Chapter 985 - 837: Everything Awaits Revival

As soon as the appointments of the four commanders were announced, the entire Mingshan Sect was shocked, even doubting if they heard it wrong. Three out of four commander positions were suddenly occupied by Mingshan Sect members?

Wu Jinliang, although not averse to high positions, had hoped to reach this position before. Yet, having three positions given to them at once startled him.

Shi Chun was also surprised. He had mentally prepared for this position long ago and hadn't planned to tolerate being overlooked, intending to fight for justice. Before this, when achievements were being tallied, he didn't even ask them anything; he was already ready to cause a scene for justice.

The outcome was far too favorable, which instead intimidated him. How could such good fortune drop from the heavens?

Could it be... he instantly thought of Mulan Jin, suspecting if Mulan Jin helped. He instinctively glanced back at Mulan Qingqing, wondering if this was a reward for protecting her daughter?

Not only him, but Wu Jinliang and Feng Chi also instinctively glanced at Mulan Qingqing.

Contrarily, everyone else didn't feel surprised. Dongguo Shou had snatched many tokens for the team, and based on achievements, who could argue that he wasn't fit to be a commander?

As for Shi Chun, similarly, from an outsider's perspective, the tokens in Chang Shifei's hands were also snatched by Shi Chun. Especially, his feats in turning the tide and his achievements in killing Luo Que and Su Jikuan surpass Dongguo Shou in other people's eyes. Therefore, it's also expected for him to have a seat among the four commanders.

Regarding Tong Mingshan, he had slain countless Demon Riders, significantly reducing casualties for the Heavenly Court forces. Severing Yan Zhili's arm greatly diminished his combat power, which is a great achievement. Alone, he responded to and secured Dongguo Shou's tokens amidst the siege, which were crucial to determining victory. It was rumored he also forged thousands of fake tokens and Sky Splitting Swords to help those tokens breakthrough, frequently earning great merit at crucial moments. Thus, he deserves a place among the four commanders.

As for Wu Jinliang, injuring Feng Yin and causing his fall is by itself a decisive accomplishment. He also slaughtered many Demon Riders, repeatedly engaged decisively in emergencies against top opponents from other teams, and finally, knowing Blue Child would use poison, he still risked himself as bait to assist in reclaiming many tokens. Wu Jinliang played a crucial role in the Heavenly Court Team's victory, deserving his spot among the four commanders.

Manxi then proceeded to announce the appointments of thirty-six city lords, which included An Wuzhi, Zhu Xiangxin, Xiao Sheng, Shen Moming, Feng Chi, Chen Wuji, Fang Zicheng, Wu Hong, and Chai Wenwu, occupying nine seats just from this side.

Similarly, An Wuzhi and Zhu Xiangxin becoming city lords was expected, but Chen Wuji and others genuinely didn't expect such: they didn't even contribute much yet could still become city lords.

Especially for Chai Wenwu, Old Chai, his mouth opened wide in disbelief. Just months ago he was imprisoned for years, and suddenly turned from prisoner to city lord level? If not for his unique name, he might have suspected it was someone with the same name.

Inside, Shi Chun felt astonishment and doubt. None of Chen Wuji's crew had been reported for any merits; though he had prepared merit claims for everyone, they were never needed. During the vetting of merits by the command center, they were never bothered.

Without asking about merits, they were directly rewarded?

Those still surviving members of the original three thousand squads heard Chai Wenwu's name, Chai Wenwu rising swiftly to become a regional lord, were truly astonished and regretted it for real. Had they known earlier, it would truly have been worth risking their lives for.

Most outsiders didn't know what merits these few had, but they all heard of Shi Chun and the others' grand exploits, figuring allied contributions must have amounted to something significant. In any case, due to Shi Chun and others' deeds, no one questioned the merits of other Mingshan Sect members.

However, Shi Chun and others quickly became aware of something amiss; when the thirty-six city lords' names were finished being read, Mulan Qingqing's name was absent. Even Chai Wenwu had a city lord position; how could Mulan Qingqing be absent?

Shi Chun frowned, reluctant to question fairness. So many good positions were given to you, and yet you still complain about injustice? Is there any justice left?

Not only him, Wu Jinliang and others exchanged puzzled glances, also suspecting it related to Mulan Jin.

After the thirty-six city lords were announced, no further tiered appointments followed; subsequent appointments were matters for local leaders to decide based on merit, without the Heavenly Court's direct involvement, unless necessary.

Everyone understood this point, if not for the Heavenly Domain being under the Heavenly Court's jurisdiction, the Heavenly Court wouldn't issue orders for something trivial like a city lord's appointment; even a commander's position might not be deemed deserving of an order.

Once the appointments were read, Manxi stood spiritedly with hands clasped behind his back, while Mo Hei took out another list, stepping forward and loudly reading: "Su Gao, on the third day after entering the Demon Realm, during the battle at Nineteen Slopes, defied orders and fled in fear of combat, and subsequently failed to redeem his wrongdoings, seize him!"

