Xing Zizhou nodded, pulled out a map, and spread it across the table.

“My current plan is to split into several routes heading north. The goods will be divided into two portions. Eight teams of people will leave carrying crates, but only two of those teams will actually be carrying any cargo.”

“This way, we can also draw the bandits’ attention in different directions.”

“These are the eight routes I’ve drafted. Have a look and see whether they seem suitable. If anyone has better suggestions, feel free to raise them.”

Xing Zizhou passed the map to the person beside him, and it was passed from hand to hand. In less than two quarters of an hour, everyone present had a general grasp of the routes.

“Dividing into several routes to disperse the bandits’ attention is a good idea. But it also means our own forces will be split up.” Xue Gu’s voice rang out.

“Eight is a bit too many. My recommendation is to cut that number in half.” Feng Jiu’er agreed softly.

“Cut it in half — so we’d still have half a chance?” Xing Zizhou looked at Feng Jiu’er, a slight frown forming.

“No.” Feng Jiu’er met his gaze and shook her head. “Just one route. One team of people, carrying all the goods together.”

“Jiu’er, isn’t that too risky?” Xing Zizhou asked in a low voice.

“Right now, besides our own people, we also have the forces of Zhao Family Stronghold. Even if we run into bandits, it would simply come down to a fight.”

“And besides — out of four possible routes, who besides us would be fortunate enough to guess the right one on the first try?” Feng Jiu’er swept a glance around at everyone, and the corner of her mouth curved slightly.

“What do all of you think?”

The people present discussed it seriously for a while, and then one by one they nodded.

At last, Feng Jiu’er’s gaze settled on Xing Zizhou.

Xing Zizhou looked at her and nodded. “Very well. Since everyone thinks there are no problems, then it’s settled.”

“Routes, numbers, and who’s in charge — let’s confirm those first. There’s no time to lose. Our goods must be transported out safely.”

The one who spoke was Feng Jiu’er.

“Once this meeting breaks up, begin preparations immediately. I need the teams to depart in staggered groups before daylight. Can the timing be managed?”

“It’ll be a bit tight, but it shouldn’t be a problem.” Zhao Yusheng replied.

The companions were already in a state of excitement and ready to set out at any moment. The main concern now was getting the crates and carts prepared.

“Since Zhao Yusheng says it can be done, then so it shall be.” Feng Jiu’er composed herself and stood up. “My mother, Jian Yi, Xiao Yingtao, and I will stay behind.”

“There are still many matters in Zhao Family Stronghold that need attending to. Zhao Yusheng certainly can’t leave.”

“Xing Zizhou leads one team. Qiao Mu leads one. Keyan leads one. The last team — Xue Gu, I’m sorry to trouble you.”

“Yan Dong, Yan Nan, Yan Xi, Yan Bei — one to each team. The various team leaders as well are to be distributed among the teams, supporting the lead person in each.”

“This journey may not go entirely smoothly. Everyone do their best, but keeping your lives comes first.”

“Understood.” Many people answered at once, nodding in agreement.

“If there are no further matters, all of you go and rest.” Feng Jiu’er waved her hand.

“I’ll help get everything in order. When we’re ready to set out, someone will call for everyone. I’ll take care of assigning the numbers of people to each team as well. Go and rest easy.”

“Good.” Xing Zizhou nodded, took Xiao Yingtao’s hand, and said, “Jiu’er, I’m borrowing Xiao Yingtao for a bit. I’ll return her to you shortly.”

“Go ahead.” Feng Jiu’er smiled and waved them off.

Xing Zizhou and Xiao Yingtao departed, and the others filed out one after another.

The journey ahead was not a short one. The better rested they were, the better they could carry out the task.

In the forest behind the mountain, near the cliff’s edge, the cry of a crow rang out here and there — a desolate and eerie sound.

A man dressed in black melted into the trees and in an instant was gone from sight.

Before long, his figure reappeared at the cliff’s edge.

In his hand, there was now a bird.

The man raised his arm and flung the bird into the air.

Suddenly, a wave of cold air came surging in from all directions. The man’s brow — the part of his face not covered by a mask — creased sharply. He drew his sword at once and spun around.

Feng Jiu’er and Jian Yi appeared before him almost simultaneously.

And beyond that, the anguished shriek of a bird sounded from behind the man.

His brow furrowed, yet he did not say a single word.

“Jiu’er.” Qiao Mu retrieved the bird she had shot down and came back.

In an instant, Long Fei Yan and Xue Gu appeared to the left and right of the masked figure in black.

The man in black stared unblinking at Feng Jiu’er for a moment, then suddenly raised his long sword and advanced on her.

“Jiu’er, watch out!”

Before Jian Yi could make his move, Feng Jiu’er moved at extraordinary speed to meet him.

No one expected that the approaching man had no intention of fleeing. Like someone coming to throw his life away, he abruptly withdrew his sword and used his own body to block the blow from Feng Jiu’er’s blade.

A sharp whistle of steel through the air — and Feng Jiu’er’s long sword pierced into the man in black’s body.

“Why… why didn’t you evade?” Feng Jiu’er’s brow was tightly knit as she asked.

The man in black swayed, then steadied himself.

He raised his hand, reached up, and pulled the mask from his face.

That pale face — if it was not Tuoba Keyan, then who else could it be?

The corner of his bloodstained mouth curved with great effort. “Since heaven itself moves to destroy me, I would sooner die on your blade.”

Tuoba Keyan’s brow creased slightly. His hand closed around the length of sword buried in his body, and with force, he pulled it free.

Once Feng Jiu’er’s sword had left his body, he sank to one knee.

“Why was it you?” Feng Jiu’er drew a slow, deep breath, yet still could not quiet the turmoil in her heart.

Tuoba Keyan pressed his hand to the wound over his chest, lifting his gaze to the woman standing before him. “Jiu’er, when did you first begin to suspect me?”

Zhao Yusheng came rushing up in haste, sword in hand, pointing it directly at Tuoba Keyan.

He stared at Tuoba Keyan with eyes that could have killed. “Worthless wretch! Why did you hurt my sister?”

“He did not hurt Xiaoxiao. He only staged a performance.” Feng Jiu’er’s voice was low and heavy.

They had lived and died together — that made them brothers. So why did he have to do something like this?

Zhao Yusheng turned to look at Feng Jiu’er and asked quietly, “Jiu’er, is what you’re saying true?”

“Yes, I confirmed it.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.

She closed her eyes, drew a slow breath, then gradually opened them again, her gaze settling on the dying Tuoba Keyan.

“You colluded with Feng Qingyin and caused our companions to suffer heavy casualties. To slow our progress, you went so far as to arrange the poisoning and murder of eleven lives from the Liang family of Southern Barbarian Fortress.”

“In order to become Zhao Family Stronghold’s son-in-law and take control of it, you had people abduct Xiaoxiao and staged an elaborate act of suffering for all of us to witness.”

“Everything you did was for one purpose — revenge, and the restoration of your kingdom. Isn’t that right?”

“I hate Bei Mu Nation. I hate every last person in Bei Mu Nation to the bone!” Tuoba Keyan replied in a deep, resolute voice.

“No.” Feng Jiu’er cut him off. “You were meant to be a kind person. You should not have let hatred blind your eyes.”

“Your mother’s death was caused by people of Bei Mu Nation. You can seek vengeance against that person. Everyone else is innocent.”

“Keyan, you could have become a good man. Why must you be so obstinate and unrepentant?”