“Old Five, what should we actually do?” The Second Company Commander let out a soft breath and sat down on the grass.

He bent his legs, wrapped his arms around his knees, and stared at the lake, his face full of worry.

If he were alone, he might not have needed to think so much, but now his decision concerned twenty thousand brothers, and he was troubled.

The Fifth Company Commander gently patted his shoulder and said, “Rest a while. Later we’ll see if we can find a way out.”

The Second Company Commander glanced back and nodded slightly. “Alright, that’s settled then.”

Before nightfall, the twenty thousand soldiers gathered once again around the hot spring lake.

Nearby, campfires had been set up, and some soldiers were preparing the evening meal, smoke curling into the air.

The two company commanders and more than twenty squad leaders who had come out from the ranks sat around a fire in the spot closest to the hillside.

“Everyone understands the situation. We don’t have much time left, so let’s vote on whether to stay or go. What do you say?” the Second Company Commander said, looking around at everyone.

“Alright.” “Let’s do that.” “Agreed!”

The more than twenty squad leaders all voted, agreeing to settle it by vote.

The Fifth Company Commander said nothing, which counted as tacit agreement.

“Those who agree to go back to the stone forest and keep searching for a way out, raise your hands,” the Second Company Commander said, raising an eyebrow.

No one doubted Feng Jiu’er’s words — the valley would soon be filled with poisonous smoke, and if they didn’t leave, they would only end up controlled.

But leaving was easier said than done.

The Second Company Commander scanned the crowd once, then again, and finally frowned in disbelief.

“What? Are you all willing to stay and be enslaved by that woman?”

“But what if… she really is the Feng Daughter…” one squad leader raised his eyes, then lowered his head again.

“I once heard my grandfather say…” another squad leader took a deep breath.

“Back then, Prince Ye was the rightful heir apparent. Later, for reasons unknown, he left the palace, and only then did the throne fall into the Emperor’s hands.”

“If this is true, then it’s very likely that Prince Ye is the true Feng Son. A Feng Son produces a Feng Daughter, so this…”

“What the Princess’s people said is also right — killing us would be as easy as turning their hand,” said the squad leader sitting beside the Second Company Commander in a low voice.

“Looking at it this way, the Princess isn’t a bad person.”

“To be honest, maybe it’s because of my father’s influence, but I’ve always respected Prince Ye.” One squad leader held a branch, idly scratching something on the ground.

“If my father were still alive, he would tell me what to do.”

“I respect Prince Ye too,” the Second Company Commander sighed with a click of his tongue.

“But now Prince Ye wants to usurp the throne — that’s an act of great treason!”

The Second Company Commander looked at the squad leaders, one after another hanging their heads in silence, and finally his gaze fell on the Fifth Company Commander.

“Old Five, what’s your decision? You’re the smart one — we’ll go with whatever you say!”

The Fifth Company Commander looked at the Second Company Commander, then at everyone else, and asked, “Is everyone afraid of dying?”

“Not afraid!” one squad leader shook his head.

“Me neither,” the second squad leader shook his head.

“Once you join the army, you should put life and death aside,” the third squad leader said, tossing away the branch in his hand and raising his head.

The rest all looked at the Fifth Company Commander and shook their heads. “We’re not afraid of dying.”

“Good,” the Fifth Company Commander nodded slightly. “I’m not afraid of dying either. But before I die, I want to get one question clear.”

“Who is the true Feng Son? Who is the rightful ruler of the Feng Clan? Is that it?” a squad leader asked in a low voice.

“Yes,” the Fifth Company Commander nodded. “Throughout the generations, it has always been a Feng Son or Feng Daughter who ruled.”

“If the Emperor really isn’t the true Feng Son, then he isn’t worth our lifelong loyalty.”