I sat on a throne with my star robe flowing around me. My guests listened to Maid Xinyue and Shuren play music and dance like angelic fairies descending upon the world. They were graceful and the ribbon that trail behind them was a really beautiful addition.

When the song ended I turned to my guest with an arrogant smirk on my lips.

“You guys understand what this banquet means and entails, so I won’t play with words.” With a wave of my hand a three-dimensional image of the city appeared. I highlighted shops along the main square. These were all four to five story buildings.

“These two five story buildings are mine, the rest can be haggled over by the four of you.” My eyes linger on the four mansions’ owners before falling onto the one who bought the mansion from me.

Chu Yuechan had a characteristic beauty resembling the likeness of a girl next door. Someone you wanted to possess because she would be fun no matter the situation. To me, she is already impressive at being able to beat all her male competitors to become a candidate for Blue Wind Merchant Association. Her elders pride themselves for representing the value of gains over all else. Thus I am highly impressed with her achievements.

Qin Shui pointed at two buildings on the side of the one I picked. The last five story building and four story.

“These two are mine.” This is all he said but he had the power to be arrogant and disdain the other owners.

Cang Yue was a snow fairy according to many street gossip and her looks didn’t disappoint this reputation. However, her powers were merely equal to Murong Yi the heir to the Sacred Fire Sect. So the last four positions would go to them.

Chu Yuechan pointed to one of the four stories beside Qin pick.

“I’ll pay forty percent in tribute. Ten for goods and thirty for protection fee.”

My eyes took her in and glanced at the others to see if anybody would compete but nobody said anything. I nodded and the building was labeled as Blue Winds.

The other two picked the last one and I turned to the small shops that lined from the east, west, north, and south gates leading to the square. This was easier to pick out before the ones in non-influential housing began bidding to rent these.

After this was settled, I turned to the plottable land. There were twenty mu per plot.

“According to the Spirit of the city, you four are allowed two non-taxable plots. There are a total of forty plots in total, these five on the north side are mine. Qin can pick his next.” I pass the baton to Qin, who quickly picks out five.

Murong Yi picked out just two, while Snow Fairy picked out three. Chu Yuechan picked out five. The rest were auctioned off to the rest of the group.

Finally came the important resources, spirit crystals, ores, training facility time.

“The city upkeeps require forty percent of resources. Thus we only have sixty percent to split between ourselves. Twenty-five percent is obviously going to go to me. Which leaves the four of you. Strongest has the highest rights to resources allocation but if you are unhappy, challenges are acceptable.”

I pointed at Qin, “fifteen percent. Murong gets eight. Cang gets eight. Chu gets four. Any objections send out someone to fight.”

Nobody could object as this was based on the power already displayed when they fought for mansions and defended against those who had designs on them.

“Final bit, the training site. There are twelve. There is already a system set up, which is used by predecessors for many years. Most of you know it, if you don’t rules are outside of the buildings. The rules of the city are very simple. If you have a conflict, take it to the arena and fight. Killing inside of the city, outside of the arena will make you a target of all force. Don’t disrupt people's cultivations. All forces must send at least five men to fight back when the soldiers or bandits arrive. Failure to do so will be defying the will of the City Lord. Depending on my mood, you will be exterminated from the city.”

I waved my hands signalling the ending to my decrees.

Qin Shui rose and looked at the large crowd. “If you can overcome the fifth floor of the Challenge tower. We, the Qin Mansion, will be willing to accept you into our mansion.”

Others made similar standpoints as they stood up and left.

***

I walked through the training area where a team of five were transitioning in and out of a tower similar to Challenge tower but encompassing a myriad concepts and principles. The higher levels even displayed complete law domains but they were the common kind like slaughter sword, Light sword, and more. It wasn’t anything very complicated like our own nether void sword which contained space, emptiness, shockwave, acceleration concepts.

I turned to Chu Yuechan who was enraptured by the performance of my subordinates. She turned to me after we walked past them and out to the back. I passed her thick stack of papers letting her skim through them.

