With Feng Jiu’er and Mu Mu now among them, everyone could not help but let out a breath of relief.

“Are you all right?” Feng Jiang held the person in his arms and asked softly.

Qiao Mu looked up at Feng Jiang and gave a faint smile.

“Jiu’er is back. I’m fine — I can still…”

Just as she was about to rise, she found her head beginning to swim. Her legs gave way, and she fell back into Feng Jiang’s arms.

“Don’t move!” Feng Jiang held her and moved swiftly toward the rear of the fighting circle. “You’ve been poisoned. Under no circumstances must you circulate your inner energy right now.”

Within the fighting circle were the injured brothers. The others had formed a ring around them, keeping any venomous creatures from getting through and preventing further harm.

Feng Jiang brought Qiao Mu inside the circle and helped her lie flat on the ground.

“Go help the brothers — there is no need to attend to me.” Qiao Mu clutched the hem of Feng Jiang’s robe, her complexion growing ever paler while her lips darkened to a deep red.

Feng Jiang looked around, then brought his gaze back.

He sealed several of Qiao Mu’s acupoints before finally laying her head down as well.

Qiao Mu stared at Feng Jiang without blinking, curving her lips ever so slightly.

“Just now — thank you.” There were things she feared she would have no more chance to say.

She truly had not expected that death could be so close. She was exhausted now — more exhausted than she had ever been.

“Do not speak! I will bring Jiu’er to you.” Feng Jiang’s brow furrowed, and he rose to his feet.

Then, a body fell from above and struck the ground hard — more precisely, it had been thrown down.

The figure, whose face was left bruised and swollen from the landing, immediately scrambled upright.

The flute sounded, and the venomous creatures immediately retreated. In the blink of an eye, not a single one remained in sight.

Glancing at the fighting circle, Zhan Qingcheng descended from his elevated position and landed steadily before the group.

A dark robe draped over the man’s tall frame — clean, unadorned, perfectly fitted.

His face was devastatingly handsome, the kind one could look at endlessly without ever tiring of the sight.

Deep, expressive eyes, a high and well-defined nose bridge, lips thinner than peach blossoms and lovelier still — beautiful in a way that moved the soul, beautiful in a way that could undo a city.

What was more, the aura of a sovereign that radiated from him — even in his wounded state — could still put people’s hearts at ease.

The title of War God of Bei Mu was not an empty rumor.

Wherever he stood, even if ten thousand enemy soldiers came, the brothers’ expressions would not change.

Today, every single one of them had endured this long on a single conviction alone.

Their Highness would never abandon them — of that, there was not the slightest doubt.

“Great Hero, spare my life!” Looking up at the figure beside him who seemed no less than a divine being, the man holding the short flute fell to his knees with a thud.

“Jiu’er, go see to the brothers’ conditions.” Zhan Qingcheng looked at Feng Jiu’er and instructed.

Only then did Feng Jiu’er pull her gaze away from the man who was her ideal, and turned to make her way toward the brothers.

So many brothers were injured, and she had actually been momentarily dazed over a handsome face — that truly was inexcusable.

Yet as she looked around, she found that nearly every single one of the brothers still had their gazes turned in the direction of her Ninth Imperial Uncle.

One could not exactly call it lovesick admiration — these were all men, after all — but those expressions were unmistakably ones of pure, wholehearted worship.

“Jiu’er, Qiao Mu has been seriously poisoned. Come take a look.” Feng Jiang’s voice reached her.

Feng Jiu’er quickly assessed the brothers’ conditions, then immediately produced her medicine and handed it to Jian Yi nearby.

“Have all the injured brothers each take two pills. I will examine each of them individually shortly.”

“Understood.” Jian Yi took the medicine and passed one vial to Long Yi.

Qiao Mu was indeed badly hurt. Intent on protecting the brothers, she had neglected herself entirely.

When Feng Jiu’er arrived, Feng Jiang helped Qiao Mu sit up and let her lean against him for support.

