"What should we do, Joseph Qiao?"
Zhao Peng asked from the side. A river blocked Joseph Qiao and his team's search for Yuna Ji; they'd reached the Grant Divide River, the boundary between Jiang Territory and Grant Domain. Beyond it lay Jiang Territory.
Six days had passed. Joseph Qiao and his group discovered traces of the Northwest Wild Tribe: three thatched huts and the remains of a campfire that looked long abandoned.
Afterward, all they could do was pick the right direction and head west. Along the way, they had to hunt for food, which cost them even more time.
"We can't cross, Joseph Qiao."
Leonard Lei shouted. Joseph Qiao stood by the riverbank.
Joseph Qiao knew very well that if he led these thousand people across, it could trigger problems. Beyond this point, Jiang Territory was guarded, and with such a large group, they'd surely be discovered. If anything went wrong, it would put the Grant Family at a disadvantage.
"I'll go alone."
As Joseph Qiao spoke, one foot already stepped into the river. Just then, smoke and dust appeared in the sparse woods ahead, and warning beacons ignited in the forests all around. Joseph Qiao froze.
Some of those searching for Yuna Ji had returned, but thousands of Grant Family soldiers still lingered nearby. They were likely exposed now.
Sure enough, a soldier on horseback led several spear-wielding Jiang Territory troops over, standing on the opposite riverbank, looking stern and prepared.
"What do you people from Grant Domain want to do?"
The newcomer shouted harshly. Joseph Qiao felt nervous, but quickly straightened up and began to speak.
"The Grant King's third daughter went missing a few days ago while out playing. She entered this forest, and we're just here to look for her."
The soldiers from Jiang Territory across the river looked at Joseph Qiao suspiciously, clearly not convinced.
"If that's really the case, have your Grant King send an envoy."
Joseph Qiao was extremely anxious, and more soldiers were gathering on the opposite bank. If they walked north a bit, they could return to the bridge leading to Jiang Territory, where there were many Jiang outposts nearby.
Both sides were on edge, ready for conflict. One Grant Family general couldn't stand it any longer and, furious, tried to lead his soldiers across the river. The water here was shallow, only knee-deep.
"Wait, General Qu Grant."
Joseph Qiao grabbed the furious general, realizing there was no way forward now.
"Then please inform those nearby that the Grant King's daughter, Yuna Ji, is missing. She's just over six years old."
After Joseph Qiao described some of her physical features, he persuaded the general and had all the soldiers follow the river north back to the main road leading to Grant City.
"What's the situation?"
By the bridge, Lucille Xing was already waiting with a group, while across the bridge, many Jiang Territory soldiers aimed their spears at them.
Nearby, there was a Grant Domain soldier outpost. Lucille Xing had arrived earlier and asked the soldiers there to help with the search.
At that moment, a fast horse galloped down the main road behind them.
It was the Grant King's order: all those searching for Yuna Ji must return immediately. Anyone who disobeys will be severely punished.
Joseph Qiao glanced at the distant sky. A black dot still circled above—the Ninefeather Bird.
"Yuna really did go to Jiang Territory. Sigh, you said you found a Northwest Wild Tribe camp—do you think they might harm Yuna?"
Lucille Xing spoke worriedly, but Joseph Qiao shook his head.