Looking at Ashburn, Zhou Zhou asked.
"Can you create larger mechanostriders able to accommodate up to 4 or 5 individuals?"
"I would need a day or two to come up with a design, but I'm sure it can be done."
Ashburn said while brainstorming.
"That's good. When you're done, hand them over to Man Nao. He's in charge of teaching citizens without any profession how to drive the mechanostrider."
"Wu Tu, make sure to inform your captain."
Zhou Zhou said to Hall and then to his cartographer.
"Yes, my lord."
Ashburn Hall and Wu Tu responded.
"Elder Zhao, you can stop working on the wall for now. Take care of the monster ranches and then increase the roads of our city to connect the entire region."
Zhou Zhou said to his city's chief architect.
"Yes, my lord."
Zhao Changshou said, his voice sounding a bit more earnest.
And that was because he has finally achieved the limit of his potential with the help of the Hall of Truth, and the building and improving of the monster ranches.
He was now an advance grade white platinum-tier architect.
"Also, you will be placed in charge of our relationship with other cities and territories. If our relationship with any other territory progresses to a certain extent, you can appoint someone trained as an ambassador."
Zhou Zhou continued making appointments.
"I will do my best, my lord."
Zhao Changshou bowed in appreciation of his new appointment.
"Wu Tu, here is a map of fish spring town. I made a rough sketch of it after seeing one."
"Add it to your collection after redrawing it."
Bringing out a rolled up scroll from his spatial ring, Zhou Zhou handed it over to the teenager.
"Thank you, my lord."
Wu Tu took the map with a bow.
"That would be all. Bao Xiu'er, remain for a while."
Zhou Zhou said.
Accepting the command of their lordship, the subjects save for Bao Xiu'er walked out of the living room.
Relying on his knowledge of the banking system of the cerulean planet, Zhou Zhou taught the young lady about loans, interest, savings, investments, and taxes.
Anything he had no concrete knowledge on, he left them out.
After almost an hour, he sent Bao Xiu'er away while also reminding her about the victory banquet holding tonight.
"I will definitely attend, my lord."
Bao Xiu'er smiled as she bowed towards Zhou Zhou.
..
Night Time
In front of a bonfire taller than him, Zhou Zhou stood among the circle formed by him and his subjects as he raised his cup of sweet wine in the air.
"A few days ago, I had no idea I would be here with you all beside me. I never thought I would be a lord with you all as my subjects."
"If it was said to me back then, I wouldn't dare believe it. But here I am, surrounded by the best subjects I could ever hope for."
"A toast to you all, my loyal subjects. Cheers!"
"Cheers!!
97 individuals responded with their cups raised towards that of their lord's with smiles on their faces.
"Enjoy yourselves!"
Zhou Zhou said as Qin Guang handed him the roasted meat of a desert fog lizard.
"Long live the lord!"
Huang Sai laughed as he greedily drank his wine.
"Long live the lord!"
The other subjects echoed aloud as they also greedily drank from their cups.
Sitting beside his soldiers, Zhou Zhou listened as they recited poems and told tales about warfare, victory, affection and pleasure.
"Miss Xiu'er, you're still hesitating. The more time passes, the more difficult it would to be."
Sitting beside her teacher, Vivian glanced at Zhou Zhou before returning her gaze on Bao Xiu'er.
"I don't want to say this, but I'm scared of being rejected."
"I doubt I would be the same if I'm rejected."
Bao Xiu'er kept her gaze on Zhou Zhou as she spoke.
"My dad told me something when I became an adult. Quoting him, 'Never let the fear of failure destroy the joy of success'."
Vivian said in an unfamiliar voice.
"He must be a wise man."
Bao Xiu'er said as she slowly got to her feet.
Looking up at her teacher, Vivian said.
"Quite the opposite. He died after falling to a scam."
Pausing after hearing the words of her student, Bao Xiu'er continued forward without a response.
Stopping in front of Zhou Zhou, she said.
"My lord, can I speak to you in private?"
"Sure."
Helping himself to his feet, Zhou Zhou followed along as Bao Xiu'er led him away.
Stopping a distance away from the bonfire, he found Bao Xiu'er staring straight at him.
"Is there a problem? I doubt there's something wrong with my clothes."
He said after a few seconds of silence.
"I love you!"
Bao Xiu'er blurted out seeing that her lord misunderstood her silence.
Not expecting such a straight forward confession from Bao Xiu'er, Zhou Zhou was caught speechless for a second.
Wearing a bitter smile on his face, he said.
"You should have a clue that I was brought here by the Supreme Will from a place very far away from High Continent."
"In that place I had a life, and I… I was in love. But it was the worst thing I ever got myself involved in."
"I vowed to myself to never love anyone ever again. You might love me, but I can never reciprocate your love."
"Why don't you give it try? A friend said to me, 'never let the fear of failure destroy the joy of success'."
"You are afraid to love again because you don't want to experience the pain of the past, but have you thought of the joy of having a successful love life?"
Bao Xiu'er said with a smile on her face as she gazed at Zhou Zhou.
"I.."
Unable to respond to Bao Xiu'ers' words, Zhou Zhou was bewildered.
Aware that she has already gone far enough, Bao Xiu'er decided to take things further.
She stood on her toes before wrapping her hands around Zhou Zhou's neck.
Leaning forward, she pressed her lips against his.
Shocked by Bao Xiu'er's' sudden action, Zhou Zhou tried retreating when he felt the grip on his neck tighten.
Compared to his strength, such effort was laughable, but he refrained from stopping her action.
Rather, he responded by reciprocating Bao Xiu'er's' kiss.
Wrapping his hand around her waist, he let his instinct guide him as he explored her mouth with his tongue, often time tangling with hers.
Receiving a signal from her, he teleported to a nearby tent together with her.
..
"Going to go get a lady."
Sun Can stood up while saying to the other soldiers.
"She wouldn't stay with you if you don't promise her marriage."
Huang Sai said as he shook his head.
"You speak as if marriage is bad. I don't mind sticking to only one person my entire life."
Sun Can said with a smile.
"Better sleep early."
Bai Yung said to Sun Can.
"If she lets him to."
Qin We laughed after hearing Bai Yung's words.
"Ok, commander."
Sun Can softly kicked at Qin We as he said to Bai Yung.
"Who else want to try their luck in marriage?"
Looking at his subordinates, Bai Yung asked them.
"Not me. I'm too young for marriage."
Qin We said as he bit into the greased meat in his hand.
Shaking their heads, the other soldiers had no desire to get into marriage.
"Alright. Make sure to get as much rest as you can. Tomorrow will be a busy day."
Bai Yung said as he made his way back to the military base.
"Have a good night everyone."
Finishing his drink a couple of minutes later, Hui Teng bid his farewell.
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