Zhang Ping ran until he was out of breath, fine beads of sweat oozing from his forehead and his face pale.

"Lord, something happened! Over at the Copper-Tin Mine to the west, something happened!"

Lin Feng frowned slightly and pushed open the door to the Council Hall. "Come in and speak."

The three of them entered the hall. Zhang Ping steadied his breathing and began to report.

"This morning, a few people came to the Copper-Tin Mine, claiming to be from Baigui County in Sakura Country," Zhang Ping said quickly.

"They ran to the mine and shouted at our miners, saying that the Copper-Tin Mine has been the territory of their Baigui County since ancient times, and told our people to leave immediately."

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed.

"What else did they say?"

Zhang Ping swallowed hard. "They also said... they said we people of Great Xia only know how to take advantage of others, and that we sneakily occupied the mine while they weren't paying attention."

They also said that if we don't clear out, they'll initiate a Resource Competition War in a few days. They told ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) us to just wait and see."

"Resource Competition War?" Lin Feng thought thoughtfully.

According to the international lord convention, if a resource dispute occurs between territories of different countries, a "Resource Competition War" can be initiated.

Both sides fight at an agreed time and place, and the winner gains ownership of the resource point.

When a Resource Competition War occurs between a high-level territory and a low-level territory...

The challenging lord cannot personally intervene; this is to protect low-level lords from being directly crushed by high-level lords. However, the challenged lord is allowed to fight.

"The opposing lord can't intervene..." Lin Feng muttered to himself. "Then where do they get their confidence?"

He looked at Zhang Ping. "How many people came?"

"Only five or six people. The leader called himself Umekawa Kagetora," Zhang Ping replied.

Lin Feng nodded and waved his hand for Zhang Ping to leave. "I understand."

"Go back and tell the people at the mine to continue mining and ignore them. Have the seven Beacon Guards increase their vigilance, but do not attack proactively."

Zhang Ping froze for a moment. "Lord, aren't we withdrawing?"

"Withdraw for what?" Lin Feng said indifferently. "We occupied the mine first, why should we withdraw?"

A flash of excitement crossed Zhang Ping's eyes, but he then said worriedly, "But they said they would initiate a Resource Competition War..."

"Then let them come," Lin Feng interrupted him. "Just deliver the message; don't worry about anything else."

Zhang Ping bowed to accept the order and hurriedly left.

The hall fell silent.

Lin Feng leaned back in the main seat, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.

"Baigui County..." he murmured to himself.

Shadow Snake stepped out from the shadows and stood by his side.

"One of the thirty county-level territories of Sakura Country, the territory of the Umekawa Family," Shadow Snake said calmly, her voice cold.

"Umekawa Kojiro, Rare Lord Template."

"Rare Lord Template..." Lin Feng pondered. "If I were him, under the condition that the lord cannot personally intervene, where would I get the confidence to initiate a Resource Competition War?"

Shadow Snake looked at him.

"Either he has a Rare Class Awakened under his command who can compete with a lord," Lin Feng said slowly.

"Or... this is just bait."

Shadow Snake didn't respond, just quietly waiting for him to continue.

Lin Feng thought for a moment and suddenly smiled.

"Whatever it is, it's just a matter of using a few more tricks." He stood up and stretched his muscles.

"If they really dare to come, I'll show them what it means to have no return."

Shadow Snake was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke: "Lord, let me go."

Lin Feng looked at her.

Shadow Snake's eyes remained cold, but her tone was a bit firmer than usual: "Leave the Awakened sent by Baigui County to me. There's no need for the Lord to take action."

Lin Feng was slightly taken aback, then he understood.

Shadow Snake felt that since she was now Level 19 with the Rare Class 【Shadow Dance】 and the deep blue fang, she indeed had the strength to fight.

But he still shook his head.

"No need."

An imperceptible flash of disappointment passed through Shadow Snake's eyes.

Lin Feng saw it but only smiled. "It's not that I don't trust you. It's just to be safe, I'll do it personally."

He paused and added, "Besides, this is only the first wave. No one knows if there are more hidden moves later. You stay back; you'll be useful at a critical moment."

Shadow Snake was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Lin Feng walked to the window and looked toward the west.

That was the direction of the Copper-Tin Mine, and also the direction of Baigui County.

"I wanted to relax for a few days..." he laughed softly. "But trouble has come."

Shadow Snake stood by his side without speaking.

Outside the window, the sunlight was still bright, and the bustle of the commercial street continued.

Those working Awakened didn't know what had happened in the west yet; they were still leisurely shopping, drinking, and boasting.

Lin Feng withdrew his gaze, turned around, and sat back in the main seat.

"I won't be going back to Blue Star for the next few days; I'll stay in the town." He looked at Shadow Snake.

"You too. In case anything happens, you can act at any time."

Shadow Snake nodded.

Lin Feng leaned against the back of the chair and closed his eyes.

In his mind, that golden necklace was still waiting for him. The Eye of Probability had four days left to refresh.

He hoped that before then, Baigui County wouldn't pull any stunts.

But even if they did, he wasn't afraid.

Soldiers come, generals block; water comes, earth covers.

The night was as black as ink, enveloping Baigui County.

Inside the Council Hall, the candlelight was bright, but only two people were sitting there.

Umekawa Kojiro sat high in the main seat, wearing dark gray casual clothes. He held a teacup, but his gaze fell on the person opposite him.

That person sat in the guest seat, of medium build, wearing an inconspicuous black cloak with a hood half-masking his face.

But from the exposed chin and hands, one could see that this was a man in his thirties, with fair skin and long, well-maintained fingers.

"Yamamoto-kun." Umekawa Kojiro put down his teacup. "Visiting late at night, are there any new instructions from Osaka Castle?"

The man looked up, revealing a delicate face under the hood, with a faint smile on his lips.

His name was Yamamoto Ichiki, a confidant of the City Lord, specifically responsible for external affairs.

"Patriarch Umekawa is too polite," Yamamoto Ichiki's voice was gentle and polite. "There are no instructions to speak of, I'm just here to confirm the progress of the plan."

Umekawa Kojiro nodded slightly. "Everything is proceeding according to plan. Today, I already sent people to that Copper-Tin Mine to declare sovereignty."

"Oh?" Yamamoto Ichiki's eyebrows quirked slightly. "How did that Lord Lin react?"

"There was no reaction for the time being," Umekawa Kojiro said indifferently.

"But as far as I know, he ordered the mine to continue operations. It seems he's prepared to hold out to the end."

Yamamoto Ichiki smiled. "That's good. The tougher he is, the better the play will be later."

He took a small wooden box from his robe and placed it on the table between them.