“This is truly a fine plan.” Zhao Yusheng nodded, the gloom sweeping from his face.

He took the cloth pouch and was about to open it, but Feng Jiu’er shot him a glance.

“Do you want to test the effects of my powder on yourself?”

Zhao Yusheng raised his eyes to meet her gaze and shook his head. “Of course not.”

“I told you the potency is very strong — don’t go opening it carelessly.” Feng Jiu’er’s voice continued.

“Now, we need to see whether the other side is sincerely willing to submit. If they agree to take the Boneless Powder, the rest can be discussed.”

“Understood.” Zhao Yusheng nodded, carefully tying the cloth pouch shut. “Jiu’er, let’s do it this way — I have no objections.”

“However, since Huo Baixue is the general of Mocheng’s army, I think we should also inform her.”

“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er dipped her head in agreement. “I will accompany Baixue alongside you to see this through, so that no mistakes arise.”

“And if they refuse, I will also choose to continue the assault, to leave no future trouble behind.”

“Mm.” Zhao Yusheng fastened the cloth pouch holding the powder at his waist and raised his eyes to look at Feng Jiu’er. “Jiu’er, shall I go and have Huo Baixue come in?”

“Go ahead.” Feng Jiu’er waved her hand dismissively.

Zhao Yusheng turned and left, and before long he led Huo Baixue and Dugu Yezhou in.

Dugu Yezhou had also brought in a small pot of porridge and a small dish of meat, which he set on the table.

“General Feng, the brothers said to set this aside for you.”

“Good, thank you.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and stepped over.

“Jiu’er, just now I already told General Huo your plan, and she has agreed.” Zhao Yusheng came to Feng Jiu’er’s side and stopped.

“Then should we act tonight? If things go smoothly, we begin moving north at first light tomorrow.”

Earlier she had been tending to Jian Yi the entire time, and Feng Jiu’er had not yet had a chance to eat more than a few bites of meat.

Now, looking at a plate of meat cut into small pieces alongside steaming hot porridge, she did not stand on ceremony.

“Yes, we act tonight.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and placed a piece of meat in her mouth. “Go and find out the specific situation inside.”

“If the other party agrees, Baixue and I will make our way over and enter the valley together with you.”

“Good — I’ll go then.” Zhao Yusheng could not wait even a moment longer.

Feng Jiu’er nodded and waved her hand.

Zhao Yusheng departed. Huo Baixue looked at Dugu Yezhou.

“Yezhou, go and see if there is anything Young Master Zhao needs help with.”

“Yes.” Dugu Yezhou nodded and turned to leave.

After the evening meal, Feng Jiu’er, Huo Baixue, and Zhao Yusheng, accompanied by several dozen elite soldiers, rode their horses into the valley.

……

At first light the following morning, the formation set out in full readiness and began moving north.

Feng Jiu’er and Huo Baixue led the elite soldiers, commanding nearly all the horses to press forward at the very front.

Immediately behind them came the troop led by Zhao Yusheng. Joining them on the march was the wounded Jian Yi — besides pressing onward, they were also responsible for transporting provisions and supplies.

At the rear were Nanmeng Rong and Dugu Yezhou, commanding the soldiers as they escorted over a thousand surrendered troops along the road.

With the battle in the north of the city growing critical, Feng Jiu’er dared not slacken even for a moment.

They marched without rest for two days and two nights, and the column led by Feng Jiu’er, following the route Qiao Mu had provided, returned to their own camp.

“Jiu’er, you have finally come back.” Catching sight of the approaching figure, Xiao Yingtao urged her horse forward to meet her.

At that moment, the delight was naturally not Xiao Yingtao’s alone.

Seeing one familiar face after another, Feng Jiu’er felt as though she were looking upon a world she had left behind long ago.

She smiled and dismounted. Before she could even steady herself, Xiao Yingtao, who had just leapt from her own horse, ran over and pulled her into a firm embrace.

“Jiu’er, I… I missed you so much.” In that instant, even Xiao Yingtao’s voice grew a little choked.

