Chapter 173

Mo Lie lowers his head, holding the document Hua Zheng presented and flips through it; the thin paper records detailed information about the legion commanders he has selected from under his command.

His fingertips lightly tap the thin paper, and he asks casually, "How's Kuangsha City lately?"

Kuangsha City has never had a ruler; it was originally governed by the largest power in each of the five major districts. Even after Mo Lie seized all five powers, it does not mean that only his own forces remain in Kuangsha City.

Countless evil gangs, big and small, after losing their previous "leader," some chose to submit to a new chief, while others failed to perceive the danger and, taking advantage of the changes in Kuangsha City, seized the opportunity to expand their own gang power.

After all, no one believes Kuangsha City could belong to a single person; that would be no different from a warlord ruling a battlefield, right?

Only the Beastfolk present that night know that Mo Lie possesses a special ability, and they have all now submitted to him; therefore, no one in Kuangsha City knows that the new chief's martial power is on a different tier from theirs.

They risk expanding their power because they trust that Kuangsha City lacks such a powerful male beast that could subdue all the strong, malevolent beasts that dominate the city.

The leaders of these gangs all think that the situation of Kuangsha City being ruled by a single person will not last long; sooner or later it will fragment, and then they will thank their own boldness for becoming the Beastfolk above all beasts in Kuangsha City.

"I've had people investigate; lately many of the small gangs in Kuangsha City have secretly arranged fights in the desert to vie for territory."

Hua Zheng's lips curl into a mocking smile: "Those people think they're secretly expanding their territory, taking advantage of your reorganization of the legion, dreaming that you won't intervene in their petty skirmishes, even cutting off the tributes they previously offered to other chiefs."

Mo Lie's expression remains unchanged; he lifts his head from the legion commander data and gives Hua Zheng a glance.

His blue eyes are like solid ice in the deep Arctic sea, and he says calmly, "The best training for legion soldiers is real combat; since they enjoy fighting, first use those in Kuangsha City as training troops."

On the territory he painstakingly secured, there are now some petty thieves—little rats—that must, of course, be dealt with.

Hearing the order, Hua Zheng's eyes spark, "Yes, master."

"Also, the several major robber gangs living in the desert, without Xiang Sa's suppression, have recently become brazen, causing great trouble for passing merchant caravans, resulting in fewer caravans arriving at Kuangsha City lately."

Lin Manzhi, sitting in the sand and listening, blinks.

The comings and goings of merchant caravans constitute a sizable tax revenue for Kuangsha City.

Mo Lie has seized Kuangsha City; all the entry roads naturally belong to him, and this hard cash is all handed over to the chief.

He is indifferent to money; the entire city's tax revenue and wealth are managed by Lin Manzhi.

Previously, entry into Kuangsha City required a protection fee, and the five districts' collections were separate; the exact situation is unknown, but Lin Manzhi is clear about the recent earnings.

Each Beastfolk in a merchant caravan that comes to Kuangsha City represents Beast Coin.

Before Lin Manzhi can speak, Hua Zheng snarls beside her, "Master, send me to lead a squad to eradicate the desert robber groups; Kuangsha City belongs to you, and the unclaimed desert around it should also be your territory."

Mo Lie narrows his icy eyes slightly: "No rush; once the city gangs are dealt with, it'll be the desert group's turn."

On the top floor of the bustling commercial district's central building, the fate of Kuangsha City is decided by a few words from those in power.

Lord, the ruler of a vast territory.

A thousand years ago, the mighty Beastfolk city, due to its terrain and drought disasters, gradually fell beyond repair, becoming buried in the yellow sands, known as the desolate land abandoned by the Beast Gods; the fragmented state of Kuangsha City has ended, and now this desert once again welcomes its master.

Mo Lie puts down the Thin Skin Scroll, lifts his gaze toward Lin Manzhi, who is seated on the sofa not far away, and his previously death‑freezing stare softens.

"Is this the Holy Maiden Fruit elixir?" Hua Zheng, having received Mo Lie's order, has calmed his earlier anger; his curious eyes rest on the plate of Holy Maiden Fruit that Lin Manzhi placed on the table.

Lin Manzhi nods: "It's that one; if you like it, eat it as you wish."

Hua Zheng, moved, says: "This fruit, it's as beautiful as a gemstone."

I just love such a generous and kind master; the things the gang downstairs grabs are treasures that are hard to obtain wherever they are, okay!

He reaches out, picks up a cherry tomato, puts it in his mouth, and instantly squints his eyes in bliss.

Mo Lie stands, quickly walks to Lin Manzhi's side, sits beside her on the same sofa, and, his tone unintentionally softened, says, "There will be some excitement in Kuangsha City these few days; to finish quickly, I'll be a bit busy."

Lin Manzhi blinks, quickly averts her gaze, "Mm… I understand."

She mumbles a vague response, clearly not listening attentively.

Mo Lie's eyelashes droop slightly; his gaze brushes the crimson earlobe of the Little Female and then leaves, and he chuckles low, "But I will definitely resolve it before you need me…"

Lin Manzhi feels as if her whole body is about to burn.

"When will I… need him?"

She turns her head toward Mo Lie, eyes wide, and asks, "You—did you know?" about my passionate period.

Mo Lie: "Mm."

He raises an eyebrow, his expression carrying a hint of smile: "I am your Beast Husband."

He always brings up this title, but hearing it now, Lin Manzhi feels a uniquely lingering affection; she covers her flushed cheeks with both hands, mouth slightly open, unsure how to respond.

Honestly, why do the Beastfolk here talk about the passionate period as casually as discussing drinking water?

At that moment, Hua Zheng, who had just finished eating the cherry tomato, turns his head and sees the master and Lord Lin sitting side by side on the sofa.

He suddenly remembers another task on his plate and says, "Lord Lin, tomorrow we need to deliver Lettuce to the Wushen Temple; today I had Mu Qian send people to harvest the Lettuce. When would you like to reschedule planting the Lettuce seedlings?"

Hua Zheng's voice, like rain in a drought season, lifts Lin Manzhi out of her slightly limp state.

Mo Lie calmly leans back against the sofa's back, props his chin with his right hand, his gaze fixed on Lin Manzhi, not looking at the person speaking in the room.

Although Lin Manzhi is a bit shy, she has long become accustomed to the extremely close proximity when interacting with Mo Lie; her body's natural response to personal safety distance has long been switched off.

In her subconscious, she has categorized the black‑haired male beast beside her as an extremely intimate lover; her body does not resist his closeness and even subconsciously leans toward him.