The atmosphere was unnervingly heavy. Hu Zhongyuan stood behind the assembled figures, positioned roughly toward the middle-rear. His expression was deferential, his gaze fixed straight ahead, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that the mood in the hall was becoming increasingly strained.

He vaguely sensed a gaze, sharp as a blade, intermittently slicing over from the high seat, chilling him to the bone.

But when he looked closely, he could detect nothing unusual.

Only Zong Shou sat upon the throne. Barely fourteen, his slightly slender frame looked almost comical in the oversized chair.

Yet his face was taut. Recalling the decisive ruthlessness and cruel methods this young Lord had displayed three days prior, no one felt inclined to laugh. “Since the Sovereign insists on logging these combat equipment losses against the national treasury, then this minister has nothing more to say.”

The speaker was Ren Bo, the very picture of a mediocre official in Zong Shou’s estimation. He was around forty, wearing a scholar’s cap and a white robe.

Qiantian Mountain City lacked a formal bureaucratic structure or a unified governing body, so the attire in this hall varied wildly; people were dressed in a multitude of fashions.

At this moment, the white-robed Prime Minister raised an eyebrow and stated coolly, “However, this minister must remind Your Majesty! Qiantian City has not hunted beasts in the Cloud Sea for months; the national treasury is nearly depleted. Any further extraordinary expenditure might leave us without the capital to organize the next Cloud Sea Hunt.”

Zong Shou, seated on the throne, showed a flicker of surprise; he had momentarily forgotten this matter. Qiantian Mountain City’s normal taxes and various revenues did not even account for half of the treasury’s income. The real bulk came from beneath the Cloud Sea.

With Qiantian Mountain having been without a proper ruler for several months, the Cloud Sea Hunts had naturally been suspended.

Now that he had succeeded as the Lord, the thing his subordinates expected most was likely the resumption of this activity—it was the foremost priority for Qiantian Mountain City.

Immediately afterward, he waved his hand dismissively, signaling Ren Bo, whose attitude toward him was clearly turning cold, to step down. He then made a gesture toward Su Chuxue beside him.

Chuxue hesitated for a moment, then, after a long pause, approached the throne holding several scrolls, coughed lightly, and announced, “The Lords now have several imperial edicts and policies to announce. Everyone please listen carefully!”

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all those in the hall sobered. They all bowed their heads low, listening in silence.

Even a new official often made their presence known with three vigorous policies; how much more so this youth, the Demonic King, who was deeply hidden, incredibly capable, and had suppressed all internal factions immediately upon taking power?

This was Zong Shou’s first political decree since his ascension; how could anyone dare to be careless or disrespectful?

Seeing this, Chuxue felt a measure of reassurance and calmed down. She began reading aloud according to the text on the bright yellow edict: “Two days ago, I ordered Hu Zhongyuan to conduct clandestine investigations throughout the city. It was found that Shili Lingxiang District has long suffered from moral decay and depravity, which will inevitably lead to corrupting influences. Especially the Jingyun Ya Lodge within, where debauchery between men and women is rampant and utterly filthy. Upon hearing this report, I was truly furious; this evil trend cannot be allowed to spread further. I command the Pillar General of the Left Court to immediately purge Shili Lingxiang District, as well as all brothels and unregistered prostitutes within Qiantian City. Furthermore, starting from this evening, after the Hour of Xu (7-9 PM), Qiantian City will implement a curfew!”

Reading this far, Chuxue suddenly understood. The young Lord’s revenge had arrived. It was official retribution disguised as public policy—so insidious. But closing the brothels was a good thing.

Hu Zhongyuan, standing below, was utterly stunned. When exactly had he been ordered by Zong Shou to survey the city? He certainly hadn't mentioned anything about moral decay or depravity. While Jingyun Ya Lodge was an establishment of pleasure, the women inside did not actually sell themselves. Nothing like 'rampant debauchery' or 'public fornication' had any connection to it.

The ministers in the hall also fell silent. Hu Qianqiu’s face shifted between dark and bright as he shot a harsh glance at his son. The expressions of the others were equally peculiar.

None of them were paragons of virtue; who in this hall hadn't visited Shili Lingxiang District? Most of them kept one or two sweethearts there.

Moral failings existed, yes, but it wasn't a monumental issue.

They genuinely could not grasp why Zong Shou would treat this matter with such gravity and make it the first decree of his reign.

They exchanged glances until Ren Bo stepped forward again: “My Lord, the tax revenue from Shili Lingxiang District is sufficient to support three Garrison Towns! They are, after all, pitiful women with no means of subsistence. If Your Lordship finds them morally offensive, you could simply raise the taxes. And since it is not wartime, I suggest the curfew is unnecessary—”

Zong Shou pursed his lips, then picked up three slips of paper from his document stand. One was inscribed, ‘The night is too lively’; another read, ‘Population’; and the third stated, ‘Warlike Spirit.’

He then gestured animatedly toward Chuxue for a while. Chuxue looked at the gestures for a long time before finally interpreting them: “The Lord says that a night that is too lively is not good for Qiantian Mountain City. Therefore, a curfew is necessary to send the young people home to have children. Our Qiantian Demon Race relies on its citizens being simple, warlike, and possessing supreme martial might for its foundation. The small change collected from fleshly commerce is not worth keeping. It is more important to increase the population and maintain the thriving morale of all the clans!”

A thought flashed through her mind: Perhaps the Young Lord was not seeking personal revenge, but issuing a straightforward, legitimate decree? Had he truly gone out last night to investigate the common people’s affairs?

