A City Divided, A Threat Unseen

Arga and Ningning arrived in front of Kashgar 's grand city hall, adorned with towering stone pillars standing steadfast like loyal sentinels. The air around the place felt heavy, thick with a tension that was hard to describe. Morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting long shadows across the spacious courtyard, now filled with dozens of people.

District leaders, city elders, and respected community figures had gathered. Their voices roared like a turbulent wind, clashing in heated debates. Every individual seemed determined to assert their stance, building impenetrable walls of arguments.

The absence of centralized governance in Kashgar had created its own chaos. The city was divided into three major districts, each existing like isolated islands sharing space but not truly united. These divisions were like tangled threads, weaving unending tension.

Ningning paused, taking a moment to observe the crowd from a distance. Her brown eyes scanned the tense faces, analyzing every expression with precision. Behind her, Nico and Arga stood silently, awaiting her signal. Not far away, Sana, who had arrived earlier, waved her hand, gesturing for them to come closer.

Slowly, Ningning stepped forward. Her presence seemed to shift the atmosphere, like water poured over flames. The clashing voices gradually subsided until silence enveloped the hall. All eyes were now on Ningning. Some looked at her with hope, others with unease, and a few with undisguised disapproval.

"So, you finally decided to show up," arpin n's voice broke the silence. The man stood in the center of the crowd, his posture rigid, though his face was flushed with long-simmering anger. "How many times have you ignored meetings like this? You don't care about the people of Kashgar !"

The tone was sharp, cutting through the serene morning air that should have been calming. Some nodded in agreement, while others remained silent, waiting to see how Ningning would respond. Arga stepped forward, positioning himself slightly in front of Ningning, as if to act as an invisible shield. Yet Ningning only offered a faint smile. Her face remained calm, though her gaze was as sharp as a blade.

"I'm here, aren't I?" Ningning replied, her voice steady yet filled with conviction. Her words were like a calming storm, bringing a different kind of silence to the crowd. Arpin opened his mouth but no words came out. The atmosphere grew quiet, with only the rustling wind moving through the leaves.

In another corner, Nico observed the situation intently. He knew well that Ningning's presence always carried a significant impact, even though her demeanor often stirred controversy. Arpin might be furious, but even he couldn't deny Ningning's strength in handling moments like this.

"We're not here to blame each other," Ningning continued, stepping closer to the center of the crowd. Her clear voice carried to the edges of the courtyard. "We have a far bigger problem. If you want this city to survive, we must stop fighting and start working together."

Her words resonated, creating ripples of emotion among those who heard them. Some lowered their heads, contemplating her statement, while others remained silent, their gazes filled with deliberation.

On the side, Arga stole a glance at Ningning, his eyes reflecting unspoken pride. He knew that beneath Ningning's composed exterior lay a heavy burden. Yet Ningning always knew how to face the storm, even when the winds battered her from every direction.

The murmurs from the crowd in District 1 grew louder, but Patimura, Ningning's right-hand man, swiftly raised his hand, signaling firmly for silence. His stern, authoritative expression caused the protests to gradually subside, though the tension still hung thick in the air.

"Enough! Enough! Stop fighting here," a voice rang out—Ayato, the leader of District 2. Though his tone was calm, it carried clearly across the gathering. He stepped forward, his lean frame exuding quiet confidence. His natural authority drew attention without resistance. "Let's sit down and discuss this with a cool head."

Ningning and Arpin finally took their seats at the main table. Their eyes remained wary, but at least the room's atmosphere had started to settle. Small whispers still floated around the hall's corners but slowly faded as Ayato began to speak again.

"Alright," Ayato began, his voice soft but commanding attention from everyone present. "Now that things have calmed down and the other elders are here, we'll discuss the report we've just received from District 3. This is no trivial matter."

The room fell silent. All eyes were on Ayato, their furrowed brows reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"According to their report," Ayato continued calmly, "there has been movement beyond the mountains that mark our border with Siferia. We all know that Kashgar is a hidden city that has long chosen not to engage with the outside world to maintain peace. However, yesterday, some shepherds from District 3 spotted a group of explorers from Siferia near the mountains. Normally, they show no interest in this direction, but this time is different. They seem to be investigating our mountains."

Whispers of concern spread among the audience. The name Siferia carried its own weight of fear. The kingdom was widely known as an expansionist force, merciless in its conquests, subjugating smaller territories and forcing their people into submission.

"We know how they operate," said an elder from District 2, his low voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Siferia always demands two things: absolute obedience and worship of Selvian, their god. Cities that comply may prosper, but they lose their freedom forever."

"I will never worship that false god!" shouted a monk from District 2 passionately, drawing vigorous nods from several around him. His words sparked a wave of agreement, though unease lingered.

Ayato raised his hand again, calling for calm. "Alright, we all agree that submitting to Siferia is not an option. But this brings us to a fundamental issue. Our city lacks governance, defense systems, and laws to unite us. Kashgar is merely a collection of districts operating independently. If we don't act soon, this city will fall easily."

Silence returned to the room. Ayato's words hung in the air, pressing everyone with an undeniable truth. They knew the reality was harsh, but there was no choice but to face it. Tense faces exchanged glances, searching for signs of a solution amidst the looming deadlock.