Gu Jian stepped forward, each word measured and sharp.
"So what if they struck first? We will make them bleed, slowly and thoroughly. Use the Imperial Order if you must.
Squeeze them of everything they own. Demand reparations for our 'losses.'"
His voice dropped, a low thunder rolling through the room.
"If we must burn resources, let it be to humble the right enemy. That boy Fang Yuan has grown too arrogant.
Let's remind him, remind all of them who truly rule the North and commands the East."
Silence reigned.
But it was no longer the silence of chaos, it was the silence of fear, and of a plan taking root.
He returned to his seat, eyes glinting beneath the lantern light.
"We will bleed them dry. And we will make them kneel."
Just as the oppressive silence settled over the council hall, the doors slammed open with a thunderous bang.
A gust of wind swept in and with it came Gu Lanyue, the former patriarch of the Gu family, cloaked in a storm of fury.
