemaker gone from the tent, things finally settled into quiet.

“Come, let’s first settle the matter of heading to the Southern Barbarian Fort. If possible, we might as well reclaim it.”

Feng Jiu’er raised her eyes to look at Zhao Yusheng, as if nothing had just happened.

“To be honest, in my plan, besides the Zhao Family Stronghold, I also intend to unify the entire Black Canyon.”

“Unify the entire Black Canyon?” Xing Zizhou was stunned by Feng Jiu’er’s idea.

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er swept her gaze over everyone and nodded. “It’s a bold idea, I know, but the truth is, this Black Canyon is actually a good place.”

“As long as everyone works together with one heart, living a good life isn’t difficult. Why should we have to look at others’ faces for approval?”

Zhao Yusheng calmed himself and nodded. “Indeed, being master of one’s own house is always better than living under someone else’s thumb.”

“Jiu’er, I support your idea, and I’ll do everything I can to help you accomplish it.”

“Good, thank you!” Feng Jiu’er looked at Zhao Yusheng and smiled slightly.

“I know my idea isn’t easy to achieve, but people need dreams. What if it actually comes true?”

“Right.” Xiao Yingtao nodded with a smile. “People need dreams to live—otherwise, what’s the difference between a person and a dried fish?”

She glanced around at everyone and blinked. “Jiu’er taught me that. I think it makes a lot of sense.”

“I think it makes sense too.” Xing Zizhou smiled lightly, nodding in agreement.

“Zhao Yusheng.” Feng Jiu’er called out softly to Zhao Yusheng. “Have you finished mapping out the route from here to the Southern Barbarian Fort?”

“Yes.” Zhao Yusheng lowered his head, looking at the map.

The young people grew serious and gathered around together.

“From here, we cross two mountains, and on this side of the range is the Southern Barbarian Fort.” Inside the tent, Zhao Yusheng’s voice rang out.

“This is only the entrance to the Southern Barbarian Fort. As far as I know, getting through this stretch and into the other side of the mountain range isn’t easy.”

“What exactly is waiting for us in this valley, in these mountain forests—I suppose we’ll only know once we get inside.”

“Whatever’s there, we’re going in regardless, aren’t we?” Feng Jiu’er looked at the map, raising an eyebrow.

“Roads are made by walking them. Just walk forward boldly, and it’ll be fine.”