23: The Bright Believers Submit

Shen Xiaochuan stood by the campfire, the ashes still smoking slightly. He wiped the sweat from his brow, turned to Anna, and said, "Let's go."

Anna did not move, looking at him as she asked, "Will you really take us in?"

"I have said it before, whether you can stay depends on whether you are useful."

She bit her lip and said in a low voice, "I can treat wounds and prepare medicine. We also have three priests, a pair of twin sisters who cook, and their cooking can make the warriors eat two extra bowls of food. There is also a witch named Tang Keke who can control the weather."

Shen Xiaochuan glanced at her: "Are they all still alive?"

"They are waiting for me in the north of the valley. We were separated when we were captured."

"Yang Lie."

"Here."

"Take ten people to pick them up, search in the direction she described. Bring back anyone you see wearing white robes; not one can be left behind."

"Yes." Yang Lie immediately took his men and set off.

Ling Feng walked over: "It's getting dark, the road won't be easy to travel."

"Then we will just have to move faster."

The team began their retreat. The wind whipped at their clothes, making them snap. Anna walked in the middle, looking back from time to time.

"What are you afraid of?" Shen Xiaochuan suddenly spoke.

She shook her head: "I'm not afraid. It's just... the people who saved us before all ended up dying."

"I am not them."

Anna didn't say anything else, but her pace quickened slightly.

Halfway back, Yang Lie returned with the people. Five women were escorted over; one of them was draped in a tattered cloak, holding a wooden staff in her hand.

"Everyone is here," Yang Lie said.

Shen Xiaochuan scanned them: "Are there any injuries?"

"One priest twisted her ankle, but it has already been treated." Anna stepped forward to support the person.

"Enter the city."

At the gate of Skydome City, the guards looked nervous upon seeing so many people.

"Let them pass," Shen Xiaochuan said, "They are all new Believers."

The guards breathed a sigh of relief and cleared the way.

Shen Xiaochuan pointed to the temporarily erected shed: "Take the injured there first. Everyone else, stand in line and register one by one."

He took out a notebook and handed it to Ling Feng: "Write down their names, ages, and skills clearly."

The crowd began to move in an orderly fashion. An old man leaning on a cane walked over slowly; his clothes were old but neat.

"My name is Karl, I used to be the Clan Chief of the village," he said, "I know what everyone is capable of."

Shen Xiaochuan stopped writing and looked up at him: "Tell me."

"Mary can sew and mend, she can modify combat armor; Amy and Lucy are cooks, skilled at preserving food; Tang Keke is a witch, she changed the direction of the rainstorm yesterday;"

"The three priests have all received training and can cast spells continuously for more than six hours."

Shen Xiaochuan closed the notebook: "Do you know where you are now?"

"Your Divine Kingdom."

"Do you think I can protect you all?"

Karl raised his head: "I don't know how long you can protect us. But I know that if we don't follow you, we won't survive tonight."

Shen Xiaochuan smiled: "Come find me at the Main Hall tomorrow morning."

He turned to Ling Feng and said: "Arrange accommodations, don't cram them all together. Give each household a blanket and two catties of grain."

"Yes."

Returning to the camp, Shen Xiaochuan called for Lolia.

"How is the Blacksmith Shop?"

"Eight new blades have been produced, the lightning attribute is stable. The High-Pressure Forging Machine will be installed in another half day."

"Thank you for your hard work."

Lolia lowered her head: "Everyone is equally tired."

Shen Xiaochuan took a talisman out of his bag: "This is the last enhancement talisman, it's for you."

She was stunned: "This thing can improve talents, you should save it for the warriors."

"You are my artisan. Without weapons, how can the warriors fight?"

Lolia took the talisman, her hands trembling slightly.

"I will make even better weapons."

"I believe in you."

She was about to leave when she was called back.

"Start recruiting apprentices tomorrow. Tell me who you want to use."

"Thank you, Lord God."

Her voice was a bit hoarse.

Shen Xiaochuan arrived at the Main Hall, where Chen Yan was already waiting.

"Taking in so many people, is there enough food?"

"If we ration it, we can last ten days. A new order has been posted on the trading channel, someone will deliver grain in three days."

"What can these women do? We can't just feed them for nothing."

