Chapter 210: 210. Chapter 207: Assigning Work

210. Chapter 207: Assigning Work

"Immortal Master, Ladi Canyon has basically been completed; we are conducting further inspections to ensure the project is safe and reliable," the Yellow Turban Warrior said to Li Xuan with a smile.

Li Xuan nodded with satisfaction; such responsible construction workers are not often seen.

However, Li Xuan noticed that these Yellow Turban Warriors' bodies were somewhat insubstantial, with a faintly translucent quality.

"Warriors, are you about to reach your time?" Li Xuan furrowed his brow and asked the Yellow Turban Warriors in confusion.

"Yes, with Ladi Canyon completed our task is done, and we will reconvert into Spiritual Energy and return to the Talisman Script. During this period, the Talisman Script has absorbed enough Spiritual Energy in places rich in Spiritual Energy, so when we appear next, we should last longer and our strength will correspondingly increase. Thank you, Immortal Master, for finding us this suitable place." the Yellow Turban Warrior smiled at Li Xuan, adding that they did not mind their dissolution, since they could still be restored.

"Warriors, you're being modest; truly, you've worked hard during this period." Li Xuan bowed respectfully to these Yellow Turban Warriors.

"Immortal Master, you're too modest; this is simply what we should do." the Yellow Turban Warrior performed a respectful salute to Li Xuan and said.

"Alright, after Ladi Canyon is completed, we shouldn't trouble the warriors for a while; you all can rest and recuperate within the Talisman Script." Li Xuan said with a smile to the Yellow Turban Warriors.

"Immortal Master, we'll first inspect the building quality; after the inspection is finished, we'll give you a tour of the place." the Yellow Turban Warrior smiled at Li Xuan and said.

Li Xuan nodded in agreement, then led a few of his subordinates further inside.

The land within Ladi Canyon spans at least several hundred thousand mu. At the juncture where the canyon meets the forest, the Yellow Turban Warriors erected an immensely thick city wall, using barriers to block a type of forest soul beast.

Inside the wall, the Yellow Turban Warriors divided the area into sixteen large farms, three small towns, and a central grand city.

Each of the sixteen farms initially houses over a thousand people, equipped with soul beast oxen and soul beast horses, and even soul beast donkeys to boost production speed. The Yellow Turban Warriors estimate that to fully populate these farms will require at least eight to ten thousand people; now that they have just been built, they can be gradually supplemented in the future.

The three small towns include Weapon City, centered around twelve Fentian Ge, equipped with corresponding forging areas, rest areas, material areas, recuperation areas, warehouse areas… and all other facilities required for forging.

Another is Wine City, which contains thirty‑six wine cellars and twelve large breweries. Li Xuan, not being a specialist, does not know the exact output, but the sales are sufficient.

The final city is called Medicine City; Li Xuan will not practice Alchemy here. Its main tasks are processing and storing medicinal herbs, essentially serving as Li Xuan's herb warehouse.

Finally comes the main city of Ladi Canyon; the main city is Ladi Canyon's core, divided into residential district, living district, work district, and City Lord's Mansion.

Although Li Xuan has not seen the entire city's construction, he participated in Ladi Canyon's design, so he knows the layout of all the buildings. He led a few of his subordinates into the City Lord's Mansion.

The City Lord's Mansion is now lush with flora, yet completely empty.

"We still need to bring in some people." Li Xuan sighed helplessly, saying that they cannot purchase too many slaves at once; otherwise, it would easily attract the attention of the Star Luo Empire.

Then Li Xuan led a few people to the Courtyard and sat down.

"Huang Shang, Bai Chuan, here are the keys to the residential district. Use the keys to find a place to rest. After all this toil, both of you should let the people in your caravan rest as well; we'll schedule work again tomorrow." Li Xuan took out a dozen or so tags and handed them to Huang Shang and Bai Chuan; these are the keys to the living‑area houses, essentially a large house given as part of onboarding.

"Yes, young master!" Huang Shang and Bai Chuan replied respectfully, then took the tags and turned away.

Li Xuan then turned his gaze to the remaining three people.

These three are the three life‑type soul masters that Li Xuan purchased.