We walked towards a large telescope with three astrologers running here and there. Adding last minute calculations as they adjusted a multiple layer array.

“If you had the resources, could your people build this within five days?” I attracted her attention for all but one breath.

Yuechan looked at me with a dazed expression.

“Yeah, if you have the resources we can have it finished in five days.”

I turned away from her and motioned for the guys to begin. The one under the telescoped yelled out.

“First one, seventy-six percent metal. Rest is waste.”

I tilted my head up and looked through the tinted skylight.

“Entry in five.. Four.. three.. One.”

“Array activated. Checkpoint one guided the asteroid in.”

Moments later.

“Checkpoint two reduce speed by thirty percent.”

Yuechan's head snapped from the sheets and looked into the sky with the rest of us. Seeing the mighty large rock appearing above our head with a red umbrella leading it.

“Checkpoint three reduce speed by sixty percent.”

Like a flower spreading its wings, the umbrella disperse and the rock floated down.

“Checkpoint four is cutting into the rock.”

Yuechan looked at me as four circles appeared under the floating rock. The rock split into four halves. Dull color rock fell into one circle while almost grey and black ore fell into another.

“Checkpoint four, five and six, have begun to work to separate the ore.”

“Confirmation on ore. Deep void ore, iron, copper, and dust from divine ore.”

Yuechan looked at me from the baskets being loaded at an abnormally fast pace.

“This is possible?”

I smirked and watched the thirty minute process roll to a complete stop.

“Next incoming, has blue crystals projecting out. Array determines that it may be more divine crystals or crystallized purple essences.”

I walked over and took a look at the screen and nodded. It could be divine crystals but there is a rare thing called Purple heart essences which is derived from a cold fruit that is produced in God Realm extreme cold regions. A particular tree blooms at night and produces a fruit that would cry.

Certain cultivation groups that practice cold methods utilizes this in pills recipes as a kind of helpful break through with excellent success rate.

“Pull it down, we can sell it to the Snow Song Sect later if it is what i think it is.” I demanded.

“Entry in five.. Three… one..”

Few moments later, the first crystal landed into the basket. I walked over and picked up one, turning it over in the bright light. What came from the crystal wasn’t cold air like I supposed. When I pulled some into my body, I instantly felt bloated as if I was fed a huge amount of qi but I took only needle worth.

“It’s divine crystal. Set them aside as emergency usage.” I tossed it back into the bag and turned around. “When we accumulate enough to fill our order, ship it to miss Yuechan.”

I turned to Yuechan.

“They should have materials for you by the end of the day. You can head back now let your formation and blacksmith study the diagrams.”

I began leading her out while her focus and head kept going back to the asteroids. I walked her out and noticed a lot of people were looking our way.

“Don’t forget five days.” I reminded her as I left, my star robe flowing behind me. I felt real bad ass but I couldn’t think of any asian anime at this moment compared to me but I did feel like the Godfather, a mafia boss.

**

“Qin Le, keep an eye on Miss Yuechan and see what they make.” Qin Shui stated as he turned and left the square.

Murong Yi frowned as he watched asteroids after asteroids turn into rich resources.

“Shouldn’t this be resources split by all of us since it’s landing in the city?”

Cang Yue rolled her eyes.

“Why would he give you something he built himself? Can’t you build something like that as well since we have similar resources?” she questioned in a mocking tone.

Murong Yi scowled, “Do you know what kind of array they are using? Even if I did know, what array are they using to understand which rock focus? If it wasn’t for these doubts, don’t you think I would have my formations master experiment.”

Cang Yue shrugs, “Interesting doubts but I don’t have to consider such things. They will end up bringing their crystals to me and eventually their resources.” She turned around and walked into a building called ‘Snow Pavillion.’

Murong Yin Looked at the sign before muttering as he walked away.

“Sluts.”

***

“Husband, you should allow me to lead them to raid the spirit mine. I need experience anyway. Plus I can now take on Peak Martial Monarchs. With the team behind me, they can handle any Martial Emperors.” Yun begged as she walked her two fingers up my chest.

