Midday was the time of day when the sunlight was at its fiercest.

The soldiers guarding the walls of Xiyuan City were left dazed by a flash of light that streaked past.

After a brief moment of dizziness, they came to their senses and went to check, but found nothing at all.

By this time, Feng Jiu’er and the others had already entered within the city walls at different points.

At a quarter past the hour of Shen, the last of the brothers also arrived at the agreed meeting place inside Xiyuan City.

On the town’s only small hill stood an abandoned pavilion.

Xing Zizhou held the map, explaining the geography of Xiyuan City to everyone.

The pavilion sat deep in the hills; looking up from below, it couldn’t be seen at all.

“Jiu’er, we’re now only a mile from Feng Rui’s residence. Look, it’s right here,” Xing Zizhou said, pointing to a spot on the map.

“But according to our scouts’ reports, these past few days Feng Rui has gone almost every day to a place called the Yuelai Inn.”

“The Yuelai Inn is right here.” Xing Zizhou’s long finger traced across the map, pointing to another spot.

He looked up at Feng Jiu’er, then turned to look out over the distance behind them.

“The Yuelai Inn is right at the foot of the hill. I hear it’s a brothel.”

“Has Feng Rui appeared anywhere else?” Feng Jiu’er asked.

Right now, the most important thing was still finding where Young Master Yuan was being held.

If they could get him out, everything else would fall into place.

“Besides his residence and the Yuelai Inn, we haven’t found anything else so far,” Xing Zizhou shook his head.

“Jiu’er, the details will need further investigation before we know more. Since Feng Rui entered the city, the brothers haven’t dared to act rashly.”

“Alright, I understand,” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Have the brothers inside the city hold off on making contact for now.”

“I’ve chosen six locations. Come take a look, everyone — here, here, and here…”

Feng Jiu’er tapped six spots on the map before looking up.

“The thirty of you split into five groups, each watching one of these six locations. The moment you find anything, report to Xing Zizhou immediately.”

“Xing Zizhou will be responsible for gathering information and reporting to me. Jian Yi, Xiao Yingtao, and I will find an inn to stay at first, then look around.”

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er,” the brothers answered in unison.

“Jiu’er, where are you planning to stay?” Xing Zizhou asked.

Feng Jiu’er didn’t think twice — her gaze landed on the location of the Yuelai Inn, and her long finger came down there too.

“Somewhere around here.”

“Everyone must be careful! If something feels wrong, the most important thing is to preserve your life first,” Feng Jiu’er said, looking up again to give this instruction.

“Yes,” the brothers answered together.

In the blink of an eye, the pavilion in the woods returned to silence.

A gentle spring breeze blew past, and beneath the pavilion, nothing remained but a few scattered footprints.

Not long after, a carriage passed along the main street.

Inside the carriage, a married couple sat on one side, and a maidservant sat on the other.

The maidservant lifted the curtain, glanced outside, and turned back with a smile. “Master, Madam, look — it’s so lively out there!”

The Madam lifted the curtain too and glanced outside.

The main street was bustling with carriages and horses — truly lively.

Under normal circumstances, such a busy street being lively would be nothing unusual, but with a great battle imminent, it was rare to see the common people staying so calm.

“Master, Madam, there’s a decent inn up ahead — shall we choose that one?”

The maidservant, looking excited, let go of the window curtain and went to lift the carriage’s door curtain instead.

“Sir, is the inn up ahead any good? It looks quite nice — the Yuelai Inn, and the name’s good too!”