Feng Jiu’er withdrew her gaze from Xiao Yingtao and looked at everyone.

“Everyone here is a brother. Regarding each person’s upcoming task, you will all come to know one another’s tasks sooner or later.”

“Zhao Zhuosheng, sit back down. Zhao Yusheng trusts you — you are one of us, no distinctions made.”

“Thank you, Jiu’er.” Zhao Zhuosheng, who had stood, clasped his hands in a bow to Feng Jiu’er.

“In truth, I also had some questions about the matter of the letters and came here because of that — I hadn’t expected everyone else to be here as well.”

“Sit and talk.” Feng Jiu’er waved a hand.

Zhao Zhuosheng nodded, turned, and returned to his seat.

“Zhao Yusheng.” Feng Jiu’er’s gaze settled on Zhao Yusheng.

“Jiu’er, what instructions do you have?” Zhao Yusheng asked softly.

“I said before that I am only the Supreme Commander, not an emperor or anything of that sort. Going forward, everyone should simply be as they were before — no need to stand on ceremony in any way.” Feng Jiu’er said.

She had never intended to become an emperor, but now that the Black Canyon had been unified, a national capital absolutely had to be established.

That way, outsiders would not be able to easily enter and cause disruption.

“Zhao Yusheng, is it safe here?” Feng Jiu’er looked at Zhao Yusheng and continued.

“It’s safe.” Zhao Yusheng nodded in reply. “I confirmed it again before coming in.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Then let me be straightforward with all of you — the matter of the letters this time was suggested by Lady Xue.”

“On one hand, for everyone’s safety: she believes that each person’s task should not be known in advance by all.”

“On the other hand, the letters bear my seal — whoever is my person must obey my commands. This you must all be clear on!”

“Jiu’er.” Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiu’er, the furrow between her brows never easing.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Feng Jiu’er turned to glance at Qiao Mu.

“Not just you — including everyone seated here: starting from tomorrow, none of you need to stay by my side.”

“I disagree!” Jian Yi looked at Feng Jiu’er and rose to his feet.

Feng Jiu’er met his gaze, her expression turning serious at once.

“Jian Yi, don’t forget what you said — you said that from now on you would listen to me. I now have a very important task to assign to you, and yet you are unwilling to comply?”

“I must stay by your side!” Jian Yi’s low, weighted voice rang out.

“I know.” Feng Jiu’er drew a deep breath, withdrew her gaze, and waved a hand.

“First read what is written in the letter. Whether I live or die in the imperial city will depend entirely on you and Zhao Yusheng.”

“If you are unwilling to comply, then perhaps this parting will mean we can never meet again in this lifetime.”

Feng Jiu’er did not wish to speak such harsh words, but she understood Jian Yi better than anyone — without laying down harsh words, he would certainly not listen to her.

Military commands that were absolute in weight might carry force with others, but before the great hero Jian Yi, they counted for nothing at all.

“Jiu’er.” Jian Yi furrowed his brows and called softly.

“Jian Yi.” Feng Jiu’er’s voice was even lower than his.

After both their voices fell, the hall went quiet, and the atmosphere turned somewhat tense.

Feng Jiu’er held Jian Yi’s gaze for a moment, then softened her voice: “I will be waiting for you in the imperial city. Do not let me down.”

Shifting her gaze, she looked at Zhao Yusheng: “Zhao Yusheng, the same goes for you — act according to what is written in the letter. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” Zhao Yusheng nodded his acceptance of the command with great seriousness.

“Jiu’er, I, Qiao Mu, said long ago that your affairs are my affairs. You are going to seek revenge — why should I be left here to sit at ease?” Qiao Mu asked in a steady, low voice.

“That’s right.” Feng Jiu’er turned to meet Qiao Mu’s gaze. “My affairs are your affairs.”

“But do you believe this lifetime of mine exists solely for the purpose of revenge?”

Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiu’er, her brows furrowing lightly, momentarily unable to find words.

“Qiao Mu, my affairs are still many. We have worked so hard to reach where we are today — how many promises have we made to the people of the Black Canyon? Have you forgotten all of them?”

“Now that everyone has submitted, before we lead our troops to battle, should the very first priority not be to settle our own home?”

“When I leave, you remain; when Zhao Yusheng leaves, Zhao Zhuosheng stays.”

“The four of you — you and Zhao Zhuosheng, together with Xing Zizhou and Xiao Yingtao — must join forces to hold and defend the territory we have worked so hard to win.”

“If we can return in triumph, this place will be our paradise from here on. And if we are defeated, do we not still need a refuge?”

“Winning territory is no easy matter to begin with, and holding it is even harder. The very first thing we must do after establishing our nation is to build our defensive network.”

“There is still so much to be done ahead. If everyone follows me northward, who will take care of things here?”

Seeing that Qiao Mu still refused to speak, Feng Jiu’er drew a deep breath and softened her voice somewhat: “Don’t worry. I will definitely come back.”

“If you don’t come back, where am I supposed to go to find you?” Qiao Mu was silent for a moment, then asked in a steady, quiet voice.

Feng Jiu’er looked at Qiao Mu at this moment, and she too fell silent.

She was well aware that this person had always wanted to follow at her side, but no matter what, what lay ahead was a personal vendetta — how could she be so selfish?

Zhao Zhuosheng’s feelings for Qiao Mu — she had seen them clearly enough. If Qiao Mu were to marry him, she would certainly be happy.

She already owed Qiao Mu far too much. If in the end she also let her lay down her life for her sake, Feng Jiu’er knew she would be consumed with guilt.

It was not as though she wanted to leave behind such an important left and right hand.

“Could someone like you, Qiao Mu, ever fail to find the person you’re looking for? And if you cannot, Zhao Zhuosheng will certainly help you find them.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at Qiao Mu and Zhao Zhuosheng and smiled faintly.

“Qiao Mu.” Zhao Zhuosheng looked at Qiao Mu and called softly. “Perhaps you might consider following Jiu’er’s arrangement.”

Zhao Zhuosheng’s words were not something Qiao Mu could have failed to hear, but she did not look at him — her gaze remained fixed on Feng Jiu’er.

“You’re worried that…”

“Qiao Mu.” Feng Jiu’er cut off Qiao Mu’s words. “You must stay behind. This is an order!”

Qiao Mu held Feng Jiu’er’s gaze, and after a long, long moment, finally nodded: “All right. I’ll stay. I’ll stay behind.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at Qiao Mu like this, and her heart ached.

If the one going off to risk her life were herself, she too would have tried every means possible to go and help. But this time, she truly could not bring her along.

“The matter is settled then. Does anyone else have questions?” Feng Jiu’er composed herself and withdrew her gaze from Qiao Mu.

She swept her gaze across everyone and let it come to rest on the glistening, tear-filled eyes of Xiao Yingtao.

“Your task is heavier than anyone else’s. This time, we will head north in separate groups — the most important reason being to conceal our identities.”

“If Ye Luocha and his people were to learn that I intend to head north for revenge, my journey would certainly be fraught with one obstacle after another, and I fear that before I even reached the imperial city, I would already…”

“Jiu’er, don’t say any more!” Xiao Yingtao shook her head and lowered it. “I promise. That is enough.”

Except for Feng Jiu’er, no one else likely saw that in the moment Xiao Yingtao lowered her head, her tears had already begun to fall.