The river at night was like a huge piece of black jade inlaid on the earth, with the flickering lights like stars fallen into the human world.

But the howling cold wind on the river made those on the boat unable to feel any beauty.

Upon hearing Nangong Xian's words, Zhang Feng turned sideways and said with a light laugh, "Don't worry, Brother Xian is the father-in-law of Marquis Chen. With this relationship, Qingzhou would not abandon us."

"Commander, please don't tease me. I've never met Chen Mo. The marriage between Ru'Er and him was a decision made by the family. There was no affection between us before. Besides, political marriages prioritize interests. The Huai Army Navy occupying the river—it's a thankless task in such cold weather," Nangong Xian said with a bitter smile.

"Brother Xian, don't be so pessimistic. Previously, when we received the letter from Qingzhou, they said to wait, which shows the family is working behind the scenes. Our navy is the foundation of our family's standing; it won't be abandoned so easily."

Although Zhang Feng spoke confidently, he was not optimistic about the outcome. The blockade of Fengzhou by Prince Huai encompassed not only food but also information.

This made it difficult for Zhang Feng to get first-hand information from outside Fengzhou, leaving him unaware of what was happening out there.

And the Huai Army's relentless pressure kept compressing the survival space of the Celestial Master Army. Without a breakthrough, they would eventually become trapped like a turtle in a jar.

Nangong Xian managed to squeeze out a forced smile, looking at the distant line of fire on the river, which was the Huai Army Navy's warships lined up in a row.

Suddenly, Nangong Xian noticed that one of the fiery dots in the line was getting bigger.

Nangong Xian stared for a while, then his pupils slightly contracted, pointing to the distant fiery dot, and said, "Commander... it looks like a warship is approaching us..."

Indeed, the increasingly larger fiery dot was moving towards the north bank of Fengzhou.

Not only did Nangong Xian notice it, but soon, the various sentries arranged by Zhang Feng also discovered the fiery dot, causing quite a stir.

Thinking the Huai Army's navy was attacking, they blew loud horns and quickly prepared for defense.

After approaching, they realized that the fiery dot was just a small boat with only two people on it. The person at the front claimed to be an envoy of Prince Huai, specifically requesting to see Zhang Feng.

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Feng immediately had the person claiming to be Prince Huai's envoy brought before him.

But the envoy, upon seeing Zhang Feng, did not speak. Instead, he looked around at Zhang Feng's personal soldiers and Nangong Xian, the implication clear without words.

Zhang Feng slightly raised his eyebrows, scrutinizing the envoy before waving his hand and saying, "You all go down first."

Nangong Xian expressed concern, whispering in his ear, "Commander..."

"It's fine, I just want to see what he has to say," Zhang Feng, aware of Nangong Xian's concern, assured him.

After Nangong Xian and the others left, the envoy first cupped his fists to Zhang Feng, then said, "I bear the decree of the Prince: At the request of the Marquis of Pingting County, we will open a gap to the northwest in two days, at midnight on December 18th, allowing General Zhang's navy to pass. The password: The long night is not yet bright."

"Please remember, General Zhang, only your navy is allowed through. If General Zhang brings members of the Celestial Master Army, this order is void."

Hearing this, Zhang Feng was shocked.

Seeing Zhang Feng silent, the envoy frowned and asked, "General Zhang, do you remember?"

"I... I remember."

...

After the envoy of Prince Huai left, Nangong Xian came to Zhang Feng, looking curious.

Zhang Feng did not hide anything from Nangong Xian, sharing what the envoy had told him.

Nangong Xian's expression became serious: "Commander, could this be a trap? If it's an ambush by the Huai Army, we'd be walking right into it."

Zhang Feng remained silent because he couldn't guarantee it wasn't a trap, but Linchuan City had already fallen, and the Huai Army would eventually come here. It was only a matter of sooner or later, but if it was true, it might save a life.

Didn't Chen Mo tell them to wait? Maybe this was what they were waiting for.

"We are already in a bind. True or false, we have to take a gamble," Zhang Feng decided in his heart and told Nangong Xian, "Brother Xian, in two days at midnight, I'll first take the two battalions across, then after a quarter-hour, if nothing happens, you take the rest across."

"No, I can't let you, Commander, take the lead. Let me go first," Nangong Xian insisted.

"No more discussion; it's decided."

"What about Zheng Zhong?" Nangong Xian whispered.

Since the navy Zhang Feng commanded belonged to the Nangong family, Luo Guang had placed a believer of the Celestial Master Army as a military supervisor to ensure compliance with their orders. The supervisor had to report the navy's daily situation to Luo Guang.

Zheng Zhong was this navy's military supervisor.

Since they planned to retreat two days later, the order had to be communicated in advance, and Zheng Zhong, as the supervisor, could not be unaware.

Though Luo Guang only sent one supervisor, who could guarantee there were no more informants?

Perhaps the news of the envoy's visit had already reached Zheng Zhong's ears.

Zhang Feng paced back and forth for a while, and then his gaze hardened. "In a decisive action, there's no turning back once a decision is made."

Zheng Zhong was a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist.

