The Ten Thousand Ways to Hug the Female Protagonist’s Thigh - Chapter 21.2:

Three elegant young men strode in confidently. The Zhao family’s young master, known for his straightforwardness, spoke first. “City Lord Yan, our three families have a proposal. We’d like to know if you’re willing to cooperate!”

The Zhao, Xu, Sun, and Li families were the four most powerful clans in Nanyang City in the entire Shao Kingdom.

With three of the four families’ young masters personally visiting, it would have been customary for the city lord to show great hospitality. However, Yan Guiyun, a rogue cultivator, wasn’t one for flattery or formalities.

As a Golden Core cultivator, he saw no reason to bow to three juniors.

Hearing Zhao’s words, he raised an eyebrow with interest and smiled, “What’s this proposal? Please elaborate, Young Master Zhao.”

He gestured for servants to serve tea to the three young masters.

However, the three were here purposefully and had no interest in tea. They waved their hands, signaling for Yan Guiyun to dismiss the servants.

Yan Guiyun complied, quickly sending the servants away.

The three young masters took their seats, and Zhao, who had spoken first, began, “City Lord, we’ve received reports from the border. The beasts near the Endless Mountains have been unusually restless lately. King beasts have even been spotted prowling near several fortresses, tracking lone cultivators! Our families estimate that the beast tide is imminent.”

The Xu family’s young master, impatiently interjected, “Our family’s strategists predict the beast tide will arrive within a month at most! The city lord must dispatch cultivators quickly!”

Yan Guiyun nodded solemnly. “We’ve heard the reports. The government is already making arrangements.”

Young master Zhao, irritated by Xu’s interruption, continued, “Defending the border is the responsibility of every family. But has the city lord confirmed the assignments for which families will guard which fortresses?”

“That’s still under consideration,” Yan Guiyun replied hesitantly.

“Time is of the essence, City Lord! You can’t afford to delay any longer! We understand this is a difficult task, so our three families have devised a plan. Would you like to hear it?”

Young master Zhao wasn’t foolish. Though confident in his plan, he maintained a respectful tone, as if merely offering advice to ease the city lord’s burden.

Yan Guiyun frowned slightly, suppressing his displeasure, and said, “Go ahead.”

Young master Zhao cleared his throat and began, “There are four main fortresses along the border, each guarding a key route into the Endless Mountains. A large river naturally fortifies one of these routes, making defending it easier. We propose that this fortress be assigned to the imperial family and the government.”

“Is that so?” Yan Guiyun was genuinely surprised.

He had expected the assignment of this easier-to-defend fortress to be the most contentious, as every family would want to minimize their losses. Yet, these three families were willingly giving it up!

However, nothing in the world comes for free. These three families wouldn’t make such a concession without expecting anything.

Sure enough, Young master Zhao continued, “But we have one request. The two moderately difficult routes should be divided among our three families. As for the most strategically demanding fortress, we propose assigning it to the Wen and Li families.”

His gaze sharpened as he finished.

“I’ll need to discuss this with the imperial family first,” Yan Guiyun replied cautiously.

“Then we’ll await your good news, City Lord!” Young master Zhao clasped his hands in salute.

Before leaving, young master Zhao subtly placed a small bottle on the table.

Inside were ten top-grade Energy Restoration Pills!

Zhao Ming, the Zhao family’s young master, was determined to succeed in this mission. Unlike the other two young masters, who were the sole heirs of their families, Zhao Ming was not the son of the main wife. Although he was now the confirmed heir, the return of his half-brother, the former useless heir, had stirred unease in him.

This task had to be completed successfully, ensuring every step was executed carefully.