The Master of Beasts

As the largest city on the border, Taiyuan City originally had a population of nearly 5,000,000. It garrisoned an army of almost 300,000 soldiers and had over 100,000 reservists, making it one of the military strongholds of the Wu Dynasty in the Martial Arts World.

However, 30 years ago, during the Myriad Beasts Sect's invasion, the commander of Taiyuan City's garrison refused to surrender. He was defeated by the sect's disciples, leading to a massacre. The entire regular army of 300,000 was annihilated, and casualties in Taiyuan City exceeded 4,000,000.

"Which disciple did this? What an idiot!" Hua Yu cursed upon seeing this information.

"Madam, please don't be angry," Chen Chen consoled from the side.

"Actually, this situation isn't without its benefits," speculated Chen Kui, the leader of the Chen Family's cultivators.

"Benefits? It's practically a total loss!" Hua Yu said, exasperated.

Chen Kui pondered for a moment and then said, "Those 300,000 garrisoned troops were mostly dispatched from the Wu Dynasty, not local soldiers from Taiyuan City. Four million civilian deaths sounds terrifying, but there are still almost 3,000,000 people in Taiyuan City today. Apart from the recently born, the majority came from scattered villages outside the city."

"Only about one-quarter of the city's populace might resent us. As long as we govern fairly, after a few decades, once the surviving elderly pass away, the rest of the people will come to support us."

"That sounds simple, but we only have a little over 1,000 people. Management will likely fall to just you 30. Moreover, Jiuge's task is to quell the rebels, not constructive work like restoring the people's livelihoods," Hua Yu said, still upset.

"Quelling rebellions can't be rushed. Didn't our Chen Family spend thousands of years suppressing rebellious voices in that small world war we participated in?" Chen Kui shook his head.

Although it was Chen Jiuge's first time participating in a small world war, he understood that such deep-seated hatred transforms over time, almost taking on a life of its own, and cannot be completely suppressed by force in a short period. This truly couldn't be rushed.

As they discussed, they arrived at Taiyuan City.

The city walls were covered in pockmarks and scars; even the smoother sections bore the marks of countless weapons. Originally black, the walls now showed an eerie, dark red hue under the sunlight, a testament to the amount of blood that must have once drenched them.

As Chen Jiuge and his contingent approached the city walls, the guards atop them also spotted their distinctive black and red army.

"My lord, what should we do?" a soldier asked his superior, his voice trembling.

"What else can I do? Open the gates and surrender, of course! That's an army led by at least one Marquis, possibly more. What's the point in fighting? I'm only a Marquis myself!" Wan Shan cursed aloud.

When Chen Jiuge and his group reached the city gate, a general in black armor approached with a fawning expression. "Your Highness," he asked, "may I inquire what brings you to Taiyuan City?"

Chen Jiuge saw the city gates were open, with only a dozen or so soldiers trembling behind the general. He smiled and said, "General, you've opened the gates wide without even knowing our intentions. Could this be an empty fort strategy?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!" Wan Shan, so frightened he immediately knelt, shook his head vigorously.

Chen Jiuge stopped joking. He produced the Governor Seal and said, "I am the new Governor. Rise and speak."

After carefully examining the official seal, Wan Shan heaved a deep sigh of relief. Our own people! Good, good.

Wan Shan had his men arrange for the Red Armored Army and Black Armor Army to be quartered in the military barracks, while he personally led Chen Jiuge and the others to the government office.

"Tell me about the current situation in Taiyuan City," Chen Jiuge said, observing the fearful expressions of the nearby civilians.

Wan Shan spoke cautiously, "Taiyuan City suffered a great catastrophe 30 years ago. Most of the current inhabitants are descendants of the survivors, and many others have gathered from the scattered villages outside the city."

"Mm, continue. Tell me about the influential groups within the city."

Wan Shan hesitated before saying, "There aren't any major powers in the city now. It's mostly small gangs and minor factions formed by small merchants. The more prominent ones are the Hu Family in the south and the Li Family in the north. The Hu Family controls a lot of land and supports a considerable number of men. The Li Family manages the salt and iron trade and also has many retainers, fewer in number perhaps, but more elite."

As they spoke, the group arrived at the government office.

Looking at the dust-covered government office, Chen Jiuge asked, "Is no one stationed here?"

"My lord," Wan Shan said apologetically, "Taiyuan City has been without a Governor since the catastrophe 30 years ago. The government office has been vacant ever since."

"Then who has been dealing with criminals in the city?" Chen Jiuge asked, finding it hard to believe.

"A group of wandering vigilantes calling themselves the Heavenly Dao Society has been handling it."

"The Heavenly Dao Society? A group capable of dealing with criminals wouldn't be insignificant. You're not being entirely honest, are you?" Chen Jiuge said, giving Wan Shan a knowing look.

Wan Shan lamented inwardly, Brother, you're going to get me killed. I'm really sticking my neck out for you here!

"Have someone clean this entire government office. Tonight, bring the leaders of the Hu Family, the Li Family, and the Heavenly Dao Society here to see me," Chen Jiuge ordered Wan Shan.

Wan Shan felt a surge of helplessness. He was just a minor city guardian; how could he possibly summon the leaders of these three powerful groups?

Chen Jiuge paid no mind to Wan Shan's predicament. This man still has his own little schemes, he thought. If I want to manage Taiyuan City effectively, I'll definitely use the people our family brought. Employing locals like him can wait.

After finding a quiet spot and magically cleansing it, Chen Jiuge asked Hua Yu and Chen Kui, "Mother, Third Brother, what should our next step be?"

"My son, I mainly came along because I was worried about you. Is it really appropriate for a woman like me to advise on governing a city?" Hua Yu said with a helpless smile.

Chen Jiuge gave a wry smile. It's not like I have anyone else to turn to, he thought. Cultivators focus on their cultivation; they rarely know how to manage a city.

Chen Kui chuckled softly. "Thirteenth Brother, the power we command is more than enough to forcibly subdue all of Taiyuan City. Why bother with such troublesome methods? Just investigate those families and minor factions with questionable backgrounds. Eliminate them, then establish new laws. In less than 10 years, Taiyuan City will largely be pacified. Might is the best way to govern."

"Then let's proceed as Third Brother suggests," Chen Jiuge agreed. He felt that the principle of 'One Force Breaks All Laws' was indeed the simplest and quickest approach. With so much power at his disposal, it wouldn't do to play mind games with them.

"Also, Thirteenth Brother, there's no need for you to appear tonight. I'll handle it," Chen Kui suggested. "Just send them a direct summons. There's no need for pleasantries. The small world's counterattack is still building. We need to seize control of more cities while we have the chance."

Chen Jiuge had no objections.

「That evening」

Wan Shan, his face etched with worry, watched the representative from the Hu Family arrive. He cursed inwardly, Is the Hu Family courting death? The new Governor is clearly one of those Outer Heaven Demons... yes, one of those Heavenly Soldiers! To send such a spoiled brat as their representative... I just hope I don't get dragged down with them!