The atmosphere in the entire court stiffened. Everyone present was deeply moved.

Especially the clan leaders of the various races, who looked at Zong Shou with new admiration in their eyes.

How could they have missed such a simple truth? That’s right! Their own children became increasingly restless as night fell; they needed to be driven home to diligently practice martial arts, or to accompany their wives in bearing children, thereby strengthening the clan. It was better for the nights to be subdued; a curfew was indeed an excellent strategy.

Even Ren Bo’s eyes flashed with realization as he bowed: “Your Lordship sees clearly; it was this minister who was mistaken.”

Chuxue immediately unfurled the second scroll and read: “I have investigated the population growth of Qiantian Mountain, which began to fall below half a percent starting two years ago. Therefore, this edict states that any married couple within Qiantian Mountain City who manages to bear an additional child will be rewarded with one second-tier Beast Crystal. For those who bear three or more children, any family lacking the financial means may apply for Qiantian City to provide for their upbringing.”

A clamor erupted in the hall once more. Joyful expressions spread across everyone’s faces.

They received money for having more children, and if they had many sons, the City Lord would raise them?

This was different from the previous decree, which targeted those qualified to roam late into the night—the noble and wealthy youths. Zong Shou’s second decree targeted all commoners of Qiantian Mountain.

It was easy to imagine that the day of clan prosperity was imminent; how could this fail to please them?

Ren Bo was also momentarily stunned. If the decree were truly implemented as stated, the expenditure would be staggering.

Then, decisiveness flickered in his eyes. This was beneficial for Qiantian Mountain City; even if he had to grit his teeth and tighten his belt, he would endure it. He bowed again: “This minister obeys! The Young Lord’s strategic vision surpasses that of the late Sovereign!”

There was no trace of the previous resistance or coldness in his words. Nor did a single person in the entire hall show any sign of disagreement.

These mere two decrees had already won the hearts of the people. The magnificence of the Sovereign’s strategy could be inferred from this single glimpse.

Chuxue, too, felt immense admiration and worship; her young master was indeed the most formidable. She then opened the third scroll: “I studied at the Linhai Academy for three years and deeply understand the hardships faced by commoner martial artists, who diligently seek high-level martial arts or spiritual cultivation techniques. I ask, if Zong Yuan had been able to learn superior martial ways earlier, would his achievement now only be that of a Martial Ancestor? Therefore, starting today, I will open the Library left behind by my father. The collection is divided into five floors. All disciples of the Qiantian Clan, before reaching adulthood, may transcribe five books from the first floor at will. The rest of the Qiantian branches, along with the Human Race, may transcribe four. The thousands of secret codices on the second and third floors can be exchanged for merit.”

Hu Qianqiu’s eyes narrowed; he suddenly clenched his fist and looked up at Zong Shou again.

The people in the hall buzzed once more. Some were shocked, some amazed, and some uneasy.

Within the Cloud Realm, almost every faction had collected a substantial number of spiritual arts and martial texts. However, these resources were always kept secret.

In times of chaos, strength reigned supreme. Only with overwhelming power and the biggest fist could one command others.

But if those commoner martial artists could also access profound martial arts and have the chance to reach the peak of the martial path—how would the noble families of the various cities retain the power to govern them?

Zong Shou was setting an unprecedented precedent, showing no concern, only adding the condition of exchange via merit.

Hu Qianqiu did not know what the consequences would be later. He only knew that in the short term, the strength of Qiantian Mountain City would increase dramatically, and its military power would double. Moreover, the longer the time passed, the more strength would accumulate—provided Zong Shou could suppress and control the situation.

Could it be that he was truly a heaven-sent genius?

This thought flickering in his mind, Hu Qianqiu exchanged a glance with Chai Yuan, noticing that this man’s eyes also gleamed sharply.

As for Ling Xuan, her body trembled slightly, her face displaying disbelief.

Chuxue, not waiting for everyone to recover, immediately continued reading the fourth decree: “Whether cultivating the martial path or practicing spiritual arts, assistance from spirit stones, beast crystals, elixirs, and spiritual artifacts is necessary. I deeply understand the hardships of the common people; many martial artists and spirit masters are forced to abandon their pursuits halfway, which I deeply lament! Starting today, any registered citizen of Qiantian Mountain City, provided they have a guarantor, may take a loan from the City Lord’s Mansion to purchase resources necessary for breaking through their realms. For children of the military, no guarantor is needed, and the loan will be interest-free.”

This was another bomb thrown into the Chongzheng Hall.

Hu Qianqiu felt his mind grow hazy. Previously, he had worried about Zong Shou’s competence in governance.

Now, he realized he had underestimated this Sovereign’s ability.

These four decrees were clearly linked, one flowing into the next, all connected. They were incredibly ambitious!

The first two aimed to increase the population, benefiting the future. The latter two would enable Qiantian City to gain several million more warriors. Some lower-level martial artists could even push towards higher realms.

In the future, perhaps nearly seventy percent of these people would owe their allegiance and gratitude to Zong Shou, especially those in the Qiantian Army, whose loyalty would become unwavering.

Although this infringed upon the interests of many nobles within the city, and his own Hu family would suffer losses in the short term, given Zong Shou's current dominance, it was unlikely anyone would dare to object openly.

Nearly everyone again looked toward Chuxue. Su Chuxue held a total of seven scrolls in her hands—seven edicts. The first four had brought pleasant surprises; the remaining three naturally inspired great anticipation. (To be continued)

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