"Don't worry, when we get back, my father will definitely thank you all properly."
The sky was slightly overcast. Under the escort of the Jiang Territory's army, Yuna Ji was heading to Grant City. They had already crossed the border, and by sunset, they would be able to see Grant City.
Joy was written all over the faces of Terry Mao and the other two. At last, they could escape the daily fear and anxiety of living in the mountains. Recently, food had become scarce, and Terry had searched many places in the forest, but none were suitable for them to spend the winter.
Yuna Ji was in excellent spirits, chatting and laughing with Mason Mao along the way, sharing stories of the things she had seen. Meanwhile, Lily Mao would glance up at the sky from time to time, prompting Terry Mao to ask curiously.
"What's wrong, Lily? Is there something in the sky?"
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Lily Mao stopped and pointed to the sky behind them.
"I don't know why, but I feel like that bird has been following us. I noticed it even when we were heading to Jiang Territory."
Everyone looked up, and only then did they see a black dot in the sky, far away, slowly circling above their heads. Yuna Ji cheered, waving her hand and shouting.
"Xiao Xiao, it's Xiao Xiao..."
The bird in the distance drew closer, flying toward Yuna Ji. Because she was so young, she shared a horse with Lily Mao. A Ninefeather Bird swept over their heads, and Lily Mao swallowed nervously.
"I've never seen a bird like this before. It's so beautiful."
Wherever the Ninefeather Bird flew, a patch of clouds parted in the sky, letting a beam of light through. For a moment, a rainbow shimmered on the distant horizon. Terry Mao gazed quietly at the light, hope filling his eyes, then looked at Yuna Ji.
Terry Mao himself didn't quite understand why he had made the decision back then, but now, being able to come to Grant City was thanks to Yuna Ji.
"Maybe following her is a kind of luck!"
Mason Mao burst out laughing beside him.
"That luck is something I picked up, big brother!"
After waking from a daze, more than half a month had passed. Stanley Tang clutched his aching forehead, only remembering that he had shot Joseph Qiao, and then nothing else.
"It's so bright."
Stanley Tang held his head, the sunlight streaming through the window making him feel miserable. Leonard Tang immediately pulled up the grass curtain.
"Stanley, you're awake!"
"Uncle, was it you who saved me?"
Stanley Tang quickly realized the room was filled with a strong bitter smell, and there were some animal skins nearby used for bandaging wounds.
He immediately checked his own body—his forehead was fine, and there was no serious problem.
"Sigh, Stanley, more than ten people from your tribe died in the mountains to save you. I struggled to find medicine that could heal your wounds."
Stanley Tang looked at his uncle, choking with gratitude, but anger also appeared on his face.
"I won't let that kid off. I swear I'll kill him."
Stanley Tang sighed and shook his head helplessly.
"The Wynn Domain's army suffered heavy losses a few days ago—over ten thousand men."
Stanley Tang was startled, his eyes wide as he looked at his uncle.
On the northern left flank, at first only small Grant Family units attacked, but nine days ago, when the Wynn Domain's army reached the left foothills, they were hit with a fierce assault from the Grant Family's main forces. Meanwhile, the Grant Family also sent troops to the center and right. In an instant, their plan to build fortifications failed. Now that winter has set in, snow will fall in a few days, and both the Wynn Domain and Sage Domain armies stationed in the north have no intention of advancing.
Stanley Tang looked at Leonard Tang with a trace of fear.
"Will the Grant Family attack us?"
Stanley Tang was extremely terrified, his face showing deep fear.
"Winter has already set in. The Grant Family won't attack now, and it seems King Wynn and King Sage want peace and don't wish to go to war with the Grant Family."
"What?"
Stanley Tang sprang up in alarm, suddenly coughing violently as black liquid streamed from his nose and mouth. He screamed in panic, and Leonard Tang hurriedly held him down.
"It's nothing, it's just the medicine. Sigh, it's alright, Stanley. You’ll recover in a while."
Leonard Tang said this, looking in surprise at the faint black mist rising from Stanley Tang’s body. After much effort, Stanley finally fell asleep. Leonard Tang walked out of the house; the sun had already set.
"The effect is much worse than expected. This kid probably has no more than five years left. You’d better have him produce an heir soon, though in his condition, that may not even be possible."
Leonard Tang's face looked terrible, beads of sweat seeping from his forehead and rolling down.
"Didn't I tell you before not to be so greedy? Now, the only clansman who can help you extend your life is Stanley Tang. The others are all dead. Your eldest brother as well—if he’d been allowed to live a few more years, things might not have turned out like this."
