Lin Feng's gaze swept across both sides before finally landing on Jiang Zhaoyue.

"Lord Jiang." He got straight to the point. "You just said you wanted to discuss a win-win cooperation. I wonder what kind of cooperation it is?"

Jiang Zhaoyue smiled slightly and leaned forward.

"Lord Lin has annexed Baigui County. How much territory do you have under your command now?"

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow and didn't hide anything. "Qingmu County, Heiyan Town, Hupan Village, plus the Beacon Fire Town headquarters. It's one hundred and sixty li from east to west, and one hundred and thirty li from north to south."

Jiang Zhaoyue nodded. "Over twenty thousand square li and four settlements. Lord Lin, how many people under you can hold their own?"

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.

Jiang Zhaoyue continued, "You are very strong yourself, there's no doubt about that. But can you alone defend four places at once?"

She paused, emphasizing each word, "The Nightmare Tide happens once a month. If you are stationed in one place, what about the others?"

Lin Feng fell silent.

Jiang Zhaoyue looked into his eyes and slowly revealed the true purpose of her visit.

"Lord Lin, I can help you defend."

"The people of Crescent Moon Territory will help you defend against the Nightmare Tide in Qingmu County, Heiyan Town, and Hupan Village."

"In return—"

A hint of a smile played on her lips.

"The monsters in those Nightmare Tides will belong to us."

...

The Council Hall fell silent for a moment.

Lin Feng leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest as his gaze fell on Jiang Zhaoyue's face.

Defending three locations against the Nightmare Tide, with only those monsters as payment.

It sounded like a good deal, but Jiang Zhaoyue clearly had more to say.

Sure enough, she paused and continued.

"Besides those monsters, I have one small request."

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. "Please, go on."

Jiang Zhaoyue smiled, a smile tinged with the shrewdness of a merchant.

"I hope Qingmu County can provide every month—"

She held out a hand and began to count.

"A purchasing quota of five hundred units of grain, two hundred units of wood, one hundred units of iron ingots, one hundred and fifty units of salted fish, and fifty units of salt."

"I will purchase these at the original market price."

Having finished, she looked into Lin Feng's eyes, waiting for his response.

Lin Feng remained silent.

He quickly calculated in his mind.

Grain—there were farmlands around Qingmu County, and the grain in the warehouses was piled high like mountains.

Wood—Qingmu Forest was right there, and with the logging camp's efficiency increased by 20%, two hundred units of wood was just a few days' production.

Iron ingots—Heiyan Town had a large iron mine, so one hundred units of iron ingots was also just a few days' production.

Salted fish—the catch from Qinglin Lake was constant, and the fish market in Hupan Village was open every day. One hundred and fifty units of salted fish was even less of a concern.

Salt—the salt mine in Heiyan Town was a unique resource within a hundred-li radius. Fifty units of salt might be a treasure to others, but to Qingmu County, it was just normal output.

These were all daily outputs, so it wouldn't put much pressure on Qingmu County.

And what she wanted was to buy at the original price, a purchasing quota, a fair trade.

The truly valuable part was the condition she mentioned earlier: helping him defend against the Nightmare Tide.

A Level 3 Nightmare Tide once a month.

Three locations: Qingmu County, Heiyan Town, and Hupan Village.

He could only defend Beacon Fire Town by himself. He had actually thought about this problem long ago.

At the time, he felt there was still time to slowly train Zhao Hu and Shadow Snake.

Zhao Hu had just completed his second promotion, and Shadow Snake had a rare class. If he could train them to the point where they could hold their own, it wouldn't be impossible for the two of them to defend Qingmu County together.

But training takes time.

What if they hadn't grown enough by the time the Nightmare Tide arrived?

He had also considered another plan: finding Director Chen and having the state arrange for people to help defend.

But if the state arranged for people, he would likely have to give up some territory interests. Resources, taxes, and even future development rights might have to be shared.

And now, Jiang Zhaoyue had come to him on her own initiative.

She only wanted the monsters from the Nightmare Tide plus some purchasing quotas for daily products.

The monsters in the Nightmare Tide were indeed a resource for certain factions.

High-level monsters, high experience, high drop rates. But for the current Beacon Fire Town, they weren't resources; they were a burden.

Endless monsters, walls that couldn't be held, and territory that could be breached at any moment.

Handing over the burden to someone capable of handling it in exchange for his own safety and development time.

This deal was worth it. Lin Feng had figured it out.

He looked up at Jiang Zhaoyue, a slow smile spreading across his face.

"Lord Jiang is indeed shrewd."

Jiang Zhaoyue's eyes lit up. "Lord Lin agrees?"

Lin Feng nodded. "I agree."

A brilliant smile blossomed on Jiang Zhaoyue's face. That cold and stunning face now smiled like the warm spring sun, so beautiful it was hard to look away.

"Lord Lin is straightforward!" She stood up, stepped forward, and extended her right hand. "Then it's a deal!"

Lin Feng also stood up and shook her hand. "It's a deal."

The two looked at each other and both laughed.

Jiang Zhaoyue withdrew her hand and said seriously, "Rest assured, Lord Lin. ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) I will dispatch the most elite personnel from Zhenyue City to help you defend these three locations.

The Nightmare Tide is also a rare resource for our Crescent Moon Territory."

Lin Feng nodded. "With those words from Lord Jiang, I am relieved."

Jiang Zhaoyue thought for a moment and added, "This cooperation is just the beginning. If there's a chance in the future, we can continue to cooperate more deeply.

Crescent Moon Territory and Beacon Fire Territory are close to each other. Looking out for one another will benefit both sides."

Lin Feng smiled. "Then I'll take Lord Jiang's kind words to heart."

After a few more pleasantries, Jiang Zhaoyue rose to take her leave.

"Lord Lin is busy with affairs, so I won't disturb you any longer." She walked toward the door with her four attendants. Reaching the door, she suddenly turned back.

"By the way, if Lord Lin is free, you are welcome to visit Crescent Moon Territory. The scenery of Tianji Mountain is quite good."

Lin Feng cupped his fists. "Certainly."

Jiang Zhaoyue smiled and turned to leave.

Her figure disappeared into the sunlight outside the door, and the sound of horse hooves gradually faded away.

...

The Council Hall became quiet once again.

Lin Feng looked at Zhao Hu and said seriously, "As for the next arrangements, we'll talk after I return to Blue Star."

You all should rest well and recharge your energy."

Zhao Hu nodded. "Rest assured, Lord."

Lin Feng then looked at Su Yurou. "Yu Rou, are you used to the new equipment?"

Su Yurou held the blue crystal staff, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled. "Yes! It's very easy to use! Thank you, Lord!"

Lin Feng nodded and glanced over everyone.

"Alright, you're all dismissed."

Everyone stood up one after another, bowed, and took their leave.

Soon, only Lin Feng remained in the Council Hall.

He walked to the window and looked toward the northwest.

In the direction of Crescent Moon Territory.

Jiang Zhaoyue...

This woman's insight was indeed very sharp.

She saw exactly what he lacked most and then offered the help he needed most.

And what she wanted was merely things that were a burden to him but a resource to her.

This woman was not simple.

A smile played on Lin Feng's lips.

But that was fine.

With her help defending those three locations, he could focus on dealing with Beacon Fire Town's Nightmare Tide and concentrate on improving his own strength.

As for the future...

We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

He turned and walked toward the second floor.

First, he would return to Blue Star.