The first thing Feng Jiu’er did upon returning to camp was to go and check on the two brothers who had been seized earlier.

Inside the tent, besides several brothers, Xue Gu and Tuoba Keyan were also present.

“Xue Gu, how are they?” Feng Jiu’er lifted the curtain flap, her steps carrying a trace of urgency.

“Not bad.” Xue Gu rose to her feet.

Tuoba Keyan glanced at Feng Jiu’er, made room, and turned to leave.

The brothers inside the tent saw Feng Jiu’er and immediately stood.

“Miss Jiu’er.”

There were no beds — bedrolls were spread around the tent’s perimeter, leaving precious little open space.

Jian Yi followed Feng Jiu’er over but did not enter, remaining on guard just outside the curtain flap.

The two brothers who had been seized also rose to their feet, and one of them spoke again: “Miss Jiu’er, you went to so much trouble on our account — we are truly sorry.”

The other brother echoed: “Miss Jiu’er, we will train harder from now on. We will not be so easily drugged again.”

What happened that day had moved the two missing brothers deeply.

There were several thousand brothers here, and they were but the most ordinary two among them — yet no one had overlooked them.

Everyone knew how much Feng Jiu’er valued her brothers, but until something happened to you personally, the feeling did not fully sink in.

Today, when it truly happened, the two rescued brothers had woken to find everyone coming out to welcome them back — a feeling that was, without question, something they would carry for the rest of their lives.

“Everyone sit down.” Feng Jiu’er withdrew her gaze from the two brothers and waved her hand.

“Everyone must strengthen their training whenever there is free time — this is a responsibility to yourselves and to your brothers.”

“Dangers are everywhere. Do what you can: build up your physical endurance and knowledge. When you have free time, learn to identify herbs and poisons from the brothers of the former Tianjitang.”

“An extra skill is always a good thing.”

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er, we understand.” The brothers answered as one.

Feng Jiu’er offered her guidance, then went to the side of the two brothers who had been seized that day.

“Rest, all of you — no need to stand.”

She picked up one brother’s hand, took hold of it, and guided him to lie down on his bedroll, kneeling beside him.

The brother’s movements were somewhat stiff. After lying down, he dared not stir at all.

To be treated with such care by Miss Jiu’er — he was so moved, even his breathing grew a little unsteady.

Feng Jiu’er placed her long fingers on the brother’s pulse point and asked softly: “Xue Gu, can we confirm they have no Gu Poison insects on them?”

“Just now I questioned that Elder. He said there had not been time to plant any, and I hope he was not lying. Otherwise, I will not let him off!”

“We can basically confirm there is no Gu Poison.” Xue Gu, standing behind Feng Jiu’er, replied softly.

Feng Jiu’er inclined her head and carefully checked the lying brother’s pulse.

After a moment, she released his hand, then turned to look at the brother kneeling to the side.

The kneeling brother immediately lay down and waited patiently.

Feng Jiu’er shifted over and checked the other brother’s pulse. The remaining brothers inside the tent all sat down and no one spoke to disturb her.

After a thorough examination of both brothers, Feng Jiu’er drew a small vial of medicine from within her robe.

“This medicine will help expel any remaining toxins from your bodies as quickly as possible. One pill in the morning and one at night — in two days, you will be fully recovered.”

“For these two days, neither of you is to do anything. Rest and recover first.”

“Thank you, Miss Jiu’er.” One of the brothers accepted the medicine and sat up.

“If anything comes up, send another brother to notify me.” Feng Jiu’er patted the sitting brother on the shoulder and rose to her feet.

“Understood.” The brother inclined his head.

“Rest well.” Feng Jiu’er swept her gaze around at everyone and turned to leave.

Xue Gu also turned and followed.

Outside the tent, Jian Yi, Zhao Yusheng, Xiao Yingtao, and Qiao Mu were all waiting.

Xiao Yingtao saw Feng Jiu’er come out and stepped forward to meet her.

“Jiu’er, how are they?”

“Not bad.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “The Fort Master said he will give me an answer tomorrow. Everyone go and rest.”

“Right — who is keeping watch tonight?”

“Xing Zizhou and Ke Yan,” Xiao Yingtao replied softly. “Since that is settled, everyone else should rest too. Anything else can be discussed tomorrow.”

“Yes, everyone go and sleep.” Feng Jiu’er waved her hand.

This day, though it had been walked on a knife’s edge, was nothing out of the ordinary.

Even if they were to leave here in one piece, the road ahead was still long. Better to approach it with a clear head.

……

The next day, the moment Feng Jiu’er woke, she received a piece of devastating news.

“What?” She had not yet had time to dress when she stood up, staring at Xing Zizhou who had come through the door. “What did you just say? Say it again!”

Xing Zizhou, who had rushed in in a hurry, raised his head — not daring to look too long.

Xiao Yingtao and Qiao Mu, sleeping on either side, both sat up and began straightening their attire.

Feng Jiu’er glanced down at her own clothing and gave it a casual pull.

“Xing Zizhou, speak.”

At this moment, how she wished she had heard wrong just now.

“Jiu’er, word has come from the Southern Barbarian Fort — last night, over a dozen of their people died. All were old and young who succumbed to poison.”

“They are convinced it was our doing, and they are now actively taking defensive measures to keep us from entering.”

“Furthermore, the Fort Master has said they will find a way to avenge those who died.”

Feng Jiu’er truly wanted to press a hand to her forehead. How could something like this have happened out of nowhere?

“You go out first. I will be out shortly.”

Xing Zizhou inclined his head, turned, and left.

Feng Jiu’er casually grabbed her outer robe and fastened it in a hurry.

All three women inside the tent walked out together.

A number of brothers had already received the news and were gathered nearby.

“Jiu’er, what should we do about this?” Xing Zizhou stepped forward two paces and asked.

Feng Jiu’er swept her gaze over everyone and let out a shallow sigh.

“What matters most is the brothers’ safety. Zhao Yusheng, Qiao Mu, and Xiao Yingtao — each of you take your unit and set up defensive measures.”

“If this location is not safe, we will relocate the camp to a place that is easier to defend.”

“Xing Zizhou, when did this news come?” Feng Jiu turned to Xing Zizhou and asked.

“The moment it was light, the brothers on watch came back to report. Even those inside had only just learned of the situation.” Xing Zizhou replied.

Feng Jiu’er raised her eyes and glanced at the orange-red sun on the horizon, her lovely brows furrowing slightly.

“There is no time to worry about everything. Let us set up defenses first, and I will find a way to make sense of what happened inside.”

“Whoever is stirring up trouble at a time like this — absolutely despicable!”

“Qiao Mu.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Qiao Mu. “You take charge of the defensive work. The brothers’ lives come first, above all else.”

“Yes.” Qiao Mu inclined her head and accepted the order.

Swiftly, she led everyone away, leaving at the scene only Feng Jiu’er, Jian Yi, Xing Zizhou, Long Feiyan, and Xue Gu.

Feng Jiu’er turned to Xing Zizhou and asked quietly: “It was you and Ke Yan keeping watch last night. Did you notice anything out of the ordinary?”

Xing Zizhou furrowed his brow and shook his head. “Everything was normal.”

Feng Jiu’er drew a deep breath and looked around. “Where is Ke Yan? Where is he?”