"Uh, no, it's nothing. Fu Hua, are you all right?"
Caesar hurriedly asked with concern.
"I recalled some unpleasant memories, but don't worry, I'm fine."
After saying that, Fu Hua looked toward Pompey and the others across the chasm.
"My apologies, Overlord. As you can see, it was your subordinates who fired at me first."
"Cough, cough... I understand, Miss Fu Hua. My deepest apologies for my poor discipline. Fortunately, your strength is extraordinary."
"I have temporarily leased the usage rights to parts of Taixu Mountain to the Children of Calydonian."
"I hope you will understand, but once the trade zone opens later, you are all welcome to come."
"However, if there is another act of discourtesy like before, don't blame me for what follows."
"Understood. Thank you, Miss Fu Hua, for your magnanimity in forgiving our rudeness."
The backstabbing brother behind them had long since wet himself in fright.
He stared at the bottomless ravine before him and the endless length stretching into the distance.
Was that really something a human could accomplish?
Just then, Hoshimi Miyabi, who had somehow arrived behind them, slowly spoke.
"Master, thank you for your hospitality. I'll be leaving first. I'll come again next time."
In an instant, everyone's gaze gathered on the suddenly appearing Hoshimi Miyabi.
W-Wasn't that the youngest Void Hunter, Hoshimi Miyabi!?
What had she just called Fu Hua? Master!?
"Mm. I still have things to deal with here. Take care."
Without turning around, Fu Hua waved her hand as she spoke.
Quite a few people behind Pompey sucked in a cold breath.
They had already been badly frightened by the casual punch she had thrown earlier.
And now they saw that even a Void Hunter called her master.
This wasn't kicking an iron plate—they had kicked a nuclear bomb!
"Cough, cough. Then we won't disturb Sect Master Fu Hua and your work any longer. Farewell."
"Mm. Farewell."
Watching them arrive so aggressively only to leave in a miserable state, Lucy burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! This is the first time I've seen them like that. It's hilarious."
"Fu Hua looks really cool like this, but I still prefer it when you turn into a firebird!"
"How about transforming once more, Fu Hua?"
Bernice happily sidled up to Fu Hua.
"By the way, why didn't they take Morse with them?"
"Caesar! Do you even hear yourself?"
Lucy rolled her eyes at Caesar speechlessly.
"Hey, hey. Boss, Morse got squeezed into tomato juice by Fu Hua."
"How are they supposed to take him back?"
Paipai had a smile at the corner of her lips, though her tone remained as lazy as ever.
"That's a pretty fitting description... Still, that guy had been tripping us up every day. It's fine that he's gone."
Lucy was speechless at that stinking pig, then spoke seriously.
Thanks to Fu Hua's suppression and Hoshimi Miyabi's invisible assistance,
basically no one in the Outer Ring, aside from the Hollows, would dare disturb Taixu Mountain anymore.
As a result, over the next few days,
everyone's work progressed very smoothly.
Simple wooden huts had already been built in the open space before the archway at the foot of the mountain.
Quite a few fields around them had begun to take shape.
They had even dug a small river beside the ravine Fu Hua had created.
It had been carved all the way to a pond behind Taixu Mountain.
"With this, our food supply won't be in short supply in the future."
"Besides oil, we can also export agricultural products."
Lucy stood atop a rock halfway up the mountain, surveying the area below.
At the same time, she recorded the accounts in her notebook.
"Hey, hey! Look what I found—"
Suddenly, Bernice's voice came from behind them.
Lucy and Paipai went over to where the voice had come from.
There stood a statue resembling Fu Hua, with what looked like a shrine used for worship behind it.
"T-This couldn't be Fu Hua, could it?"
Bernice leaned closer to inspect it.
"Idiot Bernice, who else could it be?"
After teasing her, Lucy walked before the shrine and looked at the ancient writing above it.
"A wisp of blazing plume, a Taixu sword; palm-sized force can split the heavens."
"Her heart tied to the martial world; in the Chi Yuan Temple stands the Immortal Chi Yuan."
"What does that mean, Lucy?"
"It's obviously describing Fu Hua. Considering her strength, it wouldn't be strange if she were an immortal."
"What! She's actually an immortal? Hehe, I never thought that after living this long, I'd run into an immortal."
Paipai was startled at first, then broke into a cheerful laugh.
"Then doesn't that mean we'll all live to be a hundred?"
"No, no. After delivering goods in the future, I'll have to make more trips to the Taixu Sect."
"Maybe I'll really get some of that good fortune rubbed off on me."
"Paipai, don't be superstitious!"
"How can you say that about me? We've met a real immortal, and you're still talking to me about science?"
"Oh~ This shrine is still here?"
Behind the three of them, Fu Hua slowly walked over.
"Fu Hua! Are you really an immortal here!?"
Bernice rushed up and asked excitedly.
The other two behind her also looked at Fu Hua with nervous expressions.
Hearing that, Fu Hua waved her hand and calmly said,
"Don't mind it. It's merely a title others used to praise me and thank me for my help."
"I'm not truly an immortal, just an ordinary person who's a little stronger."
Bernice did not think much of it, but Paipai and Lucy behind her stared wide-eyed in bewilderment.
Just a little stronger?
With one casual punch, you split open the map of the Outer Ring.
"So that's how it is? Hehe, let's have a few more drinks tonight."
"No, Bernice. Things like that should be enjoyed in moderation."
"Aww~ Fine, fine. I even developed a new formula today. Looks like I'll have to enjoy it by myself."
"Mm. By the way, Lucy, is everything below progressing smoothly?"
"Don't worry, Fu Hua. In a few months, our income will double."
"Because the other Motorcycle Clan members are also short on food. By then, we won't just make money off the Inner Ring people."
"We'll also make a batch of money from the Outer Ring's oil."
Fu Hua nodded and smiled.
"That's good. I'm heading back to the sect. Keep busy, then."
"All right."
"Lucy, shouldn't we set up a convoy? Right now, it's just me and two colleagues hauling carts."
"When the time comes, we'll definitely be short-handed."
Paipai suggested.
"Mm, transportation is indeed a problem. I'll arrange it."
"Then my kid's engine... it's a little sick. Can you arrange a new one for it~?"
"Got it. I'll consider it. We just repaired Caesar's vehicle recently, so we don't have the budget."
"All right!"
Upon returning to the Taixu Sect, Fu Hua received a message from Lycaon.
Lycaon: Miss Fu Hua, [Master] has a mission here.
Lycaon: He has assigned you to it. Are you available now?
Fu Hua: By Master, you mean?
Lycaon: Mm... the Mayor of New Eridu.
Lycaon: My apologies, but due to certain reasons, I cannot reveal too much to you.
Fu Hua: Understood. When?
Lycaon: Could you come to Victoria Housekeeping before 5 PM tomorrow?
Fu Hua: No problem.
Lycaon: Mm. We can discuss the details when we meet then.
Fu Hua: All right.
Before you continue