Xiao Yingtao held Feng Jiu’er tightly and gave her a few solid pats on the back before finally releasing her.

“You’ve come back.” Meeting Feng Jiu’er’s gaze, Xiao Yingtao blinked, her rosy lips pressing softly together. “Coming back is what matters.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at the young woman who stood nearly the same height as herself, and extended a slender finger to tap the tip of her nose.

“Yes. I’m back.”

“Have someone settle the brothers I’ve brought back with me. Whatever needs to be said, we can talk later.”

“Mm.” Xiao Yingtao nodded vigorously and turned to leave.

Not far away, Qiao Mu, dressed in full battle attire, came galloping toward her on horseback.

When she was still some distance from Feng Jiu’er, she vaulted from the saddle, took a few long strides, and arrived in front of Feng Jiu’er.

Before Feng Jiu’er could say a word, Qiao Mu threw out her long arms and locked her in an embrace.

Then, just like Xiao Yingtao, she gave Feng Jiu’er several hard pats on the back — except that her strength was decidedly no lesser than Xiao Yingtao’s.

“Cough…” Feng Jiu’er nearly found herself pounded flat.

When her body was finally released, Feng Jiu’er raised her eyes and looked at Qiao Mu with a trace of reproach.

“Stop pretending!” Qiao Mu fixed her eyes on her, voice carrying a slightly heavy note. “That much force? What does it even amount to for someone like you?”

Feng Jiu’er furrowed her brow slightly, not forgetting to raise her hand and rub her chest.

“Miss Qiao, you truly have no idea how strong you are. I am nothing more than a frail woman.”

“A frail woman? Someone who dared to walk alone into an enemy encampment of tens of thousands of soldiers — that counts as a frail woman?” Qiao Mu gave Feng Jiu’er a sidelong glance.

Noticing the bloodshot veins in her eyes, Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together and lost all inclination to joke.

“You haven’t rested in days, have you? Even your eyes are swollen.”

“With battles breaking out every day, how does one rest?” Qiao Mu let out a light sigh. “And yet I still failed to hold the line — I let the enemy forces push through.”

Feng Jiu’er gently patted Qiao Mu’s shoulder and said softly, “You have already done very well.”

“The Crown Prince’s forces have been reinforced by another ten thousand men, and everyone has continued to hold the northern city with their lives. Very well done indeed!”

Qiao Mu said nothing. Her gaze drifted toward Huo Baixue, who stood to one side.

“Jiu’er, this person is…”

“Come, let me introduce you.” Feng Jiu’er glanced at Huo Baixue, then turned back to Qiao Mu.

“This is Huo Baixue, daughter of the Lord of Mocheng. That Jian Yi and I were able to return is in no small part thanks to Baixue and her brothers.”

“Baixue, this is Qiao Mu, whom I have mentioned to you before.”

“General Qiao, it is good to meet you.” Huo Baixue gave Qiao Mu a cupped-fist salute.

“General Huo, the pleasure is mine.” Qiao Mu also returned the cupped-fist salute with a look toward Huo Baixue. “From here on, just call me by my name, same as Jiu’er does.”

“Mm.” Huo Baixue nodded. “Qiao Mu — a fine name.”

“Thank you.” Qiao Mu offered Huo Baixue a small smile in return, then let her gaze fall back to Feng Jiu’er. “Jiu’er, you have been talking about me to others?”

“Of course. You are my number one brave general — if not you, then who else would I speak of?” Feng Jiu’er raised a brow. “Come — is there anything to eat? Both Baixue and I are hungry.”

“There certainly is.” Qiao Mu nodded and gestured with her hand. “Baixue, please!”

The three of them walked together toward the center of the encampment. Xiao Yingtao, having finished giving her instructions, hurried after them as well.

Along the way, the brothers who caught sight of Feng Jiu’er were all smiles.

Seeing once again the familiar faces of her brothers, Feng Jiu’er also let a warm smile rise to her own lips.