“Old Five, do you mean…”

Before the Second Company Commander could finish, a strange wind swirled up through the valley.

“Everyone, have you thought it over?” Feng Jiu’er’s low voice came from all directions.

Everyone immediately grew alert, looking around, but no one could find any trace of her.

Not just her — they couldn’t spot a single person at all.

“I have one condition,” the Fifth Company Commander stood up, facing the direction of the giant boulder.

“Speak,” Feng Jiu’er, standing on the mountain, tossed down a single word.

“We can become your puppets, but we cannot clash with our own brothers — at least not in this coming battle. We won’t take part,” the Fifth Company Commander said.

“Just this one battle — that’s fine,” Feng Jiu’er said, drawing her bow and shooting an arrow into the crowd.

With a whoosh, the long arrow embedded itself in the grass in front of the Fifth Company Commander.

The squad leaders all stepped back sharply, except for the Fifth Company Commander, who stood firm.

The Fifth Company Commander looked at the fallen arrow and was about to step forward when a squad leader hurried ahead of him.

“Fifth Company Commander, let me,” the squad leader said, going over and pulling the arrow from the grass.

“There’s a letter on it.”

As the squad leader was removing the letter from the arrow, shouts rose from the soldiers all around.

“The poisonous smoke is coming! The poisonous smoke is really coming!”

“There’s no need to be afraid!” the Second Company Commander looked around and shouted loudly.

“We’ve already come to an agreement with the Princess. For now, no one’s life is in danger.”

The squad leader holding the arrow glanced at the Fifth Company Commander, quickly removed the letter, and handed it over.

The Fifth Company Commander took the letter and unfolded it.

“Old Five, what does it say?” the Second Company Commander, having calmed the soldiers somewhat, leaned in close.

“It’s from the Princess,” the Fifth Company Commander said softly, looking at the letter.

“She says everything will proceed as originally planned, and she’s also prepared food for us, left in the forest to the west.”

“She says she is truly the Feng Daughter — both she and Prince Ye bear the phoenix mark on their bodies, and this is an undeniable fact.”

As the Fifth Company Commander raised his eyes, the white smoke spreading around the valley began gradually closing in toward the center.

The Second Company Commander followed his gaze and looked around as well.

Finally, his eyes returned to the Fifth Company Commander.

“Old Five.” The Second Company Commander called out to him.

“No fear,” the Fifth Company Commander shook his head slightly. “If she truly is the Feng Daughter, then she is indeed the one we ought to follow.”

“If she isn’t, then in the end we can simply return our lives to the Emperor.”

“The Fifth Company Commander is right,” a squad leader stepped forward. “We’ve all seen how good the Princess has been to the common people.”

“Giving the Princess a chance is also giving all of us a chance, isn’t it?”

“At the very least, finding out who we should truly follow would make this life worthwhile!”

“Good! Well said!” the other squad leaders spoke up one after another.

Finally, the Second Company Commander gave the Fifth Company Commander’s shoulder a firm pat and looked toward the soldiers behind them.

“Don’t be afraid, everyone! Sit down and rest well. The white smoke will pass soon, the darkness will pass soon, and we will surely see the light!”

“We will surely see the light!” some of them echoed back.

In an instant, all the soldiers were roused with spirit.

The battle in the valley lasted three days straight, and Feng Rui’s army began to retreat.

As they left, they still had to pass through the stone forest formation that Zhao Yusheng had carefully designed.

As a result, the number of Feng Rui’s soldiers who could actually leave the valley was drastically reduced.

Ten days later, Feng Rui was forced to flee Xizhong City.

Feng Jiu’er’s side successfully captured Xizhong City.

Their next target was Xiyuan City, which bordered the territory of the Feng Xi Kingdom.