Chapter 162: Chapter 161: A Useful Useless Item

Zhao Quan said a few more words.

But it was nothing more than the usual encouragement to work hard and talk of a bright future.

Then he left.

Zhao Shizhang led the entire Zhao Family to see Zhao Quan off.

Afterward, they held a meeting directly in the Clan Leader’s House.

Zhao Shizhang had not yet fully recovered, so the family meeting was presided over entirely by First Uncle Zhao Qizong.

He was vague about many of the details regarding the cause and effect of the situation, but he was very meticulous when it came to the information the clan members needed to know.

Zhao Chi listened intently.

Some of the details were a perfect match for what he had already deduced.

The previous battle had cost the Zhao Family more than 15% of its total strength.

Zhao Shizhang’s own losses were immense, and he still hadn’t made a full Recovery.

This wasn’t the kind of Recovery that could be fixed with simple Treatment.

It was similar to the dizziness and nausea Zhao Chi felt after using a Speeding Charm—a feeling that couldn’t be alleviated by medicine or Treatment.

It could only fade with time and natural Recovery.

Zhao Shizhang’s current situation was much like that.

He had already lost 25% of his territory’s strength to begin with, and his personal condition showed no signs of Recovery.

This made it extremely difficult for him to handle even the normal daily quota of Magical Beasts.

Let alone taking on any additional quotas.

Therefore, the Zhao Family had pooled their efforts to send Zhao Quan a grand gift.

As it happened, Zhao Quan was at a critical juncture. It was precisely this gift that allowed him to overcome his rivals and successfully secure his promotion.

However, Zhao Qizong didn’t specify what the grand gift was.

Nor did he explain the nature of Zhao Quan’s "critical juncture" or what position he had been promoted to.

He was very vague about these points.

But what he said next was crystal clear.

The entire Zhao Family had now sworn fealty to Zhao Quan—and to him personally.

While it wasn’t a relationship of outright slavery,

it was now one of vassalage.

As a result, all extra quotas were waived; they now only had to deal with their original, default quota.

Moreover, Zhao Quan was very pleased and gave the Zhao Family many things in return.

The Treasure Chests he gave to Zhao Feng, Zhao Huang, and the others at the end were merely a small appetizer.

Beyond that,

with Zhao Quan’s protection, Stream Village would likely soon belong to the Zhao family in name and deed.

Unless the Xiao Family and Qi Family also found a noble patron.

But that wasn’t so easy.

After all, nobles didn’t just accept any family as a vassal.

Therefore, Zhao Chi still suspected that the Zhao Family had sold out Strong Fragrance Food Street.

That would have served as their pledge of fealty.

It would have made Zhao Quan more willing to accept the Zhao Family’s submission.

However, although they had gained Zhao Quan’s protection,

they had also gained powerful enemies.

First, there was the hostility of other nobles.

Zhao Quan naturally had his own enemies.

From now on, Zhao Quan’s enemies were the Zhao Family’s enemies.

And these enemies were nobles, no less.

Second, there was the hostility of the resistance.

The resistance was elusive and unpredictable.

Though they were constantly suppressed, they had never been eradicated.

Provoking them would likely mean endless trouble in the future.

But this was the only way. A crisis was already at their doorstep, leaving no time to consider the long-term consequences.

You had to survive first before you could think about how to live a long life.

However, this was not good news for Zhao Chi.

The effects might not be apparent in the short term, but trouble would likely arise once Zhao Chi grew more powerful.

’At that point... if it becomes necessary, I might have to leave the Zhao Family.’

Now that they served Zhao Quan, they would have to pay various taxes to him.

Zhao Quan had specifically granted them a 10% reduction in taxes.

It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was a reduction nonetheless—the most tangible benefit they had received so far.

After the meeting, Zhao Shizhang specifically asked Zhao Chi to stay behind.

He thanked him for arranging Gu Qing’s Treatment.

But Zhao Shizhang didn’t give Zhao Chi anything else.

Zhao Chi didn’t mind.

He knew that Zhao Shizhang’s Loss had been too great this time; he had likely used up almost all of his valuable items.

For the time being, he had nothing left to give him.

From their conversation, Zhao Chi could also sense that Zhao Shizhang was not happy.

Instead, his face was etched with worry.

This worry stemmed not only from his decline in strength, but more so from the fact that they had become vassals to Zhao Quan.

But sometimes, one is caught between a rock and a hard place.

Zhao Chi was also very dissatisfied with this decision, but there was nothing he could do.

After all, he couldn’t fight High Tier Magical Beasts, nor did he have the Ability to shoulder the Zhao Family’s burdens.

So, he could only accept this less-than-ideal solution.

After leaving the Clan Leader’s House, Zhao Chi found Zhao Hong waiting outside.

Zhao Chi assumed he was there to see the Clan Leader, so he greeted him and was about to leave.

But Zhao Hong called out to him.

"Hey, hey, Zhao Chi, don’t go! I was waiting for you."

"Waiting for me?" Zhao Chi was a little puzzled.

’Could it be about the Treasure Chest?’

But Zhao Hong just said, "Zhao Chi, I’m a little tight on funds lately. Could you pay back part of that loan you took out?"

’So that’s what this is about.’

Zhao Chi immediately initiated the Trade process, placed the full 16.8 Gold Coins in the window, selected the repayment option, and confirmed.

Zhao Hong exclaimed in astonishment, "Holy shit, you paid it all back? You’re doing pretty well for yourself these days."

"Not really," Zhao Chi replied. "Just got lucky. How are things on your end?"

