In the quiet chamber, Bái Lù slept deeply, the immense burden she had carried for ten years finally lifted. She had been carried there by Jian Zhi after fainting. Slowly, the murmur of conversation seeped into her consciousness, and her sleep began to fade. She opened her eyes slowly.
Jian Zhi noticed her stirring. "Are you okay, Miss Bái Lù?" he asked.
She sat up on the bed, a warm smile touching her lips. "I am okay. Are you the new king they spoke of? If my Míng Shí were here... he would be as tall as you." Her voice was soft, laden with a mother's love.
Jian Zhi was silent, unsure how to respond to words so filled with personal grief and affection. She reached out and gently touched his cheek, her gaze glazing over with a profound, motherly tenderness.
"Miss Bái Lù?" Jian Zhi called softly.
The spell broke. She withdrew her hand, her posture straightening. "I apologize for my behavior, Your Majesty."
"I understand your situation," Jian Zhi replied. "Come with me." He led the way, and she followed him to the magistrate's office.
Jian Zhi took his seat on the throne. Scribe Wén and the other officials present waited for their king's announcements. Jian Zhi first asked Scribe Bái Lù to report on the district's problems.
She began her report. "Your Majesty, under the rule of the late Bái Mò, our district's workers—whether in the quarries or in low-ranking government positions—were heavily exploited and paid a pittance. The revolutionary party was waiting to move against Bái Mò, but he had backup from the provincial capital. Even if we had won a battle against him, we would have ultimately lost the war against the Xuè Clan."
Jian Zhi's interest was piqued. "Tell me more about this Xuè Clan."
The Xuè Clan (血族 - The Blood Clan)
She elaborated. "A clan whose philosophy is built on the principle of 'Strength Through Sacrifice.' They believe true power is not cultivated or negotiated, but taken and paid for in blood—both their own and their enemies'. Their name inspires a mixture of fear and grudging respect.
Their symbol is a Broken Spearhead wrapped in a Crimson Ribbon. The broken spear signifies they are warriors who have survived the crucible of absolute conflict, while the ribbon represents the binding oath of their bloodline.
Their alliance with Bái Mò was purely pragmatic and philosophical. Bái Mò's control over the limestone quarries provided the Xuè Clan with a vital resource for their construction projects and for producing quicklime, which they used for mortar and alchemical compounds for siege warfare. They saw Bái Mò's silent, absolute, and cruel control as a form of strength, appreciating his efficiency in suppressing dissent. This aligned perfectly with their own belief in ruthless governance.
They are currently at war with Lǐ Róng of the Lǐ Clan, who rules the provincial capital. The Xuè Clan is trying to overthrow him and seize control. If they succeed, the entire Province of Cursed Earth will crumble. Lǐ Róng would be a good ally; he is a kind-hearted, strong warrior who protects the people from falling into the Xuè Clan's hands."
As Scribe Bái Lù finished her report, Jian Zhi pondered the information. "Lǐ Róng... Scribe Wén, is he not the brother of Lǐ Wěi? What do you know of him?"
Scribe Wén consulted his records. "Your Majesty, here is a detailed report." He handed over the scroll, and Jian Zhi began to read.
Lǐ Róng (李荣) - The Grieving Sword Saint
Lǐ Róng is a man who commands a room without uttering a word. He possesses a tall, powerfully built frame that speaks of a life dedicated to the sword, yet his movements are imbued with a preternatural grace. His face is handsome but etched with a permanent, profound sorrow. His eyes, his most striking feature, are deep pools of kindness that hold an immeasurable weight of grief. He is often seen in simple, elegant robes, a stark contrast to the legendary weapon sheathed at his hip.
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The massacre that took his parents and clan members did not harden his heart; it shattered it, and he rebuilt it with a resolve centered on protection. His legendary strength is not a source of pride but a solemn duty. He is the "Unbreakable Shield" of his remaining clan, and his kindness is a conscious choice—a defiance of the cruelty that shaped his life.
His skill with the sword is unmatched in the province, earning him the unspoken title of Sword Saint. His swordsmanship is unique:
· It is not aggressive, but reactive and impervious. He specializes in a flawless defensive style.· His ultimate technique is "The Untouched Lotus Citadel," where his sword movements create an impermeable defense around himself and those he guards.· Every movement is filled with a heartbreaking elegance, as if each swing is a silent prayer for the souls he could not save. He is currently locked in a stalemate with the Xuè Clan.
