356: Crimson Flame New Policy

Lu Chen had been training in this world for over forty years. It must be said that Lu Chen had indeed grown; he was no longer the impulsive young man he once was. The galaxy flowed in his eyes, harboring wisdom.

Lu Chen paused, “Your current fear stems from a misconception—you only see the contradiction between ‘you and the Immortal Court.’ You believe you are, as a Red Slave, resisting the entire Immortal Realm, so you think it’s like throwing an egg against a rock. But you must remember—think strategically.”

“In the entire Immortal Realm, contradictions are like a net, layered one upon another. Immortals fight among themselves, Heavens vie with each other, large powers annex smaller ones, and even within the Immortal Court, factions are numerous, engaging in open and secret struggles.”

“And the Red Slaves are merely the most insignificant piece in this grand game.”

“But precisely because of this—”

“You are the safest, because no one will truly pay attention to you. They will only see each other’s threats and overlook you, this ‘small spark.’ What you need to do is not to confront them head-on, but to leverage the situation, use their contradictions to make them consume each other. When they are both severely weakened, you can quietly rise and deliver a fatal blow.”

He raised his hand, a wisp of starlight gathering at his fingertips, tracing nine trajectories in the air:

“Look, the Ninth Heaven has nine major mining districts, each with its Overseer, each with its own interests. They outwardly obey Li Qianhai, but in reality, they all harbor ulterior motives. You don’t need to attack them directly; you just need to send people to infiltrate, sow discord, create suspicion, make one mining district suspect another of wanting to defect to you, make the Overseers report each other…”

“Also, the Immortal Court—through soul-searching an Overseer, I learned a lot of intelligence. They are currently busy conquering the Spirit Realm and have no time to deal with you. As long as you don’t raise the banner of ‘anti-Immortal Court,’ and only speak of ‘autonomy’ and ‘self-preservation,’ they won’t get serious. By the time they finish with the Spirit Realm, your wings will already be fully fledged.”

As Chi Yao listened, the tears in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by contemplation and enlightenment.

That night, Lu Chen and Chi Yao delved into learning for an entire night. Chi Yao was like a dry sponge, desperately absorbing all the essence of Lu Chen’s knowledge.

The next day, Morning Light appeared.

Chi Yao stood up, adjusted her armor, took a deep breath, turned, and walked out of the cave.

The sunlight fell on her, casting a straight silhouette.

She was no longer that confused girl.

She was—the leader of the Red Heart Society, Chi Yao… Indeed, everything was as Lu Chen had said.

Chi Yao had not expected that her first test would not come from an external enemy’s encirclement, but from internal chaos and loss of control.

After the Seventh Mining District declared independence, external transportation routes were completely blocked.

Previously, the food here relied on regular shipments from other mining districts. Although it was coarse grains, barely enough to fill their stomachs, it at least maintained minimal survival.

Now, with the blockade order, not a single grain of rice or a drop of water could enter.

The food and supplies stored in the Overseers’ warehouses became the only lifeline.

Initially, the Red Slaves still held reverence and dared not act rashly.

But a few days later, hunger spread like wildfire.

Some began to secretly pry open warehouses and carry away sacks of rice;

Some snuck into the Overseers’ residences at night, stealing clothes, tools, and even wine jars;

Even more simply smashed open warehouse doors, calling friends and companions, and looting extensively.

“The Overseers used to control us and wouldn’t let us move freely. Now that they’re dead, why can’t we take things? Didn’t you say we were free! Take whatever you want! Who can stop us?”

In just a few days, the Seventh Mining District fell into chaos.

The once numb and obedient Red Slaves now became lawless under the name of “freedom.”

They no longer slept in communal bunks or crowded mining tunnels, but instead vied for the Overseers’ residences, workshops, and even guard barracks, forcibly occupying them.

