“Who’s there?”

“Who is it?”

“Is it a woman?”

“Come out! Stop playing tricks!”

“Playing tricks is what petty people do — show yourself quickly!”

“Who has the time to play tricks?” A voice as clear and pleasant as an oriole’s song came drifting over.

Two slender figures descended slowly from the mountainside, landing on a large boulder jutting out from the slope.

In an instant, the other brothers revealed themselves as well.

Some stood on high rocks, some stood on treetops, all appearing as if out of thin air.

The two who landed steadily on the boulder were Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao.

For the sake of concealment, all the brothers wore black clothing.

But even the plainest clothes couldn’t hide the beauty of the two women.

Feng Jiu’er especially — her small, delicate melon-seed face was set with features of a perfection never before seen.

Even the brilliant sunlight couldn’t take away her city-toppling beauty.

“You’re the Commandery Princess? Prince Ye’s daughter?” The Fifth Company Commander stood, looking at Feng Jiu’er on the boulder.

“That’s right.” Feng Jiu’er lightly flicked her sleeve.

“You lured us here — what’s your purpose?” The Second Company Commander stared unblinkingly at the figure on the boulder.

“I am a daughter of the Feng Clan. My father, Feng Li, is the true heir of the Feng Clan. Feng Qiongcang is nothing but a treacherous subject who killed his father to seize the throne!”

Feng Jiu’er’s low, cold voice echoed through the valley.

“If you’re willing to turn away from darkness toward the light, there’s still time now.”

“You say you’re a daughter of the Feng Clan, so you are one? What proof do you have?” the Second Company Commander demanded sternly.

“The victor becomes king, the defeated a bandit.” Xiao Yingtao frowned. “Right now, it would be as easy as flipping her hand for the Commandery Princess to kill you all.”

“Why hasn’t she killed you? Why has she chosen such a fine place for you to recover and recuperate instead?”

“Listen carefully — it’s not because the Commandery Princess thinks you’re good people. It’s simply because the blood of the Feng Clan runs in your veins!”

“If it were me, I’d be thanking my lucky stars I ended up in this valley, rather than going out to meet my death.”

“Whether you seize this chance or not is up to you!”

“That sounds nice, but aren’t you just trying to control us with poison?” the Second Company Commander said furiously.

“Second Company Commander, you’re right about that.” Feng Jiu’er said flatly.

“I don’t fight battles I’m not sure of, and I won’t put my brothers in danger over my own ignorance.”

“Remember this — you’re prisoners of war. The reason I don’t kill you is because you’re still of use to me.”

“Of course, if you can truly serve me faithfully, I won’t fail to reward anyone’s sincerity either.”

Feng Jiu’er gave no one the chance to speak, and her voice continued.

“The poison currently in your bodies isn’t enough to kill you — it will only leave you temporarily unable to fight.”

“Before tonight, I’ll have someone release another kind of powder into the valley.”

“This medicine is colorless and odorless. Once inhaled, it won’t cause any pain, and it will not only restore your martial abilities but also strengthen your body. However…”

Xiao Yingtao tilted her head to glance at Feng Jiu’er, then continued. “However, the powder is poisonous.”

“Anyone poisoned by it must take an antidote once every three days, until the poison is fully cleared from the body.”

“If the antidote isn’t taken in time, the poison will flare up and endanger your life.”

“There are still over two hours before nightfall. You’re free to search for a way out again.”

“If you manage to escape, and return to Feng Rui’s side, you’ll be free.”

“However, I heard…” Xiao Yingtao shrugged.

“…that Feng Rui never keeps prisoners of war who return to him from the enemy’s hands alive. I don’t know if that’s true or not, though.”