Dawn in Fallen Leaf Province, for the first time in hundreds of years, no longer bore a desolate, gloomy appearance. The morning sunlight shone down upon a land that had completely shed its former skin. The air was no longer dry with the stench of iron ore; it was pristine and brimming with a pure spiritual qi that invigorated the mind with a single breath. The exhausted, barren fields of yesteryear were now blanketed in the vibrant green of tender rice shoots. The dried-up streams burbled once more, their water so crystal-clear that the pebbles at the bottom could be seen.
The miracle of the previous night had not been a dream. The people of Fallen Leaf, having spent the night in an overwhelming ecstasy, had awakened long before the sun rose. They no longer wore expressions of melancholy and despair. In the eyes of everyone, from the elderly down to the children, a fire blazed. The fire of hope. They needed no one to urge them. Shouldering hoes and plows, they poured into the fields on their own accord. They wanted to use their own hands to cultivate the fertile earth their Marquis of Lac Viet had bestowed upon them.
Meanwhile, within the largest manor in the town—now requisitioned as the temporary Marquis's Estate—the most critical of meetings was taking place. Tran Kien sat in the head seat. Below him were his absolute core subordinates: Uncle Sword, Trinh Cong, Ly Tin, Thiet Phu, and Old Whale. Five individuals, each possessing a unique talent and identity, had now gathered to become the first pillars of a nascent kingdom.
"Ten thousand affairs are hardest at the beginning," Tran Kien spoke, shattering the silence. "We possess the land, and we possess the hearts of the people. But to forge this place into an unshakeable foundation, relying on miracles alone is insufficient. We need order. We need a grand design." He was no longer a mere Strategist who only knew how to devise schemes. He was displaying the visionary scope of a true ruler.
"Starting today, I shall establish the Four Pillars for Fallen Leaf Province."
"The First Pillar: Agriculture and Commerce," he looked toward Trinh Cong and Old Whale. "Elder Trinh, you possess profound knowledge and cultural wisdom. I must trouble you to oversee the edification of the populace, the redistribution of land, and the direction of agriculture. This is no ordinary rice." He brought out a pouch of golden, shimmering seeds. "This is 'Spirit Grain.' It can grow at an extreme pace in an environment rich in spiritual qi, and its value is a hundred times that of ordinary rice. It shall be our foundational economy."
"And Old Whale," he continued. "I must trouble you to use the fleet of Flood Dragon Island to open a safe maritime trade route, connecting Fallen Leaf to the major trade ports. We shall sell Spirit Grain and purchase what we need."
"The Second Pillar: Military and Defense," he looked at Ly Tin and Thiet Phu. "General Ly, you shall officially establish the Lac Viet Guards. Recruit the strongest, ablest youths in the province and integrate them with our elite soldiers. Temper them—not just in strength, but in iron discipline and absolute loyalty."
"As for Thiet Phu," his gaze turned profound. "Your Vô Sect shall no longer need to hide in the City of Chaos. I want you to transform it into the 'Shadow Guards' of Lac Viet. Become my eyes and ears. Monitor this entire land, and eradicate every seed of rebellion and espionage in its infancy."
"The Third Pillar: Industry and Commerce," he said, his eyes burning bright. "Though the mines here have been depleted of ordinary ores, after being transformed by the Dragon Aura, new spiritual ores have undoubtedly been born. I shall personally oversee the mining and forging operations. We will craft battle armors and magical artifacts—not just to equip our army, but to sell to the outside world."
"And the Fourth Pillar, which is also the most important," he said, his voice growing solemn. "Education."
"I shall have the 'Lac Viet Academy' constructed. Elder Trinh shall be in charge. We will not teach the Four Books and Five Classics. We will teach the children of Fallen Leaf the true history of the Lac Viet nation, the meaning behind our ancient tales, and the indomitable spirit of our ancestors. I want every single child born upon this land to know who they are, and where their roots lie."
Four Pillars. Agriculture, Military, Industry, and Education. A comprehensive development plan, a monumental vision. Hearing this, the five core subordinates felt nothing but profound awe and an iron-clad faith. They knew that by following this master, what they built would not merely be a martial world faction. It would be an entirely new era.
One year later.
Fallen Leaf Province had completely shed its former self. The crooked thatched huts had been replaced by sturdy wooden homes. Fields of golden Spirit Grain stretched to the horizon. Upon the sea, merchant fleets flying the Lac bird banner of the Marquis's Estate bustled back and forth. Within the military camps, the shouts of soldiers drilling shook the heavens. And in the academy, the clear, hopeful voices of children reading tales of Son Tinh and Saint Giong echoed outward.
Tran Kien stood atop a peak in the Endless Mountain Range, looking down at his small yet incredibly vibrant kingdom.
At that exact moment, a messenger bird from the Six Gates, having crossed thousands of li, flew over, bringing a secret missive from Tao Chinh. The contents were incredibly brief, yet they caused Tran Kien's eyes to turn as cold as glacial ice.
"The Sacred Dynasty re-emerges. Target: Commandery Princess Lam Vy."
Peace, was always merely the preparation for an even greater tempest.