Chapter 5139: Assigning Manpower Editor: Misty Cloud Translations At dawn the next day, the twelve monarchs arrived at the Immortal Island by Feng Jiu’s command. In the grand hall, the Phoenix Empress sat upon the main throne, with Leng Shuang standing beside her. Du Fan, Leng Hua, and the others, including Grey Wolf Shadow One, were seated at their respective places. After entering the hall, the twelve rulers glanced at those present before advancing to perform the kneeling salute before Feng Jiu. "We pay our respects to the Phoenix Empress." The twelve spoke in unison. News of Feng Jiu’s single-day annihilation of three great emperors had spread far and wide, and they had all heard of it. They harbored genuine awe and reverence for her. "Rise." Feng Jiu spoke slowly, sipping her tea before turning to the twelve. "You must have heard about the deaths of the Emperor Dongyao and his two companions?" "Yes, we received word yesterday. The news has already spread far and wide," one replied. "Hmm. That is precisely why I summoned you today." She lightly skimmed the surface of her tea with the lid, took another sip, then set her cup down before fixing her gaze upon them. "Phoenix Empress, we await your command. We stand ready to carry out your orders." The twelve men responded in unison. They speculated inwardly—could it be she was assigning them to take charge of those three territories? The thought stirred excitement within them. "With the fall of these three Great Emperors, chaos will inevitably erupt. Some will surely seize the opportunity to stir up trouble. Today, I summoned you to assign your tasks: the twelve of you will form three groups of four. Each group will follow and assist one of them, acting solely under their command." As she spoke, Feng Jiu glanced down at Du Fan and the others seated below. At that moment, Du Fan smiled, gently fanning himself with the fan in his hand as he addressed them. "My name is Du Fan. You may call me Young Master Du." With that, he stepped before the twelve and asked, "Which four of you will follow me?" Hearing this, the twelve men froze, staring at the group before them in bewilderment. In their eyes, these men weren’t particularly strong—some might even be weaker than themselves. Yet they were supposed to follow their orders? Had they heard correctly? "Hmm? No one volunteering?" Du Fan chuckled, seemingly unfazed. He glanced at them briefly before turning to Feng Jiu. "Master, since none of them are stepping forward, I’ll make the decision. I’ll take the first four." Feng Jiu watched with a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips, nodding lightly. "Very well." For taking over those territories, those too weak were unusable. As for these twelve monarchs, who were considered above average in strength, they naturally submitted to the stronger. Though she had given the order, Du Fan and his men would likely need to put in some effort to mobilize them. However, the people she had cultivated possessed such skills, so she wasn’t worried they wouldn’t be able to subdue these rulers. The four men responded with expressionless nods, shot Du Fan a glance, then stepped aside. "I am Leng Hua." Leng Hua stepped forward and addressed the four: "You four shall be assigned to me!" Gray Wolf and Shadow One exchanged glances. Gray Wolf grinned widely. "Then the remaining four are ours? Fine, no complaints—we’ve got no choice." "He addressed them, ’I’m Gray Wolf, and this is Shadow One. No need to call us ’Young Master’ or ’Sir’ anymore. Just address us as Left and Right Protectors.’ In Feng Jiu’s presence, Shi Er dared not put on airs. Seeing Feng Jiu say no more, they simply replied, "Yes."