"Sister."
Bai Ye frowned and said, "How did Lin Zhao learn about the sheep-leading ceremony, and how was he able to ambush our demon race warriors at the appointed time? We need to clarify these matters. Could it be related to the Great Shang Dynasty? This sheep-leading ceremony was prepared by Marquis Chun'an, Zhang Yu'an. This Marquis Chun'an has always been criticized in the human court for colluding with our demon race. Could his actions be an attempt to wash away his disgrace?"
"Wait."
Feng Quan raised his hand and said, "Lord Bai Ye, you are worrying too much. Marquis Chun'an has always advocated appeasement in the Great Shang court, and it is impossible for him to have tipped off Lin Zhao. He is one of our own."
Shi Jungang could not help but sneer, "Lin Zhao intercepted a hundred thousand sheep for the ceremony, and he thinks this matter is over? It's not over. Lord Feng Quan, send a flying fish letter to the Great Shang Dynasty, stating that Lin Zhao has plundered the sheep-leading ceremony. We won't blame Marquis Chun'an anymore. Let the Great Shang Dynasty prepare another hundred thousand sheep. Furthermore, this time we don't want people from Furongzhou. The blood of the southern humans is not strong enough to nourish the bodies of demon cultivators. This time, we want people from Yunzhou, and let Chen Xi prepare this shipment of a hundred thousand sheep."
"Brilliant!"
Bai Ye could not help but clap his hands and laugh, "Sister Shi's move of 'raking the grass and catching the rabbit' is truly inspired. It's more than killing two birds with one stone; it's practically killing three birds with one stone. First, it blames the Great Shang court. Second, it obtains the second batch of sheep. Third, it strikes the mountain and shakes the tiger, testing Chen Xi's bottom line. This granddaughter of Chen Wanli, heh... If she truly dares to come north, we must not let her return alive, no matter the cost!"
"Indeed."
Shi Jungang narrowed her beautiful eyes and said, "Chen Wanli, that cultivator in the Rebirth Realm... He joined hands with Lu Xinghe to kill three of our demon race cultivators in the Thirteenth Realm. Does Chen Wanli think this matter is settled just because he has vanished? It's not that easy. The lives of our demon race cultivators in the Thirteenth Realm are precious. This debt must be repaid by his descendants for generations to come!"
Feng Quan frowned and remained silent.
In fact, Feng Quan did not agree. He was a humble cultivator of the demon race. He joined the demon race army simply to seek justice for the demon race. The world had abundant spiritual energy, so why was seventy percent of it with the humans in the south? Why couldn't the demon race go south? But now, after witnessing Shi Jungang's methods, Feng Quan increasingly disagreed. As a soldier, he didn't mind open schemes, but constantly playing such insidious games made him unwilling to be complicit.
...
In the Snow Region Heavenly Pool, in the command tent.
Lin Zhao, for once, convened a meeting, summoning all generals above the rank of Thousand Cavalry Commander. Wu Zhi and Su Qingjiu stood on either side, as if they were his personal guards.
"Are the hundred thousand people all settled?" Lin Zhao asked.
"Yes."
Chu Yu said in a deep voice, "We have temporarily set up tents, but these tents are not a long-term solution. They will not withstand strong winds or snow and rain. Moreover, the provisions for these hundred thousand people will be a major problem. Lord, we will likely have to make a trip to Shanhaiguan soon to purchase new provisions from Commander Han Yetang."
"Understood."
Lin Zhao frowned and said, "There are several urgent matters now."
"Please speak, Lord!"
Mu Zha, Xiang Ji, and Xu Sheng clasped their fists together.
"First."
Lin Zhao stood up and looked at everyone, saying, "Many houses in Heavenly Pool Town are vacant. We can arrange for these people to live in them. It will not be a problem for seven or eight people to a household. Then, we will allocate farmland, tools, and seeds to them from the back of the mountain, allowing them to reclaim the land and cultivate it themselves. Only by allowing these people to continuously produce food will it be a long-term solution."
Chu Yu nodded.
Lin Zhao continued, "Second, we must immediately select talented individuals from among these people, such as stone masons and carpenters. We must do a good job of selecting the virtuous and appointing the capable, picking out those with ability to continue building houses and other structures for the Snow Region Heavenly Pool. In the future, these people can also build defensive fortifications for us."
Wu Zhi smiled and nodded, deeply agreeing.
Lin Zhao then said, "Third, we will recruit soldiers from this group of people, selecting those who are strong and agile to join the Snow Region Cavalry, so that they can form their combat effectiveness as soon as possible. We will also select those suitable for cultivation from this group, and have Mu Zha, Chu Yu, Xiang Ji, and Xu Sheng personally instruct them to improve their strength as soon as possible."
Everyone nodded in unison.
Lin Zhao took a deep breath and said, "Fourth, we will select some scholars from this group and have these scholars draft a set of governance regulations for the Snow Region Heavenly Pool for me to review. Anyone who comes to the Snow Region Heavenly Pool must abide by our rules. Those who violate the rules will be punished according to the regulations. In addition, every day, 500 people from the Snow Region Army will be selected and divided into fifty teams of ten to patrol and maintain order. Ten thousand people have suddenly arrived, and disputes are inevitable. The demon race is in the north, and we cannot descend into chaos ourselves."
"Yes, Lord!"
Chu Yu clasped her fist and said, "This subordinate has noted it down!"
"Good."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded, "Everyone has worked hard during this period. These are all I can think of for now. Let's proceed with the arrangements."
"Yes!"
Mu Zha, Chu Yu, Xiang Ji, Xu Sheng, and others all withdrew.
