“Heh heh…” The Fortress Master tilted his head back and laughed again. “Since when did the young master of the Zhao Family Stronghold become someone else’s personal guard?”

“The heirs of Zhao Yu have never spoken of submitting to anyone—their young master has become the lackey of a little girl? Am I supposed to believe that?”

“Whether you believe it or not, you’d best take a clear look at the facts,” Zhao Yusheng said coldly.

“The situation now is that we have indeed gotten in, and our people will soon be here as well.”

“You’d best agree to Jiu’er’s request and stop entertaining any other ideas!”

The Fortress Master’s smile faded as he looked at Zhao Yusheng, brow lightly furrowed.

“From the look of things now, it’s not impossible that you are the young master of the Zhao Family Stronghold. But since Miss Feng has already turned you down, you have no hope left.”

His gaze returned to Feng Jiu’er, and the Fortress Master reached out again, stroking his beard.

“Miss Feng, tell me honestly—between a green young fellow and a mature, dependable man like myself, which do you prefer?”

Feng Jiu’er pinched her own thigh, smiled faintly, and shook her head.

“My apologies! I only have eyes for a man of true ability—someone like the Ninth Prince.”

“The Ninth Prince? You mean the Ninth Prince of the Bei Mu Kingdom?” Captain Nanmen stared at her, eyes widening.

“Indeed, it’s him.” Feng Jiu’er nodded in response. “Aside from him, for now I have no interest in any other man.”

“Fortress Master.” Captain Nanmen glanced back. “This woman must be out of her mind—she actually likes the Ninth Prince? What else could that be but madness?”

“I’ve also heard that the Ninth Prince is, in truth, the crown prince of the former dynasty, and that he has been biding his time and building his strength solely to restore the Di clan’s empire.”

“Just a few days ago, the Ninth Prince led his troops north—undoubtedly to restore Di rule.”

“A man as valiant and skilled in war as the Ninth Prince is bound to succeed in this campaign. Once he becomes emperor, this woman thinks she’ll be empress? She must be mad!”

The Ninth Prince’s deeds had long since spread far beyond the Bei Mu Kingdom—and given how close this place was to Fenghuang City, it was hardly strange that they knew of such matters.

Had it been before, hearing of Di Wuya’s heroic exploits would certainly have filled Feng Jiu’er with pride.

But now, her feelings were nothing but conflicted.

It was only a moment’s lapse before Feng Jiu’er regained her composure.

“That’s right, I’m only interested in men of true ability.” She looked at the Fortress Master and gave a slight nod.

“Good!” The Fortress Master slapped his thigh, seeming even more excited. “Little girl, I admire your courage.”

“Fortress Master, you mustn’t!” Not just Captain Nanmen, but everyone else rose and spoke in unison.

“Why mustn’t I?” The Fortress Master swept his gaze across the room. “Miss Feng only wants to walk around my fortress a bit—what’s wrong with that?”

“Fortress Master, I do not agree to this!” A man who had stood up came forward into the hall and bowed to the Fortress Master.

“Deputy Fortress Master, go on, why do you disagree?” The Fortress Master waved a hand and asked.

“Our Southern Barbarian Fortress does not welcome outsiders—let alone allow them to tour the entire place?” The Deputy Fortress Master glanced sideways at Feng Jiu’er.

“These three were able to break through our Stone Forest Formation to get in, which shows their abilities are no small matter—all the more reason we should not let them leave.”

“Right, the Deputy Fortress Master is correct,” a man standing near his seat chimed in.

The others, too, spoke in unison once more: “We also do not agree to letting them tour the place.”

“All these years, our Southern Barbarian Fortress has remained free from outside invasion precisely because we’ve kept our secrecy so strict,” the Deputy Fortress Master continued.

“Our Stone Forest Formation has never been broken by anyone—this time, if they hadn’t brought along the young master of the Zhao Family Stronghold, this formation would never have been cracked either.”

The Deputy Fortress Master turned slightly, meeting Zhao Yusheng’s eyes.

“I’ve long heard that the young master of the Zhao Family Stronghold is a master of arcane arts and strange techniques. Seeing it for myself today, the reputation is indeed well-earned.”

“Our Southern Barbarian Fortress and the Zhao Family Stronghold have always kept well clear of each other’s affairs—what exactly does the young master mean by appearing here like this?”

“I’ve already said it—my current role is Jiu’er’s personal guard, so whatever I do has nothing to do with the Zhao Family Stronghold!” Zhao Yusheng replied in a deep voice.

“Oh? Now that is strange.” The Deputy Fortress Master looked at Zhao Yusheng, brow lightly creased.

“You, the young master of the prestigious Zhao Family Stronghold, are actually willing to risk your life for some little girl—if word of this got out, I doubt anyone would believe it.”

“Jiu’er is not a woman to be compared with ordinary ones—please mind how you speak of her!” Zhao Yusheng said sternly.

“What’s more, the Stone Forest Formation has already been broken—our people can enter whenever they please. Do you think it’s still useful to object now?”

“You—” The Deputy Fortress Master glared at Zhao Yusheng. “You think we have only the one Stone Forest Formation?”

“Even if your people truly dare to come in, are you certain they can all leave safely?”

“Report!” Suddenly, a man rushed in in a hurry.

Everyone in the Southern Barbarian Fortress frowned at the sight of the messenger—only the Fortress Master remained at ease, as relaxed as ever.

“What is it?” the Fortress Master asked indifferently.

“Fortress Master.” The man bowed, then lifted his eyes to him. “There are at least two or three hundred people closing in outside. Our Stone Forest Formation—”

The messenger glanced at the figures in black off to the side and seemed to grasp what had happened.

“Fortress Master, our Stone Forest Formation has been breached. The enemy forces got in with ease.”

“No,” Feng Jiu’er cut him off. “For now they hardly count as enemy forces—they’re merely guests who wish to tour your fortress.”

“Fortress Master, they are indeed my people.” Her gaze shifted as she looked at him.

“As I said, if the Fortress Master has no intention of joining us in unifying the Black Canyon, we will simply come in and look around—we will absolutely not harm anyone.”

“Nor will we ever reveal anything about the Southern Barbarian Fortress to outsiders. Please rest assured, Fortress Master.”

“Well then, since they’re already in, they’re our guests now.” The Fortress Master answered Feng Jiu’er gently, still smiling with a touch of malice.

Feng Jiu’er looked at him, rose, and bowed with clasped hands.

“Then I thank the Fortress Master in advance, and hope that in these coming days we won’t disturb the lives of your people.”

“Fortress Master!” The Deputy Fortress Master looked at him, brow knit tight.

“Deputy Fortress Master, it’s fine. Just let Miss Feng and her people look around,” the Fortress Master said, waving a hand at him.

His gaze returned to Feng Jiu’er, and he went on, “However, would Miss Feng be willing to grant me one request?”

“Please, go ahead.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.

“Good.” The Fortress Master waved again. “Miss Feng, please sit and let’s talk.”

“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er bowed once more and sat back down.

“My request is simple. If Miss Feng truly only wishes to look around, I’m happy to allow it—but as for the number of people touring, three at most.”

The Fortress Master’s gaze swept over Zhao Yusheng, his thick brows knitting slightly.

“And this man pretending to be the young master of the Zhao Family Stronghold—I don’t like him. Have him leave.”