Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 271 Treaty of Songshan

The moonlight shone on the mountains and fields, illuminating everyone's face clearly.

Lin Chen's suggestion of cooperation brought a smile to the faces of the white-browed elder and the others.

Lin Chen looked at them and continued:

"Cooperation is possible, but only if we follow my rules, otherwise there's no point in discussing it!"

After saying that, he looked at the others and asked, "Is this acceptable to you all?"

The white-browed old man was the first to nod, "Okay!"

Yun Zhongge coughed lightly and quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Qingyun Sect is willing to follow the arrangements of the Prince of Zhenbei."

Zhou Lie and Yun Yao exchanged a glance and then cupped their hands in a respectful gesture: "Kunlun Domain is willing to follow the arrangements of the Prince of Zhenbei."

The monk Liaochen chanted a Buddhist prayer: "Amitabha, may Mount Sumeru form a good karmic connection with the King of Zhenbei."

Jian Wusheng's face was ashen, but he still managed to cup his hands in a respectful gesture, though the movement was so stiff it looked as if he were being carried.

"The Heavenly Sword Pavilion...is willing to follow the arrangements of the Prince of Zhenbei."

Lin Chen nodded in satisfaction. Although he knew they were probably just stalling for time, he didn't care.

"Alright, since you're all willing to follow my arrangements, I'll get straight to the point."

Lin Chen took a step forward, the moonlight shining on his face, making his eyes shine with an astonishing brightness.

"First, cooperation is possible, but it has to be done according to my rules; that's the most important thing."

Several people nodded.

"Secondly, I will petition His Majesty to designate Songshan, a hundred miles outside the capital, as an area."

You build teleportation arrays and small towns there as a place for material and cultural exchange with the Eastern Region.

The white-browed old man's eyes lit up: "What does the Prince of Zhenbei mean?"

Lin Chen waved his hand: "Don't rush, let me finish."

"Third, all people from the Central Plains who come to the Eastern Region must be registered."

Name, cultivation level, origin, and purpose—everything is required. After registration, you'll receive a token before you can travel in the Eastern Region.

Yun Zhongge was taken aback: "Register?"

Lin Chen nodded: "Yes, register. Anyone who doesn't register will be treated as an illegal immigrant, ranging from deportation to—"

He smiled, revealing eight white teeth:

"cut."

The word "slay" was spoken lightly, but to the group of people it sounded like a thunderclap.

Jian Wusheng's expression turned even uglier, but this time he remained silent.

Yun Yao asked softly, "Prince Zhenbei, what about us? Do we need to register too?"

Lin Chen glanced at her and smiled, "Miss Yun is so beautiful, you don't need to register."

Yun Yao blushed.

Zhou Lie's face darkened.

Lin Chen waved his hand: "Just kidding. Everyone is registered, and we treat everyone the same."

The white-browed elder stroked his beard: "Prince Zhenbei, I understand the registration matter, but what are the specific procedures for the teleportation array and Songshan?"

Lin Chen thought for a moment and said:

"Songshan is a hundred miles from the capital, neither too far nor too near."

You may build a small town at the foot of the mountain, no more than ten miles in circumference.

"You can build teleportation arrays, open shops, and live in the city."

Lin Chen paused, then emphasized his words.

"But there's one thing—you can manage things in the city yourselves, but you have to follow my rules outside the city."

Zhou Lie frowned: "Does the Prince of Zhenbei mean that Songshan City should be autonomous?"

Lin Chen nodded: "Yes, self-governance."

I don't care what you do inside, but once you leave the city, you must abide by the laws of Dayan.

"A life for a life, a debt for a debt, a hand for stealing, and castration for harassing women."

Lin Chen spoke casually, but those who heard him felt a chill run down their spines.

Yun Zhongge coughed lightly: "Prince Zhenbei, isn't this... a bit too strict?"

Lin Chen looked at him and suddenly smiled:

Elder Yun, I have a question for you.

Yun Zhongge nodded.

Lin Chen asked, "Does your Qingyun Sect have many disciples?"

Yun Zhongge nodded: "Indeed, quite a lot."

Lin Chen continued, "Aren't those disciples all quite arrogant?"

Yun Zhongge paused for a moment, then didn't reply.

Lin Chen continued speaking to himself:

"They come from Zhongzhou. They have high standards and high aspirations, and they look down on this poor, remote place in the Eastern Region. Will they cause trouble after they arrive?"

