Lighting Lanterns in the Mountains and Seas

The red-clothed woman raised her hand to push back her disheveled long hair, freeing up space for him to apply the petals, and replied without opening her eyes, "I can't help with that. It's the Heavenly Court's territory. My cousin is from the West Bull King Court. Do you think it's appropriate for him to help the Heavenly Court introduce a population? Millions of people, such a big commotion, no one can do it quietly, unless he doesn't want to live."

Succinct in her words, Shi Chun admitted that he was being overly optimistic and then backtracked, saying, "With your cousin's perspective, he must have a good method to introduce a population. You don't have to say you're helping me, just find an excuse to help me get a good method, how about that?"

The red-clothed woman opened her eyes and looked at him, staring for a moment, then suddenly sat up and wrapped her arms around Shi Chun's neck, "Okay, how will you repay me?"

Before Shi Chun could ask what kind of repayment she wanted, she had already wrapped around him, offering a kiss, causing petals to fall from her.

Shi Chun immediately felt somewhat uncomfortable.

As always, he was arrogant at the beginning, very manly, but later he started to panic a bit...

Just at dawn, Shi Chun couldn't stay any longer. After the red-clothed woman promised to contact him when she had news, he immediately found a pretext of having someone waiting and hurried away.

As soon as he appeared on the main street, Jiang Wushou immediately came up, smelling the fragrance on Shi Chun that did not belong to him, and coupled with Shi Chun's unprecedentedly haggard appearance, Jiang Wushou roughly understood what was happening but still quietly reminded him, "Sir, that red-clothed woman is not simple, you must be careful."

Shi Chun was momentarily stunned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Jiang Wushou said, "I saw her, but even when close, I couldn't see her appearance; avoiding it without a trace suggests she is a person with a mindful heart."

Shi Chun chuckled awkwardly; frankly, it wasn't some honorable affair between a man and a woman, and no one would want to be seen. If something were to happen, it would have already happened by now, so he nodded and said, "I understand."

Jiang Wushou merely reminded him, seeing that the commander was confident, he said no more. After learning the direction, he swiftly signaled his comrades for a collective retreat.

After confirming that Shi Chun had left, Dao Zhen tilted his head and appeared in the old courtyard, saying to the red-clothed woman under the eaves, who had restored her neat appearance, "Shi Chun has already left the city and headed towards the Central of Juku State."

The red-clothed woman asked, "Who were those people last night?"

Dao Zhen replied, "They weren't after the lady, merely a famous woman of recent years, with cultivation at the Heavenly Immortal Minor Realm. Her mouth was tough, but after much effort, she said her name was 'Red Rouge'; the lady has probably heard of her. She was after Shi Chun."

The red-clothed woman was a bit surprised, "Is it that assassin who claims to never fail? Was someone hired to kill Shi Chun and failed?"

Dao Zhen responded, "Yes. When Shi Chun returned to the Nanshan Royal City from the Yanbao Sect, she targeted Shi Chun. However, Shi Chun's group of attendants was highly vigilant; with her skill, she found it difficult to get close. Any slight approach would attract several glances because Shi Chun had the Sky Splitting Sword, and if startled, without delivering a fatal blow, there could be backlash, so she didn't dare to act rashly. Last night, she saw Shi Chun's bodyguards withdrew and thought her chance had come, only to crash into the lady's head. You could say she was a bit unlucky."

The red-clothed woman asked, "Who hired her?"

Dao Zhen answered, "She doesn't know either. That mysterious assassin organization 'Blood Shadow Pavilion' is the intermediary. It's very difficult to investigate."

The red-clothed woman said lightly, "Investigate!"

Dao Zhen hesitated, "My lady, to trace the employer through the 'Blood Shadow Pavilion', unless the 'Blood Shadow Pavilion' has some hidden agendas, playing tricks to uncover the employer's background, even if we exhaust all efforts and clear up the 'Blood Shadow Pavilion', it would be futile. Perhaps checking from the money angle offers a higher chance of success.

Killing an official of the Heavenly Court like Shi Chun, plus Shi Chun's reputation there, hiring 'Red Rouge' isn't something a small amount of money can accomplish. Whoever needs to hire an assassin to do such a thing, they're probably unable to produce such substantial cash directly, and there might be a money transfer path. Therefore, we can scrutinize all those who are related to Shi Chun and capable of affording this sum, focusing first on those with enmity or grievances with Shi Chun, though the range isn't small, and results may not come immediately."

