The smiles on everyone's faces grew wider.

Liu Ming continued, "The second and third locations are both in Heiyan Town."

"Heiyan Town has a Green building, the Quarry. Its buff increases quarrying efficiency by 20%."

"Processed stone blocks stacked within a one-li radius of the Quarry can be viewed and used directly by the Lord via the panel."

"There's also a Green building, the Mine, located right next to that large iron mine in Heiyan Town. Its buff increases mining efficiency by 20%."

"Smelted ore stacked within a one-li radius of the Mine can also be viewed and used directly via the panel."

Tie Dun scratched his head. "One place like Heiyan Town has two special buildings?"

Liu Ming nodded. "Heiyan Town's location is unique; it's backed by Tianji Mountain and has both stone and iron mines. Having two special buildings is only natural."

"Additionally, Heiyan Town produces salt. There's a Salt Market there, and many surrounding territories come to buy salt. It's a major source of income for Qingmu County."

Wang Wu was thoughtful. "Salt... that's a hard currency. Which territory isn't short on salt?"

Liu Ming continued, "The fourth location is in Hupan Village: a Green building, the Fishing Pier."

"This pier is built on the shore of Qinglin Lake. Its buff increases fishing efficiency by 20%."

"Hupan Village also has a Fish Market. Merchants from surrounding territories come to buy fish. Salted fish, in particular, can be stored for a long time and is the most popular."

With every point Liu Ming mentioned, the smiles on everyone's faces deepened.

By the time he finished, Tie Dun was grinning from ear to ear. "My god... a Logging Camp, a Quarry, a Mine, and a Fishing Pier—four Green buildings! And they all have a 20% buff!"

Zhao Hu's eyes sparkled. "And Senior Miners and Senior Blacksmiths! This is... too damn rich!"

Arrow Eye spoke a rare sentence: "Killing and arson bring a golden belt."

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Right, right, right! Killing and arson bring a golden belt!"

"The fortune that old man Umekawa spent decades amassing now all belongs to us!"

Su Yurou covered her mouth and smiled. "Now, all the requirements for Beacon Fire Town to upgrade to county-level should be met, right?"

Lin Feng's lips curled into a smile as he looked at everyone.

"Except for the Level 3 Nightmare Tide, all other requirements for upgrading to county-level have been met."

Everyone's eyes brightened even more.

"In other words, once the next Nightmare Tide passes, we'll be a county-level territory?"

"county-level! That's county-level!"

"The youngest county-level Lord in Great Xia!"

Everyone discussed excitedly, their voices rising higher and their smiles growing more radiant.

Lin Feng raised his hand and pressed ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) down, signaling them to be quiet.

"Alright, don't get ahead of yourselves. A Level 3 Nightmare Tide is no joke; we need to prepare properly."

He looked at Liu Ming. "I will personally check Qingmu County's resource reserves in a moment. As for you all—"

His gaze swept over Zhao Hu and the others. "Take a stroll around Qingmu County first to familiarize yourselves with the environment. Tomorrow morning, we will inspect the entire territory together."

Zhao Hu was the first to stand up. "Got it! I'll go check out that Fish Market first and buy some salted fish to try!"

Tie Dun followed immediately. "I'm going with Brother Zhao!"

Wang Wu smiled. "I'll head to the Artisan District to see what kind of equipment the Archers here use."

Arrow Eye followed silently.

Su Yurou stood up and said to Lin Feng, "Lord, I'll also take a look around and see the Medicinal Herb Shops here."

A Wang and Scarface Liu quickly followed; their duty was to protect Su Yurou.

Shadow Snake remained silent as usual, only glancing at Lin Feng before her figure flickered and vanished into the shadows outside the door.

Soon, only Lin Feng and Liu Ming were left in the hall.

Lin Feng stood up and said to Liu Ming, "Take me to the warehouse."

Liu Ming hurried to bow. "This way, Lord."

The two of them walked out of the Lords Mansion, one after the other.

Half an hour later, Lin Feng stood in Qingmu County's largest warehouse, looking at the mountain of resources. The smile on his face was impossible to suppress.

There was enough food to feed the entire county for years. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Enough lumber to build a new city.

Enough stone to build ten li of city walls.

Enough Iron Ingots to forge three thousand sets of equipment.

Enough salted fish to sell for a year.

There were also crates of Gray Crystals, bags of White Crystals, and even over a dozen green crystals.

Lin Feng took a deep breath and turned to walk out of the warehouse.

He returned to the Lords Mansion alone, went up to the second floor, and pushed open that door.

The territory core was still suspended in the center of the room, emitting a soft light.

Lin Feng walked to the window, pushed it open, and looked out at this county city that belonged to him.

On the streets, Zhao Hu and Tie Dun were grinning foolishly while holding several jars of salted fish; Wang Wu and Arrow Eye were in the Artisan District watching blacksmiths forge iron.

Su Yurou was talking to a shopkeeper in a Medicinal Herb Shop, with A Wang and Scarface Liu standing guard at the door; Shadow Snake was hidden somewhere unknown.

A smile played on Lin Feng's lips.

Then, he turned, walked toward the territory core, and reached out to touch it.

Information surged in like a tide.

【Qingmu County Resource Panel】

【Population: 8,700】

【Food: 20,200 units】

【Salted Fish: 3,100 units】

【Salt: 1,300 units】

【Lumber: 9,210 units】

【Stone: 38,100 units】

【Iron Ingots: 7,200 units】

【Copper Ingots: 1,500 units】

【Tin Ingots: 1,500 units】

【Gray Crystals: 23,400】

【White Crystals: 1,280】

【green crystals: 16】

...

After Lin Feng finished reading, he slowly withdrew his hand.

He walked to the window again, looking out at the county city that was about to be his, at the lush Qingmu Forest in the distance, and at the shimmering Qinglin Lake further away.

He whispered to himself:

"'Killing and arson bring a golden belt'... the ancients truly did not deceive me."

Then, he smiled.

Tomorrow, he still had to inspect the entire territory.

The Logging Camp, Quarry, Mine, and Fishing Pier—he had to see them all personally.

He also had to visit Heiyan Town and Hupan Village.

As for now, he would get some sleep.

This sleep should be very peaceful.

...

The morning sunlight spilled into the room through the window lattice. Lin Feng opened his eyes, feeling refreshed.

He had slept deeply and felt completely relaxed upon waking. He rolled out of bed, pushed open the window, and took a deep breath of air carrying the faint scent of vegetation.

Outside, Qingmu County had already awakened. Faint voices drifted from the streets, kitchen smoke curled up from the roofs of the residential area, and the silhouette of the distant Qingmu Forest stood out clearly in the morning light.

After finishing his morning routine, Lin Feng pushed open the door and went downstairs.

Walking south along South Street, he strolled leisurely, admiring his newly acquired county city.

On both sides of the street were orderly residences—wooden structures with black tiles and white walls, carrying the unique architectural style of the Sakura Country.

Flowers and plants were growing in front of the doors, and occasionally, cats and dogs lay lazily on the steps, basking in the sun.

Pedestrians gradually increased. There were peddlers carrying shoulder poles, fishermen with fish baskets on their backs, and women carrying vegetable baskets.

When they saw Lin Feng, they were first taken aback, then quickly stopped in their tracks and bowed.

"Good morning, Lord!"

"Greetings, Lord!"

Lin Feng nodded slightly, occasionally responding with a "Morning," without stopping his pace.

Children chased each other and played in the alleys, their laughter crisp and clear.

A little boy with an upright braid ran too fast and almost bumped into Lin Feng's leg. He was grabbed by his mother behind him, who bowed repeatedly in apology.