Feng Jiu’er came to stand beside Di Wu Ya, placing both hands on the railing, gazing at the coastline with a faint sigh.

“But we’re out at sea right now—we have plenty of brothers, but not much food left. Even though there’s fish and shrimp in the sea, we don’t really have any advantage there.”

“If we keep dragging this out, we’re the ones who’ll suffer for it.”

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together and turned to look at Xing Zizhou.

“Xing Zizhou, prepare a small boat. We need to go find an entrance, but not everyone should go together—we don’t want our ship damaged again.”

“Alright, I’ll go prepare now.” Xing Zizhou bowed his head and turned to leave.

Feng Jiu’er’s gaze shifted, landing on Zhao Yusheng.

“Zhao Yusheng, study the coastline carefully. Later, you’ll be in charge of leading the way—I’ll go along to scout the route too.”

“Understood.” Zhao Yusheng bowed his head and turned toward the cabin.

“My lord, Miss Jiu’er.” Yu Jingfeng looked at the two standing at the center, clasping his hands in salute.

“I intend to take a few brothers and go in by small boat to check the situation.”

Di Wu Ya waved his hand, saying nothing.

Yu Jingfeng bowed his head and turned to leave.

Feng Jiu’er turned to Di Wu Ya, asking softly, “Ninth Imperial Uncle, with our thirty ships approaching, the people inside must already know about us.”

“If Yu Jingfeng goes in now, will he be in danger?”

“No need to worry. He has his own ways.” Di Wu Ya took Feng Jiu’er’s hand and began walking forward.

Xiao Yingtao looked at Jian Yi, then at Qiao Mu, and said softly, “Qiao Mu, go change into something dry first, don’t catch a chill.”

“Alright.” Qiao Mu nodded and left as well.

Soon, the deck cleared out, everyone going off to their own tasks, leaving only Jian Yi standing alone at the bow, gazing at the Feng clan’s coastline.

Before nightfall, everyone gathered again in Feng Jiu’er’s cabin.

By then, Yu Jingfeng, who had gone in with some brothers to gather information, had also returned.

“Yu Jingfeng, how did it go?” Feng Jiu’er stood up as he entered.

“My lord, Miss Jiu’er.” Yu Jingfeng came before Feng Jiu’er and stopped.

“It’s not good. There are many people lying in ambush around Black Pool Lake. I even went into the city to gather some information—it’s as if they already knew we were coming.”

“More than half a month ago, the entire city was producing arrows—not just ordinary arrows for battle, but wooden arrows fitted with torches.”

“Torch-fitted wooden arrows?” Feng Jiu’er frowned, sitting back down in her seat.

“That’s right.” Yu Jingfeng nodded. “I heard this personally—there’s no mistake.”

“I believe all of this was prepared specifically for us.”

“My lord, Miss Jiu’er, if we really do approach by ship, and they attack us with flaming arrows, our ships won’t survive.”

“At that point, the brothers will have no choice but to swim ashore, but unfortunately, not many of our Beimu men know how to swim well.”

“If all the brothers end up in the water, forget about fighting—we won’t even have a chance to engage.”

“Among our brothers, those skilled in swimming truly are few.” Zhao Yusheng frowned slightly.

“Then what should we do?” Xiao Yingtao stood up anxiously. “Today we searched many places, and every single one had a city wall.”

“Even the place you all went ashore last time has had a wall built around it now.”

“We’ve already traveled several miles back and forth, and haven’t found a single gap anywhere.” Yu Jingfeng looked at Feng Jiu’er, his expression somewhat grave.

Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Xiao Yingtao is right. We’ve searched for a long while and still haven’t found a suitable path.”

“What’s more, our ships aren’t faster than horses on land—even if we found a way in, the guards stationed there would have already relocated by the time we arrived.”

“If they use fire against us, just as Yu Jingfeng said, the situation isn’t promising either.”

“If the ships can’t get close, we could wait for low tide and slip in quietly.” Qiao Mu suggested in a low voice.

“I’ve thought of Qiao Mu’s idea too, and I’ve already tried it.” Yu Jingfeng’s voice rose.

“And how did it go?” Qiao Mu asked, looking at Yu Jingfeng.

“It’s not good.” Yu Jingfeng shook his head. “It’s not entirely unworkable, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“The area close to land is fine, but the outer stretch is all mud—the brothers would move sluggishly through that terrain, giving the enemy’s archers a major advantage.”

“No, absolutely not!” Feng Jiu’er also shook her head. “We came here to find my father—I have no wish to sacrifice the brothers’ lives for that cause.”

“Let’s keep thinking. There must be a better way.”

“As Miss Jiu’er said, since we’re not approaching for now, the enemy can’t reach us either. We still have some time to think of a plan.” Yu Jingfeng nodded.

Feng Jiu’er turned to Xing Zizhou and asked, “Xing Zizhou, have we counted our food supplies? How much longer can we last?”

“Four or five days shouldn’t be a problem.” Xing Zizhou replied softly.

“Jiu’er.” Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiu’er, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. “Jian Yi is missing.”

Feng Jiu’er looked up at her, her brow furrowing instantly. “Missing—what do you mean?”

“One of the brothers said he left alone in a small boat this morning.” Qiao Mu replied in a low voice.

“Surely Jian Yi wouldn’t go into the city alone to find the Night Prince?” Xiao Yingtao was anxious too.

Feng Jiu’er took a deep breath and asked, “He’s been gone half a day already—why didn’t anyone report this to me sooner?”

Qiao Mu glanced at Feng Jiu’er, her voice still heavy. “When you’re not around, Jian Yi often goes off on his own—sometimes he disappears for several days in a row.”

“The brothers are used to this sort of thing by now. Without a specific order from us, they don’t think much of it.”

“Aren’t you the same way? If I hadn’t said anything, would you have even noticed Jian Yi was missing by tomorrow?”

“That man only treats you as family. You’d best keep him in your heart more.”

Feeling the sharpness of the look directed at her, Qiao Mu glanced over and stole a peek at Di Wu Ya.

The instant her eyes met Di Wu Ya’s gaze, she immediately turned and headed outside.

“Dinner is ready—let’s go eat first, there’s still a lot to take care of.”

Qiao Mu left, and the others gradually dispersed as well. Yu Jingfeng brought dinner in for Feng Jiu’er and Di Wu Ya.

After dinner, Feng Jiu’er left the cabin and saw Qiao Mu standing not far off.

Feng Jiu’er walked over. “Qiao Mu, has Jian Yi come back?”

“Probably not yet.” Qiao Mu shook her head, gazing out at the sea. “If he were back, he’d come find you the very first moment.”

“By the way.” She turned her head to look at Feng Jiu’er. “Have you thought of a plan yet? We can’t keep dragging this out here—the food won’t last.”

Hearing that Jian Yi still hadn’t returned, Feng Jiu’er felt a little dejected. She came to stand beside Qiao Mu, leaning against the railing.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle suggested attacking straight in, but I refused.”

“I still haven’t figured out how to fight this battle. How could I put the brothers in danger just to find my father?”

“If my father were here, he wouldn’t agree to me doing this either.”