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Shan Liang's POV
The next morning, sunlight spilled across the clearing like a gentle blessing, warm and clean. Dew glimmered on grass tips, and the distant sound of a spring bubbling reminded me why this place deserved the name Heartspring. Even before walls rose or homes were built, the land felt alive—waiting.
I pressed my palms together, steadying my breath.
"Today we begin," I whispered.
Xie E was already awake, sharpening a stone spear with practiced motions. The rhythmic scraping blended with the natural melody of the forest around us.
He glanced at me. "We'll need at least forty people to start. Minimum."
"We'll find them," I said. "There were many in nearby settlements longing for peace."
He hummed quietly—agreement disguised as caution.
I smiled softly. That's the closest he gets to optimism.
A faint chime echoed in my mind.
[Recruitment Support Module Activated]
[Scanning Nearby Settlements…]
[Identifying Potential Migrants…]
[Criteria: Peace-Seeking, Cooperative Nature, Non-Aggressive Alignment.]
More lines appeared.
[Projected Recruitment from Nearby Settlements:]
Settlement Willowbend: 8–14 individuals
Settlement Moonglade: 5–9 individuals
Settlement Flintrock: 10–18 individuals
Nomadic Hunters: 3–7 individuals
Estimated Total: 26–48 individuals
"Perfect…" I murmured.
Xie E raised a brow. "System said something?"
"Yes—there are families who would willingly join us."
He nodded. "Let's go meet them."
Willowbend was a quiet place—clusters of stone huts, children playing near the river, and elders weaving crude baskets. When our small group entered (just me, Xie E, and three volunteers from previous settlements), several villagers stiffened nervously.
A middle-aged woman I recognized rushed forward first.
"Shan Liang! Is it really you? You survived the winter?"
I laughed gently. "Yes, thankfully. How did everyone here fare?"
She sighed heavily. "Better than last year. Because of your meat drying method… fewer died."
Warmth filled my chest. "I'm glad."
But I didn't come here to bask in gratitude.
I gathered the villagers in the central clearing.
"Everyone," I began, "we are founding a new settlement. A safe one. A peaceful one. One built not just for surviving but for growing. For learning. For healing."
Murmurs stole through the crowd.
An older man asked hesitantly, "Will it… be like the others? With chiefs who take more than they give?"
Xie E stepped forward, his voice steady and clear. "No. Heartspring will not have tyrants. Shan Liang and I will not rule anyone—we will guide. Decisions will belong to the community."
The tension in the villagers softened.
System text appeared silently before me.
[Detected: High Trust Levels]
[Recommendation: Present Heartspring's benefits tangibly.]
I nodded subtly and continued.
"Heartspring has fertile land, clean waters, and a natural barrier for safety. We will teach farming, medicine, and knowledge… so your children can grow without hunger or fear."
A woman with a baby stepped forward. "Will there be healing? My child's been sick since winter."
"Yes," I said gently. "I will create a Healing House there."
Hope blossomed in their faces.
After two hours of discussion and encouragement, twelve people—four families—chose to join us.
They cried when packing their belongings, but their smiles were stronger than their tears.
Moonglade was peaceful but suspicious. Its people lived close to a spiritual spring and believed outsiders brought trouble.
When we arrived, several hunters surrounded us with spears.
"We don't want trouble," Xie E warned calmly.
"We bring knowledge and opportunity," I added.
Their chief—an older man with white streaks in his hair—listened in silence as we explained Heartspring's mission.
He shook his head. "Your ideals are beautiful… but the world is cruel. Settlements with knowledge are always targeted."
He looked at his people, then back at us.
"But we are not blind to your kindness. You helped our sister settlement survive winter. For that, we offer goodwill."
Only five chose to join us.
But five seeds were enough to grow a garden.
The moment we approached Flintrock, a dreadful familiarity washed over me.
This place…
This was the settlement where the earlier conflict began. The same chiefs who tried to take our preserved meat by force. The same men who saw other humans as tools rather than equals.
A low growl formed in Xie E's throat. "Stay behind me."
"No," I whispered. "Let us try this peacefully first."
But the villagers' reaction was immediate and hostile.
Men with clubs stepped forward. Women pulled their children back. The chief—broad shoulders, greedy eyes—smirked at us.
"Well, well. If it isn't the little healer and her pet warrior."
My heart tightened as anger whispered at the edges of my composure.
"We came to recruit," I said evenly. "Not fight."
He snorted. "Recruit? You think my people will follow someone like you?"
Xie E stepped in front of me. "Then we will leave."
But before we could turn away, the chief barked:
"Unless you give us your food methods. And your healer. You work for me. Teach my people only."
My fingers curled.
"No," I said softly.
He sneered. "Then you leave nothing behind!"
He lunged forward—but Xie E moved faster.
A single step. A burst of spirit power.
And the chief slammed into the dirt, gasping for air.
The crowd froze.
Silence warred with fear.
I took a deep breath. "We didn't come to fight. We don't want conflict. But we will defend ourselves… and those who follow us."
My voice did not shake.
"We are building a home, not seeking dominance."
I turned to the villagers—not the chief, but the families behind him. Women with tired eyes. Men whose fear outweighed their loyalty.
"You deserve peace. Safety. Knowledge. A future."
They trembled.
But no one stepped forward.
Fear still held them.
I bowed slightly. "When you are ready… Heartspring will welcome you."
We left Flintrock without looking back.
Halfway back toward Heartspring, the system spoke softly:
[Host's handling of conflict: Excellent]
[Assessment: Avoided escalation while demonstrating strength.
Morale among future recruits increased.]
Another prompt appeared.
[Warning: Flintrock leaders may attempt sabotage in future.
Recommendation: Prioritize defensive planning.]
Xie E scoffed. "They wouldn't dare."
I shook my head. "People driven by fear and greed will dare anything."
He paused as if the truth of that struck him deeply.
But his next words were gentle.
"Then I'll make sure Heartspring stays safe."
We didn't expect much from the nomadic groups. They roamed freely, unbound by settlement walls.
But when we encountered a group of seven hunters skinning a wild boar, their leader recognized us immediately.
"You're the ones who taught Flintrock how to survive last winter," he said.
I blinked. "Yes, though Flintrock's leaders were… difficult."
The hunters laughed bitterly.
"We know. That's why we don't settle near them."
Their leader tilted his head. "If you're founding a place free of tyrants… then we'd like to join."
"All of you?" I asked.
"Seven at least. More may come later."
My heart soared.
By the time we returned to Heartspring…
Twelve from Willowbend
Five from Moonglade
Zero from Flintrock (but seeds of doubt planted)
Seven from Nomadic Hunters
Total: 24 people.
Twenty-four hearts, trusting us with their futures.
When they saw the fertile basin, they gasped. Some cried. Some fell to their knees, thanking the heavens.
One little girl ran up to me and grabbed my hand.
"Is this really our new home?"
I knelt to her level, smiling.
"Yes. This will be our Heartspring."
A new message shimmered in front of me.
[Phase 2: Initial Population Requirement — Achieved]
[Next Step: Social Structure Drafting]
[Guidance Available.]
I exhaled deeply.
The real work was about to begin.
And Heartspring…
Our dream…
Was finally alive.
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