Although she had long expected that Lin Feng must have something to rely on since he dared to take the initiative to launch a territorial war...

But this result... was still beyond her expectations.

“Tell me the details.” She put down the ledger and sat up straight.

Su Qian opened the document in her hand and began to report:

“The war began at noon yesterday and lasted less than half an hour. Beacon Fire Town's army, about five hundred people, were all low-level special units, well-equipped and strictly disciplined.

On the main battlefield, they formed a battle formation with four hundred infantry and one hundred Crossbowmen, defeating Baigui County's one thousand one hundred Ashigaru in less than half an hour.”

Jiang Zhaoyue nodded slightly. low-level special units against ordinary County Soldiers was to be expected.

Su Qian continued: “On the second battlefield, Lin Feng fought Umekawa Kojiro one-on-one. Umekawa Kojiro is Level 20, a second-advancement class-holder, and has two pieces of purple equipment. Lin Feng is Level 19, a first-advancement class-holder.”

Jiang Zhaoyue's eyebrows rose slightly: “First-advancement against second-advancement?”

“Yes.” Su Qian nodded, “But the result was that Lin Feng suppressed Umekawa Kojiro the entire time and finally killed him head-on.”

Jiang Zhaoyue's gaze became serious.

First-advancement against second-advancement, yet able to suppress and kill the opponent head-on... This Lin Feng was stronger than she had imagined.

“What about Umekawa Kojiro's trump cards?” she asked. “His Shadow Clone and Shadow Dance Step are considered top-tier skills even in Sakura Country.”

Su Qian said: “All ineffective. Lin Feng could predict his movement trajectory, and the Shadow Clones were all destroyed by a single 【Spear Radiance】 move. The most critical part is—”

She paused, her voice lowering slightly: “During the final blow, Umekawa Kojiro's ultimate skill 【Shadow Strike】 pierced Lin Feng's throat, a fatal strike.”

Jiang Zhaoyue's pupils contracted slightly: “It hit?” 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

“It hit.” Su Qian nodded. “But Lin Feng didn't die.”

She looked up, her eyes shining: “Umekawa Kojiro's blade pierced Lin Feng's throat; everyone in the livestream saw it with their own eyes.

By all logic, that strike should have been certain death. But Lin Feng's health bar... locked.”

“Locked health?” Jiang Zhaoyue's gaze narrowed.

“Yes. From a bystander's perspective, his health bar emptied in that instant, but in the next second, it got stuck at 1 point.

Then he countered with a spear thrust, piercing Umekawa Kojiro's throat.”

Su Qian closed the document and summarized: “In the entire war, Beacon Fire Town was only inferior to Baigui County in the number of class-holders.

In all other aspects—military strength, the lord's individual combat power, and tactical coordination—it can be said to be a complete victory.”

Jiang Zhaoyue leaned back in her chair and fell silent.

Umekawa Kojiro, an established county-level lord of Sakura Country, with a Rare Lord Template, a second-advancement class, and two pieces of purple equipment.

Such an opponent was killed head-on by a Level 19 first-advancement lord.

And it was a successful counter-kill after being hit by the opponent's ultimate skill.

Locked health...

Countless possibilities flashed through her mind. A talent skill? An equipment effect? Or some kind of rare life-saving trump card?

But no matter what it was, this Lin Feng was not simple.

She stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the distant silhouette of Tianji Mountain, lost in thought.

Su Qian stood to the side, not disturbing her.

After a long time, Jiang Zhaoyue suddenly spoke:

“Qianqian, what do you think Lin Feng lacks most after annexing Baigui County?”

Su Qian was taken aback.

What does he lack?

Baigui County was an established county-level territory; the population, resources, and buildings accumulated over decades had all been annexed by Beacon Fire Town.

Over eight thousand indigenous residents, multiple green buildings, and resource points like Qingmu Forest, Qinglin Lake, and Heiyan Town...

“He probably... doesn't lack anything?” Su Qian said tentatively. “Population, resources, territory—he has them all.

While our Crescent Moon Territory is still worrying about food, he has nothing to worry about anymore.”

Jiang Zhaoyue shook her head, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of her mouth.

“No. He lacks one thing.”

Su Qian blinked: “What?”

“Experts.” Jiang Zhaoyue turned around, her eyes sparkling. “Experts who can hold their own and guard the territory for him.”

She walked back to the desk, her fingers lightly tapping the tabletop: “Think about it, how long did it take Beacon Fire Town from founding the village to annexing Baigui County?

Less than two months. The development is too fast, so fast that there hasn't even been time to cultivate talent.”

“Those few people under him—Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Wang Wu, Arrow Eye, Shadow Snake.

They are indeed good prospects, but except for that Shadow Snake, the others can at most be considered 'capable fighters,' not yet 'able to hold their own.'”

“And after annexing Baigui County, his territory suddenly expanded to over twenty thousand square li.

Qingmu County, Heiyan Town, Hupan Village, and the Beacon Fire Town headquarters—four places that all need people to guard them.

No matter how strong he is alone, can he split himself in four?”

Su Qian's eyes gradually lit up.

“Are you saying... he won't be able to hold out against the monthly Nightmare Tide?”

“It's not that he can't hold out,” Jiang Zhaoyue corrected. “It's that he can't guard so many places simultaneously.

The Nightmare Tide is no joke. If he personally oversees one place, what happens to the other three?”

She paused, her smile deepening: “And our Crescent Moon Territory just happens to have that strength.”

Su Qian suddenly realized: “You want to... help them guard against the Nightmare Tide?”

“Not help.” Jiang Zhaoyue shook her head. “Cooperate.”

She walked to the window, looking south, and said slowly: “The level three Nightmare Tide in Qingmu County is also a rare resource for us.

High-level monsters, high drop rates, high experience. Our people going over to help with the defense can earn a favor and get benefits at the same time. It's a win-win.”

Su Qian's eyes grew brighter and brighter: “And we're close by; the one closest to the water gets the moon first!

If we wait for other territories to react, this piece of fat will be snatched away!”

Jiang Zhaoyue nodded.

She turned around, the smile at the corner of her mouth growing thicker. On that cold and stunning face, there was now the confidence of someone who had everything under control.

“He might not have thought of this level yet,” she said ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) softly. “But by the time he realizes it, it'll be too late for us.”

Su Qian said excitedly: “President, when shall we go talk to him?”

Jiang Zhaoyue thought for a moment and said decisively: “Now.”

She walked to the wardrobe, took out a set of silver-blue form-fitting battle armor, and began to change with agile movements.

Su Qian was stunned: “Now? You're going personally?”

“Yes.” Jiang Zhaoyue fastened the straps of her armor, pulled her long hair out from the collar, and let it drape behind her. “I don't feel comfortable leaving such a major matter to someone else.”

She turned around, picked up her sidearm from the table, and slung it behind her back.

Under the sunlight, the silver-blue armor shone brightly, making her entire person look heroically imposing.

That cold and stunning face now carried a smile of determination, breathtakingly beautiful.

“Prepare the horses.” She strode toward the door. “I want to personally meet this young lord.”

Su Qian hurriedly followed, her eyes full of admiration.

“Yes! President!”

She quickly ran downstairs to make arrangements.

Jiang Zhaoyue stood at the top of the stairs, looking at the sun gradually sinking in the west, the smile at the corner of her mouth deepening.

Lin Feng...

Let me see exactly what kind of person you are.