After reading the report, Jian Zhi formulated a plan. "Scribe Wén, draft a letter of alliance to Lǐ Róng. State that the Divine Land of Justice offers its hand in the civil war. Inform him of the current situation in the three districts and of his brother's death." Scribe Wén nodded and immediately set to work.
Jian Zhi then made a public announcement. "From today onward, new labor laws are in effect. Any noble or official found to have stolen from the poor will be punished by forfeiting their entire fortune to their victims. Workers are granted a lunch break, and the workday is limited to eight hours. Everyone will be paid fairly. If these rules are violated, victims may seek justice in the court.
"This district shall henceforth be known as Dawnbreak Vale (启明谷 - Qǐmíng Gǔ). Scribe Bái Lù will govern it under the banner of The Divine Land of Justice. Food and other resources will be provided from our capital, the Liánhuā District."
Everyone present agreed with the new rules, feeling the promise of safety under the Crimson General's reign.
Jian Zhi continued, "Limestone will be delivered to the capital monthly. At each month's end, both districts will receive resources for food and development, such as timber and mortar."
He then summoned the Alchemic Branch and ordered the production of Mythical Bond (神契胶 - Shén Qì Jiāo), the new mortar they had developed. The lead alchemist, Téng Zhì (藤智 - "Vine Wisdom"), stepped forward to oversee the operation.
The Creation of Mythical Bond:
1. The Stone of Dawn (曙光石 - Shǔguāng Shí): Workers extracted pure white limestone from Dawnbreak Vale's quarries, breaking it into fist-sized pieces for transport to Devil's Mountain
2. The Descent into Dragon's Breath (龙息降临 - Lóng Xī Jiànglín): At the Dragon's Breath Cave, specially forged steel-spider-silk alloy containers were filled with limestone. Using a complex pulley system powered by mountain elephants, the containers were lowered deep into the superheated cave beneath the Dragon Scale Crystal vein, where flowing magma baked the stones for a full day and night, transforming them into "Living Stone."
3. The Awakening (觉醒 - Juéxǐng): The containers were raised, and the glowing-hot Living Stone was carefully poured into tempering pools. Upon contact with water, it exploded into a fine, reactive powder called "Dragon's Ash."
4. The Sacred Mixture (神圣混合 - Shénshèng Hùnhé): The Dragon's Ash was mixed with finely ground mountain rock powder (30%), crushed river sand (20%), and powdered gypsum from secret mountain veins (5%), creating the final formula.
5. The Final Blessing (最终祝福 - Zuìzhōng Zhùfú): The mixture was ground for a full day using stone mills turned by mountain elephants until it became the perfect gray powder.
Using the Mythical Bond, the great work of connecting the three districts with roads and building new houses for the people began. The project took a month to complete.
During this time, Jian Zhi found a note left by Jiǔ Tù. It mentioned a secret journey to the land of the Albion Dominion.
The Albion Dominion (奥尔比昂 dominion - ào'ěrbǐ'āng)
A vast, island-based maritime empire built on relentless industry and colonial ambition. Their power flows from the smoke of their forges and the might of their unparalleled navy. The island is riddled with "Emberstone" (a high-energy coal analogue) and rich veins of "Greyiron," the twin fuels of their industrial might.
Their Technological Dominance: The Dominions are the undisputed masters of steam and steel.
· Aether-Vapor Engines: Complex, brass-and-copper engines that harness pressurized steam to power everything from massive looms to colossal, paddle-wheeled warships.· The Gearwright Guild: Their system of mass production, centered in sprawling, soot-choked factory-cities where thousands toil to produce standardized goods.· The Iron web: The world's most extensive network of steam-powered railways. Their society is one of stark contrasts, ruled by a new aristocracy of ruthless "Cinder-Barons" over a massive, impoverished underclass. Their capital, Hearthstone, is perpetually shrouded in a thick, acrid haze.
Jian Zhi's mind raced with questions. Who are they? How do they possess such knowledge? How did Jiǔ Tù come by the details of their inventions?
His eyes fell upon other books, their contents now catching his attention. The procedures for these foreign inventions were recorded with crystal clarity. The new kingdom, under the Crimson General's reign, had just found the foundational knowledge for its future.