Yun Zhongge opened her mouth, as if to say no.

But Lin Chen didn't give him a chance:

"Yes, definitely. Out of a hundred, there will always be one or two who can't control themselves."

"What am I supposed to do when they kill people, steal things, and harass women in the Eastern Region?"

He stared at Yun Zhongge and said, word by word:

"Should I pretend I didn't see it, or should I hand the person over to you to deal with?"

Yun Zhongge was speechless.

Lin Chen continued, "If I pretend I didn't see it, what will the people of Dayan think?"

"If I hand him over to you, what will you do with him when you get back? Put him in solitary confinement? Or make him reflect on his actions?"

"Useless." Lin Chen sneered.

"Those scions of big families, at most they'll get a few scoldings when they go back, but they'll be lively and energetic again in a couple of days."

They'll only become more arrogant then—after all, they don't have to pay with their lives, so what's there to be afraid of?

Yun Zhongge fell silent.

The white-browed old man stroked his beard, seemingly lost in thought.

The monk Liaochen chanted a Buddhist prayer.

Jian Wusheng rarely spoke, but he said coldly, "So, the Prince of Zhenbei means to deal with this according to the laws of the Great Yan Dynasty?"

Lin Chen nodded: "That's right, a life for a life, a debt for a debt. Whoever breaks the law, I will deal with them according to the Great Evolution Law, even if it's the Heavenly King himself."

Lin Chen paused, then smiled:

"Of course, if you can't bear to let them come, you don't have to. I won't force you."

Several people looked at each other.

Now that things have come to this point, what else can we do?

The white-browed old man took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said:

"I admire the Prince of Zhenbei's thoughtful consideration. I will do as he says."

Lin Chen nodded and looked at the others.

Yun Zhongge quickly replied, "The Qingyun Sect also agrees."

Zhou Lie said, "Kunlun Domain agrees."

Monk Liaochen said, "Mount Sumeru agrees."

Jian Wusheng, with a stern face, hesitated for a long time before finally squeezing out a single word:

"OK."

Lin Chen smiled.

"Alright, it's settled then. I'll send someone to Songshan to survey the terrain tomorrow. Once the blueprints are ready, you can start construction."

"However, you will have to pay for the city's construction yourself, transport the materials yourself, and hire the workers yourself. I will not be responsible for that."

The white-browed old man smiled: "That's natural."

Lin Chen nodded and glanced at the sky:

"Alright, it's getting late. You can all leave now. We can talk about it later."

The group bowed and took their leave.

Before leaving, Yun Yao glanced back at Lin Chen and whispered:

"Lord of Zhenbei, until we meet again."

Lin Chen waved his hand: "Until we meet again."

Yun Yao smiled and followed Zhou Lie into the night.

The monk Liaochen chanted a Buddhist prayer and turned to leave.

Jian Wusheng was the last to leave.

He took a few steps, then suddenly stopped, turned his back to Lin Chen, and said in a deep voice:

"Lin Chen".

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow.

Jian Wusheng said, "I will remember what happened today. If I have the chance in the future, I would like to have a fight with Senior Guan."

Lin Chen smiled: "Sure, you're welcome anytime."

Jian Wusheng nodded, and with a flash, he disappeared.

The mountains and fields quieted down.

Only Lin Chen and Guan Yu remained.

The moonlight shone on them, casting two long shadows on the ground.

Lin Chen turned around and looked at the eighteen golden lights in the distance.

A thought crossed my mind.

The eighteen golden rays simultaneously receded and disappeared into the night.

Guan Yu, holding his sword, looked at Lin Chen:

"My lord, these people..."

Lin Chen waved his hand: "It's alright, let them run wild for a few days."

"My lord, you've had a long night."

Guan Yu shook his head: "It's my duty."

Lin Chen nodded: "You should go back to the manor first and tell Mingyue and the others that I'm fine and they shouldn't worry."

Guan Yu was taken aback: "My lord, aren't you going back?"

Lin Chen glanced in the direction of the capital:

"I have to go to the palace. With such a commotion just now, Her Majesty must not be able to sleep. I need to go and report to her."

Guan Yu cupped his hands in greeting: "My lord, please be careful."

After saying that, he flickered and disappeared into the night sky.

Lin Chen stood still and took a deep breath.

Then, with a light touch of his toes, he sped off towards the capital.