159: Space Storm

Drummond, originally from the former Bright Moon Territory, was a former subordinate of Alistair.

Renn discovered this talent after he followed the refugees and joined the Red River Territory.

Drummond was a Bronze Rank Professional; he was different from the ordinary refugees and had even left a slight impression on Alistair.

Renn chose him because, to those in the current core circle of the Red River Territory, Drummond was a complete newcomer—one might even say an outsider.

Drummond was capable and ambitious, hoping to make a career for himself. He had once approached Renn privately to recommend himself, and Renn appreciated such people.

Capable, eager to work, ambitious, and an outsider—Renn needed exactly such a solitary official.

Renn had already begun planning the establishment of the Supervision Department before the incident involving Fornal came to light; he and Drummond had been discussing it for some time.

It was during this period that Drummond's abilities gained Renn's recognition.

Renn had originally intended to wait a while longer until the planning and preparations for the Supervision Department were nearly complete before officially establishing the department.

He hadn't expected this incident to occur, so Renn took the opportunity to push the Supervision Department forward.

In the hall, the high-ranking officials of the Red River Territory scrutinized Drummond with curiosity, the emotions in their eyes extremely complex.

"Hello everyone, my name is Drummond. I look forward to your guidance in the future!"

Drummond introduced himself briefly and then sat down, speaking no further.

"From now on, the Supervision Department led by Drummond will be responsible for supervising all of you, as well as handling these corruption cases."

"Fornal, hand over the people on the list to Grayson and Drummond; they will handle them."

"I will make this clear now: those who have committed offenses this time will be divided into three grades. Those with minor offenses who hold positions will be dismissed, and those without positions will be sentenced to flogging. Those with moderate offenses will be dismissed, flogged, and consigned to be Slaves, never to be employed again. Those with severe offenses will be executed immediately."

"Grayson, Drummond, the two of you follow this to categorize and sentence these people as quickly as possible."

"Since the Guard Team isn't fully in place yet, Ross, you will cooperate for the arrests this time. Take the Guard Army and get these people under control for me first."

"Yes, Lord!"

"I'll say one more thing: you are all smart people and understand that there are things you can do and things you cannot. If any of you also do things that hold the territory back, don't blame me for being heartless!"

Renn gave everyone a final piece of advice.

After the meeting ended, all the managers left the Government Affairs Hall with solemn expressions. Some looked particularly terrible because their own subordinates were among those listed in the booklet.

A single meeting had stirred up waves among the upper echelons of the Red River Territory.

Under Renn's personal supervision, Drummond and Grayson moved quickly. In just a few days, the group of people with serious offenses had been sentenced one by one.

Renn personally signed the death warrants for these individuals and ordered immediate execution.

In the central square of Red River City, Renn presided over the execution ceremony.

A large crowd of onlookers gathered around; everyone knew that people were to be killed here today, and they were all drawn to the scene.

Renn did not stop the crowd from watching. He wanted everyone to know that in the Red River Territory, those who followed the rules could live a good life, but those who didn't follow his rules would die.

A total of thirty-five people were beheaded this time. Among them, twenty-one had committed serious crimes such as murder, rape, and robbery, while fourteen were former management personnel of the Red River Territory who held positions either in the Government Affairs Hall or various other departments.

Two others were people from the old Red River Territory who had been village chiefs before the Fel Orcs invasion. They used their power to oppress the refugees coming to the Red River Territory for their own personal gain; some had even bullied men and women, resulting in loss of life.

Looking at the scorching sun overhead, Renn spoke that bone-chilling word.

"Execute!"

With the order given, over a dozen heads were chopped off. Then the second batch was brought up, and the broadswords swung again, cleanly severing their heads.

A few had already lost their wits and were soiled with filth before being beheaded, and many more kept begging Renn for mercy, but Renn ignored them from start to finish.

In just a few breaths' time, all thirty-five people were beheaded. A large amount of blood stained the nearby stone slabs, spreading continuously as the headless corpses gushed out fountains of blood.

This bloody and cruel scene terrified the watching subjects. Those standing closer turned pale and retreated repeatedly, wanting to distance themselves from the gore.

"Collect the bodies and burn them. Hang the heads for three days as a warning to others."

"Yes, Lord!"

After a cold glance at the execution ground, Renn turned and left. Fornal and the others watched Renn's departing back with awe and fear.

Through this incident, everyone saw the cold-blooded side of Renn.

After killing dozens of people, the public security of the Red River Territory clearly improved, and the efficiency of affairs also increased.

After establishing the Guard Team and the Supervision Department, Renn began planning several other new departments and leading people to refine the laws of the Red River Territory.

From a small town of a few thousand people to a large territory of over 210,000 covering the entire Red River Valley, the current Red River Territory had many areas that needed refinement.

Previously, Renn's attention had been entirely focused on improving infrastructure—either building houses and roads or organizing river channels and reclaiming farmland.

Looking back now, Renn suddenly realized that besides this infrastructure, the Red River Territory urgently needed a more effective and comprehensive territorial decision-making framework.

There were many things to do and consider in this regard. Renn had a few ideas, but they still needed to be properly refined.

Renn called Kapdo and Alistair together to discuss. These two were knowledgeable and had seen much, so they could offer Renn many suggestions.

After communicating with them, Renn also spoke continuously with Fornal. This old man had been an Administrator for most of his life in the Red River Territory and was rich in the kind of experience Renn needed.

While Renn was continuously increasing the potential and strength of the Red River Territory, a major event was occurring in the Boundless Star Sea.

Outside the Main Plane of the Noah Continent, a violent Spatial Tidal Storm was born from the depths of the Boundless Star Sea. The storm continuously affected its surroundings, and the Noah Continent Main Plane was within its range of influence.

Before long, the fierce Spatial Storm swept past the Noah Main Plane. Within the storm, countless Sub-planes shattered and vanished, while countless others were born.

Inside the Main Plane, spatial fluctuations on the Noah Continent also brought some effects. New Plane Passages appeared, connecting brand new Sub-planes to the Main Plane, while many old Plane Passages fractured, cutting off those Sub-planes from the Main Plane.

At the same time, shattered Sub-planes were attracted and fused by the Main Plane. The Noah Continent was like a creature having a feast, growing a bit fatter.

The top powerhouses of the major factions on the continent watched the Boundless Star Sea outside the Main Plane with solemnity, only sighing in relief after the Spatial Storm completely left the Noah Main Plane.

Shortly after, one command after another issued from the mouths of these great figures, bringing waves to the Noah Continent.