50: Chapter 50 The Empire Sends Another Gift

Below the dirt slope at the village entrance, the line of people waiting to give gifts to Ling Xi had not yet dispersed.

flower honey, moonlight grass, and rare ores were piled up like a small mountain.

Ling Xi stood beside Qing Luo, her aura gentle, occasionally casting a Nature's Blessing, which drew cheers from the players.

Just then, the steady sound of carriage wheels suddenly came from the eastern main road.

It was not the arrogant, pompous procession from before.

This time, the carriage moved very slowly.

There were no cavalrymen clearing the way to show off, nor were there armored soldiers charging about in the back.

There were only three heavy, gold-trimmed carriages, accompanied by a dozen imperial guards walking with their heads bowed.

The players at the village entrance paused, immediately turning their heads to look.

"Are those people from Holy Light City again?"

"They aren't here to get slapped in the face again, are they?"

"The display is much smaller this time."

On the dirt slope, Lin Zhe raised his eyes.

Lin Chen was sitting in his lap, his little face calm, the gold mark on his forehead glowing faintly.

"People from the Empire."

"A bit more sensible than last time."

Soon, the carriage convoy stopped.

The curtain of the lead carriage was lifted, and an elderly man with graying hair, dressed in deep red official robes, slowly stepped down.

He was quite old, but his back was straight. There was not a hint of arrogance on his face; instead, he first straightened his robes before bowing deeply toward Lin Zhe and his son.

"Minister of Rites of the Empire, Wang Su."

"By the Queen's command, I have come to apologize to Mr. Lin and Archon Lin."

With that one sentence, the surrounding players immediately went quiet.

Apologize?

Holy Light City actually bowed its head?

Wang Su did not waste words and waved his hand.

The three carriages behind him opened simultaneously.

Whoosh!

The first carriage was filled to the brim with boxes of shining gold coins.

The second carriage was packed with rare forging materials: refined iron, mithril, fire-patterned steel, and high-quality beast bones—all good items at a single glance.

In the center of the third carriage sat a scroll of the Imperial Enfeoffment Decree with gold patterns.

The surrounding players gasped instantly.

"Holy crap, this is a really generous gift!"

"Apologizing to this extent?"

"It seems the last envoy really scared Holy Light City."

Wang Su kept his head low, his tone steady.

"The previous imperial envoy was rude and offended Luofeng Village, as well as Mr. Lin and Archon Lin."

"Upon learning of this, the Queen was very displeased and has strictly reprimanded those involved."

"I have come here solely to express the Empire's sincerity."

As he spoke, he personally lifted the scroll of the Enfeoffment Decree.

"This is the Imperial Honorary Viscount Enfeoffment Decree."

"The Queen wishes to use the title of Viscount to demonstrate the Empire's goodwill."

"In addition, Holy Light City hopes to open an exclusive trade route with Luofeng Village, to exchange goods and engage in long-term cooperation."

Once these words were spoken, the crowd of players immediately erupted into hushed discussions.

"Seeking peace and cooperation?"

"The Empire is admitting defeat here."

"They still want to open a trade route; it's obvious they've got their eyes on Luofeng Village's popularity."

Xing Jianwan stood to the side, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

She understood the current situation all too well.

It wasn't that the Empire was giving Lin Zhe face.

It was that the Empire was afraid that if they continued to offend him, they would truly block this path completely.

On the dirt slope, Lin Zhe still did not speak.

Lin Chen had already sat up straight, patted Lin Zhe's sleeve with his little hand, and then spoke in a cute, childish voice.

"Keep the gifts."

"The trade route can be opened."

Wang Su's eyes lit up, and he immediately bowed.

"Thank you, Archon Lin."

But the next second, Lin Chen's gaze fell onto the scroll of the Enfeoffment Decree, and his little face became a bit colder.

"We don't want this."

After he finished speaking, he raised his little hand and pointed.

The gold-patterned Enfeoffment Decree flew up directly and landed steadily back into Wang Su's arms.

The whole scene went silent.

Wang Su was also stunned for a moment.

Lin Chen's voice was cute and childish, not loud, yet it clearly spread throughout the surroundings.

"The people of Luofeng Village do not need the Empire's rewards."

"My dad doesn't need them either."

"We can cooperate on goods, but we don't need you to give us status."

Boom!

The surrounding players felt their scalps tingle as they heard this.

"Dominating!"

"Now that's what I call tough!"

"He rejected an Imperial Viscount title just like that!"

"Little Archon Lin really doesn't give them any face at all!"

Holding the Enfeoffment Decree, Wang Su felt a layer of cold sweat seep out on his forehead.

Yet he didn't dare show even half a word of dissatisfaction; instead, he immediately lowered his head.

"It was this old official who was presumptuous."

"I will take back the Enfeoffment Decree."

"As for the trade route, the Empire will definitely prepare it as quickly as possible and will not let Luofeng Village down."

Lin Chen then nodded his little head in satisfaction.

"That will do."

Hum—

The next second, a pale gold contract of rules unfolded in mid-air.

[Luofeng Village — Holy Light City Exclusive Trade Route Cooperation]

[Content: Both sides open exclusive trade exchanges]

[Content: Imperial caravans may safely enter the Luofeng Village trading area]

[Content: Luofeng Village specialties can be shipped directly to Holy Light City]

Seeing the contract appear, Wang Su finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't hesitate in the slightest and directly pressed his handprint.

Lin Chen also pointed with his little hand.

The contract took effect instantly.

The players at the village entrance were in an uproar again.

"It's done!"

"They really opened the trade route!"

"Does this mean Holy Light City's goods can be shipped here in the future?"

"We're going to get rich, we're really going to get rich now!"

After signing the contract, Wang Su didn't dare stay any longer and bowed respectfully to Lin Zhe once more.

"As for today's events, I will certainly report truthfully to the Queen."

"Thank you, Mr. Lin, for not holding a grudge."

Lin Zhe then gave him a faint glance.

"Just follow the rules, and that will be fine."

Still those six words.

Wang Su, however, felt a chill in his heart upon hearing them and quickly agreed.

"Understood."

Soon, the gold coins and materials were all carried to the back of the public warehouse.

As for that scroll of the Imperial Honorary Viscount Enfeoffment Decree that hadn't been given away, Wang Su held it tightly in his arms, not daring to mention it again.

The convoy turned around.

They were careful when they arrived, and even more careful when they left.

The surrounding players watched the group of imperial envoys slink away, the sound of their discussions impossible to suppress.

"Accept the gifts, but reject the titles."

"That is the style of Big Shot Lin."

"Even the Empire has to bring goods to beg for talks; awesome."

Xing Jianwan watched the departing carriages and said in a low voice, "Holy Light City has truly lowered its stance."

Lin Zhe's gaze was calm as he looked toward the end of the main road.

"It's not lowering."

"It's knowing how to speak now."

Just as he finished speaking, the gold mark on Lin Chen's forehead suddenly flashed faintly again, as if he had sensed something, and he grabbed Lin Zhe's sleeve with his little hand, looking up toward the further east.

Over there, there was a new presence, slowly approaching.