Galaxy Domination Guide-Chapter 495 - 483 Lord of Mount Ranji (Part 3)
Without much effort, Bai Zhongqi had taken over Mount Ranji City, casting its lord into his own dungeon. The lord's private army was essentially schooled by Bai Zhongqi's left hand alone. Lang Rishong's presence had made many mercenaries switch allegiances particularly fast; they transformed overnight into soldiers loyal to the new lord, while the dissenters were confined alongside their lord by humanoid beasts.
Watching Zang Murenqing and a few other students appear greatly exhilarated, Bai Zhongqi, however, remained very composed. This was merely the takeover of an insignificant small fiefdom, still in a medieval feudal civilization, of which the students knew nothing. They were unaware that their teacher had once controlled a vast civilization with a population of billions, commanding thousands of warships and occupying hundreds of planets across the endless starry seas.
But that was all in the past now. Bai Zhongqi was merely fortunate to have the company of the Swarm Empress on a tiny planet whose universe he knew nothing about, where he ruled over a small piece of land.
He was momentarily lost in thought. Bai Zhongqi clearly knew what he had to do: he would reclaim everything that was his and tear the usurper to shreds. But that goal was far too distant, and all he could do was to carefully hide his hatred and gradually build his strength, while searching for a way back home. Only when he drifted into sleep at midnight could he feel that agony, as though being lacerated by knives.
He didn't want her to know, still putting on a gentle demeanor every day, seemingly unchanged from before. But only he knew that the Bai Zhongqi of the past had forever vanished with that catastrophe.
People always move and change in directions they cannot foresee. When you suddenly look back, you find that you no longer recognize yourself.
Draped in a white cloak, Bai Zhongqi, accompanied by his four students, arrived at the "Tribute Camp" established by Shao Xiong. By then, Lang Rishong's subordinates had already unshackled the mountain folk here, who, though freed, still hovered timidly and fearfully, not daring to wander off.
The handsome Bai Zhongqi, in his white cloak, easily became the focal point of people's attention. Not only were the villagers from the Tribute Camp there, but also the townspeople, who had come out as well. After a bout of shouting and killing from the castle, followed by the sight of Lang Rishong riding out on a warhorse with his men, everyone had seen everything, but without any mercenaries causing trouble in the streets, or the lord's henchmen overseeing matters, they were all unsure of what was happening.
Upon seeing the man in the white cloak stride confidently forward, everyone was intimidated by his aura and didn't dare approach, but they gradually gathered around.
Bai Zhongqi stepped onto the platform and with a voice full of vigor, proclaimed, "Fellow fathers and brethren of Mount Ranji, the unworthy local lord, Shao Xiong, intended to betray the people of Mount Ranji, offering them up to the evil Gluttonous Dragon in return for his and his cronies' survival, which is utterly shameless! I, Bai Zhongqi, am a dragon slayer from the Great Snow Mountain. As the Era of the Dragon nears its end, I have come forth to save the world. Shao Xiong cannot protect you; I, Bai Zhongqi, will surely keep you safe. This plain of Mount Ranji is fertile land, yet Shao Xiong forbade the people from farming and living here. Today, as your lord, I declare to my people of Mount Ranji that each family may till ten acres of land on this plain, and twenty acres in the mountains, free of any agricultural tax. Schools will be established in Mount Ranji City to ensure every child can be educated and enlightened. From now on, the people of Mount Ranji shall unite and love each other, creating a paradise on Earth."
Bai Zhongqi's speech, though initially baffling, especially to the local mountain folk who did not know who he was, held the power of his reputation as a dragon slayer. Virtually everyone had heard stories from their youth of dragon slayers battling dragon swarms during the last Era of the Dragon.
The people from Riverside Village, who had encountered Bai Zhongqi and received his help, were thrilled by his promise to divide the land; they started cheering on the spot. Upon seeing others cheering, the mountain and town folk from the other villages also joined in.
Then someone knelt before the heroic man in the white cloak on the platform, and others followed suit, until many were kneeling down, even Bai Zhongqi's four students, who knelt on one knee, proudly looking up at their master.
Bai Zhongqi, upon seeing the crowd kneeling, felt neither panic nor any lofty superiority. He was just a man inclined to take on responsibilities, but once he did, he was committed to fulfilling them.
This was a man's promise, and a ruler's promise.
Lang Rishong, watching from below, was quite astonished, "Who exactly is this Bai Zhongqi? To become a lord and not levy farm taxes—is he not sabotaging his own means of subsistence? Heh, if I had his charisma and presence, maybe I too could be a great man. The ability to make people kneel upon his arrival seems indeed like those ordained by destiny in the stories."
