Gifts

The channel went silent for a moment.

Someone sent a “……”.

Someone sent a “?”.

And someone else directly sent a sticker that said, “Big Brother, are you serious?”

Once the silence was broken, the atmosphere became even heavier.

Undying War Wolf Soul’s words were, of course, half-joking, but behind the jest lay a sense of powerlessness that was impossible to hide and deep-seated in their bones.

Moreover… the person who said this was Undying War Wolf Soul.

He was the leader of Watching the Great Wall! The very core of the entire faction.

Regardless of the situation, this joke was somewhat inappropriate.

Undying War Wolf Soul realized this as well. After a moment of thought, he tried to make amends in the group chat: “Don’t say such defeatist things. Black Feather is strong, and they did a beautiful job this time, but Watching the Great Wall hasn’t reached the point where we need to rely on self-deprecation to maintain our dignity.”

“The boss is right.”

“Confirmed. Boss, I think what we need to determine most right now is our future attitude toward Black Feather and Crow. Although no one has said it explicitly, we have indeed been rather dismissive when dealing with Black Feather members.”

The atmosphere in the channel eased slightly due to Undying War Wolf Soul’s serious correction, but it tightened again immediately because of this issue being laid out in the open.

Yes, attitude.

This wasn’t a joke; it was reality.

Black Feather rose too quickly and was too dazzling, while they, who prided themselves on being the official factions, all carried a bit of scrutiny, or perhaps a wait-and-see attitude, or even an unconscious sense of contempt.

After all, the core of Black Feather was one person, Crow Takes Flight, unlike them, the regular armies who had fought their way up from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood with a core team.

But now, the regular armies were overwhelmed by a plague, while the unconventional Black Feather had produced life-saving medicine and, in a way no one expected, firmly held the initiative in their hands.

The impact of this disparity was far more painful than a defeat on the battlefield.

The issues being discussed on the Yanhuang side were identical to those at Watching the Great Wall.

Although both factions flew the banner of the Dragon Country authorities and had recently been negotiating a merger, both sides knew that neither was willing to submit to the other. If they were to merge, there would be no result for the time being.

But on the surface, neither side could reject the idea, so they had been resolving petty internal matters during this time.

While resolving these trifles, both sides had tacitly placed Black Feather, this variable that had risen abruptly, into a category of “to be observed,” even subconsciously carrying a bit of contempt for the unorthodox.

Now, however, things had changed. Black Feather had become an important faction that needed to be faced squarely and immediately, requiring a shift in all strategies.

“The Yanhuang side… is probably also getting a headache right now.”

“How about… we talk with Yanhuang again to determine our mutual stance?”

Undying War Wolf Soul looked at this last tentative suggestion in the channel, his fingers tapping lightly on the desktop, a gleam in his eyes.

Talk again?

In the past, this would have been a good option; after all, Yanhuang was half one of their own, while Black Feather was an absolute outsider.

But now, the situation was different.

Black Feather’s importance was definitely above all other factions.

“No.” Undying War Wolf Soul typed this word decisively in the channel.

The channel went quiet again instantly, and everyone was taken aback.

Not talk to Yanhuang? Then talk to whom? Could it be…

Undying War Wolf Soul’s next words confirmed their suspicions:

“If we talk to Yanhuang now, what will we talk about? How to deal with Black Feather together? Or how to save our pathetic face and dominance under the new rules already defined by Black Feather?”

His tone carried a trace of self-mockery, but it was mostly clear-headed and decisive.

“You have all seen what Black Feather is doing now. They are distributing tickets to players across the entire server, a ticket that allows them to survive. Given this premise, do you think the dispute between us and Yanhuang over who is in charge still has any meaning?”

“If we rush to group up with Yanhuang now, it will only send a signal to the outside world, especially to Black Feather and Crow: we are afraid, we are uniting for self-preservation, and we treat Black Feather as an outsider or even an opponent that needs to be guarded against and resisted.”

“This is exactly the opposite of what Crow is doing right now, because Black Feather is currently strengthening our internal identity as the Dragon Country. If we really did that, we would only lose the initiative completely and be excluded from the new order she is building.”

“Then Boss, what do you mean…” someone asked cautiously.