“I’m not worried about you dying to the soldiers. I’m worried about the bandits. They have been increasing the number of times they ambush people and we still don’t have a reliable transportation system yet. Plus we need to lead several hundred puppets without fighting ability to the mine. That’s a lot to put on your team.” I rebuked.

She shrugs, her long legs drifting across mine.

“Just tell the mansion owners that if they want a cut they have to put men forward to help guard. This should drop our losses to minimal until Blue Wind finishes our airships.”

I rolled my eyes and moved to rest on my elbow, while staring into her green eyes.

“It’s not the problem I’m worried about. It’s this beautiful red-head girl that likes jumping into dangerous situations because she believed dying will just return her to a majestic palace.”

Yun blinked. “That wasn’t my fau…”

“Of course, it wasn’t. You just decided not to utilize a beacon. Decided to play hero and died but what if it wasn’t the soldiers you were facing but the bandits? They have a habit of taking women hostages. This is my primary concern, you are taking this as a game because there aren't any major penalties besides losing fat.”

Yun lips twitched and she rolled onto her back, pulling the bed covers off and climbed out of bed.

“Just say you don’t want me to go if you don’t want me to go.”

I smirk and fluff my pillow.

“Then you can’t go.”

I closed my eyes as I heard the door slam shut. Heavy footsteps disappeared into the bathroom moments later.

**

I stretched and walked into the training area to find a lot of people missing. Strange, did they go out on a hunt?

I walked around for a bit but realized ten people were out. Which was the unusual part. These tens were part of the vanguard and made up of the most powerful of the palace. The rest were people who focused on other things in the name of beauty and elegance.

This is interesting. I bet that stupid girl went to take them on that trip anyway.

“Su, go and catch up. Guard her in the shadows. Emperor Long would be devastated if that girl ends up traumatized.” I jest and wandered off.

***

“Palace Lady Yun, I hoped you are being sincere with the offer.” Qin Zhi reminded me again.

Long Yun sighs in exasperation, “I said it before. You guys put in effort to help us and we will provide you forty percent. No effort and no reward.”

“I am just making sure. Sometimes people are forgetful when things are too peaceful and right now things are very peaceful.” Qin Zhi muttered. “Oh speaking of which, how did you talk City Lord into letting you out when bandits are out? I heard that during the last bandit attack, someone was using four to five principles at the same time. Every other force is keeping their women at home. It’s basically foolish for them to come out now.”

Long Yun brows furrowed. She heard the rumors but the highest Bandit was said to be Martial Monarch. With the help of formation, she could take down a Martial Monarch. Even without her acting as the head of the formation, the team could take down Martial Emperor. So she had little to worry about.

Just as she was about to retort, a core Elder came rushing over. He cupped his fist and displayed an artifact created by the crafting division.

“I spotted about forty bandits coming our way. Four Monarchs and two Martial Emperors. Without Palace Lord and Butler Su, I suggest an immediate retreat. We do not have the ability to cross realms and fight a mid stage Monarch let alone Martial Emperors.” Elder Xue said in one breath.

Long Yun frowned and she read his intentions. Even though he was suggesting, he was telling her what should be done. If she went contrary to his opinion, she would find herself looking foolish as they did what was right anyway.

“Retreat!” Long Yun barked.

Elder Xue cupped his fist and they began a quick retreat. However, they hardly made it far when the bandits appeared. Elder Xue immediately barked out commands taking over directly without any consideration for Long Yun’s feelings.

“Defensive formation. Focus on retreating at the fastest pace. Leave behind the puppets.”

Long Yun cursed his decisiveness. Those puppets could earn them a huge net profit if placed inside a mine for three days and yet he just gave them up for people who could revive?

She didn’t have enough time to feel sad when the bandits attacked them. Her focus was entirely on defending from the fierce attacks that shook her arms. She threw a glance at the Qin side but they were exhibiting signs of faltering and being trampled on.

