I Have a God Simulator

While Yao City was consuming massive resources to export Faith, Yan City had been focused on urban infrastructure.

Currently, Yan City’s population had reached around 5,000, nearly half that of Yao City.

Within the city, the library and Sanatorium had become places the little people frequented.

The shops had become more well-stocked. The tavern had the most foot traffic, followed by clothing and food stores.

A considerable number of galleys were moored at the docks, and the expanded lighthouse stood even taller. A low Wall was built around the base of the lighthouse, along with houses for the Night Watchers. It had long since become a landmark of Yan City.

However, these were all achievements from the past.

At some point, Yan City’s development suddenly began to slow.

The current mayor of Yan City was now Shang Li.

Luh Yao looked everywhere for Yulian but couldn’t find him. He finally discovered Yulian’s name on a Monument in Yan City, one built in imitation of Yao City’s.

「Yulian: The first mayor of Yan City, the city’s pioneer and guide. He invented the galley and led everyone to venture into the sea. He found paper from a God’s Blessing, lightening the burden of memory for all.

He invented arithmetic and units of weight, giving trade a fair standard. He built the library, allowing everyone to learn the experience and knowledge of their predecessors.

He was a pathfinder always seeking change. He was the founder of Yan City. We will remember him forever.」

Without any warning, Yulian had passed away.

In Luh Yao’s memory, Yulian was still that young boy, staring thoughtfully at the water’s surface.

Yulian believed that boats were people’s shoes. His earliest wish was to make shoes for everyone that could walk farther on water.

Luh Yao had already grown accustomed to the short lives of the little people.

He just felt a little regretful.

Yulian’s death was a real shame.

He had worked so hard to lay Yan City’s foundation, and just when he was about to make his next big move, he died just like that.

Luh Yao looked at the screen.

After speaking with Commander Salt Geller, the new mayor, Shang Li, rode past the Monument on horseback and stopped.

A box appeared above Shang Li’s head, containing his thoughts.

’...I was planning to wait for you to finish building this prosperous city and then make a fortune off you. This is a huge loss.’

’I didn’t make any money, and instead I have to shoulder the burden you left behind. This is the worst deal of my entire life. You scoundrel, did you do this on purpose...?’

’Yulian...’

’If only you were still alive.’

Shang Li spurred his horse and rode away.

Luh Yao locked his perspective on him.

Shang Li was no longer young; his hair had already turned white.

The new mayor, travel-worn, rushed all the way to Yao City for a private meeting with Prophet Yaoshao in the Divine Hall.

Shang Li got straight to the point with the female Prophet: "Before Yulian died, he drew up sketches for a textile invention. I hope to develop the cotton textile industry together with Yao City."

Yaoshao replied, "Cooperation between cities is wonderful, of course. But since you already possess the cotton textile technology, why are you seeking our cooperation?"

"A shortage of manpower has disrupted our original plans."

Shang Li was concise: "Many cotton growers, farmers, and merchants have already started buying or boarding ships to sail north in search of gems and Gold."

"The people of Yan City are full of adventurous spirit, and they are especially passionate about earning huge profits. Under normal circumstances, Yan City could develop the textile technology on its own... but now, Yan City can no longer accomplish it independently."

"Of course, there is another very important point."

"To be honest, the blueprints Yulian left behind are incomplete. I’ve searched all over Yan City, but no one can understand Yulian’s invention. Only you, as a fellow Inventor, might be able to complete it."

Yaoshao asked, "How did Yulian die? Was it really from illness?"

"..."

Shang Li was silent for a moment. "Yulian was inspecting cotton in the fields when he was struck by a mad bull. He died from his injuries. As he was dying, he forgave the child who was herding the bull. It’s not a death that can be easily announced to the public."

"I see. What a shame."

The two city leaders quickly came to an agreement.

One-tenth of the income that the textile technology brought to Yao City would be transferred to Yan City for a period of ten years.

Yaoshao received the blueprints and immediately began to study them seriously.

"A remarkable invention. Such a precise and clever design..."

"Mayor Yulian’s death is such a tragedy."

A lightbulb lit up above the female Prophet’s head as she sighed in admiration.

A notification appeared on Luh Yao’s screen.

[Yaoshao has invented the primitive backstrap loom.]

[Yao City’s textile technology has entered a new stage. Everyone’s knowledge has slightly increased.]

Next, Yao City began manufacturing the primitive backstrap looms.

This was a very simple weaving tool composed of several wooden sticks, around which spun cotton and linen threads were wound. By using the sticks, weavers could turn the thread into cloth, and it was easy for both men and women to use.

After many weavers appeared in Yao City, large quantities of cotton and linen cloth entered the market, becoming one of the people’s most beloved and commonly used goods.

Luh Yao discovered that this Shang Li was extremely shrewd.

Shang Li couldn’t make sense of the incomplete blueprints, so in his hands, they were just a piece of scrap paper. But after cooperating with Prophet Yaoshao, he gained a large, stable income out of thin air. This was undoubtedly the work of a merchant’s mind.

After receiving the subsidy from Yao City, Shang Li quickly opened a shipyard at the docks, dedicated to building and repairing ships, and started to continuously make money from the many seafaring Treasure Hunters.

Then, without stopping to rest, he negotiated a collaboration with the White God Prophet, Doron Nunu, and began producing White God figureheads and Protective Talismans.

The White God figureheads and Protective Talismans were symbols of wealth and safety, and they even came personally certified by the Prophet. For a time, merchants and sailors flocked to buy them... Who wouldn’t want the personal protection of a God?

When it came to creation and invention, Shang Li was no match for Yulian.

But when it came to the skill of making money, Yulian couldn’t even hope to catch up.

The economic base determines the superstructure. A wealthy city will always develop faster in all aspects. Shang Li was fully leveraging his own strengths and talents.

Luh Yao saw nothing wrong with that.

He remained optimistic about Shang Li.

...

While Luh Yao was resting and recuperating, he suddenly received a report from Isabel.

"My lord, a heretic God has been spotted."

On an island in the southern seas, Isabel had found a Divine Statue. The statue had attracted some islanders to gather and settle, and they had built many thatched huts around it.

Luh Yao selected the map coordinates and looked down on the small island.

The stone statue on the island was in a sitting position, its face indistinct.

He clicked his mouse, and the statue’s display read: [Unknown Divine Statue].

Luh Yao felt a surge of excitement.

’A player has respawned here!’

This time, Luh Yao planned to take it slow and not strike a heavy blow right from the start. He might even let the other party develop for a while, gather a larger population, and then he would go and take it over...

Luh Yao ate the apple slices Xiaohuo had cut for him and watched the screen with patience.

But the more he looked, the more something felt wrong.

’That Divine Statue... why does it have two extra heads growing from its shoulders?’