After finishing his speech, Bai Zhongqi did not linger. He called Lang Rishong over and said, "Among the private soldiers, those without ambition, discipline, or who harbor resentment, send them home. I do not need many guards, a hundred or even just a few dozen will do, as long as they are loyal and well-conducted."
Lang Rishong nodded continuously in agreement.
Bai Zhongqi left the campsite, while Lin, wearing a large cloak that concealed her perfect figure and stunning features, stood at a street corner watching him with a smile.
Bai Zhongqi asked, "What are you smiling at?"
"Nothing, Chancellor. Even stranded here, you still have the heart of a sovereign."
Bai Zhongqi gave a self-mocking smile, not dwelling on the matter, but instead instructed, "There will likely be many mountain folk moving to the plain. Think about it, and build some houses for everyone."
Ling stuck out her little tongue and pretended to complain, "My, the Chancellor sure knows how to boss people around. Shouldn't we continue to expand our military force now? Wasting my energy on building houses for these ordinary people seems rather unprofitable."
Bai Zhongqi shook his head and said, "There's nothing unprofitable about it. After all, we are not that kind of pure Swarm Civilization, we follow the path of reverse bionics and ultimately aim to create a civilization that benefits more people."
Ling commented sarcastically, "Saintly Mother."
Bai Zhongqi laughed awkwardly.
Seeing his adorable manner, Ling couldn't help but laugh out loud and said, "Alright, you are the Chancellor, I will do whatever you say."
Ling immediately took out her Insect Nest from the subspace, which had now grown significantly large. Ling had been working hard to cultivate her abilities. When the Insect Nest appeared, the people of the territory fell in fear and retreated backward. Zang Murenqing and others, not having seen Ling use subspace before, would probably think the Insect Nest was the enemy at this time.
Ling had already accumulated quite a bit of nutritional base, which was the foundation for creating her Enslaved Beasts. A swarm of Gluttonous Beasts rushed out from the subspace, their hideous faces adding to the terror, and they immediately devoured the surrounding trees, bushes, and weeds before entering the Insect Nest.
A smile bloomed on Ling's stunning face, and then a huge Insect Nest suddenly sprayed out a bunch of seeds that scattered on the ground. These seeds burrowed into the soil on their own, and the scene that followed left everyone staggeringly shocked.
After the seeds landed, as if endowed with endless growth power, they sprouted immediately and shot up like rapidly growing trees. However, these trees did not grow into towering shapes or develop leaves but instead continued swirling and intertwining along the ground.
"Hey, aren't those houses?" Xu Erli exclaimed in shock.
As the trees continued growing, they surprisingly formed multi-storied wooden houses. Initially round tree trunks, after forming, started to become boxy with smooth edges while big tree bark cracked open to form square openings, some even opening horizontally, clearly resembling windows and doors.
"Is... is this the teacher's doing?" Gang Naj couldn't believe his own eyes.
Bai Zhongqi turned around and said to everyone witnessing this, "Every resident of Mount Ji can have a house for free, to own for all their families."
The row of three-story townhouses created by Ling's Enslaved Beasts were like the low-rise apartments from Earth's old era. These apartment Enslaved Beasts not only had the appearance but also included essential living functions needed by ordinary people.
Wooden, sturdy conduits formed the plumbing, coated with metal both inside and out. These water pipes functioned well, extensively spread like the blood vessels of a house beast.
The house beasts could keep the residents warm in winter and cool in summer, providing natural air circulation and automatic heating capabilities. Besides the air conditioning function, they could also heat the stove, similar to an induction cooker. Lastly, bulbs were installed in each room for lighting. These functionalities were possible because the beasts were alive, automatically providing such services along with water and energy to the residents inside.
Integrating various functionalities required for human habitation into one giant Enslaved Beast was a method Bai Zhongqi came up with. With these house beasts, the living standards of Mount Ji's citizens were raised to the industrial era.
Zang Murenqing and the mountain people, upon seeing the trees emerging from the ground and spontaneously forming multi-storied buildings, were all dumbfounded. Even though they still didn't comprehend the full mechanics, such mighty power was beyond simple admiration. Some even knelt down again, praying towards Bai Zhongqi and Ling in front of the houses.
Lang Rishong watched, nearly dropping his eyeballs on the ground, thinking to himself, "Are these still dragon slayers? To me, they seem like gods! Having relied on such strong support, I, Lang Rishong, am going to prosper from now on!"
Bai Zhongqi, very satisfied with the row of apartment buildings encircling the castle, then smiled and said to Ling, "Keep it up, swallow that castle too, let's also live a life with electric lights, air conditioning, washing machines, and refrigerators."
Ling was somewhat helpless but still complied, this time the huge Insect Nest opening its massive maw to swallow the entire castle.
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