Mason Mao quietly watched the people coming and going at the city gate. A heavy snowfall had just ended that morning, and only by afternoon did it stop. The sun came out, warming the air a little.
A long line stretched out at the city gate, extending all the way to the main road in the woods. With the battle approaching, the other three gates were closed to outsiders—only the west gate allowed entry, and everyone was thoroughly screened, especially unfamiliar faces, to prevent enemy spies from sneaking in.
"Xiaoxing, go eat. I’ll keep watch here."
Lily Mao walked over, but Mason Mao kept staring at a few people nearby who had their heads down. They were chatting with others, though he couldn’t hear what they said. Their eyes were suspicious, and it was obvious they weren’t familiar with Grant City, constantly asking questions.
Lily Mao noticed too. She spoke quietly to a nearby soldier, and soon the guards let the rest of the line pass quickly. In no time, a few soldiers, dressed in plain linen, blended into the crowd.
"Go eat, Xiaoxing. I’ve already sent people to watch them. Eat first, then we’ll see what they’re up to."
After lunch, sunlight flooded the streets, warming things up. More people appeared outside. Lily Mao kept her eyes on the three suspicious men who’d just entered a shop—soldiers surrounded the area, ready to arrest them at any moment.
"Sis, any updates?"
Lily Mao stopped Mason Mao from leaving the alley and shook her head. She signaled to a soldier inside the shop, and the soldier came out immediately.
The three suspicious men kept asking about the Grant Family and even inquired about the location of the palace.
"Let’s just arrest them first."
Mason Mao strode over, and the soldiers stationed in the surrounding alleys quickly followed. The three men in the shop were still eating, but when they realized they were surrounded, they quickly surrendered.
"People from the Zou Clan?"
When Lily Mao learned their identities, suspicion flashed in her eyes.
"Bring Joseph Qiao here."
Inside a room in the palace, the three men were already tied up. They claimed to be messengers for the Grant Family, but said they’d only speak to the clan leader, Yuna Ji.
Soon, Joseph Qiao arrived, sweating heavily. He glanced at the three bound men and, after asking a question, looked at them with suspicion.
"Speak. Yuna isn’t here, but I have full authority."
One of the men spoke up: The Zou Clan’s chief had been replaced, and Zou Mu’s situation was dire. They wanted to cooperate with the Grant Family, offering intelligence on Wynn Domain and Sage Domain.
Joseph Qiao’s eyes lit up with joy, but he didn’t show it. He ordered the soldiers to take the three men away and lock them up.
"Joseph Qiao, do you think they’re trustworthy? The Zou Clan?"
Lily Mao asked. Joseph Qiao nodded.
"If what they say is true, and Mark Zou has already been placed under house arrest, then it’s believable."
Yuna Ji and the others were no longer in Grant City. Yuna herself had taken the cavalry to the forested region to familiarize herself with the terrain, while Joseph Qiao was busy training new recruits.
"Let’s wait and see. There are still over two months left. If I were the commander of Wynn Domain or Sage Domain, I wouldn’t allow any trouble in the rear."
Meanwhile, war had already broken out in Zou City in the east. The clan was completely divided. Under Mark Zou’s generals’ planning, the original soldiers rescued Mark Zou from house arrest, securing the city’s east. Now, they faced off against Ned Zou’s forces across a single street.
"Damn it, those old bastards really want me dead."
Mark Zou looked anxiously at the soldiers gathering in the distance, preparing to attack. He was furious—just yesterday, Ned Zou suddenly brought men over, but thanks to his generals’ preparations, he survived.
Most people in the clan stayed cold and indifferent, watching the internal strife. They didn’t support Ned Zou or Mark Zou, but many believed that, since ancient times, the chief was never replaced—especially not by a branch family. Quietly, more and more people spoke against Ned Zou.
Now they had just over ten thousand men—while the rest were under Ned Zou’s control. Many in the ranks refused to fight; lower-ranking generals opposed the war. Ned Zou was furious, having received orders from Wynn Domain to eliminate Mark Zou.
"That kid has no way out now, sis. How about I take command? I could have Mark Zou’s head in half a day."
Henry Lien spoke, but Lydia Lien shook her head.
"No need to get involved in their business. All the grain will be delivered by tomorrow. It’s time for us to leave too."
"But what if..."
Henry Lien looked anxiously out the window. The situation was unclear—many soldiers refused to turn their blades against their former chief. It was unthinkable.
"Let’s wait until tomorrow. If they still can’t resolve it, I’ll handle it myself."
In the eastern part of Zou City, rows of two- and three-story buildings lined the streets, which were few and easy to defend. Mark Zou stood in a small building, quietly watching the soldiers gathering nearby.
"The only way now is to kill Ned Zou."
A nearby general said this. Mark Zou glared fiercely into the distance. It was the only solution—kill Ned Zou and everything would end. The clan would be his again. But if he was caught, he’d be the one dead.
"Don’t worry, Chief. I’ve already spread word about how Ned Zou tried to sell our soldiers to Wynn Domain and Sage Domain. Even though Ned tried to suppress it, everyone knows now."
At that moment, the assembled soldiers began to move forward. Mark Zou quickly came down from the building and stepped into the street—this was his only chance, and he couldn’t miss it. Ned Zou and his men were there too, just behind, surrounded by soldiers.
"Do you want to betray the Zou Clan?"
A shout rang out. The lead general called for the soldiers to charge, but many hesitated.
"Ned Zou wants to sell you to Wynn Domain and Sage Domain. Think carefully—even though we lost this war, I, Mark Zou, have always tried to keep you safe, away from the front lines, and secure in the rear. But if I die, no one will care about your lives anymore."
"Don’t listen to his nonsense—charge!"
The front-line soldiers stopped, their eyes darting between Mark Zou and Ned Zou.
"Kill Ned Zou! He’s a traitor trying to seize the chief’s position and drag the Zou Clan into disaster! As your chief, I order you—whoever kills Ned Zou will be rewarded with land and a house. Kill him!"
Mark Zou shouted himself hoarse. The lead general raised his spear and stabbed a soldier, who fell into a pool of blood.
"Charge! Anyone who disobeys will end up like this..."