"You three… right, you three, introduce yourselves; I still don't know your names." Li Xuan looked at the three life‑type soul masters behind him, suddenly realizing he didn't know their names, and asked.

"My name is Sun Mu, martial soul is Abacus, soul power level 16, proficient at accounting; my First Soul Technique is Efficient Calculation, which lets me compute things quickly, though it's a bit of a chicken‑rib." Sun Mu awkwardly recited his name, martial soul, and soul power.

Sun Mu is somewhat short and not fat, appearing rather slight, about his thirties, with bright eyes that make him look shrewd.

"Alright, Sun Mu, from now on the ledgers for daily operations in the domain are yours." Li Xuan assigned the task to Sun Mu.

"Yes, master." Sun Mu performed a respectful salute to Li Xuan and said.

"My name is Zhou Chen, martial soul is Broom, soul power level 15, First Soul Technique is Ground Cleaning, which can swiftly clean the ground." The other man, very tall yet unusually gaunt, introduced himself to Li Xuan.

Zhou Chen stands two meters tall, looking like a pole stuck into the ground.

"Fine, you'll be the manager of my City Lord's Mansion. After a while I'll purchase some maidens and guards to maintain daily operations, and the rest will be up to you." Li Xuan looked up at Zhou Chen and said.

"Yes, master." Zhou Chen nodded in agreement and then stood aside.

"My name is Han Shucheng, martial soul is Books, soul power level 18, soul skill is Book Replication, which can duplicate books so that the copies are identical to the originals." A man of average build bowed respectfully to Li Xuan and said.

"Can books that have been stored for a long time also be replicated into normal books?" Li Xuan asked Han Shucheng curiously.

"Master, theoretically it is possible, but if the damage is too severe I'm not sure. Could you let me see the condition of the books?" Han Shucheng furrowed his brows, his face serious, and asked Li Xuan.

"Sure, but these books I have are indeed a bit fragile; you'll need to handle them carefully when you take them out." Li Xuan earnestly instructed Han Shucheng, then found a safe spot and took out a box containing the books.

He carefully removed a book from the box; the book was severely yellowed overall, but showed no damage or missing pages.

"Master, this book has been stored for far too long…" Han Shucheng hesitated before speaking.

"Give it a try; if successful, you'll have something to do for a while, but if it fails you'll have to copy it by hand." Li Xuan shrugged at Han Shucheng.

"Alright, master, I'll try right now!" Han Shucheng, seeing Li Xuan's determined expression, nodded, said nothing more, then extended his hand and released a burst of white soul power.

"First Soul Technique! Replication!" Han Shucheng chanted the Soul Curse, and the white soul power instantly enveloped the on‑the‑brink‑of‑collapse book.

The white soul power, like a liquid, was slowly absorbed by the book; as the soul power continuously poured in, the book gradually softened, and the yellow hue caused by oxidation began to fade.

After just a few minutes, it returned directly to its original condition.

"Whoa! Your ability is impressive!" Li Xuan stared at the newly refreshed book, eyes widening instantly.

Immediately after, white light slowly seeped out of the book, and the emerging white energy gradually coalesced on the book into a new volume.

"Master, this book has already been copied, and moreover the damage to it is far too severe; my soul power can only preserve its original condition for half an hour, after which the book will likely be completely ruined, with no remedy at all," Han Shucheng said respectfully to Li Xuan.

"Master, this book has been duplicated. However, its damage is so severe that my soul power can only preserve its original state for half an hour; after half an hour the book will likely be completely ruined, with no remedy possible." Han Shucheng said respectfully to Li Xuan.

"Make sure to compare it quickly; will there be any errors?" Li Xuan hurriedly asked Han Shucheng.

"Yes, master! But essentially there won't be errors." Han Shucheng replied, then began comparing the two books.

After a dozen minutes, Han Shucheng closed the two books and placed them before Li Xuan.

"Master, the check is complete; the two books are identical. The original can't hold out much longer; it will shatter soon." Han Shucheng replied, then said to Li Xuan.

Han Shucheng's heart fell, and the original book shattered with a bang, turning into a spread of yellow powder.

"How long can the duplicate last? Could it suddenly disappear?" Li Xuan asked Han Shucheng.

"Master, the book I duplicated is essentially indistinguishable from a normal book; it can be read and stored normally." Han Shucheng said earnestly to Li Xuan.

