After their brief reunion, the group followed the route Zhao Xiao Xiao had described and made their way into the Black Abyss Gang’s territory.
The Black Abyss Gang’s leader proved to be a man of his word — the entire way through, they encountered not a single obstruction.
After half a day’s ride, everyone halted their steps at the foot of a hillside slope.
Before them, countless dark peaks emerged, stretching back endlessly, with no sign of where they ended.
“What they call the Black Mountain Forest is all of this territory here.” Zhao Yusheng gazed into the distance, then turned back to face the group.
“This is the largest stretch of mountain forest in the entire Black Gorge — range upon range of emerald peaks, unbroken and without end. It’s far more than just a single mountain range.”
“From here, heading east, you pass through the Black Abyss Gang’s territory, cross a stretch of uninhabited land, climb over the two highest peaks of the Black Gorge, and reach the domain of Zhao Family Village.”
“These mountain peaks are such a wonder to behold!” Xiao Yingtao stared into the distance, completely dumbstruck.
She was not alone — even Feng Jiu’er was equally awestruck.
Even having known all along that the area was nothing but mountain ranges, the sight before her still far exceeded her expectations.
Feng Jiu’er could find no words to describe this landscape. It seemed to follow no pattern, no rule.
Peak after peak pressed against one another in dense succession — and looking at it all, the scene resembled a masterwork painting by some great artist.
Each stroke of an imagined brush conjured another cluster of tall peaks, their colors shifting gradually from deep to pale, until the furthest reaches faded into mere suggestion.
Yet Feng Jiu’er knew full well that behind those barely visible peaks lay still more mountains beyond counting.
She was indeed searching for mountains — but having so many arrive all at once left her head spinning.
“We have plenty of people. If we split into several teams and sweep through systematically, it really isn’t that difficult.” Qiao Mu pulled her gaze back and offered her suggestion.
“Agreed.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “This mountain range practically fell into our laps — we ought to count ourselves lucky.”
She turned her head to look at Zhao Xiao Xiao, a gentle smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “And of course, all of that is thanks to Xiao Xiao’s efforts.”
“Jiu’er, please stop saying things like that. We’re all friends, and friends should help each other.”
“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er gave Zhao Xiao Xiao a light smile, then turned back to look at the people gathered before her.
“Qiao Mu, Zhao Yusheng, Xing Zizhou, Keyan — have a look and think about how we should divide into teams. How many teams would be appropriate?”
“We could split into more teams. The distance between any two teams won’t be far, and if something sudden comes up, the neighboring teams can provide support.” Qiao Mu said.
“I was thinking the same — the teams can be smaller.” Feng Jiu’er nodded in agreement.
“Myself, Jian Yi, Qiao Mu, Zhao Yusheng, Keyan, Xing Zizhou, and Xiao Yingtao — seven people, each leading a team, all advancing at a steady, uniform pace.”
“That way, we won’t miss any part of the mountain range, and we’ll do as much as possible to keep the brothers safe.”
“I’m going in your team.” Jian Yi’s tone was flat and unyielding, leaving no room for refusal.
Jian Yi was always like this — you might think him willful or unreasonable, but you could never doubt the sincerity of the heart that wanted to protect Feng Jiu’er. Since the day he had leapt off that cliff without a moment’s hesitation, for her sake, everyone had been completely certain of that.
“Jian Yi.” Feng Jiu’er looked at him and gently furrowed her brow.
With one fewer team, the other teams would each have a wider area to cover, which was not ideal for shortening the time needed. But by all appearances, even Feng Jiu’er could not change Jian Yi’s mind.
“It doesn’t matter.” Zhao Xiao Xiao smiled and looked at the two of them. “Jiu’er, I’ll take Jian Yi’s place.”
In Zhao Xiao Xiao’s heart, the team led by Jian Yi would certainly be positioned right alongside Jiu’er’s — which meant there was a chance she and Jian Yi might still get to see each other from time to time.
Feng Jiu’er shot Jian Yi a look, then turned back to Zhao Xiao Xiao and said softly, “That should be up to your brother to decide.”
“Jiu’er, don’t worry — my big brother never keeps tabs on me.” Zhao Xiao Xiao waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll lead a team and stay close to yours.”
Feng Jiu’er looked to Zhao Yusheng. He said nothing. Only then did she nod.
“Alright, then Xiao Xiao leads a team.”
She turned back to face everyone and asked softly, “Does anyone else have any objections?”
Feng Jiu’er’s question was clearly not directed at Jian Yi. After all, even her own words he dared to ignore — asking him would be as good as not asking at all.
“No objections.” Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Good. Then I’ll lead the first team, to guard against the possibility of a surprise attack from the Black Abyss Gang.”
“I’ll take the second team!” Zhao Xiao Xiao immediately called out.
She hadn’t given a thought to what Feng Jiu’er was thinking. All she wanted was to stay as close to Jian Yi as possible.
“Third team, I’ll lead.” Tuoba Keyan, a man of very few words, looked at Feng Jiu’er and gave a nod.
“I’ll take the fourth team.” Xiao Yingtao smiled and agreed.
“Then I’ll take the fifth team.” As Xing Zizhou spoke, he couldn’t help glancing over at Xiao Yingtao.
“And the last team — I’ll handle it.” Zhao Yusheng finally spoke up. “The last team is closest to the Black Abyss, where there are more cliffs. I know the terrain better.”
“That leaves the sixth team — I’ll lead it.” Qiao Mu said quietly.
“Good.” Feng Jiu’er looked around at everyone and nodded once more. “No time to waste — let’s start organizing the groups.”
“Make sure to confirm a gathering point for each night. Ideally, every two teams should camp together — that’s safer.”
“Agreed!” Zhao Xiao Xiao immediately nodded her assent. “Teams one and two pair up, three and four together, five and six together, seven…” She said “seven,” then looked at Zhao Yusheng and paused. “There are only seven teams — the seventh team would be on its own.”
“Jiu’er, I’d like to request that my team join up with Xiao Yingtao’s team at night.” Xing Zizhou knitted his brow slightly.
He knew it was a bold thing to ask, but he could not help himself. He couldn’t be like Jian Yi — always at the side of the person he wished to protect — but at least they could see each other every day.
Xiao Yingtao heard Xing Zizhou’s words and her face immediately flushed.
She glanced sideways at the person beside her and complained, “Xing Zizhou, who ever said they wanted to… meet up with you at night?”
Feng Jiu’er looked at the two of them, and the corners of her mouth curved upward.
Xing Zizhou had always been wholehearted in everything he did. If she couldn’t even grant him a request this small, she would be going too far.
“You two can be a pair then. The first team has me and Jian Yi, so just the two of us at night is fine. As for the second and third teams…”
“Jiu’er.” Zhao Xiao Xiao interrupted Feng Jiu’er’s words.
She drew in a deep breath, aware that she was perhaps being a touch too eager. She immediately gave a light cough and pulled her gaze back.
“No — I only meant that the first team is in the most dangerous position, so our second team really should merge with the first team at night. That would be safer.”
“Teams one and two camp together, four and five together, six and seven together. Team three is in the middle — I can handle it. The position is fairly safe.” Tuoba Keyan said quietly.
“Right.” Zhao Xiao Xiao looked around for a moment before locating Tuoba Keyan.
She looked at him, her eyes full of gratitude.
Tuoba Keyan gave Zhao Xiao Xiao a nod and said nothing more.
“In that case, Keyan’s team gets a few more men assigned to it. That settles things.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.
Everyone dismounted and gathered on a flat stretch of ground to begin assigning duties.