The indignation of the tribal chiefs threw the hall into an uproar.

The scene once again descended into chaos.

The sounds of arguments and accusations mingled, ringing throughout the entire hall.

Chairs were knocked askew, and some tribal chiefs even picked them up to brandish them.

Meanwhile, on the stage, the representatives of the three major tribes and the CEOs of the twelve Indigenous Companies sat quietly to one side. They all understood the situation, but they were powerless to act.

The oil dividend fund was managed by the Indigenous Foundation. The foundation, in turn, was under the jurisdiction of the Indigenous Management Committee. Without the committee’s approval, the foundation could not release the security funds.

Councilman Jasper’s face was livid. His gaze was fixed on Feng Shan, who sat silently in his chair without saying a word.

In the past, the Indigenous People’s meetings had seen arguments over the security agencies, but it had never escalated to this degree.

But ever since this man had appeared, the situation had become uncontrollable.

Then, Councilman Jasper’s gaze shifted to another part of the hall, his eyes meeting those of a middle-aged man. The next moment, the man immediately looked down.

’Damn it!’

’Why isn’t Maz stepping up? Don’t you claim that Barrow is the uncrowned king of the Far North Region?’

’Coward!!’

Louise savored the sight of Councilman Jasper’s expression shifting from shame to rage. She wished she could take out her phone and snap a few pictures, but her rational side suppressed the impulse.

’The Indigenous Committee has been provoked enough for one day. If I push them any further and they decide to flip the table, it will get ugly for everyone.’

"Feng’s appointment as Sheriff of the Far North Region is not a request. Even without the VPSO aid, this can’t be stopped. We are simply giving the committee formal notice."

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

The tribal chiefs burst into applause. They hadn’t expected to hear a dissenting voice at this year’s Indigenous People’s meeting.

On stage, the representative of the Wild Bull Tribe picked up the microphone, motioned for the hall to quiet down, and then stood up.

"From now on, the Athabasca Tribe will increase investment in education, increase the number of Assabasca lawyers, create jobs to reduce the unemployment rate, raise the graduation rate for Indigenous students, launch an Indigenous scholars program, and increase funding for disease and trauma."

Following him, the representatives of the Inuit Tribe and the Aleut Tribe stood up one after another, also announcing future plans for the Indigenous People. The core of their plans was largely the same as the Athabasca Tribe’s, focusing on education, culture, and healthcare.

As for the CEOs of the twelve Indigenous Companies, they simply worked for the Indigenous People. They did whatever their bosses told them to do.

Councilman Jasper, however, angrily accused them of making announcements without the Management Committee’s approval, claiming it would severely impact the ecosystem of the Indigenous communities.

THWACK!

A stinky boot flew up from the audience, landing squarely on Councilman Jasper’s face.

The hall once again filled with cheerful laughter.

...

The bickering in the meeting continued.

Feng Shan had no interest in watching any longer. Education, dividends, healthcare—none of it had anything to do with him.

After a word with Louise, he signaled to Frank and Yves, and they quietly slipped out of the hall.

Stepping out of the central stadium, Frank took a deep breath of free air. "Feng, congratulations. You’re the big winner today!"

Feng Shan gazed at the bustling temporary market in the distance and said with a tinge of melancholy, "I’m not happy at all. It’s too complicated."

"This is the world of adults. You can’t avoid it, even by hiding in the Crown Territory. To protect the Crown Territory, you don’t just need an indestructible shield; you also need an incredibly sharp spear." Frank patted Feng Shan’s shoulder and added reassuringly, "But either way, today was a good start."

Feng Shan let out a long sigh and shook off his gloomy mood. "I’m heading back to the Crown Territory. Are you coming with me?"

"Sorry, I still have a few private meetings to attend. I’ll head back to the Crown Territory in a few days. I really envy you." Frank’s expression was weary.

