Chapter 37: New City Lord’s appointment.

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: New City Lord’s appointment.

In the following hours, Blue Cloud Mist City slowly began to recover from the devastation.

The surviving cultivators worked together to clear the streets, lifting collapsed walls and removing piles of rubble that had buried roads and buildings.

Injured cultivators and mortals were carried toward temporary treatment areas, while those with enough strength began repairing damaged formations and restoring the spiritual barriers around the city.

Some people gathered broken weapons and scattered resources from the battlefield, while others searched through the ruins for anyone who might still be trapped beneath them.

Families that had been separated during the chaos were reunited, and the streets gradually became filled with people once more.

The smell of smoke still lingered in the air, and large sections of the city remained in ruins, but the silence that had followed the demon invasion was slowly replaced by voices, footsteps, and the sounds of construction.

High above the city, the three Ancestors of the Chen Family silently watched over everything. They did not need to say anything.

Their mere presence had already become a source of reassurance for the survivors below. Whenever people looked toward the sky and saw the three figures standing there, the fear and despair that had settled over their hearts seemed to lessen.

Elsewhere in the city, Chen Guanshan had already begun carrying out Chen Yuan’s orders.

He gathered several groups of cultivators under the Chen Family’s name and divided them between the estates of the Chu Family, the Li Family, the Wang Family, and Zhao Mingyuan’s household.

The properties were quickly surrounded, leaving the surviving members with little room to resist.

Refusal? Then Chen Guanshan had no choice but to resort to violence.

The Chu and Li Families were dealt with according to Chen Yuan’s orders, while Zhao Mingyuan’s remaining family members were also eliminated after their connection to the demons was confirmed.

Their estates, treasures, spiritual stones, cultivation resources, and other accumulated wealth were collected and placed under the Chen Family’s control.

The Wang Family received a different fate. Their properties were confiscated, but none of their members were harmed.

Wang Yuelan could only watch as the Chen Family took control of everything her family had accumulated over the years, yet she did not dare to resist.

At first, she was reluctant to hand over everything. But then she felt the sensation of being watched from the sky and immediately realized that the three powerful Seniors were watching from afar.

And from that, she knew what Chen Guanshan had claimed was true. The three High Lords above the sky were the Ancestors of the Chen Family!

In the end, she yielded.

Within a few hours, the foundations of several major cultivation families in Blue Cloud Mist City had been completely overturned.

Chen Yuan was pleased with Chen Guanshan’s ruthlessness and decisiveness when dealing with the three families.

He had expected some hesitation, but Guanshan had carried out his orders without allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment.

Looking down at the city, Chen Yuan smiled faintly.

"Kindness is not a bad thing. Neither is tolerance."

His gaze remained calm.

"But kindness should be given to those who deserve it, and tolerance should have a limit. If you continue forgiving someone who has already chosen to become your enemy, then your kindness will only become a blade pointed at your own family."

Chen Yan nodded slightly.

"Mercy without judgment can easily become weakness."

"Exactly." Chen Yuan chuckled. "We don’t need to become heartless simply because we cultivate. But when someone has crossed the line and chosen to stand against our family, there is no reason to keep giving them opportunities to strike us again."

He glanced toward the distant Wang Family estate.

"Knowing when to show mercy is a virtue."

His expression gradually became colder.

"Knowing when mercy must end is also one."

Chen Yuan looked toward the sky.

"Now then, we should return."

The sun was slowly disappearing beyond the horizon, and the once-bright sky had begun to darken.

Below them, the people of Blue Cloud Mist City continued their work, but the exhaustion on their faces was becoming increasingly obvious.

Many had spent the entire day fighting, rescuing survivors, and clearing the ruins. Even those who were still standing were barely hiding their fatigue.

Chen Yuan watched them silently for a few seconds.

"But before we leave..."

His gaze swept across the city.

"Let’s give these people something."

Chen Feng looked at him curiously.

"Something?"

"Hope."

Chen Yuan smiled faintly.

"They’ve just survived a demon invasion. Many of them have lost their homes, their families, and everything they spent their entire lives building."

"If we simply leave now, they’ll have to face everything that comes after this on their own."

"After all, we came late to their aid."

He looked down at the people below.

"So before we return, I want them to know one thing."

Chen Yuan slowly raised his hand.

"From this day onward, this city is under the protection of the Chen Family."

The moment his fingers moved, the crimson-golden Flaming Fireflies scattered throughout the city began to rise.

More fireflies emerged from the darkness, drifting through the ruined streets and surrounding the countless people who had stopped to rest.

They hovered around the injured, the exhausted cultivators, and the families gathered beside the ruins of their homes, their gentle flames providing warmth as night gradually descended upon the city.

The people initially looked at the strange lights in confusion. Then Chen Yuan’s voice descended from the sky, reaching even those who were standing deep within the ruins.

"Listen well."

The bustling sounds of the city gradually disappeared. One cultivator after another stopped what they were doing and raised their heads.

