If not for the current scarcity of weapons and their inability to protect themselves, they would have already revolted.
To welcome the people of Xingyu City, they had specially decorated the former living quarters of Wu City's residents to show their hospitality.
The people from Xingyu City expressed that they had never encountered such ferocious individuals and had no desire to station there, constantly feeling that they too might be tied up and discarded by these seemingly ordinary villagers.
Fortunately, a large portion of the prisoners of war were willing to surrender. Xing Yuan now trusted those who had maintained their good character despite the oppression of Wu Rong, the "pillar" of the household, and immediately dispatched them to garrison various towns.
They were all chosen based on whether their families were nearby or if they were native to Wu City. Xing Yuan believed they would wholeheartedly protect their homes.
Wu City underwent approximately half a month of post-disaster reconstruction. Seeing Wu City back on track, Xing Yuan had no reason to stay any longer. She chose a clear day and led her people back to Xingyu City.
Over these past two weeks, most people had gradually returned. Such a significant event inevitably led to probes from other warlords. The defenses of Xingyu City could not be neglected, lest they be overwhelmed.
Wan Yu was left behind by Xing Yuan to serve as Wu City's garrison. He was intelligent and, more importantly, extremely loyal to her, making him the most suitable candidate at the moment. She also took this opportunity to promote Yuan Yi, whom she found pleasing to the eye, to the position of deputy general.
Relying on the Star family's long-standing prestige, no one raised any objections to the person they had already deemed the future head of the Star family.
Xing Yuan walked into the Star family's ancestral home with a sense of impending doom. The Old Master summoned her to the small ancestral hall. After leaving only the two of them, grandfather and granddaughter, he looked at Xing Yuan with a heavy gaze and asked with great authority, "Do you know you were wrong?"
Xing Yuan met the Old Master's gaze with equal firmness. "Grandfather, I don't know what I, A Yuan, have done wrong."
The Old Master was momentarily speechless. He had enjoyed smooth sailing for so many years, and no one in the Star family dared to defy him. The greatest blow he had suffered in all these years was the death of his only son on the battlefield, and his grandson's whereabouts remained unknown.
However, looking at Xing Yuan's determined eyes, the Old Master couldn't help but recall his younger self. He too had once been so naive, dreaming of changing the world and this chaotic situation. But reality had dealt him a harsh blow.
From then on, he had chosen to remain in his corner, only wishing to protect a sanctuary, and no longer spoke of his youthful ambitions.
"Nonsense!" he finally said. He had watched this child grow from a tiny tot to her current stature. In his eyes, she was not only like a child of his own but, more importantly, with Xing Chen's whereabouts unknown, she was practically his only remaining kin in this world.
Xing Yuan noticed a softening in Xing Yu Wang's attitude and, mimicking the original host's demeanor, softened her tone. She walked behind him and gently massaged his shoulders.
"Grandfather, the world has changed. If things continue like this, our Star family will be eliminated sooner or later. Why don't your granddaughter take a gamble!"
Xing Yu Wang sighed helplessly and let the matter of the incident pass.
"A Yuan, I have received news of your brother again. Someone claimed to have seen a strikingly similar person in Haicheng. However, our people still couldn't locate him. I want you to go there yourself." Mentioning this, Xing Yu Wang's expression suddenly turned solemn.
For so many years, this had almost become his obsession. Whether that child was alive or dead, he wanted to find him, to give himself and his son closure.
"Then, in what capacity should I go?" Xing Yuan cautiously observed the Old Master's expression.
Xing Yu Wang suddenly stood up and retrieved an invitation from a corner, handing it to Xing Yuan.
Xing Yu Wang's eyes were filled with nostalgia. "A Yuan, have you heard of the invisible pact among warlords?"
Xing Yuan nodded, adopting a posture of attentive listening.
"That was a long time ago. Recently, someone sent this invitation. I originally didn't intend to give it to you. But your actions this time and the news about your brother have made me change my mind. You have grown up and can make many decisions for yourself."
"After all, you and Xing Chen are twins. I wouldn't trust anyone else, but I believe that as soon as you truly see him, you will recognize your brother." Xing Yu Wang looked at Xing Yuan with deep emotion.
Xing Yuan nodded, agreeing with this statement. She didn't know if the original host could recognize him at a glance. But one thing she was certain of was that she herself would be able to recognize that person.
"Don't worry, Grandfather. If it is truly my brother, A Yuan will bring him back."
"Yes, Grandfather believes you! However, this journey may be quite dangerous. Take more people with you and be careful on the road. There won't be any major issues here for the time being. Even if something happens, there are others who can hold the fort. You don't need to worry!" Xing Yu Wang couldn't help but add a few more instructions. For so many years, A Yuan had never been so far from home.
Xing Yuan nodded obediently.
Xing Yu Wang was still uneasy. Xing Yuan was young after all; what if she was deceived by outsiders? It was best to find someone older to watch over her.
Therefore, when Xing Yuan departed, Uncle Feng Nianxing, who had brought the original host back to Xingyu City back then, was among the group.
The group boarded the train. Xing Yuan selected a few dozen people to accompany her and booked an entire carriage for them.
Haicheng was rich in resources but was a rare place not belonging to any single power. Because too many people desired it, but due to the resistance from various factions and the local populace, no one had ever succeeded.
Later, Haicheng gradually developed into a hub for warlords to exchange goods and information, becoming a place of wonder, tranquility, and danger.
The train traveled swiftly. Along the way, Feng Nianxing constantly advised Xing Yuan on various precautions, with the concern of a doting father.
Nothing particularly unexpected happened during the journey, except for seeing a few groups engaged in combat. Xing Yuan did not want to, nor could she, manage so many affairs.
In this world, she truly didn't know how to search for her sister's whereabouts. Posting a missing person notice? She couldn't be sure of her appearance, nor did she know which city she was in. It was truly a cause for worry!
But it was alright. Although her strength was greatly restricted, she could temporarily leave at critical moments. If all else failed, she would have a "talk" with the Heavenly Dao. How could it be so unreasonable?
Tian Ling, listening to its master's unreserved thoughts, trembled while also feeling a sense of schadenfreude. Finally, it wasn't solely bearing the burden; its master had learned to approach the source directly.