The red-clothed woman coldly said, "Investigate at once. Allocate whatever manpower is necessary; I only want results!"

"Yes." Dao Zhen bowed and accepted the command.

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and the tasks of setting up a government and building a city in the Heavenly Domain were completed successfully within the stipulated time limit.

Envoys from the Heavenly Court came to inspect, going through the domains one by one, with Domain Master Manxi personally accompanying the main officials under his command, which naturally included the four commanders, along with several leaders recommended by skilled craftsmen.

The government city was probably fine, but the inside of each massive city generally appeared empty, only the cities under Shi Chun, Wu Jinliang, and Tong Mingshan's banners seemed slightly more populated yet still appeared desolate.

But doing well garnered no praise.

After checking the last city, everyone stood on the city wall gazing into the distance. Angel Huang Xinghe stroked his sparse beard with one hand and patted the solid city wall with another, exclaiming, "Good, very good. The Heavenly Domain is finally going to have a fresh start."

Turning his head to look at Manxi, he said, "Brother Man, the next focus is introducing a population. Only when all industries thrive can it function properly. Continuously relying on the Heavenly Court to sustain so many men isn't the solution either."

Manxi smiled, "Of course, that's why I've placed heavy responsibilities on them all."

The eyes of Angel Huang Xinghe swept over the crowd, "I know. This is one of the main reasons the Heavenly Court sent me here, to ensure this is implemented. Brother Man, your reported plan to introduce thirty million within a year has been met with much criticism, with many saying the time frame is too short."

Manxi sighed wryly, "I had no choice, as Brother Huang said, the Heavenly Domain can't remain stagnant and unable to function; it's not viable."

Huang Xinghe's gaze landed on Dongguo Shou, "Everyone has difficulties, for example, his Carefree Sect comrades complained to the Heavenly Court, saying the time was too short, but Brother Man had the bigger picture in mind. Nonetheless, everyone's thoughts are understood by the Heavenly Court; hence, the Heavenly Court's conclusion is, the plan to introduce a population reported by Brother Man is approved, but the time frame is to be slightly extended, to three years!"

He raised three fingers to the crowd.

Commander Shi Chun and others immediately brightened; introducing thirty million over three years seemed much easier.

However, Manxi's expression slightly darkened; the Heavenly Court was disrupting his plans. He glanced at Dongguo Shou, secretly speculating, the Carefree Sect's influence is indeed significant.

Unexpectedly, Huang Xinghe turned back to Manxi, "Brother Man shouldn't misunderstand. The Heavenly Court hasn't denied your plan; it doesn't conflict with your original introduction plan. It's just that most of the men in the Heavenly Domain are novices in handling related affairs. It's inappropriate to push them too hard initially, needing to allow them some time to familiarize themselves with the tasks, so three years have been set for you. But..."

His eyes swept across the crowd again, his tone becoming grave, "Such a vast Heavenly Domain, if a section only introduces thirty million people, it's far from enough. The time to understand the affairs is given to you, but the task must be fulfilled; your domain master Manxi's requirements cannot be compromised. Within three years, each section must introduce a hundred million people!"

"Ah?"

"How much?"

"One hundred million?"

Shi Chun and others exclaimed in surprise.

Manxi was momentarily stunned, thinking this was exceedingly challenging, yet he secretly relaxed a sigh, thinking, it's only two more years being dragged.

"Gains and losses are inevitable, no need to be surprised, everyone." Huang Xinghe waved his hand and then asked Manxi, "Brother Man, what do you think?"

Manxi solemnly bowed and said, "Certainly, I comply with the Heavenly edict, without complaint!"

Huang Xinghe nodded in satisfaction, looking at the crowd again, he casually pointed at Manxi, "Everyone listen! This time, your Domain Master shares the same responsibility and even sets the tone for you. Within three years, you need to introduce a hundred million people into your section, and your domain master must do the same, given the task by the Heavenly Court, to also introduce a hundred million into his central territory within three years, to ensure you are not unfairly burdened by the Heavenly Court!"