Back at the war camp, Feng Jiu’er immediately sent a return letter to Zhan Yuheng.

But before the messenger bird could clear the high mountains, it was shot down.

After waiting several hours with no sign of her bird returning, Feng Jiu’er donned her battle armor, lifted the tent flap, and stepped outside.

The following morning, the clear, resonant sound of war horns rang out.

Both sides, having made their full preparations, swiftly fell into fierce and intense combat.

Due to the terrain, even though Zhan Yuheng’s forces outnumbered Feng Jiu’er’s, breaking through to attack was no simple matter.

The battle raged for a full three days and three nights, and still both sides remained locked in stalemate.

When the fires of war finally subsided, both sides were granted a moment to catch their breath.

Inside the tent, Qiao Mu finished his report and picked up his teacup, draining every drop in one long swallow.

“Jiu’er, if the situation continues like this, it will be extremely unfavorable for us.” Xiao Yingtao said softly.

Unfavorable indeed — although the enemy could not break through, after three days of battle, the casualties on both sides were roughly equivalent. For the side with fewer numbers, that was by no means good news.

“The Crown Prince’s reinforcements have already reached the border between Ding City, Mo City, and Yamu City. Mo City’s five thousand soldiers are currently engaged in delaying them.” Huo Baixue’s voice rang out.

“By the count, Xing Zizou should have arrived by now as well.” Xiao Yingtao pressed her lips together, her tone dropping a shade.

Feng Jiu’er knew full well that this particular journey — Xing Zizou departing alone with Zhan Yuheng’s command token — was extraordinarily dangerous.

But she could not leave at this moment, and so she had had no choice but to send Xing Zizou to take that risk.

Seeing the exhaustion written across everyone’s faces, Feng Jiu’er rose to her feet and waved her hand.

“Let’s end the meeting here. Everyone go back and rest.”

“Jiu’er.” Xiao Yingtao shot to her feet.

“Don’t worry. With you here, Xing Zizou will come back safely.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Xiao Yingtao and let the corners of her lips curve slightly.

She said nothing further, turned, and left.

Xiao Yingtao wanted to go after her, but was called to a halt by Xuegu.

“Let her go. With so many brothers dead and injured, it is not easy for her either.” Xuegu let out a faint sigh and rose to her feet as well.

“Since Jiu’er has asked everyone to rest, let’s all go rest. Dawn is nearly here, and no one knows whether the enemy forces will attack again once daylight comes.”

With those words, Xuegu turned and walked away.

Feng Jiu’er had just reached the entrance of her own tent and was lifting the flap when Xuegu caught up with her.

Sensing someone approaching from behind, she turned and glanced at Xuegu.

“Xuegu — is something the matter?”

Xuegu stepped past Feng Jiu’er and walked into the tent.

“Come in. Let me check your condition.”

Watching the retreating figure enter, Feng Jiu’er’s brow furrowed, and she stepped inside to follow.

“Xuegu, I’m fine. And right now I can’t allow myself to fall into too deep a sleep — if I drift off again and can’t wake, what will become of the brothers?”

Feng Jiu’er removed her battle garment, set it to one side, and looked at Xuegu.

“If you carry on like this — never sleeping, never resting — there will come a day you collapse. And when that day comes, what will become of the brothers?”

Xuegu shook her head and turned, taking Feng Jiu’er’s hand in hers.

Without giving Feng Jiu’er a say in the matter, Xuegu led her to the mat beside the bed and sat down.

Seated on the mat across from Xuegu, Feng Jiu’er looked at the woman facing her and furrowed her brow slightly.

“Xuegu, I can’t — if I…”

Xuegu paid Feng Jiu’er’s words no mind, picked up her hand, and began channeling her own true energy from within her body into Feng Jiu’er’s.

“Xuegu…” Feng Jiu’er frowned and moved to withdraw her hands.

“I’m only checking your condition — go ahead and rest a while.” Xuegu cut off Feng Jiu’er’s words.

Feng Jiu’er drew in a long breath and closed her eyes.

When Jian Yi lifted the tent flap and stepped inside, Feng Jiu’er was already fast asleep on the bed.

He glanced at Xuegu. Xuegu rose, and together they walked out.

After the two of them had entered another tent, Jian Yi came to a stop.

“Do you truly have a method to allow me to channel my energy in a short period of time?” Jian Yi’s voice rang through the tent.

“Yes.” Xuegu nodded in reply. “However, this method will cause significant harm to your body. I believe Jiu’er would not agree to it.”

“No matter. What I owe her — I could not repay in one lifetime.” Jian Yi turned to look at the woman before him. “Let us begin.”

Xuegu gave him a look, walked over to pour a cup of tea, and took a sip.

“You need to be certain — trading a lifetime’s worth of inner energy for a temporary recovery — is it truly worth it?”

“And you intend to infiltrate an enemy camp of tens of thousands to assassinate Zhan Yuheng. Even if you were uninjured, it would not be a simple undertaking.”

“If you fall into Zhan Yuheng’s hands and Feng Jiu’er devises a plan to come to your rescue — if it truly reaches that point, you will have implicated everyone.”

“Don’t worry — I will not let that happen.” Jian Yi’s brow tightened, his voice firm.

Meeting his unwavering gaze, Xuegu shook her head.

“Since you have already decided, I will help you.”

“I have my own reasons as well. Jiu’er still has much to accomplish — she cannot die here.”

“But if Zhan Yuheng’s army truly breaks through, no one can guarantee anything.”

“Xuegu, this is my own decision. It has nothing to do with anyone else.” Jian Yi stepped forward and sat down on the mat. “Let us begin.”

Xuegu took another sip of tea, set down the cup, and turned to face him.

She sat down behind Jian Yi, extended both hands, and pressed them against the vital point on his back.

“If you manage to escape with your life, go to the Southern Frontier. There is a mountain there called Heavenly God Mountain. Upon that mountain is a pool of water that can help you restore your inner energy.”

“The land of the Southern Frontier is not one that can be entered at will, but go and try regardless — perhaps it is truly possible.”

“Understood.” Jian Yi dipped his head and closed his eyes.

“If you truly feel that what you owe Jiu’er is a debt that cannot be repaid in one lifetime — then don’t let this lifetime be too short.”

With those words, Xuegu closed her eyes as well.

The war had barely subsided, and both sides were in the midst of an anxious recovery.

Feng Jiu’er rested for two hours before waking.

She dared not allow herself a moment of complacency. Mounting her horse, she rode from one encampment to the next to assess the situation.

In the blink of an eye, dusk had arrived.

The sun had barely slipped from view when a figure in black slipped out from the war camp and disappeared into the forest.

By the time Jian Yi reached the enemy’s military encampment, it was already a quarter past the Hour of Hai.

Another shadow in black stood atop a high mountain, gaze fixed upon the enemy camp below.

Having swept through Xiao Yingtao’s tent and taken every vial of medicinal powder, Jian Yi moved in silence around the perimeter of Zhan Yuheng’s camp.

Wherever he passed, he scattered medicinal powder without exception.

The soldiers on patrol breathed in the powder and gradually grew powerless.

In less than half a quarter-hour, the perimeter of Zhan Yuheng’s military encampment began to show signs of stirring.

“Quick! Report to His Highness the Crown Prince — someone has infiltrated the camp!” The soldier who had fallen managed to get out those words before losing consciousness entirely.

“Understood.” The soldier who had rushed over gave a nod, turned to leave — and before he had gone far, his legs gave way beneath him and he too collapsed.

The medicinal powder was colorless and odorless, drifting in all directions, leaving the soldiers with little chance to ward it off.