The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Luo Yan appeared to be listening earnestly, signaling them to continue.

The [Training Master] nodded repeatedly, "Next is the air quality issue. The market's foul odor could be dealt with some magic, although we skeletons don't have noses, we really don't want to see NPCs throwing up."

The [Undead Entrepreneur] added, "Then there's the accommodation environment. Can't we get some decent inns? We're not asking for the luxury enjoyed by the nobles of Demon City, but at least make it so that sleeping on the floor isn't the same as sleeping in the inn?"

The players each chipped in, eventually compiling a long list of "environmental improvement suggestions" for Black Wind Castle.

Luo Yan calmly listened, then picked up his personal notebook, elegantly jotted down a few lines, closed the notebook, and turned to hand it to the old steward behind him.

"Handle it," he said in a calm tone, as if it were just a regular administrative document.

This time he didn't use a magic feather pen; he handwrote it.

The old steward trailing behind accepted the notebook and glanced at it. The first page read:

——Black Wind Castle Renovation Plan——

1. Research how to reduce the smell of goblin stew (priority).

2. Research and establish food safety regulations to at least make them appear less disgusting.

3. Research air purification solutions to prevent tourists (if any), workers, and vendors from vomiting on the streets.

4. Adequately improve accommodation conditions.

The old steward was silent for a moment, sighed softly, but still accepted the order respectfully.

"Yes, my lord."

Seeing the Demon King so enlightened and actually adopting their suggestions, the surrounding players were thrilled and continued to press on.

"Lord Demon King, what about the Training Park? Do you want to arrange that?"

"Me, me, me! I want to sign up as a Training Master!"

"I'll be responsible for training elves!"

"I'll train dwarves!"

"Whoa, that's hardcore!"

"Why, why not? Dwarves can be petite and cute too; I saw them at Catastrophe Castle!" a little demon argued, flushed with rage, waving his fists at the players mocking him.

Luo Yan displayed a gentle smile, and slowly spoke–

"Scram."

This single word was enough to pacify these evil calamities...

The inspection was nearing its end.

Luo Yan didn't want to disturb his subjects too much. After all, as long as he was around them, they became uneasy and clumsy, unable to perform their usual tasks properly.

Returning to the Lord's Mansion, although the exterior walls of the mansion hadn't been fully repaired, the interior facilities were mostly restored, making it suitable for living.

At this time, his old steward hesitated, stepped forward half a step, and whispered.

"My lord, may I have a word?"

Luo Yan stopped in his tracks, turned to look at the old steward approaching, and said kindly.

"Speak, I'm listening."

The old steward stood beside him, pondered for a moment, then said, "The order of Black Wind Castle is indeed restored, but... the negative impact caused by the Trade Union is too great. The tragedy that happened on that night has instilled fear in many merchants, and they may not be willing to return. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the economy of Black Wind Castle. I believe you've seen it in the account books, alienating them is a lose-lose situation for us."

He paused, his gaze complicated as he looked towards the end of the street.

A group of goblins was busy tidying up an abandoned warehouse, grinning and haggling with several skeleton players. It was they who dismantled the place opportunistically back then, yet now they were pretending as if nothing had happened.

The old steward frowned and continued speaking with a low voice.

"My lord, forgive me for being blunt, but you're being too lenient with these goblins, even to the point of indulgence. I understand you want to use them, but now that our conflict with the Dragon family has ended, their overly united stance is gradually becoming a burden. You've likely noticed, they've become lazier and more perfunctory, dragging even simple tasks, and are extremely exclusive... I can even foresee what they'll do next."

His voice was sincere, purely considering the situation from the lord's perspective.

As a demon, he possessed both human and demon blood, and he inherently distrusted tribes like goblins... for he knew them all too well.

Luo Yan did not immediately respond, merely listening quietly.

The old steward glanced at him, lowered his voice, his gaze flickering slightly, and dared to offer further advice.

"My lord, you know I have always considered matters from your standpoint. Even if you blame me, I must say, Snick is no longer of use! His mission was fulfilled during the cleaning of the Trade Union, and keeping him around may not be a good thing, it would be far more advantageous to judge him..."

It was normal to dispose of a tool after using it; the Dragon family did it that way, and so did the other families in Hell. A smart tool understands its destiny.

Snick wouldn't resist.

Unless he wanted his entire family to disappear without a trace.

However, Luo Yan smiled faintly.

He withdrew his gaze, surveyed the surroundings, looking at the streets which had come back to life, and spoke in a calm tone.

"You're overthinking it. I don't hate goblin merchants; I hate disobedient swindlers. The reason they haven't returned is not because of fear, but because their keen instincts tell them Elder Zakro is still alive, the 'battle' isn't done, they're afraid that the flames of war will return, that uncertainties remain."

The old steward nodded silently, without rebuttal.

Luo Yan continued, a subtly meaningful smile on his lips: "But now, the dust has settled, and they've been dying to squeeze back in. Do you know how they used to fawn over me when I was in Demon City? They even spared no expense, bribing those nobles who usually wouldn't even glance at them to help them with their dealings. They can't wait to step over the corpse of the Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce, to replace those who picked the wrong side."

The whole affair isn't that complicated, the key core is one thing—whether Elder Zakro is dead or not.

When the Magic City Daily announced this news, the entire trade community in Demon City was restless. If it weren't for me holding them back, they'd have long rushed in to grab a piece of the pie.

Black Wind Castle needs to cultivate its own power, and this major reconstruction along with the renovation of old communities is to create space for those newly sprouted plants to develop and thrive.

They'll form new factions, and these intricate networks of relationships will, to some extent, help balance Snick and his community committee's excessive influence.

His garden shouldn't just have Cannibal Vines or Ghost Leaf Grass, but should also feature numerous rare species, like the greenhouse mines outside Beifeng City.

Once the garden is thus managed, he can return to the Maze of Thunder County with peace of mind, focusing on cultivating his core domain.

"... As for Snick," glancing at the old steward deep in thought, Luo Yan continued, "He's a smart man, and he's climbed up from the bottom, this guy has ample street smarts, and most importantly, he knows his place."

Then, he shifted his gaze, landing on Snick in the distance.

The short goblin was crouched in front of a newly opened shop, conversing in low tones with a few shopkeepers.

The shopkeepers all wore obsequious smiles, seemingly in awe of his ideas.

Luo Yan wasn't concerned with what schemes he might be concocting, but gaining the trust of the goblins at the bottom rung is not something achievable through drinking and snoring alone; he must have something exceptional.

"He's a very useful tool, not only can he help me establish the lower order in Black Wind Castle, but also help me counterbalance incoming trade associations. I won't deal with him; instead, I'll make good use of him... until the day he thinks he's grown wings, like Grock, colluding with outsiders, that will be his end."

The old steward was silent for a long while, then a smile spread across his face, nodding sincerely in understanding.

"Understood, my lord."

In truth, so long as the lord thinks it's good, he has no objection.

His only concern was that the lord was too willing to heed the advice of one person, but it seems he had worried needlessly.

To earn the respect of the Padric Family, how could one be an ordinary person?

Demonic eyes have unfailingly been the best in all of Hell, not once making a wrong bet in five hundred years.

It was he himself who might truly be outdated.

Luo Yan said nothing further, merely raising his chin slightly, gazing indifferently at the Black Wind Castle gradually recovering its prosperity beneath the night sky.

The city, which had risen again from smoke and ruins, was marching towards a new order.

Perhaps it wouldn't be long before he could leave it with peace of mind.