This was basic geographical knowledge. By the time Blind Bei finished explaining, Zheng Fan had finished his first bowl of porridge.
As Zheng Fan lifted his second bowl, Blind Bei started to explain another aspect: the power system of this world.
"What makes this world interesting is that it has cultivators, magic, Battle Qi, and martial artists. The variety is quite rich. That young master—oh, his name is Wang Fuqi. He is a collateral descendant of the Wang Family of Beifeng Prefecture. His visit to Hutou City is an intentional trip, supposedly to experience the desert's unique atmosphere. The Wang Family, while not large, holds a respectable position in Beifeng Prefecture.
Westerners primarily cultivate magic and Battle Qi, while Easterners focus on cultivation and martial arts. Both systems are divided into nine ranks, with nine being the lowest and one the highest. The guard you killed last night could hardly be considered Ninth Rank; perhaps he was just about to reach it, meaning he could only muster a tiny bit of internal power.
The wife of a city patrol captain I met yesterday told me her husband was half a step away from reaching the Ninth Rank Martial Cultivator realm. However, he could still easily crush a blind man as if he were a mere ant.
The Wang Family is also known for its martial traditions. Wang Fuqi indeed holds a status much higher than an ordinary person, but as a collateral descendant, his guards are barely ranked at all.
Oh, by the way, the strange mount My lord saw at the inn's entrance should be a Pi Beast.
Legend has it that the mount of Emperor Qin of Yan State was a Pixiu. After the founding of Yan State, succeeding generations of the royal family relied on that Pixiu's bloodline to breed various hybrid species. Even the lowest-grade hybrid Pi Beast is something only a person of status could possess.
An official transferred out of the capital might be assigned one. Perhaps they are more common among elite cavalry units."
In fact, for common people, their world is largely limited to their immediate surroundings. Sometimes they can't even remember the reign title, merely repeating the cycle of eating one meal and worrying about the next.
The inn had been operating for half a year, yet its inhabitants were utterly ignorant of this power system. This just shows how narrow the world truly is for commoners.
"All of this is old news," Zheng Fan said, mixing some pickles into his bowl. He finished off the remaining porridge and put down his bowl and chopsticks.
After stretching languidly, he continued to Blind Bei, who was sitting across from him, "Magic, Battle Qi, martial artists, cultivators—these concepts have been written and depicted to death, they're practically clichés. But it's like watching news reports about war-torn areas on TV; you get tired of it. Actually being in a turbulent region is a completely different feeling. Right now, I'm actually quite excited."
Hearing this, Blind Bei nodded in agreement. He was excited too, as were his colleagues.
Having just finished one bowl of porridge, Blind Bei picked up another and began, "My lord, there are two matters before us now. First, finding a way back home."
"We can scratch the first one," Zheng Fan said without hesitation.
Although apprehensive about this unfamiliar world, Zheng Fan had never considered returning. He had arrived in this world through euthanasia. In his previous world, he had no family left and had been tormented by illness for years. When he departed, he had no lingering attachments, so the idea of finding a way back was out of the question.
Blind Bei seemed unsurprised by Zheng Fan's response. However, the choice was Zheng Fan's, and what needed to be said still had to be said. So, he continued, "The second matter is, as you previously instructed, we need to expand our power."
Right now, all we have is an inn—and only an inn.
For the past six months, since its establishment, the inn's development has essentially stagnated. At its current scale, the money earned was enough for a decent life and to pay off the relevant government offices and gangs for a degree of protection, keeping them in a relatively safe position.
It wasn't that Feng Siniang and the others couldn't have expanded the inn further, but there was no need. As stowaways in this world, they had no backing or foundation. Reaching this point was satisfactory; any further expansion would likely attract unwanted attention from wolves.
Of course, the reason they were no longer worried was twofold: first, Zheng Fan's awakening had set their course, and second, they themselves were already showing signs of becoming wolves.
"First, we need to focus on money and influence," Blind Bei said methodically. "At this initial stage, these are separate. Having money without influence at this point is far too dangerous."
"Let's get into specifics," Zheng Fan prompted.
He knew that among these seven demon lords, Blind Bei was more akin to their strategist.
"We'll start small. Since we are currently in Hutou City, our next steps will be centered here.
We will begin by establishing our influence within Hutou City. Given that conditions are not yet ripe for open rebellion, our power must be developed in the shadows—something this group excels at.
First, we'll take control of several small gangs in Hutou City and gradually become the largest gang. We'll also recruit a group of subordinates to run errands and handle tasks, so at least we won't have to do everything ourselves like last night. Simultaneously, we need to further strengthen our relationships with the official powers in Hutou City. This is the first phase of our Hutou City strategy.
In the second phase, we can form our own band of horse bandits in the desert, engaging in robbery and collecting protection fees for initial capital accumulation. Ideally, we should aim to collude with the official powers in Hutou City, establishing a channel for sharing the spoils.
In the third stage, using the capital accumulated and the connections forged with other powerful factions during that process, we will form our own merchant caravan to legitimize ourselves.
Once all three stages are successful, our Hutou City strategy will be complete. At the very least, we will have established a firm foothold in Hutou City in this world. Subsequent development will require new planning."
Finally, Blind Bei added, "Please offer your corrections, My lord."
Zheng Fan shook his head, saying sincerely, "I have no other opinions. I think your plan is very good. One bite at a time, yes, that's the principle."
"Your insight is admirable, My lord."
This flattery is too blunt, Zheng Fan thought.
"If there's anything I can do to help, just tell me directly, although I..."
"What your subordinate needs is trust from My lord!"
"Hmm... I trust you implicitly!" Zheng Fan said this very seriously.
Blind Bei shook his head. "No, My lord, you do not."
"I truly, truly trust you!"
"No, My lord, you do not."
"You are very smart; I believe in you!"
"No, My lord, you still do not."
"I really do trust you!"
"No, My lord, you do not."
"I... I do trust you!!!"
"Still... you do not."
"I entrust these arrangements to you; I am very confident."
"No, My lord, you are not."
"For heaven's sake, I trust you!" Zheng Fan was shouting himself hoarse.
The next moment, from the pickle dish, three pickles floated up on their own and landed in the bowl of porridge Blind Bei was holding.
Blind Bei smiled.
He took a mouthful of porridge with the pickles.
With great satisfaction, he said, "Your subordinate thanks My lord for his trust."
"Hmm."
Zheng Fan nodded politely. I should probably keep some distance from this rather strange blind man, he thought.
Blind Bei put down his porridge bowl, took a handkerchief from his sleeve to wipe his mouth, and said softly, "I'm done with my flattery. You all may continue."