Arga paused at the door, allowing himself to be enveloped by the harmony for a moment. When he stepped inside, his eyes immediately caught sight of Ningning seated before the guqin, her posture upright, her fingers gliding elegantly over the strings.
Ningning's expression that night felt different. The usual cold authority she exuded was replaced by a rare gentleness. But the melody abruptly ceased when Ningning noticed his presence.
She turned, her eyes shining though tinged with slight hesitation. "You're here," she said with a small, meaningful smile.
Arga approached, his steps steady despite the nervousness swirling in his chest. "I like… seeing you play the guqin," he said in a low voice, almost a whisper, but sincere.
Ningning tilted her head slightly, her surprise evident in the subtle arch of her eyebrows and the faint curve of her lips. "What did you just say? Do you really like me?" she asked, her gaze piercing as though searching for truth in the words.
Arga stammered, realizing the misunderstanding that had occurred. "Ah, what I meant was... I admire your Guqin performance," he said, shifting his gaze away, trying to avoid Ningning's eyes.
Ningning gave a small smile before letting out a soft laugh. "No need to be shy, Arga. We've been through something far more intense back in the village," she said, her tone laden with meaning.
Arga scratched the back of his neck, trying to cover up his nervousness. "We'll talk more about what happened back then later. For now, we need to focus on tomorrow's meeting. I need to discuss the inter-district strategy with you."
Ningning leaned back in her chair, her expression turning serious. "Before we start discussing strategy, there's something I need to address. After you served your punishment, you swore loyalty to me. You're under my command now. In other words, you're mine. So listen carefully, Arga, and do your job well."
Arga nodded, though he felt a slight rebellion stirring in his heart. He took a deep breath, trying to accept the ever-changing reality. Ningning could shift between warmth and severity almost effortlessly, and it often left Arga conflicted.
"Alright, I'll do as you say," she replied with a small smile, one that seemed more like a defense mechanism than a sincere expression.
Ningning nodded, her smile lingering. "Good. We'll discuss this further later. For now, enjoy the night."
As dawn began to break, golden rays of morning light filtered through the glass windows of the town hall's main chamber, casting a radiant glow on the cold marble floors. The growing noise from outside hinted at the gathering of district residents, their collective voices filled with anticipation. It was a mix of anxiety and hope, as though everyone knew their lives now hinged on an unavoidable decision.
Outside the hall, arpin and Ayato's entourage was paraded like future leaders. Their faces exuded confidence, yet among the crowd, an undercurrent of doubt was palpable. Their presence drew every eye, as though they were the gravitational center of the scene. Inside the hall, however, the atmosphere was markedly different. Everyone was acutely aware that no matter the spectacle outside, the decision would rest in the hands of the three district leaders seated within. This wasn't just politics—it was about survival.
Arga, Sana, Nico, and Nining walked in unison toward the town hall's chamber. The echo of their footsteps filled the long, chilly corridor, accompanied by the erratic rhythm of their own heartbeats. Inside, Ayato and Arpin were already waiting, seated in their respective places. The slightly elevated central chair marked Nining's position as the leader of District 1. With deliberate confidence, Nining took her seat, her sharp eyes observing every movement in the room.
Arpin was the first to stand. His wide smile carried an enigmatic undertone. "So, you've finally arrived, Nining," he said, his tone firm but laced with cunning. "I hope this time you'll make the right decision."
Ayato, seated beside him, merely offered a faint smile, one that radiated assurance. He appeared calm, as though he already knew the outcome. For Ayato, everything was already set in motion; all that remained was to watch the play unfold.
As usual, Nining remained composed. Her face betrayed no emotion. With a gentle gesture, she signaled to her aide. "Compile all the points and interests from each district into a single document," she ordered, her tone soft yet authoritative. "If there are overlaps, align them. We need to find common ground."
The tension in the room escalated as Arpin stood again, this time with a bolder demeanor. He began speaking with an air of conviction, his eyes sweeping across the room. "We, the people of District 3, propose that I be made the emperor of Kashgar . Our district has a spotless history, free from the sins of the past. Moreover, we have become a sanctuary for people from across Greater East Asia. Therefore, I am the rightful leader."
Once finished, arpin sat back down, his face radiating confidence that his argument was unassailable. However, the tension barely had time to dissipate before Ayato rose from his seat. His voice was deep, almost soothing, yet brimming with authority.
"First of all," he began, directing a thin smile at arpin , "District 2 has submitted its interests to complete our constitution. But what I want to emphasize is our leadership experience in Greater East Asia. We once led the fight against Western and American hegemony in Asia. Now is not the time to dwell on past mistakes but to face the threats ahead. District 2 nominates me to be the emperor of Kashgar , for the safety of us all."
Ayato returned to his seat with unwavering confidence, his smile carrying a silent challenge to anyone daring to oppose him. His eyes briefly met Nining's, as if sending a wordless message that he would not back down.
Now, it was Nining's turn. She rose slowly, her movements graceful yet commanding. All eyes were on her, and silence enveloped the room. There was something about the way she stood that made everyone hold their breath, waiting for her to speak.
"Our district has submitted its interests to be included in the constitution," Nining began, her voice calm but brimming with authority. She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "Districts 3 and 2 each have their strengths. However, District 1 proposes..." She stopped again, her gaze locking onto Ayato and arpin.
"Myself as the emperor of Kashgar ."