42: Which one

“My Lord, I’ve been thinking, and I feel the name Black Wind Stronghold was a bit too rustic,” Wang Hu said, bowing.

“Oh? What name do you think is good?” Lin Yue asked, shaking a wine cup while sitting on a tiger-skin chair.

“This humble general thought about it, why not change it to Black Tiger Stronghold?” Wang Hu asked with a smile.

“Cough… not bad, a good name,” Lin Yue nearly choked. He had expected some magnificent name, but it was just this?

Anyway, it has nothing to do with me. Call it whatever you like.

You could even call it Cambodia.

Lin Yue stood up from the tiger-skin chair. Feng Cai immediately stepped forward to take the wine cup. Then, he stretched his waist to loosen his muscles and bones before walking out of the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.

The control of the Mountain Bandit camp had already been transferred to Wang Hu. This seed had been planted; it was just unknown when it would blossom and bear fruit.

“After dinner, we’ll return to the village.”

“Also, how many refugees have you recruited?”

Lin Yue asked. When Feng Cai first came out, his task was to recruit refugees to increase the village’s population.

“Hehe, a total of 1142 refugees have been recruited, about 800 of whom are women,” Feng Cai said with a smile.

“Good, we’ll return to the village first, and then the militiamen will gradually follow,” Lin Yue said.

He worried that if all the militiamen returned to the village at once, Wang Hu might not have enough manpower, and the Mountain Bandits might develop inappropriate thoughts.

After a simple meal, Lin Yue brought only Pan Feng and Feng Cai back to the village.

Jiang Gan had not returned yet. He had just sent word that Fan Changling, City Lord had extended a warm invitation, and he would then go to Xiangping Commandery City to make friends, hoping that his Lord would not worry.

Lin Yue simply sent a reply, telling him to act freely. He then instructed Zhang Wenfeng to deliver the letter, and upon reaching Heye City, he would officially take up the post of Squad Leader.

“Go back, Wang Hu. Remember, Black Tiger Stronghold must remain firmly in your hands!”

“Yes, My Lord!” Wang Hu patted his chest, promising!

“Let’s go!” Lin Yue said with a smile, mounting his Big Yellow and galloping towards the village.

Pan Feng and Feng Cai followed closely behind.

Soon, they reached the village entrance. Looking at the farmers busy in the fields as the sun set, and the blacksmiths working with a clang, clang, this could indeed be called a paradise.

If only this were real, how wonderful it would be!

Lin Yue thought to himself.

Incredibly realistic tactile sensations, highly intelligent NPCs, every detail lifelike, and even certain parts of the body would react!

No wonder people in reality loved this kind of game so much; it was practically a second life!

Lin Yue dismounted and slowly walked forward, leading the Night-Shining Jade Lion. He saw an old man working in the fields. As he wiped sweat from his brow, he was surrounded by many men, some offering water, others fanning him.

“Who is this person?” Lin Yue asked curiously.

How could he not know that such an impressive person existed in Houjia Village?

“Hmm, this person’s name is Zhou Li,” Feng Cai replied after a moment of thought.

“Why are people treating him like this?”

“Perhaps… perhaps he has five daughters?” Feng Cai was also unsure. The old man had just been taken in as a refugee at noon, and Feng Cai didn’t know what happened after he left in the afternoon.

“No wonder,” Lin Yue couldn’t help but chuckle.

Excellent!

Judging by the villagers’ attitude towards the old man, it proved that they indeed needed different experiences!

Then his decision was not wrong!

“Also, My Lord, the Elementary Infantry Camp has been completed,” Feng Cai said with a smile, clearly relieved of a worry.

Now, in the village, the Militia Camp, Elementary Infantry Camp, Blacksmith Shop, Private School, and Tailor Shop have all been built. Houjia Village can now be said to be developing comprehensively!

“Good. What is the male-to-female ratio in the village now?” Lin Yue asked. He always felt that a village full of adults without lively children felt somewhat unnatural.

“Currently, the village has 3768 men and 1805 women. The number is still increasing.”

“Because your Fief has exempted most taxes, refugees are still continuously flocking to us,” Feng Cai said.

“Still not enough!” Lin Yue secretly clicked his tongue.

A great person once said that women hold up half the sky, and it is indeed true. Why do Feng Cai and the others generally not attach importance to this?

Feng Cai saw his Lord’s concern and continued.

“My Lord, you needn’t worry. In nearby villages like Zhangjia Village and Wudaohe Village, many young women are secretly looking at the men in our village, and many village chiefs have come to me to arrange marriages!” Feng Cai said, beaming with excitement.

“Good, I trust your judgment,” Lin Yue said, relieved, patting his shoulder.

Feng Cai was like his head steward, managing everything in an orderly fashion, saving him much trouble.

This was only an Intermediate Civil Official. If he were to get a first-rate Civil Official, he couldn’t imagine what it would be like!

“Oh, right, these are ten profession change scrolls. You can distribute them, but you must give the Brewer scroll to Mother Han. You should also take good care of her, as I feel somewhat indebted to Han Tan,” Lin Yue said earnestly as he handed the ten profession change scrolls Jiang Gan had obtained to Feng Cai.

“Yes, this old man will certainly take good care of her,” Feng Cai said with a smile.

“Good, go be busy,” Lin Yue then casually strolled around the village.

When he reached the Lord’s Mansion, he suddenly noticed a figure acting suspiciously.

Lin Yue stealthily crept over and found that the person was secretly peering at the sisters Xia Qing and Xia Lian inside the Lord’s Mansion.

How could this be tolerated?

Lin Yue directly slapped him on the head and asked:

“What are you doing?!”

The person was startled, turned around, and felt even more uneasy.

“Ah, My Lord, I… I am protecting your safety,” Xing Daorong stammered.

He had been so engrossed that he hadn't noticed someone behind him. Now that his Lord had caught him, his mind raced frantically, but he couldn't come up with a good excuse.

“I’m not even inside. Whose safety are you protecting?” Lin Yue asked mischievously.

“I was worried someone might sneak in and harm you, so I’ve been guarding here.”

“I suppose there’s some truth to what you’re saying,” Lin Yue nodded, not exposing his lie.

“Hehehe,” Xing Daorong scratched his head and chuckled.

But he noticed his Lord kept looking at him and smiling, and the more he smiled, the more awkward he felt.

“Alright, come in with me,” Lin Yue walked in first, deciding not to tease him anymore.

“Phew,” Xing Daorong breathed a sigh of relief and swaggered in behind his Lord.

“Servants greet Master,” Xia Qing and Xia Lian quickly ran over and bowed when they saw Lin Yue.

“No need for formalities. You two tidy up a room for Commander Xing to stay in.”

The two looked at Xing Daorong, who had a lecherous expression, then nodded to Lin Yue in agreement.

“I’m going to cultivate. Don’t disturb me unless it’s important,” Lin Yue said, sighing as he watched Xing Daorong staring blankly at the backs of the two women, and walked in by himself.

Closing the door, Lin Yue began to circulate the 《Slaughter God Art》. It had now reached 79% of the first level, but there were no particularly obvious effects yet.

However, it was a Heaven-tier cultivation method after all, so it must have something extraordinary about it. Could it be that he wouldn't feel it until he reached the second level?

With the cultivation speed bonus from the Clear Jade Thumb Ring, he would surely know the answer soon.

Lin Yue cultivated for a while and then stood up. Even with the efficiency bonus from the Clear Jade Thumb Ring, he couldn't get into the right state; he always felt a bit distracted.

Then, he tiptoed to the door, opened it slightly, and secretly peeked at the situation outside.

Which one is it, after all?