All along the road from Yi City to Xuan City, mountain bandits were indeed plentiful. Yet despite all these years, the main figures among them had never been apprehended and eliminated in one fell swoop.

It was plain to see that these mountain bandits were no trifling force.

A mighty tiger cannot best the insects of its own terrain — let alone when the opposing party was a dragon and no mere insect. If at all possible, Jiu’er had no desire to clash with them head-on.

Most critically, Jian Yi and the other two brothers were very likely still in their hands.

Great deeds of benefit to the nation — what kind of work was that for people of the free forest world?

Qiao Mu immediately grew displeased. “And may I ask — who are you to the Ninth Prince?”

“This one is Feng Jiu’er, Vanguard General of the new Longqi Army.” Feng Jiu’er pressed her fist in salute.

Qiao Mu furrowed her brow. “You are a young woman, yet you are the Vanguard General?”

It was not as though such a thing had never been heard of before, yet such figures had always belonged to the world of stories, never truly encountered in person.

Women joining the army was not unheard of, but most served in attendance to their masters, or took on logistical roles — physicians, for instance. A woman serving as a general — in earlier years she had heard tell of a remarkably formidable General Long, but after General Long had married, she seemed to have faded from notice.

The female general standing before her looked delicate and gentle; on closer inspection she was, in fact, strikingly beautiful. A beauty joining the army? She, Qiao Mu, was unconvinced.

“Why should a woman not be allowed to serve as Vanguard General?” Feng Jiu’er held the other’s gaze steadily. Across even this distance, she could still detect the contempt within those eyes — which was itself no small thing.

She said: “You are also a woman, Miss. Do you truly believe that women are inferior to men?”

“Nonsense!” As the chief of a stronghold herself, how could Qiao Mu possibly acknowledge such a preposterous notion as women being lesser than men?

“In that case, how splendid. This General has also long admired the Ninth Prince. Yet I have told His Highness that I will only propose marriage to the imperial family after I have first distinguished myself with great achievements.”

“You are in love with the Ninth Prince?” The moment Qiao Mu heard this, her expression turned thoroughly unpleasant. “The Prince is your master — how dare you set your eyes on him!”

“His Highness possesses a beauty that can topple cities and kingdoms — why should this General not be allowed to admire him? Only, this General has never been one for forcing others, and since His Highness admires women who serve the nation and the people, this General can only dedicate herself to the great cause and serve the nation and the people.”

“You—”

“Chief, this girl is mocking you for being unworthy.” The person standing behind Qiao Mu said in a low voice.

“I know — no need to remind me!” A surge of fury rushed through Qiao Mu’s chest. With a resounding clang, she swept her long spear up from the ground and leveled it through the air directly at the vital point at Feng Jiu’er’s chest.

“You! If you have the ability — come out here and fight me!”

How dare she mock her in front of the Ninth Prince — unforgivable! She would fight her to the death!

Suddenly, a dark-clad figure leaped up before the carriage, stepping off the shoulders of two brothers at the front, and in the blink of an eye landed steadily right before Qiao Mu.

Feng Jiu’er held no weapon whatsoever in her hands. Just like that, bare-fisted, she faced the other party — and still managed to show not a trace of fear upon her face.

On the carriage not far away, Mu Mu’s brow furrowed. This girl — she was truly audacious to the point of recklessness; she had actually gone and accepted the challenge!

The other party’s inner energy was absolutely above hers — in fact, a full ten times more powerful!

If they truly fought, Jiu’er would not have even a ten percent chance of victory.

Yet the bold declaration had already left Feng Jiu’er’s lips: “If I win today, return my brothers to me — and you must also pledge that you will never again bar the army’s passage through this stretch of mountain range.”

“If you win, I, Qiao Mu, will do as you see fit!” Qiao Mu gave a cold snort, not taking her in the slightest seriously. “And if you lose?”