Chapter 1072 - 897: Welcoming the Commander

Miao Dingyi, who had been digesting news related to Yanfu Continent, remained silent for a long time. Suddenly, the sound of knocking broke the quietness inside the room.

"Come in," Miao Dingyi called out.

The door opened, bringing Hu Cong once again. He walked up to the two and reported to Miao Dingyi, "The envoys from the Heavenly Court and the Four Great Royal Courts have already reached the entrance of Yanfu Continent, and representatives from all five parties have carried Shi Chun's mount into Yanfu Continent."

Miao Dingyi sighed, "It seems they want to personally verify whether your mount's discovery of a Sandalwood Gold mine is true. There shouldn't be any issues, right?"

Shi Chun shook his head, "No, there's nothing to worry about at this point. Mr. Miao, could you help me inquire when my mount might be returned to me?"

Miao Dingyi: "This matter is no longer solely up to the Heavenly Court; it depends on the decision after the negotiations among the five parties. As I see it, there are only three possible outcomes: kill it to eliminate future troubles, ban it from entering Yanfu Continent for life, or keep it to assist in mining Sandalwood Gold, although the latter seems unlikely."

Shi Chun: "This mount has saved the life of a junior in the Battle of Great Pardon; we shouldn't be ruthless and unkind. Mr. Miao, can you find a way to help preserve its life?"

Miao Dingyi paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Your possession is also considered Heavenly Court's possession; leaving it alive means it remains in Heavenly Court's hands. As long as other parties don't push it to the brink, the Heavenly Court doesn't necessarily have to kill it. I'll gather with several other key players from Bowan Building and ask them to help smooth things over in various places. I can't guarantee success, but if it works, it's one thing for me and you might have to offer some gratitude."

Shi Chun immediately assured, "As long as it works, gratitude is not a problem, whatever I can achieve."

Miao Dingyi: "Everyone has some connections to consider; if there's a newly discovered Spirit Vein in your territory, you might have to allocate a portion to each of them."

This was something Shi Chun was already familiar with, having learned how to proceed.

In simple terms, it involves the discovery of a Spirit Vein but keeping it under wraps, selling the land as ordinary property, and then the lucky buyer subsequently finds a Spirit Vein on their land unexpectedly.

The price of ordinary land compared to land with a Spirit Vein is vastly different; completely incomparable. Not to mention, one gains huge profits from it, whether using it for something profitable or selling it outright, which would instantly result in massive earnings. Without such opportunities, the various forces of the Heavenly Court wouldn't be fighting over positions in the Heavenly Domain like this.

Asking for a Spirit Vein, especially one for each of the several key players, naturally couldn't exclude Miao Dingyi. Such appetite is undeniably huge, a mere request for something beyond what an entire sect's strength might struggle to achieve.

However, Shi Chun could also understand that if the incentives are not significant enough, others wouldn't have the motivation to really handle such a high-level matter earnestly.

He instinctively glanced at Hu Cong, Miao Dingyi mentioning this in Hu Cong's presence shows he's indeed a trusted confidant. After thinking for a while, he nodded and said, "Alright, as long as it works, it's not an issue."

Miao Dingyi smiled. Let's not dwell on this matter, but instead, he changed the topic and asked, "Are you going directly back to the Heavenly Domain?"

Shi Chun nodded, "Yes, it's not wise to carry a pile of money and run around."

Miao Dingyi smiled, "Returning with so much money, your Domain Master Manxi and Dongguo Shou of the Carefree Sect might feel even more uncomfortable. No matter how it goes, you've roughly stabilized your position as Southern Commander in Dingnan Prefecture. As long as you don't mess up, no one will easily find fault for quite some time."

Speaking of this competitive relationship, Shi Chun sought advice, "Dingxi Prefecture and Dingbei Prefecture, does Mr. Miao have any way to help us keep them as well?"

Miao Dingyi slightly shook his head, "Though the issue of your mount involves high stakes, it's easier to handle than the position dispute over the two Prefectures. The latter involves massive interests, and the rules of contention in the Heavenly Domain are clear-cut. If I had a way, you wouldn't need to risk your journey to Yanfu Continent. Taking a step back, a too-large appetite might not be advantageous. Many forces covet that piece of fat, genuinely occupying all three Prefectures, half of the fat would be in your hands, quickly turning the focus of contention onto you. With your shallow foundation, top-down, you couldn't defend against hidden attacks. Securing even one is already fortunate. If you genuinely want more, wait until you can assume Manxi's position before considering it."

Shi Chun remained silent. Give up? Unless there's no alternative, he wouldn't give up so easily.

However, he didn't say much and simply nodded, "If Mr. Miao has no other orders, this junior will depart first."

Who knew Miao Dingyi would deliberately assess him, asking, "Just leaving like that?"

Shi Chun was taken aback, puzzled, uncertain why not go back?

Miao Dingyi teased, "As far as I know, whenever you return from exploring new places, you always bring a gift for Xiao Lan. What's up with that, just because you've become an official, you're no longer willing?"

Thinking it was something serious, Shi Chun found himself amused, "Mr. Miao misunderstood, truly not unwilling but Yanfu Continent is such a desolate place; apart from sand and Sandalwood Gold, there's nothing else. So I'm left choosing between gifting sand or Sandalwood Gold?"

Miao Dingyi jested, "How you explain to Xiao Lan is a matter between you youngsters. I'm not involved." Raising a hand, he gestured for departure.

Shi Chun had to bow out; after opening the door and leaving, he still felt a bit surprised that Mr. Miao would make jokes about his daughter with him. Is this something to casually joke about? Isn't Miao Yilan supposed to marry Gong Shaoci?

