"Ning Fengzhi, that old fox, never fights a battle he isn't sure he can win."
Bibi Dong tapped the armrest lightly again, her rhythm a little slower than before.
"The great victory in the Northern Frontier showed him an opportunity, but he won't rush for results. He'll stabilize the Southern Front and Western Front first, wait until Eva has fully absorbed the captured troops and supplies, and wait until the Clear Sky Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect have finished consolidating before considering his next move."
She narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze settling on the hall doors, as though she could see through the thick stone walls and layer upon layer of palace walls to the military map spread out in the command post at Falling Eagle Ridge.
"He's waiting for us to make a mistake. That makes it all the more important that we don't."
Hu Liena nodded gently without saying anything more.
Silence settled over the hall for a moment. Only the golden glow spilling from the dome flowed slowly, accompanied by the faint, distant footsteps of the hall's guardian knights changing shifts.
"What about the branch halls?" Bibi Dong asked. Her tone remained even, but Hu Liena heard the scrutiny beneath it.
She had come prepared, and her voice remained steady as she spoke. "The reports from the branch halls have already been compiled. Since news of the great victory in the Northern Frontier spread, many branch halls in remote regions have experienced varying degrees of unrest.
"In some places, the branch hall's soul masters have begun frequently requesting leave, citing family matters or poor health.
"In others, previously agreed partnerships have suddenly fallen through, and local nobles and merchants have begun finding all sorts of excuses to delay supplies."
Hu Liena spoke at an