Chen Yuan stood high above the city, his white robes illuminated by the crimson-golden light surrounding him.

"My name is Chen Yuan."

His voice resounded loudly across the city.

"The one beside this seat is Chen Yan."

Chen Yan stood silently with his hands behind his back.

"And this person is Chen Feng."

Chen Feng rested his ancient sword against his chest, his expression calm.

"We are the three ancestors of the Chen Family."

The moment those words spread across the city, countless expressions changed. Some had tried guessing their identities after witnessing the battle, and others were hearing it for the first time.

Chen Yuan continued.

"Today, Blue Cloud Mist City has witnessed bloodshed that should never have occurred within the territory of Great Yan."

"This city was infiltrated from within. Those who were supposed to protect it became the very demons who sought to devour it."

His gaze slowly swept across the countless ruined buildings below.

"Your homes were destroyed, your streets were stained with blood, and those who stood beside you yesterday may have become corpses today."

The city remained silent. Even the injured who could barely stand were listening.

"But this seat has no intention of allowing this city to become a graveyard."

The Flaming Fireflies slowly gathered around the people below, their warm light illuminating faces covered in dust and blood.

"Nor does this seat intend to allow the demons to believe that they have accomplished anything by coming here."

Chen Yuan’s voice became slightly heavier.

"They came through the darkness, they hid beneath your roofs, and they waited for the moment when this city would be at its weakest."

He raised his hand.

The fireflies throughout the city suddenly rose higher, forming countless streams of crimson-golden light that converged toward the sky.

"They believed that after today, Blue Cloud Mist City would belong to them."

A faint smile appeared on Chen Yuan’s face.

"They were mistaken."

The fireflies burst into brilliant light across the city. It was a beautiful sight under the slowly darkening sky, as though there were countless stars floating across the city.

"The demons have been eradicated."

"Their High Lords have fallen."

"And their invasion has ended."

His gaze swept over the city once more.

"But a city cannot be protected by words alone. And therefore, this seat shall make something clear to every person within Blue Cloud Mist City."

Chen Yuan’s voice spread even farther.

"From this day onward, this city belongs to the Chen Family."

A murmur immediately spread through the crowd. Chen Yuan did not pause for long.

"The Chen Family shall take control of Blue Cloud Mist City."

"The laws of this city will be restored, the formations will be rebuilt, and the streets will be repaired under my family’s protection."

"And those who survived this calamity shall be given the opportunity to rebuild what they have lost."

His expression remained calm, but his next words carried a completely different weight.

"However, understand this clearly. This seat does not promise that another disaster will never come."

"The world of cultivation has never been a peaceful place. There will always be those who covet what others possess, those who seek to destroy what they cannot obtain, and those who believe that distance from the battlefield makes them safe."

The two behind him remained completely silent.

"But if such people come again..."

Chen Yuan slowly lowered his hand. The countless Flaming Fireflies descended with it, filling the city with crimson-golden light.

"Then they will find that Blue Cloud Mist City is no longer without a master. They will find the Chen Family waiting for them."

A heavy silence followed. Then Chen Yuan’s expression softened slightly as he looked toward the exhausted people below.

"You have fought enough for one day. Those who can rebuild, rebuild. Those who can heal, heal. And those who have nothing left but the strength to rest..."

The fireflies surrounding the survivors gently drifted around them, their warmth wrapping the ruined streets in light.

"...Then rest."

"This seat will ensure that no demon comes to disturb your sleep tonight."

The words settled over the city, and nobody spoke at first. Then, somewhere among the ruins, a trembling voice shouted.

"Long live the Chen Family!"

Another voice followed.

"Long live the Three High Lords!"

"The Chen Family will protect Blue Cloud Mist City!"

"Long live the Chen Family!"

Soon, the cheers began spreading through the streets once more. This time, they were louder than before. Chen Yuan simply watched from above as the people raised their voices beneath the beautiful scene of his crimson fireflies.

After a couple of breaths, Chen Yuan’s attention shifted toward the figure below. Then, he raised his hand casually.

Chen Guanshan, who was still standing among the Chen Family cultivators near the Wang Family’s residence, suddenly felt an invisible force wrap around his body.

"Eh?"

Before he could react, his feet left the ground.

"Wait, Ancestor..."

His body was abruptly pulled upward.

The sudden movement made his stomach churn, and by the time his feet touched the ground beside Chen Yuan, his vision spun slightly. He took a few unsteady steps before finally managing to stand properly in the air.

Chen Guanshan rubbed his forehead and resisted the urge to look down.

"If the Ancestor keeps summoning me like this, I might actually die one day..."

His voice was low, but Chen Yuan and the other two naturally heard it.

Chen Yan glanced at him with an amused expression.

"You’re still alive, aren’t you?"

"That’s because my heart is strong."

Chen Guanshan gave a bitter laugh before straightening himself.

Seeing Chen Yuan looking at him, he quickly understood why he had been brought up.

