81: Chapter 81 Old Acquaintances Surrender, Sunset Chamber of Commerce

On the seventh day after Luoxia City was renamed, before the morning fog had fully dispersed, two special groups of visitors arrived at the square outside the city lord's mansion.

The group on the left pushed ten beast-drawn carts covered with blue cloth, faintly revealing the outlines of stacked artifacts inside.

Leading them was an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in plain brocade robes. Though leaning on a cane, his back was ramrod straight.

It was none other than Elder Liu Chengfeng, patriarch of the Liu Family—a renowned Artifact Refining clan from the former Black Stone City.

On the right stood over twenty stewards clad in silk, their leader looking anxious, frequently glancing toward the mansion's main gate.

It was Steward Liu, who had conducted several transactions with Lin Yue through the Black Stone Chamber of Commerce.

The people behind him held over a dozen brocade boxes, clearly prepared as generous gifts.

When Lin Yue received the report in his study, he was examining new blueprints delivered by Lin Shi—

the preliminary design of a "Star Boat" forged from Meteorite Valley star iron.

Beside the blueprint were sketches of several complementary flying Magical Artifacts.

Hearing that Liu Chengfeng and Steward Liu had arrived together, he pondered briefly and said:

"Have them wait in the front hall."

As he walked through the corridor, Lin Yue could hear low murmurs from the front hall—Liu Chengfeng's voice steady, Steward Liu's tone carrying a hint of caution.

The moment he pushed open the door, two pairs of eyes turned toward him. Liu Chengfeng rose and clasped his hands in greeting, while Steward Liu and his followers bowed deeply:

"Greetings, Clan Leader Lin."

"Elder Liu, Steward Liu, no need for formalities."

Lin Yue took his seat at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over both men.

"What brings you here together today?"

Liu Chengfeng spoke first, signaling his attendants to lift the blue cloth from the carts, revealing neatly stacked Dark Iron Ingots, Spirit Copper Wires, and several semi-finished defensive Magical Artifacts:

"Clan Leader Lin, I have come today to pledge the Liu Family's allegiance."

He paused, a flicker of emotion in his eyes:

"Black Stone City has long been plagued by corruption. Though the Liu Family did not participate in the plundering, we were sheltered by the city lord for many years and cannot claim innocence."

"Now that Luoxia City has been reborn, I am willing to offer the Liu Family's Artifact Refining workshops and Ore vein blueprints in their entirety."

"I only ask to contribute to Luoxia City's Artifact Refining industry and allow our clan's disciples to cultivate peacefully under the Path of Gathering Spiritual Energy."

As he spoke, he drew a jade token from his robe and presented it with both hands:

"This is the master control token for the Liu Family workshops. It contains the coordinates of three unexplored spirit iron ore veins—a small token of my sincerity."

Lin Yue accepted the token, probing it with his Divine Sense, and indeed saw detailed workshop layouts and Ore vein information.

One of the veins' reserves were even comparable to those currently being mined west of the city.

He looked at Liu Chengfeng. This elder had been known for his integrity even back in Black Stone City.

During the battle at Black Wind Pass, though Liu Family disciples did not directly participate, they secretly sent two batches of spirit iron for arrow tempering to Sunset Town, offering covert assistance.

"Since the Liu Family wishes to forsake darkness for light, Luoxia City naturally welcomes you."

Lin Yue pushed the token back.

"The workshops and Ore veins will remain under Liu Family management, but you must follow Luoxia City's rules, exchanging resources based on craftsmen's contribution points, with no more monopolies by noble families."

"As for Liu Family disciples, they may enter the trial tower for cultivation. Those who pass the assessments may also join the Sharp Soldiers Camp or the Magical Artifact Workshop."

A flicker of relief crossed Liu Chengfeng's eyes as he bowed deeply:

"Thank you for your trust, Clan Leader Lin! I will certainly restrain our clansmen and strictly adhere to the new regulations!"

Seeing this, Steward Liu quickly stepped forward, opening the brocade boxes one by one:

"Clan Leader Lin, these are humble gifts from the chamber of commerce—century-old spirit wood, High-Grade Spirit Stones, and three crates of thunder pattern crystal Ore..."

His voice gradually trailed off, a look of shame appearing on his face:

"Previously, the chamber was controlled by that scoundrel Sun Decheng, leading to conflicts with you, Clan Leader. That was never my intention."

"Now that Sun Decheng has been apprehended, the entire chamber is willing to submit to Luoxia City and rename itself the 'Luoxia Chamber of Commerce.'"

"Henceforth, we will follow your commands without hesitation!"

Lin Yue looked at the gifts in the boxes, his gaze settling on Steward Liu.

This steward had indeed engaged in several fair transactions with Sunset Town in the past and had even secretly leaked information a few times when Black Stone City was suppressing Sunset Town, proving himself a pragmatic man.

"Sun Decheng colluded with the city lord, plundered merchants, and deserved his punishment. He has been dealt with according to the rules."

Lin Yue said slowly:

"Renaming the Black Stone Chamber of Commerce to the Luoxia Chamber of Commerce is permissible, but you must reform thoroughly:"

"First, abolish the practice of forced buying and selling. All transactions must be voluntary;"

"Second, thirty percent of the chamber's profits must be invested in Luoxia City's spirit fields and Ore vein development as public contributions;"

"Third, Steward Liu will temporarily act as chamber president. In three months, a new president will be elected jointly by merchants and Cultivators."

Steward Liu's eyes lit up. These terms were far more lenient than he had anticipated, and he nodded eagerly:

"Thank you, Clan Leader! I... I will certainly comply!"

