When Zhao Hu and his group arrived outside the east gate of Qingmu County, the sun was hanging directly overhead.

After a morning of traveling, even the Great-Horned Deers' steps ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ had become somewhat heavy.

Zhao Hu rode at the very front, the troll tusk shield on his back and the bone-crushing greatsword hanging by the deer's saddle, his iron half-armor glinting with a dull light under the sun.

Behind him, Su Yurou rode another Great-Horned Deer, her blue crystal staff resting across her knees, the gemstone at its tip shimmering with a pale golden aura in the sunlight.

Tie Dun, Scarface Liu, A Wang, Arrow Eye, and Wang Wu followed on their deer; further back, Meng Yi led two hundred Infantry and forty Crossbowmen in a column, their steps rhythmic and silent as iron.

Liu Ming was already waiting outside the east gate.

He wore a cyan robe and was followed by several county officials; upon seeing Zhao Hu and the others, he hurried forward to greet them.

"Captain Zhao, it’s been a long journey," Liu Ming said with a smile, cupping his hands. "The Lord already sent word that you would arrive today. Your accommodations have been arranged; let's take a rest first."

Zhao Hu dismounted and returned the gesture. "Magistrate Liu is too kind. Have the people from Crescent Moon Territory arrived?"

"They have, they arrived yesterday," Liu Ming said, leading the way. "Over five hundred people came, led by five individuals who are all second promotion professionals in their twenties, and one of them is surnamed Su, the vice president of the Yuehua Guild."

"I've arranged for them to stay at the post house in the west of the city. The conditions are a bit simple, but they didn't complain."

Zhao Hu nodded. Five second promotion professionals and over five hundred people—Crescent Moon Territory had really invested heavily this time.

He glanced back at his team and said to Liu Ming, "Let's eat first. We'll go see them in the afternoon."

Tie Dun jumped down from his deer, his stomach letting out a loud growl.

Rubbing his belly, he grumbled, "I've been hungry for ages. I only gnawed on two flatbreads this morning, and the ride was so bumpy my stomach almost turned inside out."

Zhao Hu glanced at him. "You talk too much."

Tie Dun chuckled, not minding at all.

Everyone followed Liu Ming into the city, passing through several streets until they reached the Council Hall.

The Council Hall was smaller than the one in Beacon Fire Town, but it was kept clean and bright.

A long table was set, covered with a white cloth, and the chairs were neatly arranged.

Liu Ming clapped his hands, and several county officials entered in a line carrying trays. Braised fish, braised beef, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, hot and sour soup, and a large pot of steaming white rice—the aroma wafted straight into their noses.

Tie Dun's eyes widened. He swallowed hard, and before his backside even touched the seat, his chopsticks were already reaching out.

Zhao Hu slapped the back of his hand. "Wait until everyone is here before you eat!"

Tie Dun pulled his hand back, rubbing his fingers with a pitiful look.

Su Yurou couldn't help but smile. She took a handkerchief from her robe and handed it to him. "Wipe your hands first."

Tie Dun took the handkerchief, wiped his hands with a grin, but his eyes never left the plate of braised beef.

Zhao Hu shook his head and stopped bothering with him. Once everyone was settled, Liu Ming raised a cup, said a few pleasantries, and they all began to eat.

Tie Dun ate the fastest and the most.

He finished half a plate of braised beef by himself, snatched the head of the braised fish, and drank three bowls of hot and sour soup.

A Wang, sitting next to him, had several pieces of food snatched from under his chopsticks, and his face turned dark.

Scarface Liu, on the other hand, ate refinedly, chewing his bowl of rice slowly and barely touching the meat—mostly because Tie Dun had snatched it all.

"Tie Dun, slow down, no one is fighting you for it," Wang Wu said, unable to watch any longer, pushing his own dish forward.

With his mouth stuffed full, Tie Dun mumbled indistinctly, "It's good... so good... Magistrate Liu, where did you find this cook?"

Liu Ming smiled and refilled his soup bowl. "Eat as much as you like. Once this battle is over, I'll have the cook prepare an even better feast for you."

"That sounds great!" Tie Dun grinned and went back to shoveling rice.

Zhao Hu didn't eat much. After a few bites, he put down his chopsticks and scanned the Council Hall.

Liu Ming was indeed capable; the county was managed in an orderly fashion, and even the hospitality was well-arranged. No wonder the Lord felt comfortable leaving Qingmu County to him.

Su Yurou didn't eat much either, putting down her chopsticks after finishing only half a bowl of rice.

She held a cup of tea, sipping it slowly with a calm gaze, lost in thought.

Arrow Eye and Wang Wu glanced at each other, both seeing the same thing in the other's eyes.

This meal wasn't just about eating.

They were to meet the people from Crescent Moon Territory in the afternoon; only with a full stomach could one keep a clear head.

After the meal, Liu Ming had the table cleared and brought out several pots of tea.

The tea was locally produced in Qingmu County; it wasn't high-grade, but it was fresh and had a faint, pleasant fragrance.

After everyone had some tea and caught their breath, Liu Ming checked the time and stood up. "I'll go invite the people from Crescent Moon Territory. They should be here in fifteen minutes."

Zhao Hu nodded. Liu Ming turned and left.

Fifteen minutes later, the doors to the Council Hall were pushed open.

Five people entered in a line.

Leading them was a woman in a plain white robe, her long hair held up by a silver hairpin. Her expression was gentle, and there was a faint hint of compassion in her eyes.

She walked with light steps, making almost no sound, like a leaf falling onto the water's surface.

A crescent-shaped jade pendant hung at her waist, glowing softly in the sunlight.

Behind her followed two women in red robes who shared a seventy percent resemblance. One was cold and serene with cascading long hair, her deep red robes tightly wrapped, holding a staff set with a ruby.

The other had a high ponytail and wore a brisk, bold flame-red short robe; her staff was shorter than her sister's, and the flame crystal at its tip occasionally spat out a tuft of fire.

Further back was a burly man. Standing 1.9 meters tall with broad shoulders and a thick waist, a square face marked by an old scar stretching from his left eyebrow down to his right cheek.

He wore iron half-plate armor, a tower shield strapped to his left arm, and a one-handed battle-axe in his right hand, standing there like a wall.

At the very back was a figure in deep green leather armor.

The hood of his cloak was pulled low, revealing only the lower half of his face. He carried a longbow on his back, and his quiver held arrows with white, black, and red feathers.

After entering, he scanned the Council Hall and retreated to a corner, leaning against a pillar like a leaf merging into the shadows.

Su Yuehua walked to the front and sat on the right side of the Council Hall.

Feng Qingshuang and Feng Qingyan sat to her left and right, with Shi Pojun standing behind them, his shield leaning against the back of his chair.

Lin Anye did not sit, remaining leaned against the corner.

Zhao Hu and the others sat on the left.

"President Su, it’s an honor to meet you," Zhao Hu said, cupping his hands and getting straight to the point. "We’ve come this time just as a precaution."

"The agreement between Lord Jiang and our Lord will not change. As long as you can hold out, we will not intervene."

Su Yuehua smiled slightly and nodded. "Captain Zhao is straightforward. You can trust the integrity of Crescent Moon Territory."

Before she could finish, Feng Qingyan poked her head out from behind, her ponytail swinging, her face full of indifference. "A mere Level 3 Nightmare Tide—is all this really necessary? One Wall of Flames from me and it'll all be burnt to ash."