“This is Pingyuan City, where Xiang City, Yue City, and Pingyuan City all meet,” Xing Zizhou’s voice rang out.

“This area doesn’t belong to any single city — it’s known as the no-man’s-land between them.”

“Judging by distance and terrain, the best route for our men at Yue City to enter through Pingyuan City’s north gate is to pass through this area.”

Xing Zizhou pointed at the map and glanced up at Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, look — this whole stretch is high mountains. An army passing through the mountains would waste a great deal of time.”

“This area is different — it’s mostly valleys, with plenty of flat terrain.”

“With terrain this good, it seems odd that no one would live here,” Feng Jiu’er frowned.

“There is someone.” Xing Zizhou nodded in agreement. “There’s a mountain stronghold here — said to have quite a long history, with a population now exceeding ten thousand.”

“Our scouts report that the place is easy to enter but impossible to observe — to this day, we still can’t find out anything about what’s inside.”

“Panlong Stronghold?” Qiao Mu raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.” Xing Zizhou glanced at her.

“I’ve paid attention to that place before. It’s small, but easy to defend and hard to attack — genuinely a good spot to build a stronghold,” Qiao Mu leaned in and pulled the map toward herself.

“Is there really no better location?”

“No,” Xing Zizhou shook his head. “It’s either mountains, rivers, or sheer cliffs. It’s difficult!”

“I’ll go take a look myself,” Qiao Mu murmured.

After all, she herself had come from a mountain stronghold and was fairly familiar with how such places worked.

“I’ll go with you.” Feng Jiang was certainly not willing to let his own beloved venture into danger alone.

“Xing Zizhou, have Zhao Yusheng come back,” Feng Jiu’er said, looking at Xing Zizhou.

“Sure.” Xing Zizhou nodded. “Zhao Yusheng is skilled in unconventional tactics and grew up in the mountains and forests himself — he’d be a good fit too.”

“But Jiu’er, will you be going as well?”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and withdrew her hand, taking hold of Di Wu Ya’s palm instead.

“A’Jiu, I’ll leave things here to you. Mao Zhongcai knows we won’t let this go easily, and he’s certain to gather his main forces to guard the eastern gate.”

“This battle won’t be easy, so it’s better for you to stay behind.”

Before Di Wu Ya could respond, Feng Jiu’er reached out and gently touched his handsome face.

“You said it yourself — you’ll go with whatever I decide.”

“Pingyuan City is more than four times the size of Yongshan City, and Mao Zhongcai’s forces are, at minimum, a hundred thousand strong. A’Jiu, we’ll have to be apart for a while.”

Just as they had discussed the night before, the twenty thousand Longwu troops and the ten thousand Yue Family troops that had already gone ahead would join forces, entering through Pingyuan City’s north gate to coordinate with the troops entering from the east.

Only, the plan the night before had been that this battle could still wait a little longer.

On one hand, there was still much to be done in Yongshan City — refining gunpowder, preparing antidotes — someone needed to stay behind for that.

On the other hand, this was precisely when Mao Zhongcai’s attention was most concentrated elsewhere; starting a battle now wouldn’t do them much good.

But with over a hundred women still needing to be rescued, this campaign truly could not be delayed any further.

Striking sooner rather than later, catching Mao Zhongcai off guard, wasn’t such a bad idea either.

Di Wu Ya tightened his grip on Feng Jiu’er’s hand in return, as though wanting to press her into his very bones.

In the end, he said nothing, only gave a slight nod.

The corner of Feng Jiu’er’s mouth lifted. Her Ninth Imperial Uncle was growing more and more endearing — clearly reluctant, yet holding back his own wishes for her sake.

If the situation weren’t what it was, she would have wanted to stand up and hug him, kiss him even.

“All right then! It’s decided.” Feng Jiu’er withdrew her hand from Di Wu Ya’s and stood.

“Qiao Mu, Yinan, Jian Yi, and I will go; everyone else stays to fight.”

Feng Jiu’er wasn’t trying to keep young lovers apart — it was simply that she felt Third Imperial Brother’s presence, staying behind, would be far more useful than having him come along.

Having observed the situation over this period, she’d noticed that Third Imperial Brother and Ninth Imperial Uncle worked together with remarkable understanding.

This battle would be extremely difficult, and there was no room for carelessness.

“It’s fine, we’ll see each other again soon, won’t we?” Feng Jiu’er glanced around at everyone, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly.

“For this campaign, we can make use of Ji Xiaobo. Xiao Yingtao, explain the matter to A’Jiu and my Third Imperial Brother.”

“If it’s useful, use it; if not, so be it.”

“Qiao Mu.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Qiao Mu. “No time to waste — let’s set out now.”

“Right!” Qiao Mu stood.

“I’ll go contact Zhao Yusheng right away and have him come at once.” Xing Zizhou stood too and turned to leave.

“Yinan, Jian Yi.” Feng Jiu’er looked at the two of them.

Feng Yinan, holding Yue Qinchun’s hand, stood up together with her.

Paying no mind to anyone else present, he pulled Yue Qinchun into his arms and lowered his head to kiss the top of hers.

“Jiu’er said we’ll see each other again soon. Take care of yourself.”

Yue Qinchun looked up at him, her face full of reluctance, yet she nodded all the same. “I know.”

Feng Yinan lowered his head again, and Yue Qinchun, showing no hesitation at all, rose onto her toes, her soft lips pressing directly against his.

The two pairs of lips met, and the two of them held each other even more tightly.

Feng Jiu’er: These two are really this bold? Did they not notice how many people were watching?

Well, fine — how wonderful it is to be young! When would she ever get to be young again?

When Feng Jiu’er turned back around, she found herself meeting Di Wu Ya’s gaze head-on.

Their eyes met; the corner of her mouth lifted slightly, and she reached out her hand.

But instead, her hand was seized at once, and she was pulled along, out through the door.

Before Di Wu Ya could lead Feng Jiu’er outside, Feng Jiang had already taken Qiao Mu’s hand and left first.

Di Wu Ya led Feng Jiu’er through the main gate.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, what are you doing?” Feng Jiu’er asked, coming to her senses.

Even as she said this, she still kept pace with him.

“Kissing you,” Di Wu Ya said, his voice like the sound of heaven itself, touched with a trace of hoarseness.

Before Feng Jiu’er could respond, Di Wu Ya pulled her into a corner, lowered his head, and captured her lips.

“Mm…” Feng Jiu’er wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Ninth Imperial Uncle’s kisses had always been intense, carrying an overwhelming force.

Even though she had grown used to it, even though she had grown strong, she still found herself struggling to bear it.

Just as she was about to run out of breath, Feng Jiu’er gave Di Wu Ya a light pinch.

This was a signal between the two of them, meaning she could barely breathe.

Reluctantly, Di Wu Ya released her soft lips, the flame in his eyes only growing brighter, not dimmer.

The moment Feng Jiu’er caught her breath, he lowered his head again.

“Ah!” Feng Jiu’er had been about to push Di Wu Ya away when a sharp, tender pain bloomed on her lips.

The man pulled back from her once more, but this time he’d left a mark on her lips.

Feng Jiu’er gave a soft huff of displeasure, her delicate, rosy lips looking all the more vivid and tender.

Di Wu Ya looked at those cherry-like lips, his breath catching for a moment.

“Enough.” Feng Jiu’er lowered her head at once, pushing at his chest.

“You bit me — do you even know that?”