Chapter 172
Wang Jin smiled and said, "A home can be built. Brother Heng wants to build a city. Don't you think about having a city we can rule ourselves?"
Xiao Ruo was taken aback. Wang Jin spoke again, "Just imagine, a city built entirely for our needs. How wonderful it would be to live there."
Xiao Ruo's eyes lit up. Wang Jin quickly added, "You don't have to decide right away. You are the leader. Go back and discuss it with the people of the Danmu tribe. Although building a city has many advantages, we might end up living with other tribes in the future. See if everyone can tolerate that? Those who are willing can come directly to Ning'an City to find us. Those who are unwilling can stay in their original tribe. With the gunpowder method I left behind, they should be able to handle the beast horde. Oh, and remember to tell A-Mu and Lai Yuan. I think they would definitely be willing."
"What the ger said is exactly what I wanted to say." Yuan Heng's voice came from behind. He had finished talking with Xi Ning at some point and now walked forward, looking seriously at Xiao Ruo. "In two days, you will set off back to the Danmu tribe. After you return, think carefully about whether to come join us or not."
Xi Ning also stepped forward. "I will send people to escort you. Of course, it will also be to bring Yao'er's friends here."
"...Alright." Xiao Ruo responded thoughtfully.
That night, a banquet was held.
It was much simpler than before, but all the necessary food was present. It was held in the backyard again, and this time Pan Yue was in charge of handling it.
Ning'an City had suffered heavy losses this time, yet it seemed to have recovered instantly. But everyone present knew this was only superficial.
The beastman guards lost needed to be reselected and retrained, all of which takes time.
Of the three great hall masters, only Pan Yue attended. When Pan Zhenyi was found by Pan Yue, he was mentally traumatized, so he was now confined to his bed. Cheng Bai was recuperating quietly, with Cheng Li staying by his side. Even Zhao Qi did not attend, as he was occupied with handling the funeral arrangements for his family—a privilege the city lord had granted him.
With so many of the three great hall masters absent, plus the deputy city lord position vacant, many people were missing at once.
Xi Ning did raise his cup and said many words of thanks. His modest attitude was quite winning. It was called a banquet, but it was hardly different from eating a pleasant meal together with everyone. After all, Ning'an City had lost many beastmen, so it couldn't be lively.
Fortunately, the food here was much better than in the tribes. The visiting beastmen and the people from the Danmu tribe ate very contentedly. They didn't complain that the banquet wasn't lively, nor that many from Ning'an City were absent.
Near the end of the banquet, Xi Ning, having drunk a little wine and slightly tipsy, looked at Wang Jin and smiled.
It was a smile Wang Jin had never seen before, carrying a touch of a proud and contented elder. At this moment, Xi Ning truly seemed like nothing more than a good older brother who doted on his younger brother...
"Tonight, there is actually one more happy event."
Wang Jin's heart inexplicably began to beat faster. Xi Ning said, "My Yao'er is going to marry."
"..." The crowd showed no surprise at all. The people from the Danmu tribe had already attended the wedding banquet, and the visiting beastmen had also seen Wang Jin and Yuan Heng's affection at the Keyuan Residence...
In their minds, these two should have been together long ago.
Seeing this, Xi Ning laughed again. "You all already know. Yao'er will be with Yuan Heng. Originally, I wanted Yuan Heng to become the deputy city lord of Ning'an City tonight and marry immediately."
Xi Ning sighed. "But everyone has their own ideas. Yuan Heng wants to build a city and marry my Yao'er to be the city lord's fulang."
As he spoke, he shook his head. "A city isn't that easy to build!"
He paused, seeming to feel he had said too much, and did not continue. He just said to Yuan Heng, "My Yao'er is so outstanding. I won't really wait four years for you to build a city to marry. I'll give you three months. If you haven't built the city in three months, you still have to come back and marry my Yao'er."
"Of course..." Xi Ning stood up and walked to Yuan Heng's side. "My Yao'er cannot marry someone who has nothing. So, three months from now, if your city hasn't made any progress at all, not only must you come back to marry my Yao'er, but you must also become the deputy city lord of my city, ending your grand ambition of building a city."
"!" The crowd reacted immediately, their expressions showing they could barely hold back their words.
This was especially true for Jian Hao and the other three tribal leaders. They had pledged themselves to Yuan Heng specifically because they trusted he could lead them to build a new city. That was the very reason they had helped Ning'an City and remained.
If Yuan Heng was only going to attempt this for three months, they would not risk everything their tribes had on such a short trial.
The four men urgently tried to speak up, each trying to be the first. Yuan Heng raised his hand, silencing them. He replied with complete confidence, "I do not intend to make the ger wait that long, either. Let it be as the city lord says. We will set the deadline at three months."
"..." The four leaders frowned, their faces etched with worry. Even Wang Jin frowned.
Everyone knew building a city was a massive undertaking. How could it possibly be completed in just three months?
Several people wanted to voice their concerns, but they were stopped by the beastman's utterly assured and determined demeanor.
Seeing this, only then did Xi Ning's brow smooth in relief. "Good," he said. "Then I ask everyone present here to serve as witnesses."
Of course, he too hoped this ancient beastman would succeed in building the city. That outcome would be far better for his younger brother, Xi Yao.
But Xi Ning's worry was that the project might stretch on for several years. By then, Xi Yao's child would already be born, and who could predict what other complications might arise...
Now, with the ancient beastman's firm promise, Xi Ning felt somewhat reassured. His tone softened as he addressed Yuan Heng, "During these three months, if you require any assistance, you may seek it from Ning'an City. We will help you unconditionally."
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