The Council Hall was a two-story stone building with gray walls and black tiles, sharing the same architectural style as the Fenghuo County Council Hall, but it was larger and more solemn.

A wooden plaque hung above the lintel, inscribed with the six characters for "Hangu Pass Council Chamber" in a vigorous and powerful script.

Lin Feng led the way, pushing open the wooden doors and stepping inside.

Zhao Hu, Tie Dun, Su Yurou, Meng Yi, and the others followed in single file.

The hall was spacious and bright, with a floor of blue-gray stone slabs polished smooth and flat.

Directly ahead was a three-foot-high platform, upon which sat a dark brown hardwood long table. Behind the table was a high-backed chair with the characters "Beacon Fire" carved into its back.

Below the platform, a row of chairs and individual tables were arranged on both the left and right sides, with twenty seats on the left and twenty on the right.

The chairs were dark brown with simple cloud patterns carved into the backrests. The cushions were made of dark blue cotton, simple yet comfortable to sit on.

Each individual table held a teacup and a candlestick.

A three-meter-wide aisle was left between the two rows of chairs, leading directly to the main seat at the far end.

Tie Dun froze as soon as he entered, craning his neck to look around. "My goodness, this hall is huge! It's more than twice the size of our Fenghuo County Council Hall! How many people can sit here? Forty? Fifty?"

Zhao Hu glanced at the chairs on both sides and nodded. "Forty chairs, plus the main seat, forty-one."

His tone remained steady, but the corners of his mouth curled up in an almost imperceptible arc.

Arrow Eye didn't speak, but he walked to a chair by the window on the left, reached out to touch the cloud pattern on the backrest, looked at the teacup on the table, and lowered his head to sniff it.

Wang Wu said behind him, "Don't bother sniffing it; it's freshly brewed."

Arrow Eye set down the teacup.

Su Yurou looked around and said softly, "A larger Council Chamber means our responsibilities have grown as well."

Tie Dun plopped down onto a chair on the left, his weight causing the cushion to sink significantly.

Startled, he quickly stood up and touched the cushion. Seeing it spring back, he sat down again with relief, even bouncing a few times on purpose. "This chair is more comfortable than the sofa at my house!"

Lin Feng walked up to the platform and sat in the high-backed chair.

He raised his hand, signaling the others to take their seats. "Everyone, please sit."

Zhao Hu took the second seat on the left, with Tie Dun squeezing in next to him.

Arrow Eye sat opposite Tie Dun, leaning his longbow against the table and crossing his arms.

Meng Yi and Bai Yi through Bai Liu took their seats in the front row on the right, their backs straight.

Once everyone was settled, Lin Feng cleared his throat. "From now on, you will sit on the left during meetings. The right side has other arrangements."

Tie Dun was quick to ask, "Lord, who is the right side for?"

Lin Feng glanced at him and said calmly, "Jiang Zhaoyue, Lord Jiang. If everything goes as planned, she will become a subordinate lord of Beacon Fire Territory in the next few days, leading the entire Crescent Moon Territory and even the entire Moonflower Guild to join us."

The hall instantly erupted into an uproar.

Tie Dun was the first to spring up from his chair, leaning his hands on the table with his eyes wide.

"Good heavens! Lord Jiang? She's coming to our Beacon Fire Territory? My goodness, won't our Beacon Fire Territory's strength double? We won't even have to fear the Orc Army when they come!"

Zhao Hu also laughed and nodded repeatedly. "Lord Jiang's strength is not weak; she's level twenty-nine, and both her first and second promotions were into rare classes. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

She also has Feng Qingyan, Shi Pojun, and that group under her, plus the foundation of the entire Moonflower Guild.

With them joining, Beacon Fire Territory's combat power will increase by at least thirty percent."

Su Yurou's eyes curved into crescents as she said softly, "Sister Jiang is a very good person. It feels very reassuring to fight alongside her."

Lin Feng raised his hand to signal for silence, and Tie Dun's voice cut off abruptly.

He said solemnly, "Alright, now for the arrangements."

Everyone immediately straightened their posture; even Tie Dun straightened his back a bit more.

"The defense of the North Gate is the top priority right now."

Lin Feng's gaze fell upon Zhao Hu and Meng Yi.

"Zhao Hu and Meng Yi will each lead a team responsible for the North Gate's city defense. Any subsequent reinforcements will also fall under your unified command.

As for the specific deployment, Zhao Hu will be in charge of daytime defense, and Meng Yi will handle the night. There must always be at least a thousand people on duty on the walls, and the ballista on the walls must be manned around the clock."

Zhao Hu stood up, pressing his right fist to his chest. "Understood."

Meng Yi rose from his chair, his halberd resting on the ground, his voice steady. "This general obeys."

Lin Feng nodded and continued, "Logistics will be temporarily handled °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° by the military clerks. In the coming days, many life-professionals will join Beacon Fire Territory. We will make unified arrangements then. For now, ensure the supply of grain, arrows, and city defense equipment."

He looked around, and after confirming no one had further questions, he said, "Meeting adjourned."

Zhao Hu was the first to stand, gesturing to Tie Dun, Wang Wu, and the others. "Let's go."

He paused, then looked toward Meng Yi.

"General Meng, let's meet at the North Gate tower later to discuss the details of the shift changes."

Meng Yi stood up, nodding slightly, and said deeply, "Fine."

Bai Yi through Bai Liu stood up simultaneously, their black armor glinting coldly in the sunlight.

Tie Dun bounced up from his chair, shouting as he walked out, "Let's go, let's go! I want to go see the city wall. Forty meters high—looking out over the northern plains from up there must be spectacular!"

Wang Wu and Arrow Eye followed behind him. Arrow Eye was his usual self, silent, but his steps were light.

Su Yurou, clutching her bone healing staff, walked out with A Wang and Scarface Liu.

Meng Yi led Bai Yi through Bai Liu at the rear, their steps synchronized.

The Council Hall soon fell silent.

Lin Feng sat alone in the main seat and took a sip from the teacup on the table.

The tea was warm, slightly bitter upon entry, with a faint sweet aftertaste.

He set down the teacup, tapped his fingers twice on the armrest, then stood up, picked up the Wildfire Spear from beside the chair, strapped it to his back, and strode out of the Council Hall.

Over at the North Gate tower, Zhao Hu and Meng Yi were handing over duties.

Tie Dun leaned over the battlements, gazing toward the north, while Wang Wu and Arrow Eye inspected the ballista on the wall.