Central China, Great Xia, Headquarters building.
Steady, powerful footsteps echoed down the corridor, neither hurried nor slow, heading purposefully toward the Conference Hall at the far end.
As the figure approached, the doors to the Conference Hall opened automatically. Inside, senior officials of various ranks rose from their seats around a broad navy-blue conference table to show their respect.
"Chief Wan!"
"Everyone, sit."
Wan Jiang spoke in a deep voice and walked toward the head of the conference table. His dark gray military uniform was crisp and immaculate, his hair meticulously combed without a strand out of place. He carried the composure and commanding presence of someone accustomed to high office.
The secretary beside him hurried forward and pulled out his chair.
Wan Jiang's gaze did not change in the slightest. He was clearly used to being surrounded by such deference. Only after he took his seat at the head of the table did the officials sit down and turn their attention to the meeting.
In the eleven years since the war against demons, the leadership of Great Xia's Major Regions, along with officials at every level, had undergone changes.
The most significant of these was the appointment of a rising younger generation led by Wan Jiang.
Lu Xinghe, Bai Qiu Li, Jiang Che, Ye Xiu, Ning Jing, and others held key positions at Headquarters and across the Major Regions.
Meanwhile, Wei Yuan, Old Sun from Headquarters, and the others had stepped back from frontline leadership.
Wan Jiang, in particular, had become the head of Headquarters with unanimous support!
"Chief Wan, why is Chief Lu absent?" someone asked, looking at the empty chair beside Wan Jiang.
"It's nothing. He said he spotted some unrest in Huaxing University's future along the timeline, so he went there specifically to deal with it."