At two o'clock in the afternoon, the sunlight in the Council Hall was just right.

Lin Feng sat in the main seat, with Zhao Hu, Meng Yi, Tie Dun, Su Yurou, Arrow Eye, Wang Wu, A Wang, and Scarface Liu seated on the left.

The tea on the table was still steaming, and a faint scent of mint wafted through the air.

Lin Feng was deploying the details of the north gate's defense when hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside.

A Beacon Guard pushed the door open and entered, kneeling on one knee with his right fist pressed against his chest: "Reporting to the Lord! Lady Ye Lan sent me ahead to report that while passing through Xinyue County, they happened to encounter Lord Jiang and her subordinates."

"Lord Jiang's group was also heading toward Hangu Pass, so the two parties joined together to travel. They are expected to arrive at four o'clock this afternoon."

Lin Feng nodded: "Understood. Thank you for your hard work."

The Beacon Guard withdrew.

Tie Dun was the first to jump up from his chair, his eyes shining like light bulbs: "Good heavens, Lord Jiang is really coming! The number one beauty lord of Great Xia is coming to join us. Lord, you really have a lot of prestige!"

Lin Feng gave him a speechless look: "Say less of that kind of talk later. We are in a strategic partnership with Lord Jiang; it's not about one side seeking refuge with the other. If you say that in front of her and she hits you, I won't stop her."

Tie Dun shrunk his neck and said sheepishly, "Don't do that, Lord. I'm no match for her..."

Everyone burst into laughter; even Arrow Eye couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.

Zhao Hu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "This is a good thing! The Moonflower Guild's strength is not weak; their arrival will be a great help."

Wang Wu chuckled: "Once Lord Jiang arrives, we can allocate another section of the north gate's defense to her people, which will greatly reduce the pressure."

Lin Feng waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet: "Alright, they haven't arrived yet, so let's finish our business first. At four o'clock, we'll go together to the barbican gate to welcome them."

Everyone sat up straight again and continued listening to Lin Feng's deployment of the defense plan.

...

Four o'clock in the afternoon, in front of the barbican gate.

Lin Feng stood in the center, with Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Su Yurou, and the others following behind him.

Meng Yi stood inside the city gate holding a halberd, with Bai Yi through Bai Liu standing in a row behind him.

A Beacon Guard riding a Great-Horned Deer galloped from the north. Ten meters away from Lin Feng, he flipped off the deer, ran quickly to Lin Feng, and knelt on one knee.

"Reporting to the Lord, Lady Ye Lan and Lord Jiang are three li away."

Lin Feng nodded, and the Beacon Guard withdrew.

The people behind him perked up, and Tie Dun squinted as he looked toward the north.

Zhao Hu also straightened up, and Su Yurou walked to Lin Feng's side.

"They're here, they're here!!!"

Tie Dun pointed to the north, his voice rising half a pitch.

On the northern horizon, a massive contingent was slowly approaching.

The procession stretched out very long; the figures at the front were already distinct, while those at the back were still crawling along the horizon.

The formation wasn't as uniform as the Great Qin Elite Soldiers, but it made up for it with sheer numbers, and its momentum was not weak at all.

Two figures walked at the very front.

On the left was Jiang Yelan, wearing black leather armor with the shadow moon blade hanging at her waist. Her cloak's hood was down, revealing her cold and aloof face.

On the right was Jiang Zhaoyue, her silver-and-blue form-fitting battle armor glinting coldly in the sun. A silver-white spear was slung across her back, and her hair was tied in a high ponytail, looking capable and spirited.

The two walked side by side with synchronized steps, one as cold as ice, the other as brisk as the wind.

Behind Jiang Zhaoyue followed the core members of the Moonflower Guild.

Su Yuehua wore a plain white robe, her long hair held up by a silver hairpin, her expression gentle.

Feng Qingshuang and Feng Qingyan walked side by side; the elder sister in a deep red mage robe looked cold and calm, while the younger sister in a fiery red short robe appeared bold and agile.

Shi Pojun walked behind them carrying a tower shield, expressionless like a moving city wall.

Further back were the 1,200 Awakened of the Moonflower Guild, wearing various equipment and carrying a wide array of weapons—sabers, swords, bows, and crossbows. They whispered to each other and looked around curiously.

"Wow, is this an advanced wonder? It's so majestic!"