Zhao Hong gave a helpless laugh. "I had to come to you for money ahead of schedule, how do you think I’m doing? This extra quota wasn’t just a heavy burden on the elders; it was tough on us, too. It’s a good thing that’s over, but... now we’re just some noble’s dogs."

"You can’t really put it that way," Zhao Chi said. "Didn’t First Uncle just say we still have a considerable degree of autonomy?"

Zhao Hong nodded. "Can’t be helped. That’s just what we have to tell ourselves to feel better now. In the end, we’re still dogs."

Zhao Chi didn’t know what to say.

After all, he wasn’t exactly wrong.

It wasn’t quite as bad as being a dog, though. It was more like becoming their underlings.

Zhao Hong shook his head and slowly descended the wooden stairs. "I really envy you, getting noticed at such a young age. Keep up the good work, Zhao Chi. But don’t get too close to those nobles. They might be good to you now, but they wouldn’t hesitate for a second to abandon you."

’Of course I know that.’

He watched Zhao Hong leave, then returned to his own territory.

’Finally, I’m back.’

Only when Zhao Chi saw the bustling female villagers did he feel his Mood start to improve.

Gu Qing wasn’t in the territory; he had no idea where she had run off and hidden.

Tang Ruan and the others didn’t know either.

Zhao Chi could only go to the hot spring for a soak first to receive a State buff.

But just as he got out of the hot spring, he saw Gu Qing standing behind him with a smile.

She was holding a white bath towel.

"My Lord, are you safe now?"

Gu Qing draped the towel over Zhao Chi’s head and began to dry his hair gently.

"Yes, I’m safe. The nobles weren’t here for us; it was about something else. I’ll tell you about it later."

"Oh, that’s good. And here I was, worrying for nothing."

Gu Qing happily helped Zhao Chi dry his Body.

"No need to dry me off so thoroughly. I have to go into Tang Ruan’s Body soon. We need to keep making those outfits."

"I’m almost done."

Zhao Chi didn’t really understand the female psyche.

He didn’t know if they always felt the urge to get their hands on the men they liked.

But Gu Qing was certainly like that.

She got handsy at every opportunity.

Now, using the opportunity to wipe him dry, she slipped her hand under the towel and gave a gentle tug.

Zhao Chi didn’t mind.

After all, her hands were soft, and her touch was just right.

But this was becoming a problem.

He couldn’t just drag Gu Qing back to his room to ’take care of things’ every single time, could he?

Gu Qing giggled and let go of Zhao Chi, then patted it gently.

As if coaxing a child, she whispered, "There, there, I was just teasing you. Go back to sleep now. You can wake up again tonight."

Zhao Chi sighed in resignation. "And whose fault is that? I’m going to have to wake yours up, too."

Gu Qing laughed. "Oh, she’s always awake. You can come any time; her door is always open for you."

Zhao Chi snorted. "Is that so? Then get over here!"

"Hee hee, really? Aren’t you going to work?"

"Being with you is also very important work. I’m going to max out your Energy Points!"

"How scary. Hee hee."

Zhao Chi definitely couldn’t max her out.

He only managed to increase it by 4 points; that was the best he could do.

But this result was already quite good.

At least Gu Qing was very satisfied.

But Zhao Chi was not.

He wasn’t dissatisfied with Gu Qing—she was flawless.

He was dissatisfied with the Silver Treasure Chest.

He had opened it, full of hope and earnest anticipation, almost with reverence.

But after a flash of light faded, all he got was an item he had no use for at the moment.

[You have obtained 「Territory Transfer Order」 x1]

(Territory Transfer Order: After use, you can move your territory from its current coordinates to a new location. Can only be used once per month.)

’How should I put this...’

It was indeed a somewhat useful item, but he had no use for it right now.

This world didn’t just have one city like Snowfield City.

There were many other cities.

And their inhabitants weren’t necessarily Human.

They could be Elves, Dwarves, Beastmen, members of the Blood Race, or other Intelligent Races.

In theory, everyone was in the same boat.

Everyone was being invaded by the endless hordes of Magical Beasts from the outside.

Therefore, the cities had to divert the beasts to the Lords to be dealt with.

Diverting Magical Beasts was a form of warfare, after all, so every day Lords would die and territories would fall to Destruction.

As Lords died, the number of remaining Lords would dwindle, and the number of Magical Beasts diverted to each one would increase.

If the number of Lords didn’t increase, the pressure on the remaining Lords would grow, and territories would be destroyed at an ever-faster rate.

Eventually, there would be no territories left to divert the tide.

The Magical Beasts would break through the protective Array and directly Attack the city.

This would ultimately lead to the city’s destruction.

Therefore, the number of Lords had to be maintained.

Only with a World Stone could one establish a territory and become a Lord.

So, at its very core, the issue was the World Stone.

And World Stones were obtained through plunder.

By opening a channel from their territory, Lords connected to other worlds.

Sometimes, they might connect to a very safe world, perhaps one with no enemies, making it easy to obtain a World Stone.

But they could also connect to a world with powerful Magical Beasts. If you couldn’t defeat them, you died.

Of course, one could also use certain methods to escape quickly and then change coordinates.

And to change coordinates, one used this 「Territory Transfer Order」.

Furthermore,

when a territory connected to another world, whether actively or passively, it could also connect to the territory of another Lord.

If the Lords were from the same city, they would usually state their allegiances and avoid war.

But if the connected Lord was from another city, or even a different Race entirely,

then war was often the result.

After all, Lords possessed many resources.

The victor could claim all of the loser’s resources and population.

They would also acquire the other’s World Stone.

If you found you were outmatched, you could also use certain methods to sever the connection.

And by using this 「Territory Transfer Order」 to change coordinates, you could prevent the enemy from tracking you.

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