"Tomorrow, I will gather all merchants to announce the new rules and replace the chamber's sign with 'Luoxia Chamber of Commerce'!"

"Very well."

Lin Yue stood up.

"Elder Liu, your Artifact Refining workshops can collaborate with Lin Shi's Magical Artifact Workshop to quickly forge flying Magical Artifacts using star iron."

"Required resources can be directly allocated from the chamber;"

"Steward Liu, the chamber must promptly organize trade caravans to transport Luoxia City's spirit grain and mid-grade Spiritual Plants to surrounding towns, exchanging them for the Ore and medicinal herbs we need."

Both men responded in unison, their faces bright with joy.

The combination of the Liu Family's Artifact Refining techniques and Lin Shi's new methods would undoubtedly elevate Luoxia City's Magical Artifacts to new heights;

and the establishment of the Luoxia Chamber of Commerce meant that Luoxia City's resource circulation would fully open up, no longer confined to a single city.

After seeing them off, Lin Hu entered, holding a list:

"Clan Leader, these are the personnel rosters submitted by the Liu Family and the chamber of commerce."

"The Liu Family has five Foundation Establishment Cultivators and thirty Qi Refining Cultivators."

"The chamber has three Foundation Establishment stewards, all willing to undergo trial tower assessments."

"Have Lin De arrange for them to enter the tower tomorrow."

Lin Yue said:

"Additionally, announce that in three days, a 'Hundred Craftsmen Assembly' will be held, gathering all the city's craftsmen, merchants, and farmers."

"We will jointly discuss spirit field expansion, Ore vein development, and trade route planning, giving everyone the opportunity to participate in Luoxia City's construction."

"Hundred Craftsmen Assembly?"

Lin Hu's eyes lit up.

"That's a great idea! Let everyone share their thoughts—much better than a few of us brainstorming in isolation."

Lin Yue nodded, his gaze turning to the window again.

The Liu Family's allegiance meant Luoxia City's Artifact Refining capabilities would greatly improve.

The establishment of the Luoxia Chamber of Commerce would open up resource circulation channels—both essential Foundations for supporting a cultivation city's development.

In the afternoon, the craftsmen from the Liu Family workshops began bustling with activity.

They moved sealed precision refining furnaces next to the Magical Artifact Workshop, placing them alongside Lin Shi's thunder pattern forging furnace.

Liu Family disciples and Sunset Town's blacksmiths gathered around the blueprints, debating and occasionally arguing, but quickly reaching consensus—

a new Artifact Refining technique, blending traditional methods with Thunder Pattern Runes, was quietly emerging.

The Luoxia Chamber of Commerce acted swiftly as well.

Steward Liu gathered all merchants that very day, announcing the new rules one by one.

When they heard "abolish forced buying and selling" and "profits reinvested in spirit fields," the merchants were first shocked, then erupted into enthusiastic cheers.

Some immediately proposed changing their shop signs to include "Luoxia," and several merchants who had been oppressed by Sun Decheng

volunteered to help transport Ore from the veins as a show of support.

Three days later, the Hundred Craftsmen Assembly was held in the square before the city lord's mansion.

A platform was erected in the square, with commoners, craftsmen, Cultivators, and merchants crowded below.

Even toddlers just learning to walk were carried by their parents, curiously watching Lin Yue on the platform.

"Today, I've gathered everyone to hear your thoughts on Luoxia City."

Lin Yue's voice, amplified by spiritual energy, echoed across the square.

"How should we farm the spirit fields to increase yields?"

"How should we mine the Ore veins without damaging the Spiritual Veins?"

"Which trade routes should we take for mutual benefit?"

"You speak, we listen. Reasonable suggestions will be adopted on the spot, with contribution point rewards!"

As soon as he finished, a dark-skinned old farmer raised his hand:

"Clan Leader! Let me speak!"

"Spirit fields should be graded—good land for spirit grain, poorer land for Spiritual Plants, rotated to preserve soil fertility!"

"Our village used to do this, and harvests were twenty percent higher than just planting spirit grain!"

"Well said!"

Lin Yue signaled the recorder to note it down. "Reward this elder fifty contribution points, exchangeable for ten jin of spirit seeds!"

The old farmer grinned from ear to ear, and the crowd below erupted. People raised their hands, speaking one after another, the atmosphere boiling with excitement.

A blacksmith shouted:

"Clan Leader! Don't discard the slag from Artifact Refining! Mixed with spirit spring water, it can make Spirit-Gathering Bricks for houses—warm in winter, cool in summer, and nourishing spiritual energy!"

A merchant added:

"Three days south is Qingfeng Town, which produces Green-Grained Wood—excellent material for spirit boats. We can trade spirit grain for it!"

Even a child piped up in a milky voice:

"My dad says the river outside the city gates could be dredged deeper, channeling spirit river water inside to grow aquatic Spiritual Plants!"

Lin Yue listened patiently, nodding occasionally, instructing the recorder to categorize the suggestions.

This wisdom from the grassroots was far more practical than plans concocted behind closed doors.

The assembly only dispersed as the sun set in the west.

The recorder had compiled over three hundred suggestions, covering farming, craftsmanship, commerce, and cultivation, many of which were approved for immediate implementation.

Lin Yue stood on the platform, watching people leave with smiles. Liu Family craftsmen were discussing brick-firing methods with Lin Shi,

Steward Liu was planning trade caravan routes to Qingfeng Town with merchants, and even the old farmer who had suggested field rotation was being led by Lin De to the spirit fields for guidance.

"Clan Leader, this is true 'spirit gathering,'" Lin Hu remarked with emotion. "When hearts unite, spiritual energy flourishes even more."