"You have to find a way for me!"
Leonard Tang shouted irritably.
"Don’t worry. There are still two years left. I have to go to Grant City now to take care of some things."
"Isn't it just a little girl? Is it really worth all this? My problem is much more urgent."
A chill and murderous intent flashed in Wraithshade's eyes. Leonard Tang swallowed nervously.
"If you know the source of your fear, cut it off yourself. I don't like dragging things out, and I hate waiting for future enemies to stab me in the chest. Here, take this. You know how to use it—just remember not to absorb too much. In your current state, you can't handle it."
As Wraithshade spoke, he produced a black staff, one end sharpened to a point. Leonard Tang took it, his face lighting up with joy.
"I've already taught you how to identify people with strong Yang Fire. Make sure you find those with strong Yang Fire—don't absorb the life force of those with weak Yang Fire. Otherwise, the Yin Fire in their bodies will overpower the Yang Fire and crush you."
This chapter is not finished yet~.~ Please click the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
At the left pass in the central region, almost all the Grant Family generals and leaders of various tribes gathered together. King Grant sat on a platform, with Simon Grant standing beside him, pointing at something on a map and explaining.
The battle went smoothly. Simon Grant suggested a direct attack and continued harassment for several days. Initially, King Grant and the tribal leaders opposed, believing that with winter approaching, it was not the right time for war and that they should wait until spring.
In the end, Simon Grant’s firm stance overturned most opinions, and the outcome was decided in a single battle. Now, Wynn Domain and Sage Domain have sent envoys to negotiate peace, offering food compensation and a batch of slaves as terms.
King Grant has agreed. The armies of Wynn Domain and Sage Domain will no longer invade the central region of Grant Domain. The north was barren and not worth fighting over, and the northern tribes have already broken with the Grant Family. King Grant also promised the envoys not to pursue this matter further.
Many are dissatisfied with King Grant’s actions, especially Edward Grant.
"If we want to build a fortress up there, it will require a huge amount of resources, Simon. Have you considered this? Although the foothills are a good spot and can block Wynn Domain from the north..."
"This is an urgent matter, Father. Why don’t you understand? The Wynn Domain wants this place not just because it’s close to their fisheries, but for its strategic position. If we build roads here, it will be easy to attack or defend. Troops stationed inside can launch attacks on our Grant Family at any time and quickly supply the central front lines."
"Let’s discuss this later."
King Grant spoke, and Simon Grant’s face fell in disappointment. Sitting below, Joel Yusheng felt the same way; he knew just how important that mountain ridge was to Simon Grant.
Especially if some throwing devices are set up in the mountains, attacking the foothills would be nearly impossible. That place is far more important than the three passes in the central region.
The northwest foothills are Jidu, and together with the pass on the left, they form a mutually defensive position.
Some tribes supported the proposal, but it could not be implemented now. Instead, the discussion shifted to trivial matters like compensation demanded by Yun Domain and Si Domain.
The meeting ended. Inside the pass, a banquet was held to celebrate the victory, but Ji Yuan had no heart to join. Alone, he climbed to the main tower of the pass, gazing at the distant, night-shrouded mountains. The foothill he coveted lay above.
A creak sounded, snapping Ji Yuan out of his thoughts. Behind him, Qiao Yusheng stepped forward, one step at a time.
"When we get back, I'll make sure to advise Ji King more. It should be possible..."
"Yusheng, you're mistaken. I am still not my father's equal."
Ji Yuan smiled as he spoke, recalling his fierce arguments at the meeting. In Qiao Yusheng's eyes, Ji Yuan was the pillar of the Ji Family—a reliable leader for the future.
"War is never so simple, Yusheng. It's not something that can be started with a few words. Last time was a desperate gamble—if our Ji Family's forces had suffered too many losses, it wouldn't have been a victory. Many tribal armies joined the battle, and now, with enemies watching us like tigers, the Ji Family cannot afford to lose."
Suddenly, Qiao Yusheng understood—Ji King was not ignorant of the foothill's importance, but building a stronghold would require hundreds of thousands of people. It would be like constructing a city on the mountain, a task far beyond a few days' work. Even Jidu took generations to reach its current scale.
Such massive resource investment would almost certainly spark dissent among the tribes within.
"Remember this, Yusheng: Those not of our tribe will always harbor other intentions."
"And what about me?"
Qiao Yusheng smiled, seeing Ji Yuan as a wise elder, someone worthy of respect.
"We share a common enemy—that's what matters most. None of the tribes want to be ruled again, after all. The old and the new are treated differently, and everyone knows that truth."