A young Awakened looked up, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit a fist.

"It's even higher than the walls of Xinyue County! This must be forty meters tall, right?"

A middle-aged man with a longbow on his back swallowed hard.

"From now on, we're people of the Beacon Fire Territory! When I get back, I have to tell my son that the territory his dad is in has the Great Wall, the fourth in the world! It's so prestigious!"

A bearded man patted his chest, grinning from ear to ear.

"What do you think is the relationship between the Guild Leader and Lord Lin?"

A thin young man lowered his voice and gave a sly wink to the person next to him.

"What relationship? A strategic partnership, obviously." The person next to him gave him a sidelong glance.

"Tsk, would a strategic partnership make our entire guild move over here? I don't think it's that simple."

"What do you know? This is called a union of the strong. Lord Lin has a Special Village Establishment Order, an advanced wonder, and advanced special troop types. The Guild Leader has strength, experience, and an entire guild. With the two of them joining forces, who in the entire South Pole Region can beat them?"

"True. But then again, the Guild Leader is really beautiful, and Lord Lin is also very handsome. If they stand together—"

"Shut up. If the Guild Leader hears you, you'll be running laps again."

In the middle of the procession, two young female Awakened huddled together, their voices very low.

"Say, what exactly is the relationship between the Guild Leader and Lord Lin? Could it really be like the rumors outside say?"

"Like that? Like what?" the other asked knowingly, her eyes curving into crescents.

"You know... like that. You understand."

"What do I understand? I don't."

At the very rear of the procession were a thousand County Soldiers and two thousand military families and craftsmen responsible for the baggage train.

The County Soldiers' formation was relatively orderly. Craftsmen pushed handcarts loaded with tools and materials, the clinking and clanging audible from several hundred meters away.

Military families led their children and carried bundles, their faces showing anticipation for the new environment mixed with a hint of unease.

Jiang Zhaoyue saw Lin Feng and quickened her pace.

Jiang Yelan stepped aside half a pace, letting Jiang Zhaoyue go first.

Lin Feng went forward to meet them and cupped his fists: "Lord Jiang, you've had a long and difficult journey."

Feng Qingyan poked her head out from behind Jiang Zhaoyue, her ponytail swaying. Her eyes were sparkling as she called out brightly.

"Lord Lin, long time no see! This Great Wall of yours is just too incredible. As we were coming, we could see this wall just by looking up; it's like it was cleaved down from the heavens. It's so cool!"

Lin Feng smiled: "Qingyan is as straightforward as ever."

Jiang Zhaoyue glared at Feng Qingyan, who stuck out her tongue and stepped back half a pace.

Then she stepped forward, cupped her fists with both hands, and bowed slightly. Her voice was clear and solemn: "Lord Lin, I, Jiang Zhaoyue of Xinyue County, leading all of the Moonflower Guild, formally pledge our allegiance to the Beacon Fire Territory today. From now on, we shall rely on you, Lord Lin."

As soon as those words were spoken, the Yuehua members behind her all cupped their fists and bowed.

Feng Qingyan also stopped her joking and lowered her head with cupped fists.

The 1,200 Awakened of the Moonflower Guild cupped their fists simultaneously. Though their movements weren't perfectly synchronized, their momentum was as grand as a rainbow.

Lin Feng stepped forward and helped Jiang Zhaoyue up with both hands, his gaze steady: "Lord Jiang, you're being too formal. The Beacon Fire Territory welcomes you. We will fight side by side from now on; no one is relying on anyone else."

He stepped aside and gestured with his right hand, "Please, tea has already been prepared in the Council Hall."

Jiang Zhaoyue nodded and followed behind him.

Jiang Yelan walked silently to Lin Feng's other side, the shadow moon blade swaying slightly at her waist.

Tie Dun whispered from behind, "The Lord is so cool."

Zhao Hu glanced at him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Su Yurou covered her mouth and chuckled.

Lin Feng walked at the very front with steady steps, but his thoughts had already begun to race.

In the past, there were too few Awakened in the territory, so loose management was sufficient.

But it was different now. With the 1,200 people from the Moonflower Guild plus the Awakened who had joined from various places, the total population far exceeded what it was before.

With so many people gathered together, without a clear management system, trouble would eventually arise.

He secretly calculated in his mind that he needed to set up this organizational framework as soon as possible.