In front of the warehouse, crates of copper and Tin Ingots were stacked neatly like a small mountain.

Zhang Ping was directing the young men as they moved them into the warehouse, shouting, "Careful, don't drop them!" "Put this crate on the left!" "Stack those higher over there!"

Lin Feng stood before the crates, watching for a long time.

Three thousand Copper Ingots, three thousand Tin Ingots.

Combined with the mithril from North Slope Village, the iron ore from Heiyan Town, and the salt and fish from Qingmu County.

His territory finally had a foundation of strength.

He turned around and strode toward the Council Hall, his steps much lighter than when he had arrived.

...

Central Plains Region, Jinzhou City—Korea's only city-level territory.

Twenty-five li to the north, a temporary camp stood in the wilderness, heavily guarded on all sides.

Dozens of guards in iron armor were scattered a hundred paces away, holding spears and scanning the surrounding wasteland with vigilant eyes.

Further away, several patrol teams were making their rounds along preset routes, the sound of horse hooves drifting in and out of the night.

Inside the tent, the lights were bright.

Choi Jeong-won, the City Lord of Jinzhou City, sat in the main seat, leaning his hands on a massive greatsword. The tip of the blade rested on the ground, and the runes on the sword's body shimmered faintly in the candlelight.

He was nearly fifty years old with a resolute face and graying temples, but his eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's.

A Level 39 Warrior, he was the highest-level Awakened in Korea and the stabilizing pillar of Korea's forces in the Nightmare World.

Two people stood behind him, both vice city lords of Jinzhou City and also Level 39.

One was burly with a full beard, carrying a double-edged battle-axe;

The other was lean, with two twin blades crossed on his back, his face devoid of expression.

To Choi Jeong-won's right sat a woman.

She wore snow-white robes, her long hair draped over her shoulders, her face so pure and beautiful she looked like someone out of a painting.

Korea's number one beauty priest, a Level 39 Enshrined. Her surname was Lee, but few knew her full name; everyone simply called her "Priest Lee."

She held a silver-white staff, the gemstone at its head emitting a soft, warm glow.

To the left, two middle-aged men stood side-by-side, both Level 39 non-lord Enshrined.

One wore heavy black iron armor and carried a massive shield nearly as tall as a man;

The other wore leather armor with a short spear on his back, his gaze as sharp as a knife.

Six people, the strongest combat power in Korea, were gathered in this temporary tent.

And before them stood a young man.

The young man appeared to be in his early twenties with an ordinary face, wearing iron armor. He held the dark gold scroll in both hands, his knuckles slightly white.

He was the person Choi Jeong-won had personally selected.

Park Jung-hoon's cousin, Park Jung-woo, a Level 28 second promotion warrior with good aptitude and, most importantly, loyalty.

"Jung-woo," Choi Jeong-won spoke, his voice deep like gravel rubbing against an iron plate, "this Village Establishment Order is being entrusted to you."

Park Jung-woo took a deep breath, his voice tight: "City Lord, I..."

"Don't be nervous." Choi Jeong-won waved his hand. "Take it. Once you return, use it immediately to establish the territory.

If there is any danger, report it immediately, and we will arrive as quickly as possible."

Park Jung-woo nodded vigorously, carefully tucked ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) the Village Establishment Order into his robes, and stepped aside.

Choi Jeong-won's gaze shifted from him to the three people in the corner of the tent.

Park Jung-hoon, Kim Min-soo, and Lee Jae-hyuk. The three young county-level lords stood there, unable to hide the smiles on their faces.

They had just handed over the Special Village Establishment Order that was enough to change Korea's fate. As a reward, each had received two pieces of purple equipment.

Park Jung-hoon now wore a dark red breastplate, and the longsword at his waist had been replaced with a new one, its scabbard inlaid with gems.

Kim Min-soo also had a silver-white belt around his waist.

Lee Jae-hyuk had a brand new broadsword on his back.

The auras of the three were significantly stronger than before.

Choi Jeong-won looked at them, the corners of his mouth curling slightly: "The three of you have done well."

Park Jung-hoon took a step forward and bowed: "The City Lord overpraises us. This was merely our duty."

"Merely our duty." Choi Jeong-won repeated the words and nodded. "Well said. Every man bears responsibility for the rise and fall of his nation. If you think this way, then there is hope for Korea."

The three of them exchanged glances, their faces showing smiles of relief.

To be honest, when they first made the decision to hand it over, all three had struggled internally.

A golden Village Establishment Order was something that could change a person's destiny.

But now, wearing these two pieces of purple equipment and feeling the surging power within them, they felt more and more that their initial decision was correct.

The Village Establishment Order was handed over, the nation became stronger, and they received tangible benefits.

If they tried to farm two pieces of purple equipment on their own, they might never see them in a lifetime.

And when the nation became strong, they, as lords, would also benefit.

It was a win-win.

Choi Jeong-won withdrew his gaze and looked at the five people beside him.

The gazes of the six met, and they all saw the same thing in each other's eyes.

Excitement, but even more so, gravity.

The Special Village Establishment Order was finally in their hands. Korea had waited so many years, and finally, this day had come.

With this Village Establishment Order, Korea's status in the Nightmare World could rise to another level.

But the Blood Moon...

Choi Jeong-won looked up toward the sky. Although it wasn't the Blood Moon hanging there right now, he knew that invisible Blood Moon had never disappeared.

"You all know about the Blood Moon, right?"

He spoke, his voice calm, but his fingers tightened slightly on the hilt of his sword.

Priest Lee nodded, her voice soft: "Eighty years ago, after the Blood Moon appeared, thirty percent of the nations on Blue Star were destroyed. This time..."

She didn't continue, but everyone knew what she wanted to say.

The tent fell silent for a moment.

Choi Jeong-won spoke slowly: "The Special Village Establishment Order is a disaster, but also an opportunity. Eighty years ago, the USA got the first one, survived the Blood Moon, and became the strongest nation on Blue Star. This time, it's our turn."

No one spoke.

Those small nations that were about to be destroyed... they knew, of course.

The disaster brought by the Blood Moon wouldn't bypass them just because Korea had obtained the Village Establishment Order.

Those small nations without top-tier combat power or sufficient foundation would be crushed in the coming storm. It was inevitable.

But this was the Nightmare World. The weak are prey to the strong; only the fittest survive.

The Special Village Establishment Order would have appeared sooner or later; the only difference was whether it was taken by Korea or another nation.

Since someone had to get it, why couldn't it be them?

Choi Jeong-won stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Go back now. Prepare well. The Blood Moon has arrived; the days ahead will not be peaceful."

Everyone responded in unison.

(The war starts tomorrow. I am the First Emperor—no need to send money. The next two days are going to be amazing! You'll be ready to appoint generals after reading!)