Speaking of which, Miao Yilan and Gong Shaoci should have been dating for many years, right? He himself was imprisoned for twenty years, yet those two haven't tied the knot?

After meeting up with the awaiting personnel outside Bowan Building, the group left.

Subsequently, instead of lingering in Nanshan Royal City, they directly crossed Xun Gate to Heavenly Capital, then transitioned to Heavenly Domain.

Even though Heavenly Domain Dingnan Prefecture has a direct Xun Gate to Heavenly Capital, Shi Chun didn't return directly to Dingnan Prefecture but headed first to the Central of Heavenly Domain.

Both in terms of etiquette and logic, visiting Heavenly Domain's Domain Master Manxi was necessary; despite previous discomfort caused by him, the proper conduct must still be observed, and Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang needed to report back.

The progress of construction at the central location of Heavenly Domain wasn't too slow. Over half a year later, the outline of a large city was slowly emerging, and around the Domain Master Mansion, a certain bustling scene had already developed.

As soon as Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang returned, Manxi immediately appeared to meet them, skipping the pleasantries and getting straight to the point, asking how their trip went. Naturally, the results were not pleasing.

After sending the two commanders away, Manxi sat in silence, sighing quietly.

Later, Mo Hei, who escorted the guests to the door, came back and couldn't help but sigh as well, "Nearly six trillion. His crisis has been averted for now, and his position as commander secured. Fortunately, someone intervened in time, forcing him to leave Yanfu Continent early. Otherwise, if he had gathered all the money from the other two prefectures, we would have been in trouble."

Manxi was also quite helpless. Now he could only be at loggerheads with Dongguo Shou, unwilling to be downgraded from Domain Master to Commander, even though his reputation was already tarnished due to salary issues...

A city gate in Dingnan Prefecture had been sealed, suspending passage. Young Master Nan, Feng Chi, Tong Mingshan, and other elders of the Mingshan Sect all awaited the return of Shi Chun and his team at the city gate, with City Lord Chai Wenwu also present.

Young Master Nan had stationed people near the entrance of Yanfu Continent to keep watch, immediately notifying Young Master Nan when Shi Chun and his party emerged.

Later, the news that Shi Chun's group had acquired several trillions of assets spread like wildfire to Young Master Nan's ears. After all, this wasn't much of a secret, and he was overjoyed, finally relieved, and quickly informed Feng Chi, leading to this scene.

Before dark, Shi Chun and his group finally arrived. Upon landing, the thousand armored soldiers at the city gate saluted in unison, "Welcome, Commander!"

Young Master Nan and Tong Mingshan also smiled and cupped their hands, with the latter bowing deeply in salute.

Shi Chun smiled and nodded, raising a hand to signal them to spare the formalities, and gestured to speak further after returning.

The group entered the city, facing a scene of great attention.

In just half a year, the prosperity here had taken on a new look, far surpassing the Heavenly Domain Central. The Xun Gate, which leads directly to the Heavenly Capital, played a significant role, now making Dingnan Prefecture the preferred destination for those coming to the Heavenly Domain from the Heavenly Capital.

With this initial advantage established, the Heavenly Domain Central fell behind, causing Dingnan Prefecture to resemble more of a central hub.

It was so obvious that anyone could see that the Commander's Mansion in Dingnan Prefecture was even more lavish and grandiose than the Domain Master Mansion, despite being built on credit.

Amidst the influx of wealth and people, Dingnan Prefecture was changing day by day.

The ordinary people of Dingnan Prefecture took pride in the commander's vision and prowess, openly discussing whether Manxi could retain his position as Domain Master, saying that Shi Chun should occupy the Domain Master's seat.

As for his origins from the Land of Exile, it was now spoken of as a hero with no concern for background.

"The commander has returned."

"The commander has returned."

People in the shops inside the city rushed out to take a peek, and some craftsmen building houses paused to watch.

Previously, when the city gate was sealed, nobody knew what was happening until they heard the ruckus outside and realized.

Many who hadn't seen Shi Chun were eager to glimpse what this commander looked like.

However, with layers of armored soldiers at the gate, and the commander quickly flying with his entourage towards the mansion after entering the city array, it was difficult to see him.

Once Shi Chun left, the city gate was immediately unsealed, the armored soldiers stepped aside, and normal passage resumed.

Outside the Dingnan Prefecture Mansion, a group of guards also greeted with salutes, "Welcome, Commander!"

Shi Chun waved them off and strode inside.

The Golden-haired Rat Clan did not follow inside. Huang Yingying led her clan members to bid farewell and returned first to the clan's residence to meet the clan leader.

Inside the Commander's Mansion, spiritual liquid-infused fragrant baths had been prepared for everyone.

Indeed, it was now this luxurious, with spiritual liquid incorporated into the bathing fragrant baths. The mansion stood atop a spirit vein, with arrays set up to gather spiritual energy.

Anything needing attention could wait until after bathing.

Immersing in the fragrant bath, with the spiritual energy penetrating his pores, Shi Chun let out a comfortable sigh, feeling that coming home was truly most enjoyable.

Feng Chi, in a casual outfit that highlighted her mature charm, entered without reserve to personally assist with the bathing.

Unable to resist asking, Shi Chun said, "Why did you and Young Master Nan head to the entrance of Yanfu Continent before?"

Feng Chi paused her hands washing him, reached to her waist, and pulled out a jade scroll to hand over with a solemn expression: "A sudden secret letter was received, stating that Gong Shaoci, the grandson of the Right Minister of the Nanshan Royal Court, had his confidant Lei Ying hire assassins to kill you. Based on the timing provided in the secret letter, it was during the time you went to Yanbao Sect and then turned to Juku State."