The Grayfeather Family's repeated restraint had only made the Black Fang Family more arrogant.
The other side seemed convinced that they would not dare resist and had actually begun targeting the Grayfeather Family's collateral branches.
First, a young man from a collateral branch who ran a small business in the city was ambushed with a sack over his head on his way home at night, and one of his legs was broken.
A few days later, another woman from a collateral branch had filth thrown over her in an alley, with a note left behind: "Get out of Graystone City."
When the news reached the family estate, the clan members could no longer sit still. Several elders from the collateral branches, in particular, were livid with rage.
"Patriarch, they've practically shit on our heads!" a middle-aged clansman said, slamming the table.
"If we keep enduring this, the Grayfeather Family will lose all face! How are we supposed to survive in Graystone City after that?"
"They dare beat our people today. Tomorrow, they'll dare storm the estate!" another collateral branch member said through gritted teeth.
"Patriarch, let's fight them! At worst, we die together!"
"That's right! When has the Grayfeather Family ever suffered this kind of humiliation?"
The council hall descended into chaos.
More than a dozen clan members sat around the long table, each speaking over the next as they grew more and more agitated.
Lynn sat at the head of the table. Only after they had finished arguing did he slowly set down his teacup.
"Fight? With what?" Lynn asked.
Everyone fell silent.
"Black Mountain is at the Peak of the First Ring, and he has Dark Wizard forces backing him. Other than me, who else among us is One-Ring?"
Lynn's gaze swept across the room.
"If I lose,