Chapter 469: The Small Town

"Please take us in."

In an instant, everyone knelt, and the sight made Nan Qinghuan clench her fist, then she leaned slightly toward Youchao Xuan and asked, "They didn't resist at all?"

"No, they were probably deceived by Luosang. These people are all innocent, Goddess, could you see if you can give them a chance? It would be a pity to kill them all."

"Of course we can't kill them; we must make good use of them."

Ying and Nan Qinghuan stepped down from the towering platform, and then the couple approached Na Sangyuan. He was a robust middle‑aged man with a beard and long hair, looking very rugged.

Their hands were all bound with grass rope; this has always been the tribe's way of dealing with captives, treating them like cattle and sheep. In the past, they could even trade people.

But now there are fewer, because no one buys them.

Ying squinted slightly, as if pondering something. Na Sangyuan, seeing him stay silent and assuming he was unwilling, quickly lifted his head to meet his gaze, "Ying, we have plenty of coal there; we'll give it all to you, just please don't kill us."

"Coal—how do you know about coal?"

Na Sangyuan didn't dare conceal anything; he quickly gathered all the information that Luosang had sent people to inquire about, learning that they also had abundant coal. Now, thinking he could present this coal to Ying, he could stay.

After hearing his words, Nan Qinghuan finally realized that the old man Luosang was quite shrewd; he had already known privately that coal could be burned, and according to him, there were abundant coal resources there.

If that's the case, today we've struck it rich.

"Ying, release them. Those resources can be auctioned to attract investors; then we can hire workers to mine coal, so everyone will have work and food."

Before, Ying couldn't understand any of this, but now it's different; Nan Qinghuan taught him many things, and he has also taken many actions.

Especially that magical Merchant city.

He now almost knows everything inside; he intends to diligently accumulate Merit Beans and, together with Nan Qinghuan, purchase more infrastructure equipment. He has seen more Excavators, but those require many Merit Beans to obtain.

"Fine, just heed my Oumu's words, Youchao Xuan—keep them all for me, register them, then ask Ashu to arrange their lodging. Let them settle first and find work; you must earn money to build houses. Living here is completely different from the old tribe. Are you willing?"

Back in the tribe, many were lazy, only wanting to go out for food, some just freeloaded. But now it's different; everyone must rely on themselves. The tribal survival model doesn't suit the Small Town any longer.

He must explain this clearly to them.

Na Sangyuan nodded, "I understand. My people can endure hardship. Ying, if you take us in, I'm willing to rebuild a new home here."

"Alright, Youchao Xuan, take them away."

"Thank you, thank you."

These tribespeople didn't expect it would be so easy to stay. Initially they were furious about Luosang's death and even spoke of avenging him, but now, seeing how good it is here, they quickly changed their minds. As long as there's food, work, and shelter, who would remember that lousy old man? Soon, Youchao Xuan led the massive group away. Qingfeng, standing behind, couldn't help admiring Nan Qinghuan's skill—how could she make Ying so obedient? "Ying, Goddess…"

She still habitually calls her Goddess.

Nan Qinghuan, hearing her call her that, turned her head to look at her and asked, "Qingfeng, do you have something?"

Qingfeng felt a bit embarrassed, glanced at Youchao Xuan's departing back, and clenched her teeth.

"I want…"

Ying saw Qingfeng stammering and not understanding, furrowed his brows and looked at her, "What do you want to do? The Army's training is going well; I'm satisfied. Tell me, what do you want?"

Ying knew Qingfeng well; when she's like this, it usually means there's something.

Qingfeng looked at Youchao Xuan, "I want you to help me; I want to marry Youchao Xuan."

"What?"

Nan Qinghuan was astonished; isn't it usually Youchao Xuan who would propose marriage? Why is it the woman speaking first? "Yes, I want to marry her. Our people are growing, and I too gradually need my own home, but being the only one at home is too lonely. I just want…"

"What exactly do you want to do?"

"I want a companion; I want to be with him."

Nan Qinghuan was speechless, looking at Qingfeng's naive expression, "Qingfeng, you're a young lady; you shouldn't be the one to say those things first."

"Then who should say it?"

"Of course it's a man, otherwise who would be the pillar of the household? This matter isn't urgent; the Small Town's development is busy, Youchao Xuan is also busy. How about I have him come to you later to propose?"

"Propose? What does that mean?"

Qingfeng didn't know what a proposal was, and Nan Qinghuan just smiled, "I'll have time to tell you…"

She agreed that Jiguang would send some items to her; of course, it was just a stopgap measure. Jiguang was also clever and made a bold request. To avoid war for now, Nan Qinghuan compromised on some matters.

The Small Town is developing; a great war is not feasible.

A war would revert us back to pre‑liberation times—absolutely not.

Therefore, what she can do now is to keep Jiguang steady, hoping Rongdi brings good news.

Hearing Nan Qinghuan inquire about this, Ying squinted slightly, "Weren't we supposed to let them leave?"

"Ying, I always feel Jiguang can't leave. Though she agreed to ally with us, there's no guarantee she won't go back and collude with other tribes against us."

That was Qingfeng's worry; after all, from her perspective, Jiguang suddenly forming an alliance was odd, so she thought about it while training the Army.

She thought there might be a conspiracy.

Perhaps we should kill Jiguang as well and simultaneously conquer the Giant Tribe; then this Small Town would grow ever stronger, becoming invincible!