The lion clan chief left in disappointment.
The federal clan chiefs who remained in the City Lord's mansion also exchanged glances, afraid to speak. In this atmosphere, no one wanted to be the first to step forward.
"Everyone."
"Equipment procurement will be held in the evening. I will send someone to notify all of you to come here then."
The Chief whispered, and the clan chiefs remaining in the front hall also cupped their hands and departed. As they left, they discussed the events in the front hall and gradually disappeared from the City Lord's mansion.
Seeing that all outsiders had retreated, the beautiful woman raised her hand and punched Chen Feng's chest.
"Did you act recklessly again!"
"What if your actions just now had really triggered a war? What would have happened if the Chief's hard-won situation was ruined by you, a reckless man?"
Chen Feng, who was punched, shrugged indifferently and sat down.
"What's there to fear!"
"I've disliked those two old men for a long time, and they have always been unstable factors in the federation. Resolving unstable factors before going to war with the Tatu Kingdom is beneficial and harmless."
"I agree with General Chen's view," the rabbit-eared clan chief also whispered.
"Sister, how can you say that?" Seeing that the rabbit-eared clan chief also had the idea of declaring war, the beautiful woman frowned slightly and said, "Declaring war at this time will cause a chain reaction. I have been observing, and half of the federal clan chiefs here are on the same side as the lion people."
"Chief, Military Advisor, I have something to say, though I don't know if I should." Su Zhan cupped his hands slightly. Everyone looked at him, and the silent Chief nodded.
"Although I haven't fully participated in your discussions, based on the situation since I arrived, the original intention of establishing our Batu Free Federation has been shaken. Initially, our federation was founded to band together for warmth and to secure a place in this chaotic land."
"However, I clearly felt factional divisions just now."
"It is natural for the federation to be autonomous and for everyone to have their own ideas. But if even the basic facade cannot be maintained, the division of our federation is only a matter of time."
"War with the Tatu Kingdom is imminent."
"If we allow people with ulterior motives to remain behind us, or to fight alongside us, isn't that a potential threat?"
"What is City Lord Su trying to say?" the Chief frowned.
"I am just a small city lord, young and inexperienced, and perhaps my perspective cannot keep up with the vision of the Chief and all the clan chiefs," Su Zhan said solemnly. "However, there is a saying I have known since childhood: to resist external enemies, one must first pacify internal enemies. If the internal situation is unstable, how can we talk about external war?"
The Chief, standing with his hands behind his back, remained silent. The other federal clan chiefs also frowned slightly upon hearing Su Zhan's words.
It was clear what Su Zhan intended.
War!
Before going to war with the Tatu Kingdom, they would wage war against those with ulterior motives to resolve the internal problems of the federation.
"I agree."
The rabbit-eared clan chief was still the first to respond.
"Those two, the lion and the snake woman, have always been sinister. I can't stand them," Chen Feng said, banging the table. "If the Chief is willing, I can personally lead the troops and guarantee their execution within half a month."
The Chief still remained silent. In the end, it was the beautiful woman who sighed.
"It's not as simple as you think."
"In the current situation of our federation, we cannot move against those people. What Su Zhan said is correct, to resist external enemies, one must first pacify internal enemies. The problem is that our federation's situation does not allow it."
"Our federation is currently divided into three factions."
"One faction led by the Chief, one faction led by the lion and snake woman, and a neutral faction. The lion and snake woman faction controls half of our federation's territory. If we move against them, our federation will be severely weakened. By then, let alone declaring war on the Tatu Kingdom, we won't even be able to resist the invasion of the demon race."
"Furthermore, our federation has only been established for a few years. If we declare war now, will the other clan chiefs think..."
"The Chief's previous words were lies!"
"The promises of autonomy and mutual benefit have now become empty illusions. As long as you don't submit to him, you will face extinction."
"At that time, the neutrals will surely be in a state of panic."
"How can the federation remain stable at this time?"
The Chief, who was sitting silently, sighed inwardly. The Military Advisor's words were exactly what he wanted to say.
Did he not know that the snake woman and the lion harbored ulterior motives? Anyone who could unify the chaos from countless scattered camps years ago, no matter how honest his appearance, was by no means as simple as he seemed.
Many clan chiefs thought he was genuinely kind-hearted.
Indeed!
His personality was honest and kind, but he had tolerated the snake woman and the lion for years because he didn't want the federation to fall apart. At least, they couldn't be touched at the moment.
"Hesitation leads to disaster!"
The rabbit-eared clan chief suddenly stepped forward, her expression filled with coldness.
"It seems that moving against them now will shake the very foundation of our federation, but if we wait longer, won't it be even harder to handle? If we really fight the Tatu Kingdom and let them get a share of the spoils, won't it take more effort and resources to deal with them then?"
"Alas."
The Chief, sitting in his chair, sighed.
"I know what all of you are saying. The problem is, just as the Military Advisor said, they really cannot be moved at this moment. No matter how they behave, at least they have not done anything to shake the federation."
"One federation, three voices, isn't that shaking the foundation, isn't that betrayal?" Su Zhan clenched his fist.
"Attack!"
Chen Feng directly stood up from his seat and shouted forcefully.
"Chief, if you ask me, we should just attack. Your original intention for building the federation may not be suitable for our current federation. We are destined to become a nation, a great nation. In a nation, there should only be, and be allowed to have, one voice!"
"Indeed, it should be so."
Just as the Chief was frowning, unable to make a decision, the Military Advisor suddenly switched sides and also became a supporter of war.
"Military Advisor, you..."
"The Chief feels that we cannot fight, is it not because there is no reason, and no opportune moment?" the beautiful woman said with a smile. "Now, I think this is actually a good opportunity. The snake woman and the lion have many clan chiefs, but in reality, they all have their own agendas. From what I felt when they left the City Lord's mansion just now, they value profit. Currently, the appearance of the equipment merchant is the time to break their balance. We can use this to make them switch sides or remain silent. Furthermore, I have some intelligence I'd like to show the Chief."
"What is it?"
The Chief frowned slightly, then saw a faint fluorescence on his wristband. When he clicked on it and saw the detailed information inside, his eyes widened.
"Is this true?!"
"Absolutely true," the beautiful woman nodded with a smile. The Chief narrowed his eyes as he looked at the situation. "If that's the case, then they indeed cannot be allowed to live."
"I'll lead the troops!!!"
Chen Feng volunteered. The Chief glanced at him sideways.
"Who will attack is not urgent. For them to capture it is actually very simple. However, General Chen, I almost forgot to ask, do you know the holder of the Tiger Tally? Why are you protecting him?"
"Ah, this..." Chen Feng grinned dryly and raised his eyebrows at the Chief. "It's a secret."