Chapter 382 - 281: Reunion After a Long Separation

Settling in the group accompanying Han Zhan was already late into the night.

Members of the Anti-Xia Alliance from the City of Extreme Evil, as well as the Sun Never Sets Knight Order members, all stayed at the calm observation area.

This was proposed voluntarily by Li Tugui.

As the one with the most experience and prestige in the group, even Tier Nine ultimate powerhouses must bow respectfully to him.

There was no one who would stand out to refute his words.

Li Tugui and the Anti-Xia Alliance did it this way, so Zhan Ning, Yu Lian, and their members of the Sun Never Sets Knight Order had no complaints either.

Li Tugui’s statement also relieved the staff at Julu Pass.

They didn’t want to violate established rules and engage in special privileges but were also worried about displeasing those personally brought by Lord Han Zhan.

Li Tugui speaking out lessened their pressure significantly.

"Rules are rules."

"This credit rating rule is very good. Who set it?"

Almost forgot, Li Tugui is also an expert on rules promoting education with a ruler.

Does this count as a mutual admiration in some sense?

"It’s one of his wives," Lin Jingxuan pointed at Han Zhan, stressing.

"She has arrived."

As Lin Jingxuan’s words failed, a shuttle in cherry blossom color arrived at Julu Pass.

As the shuttle door opened, Shang Siteng was the first to step out of the cockpit, followed by Xia Youwei and Li Lingzhen stepping out of the shuttle.

Upon receiving the news of Han Zhan returning to North County, they immediately dropped everything in their hands to rush over.

"Ah Zhan!"

Li Lingzhen charged toward Han Zhan like a starving tiger, then clung onto him like a koala bear.

Standing not far behind her, Xia Youwei saw Li Lingzhen’s behavior, her face somewhat shy.

Shang Siteng, however, showed an intellectual smile. Managing all affairs in North County for so long made her character more steady, but naturally, only on the surface.

Three girls, three different personalities.

Add in the domineering mature sister Gongyang Jin and the little green tea Nuannuan, it’s really a vivid spectacle of beauty.

"This is the teacher’s brother, and also once the Patriarch of the Great Xia Li Family; you should call him uncle."

"Uncle, these are all my contracted spirits and also my wives."

Han Zhan put down the clingy Li Lingzhen, then pulled the other two over for introductions with Li Tugui.

The girls all called out Uncle.

"Sister Jin, are you alright?" Xia Youwei walked cutely to Gongyang Jin’s side, holding her hand.

Among all the sisters, Xia Youwei had the best relationship with Gongyang Jin, otherwise why would her talent be called Sword Heart and Zither Heart.

Obviously, it’s a joke.

Xia Youwei is introverted and easily embarrassed, she greatly admires Gongyang Jin’s decisive mature sister style, so they usually get along well.

Toward Xia Youwei, Gongyang Jin always treats her like her own younger sister, full of affection.

Hand in hand, the two walked to a quieter place, wanting to share some secrets of theirs.

Li Lingzhen stayed beside Han Zhan, intensely sticking to him to relieve her long-absent lovesickness.

Shang Siteng’s gaze naturally crossed paths with Nuannuan’s in the air.

Nuannuan cautiously leaned towards Han Zhan, sticking her body close while pulling Han Zhan’s hand, scratching his palm lightly with her little finger.

This little loli, is the tea flavor a bit strong?

With a scrutinizing look in her eyes, Shang Siteng, as the Nuwa Stone Contracted Spirit, used Heaven’s Origin more proficiently than Han Zhan, watching Nuannuan’s small moves with clarity.

As a master of balance, how could Han Zhan be swayed by Nuannuan’s tiny rhythms?

He extricated his arm from Li Lingzhen’s embrace and ruffled Nuannuan’s head vigorously.

"Call her sister."

Upon hearing Han Zhan’s words, Shang Siteng, initially with a tense gaze, burst out laughing.

"No way! I’m clearly older. Why should I call her sister!"

"In what aspect are you older than me?" Shang Siteng answered with a slight smile, her gaze unashamedly sweeping over key areas, a tone mingling with some carelessness.

The Old Priestess is indeed the Old Priestess.

Always delivering an explosive response.

Nuannuan puffed her cheeks indignantly, "Small but very cute!"

...

After brief reminiscing, it was time to discuss business.

This time, it’s also the highest-level meeting in half a year.

On the participant’s side, from the North County, there are Lin Jingxuan, Shen Zheqi, Han Zhan, and his contracted spirits, the eldest brother Wei Qing is training outside and hasn’t returned, while the eighth brother’s whereabouts remain uncertain, neither attended.

From the City of Extreme Evil, Li Tugui and Eater Fan Chaohui attended, representing their personnel’s highest level.

Compared to the simple environment of Han Zhan’s last meeting, where a few sat around a small round table barely spread with a map, and a few oil lamps for lighting.

The meeting room now had undergone a transformative change.

A large conference table with a blue design full of technological sense.

Soft curved chairs following ergonomic design.

Each attendee had an individual small virtual touch screen, the special sound processing device allowed them to speak clearly without yelling.

More details in the design highlighted the technological rise of the Great Xia North County Civilization Level 5.

Also, it left a stunning impression on the newcomers from the City of Extreme Evil.

"Old rule, let’s start with the issues," Lin Jingxuan, the host of this meeting, was the first to speak.

"After half a year of recuperation, Great Xia has accumulated a significant amount of power, but there are still several pressing issues that need solving."

"Firstly, it’s the follow-up power. A large faction cannot rely forever on pioneers to open up lands but also needs new successors to uphold the legacy and pass it down through generations."

The follow-up power is a large issue.

To put it plainly, it’s about talent reserves.

Once, Great Xia’s heritage was deep, but after years of combat consumption and getting besieged by several major factions, it is now nearly depleted.

Though the current situation is stabilized, pursuing long-term development is not an overnight venture.

"Talent reserves can be split into two aspects: infusing more fresh blood and discovering and accelerating talent growth."

Bringing in fresh blood is a big challenge, also a fundamental reason why North County hasn’t outright rejected refugees.

But after Han Zhan brought back many from the City of Extreme Evil, this issue greatly improved.

Not only were there powerful high-level figures within the City of Extreme Evil, but also promising talents with great potential and many ordinary people.

Their addition greatly increased the population base of North County.

As for discovering and cultivating talent.

"I am qualified to handle education and nurturing," said Li Tugui, holding the ruler before him.

If it weren’t for Han Zhan, he was originally about to be appointed as the Dean of Shang Academy.

For him, it’s not a problem.