“Our attitude must be made clear to Black Feather and to Crow personally right now.”

Undying War Wolf Soul said word by word, “And it must be fast, sincere, and show genuine respect and willingness to cooperate. As for the Yanhuang side… they aren’t stupid. Once they see our actions, they will naturally understand what to do.”

“Boss, should I go contact Black Feather?” someone immediately followed up in the channel, their tone urgent.

This person was considered the diplomat for Watching the Great Wall, and he handled almost all outreach matters.

And this time…

“No, I will.” Undying War Wolf Soul replied decisively.

The channel fell silent for another moment.

Boss… going in person?

What did this mean?

It meant that Watching the Great Wall would not only adjust its attitude toward Black Feather strategically, but would also conduct a top-level, leader-to-leader ice-breaking contact.

This was the highest specification and the most direct signal.

“Boss, this… wouldn’t it make us look too…”

Others were somewhat hesitant, worried that lowering their stance too much would cause them to lose face.

“Too what? Too eager? Too humble?” Undying War Wolf Soul countered. He switched to voice chat, his tone even carrying a trace of anger at their lack of ambition: “Now is not the time to worry about that empty, superficial pride. Black Feather holds the lifeline, the hearts of the people. If we are one step late, we may be behind in every step. If Yanhuang sees us contacting them privately, they will at most think we are moving fast, but if I contact them personally, the meaning is completely different.”

He paused and continued: “I want to tell Crow, and tell everyone, that Watching the Great Wall has recognized the situation and has the courage and sincerity to adapt to the new landscape. This is not being humble; this is being pragmatic, and it is… confidence.”

“We have our own foundation and value, but we also acknowledge and respect the advantages Black Feather currently possesses that we cannot replace for the time being.”

These words shook the core members in the channel, and then a complex emotion welled up in them.

There was admiration for the leader’s decisiveness, reflection on the sudden shift in the situation, but mostly, a clarity that came from being awakened.

Yes, true strength is not clinging to past glory, but being able to see reality clearly and decisively making the choice most beneficial for the future.

“Understood, Boss!” The members responded immediately: “Do you need me to prepare anything?”

“No need to prepare anything,” Undying War Wolf Soul replied, “but we must do one thing first.”

The members in the channel immediately perked up.

“Black Feather is currently the most popular, but they are also the most hated.”

Undying War Wolf Soul analyzed, “Especially those players from other grand regions who were treated differently and spent three hundred extra game coins, as well as those factions that already couldn’t stand to see our Dragon Country region do well. They wouldn’t dare move openly, but in the dark, they will definitely find ways to trip Black Feather up.”

“Listen to me,” Undying War Wolf Soul’s tone shifted to a command: “Immediately select two elite reconnaissance and anti-infiltration teams and, in the name of volunteering to assist in maintaining order, temporarily hand them over to Crow for her to command!”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the group chat gasped.

This… this was no longer a simple gesture of goodwill or a statement of cooperation!

This was handing over their own elite forces as if they were tribute!

It was easy to lend them out, but difficult to take them back.

Once these two teams entered the Black Feather safe zone and obeyed Crow’s orders, it meant Watching the Great Wall had completely abandoned the initiative in this matter, or even temporarily ceded part of their armed command to Black Feather.

This stance was not just lowering themselves; it was an act bordering on submission.

“Boss! This… this absolutely cannot be done!” The member in charge of military command was the first to jump out in opposition, his voice changing in his urgency, “How many elite teams do we have in total? You want to send out two at once? No! Absolutely not! If we hand them over to Black Feather, what if…”

“What if what?” Undying War Wolf Soul’s voice went cold, “What if they are detained by Black Feather? Or what if they have an accident while on a mission and are lost at Crow’s hands?”

He didn’t wait for the other party to answer and continued: “That ‘what if’ is exactly what I want! I want Crow to see that our cooperation with Watching the Great Wall is built on unreserved trust! We are handing the sharpest blade we have into her hands, with the hilt facing her and the edge facing outward! This carries more weight than any empty letter of congratulation or promise!”

“As for the risk…” Undying War Wolf Soul paused, his tone carrying a cruel clarity, “Of course there is risk. But you must understand, we are not negotiating with an opponent of equal size; we are moving closer to a new core! Conventional diplomatic means are no longer enough; we must place a heavy bet!”

