The black-haired leader sitting at the top said nothing, watching everyone in the hall arguing with each other.

"Idiot, why don't you take this opportunity to defeat the Bow Hunting Sect and wait for them to recruit us? As time goes on, the brothers below will slowly withdraw and go back to farming, hunting and the like. Then we won't be able to turn the tables on them alone." The bald man said angrily.

"That's not what I meant. I meant it's too hasty to act now. Most civilians won't support it." Another person responded in rebuttal.

......

Both sides have their own opinions. Generally speaking, one side believes that they should respond immediately to gain a core position so that they can share more benefits in the future. The other side believes that this is too risky and the time is not yet ripe.

Just as the argument between the two sides was getting louder and louder, the leader at the top finally spoke. He slammed his palm lightly on the table, causing the whole table to vibrate and a buzzing sound to be heard. Then the scene suddenly became quiet.

Everyone sat back down, looked at the leader, and waited quietly for him to speak.

"Do you know anything about the country of Clancia?" he said slowly.

"Well, I know a little bit..."

Then everyone started talking about what they had seen and heard, which was nothing more than that this country had good order and strong execution, but there were relatively few extraordinary people and it was relatively poor.

"Do you think that in the future, will Clancy be stronger, or will Frost Rose be stronger?"

"Of course this is frost..." As he spoke, the strong man who answered hesitated and slowly stopped.

"The Frost Rose's army already has golems and a massive fleet of airships. Their navy is also actively expanding its fleet. You should have heard of this."

"Although West Wind was once decadent, it has accumulated a lot of wealth and extraordinary people over the past few hundred years. It even has the Lightning Knights, all of whom are Sequence 5 or above. They have always been the leader of the Seven Kingdoms of Xuehua. Don't you find it strange?"

"Such a vast legacy was lost overnight, and even the capital was captured by the rebels. Even if there weren't Sequence 9s stationed there, given Xifeng's background, there must be a Sequence 8."

"How did they defeat Xifeng? Haven't you considered the hidden secrets?"

"This..." The scene suddenly became quiet.

"Clansia is not as weak as it appears, and although Frost Rose has great promises, Clansia is closer to us."

"Given the current situation of Clancy and Frost Rose secretly confronting each other, it's impossible for them to allow their rear to be instigated by Frost Rose."

"So before the situation becomes clear, I will not allow you to get involved in the fight between the two factions, if you still recognize me as your leader."

The black-haired leader slowly stated his decision, frowning his sharp brows and scanning everyone in the room with a stern look.

After a moment of silence, the mercenary captains below also began to express their opinions.

"I respect the chief's decision."

"Me too."

...

"Alas... Since Brother Mu Long has spoken, I will obey." The bald man put down his arms with a little regret and nodded in agreement.

After the meeting, everyone slowly dispersed in carriages, and the approaching winter became a little quieter.

After everyone in the hall had left, only Mu Long was left standing in front of the window, looking at the lush green mountains and lakes. The world was gradually getting colder with sporadic snowflakes floating in the air.

The old wooden door creaked open, and a girl with short black hair walked in. She was dressed in a slightly smart black suit.

"Jena?" Mu Long, wearing steel armor, turned around and looked at his second daughter.

"Yes, father." The girl nodded slightly, then stood beside her father and looked at the world outside the window. The communication between father and daughter has always been simple.

"How is Emenas?" Muron put his hand on Jenna's shoulder and showed concern for her for the first time in a long time.

"It's great. My classmates and teachers are all very nice to me." Jenna recalled those faces and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"That's good."

After a brief silence, Mu Long continued.

"I've been away from home all year round, and I haven't paid much attention to you since you were little. Sometimes I regret not spending more time with you."

"In the blink of an eye, you've grown up. If you make a few more friends at school, you'll have a place to stay when you go out in the future."

"Father always talks about his profession." Jenna turned her head and looked at the weathered man, saying with a little helplessness.

"Haha, it can't be changed." The man laughed a few times, and his expression became much softer, no longer as cold and stern as he was in the hall just now.

Mu Long stroked the girl's head with his rough hand and sighed, "The world is changing."

"We've been traveling around the Clancys, Frost Rose, and Verdant Empire for years, so we can clearly sense the undercurrents. Who knows, in a few years, another war might break out, just like the Battle of Broken Bow. Victory could bring a few hundred years of peace, but defeat means we'll be conquered by Verdant."

"When the nest is overturned, how can it be easily preserved?"

"While you're in school, you can try to get in touch with the noble classmates in Cang Cui. If the time really comes, you'll have more options for backing up."

"Father..." Jenna looked at the man in disbelief. It was really beyond her expectation that her father, who had always been strong and strict, would teach her like this.

"It's nothing. I am me and you are you. I still hope that as a girl, you can live a more relaxed and happy life." The man said softly while looking into the distance.

------------

In late autumn, the long vacation in Emenas is about to end, and students who have been traveling around are beginning to return to school.

A small estate on the Gaodan Plain, with grape trellises covered with vines on both sides of the river and a windmill built of gray-white stone bricks standing on the hill.

Under the shade of a tree somewhere beside the river, two girls sat side by side. Since this was the southern part of the empire and the climate was warm, they were wearing dresses and woven sun hats.

Two fishing rods were placed at an angle beside them, with the ends of the rods pressed down by rocks to prevent them from falling off, while the two men leaned on the gray slate and chatted.

"Lily, time flies so fast. The vacation is almost over, and I feel like I haven't had enough fun." Alena said while chewing a green pear.

"Ah, why do you have to remind me? I just want to have fun for a few days, woo woo." Lily covered her ears to indicate that she didn't want to listen.

"I'll be back at school and will have to prepare for the promotion exams soon. I'll also have many subjects and courses to study."

"I don't want to listen, don't say it, Alena~"

"But it's not completely without good news. The Winter Festival Gala is about to begin. I heard that we'll be able to see competitions among seniors and performances from various clubs. It's going to be quite exciting."

"Is there a senior who is very good-looking, handsome, and has super-powerful abilities?"

"some."

"Is there a peerless prince who is domineering and handsome and only loves me?"

"some."

"Great~ Let's go back right away." Lily finally found something to be happy about returning to school.