“Word just came in — the Crown Prince has at least another ten thousand or more elite soldiers heading south.” Xing Zizhou’s voice carried a note of heaviness.

The moment Xing Zizhou’s words came out, everyone looked at him.

He met Feng Jiu’er’s gaze and added, “The news just arrived. Whether it is fifteen thousand or twenty thousand remains unclear for now. They should arrive within roughly half a month.”

“Jiu’er, since negotiations are not an option, we must bring this to a swift conclusion.”

“Once their reinforcements arrive, breaking out will only become even harder.”

“Does that not mean by then our people will be facing at least two of theirs for every one of ours?” Xiao Yingtao’s crescent-shaped brows knitted tightly.

Xing Zizhou had no wish to see the anxious look in her eyes, yet he could only nod.

“Going by numbers alone, that is indeed the case.”

Feng Jiu’er composed herself and turned to look at Snow Aunt and Tuoba Keyan.

“Snow Aunt, Keyan — do either of you have a good suggestion?”

Tuoba Keyan glanced at Snow Aunt, then let his gaze settle on Feng Jiu’er — but he held his silence.

Seeing that he said nothing, Feng Jiu’er’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Keyan — speak. Earlier, I left without a word and took Jian Yi with me. That was my mistake, and I offer you all my apology here.”

“But as a general, I cannot allow anyone to take unilateral action. I hope you all understand.”

“Speak.” Snow Aunt’s somewhat hoarse voice broke through.

Tuoba Keyan turned to glance back, then composed himself and nodded.

He looked back at Feng Jiu’er and said quietly, “Jiu’er, my godmother and I plan to infiltrate the enemy encampment tonight and eliminate the three thousand soldiers holding their rearmost position.”

“Why specifically the troops at the rear?” Feng Jiu’er did not immediately dismiss Tuoba Keyan’s plan.

She understood very clearly that whatever Snow Aunt had decided upon had certainly been thought through with great care.

As a junior, even if she disagreed, she could not be the first to object.

“The rear is where the enemy keeps their grain stores. If things go smoothly, we will burn down their granary.” Tuoba Keyan explained.

“Moreover, based on our observations, the guard presence at the rear is comparatively weak, which makes it convenient for getting things done.”

“Still, regardless of whether things go smoothly or not, the route back to camp for you and Snow Aunt is a long one, which means the danger only grows.” Feng Jiu’er offered her own assessment.

Snow Aunt, who had remained silent until then, let out a soft cough, and everyone in the tent involuntarily turned their attention to her.

“We have already planned our return route. We will take the mountain paths — it should not pose much of a problem.”

“Snow Aunt.” Feng Jiu’er’s brow furrowed, and she called out softly.

“Jiu’er, rather than sitting here waiting to be struck down, it is better to take the initiative.” Snow Aunt cut Feng Jiu’er off. “Tonight, we intend to cause disruption in more than one part of the enemy encampment.”

“As a precaution, in case the Crown Prince’s forces suddenly launch an assault, Qiao Mu and Jiu’er — each of you will guard one of the entry points tonight.”

“The other two mountain gullies — our brothers are already preparing to set up falling rocks. Anyone who dares to pass through those two narrow gullies will find they can enter but cannot exit.”

“The forest to the right — even its narrowest stretch runs over ten li. If the Crown Prince’s men choose that route to push through, we will burn the forest.”

“Regardless of whether or not the enemy has reinforcements coming, the longer this battle drags on, the more it works against us.”

Snow Aunt withdrew her gaze from Feng Jiu’er and turned her head to look at Tuoba Keyan.

“Keyan, go and make your preparations. Tonight, proceed as planned.”

“Understood.” Without waiting for Feng Jiu’er to speak, Tuoba Keyan nodded, turned, and left.

“Snow Aunt.” Feng Jiu’er still could not set her mind at ease.

Even if the one going to take the risk were herself, she could not bear the thought of seeing those at her side come to harm.

“Jiu’er, let’s follow Snow Aunt’s lead on this matter.” Xing Zizhou’s voice sounded out.

“No one here has Snow Aunt’s wealth of battle experience.”

“Jiu’er.” Snow Aunt looked at Feng Jiu’er, the weight in her gaze unmistakable. “Now that you have come back safely, I can rest easy.”

“Looking at you now, it is like seeing your mother in her younger years. You have both courage and strategy — yet you are still not decisive enough.”

“You must remember: on the battlefield, your mercy is cruelty toward yourself.”

“I do not want you to grow only after something has already happened to you.”

Perhaps remembering something from the past, Snow Aunt’s face carried a deep, full sorrow.

“That kind of blow is far too cruel.” She let out a soft sigh, and her rasping voice continued.

“So, Jiu’er — you must first grow into yourself, so that you can truly protect your brothers. Do not wait until it is too late and then have regrets.”

“Snow Aunt.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Snow Aunt without blinking, a glimmer of silver light stirring in her eyes.

She had meant to go to her, but the leg she had just stepped forward with seemed to stiffen.

What Snow Aunt was speaking of must be something her mother had lived through in those years.

Thinking of the way her mother had looked back then — in agony, as if she wished only to be done with it — Feng Jiu’er felt it as though it were her own pain.

Her heart ached, yet there was no way to give it voice.

Snow Aunt waved her hand, stopping Feng Jiu’er from coming closer.

“Take, for example, your handling of the surrendered soldiers — you must be decisive about it.”

“You must understand: if they can take up their weapons again, they will be pointing those blades at your own people. Do you understand?”

Feng Jiu’er looked at Snow Aunt, drew in a long breath, pressed her lips together, and walked over.

She gently tucked away the few loose strands of hair that had fallen around Snow Aunt’s face, and nodded with great seriousness.

“Snow Aunt, I understand what you have said. From now on, Jiu’er will not allow herself to be soft-hearted again. Only… tonight’s matter…”

Snow Aunt patted Feng Jiu’er’s shoulder, and the tightly pressed line of her lips finally curved into a faint arc.

“I will not let myself come to harm so easily. This place is easy to defend and difficult to attack — hold it firmly, and wait for our return.”

“Snow Aunt, even so, I am still…”

“Enough.” Snow Aunt cut Feng Jiu’er off again. “Keyan and I still have much to arrange.”

“We will not set out until after the hour of Chou. Everyone is here now — let us begin discussing the next stage of the plan. Time is short.”

“Jiu’er, let us proceed according to Snow Aunt’s plan.” Qiao Mu’s voice carried over from not far away.

Feng Jiu’er glanced back at Qiao Mu, then at Huo Baixue, then returned her gaze to Snow Aunt, and finally gave a nod.

“Good. Snow Aunt, tell everyone the specifics of your plan — it will help us prepare the backup support properly.”

“Agreed.” Qiao Mu nodded. “All related arrangements must be properly organized — no reckless action.”

Snow Aunt nodded at everyone, then took Feng Jiu’er’s arm and walked with her toward the center of the tent.

Inside the tent, Snow Aunt stood before the map that Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao had prepared, and went through tonight’s plan in full and meticulous detail with everyone.

Feng Jiu’er, Qiao Mu, Xing Zizhou, Xiao Yingtao, and Huo Baixue all listened with great focus, offering their own opinions from time to time.

The whole deliberation lasted roughly half an hour.

When it was over, everyone filed out of the tent and headed off in different directions.

At three quarters past the hour of Chou — the most still moment of the entire day — two figures in black slipped out from the encampment within the valley and vanished into the mountain forest.