"A healer can save ten doses of medicine, a cook can ensure the warriors are full for battle. With one more person, we consume fewer faith points."

Chen Yan nodded: "That makes sense."

"I want to appoint a sheriff to manage these people."

"Who?"

"The old Clan Chief, Karl. He speaks clearly and doesn't panic when things happen."

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

"Let's disperse."

Early the next morning, a lot of people had already gathered in the square.

Shen Xiaochuan stood on the stone platform, holding a roster in his hand.

"From today on, Karl is the first sheriff. He is responsible for registration, housing allocation, and dispute mediation. If you have any problems, go to him first."

He looked at the old man below the platform: "Are you willing?"

Karl stood up straight, his voice firm: "I am willing."

"I will give you the authority to allocate supplies. Report your requirements once a day."

"Understood."

"Anyone else who wants to work, sign up now. Those who can cook, sew, or mine, it all counts."

Someone below raised their hand.

A woman shouted: "I can farm! I used to work in the church vegetable garden!"

"Noted, report to the West Valley in the afternoon."

Someone else shouted: "I can repair bows and arrows!"

Shen Xiaochuan nodded: "Go find Lolia, she is short on help."

The crowd gradually dispersed. Anna led the three priests into the medical shed.

They began to take inventory of the herbs.

"This spiritual liquid can still be used three times," Anna said, "but all five of us know healing spells, we can take turns casting them."

"It's not enough," another priest said, "we need a permanent place."

"I know."

Anna looked outside the door, "I will go talk to him."

When she found Shen Xiaochuan, he was looking at a map.

"Lord God." Anna bowed her head slightly, her tone serious.

"What is it?"

"We want to build an infirmary, it doesn't need to be big, ten beds will do, plus a place to store medicinal herbs."

Shen Xiaochuan opened the notebook, wrote down a few sentences, and looked up: "Go to the warehouse to get the Materials. Report consumption daily, and do not waste anything."

"We won't waste anything."

"You will be the head physician and manage everyone."

Anna's eyes widened: "You trust me?"

"You didn't run away last night, nor did you steal anything. That is enough."

She lowered her head, her voice soft but firm: "I will heal every single wounded person."

"I believe in you."

She turned to leave, then stopped.

"Tang Keke says it might rain tomorrow. Should we finish roofing the building first?"

"You're right. Send more manpower."

"Yes."

Shen Xiaochuan watched her walk away and said to the person beside him: "Make a note, the infirmary project is starting, the person in charge is Anna."

The person immediately made a note.

The sun rose to its zenith, and the construction site began moving timber.

Lolia was busy in the Blacksmith Shop with two apprentices. She stuck the enhancement talisman to her chest and felt a surge of warmth in her body.

Forging the blade felt smoother, and in the firelight, the edge shimmered with a faint blue light.

"It's done." She smiled, whispering to herself.

At that moment, a child ran in.

"Big sister! Lord God wants you to bring the new blade for him to see!"

"Okay, coming right away."

She carefully picked up a freshly forged lightning-attribute combat blade, wrapped it in cloth, and walked quickly out of the Blacksmith Shop.

She met Anna on the way, and the two nodded in greeting.

Lolia walked into the Main Hall and handed over the blade.

"Very good." Shen Xiaochuan drew the blade, the cold light reflecting on his face.

"This is forged using a new method, I added crystal mineral powder, it's sturdier," Lolia said.

"Do it like this from now on. Can the production volume be increased?"

"Twelve blades a day, no problem." Her tone was determined.

"Good. Whatever you need, report it directly to me."

"I would like two more people."

"Approved."

After Lolia left, Shen Xiaochuan wore the blade at his waist.

He walked out the door and saw Karl leading people to distribute water buckets.

Each household received one, lining up to get water.

Everything was orderly.

Shen Xiaochuan stood on the steps, looking over the entire square.

People were working, talking, and moving supplies.

New sheds were being erected one after another, and smoke rose from the chimneys.

A warrior walked by and saluted him.

He nodded in response.

"This is the list of wounded who need priority treatment," Anna said, presenting it with both hands.

Shen Xiaochuan took it and looked: "Arrange it as soon as possible."

"There is one more thing."

"Speak."

"Tang Keke wants to see you, she says there is something important."

"Let her come."