"Don’t wear yourself out." Feng Shan turned and hugged Frank. Seeing the strands of white in his friend’s blond hair, he remembered Frank was already forty-nine, and his heart softened. "The backlash is gone. That animal hide will let you start dating again."

"Buddy, that’s the best news I’ve heard all day!" Frank slapped Feng Shan on the back and then pushed him out of the embrace. "Now get going. I just spotted a target, and having you here is making me feel guilty."

Feng Shan chuckled.

He and Yves walked down the steps.

A taxi was parked at the curb. The two of them got in, and the car headed for Polaris Town.

Frank watched the taxi drive away.

Frank murmured to himself, "Soon. Now we have both the shield and the spear. I’ll be going back very soon."

...

The taxi left Fairbanks, passed through Polaris Town, and pulled up to Old Tom’s Flying School.

Before the driver could even press the meter, Feng Shan asked playfully, "Ms. Dasha, have you fallen so far that you’re driving a taxi now? How about a job chopping trees in the Crown Territory? The pay is good, you know."

Just then, the taxi driver took off her hat, and a cascade of blond hair tumbled down. She turned her head, removed her mask, and revealed a stunning face.

It was none other than Vergil’s girlfriend, the long-legged blonde, Dasha.

"How did you recognize me, Mr. Feng?"

"Your perfume is very distinctive. And as it happens, I have the nose of a bloodhound." Feng Shan smiled and pointed to his nose, his other hand holding a pistol pressed against the back of the driver’s seat.

"Alright, I won’t wear perfume next time!" Dasha’s eyes curved into beautiful crescents, and she seemed completely unaware of the danger.

Feng Shan signaled for Yves to stay still and continued, "Are you here to see me off, or to *see me off*?"

"To see you off, of course. My boss told me to wish you a safe journey. He’s not that dead fat pig." Dasha unbuttoned her work uniform, revealing her alluring figure to show she wasn’t carrying any weapons.

"You sure change bosses quickly." Feng Shan shook his head as he pushed open the car door and got out, his pistol never leaving Dasha. "Want to come visit the Crown Territory? The scenery’s not bad."

Dasha shook her head and pointed at the meter with a pitiful expression. "Maybe next time. But please pay the fare. That’ll be 60.7 US dollars. Business is tough these days."

"Sorry, I never carry cash. Bye!"

Feng Shan faced the taxi and backed away slowly, step by step. Yves stayed close by his side, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger.

"Asshole! You’re going to end up on the taxi blacklist!" Dasha bit her lower lip in frustration, shook her fist, and stomped on the gas. The taxi roared away from the flying school.

’She just left?’

Feng Shan stood there, looking completely bewildered.

"Boss, it’s clear. No snipers," Yves reported matter-of-factly.

’As if I needed you to tell me that.’

Feng Shan rolled his eyes and walked onto the runway, his mind still preoccupied with Dasha’s baffling appearance.

Frank had said Vergil Villa was nearly razed to the ground and that Vergil himself had been blown to bits—like one of the Colonel’s chicken nuggets—so why was Dasha standing here completely unscathed?

He reached the parking spot for the Carnation.

Yves scrambled into the cabin ahead of him and did a thorough sweep from the inside out. Only when he was sure there was no danger did he let Feng Shan approach.

"If Dasha wanted to kill me, she would have done it already."

Feng Shan said, comforting the on-edge Yves. He started the plane’s engine. Once all systems checked out, he pushed the throttle, and the Carnation soared into the sky.

The long flight lasted four hours.

Returning to the snow-covered Tundra, his mood was exceptionally light.

As they reached the Glacial River Beach, he looked down from the air and saw Maria leading the newcomers on a tour of the tribe’s Fire Seed Tundra.

Feng Shan landed the plane on the river beach.

As he jumped out of the cabin, Nash and the others walked over, and Tom’s boisterous voice was the first thing he heard.

"My God, Feng! You actually have natural gas here!"

"Buddy, you’re going to be rich!"