“These two teams are our heavy bet! They represent not only our military sincerity but are also a pair of eyes and a pair of ears. Crow can use them to clear up trouble within the safe zone, and we can use them to more intuitively understand Black Feather’s operating model, their ability to respond to crises, and… Crow’s own wrist and capacity!”

“If Crow accepts them and uses them well, it shows she truly has the capacity to tolerate others and is worth deep cooperation. If she refuses, or uses them to execute a suicide mission… then we can see some things in advance and adjust our strategy in time. No matter the result, for us, this is an extremely valuable intelligence investment!”

These words caused the opposition in the channel to instantly weaken.

Only then did everyone understand how deep the calculation was behind Undying War Wolf Soul’s seemingly impulsive or even humiliating decision.

This wasn’t a simple sacrifice, but an active strike wrapped in probing, investment, and high-stakes gambling!

“But Boss, the members of the elite teams are all proud and arrogant; if we let them take orders from an outsider, perhaps even a leader from an unorthodox background, I’m afraid they will have resistance in their hearts, and the execution of orders will be discounted, which might ruin things instead.”

“Then tell them the truth!” Undying War Wolf Soul was resolute, “Select the most loyal, obedient, and broad-minded members.”

“Before they set off, I will personally brief them on the mission. Clearly tell them that this mission concerns the life, death, and status of Watching the Great Wall in the future landscape! They are not going to be mercenaries; they are going as the vanguard, as the scouts to open up the future for Watching the Great Wall! Every action they take represents the face and the future of Watching the Great Wall!”

“I believe in my soldiers!” Undying War Wolf Soul’s voice was sonorous and powerful, “As long as they understand the strategic significance of the mission, they will overcome all personal emotions and execute orders perfectly! Because they are soldiers of our Dragon Country!”

The channel fell silent again, but this time, the silence was no longer filled with astonishment and opposition, but a solemnity and sense of mission ignited and inspired by the leader’s determination and vision.

Orders were quickly implemented one by one.

Undying War Wolf Soul closed the group chat and stood alone in the command room, his gaze deep.

“Black Feather… Crow…”

He whispered to himself, a complex curve forming at the corner of his mouth, “I have placed my best blade into your hands. Now, let’s see how you use it. Don’t… let me down.”

……

“This is?”

Cheng Shuili looked at the twelve people in front of her, her eyes full of astonishment.

These people were dressed in uniform standard combat gear, well-equipped, their eyes as sharp as eagles, their posture as straight as pines. One look and it was clear they were veterans who had been soldiers for years.

At this very moment, they were standing in the first-floor lobby of the Black Feather territory, looking exceptionally eye-catching.

The leader was a man with the ID Mountain, who stepped forward, gave a standard, crisp military salute to Cheng Shuili, and said in a deep voice:

“Report! The First and Third Reconnaissance and Anti-Infiltration Teams directly under Watching the Great Wall, acting on the order of our leader Undying War Wolf Soul, have come to report to Commander Crow! There are twelve people in the team, all present and ready for orders! Requesting instructions!”

The voice was loud and clear, echoing through the slightly noisy lobby.

At first, the passing Black Feather players were only attracted by these people’s posture and movements. Now, hearing these words, their eyes immediately changed. Players who were busy with their own tasks stopped, and one by one, they gathered around, standing behind Cheng Shuili.

As for Cheng Shuili herself, she paused for a moment before suddenly turning her head to look at Glory, who looked full of guilt, and asked: “Is this what you called the gift sent by Watching the Great Wall?”

Glory shrank his neck as she stared at him and muttered in a low voice: “I… I really hadn’t looked at the manifest yet… Watching the Great Wall only said there was special support; who knew they would send people directly… no wonder they asked me for twelve passes, I was wondering about that.”

So, he had approved the passes without even clearly seeing what the gift was.

It seemed Glory had been too busy lately, so busy he was a bit muddled.

This was really her fault as the boss; how could she arrange so many tasks for her subordinates?

Look at this, they didn’t even know how to use their authority properly.

Now that she had to take the authority back, how else could she handle it?