With the rise of my family, I can summon the Daoist Soldiers' Nest.

In the end, the five family heads stayed behind. They sent their guards back to the county town to fetch reinforcements, and they themselves checked into the guest rooms arranged for them in the fortified village.

After the five family heads left the hall, Lin Ye immediately summoned Lin Qiang and other family stewards to sit together and discuss countermeasures.

"The five family heads came just now to bring us some very important news," Lin Ye said calmly.

"Lone Wolf Village is likely backed by the Northern Xiongnu. They may soon attack our Linjiawu, aiming to destroy their stronghold and plunge Xiang County back into chaos."

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled, and their faces showed fear. Some clenched their fists instinctively, while others looked at each other with worry in their eyes.

But because Lin Ye's expression remained calm and without any panic, everyone suppressed their unease and did not immediately start a commotion. They simply waited quietly for him to continue.

"These five families are prepared to fight alongside us to resist Lone Wolf Stronghold and protect our lair together." Lin Ye paused, his tone serious. "Afterwards, they hope to become vassals of the Lin family."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became lively, and everyone began to whisper among themselves, their faces gradually showing expressions of contemplation and agreement.

"I think it's a good idea." The one who spoke was Lin Tie, who had just returned from the county town a couple of days ago. He was sturdy and spoke frankly.

"I know these five families quite well. They have always had a good reputation in the county. After all, six years ago they were just small families and didn't have the arrogant attitude of big families."

Since they're willing to help us defend against Lone Wolf Stronghold, it's fine to make them our vassals in the future. To be honest, our Lin family is currently too small-scale; we're simply not up to the task of managing the entire Xiang County.”

Lin Qiang picked up the conversation, his brows furrowing slightly, "Moreover, Lone Wolf Stronghold is not an ordinary bandit group. They have a second-rate martial artist in charge, and several third-rate martial artists under them."

Although we have the advantage of city walls, it would still be very difficult for our family alone to hold them off.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, finding the words to be true and reasonable.

A third-rate martial artist is already considered a skilled fighter in the martial arts world, and a second-rate one requires at least three third-rate martial artists to stop. If they don't join forces, the consequences will be unimaginable.

"Okay, it's settled then." Lin Ye looked at everyone's expressions and nodded slowly.

"Since we've decided to use their strength, let's trust them for now. Let their warriors enter the fortified village and defend it with us. This is safer than having them set up defenses outside the city walls, and it will be easier to command and provide support."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, before continuing.

"Moreover, rumors have already spread throughout the county town, so we might as well release the news that the Contract Nest and Lone Wolf Village might attack at the same time, so that the people of the tribe can be happy and know that there is hope for good days ahead."

Uncle Lin Qiang, you immediately lead your people to prepare for battle, strengthen and reinforce the defensive fortifications, and be meticulous with rolling logs and boulders.

"Uncle Lin Tie, go back to the county town and recruit skilled men. Tell everyone."

The Lin family has secured their hideout; peace and tranquility will soon return to Xiang County! Our task is to defend against the Lone Wolf Stronghold, an accomplice of the Northern Xiongnu. This is a crucial matter of protecting our homeland. Any valiant and ambitious man is welcome to come and help us at Lin Family Village.

Lin Ye's tone carried a hint of encouragement: "Tell them that as long as they hold out for three days, once the imperial court's investiture team arrives, the Lin family will be officially granted titles, and everyone who participated in the defense will receive a generous reward."

It's not just about gold and silver, but also about having a respected position in the Lin family's future peaceful and stable life.

"Great! Young Master, that's a brilliant idea!" Lin Yi's eyes lit up, and he almost slammed his fist on the table with joy. "This way, our strength will increase dramatically, and we'll definitely be able to defeat Lone Wolf Stronghold!"

The atmosphere in the room immediately became lively, and the gloom that had been weighing on everyone's hearts was dispelled by the arrangement. Everyone chatted and started preparing separately, their steps hurried yet orderly.

After everyone left, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Only the flickering candlelight remained. Just then, a composed figure slowly emerged from the shadows—it was Liu Zhenghua.

With his usual faint smile on his face, he walked around Lin Ye once, as if he were carefully examining a stranger.

His eyes remained fixed on Lin Ye's face, scanning her from head to toe and then from toe to head, taking in every subtle expression. After walking the circle, he stopped a step away from Lin Ye, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said:

"I've noticed that you've become a completely different person since you left the Sword Sect. Before, all you did in the sect was bury yourself in martial arts training and single-mindedly rush forward."

Now, things have gotten really interesting. His mind has suddenly become incredibly sharp, and he's actually come up with this idea: to gather the people from the county town to defend the fortified village.

