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

Just as Prefect Zhu was about to adjourn the meeting and dismiss the various armies to return to their territories, Lin Ye stood up again under everyone's gaze.

"Prefect Zhu, I have something else to report to the imperial court."

As he spoke, he slowly extended his left arm. With a slight thought, the cave-shaped tattoo on his arm appeared in the light. The jagged stone teeth were like fangs, and the shadows inside the cave were looming. It was the mark of the gargoyle's lair that he had contracted.

"On my way back to Qingyang, I contracted a third-rate den."

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.

Almost simultaneously, everyone stood up, staring in disbelief at Lin Ye's arm, their expressions a mixture of shock, disbelief, and a hint of envy.

"Oh dear, Lord Lin, why didn't you say so sooner!" Prefect Zhu suddenly realized what was happening, and his previously composed official demeanor instantly transformed into a beaming smile as he slapped the table repeatedly.

"This is a blessing from heaven! My Northern Han will have another territory with an owner, the people will be able to live a good life, and the country will become even stronger!"

"This is a very important matter. I will report it to the county immediately and apply for the appropriate territory for you!" His tone was full of barely suppressed excitement, as if this achievement was already part of his record.

"Patriarch Lin, you are truly a man blessed by heaven," Wei Hao said, his eyes narrowed, a smile playing on his lips, but his eyes revealing obvious jealousy. "In less than two years, you have already contracted two nests."

"What? Do you have something on your mind?" Chen Cheng suddenly stood up.

Lin Ye remained calm after hearing Wei Hao's words.

"There is indeed a reason why I obtained the lair, and I cannot claim to be someone blessed by the heavens. As for the specific reasons, I will report and explain when the official in charge of the investiture arrives in the prefecture." His words were neither humble nor arrogant, but they made Wei Hao's face stiffen slightly.

Wei Hao was secretly annoyed; he had blurted out those words in a fit of anger.

How could a fallen gentry family manage to seize two nests in such a short time?

After more than two hundred years of management, the Wei family still only owns a third-rate den. This disparity fueled his anger, which led him to speak recklessly.

But the words had already been spoken and could not be taken back, so she had no choice but to grit her teeth and endure Chen Cheng's piercing gaze and Lin Ye's indifferent response.

The heads of the Wang, Gao, and Su families were also unsettled, but they all managed to remain relatively composed.

They understood that since Lin Ye had reported the matter publicly and the nest mark had been shown, if there was no falsehood, the county official in charge of the appointment would verify it, and it was not their place to question it.

The head of the Wang family was the first to regain his composure, step forward to offer a few words of congratulations, and expressed his hope for strengthened cooperation in the future before taking his leave.

Even if Lin Ye is granted a title, there is still a gap between him and the Wang family, after all, the Wang family has a second-rate stronghold.

The reactions of the Gao and Su family heads were completely different. Both of them had smiles on their faces, and their congratulations were tinged with a hint of forced smiles. They even said on the spot that they would give the Lin family a "big gift" as a congratulatory present, and repeatedly emphasized that they should visit each other more often in the future.

After the event, Lin Ye and the others returned to the military camp, but were no longer in a hurry to set off back to their territory.

Prefect Zhu sent word that they should stay put and await the imperial decree from the prefecture.

Moreover, the armies of the other lords also postponed their return, since no one knew what the situation would be like next and they all wanted to wait and see in the prefectural city first.

Everyone was waiting for the results of the investiture, and Wei Hao was the most eager of them all.

As soon as he returned to the camp, he immediately sent men on horseback back to his territory to deliver a message to his superiors.

After all, only two counties in Qingyang Prefecture are currently without a lord, and both of these counties were originally Wei family territory. Although nominally under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, they have actually been controlled by the Wei family for many years.

If the Lin family is granted a fiefdom in one of these two counties, they can rightfully move in, directly impacting the core interests of the Wei family. The encroachment and suppression of their sphere of influence will be obvious.

The other companies also had their own agendas.

The head of the Wang family was secretly on guard, worried that if the Lin family rose to power through this opportunity, they would become the second "Wei family," and there might even be the Qingyuan Sword Sect behind them. At that time, the Wang family's position in Qingyang Prefecture would be threatened.

The Gao and Su families, on the other hand, thought they could take this opportunity to ease their relationship with Lin Ye. They were determined not to let Lin Ye harbor any resentment towards them, lest they be isolated or targeted in the future.

As a result, the Lin family's camp was bustling with activity, with a constant stream of carriages and visitors.

The heads of various families came in turn, their words mostly subtle and indirect, trying to find out where the Lin family desired the territory.

One banquet after another was held, seemingly warm and polite on the surface, but in reality, it was a contest of wits and schemes.