As he finished speaking, some swiftly moved through the crowd below, capturing a man whose face changed dramatically, dragging him out of the crowd and pinning him beneath the high platform.

To capture someone so precisely and swiftly clearly required prior planning and preparation.

"Li Yuekong, on the ninth day, questioned the Centurion's deployment before the Battle of Xie Lake, refused to fight, regarded as disobedience, later his merits did not offset his faults, seize him!"

Then another person was dragged out from the crowd.

As the names of the personnel were called out one by one, more and more people were pressed to kneel under the high platform.

The group from Mingshan Sect listened with a hint of guilty conscience, all secretly observing Shi Chun, as if the crimes those people committed, such as disobedience, might have been committed here as well; perhaps 'functionality offset the crime' doesn't lead to accountability.

Of course, the Master found a good excuse for disobedience.

Later, no crimes were recited, only names, and one seized after another.

In the end, nearly three hundred people were dragged out, after a confirmed investigation, with the word "execute" pronounced, nearly three hundred heads fell to the ground in public, the smell of blood lingering.

Afterwards, all newly appointed Commanders and City Lords were summoned to the high platform, Mulan Qingqing realized it was not the place where she should be, due to her insufficient rank, hence she voluntarily flew down from the high platform.

Shi Chun noticed it, and found Manxi's eyes also on it, but said nothing.

Shi Chun immediately approached, first clasping his hands and said, "I assume you have been promoted to Domain Master?"

Manxi laughed heartily and said, "Shamefully, it was all earned by the brothers fighting desperately, I also basked in your glory."

Shi Chun then lowered his voice and said, "Commander, why is Mulan Qingqing the only one missing, is it related to Xuanji Token Master?"

Manxi nodded slightly, saying no more.

Since it was Mulan Jin's intention, Shi Chun could only remain silent.

Manxi then took out a list and walked to everyone, handing it out, with instructions.

"Those executed just now were only those present, there are nearly a thousand who are aware of their deep guilt, knowing they cannot escape, hiding within the domain not coming out. They are the list of criminals you need to arrest after dividing the territories for governance in the future. Additionally, there are four lists from East Victory, Nanshan, West Niu, Beiju of those who fled out of fear, also to be arrested and dealt with thereafter. Bear in mind, regardless of whether they are our team's deserters or not, arrest everyone on the list, relentlessly. If you loosen your grip, won't all future Battle of Great Pardons have imitators? The more you arrest, the greater the reward Heavenly Court will give."

Everyone naturally followed orders and accepted the mission.

"The Heavenly Domain now seems desolate, with sinister energy rampant everywhere, but the Heavenly Court will soon send people to lay down the great array of heavens, erasing the Extreme Abyss Rift Valley. Know that the Demon Realm is the first monk, Demon Ancestor's established site from ancient times in the Cultivation World. The place he valued is by no means ordinary and must be on a good Spirit Vein. Once the Extreme Abyss Rift of the Spirit Vein is healed, this Heavenly Domain is surely a blessed land; those who fight desperately can establish themselves here, the future prospects are imaginable."

Manxi's words made everyone's eyes shine, including Shi Chun and others.

"However, even if the Extreme Abyss is repaired, the present desolation is an indisputable fact, many industries await revival, this process from nothing to something requires many steps from us. Once Extreme Abyss is erased and heaven and earth return to normal, the first issue to solve is thriving industries. For industries to thrive, a large population is needed, with a large population, industries naturally thrive. Otherwise, who among you would carve beams and draw houses? To build a city, various types of people are needed, like lacking street sweepers, do you want the brothers to sweep everyday?"

"When things break, do you have to run outside to find people to repair them? For a good meal, do you have to go outside to buy it? To change clothes, do you have to exit Xun Gate to buy them? Monks wanting to buy some pills must go outside, do everything need external departure? Who would be willing to come here? Importantly, with industries not thriving, where would taxes be collected? Without tax income, what do we eat and drink? Everyone, once Extreme Abyss heals, based on the atmospheric division of territories, the primary task is to attract population to our Heavenly Domain."

"Heavenly Court has given us ten years, within ten years no tax income is required. Fear that the primary task for the next ten years is on the infrastructure development of the Heavenly Domain, the great aid being Xun Gate, yet constructing Xun Gate consumes large resources. The current Heavenly Domain is poor and empty, what it ultimately becomes is uncertain, Heavenly Court is unlikely to haphazardly build Xun Gates where there is no value."

"Now we are champions, Heavenly Court has given an Xun Gate construction quota, both hands are equally important, who gets this quota, I must be impartial. Listen well, four Commanders, introducing population serves as a competition, whoever does it best will get the first Xun Gate quota. I also say the ugly words upfront, if unable, and truly unfit for the position, whether Commander or City Lord, when it's time to vacate for the virtuous, I won't be kind in demotion. You must plan ahead when selecting personnel later..."

Speaking thus, an indistinct glance slightly swept towards Shi Chun and their side.