The four men, some fat, some thin, all with thuggish faces, were startled at the sight of Feng Miaojun. After being stunned for several breaths, one finally said: “Keep the woman, kill the man, and throw him in the river!”

Chen Dachang, who was following behind Feng Miaojun, had a face now filled with murderous intent. However, Feng Miaojun waved her hand: “Why kill anyone? Would it not suffice to give you all our money?”

The men exchanged glances and burst into laughter: “What use is money?” With the Wei army about to attack the city, even if they owned mountains of gold and silver, wouldn’t they still be waiting for death?

Chen Dachang cracked his finger joints, making a popping sound. Feng Miaojun saw the cruelty and viciousness in these men’s faces and snapped her fingers: “Kill them.”

Though young in age, she was experienced at reading people’s hearts. With catastrophe looming over the city and law and order breaking down, these fellows were simply looking to vent their urges. Whether in her previous life or current one, such opportunistic thugs were never in short supply.

Chen Dachang stepped forward.

In a battle between a cultivator and ordinary people, the outcome was without suspense. All four had their necks twisted and were thrown into the river to feed the fish.

Chen Dachang was still radiating killing intent when he suddenly turned his head toward the street corner: “There’s another one over there.”

“Don’t mind him,” Feng Miaojun said without looking back. “Let’s go. I know who that is.”

That person had been sitting on the first floor of Shundongfeng, followed her after seeing her, and tracked her all the way here. He was handsome with refined features, a rare gentleman of elegant bearing.

He recognized her, and she recognized him. This was the great-great-grandson of Grand Tutor Lu, Lu Ping, who had once served as Yao’s envoy to New Xia but had also been impersonated by Yun Ya.

Lu Ping had seen her in the New Xia royal palace and certainly wouldn’t misidentify Feng Miaojun.

But this person need not be killed.

Yan Kingdom’s Prince Zhao Yun entered the palace for an audience, heavily escorted by Yao troops.

The Yao royal court, established for many years, had never encountered such an awkward situation: after the catastrophic events in the Imperial Garden where both the king and crown prince had died, it could no longer serve as a royal palace. Yet the Yao royal court couldn’t move back to the Golden City for operations—

Only those with Miao family bloodlines could activate this treasure. After Miao Fengxian’s death, the Golden Chamber had reverted to the size of a snuff bottle. Unable to receive any effective commands, it naturally couldn’t transform back into that exquisite golden palace with its unparalleled defensive capabilities.

Therefore, the Yao royal court had to temporarily designate another royal property, Yanhu Villa, as the palace. This place was less than a third the size of the Imperial Garden, but its concentrated buildings made it easier to manage.

Although the grounds had been meticulously maintained, Zhao Yun, upon entering, still detected an air of decay, as if even the flowering trees had lost their spirit.

When a kingdom totters, even plants, and trees share in the grief.

With a powerful enemy at their doorstep, this once-mighty nation had already lost its will to fight. He couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

The Crown Prince’s consort and several senior ministers of the court jointly received the Yan prince—this was the highest level of reception in diplomatic affairs.

That beautiful Crown Prince’s consort was dressed all in black, her eyes still somewhat swollen, looking pitifully lovely. Zhao Yun knew she was a Jin Kingdom princess and the Yao Crown Prince’s consort—both identities were highly prestigious—so his expression was especially solemn: “Please accept my condolences, Your Highness.”

He went to the mourning hall to pay respects to the deceased. Two coffins rested there, containing what had once been the two most revered figures in the entire Yao Kingdom.

Now, they merely awaited returning to dust alongside the plants and trees.

After completing the formal ceremonies and returning to the main hall, Zhao Yun addressed the Crown Prince’s consort and the assembled ministers: “The Wei bandits will soon be upon us. What are your plans?”

Everyone remained silent, save for a few military commanders who glared fiercely: “We fight to the death!”

Zhao Rushan coldly declared: “If Xiao Yan wants to swallow Yinzi City, he’ll have to choke halfway to death first!”

“Your loyalty and courage are admirable,” Zhao Yun applauded. “In this way, the land of Yao and the royal bloodline will surely be preserved.”

What did he mean? It sounded like sarcasm, but the Yan prince had no reason to travel thousands of li just to mock Yao officials.

Princess Hanyue raised her delicate eyebrows: “If the Yan prince has something to say, please speak!”

Her character had always been straightforward, and even after recent calamities, this hadn’t changed much.

Before speaking, Zhao Yun first looked around at his surroundings.

Princess Hanyue lifted her chin slightly: “Nineteenth Prince, please speak freely.”

This meant that all nearby were trustworthy. So Zhao Yun spoke earnestly: “I come with my father’s instructions to bring good news to the Yao Kingdom. The war between Yan and Xi is nearing its end, and our army will soon be free to deal with Wei. When that time comes, Yan and Yao will launch a joint attack, squeezing Wei from both sides, surely throwing them into disarray!”

This news stirred everyone who heard it. Zhao Rushan’s face was grave: “Has the Yan army taken Xi Kingdom’s new capital?” The Xi King had fled westward under the pretext of relocating his capital. Though this action seemed spineless, it had effectively avoided confrontation with the Yan army. The Yao people had thought he could hold out for at least a few more days.

“Soon,” Zhao Yun said with complete confidence. “Our army has already advanced to Laodan Mountain, less than two hundred li from his so-called ‘capital.’ The Xi King’s authority is already in tatters; no one is willing to die for him anymore. Destroying him will be as easy as turning over one’s palm!”

So the Yan army had already penetrated deep into Xi Kingdom’s western mountains. Princess Hanyue, unfamiliar with military affairs, asked: “Will the Xi King not flee again?”

“Our army has divided into three routes to encircle him—otherwise, why would we have spent so much time?” Zhao Yun spoke with full confidence. “He cannot escape.”

“So, your suggestion is…?” Princess Hanyue, being of royal blood, could understand this much, “That we should hold out to the bitter end?”

The Wei King had issued a death threat to the Yao Kingdom: if they didn’t surrender within four days, he would massacre the city.

The Yao royal court had debated this matter. When one’s own life and family were at stake, face and dignity seemed no longer immovably important. However, the Yao people were by nature hot-blooded, and the voices advocating fighting to the death were louder in court.

Zhao Rushan had even privately confirmed with the Crown Prince’s consort the need to prevent anyone else from betraying and surrendering the city, collaborating with Wei from within.

“Yes!” Zhao Yun declared decisively.

“How long must we hold the Wei army?” Zhao Rushan, befitting his role as a military commander, immediately identified the Yao people’s function.

“At most thirty-five days,” Zhao Yun said firmly. “Within thirty-five days, we will launch a powerful attack on Wei, forcing them to release their grip on Yinzi City.”

Thirty-five days!

Several elder ministers exchanged glances, their expressions shifting. The Wei army was already less than a hundred li away. Even if the Yao people fought desperately to block them, they would arrive in three days at most. According to Zhao Yun, Yinzi City would have to withstand the Wei army’s attack for a full month.

“Yinzi City has been built up over more than a hundred years, its defenses are solid, and I presume its food reserves are plentiful. The city doesn’t lack water sources either. Under the arrangements of you gentlemen, holding out for a month shouldn’t be a problem.” Zhao Yun himself served as a military officer with achievements to his name. He knew that when a city was fortified, well-supplied, and properly defended, situations where a siege lasted one or two months without the city falling were common. Yinzi City met all these conditions, which was why Xiao Yan had issued the massacre warning, hoping to subdue the Yao forces without a fight.