The sky was gloomy, and a fine drizzle fell. Near the north gate of Grant City, the air was filled with intermittent sobs. Elderly, women, children, and wounded soldiers huddled together in clusters, every face mirroring the oppressive sky above.
At the palace gate, Louis Yu lay pale on a stretcher. Joseph Qiao stood motionless beside him, gripping a wooden stick tightly.
King Grant stood in front of Louis Yu.
"Go and recover. I'll have someone arrange a place for the newcomers."
"I'm sorry, Joseph. We couldn't save your father."
Louis Yu looked at Joseph Qiao, who was trembling slightly. King Grant glanced at him.
The Grant Family’s army arrived on the third day. Tang Shan led his tribe away, but what remained was the shattered Grant Tribe. The combined strength of the Grant and Louis Clans once numbered over ten thousand, but now less than three thousand had made it to Grant City.
"Joseph Qiao, take your people to Woodfield."
King Grant spoke. Joseph Qiao lifted his head, quietly staring at him. Until now, Joseph hadn’t spoken a word; he simply nodded and bowed.
The drizzle continued for three days. Winter had settled in, and the cold in the air was suffocating. Woodfield lay at the southwestern border between Jiang Territory and Grant Domain. For the next three years, it would be under Grant Family’s control, as agreed with King Jiang.
Joseph Qiao silently packed his belongings. Lucille Xing and Yvonne May watched quietly nearby. Leonard Lei stood outside, carrying supplies—he too decided to go to Woodfield and work.
"Hey..."
Just as Joseph Qiao was about to leave, Lucille Xing called out.
"You'll come back, won't you?"
Joseph Qiao set down what he was holding, turned around, and gave Lucille Xing a smile.
"Thank you for everything these days. Once the tribe’s situation stabilizes, I’ll come back."
Leaving the palace gate, Joseph Qiao walked up to the Ninefeather Birds and quietly watched them. The female had been nesting in the birdhouse for a while. Now their leg ropes were removed, so even if they flew off for a time, the Ninefeather Birds would return.
The male bird stood guard at the birdhouse entrance. Joseph Qiao approached, intending to say goodbye. The male chirped and flapped its wings, glaring at Joseph with hostility. As Joseph reached out, the male pecked him. At that moment, Joseph noticed something white beneath the female—a single egg.
Joseph Qiao stood up, clutching his aching hand.
"I'm leaving."
The male bird moved aside a little, its hostility toward Joseph Qiao fading. Joseph drew closer and saw the white egg beneath the female Ninefeather Bird.