To seize a house with a roof, two groups fought fiercely;

To Strugglea sack of old rice, brothers turned against each other, drawing blades;

Even more, some, using their identity as Red Heart Society members, privately allocated supplies, gave preferential treatment to relatives and friends, and even demanded favors.

Chi Yao looked at the chaotic mining district below, her heart aching.

She saw the Iron Lady leading the Red Shadow squad patrolling day and night, breaking up fights, mediating disputes, and confiscating privately hoarded supplies, so exhausted she could barely stand;

She saw Red Tiger, protecting public grain, being besieged by rioters and nearly losing his life;

Chi Yao finally understood Lu Chen’s words:

“Freedom is not indulgence, but responsibility. Freedom without rules will only lead to new slavery—the weak being enslaved by the strong.”

If this continued, the Seventh Mining District would self-destruct in internal strife before Li Qianhai even sent troops.

The banner of the Red Heart Society would fall under the blades of its own people.

Rules must be established!

Chi Yao gathered all core members of the Red Heart Society for an emergency meeting at Soul-Severing Cliff.

Her voice was stern:

“We overthrew the Overseers not to become new Overseers, but we also cannot allow chaos. From today onwards, the Seventh Mining District must have laws to abide by and regulations to follow!”

She proposed three iron laws:

All public property that was looted must be returned within a time limit, or offenders will be severely punished.

All occupied houses and workshops must be registered and allocated uniformly by the committee, prioritizing the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled.

No one shall privately hoard food, weapons, or medicinal materials; violators will be considered traitors to the Society.

After the meeting, Chi Yao announced:

The first full clan assembly—the “Red Flame Assembly”—will be convened!

The next morning, tens of thousands of Chi Clan members gathered in the Soul-Severing Cliff plaza.

Chi Yao stood on the high platform, not roaring, not accusing, but slowly narrating:

“For ten thousand years, we had no names, only numbers. We did not know what home was, only the mines and the Overseer’s whip.”

“Now, we have names, freedom, and our own land. We can finally live for ourselves.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the crowd:

“But freedom is not doing as one pleases. Freedom means you can choose to farm, but you cannot steal someone else’s land!”

“Freedom means you can build a house, but you cannot smash someone else’s door!”

“Freedom means you can eat your fill, but not let others starve to death!”

“If we don’t establish rules, new Overseers and slaves will appear tomorrow!”

The entire square was silent.

Chi Yao announced:

“From today onwards, the Seventh Mining District will implement the ‘Red Flame New Deal’!”

First, open up Red Fields, with more work leading to more gains!

The barren land at the edge of the mining district will be designated as “Red Flame Fields.” Each household can apply for a plot. After harvest, thirty percent will be submitted as public grain, and the rest will belong to the household.

Second, establish a “Red Officer” system!

Recruit hundreds of service personnel responsible for distributing supplies, mediating disputes, and patrolling for public order.

Red Officers will receive core member treatment, have promotion channels, and those with excellent performance can be recommended to join the Red Heart Society.

Third, establish a “Red Flame Supervisory Council”!

Composed of representatives elected from each camp, it will supervise Red Officers and Red Heart Society cadres to prevent corruption.

A portion of the Chi Clan members started to jeer: “Jabbering, what are you saying? We don’t understand!!”

“Exactly, why should we listen to you?!”

Chi Yao knew some would be dissatisfied and didn’t waste words, saying in a deep voice: “Bring him!”

A Chi Clan member, tied up, was pressed to Soul-Severing Cliff.

Chi Yao directly announced his crimes: “Chilun! For three consecutive days, he committed evil everywhere, harassed women, and even murdered a clansman. Death penalty!!”

Chilun struggled frantically: “No, let me go, why are you arresting me? You little girl, I even held you when you were a child, and you dare to arrest me.”

Chi Yao said coldly: “Execute him!”

The executioner directly cut off Chilun’s head, and blood splattered.

Instantly, countless Chi Clan members present realized that this was not a joke; the Red Heart Society was serious!!