“Mansion Lord!” someone from the Qin side cried out.

Elder Xue had also crushed a beacon to summon the City Lord. Long Yun bit her lips as she realized that her husband who was normally very playful with her was about to show her another side. The side he often showed the Core Elders.

“Hold on a little longer. I alerted the City Lord!” Elder Xue yelled out to encourage his men.

Qin Shui fell into his group and began directing them. Firming up the line that was about to falter. Their retreating speed increased as bodies of the bandits began litring the road.

However, before he could feel too happy about rescuing his men before they encountered losses. Monarchs struck. His men collapsed one after another and even when he tried to push the monarchs back, the two turned to him and blocked him from assisting his men.

“City Lord!” Star Palace Elders cried.

Long Yun looked up and saw her husband floating in the air. His star robe flapped behind him as he overlooked everything as if he was her father. She glanced at the bandits leaders who had also risen into the air. She could feel the pressure emanating off them that left her feeling stiff and numb.

“I guess the rumors are true.” City Lord lifted his hand then it felt like the void collapsed and bandits began expanding one after another. Like a wave rushing onto the beach, one line after line of bandits exploded. Those who paid attention tried to run but it still reached them and they met their ending.

Even the Monarch served as paint for the surroundings. The two Emperors' faces turned from mocking cruelty to seriousness. They didn’t bother with testing if that was all City Lord had, they turned around and fled.

“Return before they get reinforcements.” City Lord stated as he turned and began walking away.

Long Yun stared up at her husband and realized that outside of the house, his back was so far away.

***

After they entered the city, Qin Shui confronted me. Haha, the brave son of bitch confronted me over dead men who he failed to save.

“City Lord, we of the Qin Mansion deserve an explanation for the losses we suffer both in men and puppets.” Qin Shui radiated a threatening aura that would have intimidated anybody but me.

If a woman comes to you and tells you they will split profits with you without first obtaining it, would you listen? Even if she came from the top force within the city, that didn’t mean she was strong enough to back her promise or pay for any failure. So why listen? Ah, people were outright stupid sometimes.

“Your losses were caused by your emptiness. If I came to you to borrow your men, do you think you would obtain forty percent of profits? Are you even worthy for me to take seriously enough?” I stared at him with a mocking smirk.

Qin Shui fingers clenched under his golden sleeves.

“Your Palace Lady came and guaranteed such promises. Her words are in semblance to your words.”

Many crowd watchers agreed and he had a point. Unless I made a point of saying she wasn’t equal to me, then many people would butter up to her because it was buttering up to me.

Sadly, she didn’t equal me.

“If none of these three comes to you and make such a transaction then whoever does is making such a deal upon their own personal strength. Even my wife does not have the ability to speak for me. As for your losses, your men don’t even have full armor and strength to go challenging monarch soldiers let alone bandits with the rumors rolling around. Yet, you let a woman lead you off onto a journey with the promise of forty percent reward. Foolish.”

I didn’t bother throwing Long Yun a glance. How stupid could she be? We already discussed it in bed and she went off on her own anyway. This shows she cannot think with her brain and there is no use expecting something from her.

Qin Shui's face turned slightly red as he stared at me.

“So you are saying it is fine to go to her for compensation?” his eyes turned to glare at Long Yun who snorted.

“Do you think I fear you? A mere Mansion Lord?” Long Yun turned and headed up the stairs towards the palace with those words.

I sighed and motioned for my people to return to the palace.

“If you are going to pass the soldier training ground, then you must be with a group of fifty or more. Anything less to hunt the higher tier soldiers and bandits is at your own risk. This is my only warning to you treasure seekers. As for relics, at the current power level. You can forget it. Comprehend four principles and form a domain and you can return to seeking treasures and hunting without a care. This is a message from your City Lord, happy hunting.”

I turned to Butler Su, “Go see how much longer for our warship to be ready. Also give them the resources for the war chariots as well.”

Butler Su cupped his fist and left, vanishing into the void.