The Ancestor probably wanted to know how things had gone.

"Ancestor, everything has been dealt with."

Chen Yuan nodded.

"Tell me about it."

Chen Guanshan immediately began reporting the results.

"The Chu Family’s properties have been secured. Their main estate, several shops throughout the city, two spiritual herb fields, and their various storage facilities are now under our control. Their treasury contained roughly six hundred thousand low-grade spiritual stones and more than three thousand middle-grade spiritual stones."

He paused briefly.

"We also found four first-grade spiritual weapons, several bottles of cultivation pills, spiritual herbs, and a large quantity of spiritual materials."

Chen Yuan listened quietly.

"As for the Li Family, their wealth was somewhat greater. We obtained around nine hundred thousand low-grade spiritual stones and nearly five thousand middle-grade spiritual stones. Their treasury also contained seven first-grade spiritual weapons, several cultivation techniques, spiritual herbs, and various materials used for refining weapons and formations."

Chen Guanshan continued.

"Zhao Mingyuan’s family had also accumulated quite a fortune during his time as City Lord. Their main residence and several properties under their name have been secured. We found around one million low-grade spiritual stones, more than six thousand middle-grade spiritual stones, five first-grade spiritual weapons, and several valuable pills and spiritual herbs."

He took another breath before mentioning the Wang Family.

"As for the Wang Family, their properties have also been confiscated according to your orders. We obtained around eight hundred thousand low-grade spiritual stones and more than four thousand middle-grade spiritual stones from their treasury. They also possessed several shops, spiritual herb fields, residences, and other properties throughout the city."

Chen Guanshan cupped his hands.

"All of the resources have been gathered and placed under the Chen Family’s name. None of our people took anything for themselves."

Chen Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

"That is quite a harvest."

Chen Yan smiled.

"Indeed. You managed to collect quite a fortune in only a few hours."

Chen Guanshan’s face immediately brightened.

"Hehe..."

He rubbed the back of his head, his earlier fatigue seemingly forgotten after receiving the praise.

"It was nothing, Ancestor. I merely followed your orders."

Chen Feng glanced at him and nodded.

"You handled it well. You were decisive, yet you didn’t allow your people to act carelessly."

Chen Guanshan’s smile became even wider.

"Hehe... Thank you, Ancestor Chen Feng."

Chen Yuan looked at the old man standing before him and couldn’t help but laugh.

"Enough. Don’t let a few words of praise make you too proud."

"Yes, Ancestor!"

Chen Guanshan immediately straightened his back, though the grin on his face refused to disappear. Chen Yuan looked at the smiling Chen Guanshan for a few seconds before speaking.

"Since you have already handled everything so efficiently, there is something else I want you to do."

Chen Guanshan’s smile slowly disappeared.

"Something else?"

"Yes." Chen Yuan nodded. "Stay here and oversee the reconstruction of Blue Cloud Mist City until it is completed."

"Oversee the reconstruction?"

Chen Guanshan nodded obediently.

"Yes, Ancestor. I will stay here until the construction is complete."

Chen Yuan nodded in satisfaction, but then seemed to remember something. His gaze lingered on Chen Guanshan for another moment before a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Actually, there is no need for you to merely oversee the reconstruction."

Chen Guanshan stopped.

Chen Yuan’s smile widened.

"Guanshan boy, since you’ve been working so hard, this old man would feel bad if he didn’t give you anything in return. As such, I’ve decided to give you a proper position."

Chen Guanshan’s heart skipped a beat as his expression immediately became nervous.

"A-a proper position?"

Chen Yuan nodded with a harmless smile.

"From today onward, you are the new City Lord of Blue Cloud Mist City."

"W-what?!"

Chen Guanshan’s eyes widened.

"M-me?!"

"Who else would it be?"

Chen Yuan looked at him as though the answer should have been obvious.

"A-Ancestor..."

Chen Guanshan became nervous and quickly glanced toward Chen Yan and Chen Feng.

"But I think the Patriarch would be more fitting for this position."

"Are you trying to talk back to me, brat?"

"N-no!"

Chen Guanshan immediately shrank his neck, and Chen Yuan chuckled before casually exposing him.

"Haoran is already busy handling the family. Besides, you are the little brat who pissed his pants when he was twelve. Who else could be more suitable to become the City Lord?"

"..."

"B-but that has no correlation at all..."

The smile on Chen Guanshan’s face froze, and his entire face slowly turned red. He had never expected Chen Yuan to expose that embarrassing incident in front of the other two ancestors.

Chen Yan’s expression twitched as he struggled to suppress his laughter, while Chen Feng stroked his beard with a strange expression on his face.

"Ancestor..."

Chen Guanshan lowered his head, wishing the ground could swallow him whole. Chen Yuan looked at him with an amused smile.

"Any objections?"

"N-no, Ancestor."

Chen Guanshan straightened himself and cupped his hands, his face still burning with embarrassment.

"This descendant will gladly accept the position."