He paused, his tone revealing both appreciation and a hint of teasing: "This method is brilliant. Not only can it immediately strengthen the defenses, but it can also draw out the bandits and treacherous individuals hiding in the shadows."

More importantly, this is like screening people in advance, distinguishing between those who are sincere and those who are not. Once the fiefdom is officially granted, you will have a group of tested people at your disposal who can immediately start construction without the hassle of identifying them one by one.

"Tsk, even the sect leader didn't think of that move. You've really figured it out, kid."

Lin Ye listened, a smile flashing in his eyes, and said somewhat shyly, "Thank you for the compliment, Uncle Liu."

The safety of my entire family rests on my shoulders; I have no choice but to change course. Besides, I also need the support of the Sword Sect.

Without the prestige of the sect and your presence, how could I dare to let the people of the five great families enter the fortified village? Let alone make a big show of summoning outsiders.

"If they really do cause trouble together, our Lin family's manpower simply won't be enough to control the situation."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhenghua was taken aback at first, then threw his head back and laughed heartily, "Hahaha, that's right! With the Sword Sect's prestigious reputation backing you up, you have the confidence to play this game."

"Alright, you've used your wits skillfully and steadily. It seems you've really had your fill of experience abroad."

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside, mixed with joyful cheers—the people in the fortress were celebrating after learning of the contracted nest.

The next day, there were still five days left before the imperial delegation arrived. Early in the morning, Lin Ye went to the training ground to practice martial arts as usual, but today he was the only one there.

After practicing for a while, I found it a bit boring, so I put the gun away early.

Walking through the fortified village, both the Lin and Tian clansmen wore expressions of undisguised joy.

Upon arriving at the city wall, one is greeted by shouts, knocking sounds, and the crisp clanging of wood colliding.

The city wall was crowded with people, all working enthusiastically under Lin Qiang's direction.

Half of them were young and strong men from the clan, with bulging muscles on their arms; the other half were the elderly, women, and children, including white-haired old men, nimble women, and teenagers.

Near the crenellations, several strong young men worked together to lift heavy bluestone bricks, chanting in unison as they raised the city wall section by section. Each brick was hammered down with a wooden mallet to ensure that not even a gust of wind could get through.

An elderly man nearby moved small stones and hardwood stakes, carefully placing them on the reinforced area, saying, "Put another one here, otherwise an arrow might easily pierce through!"

Inside the city wall, women were huddled around wooden frames, trimming arrow shafts and attaching feathers with quick and steady movements. Some were polishing arrowheads, making the muzzles gleam coldly.

Several children helped pass ropes and sort arrows, weaving through the crowd like a flock of diligent little sparrows.

In the middle section of the city wall, several strong men were setting up wooden fences and chevaux-de-frise, binding them tightly with thick hemp ropes and stuffing spikes into the gaps to prevent the enemy from climbing over them.

Lin Ye watched as everyone, though busy with their work, kept glancing at him, as if flowers were blooming all over him.

He and Lin Qiang were discussing defense matters when they suddenly saw a group of people approaching from afar.

The crowd at the city gate immediately retreated into the fortress and closed the gate.

The procession slowly approached the city wall. There were about fifty people, dressed in a mixed style—family martial artists, county constables, and gang members. Most of them were on horseback, with a sedan chair in the middle and several horse-drawn carriages loaded with goods following behind.

"They are martial artists from our family," Zhang Yuan, the head of the Zhang family, said, "It seems the county magistrate has also come. That's the magistrate's sedan chair, and next to him is Guard Sun, a second-rate martial artist."

Lin Ye nodded.

When the procession arrived at the gate, Magistrate Cao stepped out of his sedan chair.

"Young Master Lin, we heard that Lone Wolf Village is going to attack, so we have brought men to protect Lin Family Village and ensure the safety of Xiang County."

These are martial artists from five families, totaling twenty-four people, including eight third-rate and sixteen unranked.

The county government had twenty constables, all of whom were martial artists, six of whom were third-rate.

Eighteen people from the county also rushed to the scene upon hearing the news; four were third-rate individuals, and the rest were martial artists.

The group stood in a row and announced their names one by one in front of the door.

After the five family heads and Lin Tie checked the records on the city wall.

Lin Ye cupped his hands in greeting, his tone steady yet warm with genuine concern: "Thank you all for coming at this time. Please come in, let's talk in detail inside."

As he spoke, his gaze swept across everyone's faces. His calm and composed demeanor inspired a sense of respect in those who were prepared to be questioned.

Lin Ye smiled slightly, raised his hand and made a "please" gesture, and the gate of the fortress slowly opened.