"So your ability is amazing! Creating things out of thin air!" Li Xuan exclaimed, shocked, looking at Han Shucheng.

"Master, this is not something created out of thin air; it consumes all of my energy," Han Shucheng said with a bitter expression as he looked at Li Xuan.

"Master, this isn't creation from nothing; it consumes my own energy." Han Shucheng said with a bitter expression to Li Xuan.

【61】 Han Shucheng calculated that duplicating a book not only consumes thirty percent of his soul power, but also uses up half a jin of his body weight…

"So... isn't your ability similar to that of a food-type Soul Master, using soul power to directly produce items?" Li Xuan raised an eyebrow and said to Han Shucheng.

"That's exactly why I can't become a control-type Soul Master," Han Shucheng said awkwardly to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan thought for a moment and indeed it was true; Han Shucheng was indeed unusual. To become a combat-type Soul Master, the only way would be to summon books to smash people, which was obviously not workable.

"Alright, I also know what the three of you are called, and I've assigned you tasks. From now on, don't call me master; just call me young master," Li Xuan said to the three life-type Soul Masters.

"Yes, young master." The three bowed respectfully to Li Xuan.

"You three don't need to rush to start. My domain has over ten thousand people; each of you should select twenty individuals as your subordinates and quickly build your teams for me," Li Xuan said again to them.

"Also, although the three of you aren't highly talented, you must still work hard to cultivate soul power. This is a cultivation technique and an Alchemy Pill; the usage and cultivation methods are written in detail. This item is absolutely forbidden to be shared externally. Once you break through the soul power ranks, I will arrange for people to hunt soul beasts for you and obtain soul rings. Understand?" Li Xuan took out three Soul Guide Devices and handed one to each of them.

"Yes, young master, we guarantee that nothing here will ever be disclosed!" The three said in unison.

"These three are the keys to the residential area; each of you gets a house. Go back and rest." Li Xuan took out three keys and handed them to the three, saying.

"Within a year, if you don't break through to level 20, there will be punishment, okay? Tomorrow morning, the two of you can go directly to find your subordinates. Han Shucheng, you come find me tomorrow morning; I'll arrange some books for you to duplicate." Li Xuan showed a creepy smile to the three.

"We will certainly not disappoint the young master's expectations; we will definitely break through to level 20!" The three responded respectfully to Li Xuan.

"Go back; I'll also take a rest." Li Xuan waved his hand, signaling the others to leave.

"Yes, young master!" The three bowed to Li Xuan, then turned and left the City Lord's Mansion.

"Finally I can rest..." Li Xuan said lightly, looking at the empty Courtyard, and prepared to lie on a chair for a while.

"Brother, we still have three thousand farm women and five hundred children in our hands that haven't been dealt with yet..." Bang Chui's voice suddenly reached Li Xuan's ears.

"Hey, you forgot this. My bad, Bang Chui; otherwise in a few days they'd all starve!" Li Xuan snapped his eyes open, slapped his own thigh hard, and said regretfully.

However, the allocation of these farm women is also a big problem; after all, one cannot be unfair.

"Fine, first give them an independent village. In a couple of days, we'll find some administrators in those villages and decide then." Li Xuan shook his head, then stood up, took Bang Chui, left the City Lord's Mansion, found an empty farmstead, and released the three thousand farm women.

Seeing the farm women who were already starving, Li Xuan felt helpless.

"Take off your eye masks; we've arrived," Li Xuan said to them.

The farm women obediently removed their eye masks, then supported each other to stand up.

"I bought you all, and from now on you'll work the fields for me here, understand?" Li Xuan said to the farm women.

"Yes, master!" the farm women replied weakly.

Li Xuan looked at the starving farm women, shook his head helplessly, and took out several thousand jin of rice, vegetables, and cured pork from the Soul Guide Device.

"This is your food. Live here for now; in a few days someone will come to assign you tasks. The only requirement is not to cause trouble—just wait for the assignment." Li Xuan said after distributing the work to the farm women, then turned and left.

He still didn't have any agricultural talent at hand, and it would be some time before the land was reclaimed, so Li Xuan wasn't in a hurry. (End of chapter)