The entire Lie Feng City governs nineteen territories, each ruled by a different leader. The administrative center of these territories is the Lie Feng City before their eyes.

The whole Lie Feng Valley has a population of four hundred thousand, with a hundred thousand residing in Lie Feng City. Since the city is built along the valley, it stretches in a long strip. From north to south, it extends over five kilometers, but its width from east to west is less than one and a half kilometers.

Truly, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. With just one glance, Gavin Clark understood why the Great Win Empire placed the strategic focus of the no-man’s land on Lie Feng City.

As long as you seize Lie Feng City, it’s like driving a nail deep into the no-man’s land—ready to attack or defend as needed.

The strategic value of this city to the Great Win Empire is simply immense.

The most eye-catching sight is the City Lord’s Mansion on the mountain, towering above all of Lie Feng City. It is an incredibly sturdy castle, almost worthy of the phrase “one man guards the pass, ten thousand cannot get through,” covering nearly a thousand mu.

That female demon Julian Wells lives in that luxurious castle on the mountain, and Gavin Clark’s scoundrel heart was itching.

He had harmed many people before, but never such a powerful and high-status woman.

Just one look at that magnificent castle made Gavin Clark troubled.

He thought, Oh my, such a huge castle—where should Julian Wells and I sleep?

The left side has a better view, the right side has better feng shui.

Sigh, life is just too hard for me.

The one who brought Gavin Clark here was a mute, who had never spoken or shown any expression, but whose martial arts were extremely high.

At this moment, upon seeing Lie Feng City, the mute finally showed a trace of emotion, twitching slightly, his eyes revealing pain.

Clearly, this city held sad memories for him. The Black Dragon Platform of the Great Win Empire had lost countless elites in this city.

The Black Dragon Platform’s operations had always been successful, but Lie Feng City was definitely its Waterloo, the place of its defeat.

Gavin Clark gazed at the magnificent castle and said, “I heard Julian Wells has no husband and no boyfriend. What a pity—I can’t put my specialty to use. Such a splendid hat, and I have no one to give it to. What a shame.”

He sighed, “Sigh, in life, eight or nine out of ten things go against one’s wishes.”

The mute beside him twitched again.

Gavin Clark quickly shut his mouth, because he could read minds and knew the other wanted to slap him to death.

“Let’s go, into the city!”

……

Gavin Clark and his companion entered the bustling Lie Feng City with ease. At least on the surface, the defenses here were not tight, since after all, it was a trade city.

But Gavin Clark knew this was only an illusion, because he could sense that the moment he entered the city, dozens of eyes were fixed on him.

If the Great Win Empire could see the strategic value of Lie Feng City, so could the Southern Zhou Empire, and so could other powerful nations. No one knew how many spies from various countries were hidden in this city, or how many undercover agents the other lords of the no-man’s land had planted here.

This was a paradise for traders, but also an ocean of spies—and perhaps even a hell, since hundreds of Black Dragon Platform agents had already died here.

Of course, when Gavin Clark entered the city, he didn’t attract much attention, as he was inconspicuous, disguised as an old man.

The mute drove the carriage, bringing Gavin Clark into the city, struggling through the crowded streets.

It was extremely bustling here—so many people, horses, and carriages that they even experienced a traffic jam.

However, only the roads on both sides were crowded; the central bluestone avenue was completely empty. Occasionally, a luxurious carriage would speed by, but no matter how crowded the sides were, no one dared step onto the central road. This was a privileged path—only carriages and steeds bearing the City Lord’s Mansion’s Jiao-Snake Banner could travel down this special road.

This was, of course, a mark of honor. Currently, fewer than a hundred Jiao-Snake Banners had been issued by the City Lord’s Mansion.

Originally, one would think that the no-man’s land must be a desert of civilization, but unexpectedly, it was no different from the cities of the empires, full of hierarchy and power everywhere.

Sitting quietly in the carriage, Gavin Clark observed the city in silence.

For the coming war between the two nations, the no-man’s land might be the most sensitive place, as it was the center of the storm.

In just two and a half kilometers, Gavin Clark saw seven recruitment points.

Clearly, the ruling Jing family of Lie Feng Valley had long smelled the scent of war, and was racing against time to expand their army and strengthen themselves.

Gavin Clark leaned back slightly, sighing in his heart: This city is prosperous, but it won’t last long.

Once war breaks out, all this prosperity will turn to dust.

Whether it’s the Southern Zhou Empire or the Great Win Empire, both have been preparing for this great war for decades.

The Great Win Empire adopted a conservative strategy, recuperating and building strength, all for this day.

The Southern Zhou Empire’s southward strategy, constantly annexing the southern barbarian tribes, was also to accumulate national power for this battle of destiny.

In all the vast southern lands, there is room for only one overlord.

Once war erupts, perhaps a million troops will pour into this no-man’s land and engage in a frenzied slaughter.