Though she was a woman, having lived and faced death together made her the same as any brother — no need to think too much of it.

“Qiao Mu, how are you feeling?” Feng Jiu’er sat down beside Qiao Mu.

“Jiu’er.”

Qiao Mu curved her lips faintly and tried to reach out, but Feng Jiang pressed her shoulder down.

“Don’t move!” The warning given, Feng Jiang raised his eyes to look at Feng Jiu’er. “I have sealed several of her acupoints. Jiu’er, take a look — what should be done now?”

Feng Jiu’er wasted no words. She produced a specially prepared medicinal pill and pressed it into Qiao Mu’s mouth.

“Swallow it. Then I will examine your wounds.”

“Water.” Feng Jiang looked outward for a moment. “Brothers, would someone bring some water over?”

“Right away.” One of the brothers nodded and immediately went to fetch a water pouch.

There were too many pills, and Qiao Mu was still struggling to swallow them, finding it rather difficult.

But it was medicine given by Jiu’er — no matter how difficult to get down, she had to swallow it.

With Feng Jiang looking after Qiao Mu, Feng Jiu’er was able to focus on her work.

She helped Qiao Mu remove her boots, which had been bitten through in several places, then with a sharp tearing sound, ripped the leg of her outer trousers open from the hem upward.

Feng Jiang turned his face away. The brother returned with the water pouch.

After taking it and feeding Qiao Mu a sip, Feng Jiang looked at Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, no matter what, Qiao Mu is still a woman. Perhaps we should find somewhere more appropriate—”

“Qiao Mu, are all the wounds on your feet?” Feng Jiu’er’s voice cut Feng Jiang off.

“My waist — the venomous beast scratched my waist as well.” Qiao Mu answered.

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Bear with it a little longer.”

“Now is not a suitable time to move her, Brother. Think of something — I will need to undress your lady shortly.”

Except for that word “lady,” Feng Jiu’er was not joking — and had no time for jokes.

She produced her medicinal powder and immediately began dusting it over the many wounds of various sizes on Qiao Mu’s legs.

Her gaze fell on Qiao Mu’s fair legs, and Feng Jiang found himself unable to look directly.

He lowered Qiao Mu gently, then rose to his feet.

“I have two more packets of medicinal powder here. Bring them to Jian Yi. Any wound left by venomous creature bites or scratches — sprinkle the powder on it for the brothers.”

“Right now, the most serious concern is wounds left by the venomous beasts. If any brother was injured by one of them, make absolutely sure to let me know.”

She placed the two packets of powder in Feng Jiang’s hands and continued applying powder to Qiao Mu’s wounds.

“In three minutes, I must treat Qiao Mu’s waist wound. Whatever you intend to do to block the view, figure it out now.”

Feng Jiu’er was in too much of a hurry to mind her own words.

Time was pressing — it truly could not be delayed any longer.

In ancient times, if a woman’s body were seen by so many people, her reputation would be ruined beyond repair. Feng Jiu’er was not without sympathy.

Feng Jiang was not entirely sure how long “three minutes” amounted to, but he knew clearly that the matter was urgent.

He turned and strode away, and in moments returned carrying several swords and a few outer robes.

By the time Feng Jiu’er had finished tending to Qiao Mu’s foot wounds, Feng Jiang had plunged the swords upright into the soil, draping an outer robe between each pair of blades.

With everything arranged, Feng Jiang turned his back to the makeshift open-air tent and stood guard beside it.

From where she lay, Qiao Mu could still see Feng Jiang’s tall silhouette.

Feng Jiu’er unfastened Qiao Mu’s clothing and found two slashes on the right side of her waist. Her expression immediately turned grave.

“Fortunately, you dodged in time. Otherwise that venomous beast would have had you split in two on the spot.”

The wounds were deep, cutting to the bone. From how closed they appeared, this woman had continued fighting on after sustaining them.

Recalling the scene she had returned to witness, Feng Jiu’er’s hand gripping the short blade tightened, then tightened again.