Six days later, the official in charge of the investiture finally arrived; it was none other than the familiar Prefect Cao.

The process was similar to before. Lin Ye detailed to Prefect Cao how he discovered the nest, from getting clues from the Northern Xiongnu warrior to finding a small hill similar to the map marker on his way back from Qinghe County, and then going to the contract alone at night.

Subsequently, Prefect Cao, accompanied by his surveying officials, rode swiftly to the small hill in Qinghe County to conduct an on-site verification.

The investigation was meticulous, and everything from the nest markings and terrain features to the fluctuations in spiritual energy matched Lin Ye's description. In the end, it was confirmed that the place did indeed harbor a third-rate nest, and that no one else had gotten there first.

Upon everyone's return to Qingyang Prefecture, the prefectural government immediately began preparations for the investiture ceremony.

The news, both inside and outside the city, is now known; the existence of the lair is undeniable, and the Lin family is about to acquire a brand new territory.

"Nephew Lin, do you have any thoughts on this fiefdom? The Prefect has instructed me to consult you first." After dismissing the other people, Prefect Cao, Magistrate Zhu, and Lin Ye were alone in the room.

Lin Ye's expression was solemn. "I would like to request that I be granted a fiefdom in Gongchang Prefecture. Gongchang Prefecture currently has no stronghold to suppress, and many places are desolate and impoverished. Northern Xiongnu spies are roaming freely. I am willing to guard this place for the court and protect the borders and people."

"Oh? Your Excellency is actually willing to go to Gongchang Prefecture. This is truly a great fortune for Gongchang Prefecture!" Prefect Zhu praised from the side.

"With such a loyal minister in the court, how can we not drive out the Northern Xiongnu and stabilize the border?"

Although his position as prefect was nominally only in charge of two counties, he had actually been sidelined by the Wei family for many years. If Lin Yezhen chose Qingyang Prefecture, then his position as prefect would probably become a sinecure, only in charge of one county. Naturally, he was happy to see this happen.

"Gongchang Prefecture?" Prefect Cao glanced at Prefect Zhu, then turned to Lin Ye and asked, "Is there a specific target?"

"Let's go with Qinghe County."

"This bandit suppression operation took place here, and the hideout was also contracted here. Settling here again can be considered as giving back to Qinghe."

Prefect Cao nodded: "I will report your wishes to the prefecture and await the imperial decree. The specific decision will ultimately depend on His Majesty."

In fact, Lin Ye had previously discussed the matter repeatedly with Lin Ping, Liu Yun, Sun Qian, Zhang Yuan and others, and had even sent messages to the Li clan and other clansmen in Xiang County through the communication liaison, before finally deciding on Qinghe County.

Firstly, the remaining two counties of Gongchang Prefecture are still under the control of the Wei family, and the people's hearts are with the Wei family. If the Lin family is rashly enfeoffed among them, it will only make enemies.

Although the imperial laws are in place, they cannot stop various means outside the law. The Lin family and the Wei family are of vastly different strengths, so it is not advisable to confront them head-on.

Moreover, choosing Gongchang Prefecture would avoid direct conflict with other lords in Qingyang Prefecture.

Although no one said it outright, which of the Wang, Gao, Su, or even Chen families wanted Qingyang Prefecture to have another powerful neighbor that controlled two counties?

Secondly, the two counties in Qingyang Prefecture are not close to Xiang County to begin with, so it would be better to leave this place and open up new frontiers.

The reason for choosing Qinghe County was that all three gangs of river bandits in Qinghe County had been wiped out, and their leaders had been executed.

After this battle, the people were deeply grateful to the Lin family, making it easier for officials to govern and manage the area.

Of course, Lin Ye still harbored a secret: he hadn't given up hope on the possible second-rate hideout. He chose Gongchang Prefecture, thinking he could take advantage of future development opportunities to slowly search for it.

Although no official title has been conferred, news that the Lin family favors Qinghe County has already spread like wildfire.

Upon hearing the news, all the family heads were overjoyed, and their enthusiasm for Lin Ye suddenly intensified.

The head of the Wei family even personally visited Wei Hao to apologize for his previous indiscretion.

When the imperial court issued the order to suppress bandits, he did not come in person, but sent his grandson Wei Hao with troops. However, after receiving the news that the Lin family had signed a new contract for a new hideout, he immediately rushed to the prefectural city and spent days visiting the prefect, trying to join forces to persuade the Lin family to be granted another territory.

Upon hearing that Lin Ye had chosen Qinghe County, he was overjoyed and hurriedly apologized for his grandson's recklessness. He also tried his best to curry favor, hoping that the two families could join forces to counter the Wang family.

The head of the Wang family also came to visit, but it was just a routine visit to get closer to them, and there was no particularly warm interaction.