“After leaving the breeding grounds, if you don’t want to pass through the Great Poison Circle, I’ve also found another route.”

Having roughly sketched out the route, Zhao Yusheng straightened up and looked at Feng Jiu’er again.

“Going around the Great Poison Circle isn’t impossible, but it would take at least three times as long. The longer we take, the greater the chance of pursuit catching up to us.”

“These two routes — everyone can take a look and decide how to choose.”

Feng Jiu’er glanced at Zhan Qingcheng, who had appeared at some unknown moment, then looked around at everyone.

“The longer we linger in the Feng Clan’s territory, the more unknowns there will be.”

“So I suggest we stick to the original plan and pass through the Great Poison Circle to save some time.”

What Feng Jiu’er was most worried about right now was still Phoenix City, and the safety of the people inside.

Whether the Eighth Prince had mobilized troops on his own initiative, or whether it was the Emperor’s arrangement, one thing was certain — they had already confirmed that the Ninth Prince had left Bei Mu Nation.

There were so many people still waiting in Phoenix City. Every moment of delay right now was torment for them.

“I agree with Jiu’er’s suggestion.” Qiao Mu was the first to voice her opinion. “Since those are all just legends, it might not even be the case.”

“Wasn’t it said that the Eighth Prince is going to attack Phoenix City? How can anyone just attack the Ninth Prince’s domain whenever they please?”

“Phoenix City is going to be attacked?” Zhao Yusheng raised his eyes to look at Qiao Mu, his face filled with surprise.

Phoenix City was not unfamiliar to Zhao Yusheng.

Moreover, it was the city belonging to the Ninth Prince, whom he respected most — he would not claim indifference.

By now, everyone had already accepted the fact that Zhan Qingcheng was Jiu Qing, and of course they all understood clearly just what this meant.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er gave Zhao Yusheng an affirmative answer.

“Then shall we…” Tilting his head to look at Zhan Qingcheng, Zhao Yusheng continued, “Shall we still choose the original route?”

“We can afford to spend some time, but the people of Phoenix City can’t wait any longer. Qiao Mu is right — for now, we can only take it one step at a time.”

Seeing that Zhan Qingcheng was still hesitating, Long Eleven said, “My lord, the brothers’ choice will certainly be the same as Miss Jiu’er’s.”

“That’s right.” Long Yi nodded. “Phoenix City is in danger — who wouldn’t want to go back as soon as possible? A mere poisonous creature is nothing at all!”

Feng Jiu’er watched Zhan Qingcheng without blinking, waiting only for him to speak.

In the end, Zhan Qingcheng gave a nod, his gaze settling on Feng Jiu’er.

“Go see what needs to be prepared, and set out immediately once everything is ready.”

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er met his gaze, pressed her lips together, and gave a small nod.

Shifting her gaze, she looked at the others nearby. “Qiao Mu, Xue Gu, and Jian Yi — all of you, come and help.”

Feng Jiu’er departed, and Qiao Mu, Xue Gu, and Jian Yi all followed.

Zhan Qingcheng looked at Long Yi and said in a low voice, “The specific route — is everyone clear on it?”

“My lord, before you all arrived, the brothers had already gone over the route.” Long Yi nodded in response.

“Good. If I haven’t returned before we set out, you lead the brothers to escort everyone away.” Zhan Qingcheng’s low, deep voice sounded again.

“Yes, my lord.” Long Yi nodded and accepted the order.

Sweeping a glance over the map, Zhan Qingcheng’s gaze fell on Zhao Yusheng.

Zhao Yusheng met his eyes, and immediately became a little shy.

In the presence of the War God Prince he admired most, he could not help but admit he was genuinely a little nervous.

“Ni— my lord, do you have any instructions?”

“You, come with me.” Dropping those words, Zhan Qingcheng strode out.

Mu Mu, who had been standing to one side without saying a word this whole time, raised an eyebrow and moved to follow.

But he had only taken two steps when Zhan Qingcheng’s voice drifted back.

“You stay, and look after her.”

Mu Mu’s thick brows furrowed, but in the end he stopped walking.

With the help of many hands, Feng Jiu’er sorted through all the medicinal herbs they could use and brought them along.

Just before dawn began to break, the group entered what everyone referred to as the poison breeding grounds.

Called a breeding ground, Feng Jiu’er had not imagined it would turn out to be an open area.

At the entrance, there were still many wooden crates and wooden huts of varying sizes, most likely used for the breeding operation.

After passing through a long stretch bearing traces of human activity, the surroundings gradually grew wilder.

Farther west, what passed for a path ceased to be a path, leaving only a forest of trees stretching as far as the eye could see — virtually no footprints, let alone a proper road.

“Strange, how come there’s neither anyone here nor any poisonous creatures?” Having walked for most of the day, Long Eleven finally could not hold back any longer.

“Before this, had any of you come inside?” Feng Jiu’er asked.

“Yes.” Long Eleven nodded. “Before, even at night, there were occasionally people moving about.”

“When Long Yi and I sneaked in, there were snakes and scorpions all around, and even some insects we couldn’t name.”

“Could it be that these creatures fear the light, and once the sun comes out, they all go into hiding?”

Long Eleven shook his head, truly unable to figure it out.

Throughout the entire group, only Feng Li was seated on horseback.

To avoid drawing attention, the brothers had hidden some of the horses in the deep mountains over the past few days — they could still be put to use if necessary.

Passing through the breeding grounds, of course they could not boldly gallop on horseback.

Everyone knew that Zhao Yusheng had tampered with things inside the breeding grounds, but the journey had gone so smoothly the whole way that Long Eleven still felt uneasy.

Feng Jiu’er occasionally swept her gaze over the treetops around her, then quickly and naturally drew her eyes back, continuing onward.

“Where exactly did the Ninth Imperial Uncle and Zhao Yusheng go?” Feng Jiu’er’s voice rang out.

“I don’t know either — my lord didn’t say before he left.” Long Eleven replied.

Mu Mu and Long Yi were leading the way at the front, followed immediately by Feng Jiu’er and Long Eleven.

At the rear was Feng Li, seated on horseback, with Xue Gu walking alongside him — brothers stood guard on both sides.

Bringing up the very end were Jian Yi and Qiao Mu, both of whom remained alert to everything in all directions, not daring to relax for even a moment.

The group continued forward. They walked for a full day, and aside from the antidote everyone had taken at the start, the other medicines had not been needed at all.

Just as dusk was approaching, they finally emerged from the forest.

Ahead lay a stretch of flat grassland, surrounded on all sides by towering mountains — even ahead lay mountains as far as the eye could see.

“Everyone rest for a while.” Long Yi stopped and looked back at the group.

The column came to a halt, and people quickly began to organize food and water.

Having walked for nearly six consecutive hours through pathless terrain, everyone’s aching legs could not be ignored.

To avoid being easily detected, no one moved completely out of the forest — they all sat resting beneath the trees.

“Father, how are you feeling?” Feng Jiu’er brought dried rations and water to Feng Li and asked quietly.

“Your father here didn’t even need to walk on his own two feet — how could I be tired?” Feng Li took the water pouch, twisted it open, and drank a mouthful.

Looking at her father in this state, Feng Jiu’er felt a pang of sadness.

“Father.” She sat down beside him and called out affectionately. “Do you still think of Mother?”

“Once we return to Bei Mu Nation, let’s go find her — alright?”