Zhang Feng was a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist.

The reason the supervisor's strength was not higher than Zhang Feng, the Commander-in-Chief, as Zheng Zhong represented Luo Guang's will. Killing Zheng Zhong would mean turning against Luo Guang.

Therefore, the strength of the Military Supervisor is not the key.

"I understand." Nangong Xian went to inform Zheng Zhong.

As Zhang Feng had guessed, Zheng Zhong indeed knew about Prince Huai's envoy coming to visit. In his view, Prince Huai was trying to persuade Zhang Feng to surrender.

Thus, when Nangong Xian found him and suggested discussing the visit with Zhang Feng, Zheng Zhong did not suspect anything and went straight away.

Soon, a scream emanated from Zhang Feng's cabin, but under the cover of the howling cold wind, it went unnoticed by the guards outside who only saw something splattered on the window.

…

Two days later at midnight.

It was already late at night, with no moon over the river, and a desolate cold wind. Seven large warships set out from the north bank, extinguishing the lights onboard except for a faint glow in the steering cabin, drifting like phantoms toward the northwest.

Soon, they reached the defense line of the Huai Army Navy, where sentries spotted them.

The bed crossbows on the warships were all aimed at Zhang Feng's group.

By the light from the Huai Army's warships, Zhang Feng stared at the bed crossbows glinting coldly, breaking out into a cold sweat, thinking it was a trap.

Fortunately, a man in battle armor in the Huai Army Navy sternly asked, "Password."

"Long night yet to dawn." Zhang Feng answered personally.

The armored man waved his hand, then boarded the ship to inspect, roughly counting the people onboard to ensure no key leaders of the Celestial Master Army were among them.

After the inspection, they were allowed passage.

As the entire navy got through the Huai Army Navy blockade and headed toward Qingzhou, the Huai Army did not pursue, allowing Zhang Feng to finally relax his heart.

...

Earlier, in Pingting County.

Having read the secret message sent by Diwu Fusheng, Chen Mo no longer waited and directly commanded, "Sun Meng, relay the order for Li Yunzhang and Wen Heng each to gather five thousand elite troops and accompany me to receive guests."

"Understood." Sun Meng quickly went to relay the order.

…

The wind on the river was exceptionally strong; traveling from Fengzhou to Qingzhou was against the current, and with the hazy night, Zhang Feng dared not let the navy proceed too quickly, fearing that hitting a hidden reef could sink the ship.

If anyone fell into the water in such cold weather, lives could be lost.

Until dawn began to break, Zhang Feng and Nangong Xian finally saw Qingzhou land from the deck. In the morning fog, Zhang Feng couldn't see where the dock was and had to let his men slowly advance based on experience.

As Zhang Feng's navy approached the shore, the dock's silhouette gradually emerged. A sudden northwest wind dispersed the fog around the dock, startling Zhang Feng and his men.

The scene revealed countless heavily armored soldiers with guns, standing in neat arrays, flags fluttering sharply, displaying a formidable presence without any chatter or impatience.

With the fog returning, these soldiers were once again hidden.

The soldiers stood solemnly in the cold wind without a hint of noise, enduring for more than a moment; Zhang Feng and Nangong Xian immediately realized they were facing a strong army.

"It must be the Qingzhou garrison coming to greet us," Nangong Xian suggested.

Zhang Feng summoned his personal soldiers, saying, "Inform my commanders to swiftly approach the dock."

"Understood."

...

Chen Mo stood on the shore, and upon Sun Meng's reminder, Zhang Feng and Nangong Xian realized Chen Mo had personally come to greet them, feeling deeply moved.

However, he soon found himself unable to maintain this sentiment.

"General Zhang Feng, pays respects to the Marquis," Zhang Feng stepped forward, bowing to Chen Mo.

Zhang Feng had previously received Court titles, in a sense serving as a Military General of the Court.

"General Zhang, I've long awaited this meeting. Upon hearing my brother mention General Zhang's esteemed name, now witnessing General Zhang's demeanor astonishes me," Chen Mo said with a smile.

"The Marquis is too kind," Zhang Feng chuckled lightly before noticing Chen Mo's gaze was now directed at Nangong Xian, saying, "Marquis, this is my Deputy General, Nangong Xian."

"Deputy General Nangong Xian, pays respects to the Marquis."

Nangong Xian bowed but was quickly helped up by Chen Mo, who said, "Ah, so it's Father-in-law, such a grand gift I cannot bear, please rise."

"Thank you, Marquis," Nangong Xian raised his head, examining his son-in-law with cautiousness.

"Before coming to Qingzhou, I promised Ru'Er I would take Father-in-law back to Yu State for New Year, but now I fear I must break this promise," Chen Mo laughed.

Hearing this, Nangong Xian was touched, having thought he might never return. He couldn't help but ask, "Marquis, is Ru'Er well now?"

"She is well indeed, after the New Year, I'll take you to Yu State to see her." Saying this, Chen Mo looked at the sailors who were still onboard behind Zhang Feng, smiling, "I have prepared food in the city, let the soldiers come in and enjoy it."

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