Su Qingjiu, on the other hand, squinted at Lin Zhao, her pretty face full of smiles. Although Su Qingjiu was now an adult, to her, Brother Lin Zhao was still a heroic figure who could support the heavens and earth. When she was a child, Brother Lin Zhao had planned a 'Heavenly Furnace Strategy' in the north, bringing an unprecedented great victory to the human race. Now, Brother Lin Zhao was in charge of the Snow Region Heavenly Pool, and his words just now showed how meticulous his thinking was. He was not only excellent in military strategy and tactics but also adept at internal affairs and the art of employing people, which made Little Jiu'er smile even more happily.
My Brother Lin Zhao is a true, unparalleled national hero!
Wu Zhi stood by the side, a smile curling at the corner of her lips. These matters were not surprising to her, as Lin Zhao was originally a man of all talents in Wu Zhi's eyes, and anyone willing to use their brain would not be too bad in any aspect.
...
In the afternoon, Su Qingjiu was still helping Wu Zhi repair her sword heart in the mountain peak villa. Although Lin Zhao was a sword cultivator of the Lower Five Realms, he could also see that Wu Zhi's sword intent was becoming increasingly strong, and she was likely getting closer to re-forging her sword heart and returning to the Upper Five Realms.
Outside the Natural Abode.
Chu Yu arrived, bringing a young girl with her.
"Lord, I have something to tell you."
"Oh?"
Lin Zhao walked out of the study, still holding a newly written 'Illuminating Sword Talisman' in his hand. With Little Jiu'er around, more illuminating sword talismans were always better. He looked at Chu Yu and the girl behind her. He recognized the girl as the one who had pleaded for the many people of Furongzhou at Guyao Pass. Now, with her face washed clean, she was very delicate and beautiful, a budding beauty. In terms of looks, she could rival Tong Yu.
"What is it, Chu Yu?"
"Lord."
Chu Yu pointed to the girl behind her and said, "Her name is Wang Yue. I discovered her just now while selecting talent. Wang Yue has a very pitiful background. Her father was originally the prefect of a county in Furongzhou, but he was framed and imprisoned by his enemies for reporting local military officers for embezzling military pay. His property was then confiscated, and Wang Yue, as the daughter of a criminal, became one of the tributes for the sheep-leading ceremony. She suffered a great deal along the way."
She frowned and continued, "When I was selecting talent just now, I discovered that Wang Yue's roots were very suitable for practicing boxing. She was born with a wisp of boxing intent. Therefore... I want to ask you, Lord, to let me take Wang Yue as my disciple and teach her boxing diligently. May I know your opinion?"
"Is that so..."
Lin Zhao looked at Wang Yue, but found that Wang Yue's eyes were darting around, not daring to meet Lin Zhao's gaze. Moreover, her eyes held a mixture of filth and hatred. This hatred was even more intense than the hatred in Tong Yu's eyes back then. It was likely that Wang Yue had endured far more torment than she had revealed. However, Chu Yu was, after all, a female martial artist. Her dedication to practicing boxing was meticulous, but her insight into people's hearts was not as keen, which was not comparable to Lin Zhao's.
"Wang Yue."
Lin Zhao looked at the girl and said, "Are you willing to follow Chu Yu to practice boxing? The path of boxing is very arduous. Once you decide, there is no turning back. You will often train until you are covered in bruises. Moreover, for women, practicing boxing is very demanding on the body. Your hands will be covered in calluses, your skin will become rough, and even your appearance will not be as beautiful as it is now. Are you willing?"
Wang Yue gritted her teeth, looked up at Lin Zhao, and nodded forcefully, "Mountain Lord, I am willing, and I will not regret it even if I die!"
"Good."
Lin Zhao nodded, "Chu Yu, since you have decided to take Wang Yue as your disciple, she will be a resident of the Mountain Peak Villa. Find a place for Wang Yue on the mountain. She doesn't need to live in the Heavenly Pool."
"Yes, Lord!"
Chu Yu's face was full of joy.
In fact, Chu Yu, as a martial artist of the Tenth Realm and a sword cultivator of the Sixth Realm, had long been qualified to take disciples. It was just that she had always been solely focused on avenging her adoptive father and did not have much time. Now that she had settled down in the Snow Region Heavenly Pool, she also wished to pass on her legacy and further promote the 'Battlefield Boxing' technique. As for Wang Yue, Chu Yu was immediately drawn to the stubbornness in her eyes, and she liked this girl, just like she was back then.
Lin Zhao also thought Wang Yue was good, but the hatred in her heart was too strong. This might affect her future achievements.
He did not say anything, deciding that there was no rush and they could take their time.
...
In the evening, the distant sunset clouds were like fire.
"Brother Lin Zhao."
Su Qingjiu floated down and landed beside Lin Zhao, who was watching the sunset. She smiled and said, "At midnight tonight, Sister Wu Zhi should be able to forge her sword heart and return to the Upper Five Realms. After she completely refines that Twelfth Realm demon core and fully masters 'Clarity of Mind,' this peak Eleventh Realm is very likely to surpass the previous peak Eleventh Realm."
"You've worked hard, Little Jiu'er."
Lin Zhao smiled and said, "What do you want to eat tonight? I'll cook for you."
"What I eat is not important."
Su Qingjiu held out a small hand and smiled, "You promised me a gift, didn't you?"
"A gift..."
Lin Zhao scratched his head. "Shall we go down the mountain together?"
"En!"
Su Qingjiu's smile deepened. In fact, no matter what Lin Zhao gave her, Su Qingjiu would cherish it as a priceless treasure, as long as it was from him.