Feng Shan ignored Tom and looked at the four newcomers. "So? I wasn’t lying, was I? The Crown Territory is pretty great!"

"It’s beautiful." Jenny nodded, holding onto Tammy. "I feel so safe and warm here."

Erica, with her usual indifferent expression, chimed in, "What’s so great about it? There isn’t even a place to shower."

David, however, was staring down at the lush Tundra, muttering, "A natural gas ground fire... covering such a large area... Why isn’t there any smell of a leak in the air?"

"Khilla," Maria said, walking over with a beaming smile. She seemed especially happy, perhaps because there were more people around. Her wicker basket was filled with fresh lettuce leaves.

"Oh, the lettuce is ready to eat!" Feng Shan picked a leaf from the basket and popped it into his mouth.

The sweet flavor was unlike anything Feng Shan had ever tasted. He’d used plenty of lettuce back when he ran a restaurant, but this lettuce had a uniquely refreshing sweetness.

As he chewed it slowly, his eyes narrowed in pleasure. The more he ate, the better it tasted.

"It’s delicious, isn’t it?" Maria lifted the wicker basket proudly. "Jenny said you can eat it plain, just like fruit!"

"It’s good. Pick some more. We can use it to wrap the grilled meat for dinner," Feng Shan said with a nod. "Where’s Nash? I don’t see him."

"Nash went to the Moonlight Forest to cut lumber for beds. We don’t have enough space at the house," Maria said quietly.

’A place to live.’

’With five new people, there definitely wasn’t enough space.’

Suddenly remembering David had mentioned he had a dual degree in linguistics and architecture, Feng Shan turned to him. "David, if I were to build houses here, do you have any suggestions?"

The slender David looked up, but when he saw everyone looking at him, he shyly lowered his head again.

"For a log cabin, you wouldn’t need to dig a foundation. You could just build on high ground. The only concern would be if the melting snow and ice would cause flooding on the river beach."

’How could it possibly flood with the tribe’s Fire Seed here?’

’Besides, I specifically picked a spot on high ground.’

Feng Shan waved his hand dismissively. "It won’t. I’m putting you in charge of this. How about it?"

"I... I can... do it!" David summoned his courage, looked up at everyone, and nodded.

Since all the newcomers were here, Feng Shan decided to assign them tasks on the spot. They couldn’t just come to the Crown Territory to be idle freeloaders.

"Jenny, you’ll be in charge of cooking from now on. Any problem with that?"

"Okay!" Jenny nodded.

"David, you’re as skinny as a telephone pole. Until we can fatten you up a bit, you’ll be in charge of planning for the Crown Territory and can also help Jenny out. How’s that?"

"O-okay."

"Tammy, you and Maria will be in charge of gathering berries and vegetables on the Tundra. When you go out, you can have White Wolf protect you, alright?"

"Okay!" Tammy replied timidly, encouraged by Jenny.

"What about me? Am I supposed to warm your bed? I’m very good at it. Want to inspect the merchandise?" When Feng Shan didn’t assign her a job, Erica placed a hand on the collar of her winter coat with a provocative look on her face.

’You’re a special case, aren’t you?’

’Always ready to take off your clothes and ’show off your gear’.’

Feng Shan shot her an exasperated look.

"You, me, Yves, and Nash will be responsible for hunting, logging, and protecting the Crown Territory. Any problem with that?"

"No problem." Satisfied, Erica lowered her hand.

Just then, Tom raised his hand, a fawning look on his face. "Feng, what about me?"

’What are you getting involved for?’

Feng Shan shot Tom an irritated glare. "If you just focus on getting my supplies here properly, I’ll be eternally grateful. Now, where’s my new plane?"

"It’s parked on the runway." Tom pointed toward the camp.

"Let’s go. Time to head home and make dinner. I’ll take the Carnation back first. Anyone want to come with me?"

No one answered.

Feng Shan shrugged and walked toward the plane.

...