Master of a Province

Starlight City.

They arrived at the City Lord Mansion in a calm and peaceful manner, Gu Jinlai.

Here, Xin Tianqi and Cheng Wanli were already waiting with a group of Meteor Guards.

Upon seeing the group, Gu Jinlai dismounted and stepped forward, saying, "Lord Xin, thank you."

Intelligence precedes military action.

He already knew about everything the Meteor Guard had done in Starlight City and the surrounding area on his way here.

He was able to easily lead his army into Starlight City with almost no resistance. One reason was his own strength, but the most crucial factor was the assistance of the Meteor Guards.

"I've said it before, if you truly have the ability to end the chaos in Star Province, I'll be waiting for you to come and take Starlight City."

Xin Tianqi looked at Gu Jinlai: "And now, you have this ability, and I should also keep this promise."

Lu Zhanfeng, who was standing to the side, was a little confused when he heard the conversation between Xin Tianqi and Gu Jinlai.

Gu Jinlai, it turns out that some kind of agreement was reached with Xin Tianqi long ago?

The intelligence department of the Purgatory Sect knew nothing about it.

They came all the way from the Purgatory Sect hoping to contribute to the attack on Starlight City, fighting against the Meteor Guards and the Spirit Transformation Grand Cultivators from the various Lineage of Starlight City. But look what happened...

Nothing happened along the way.

There wasn't a single decent major battle.

They entered Starlight City without any hindrance and occupied this political center of Star Province.

This left Lu Zhanfeng, who was eager to make a great contribution and show off his abilities, with no opportunity whatsoever.

Without contributing anything, how could they possibly ask for a share of the profits in Star Province?

"Honestly, I never thought this would actually happen."

This Gu Jinlai.

His voice was tinged with emotion.

Xin Tianqi was actually willing to give up his rights as the master of the Meteorite Satellite and hand over the prime territory of Starlight City.

Even if he didn't give in, he still had the ability to win.

"Judging by actions, not intentions, is exactly what I expected. I never imagined that a demonic elder from the Purgatory Sect would actually formulate a Principle within the territory of Lingxiao City that almost achieved equality for everyone, Core Forming Formation expert who kills someone is punished the same as a commoner..."

Xin Tian abandoned the Dao.

"Elder of the Demonic Sect... The reason why forces like the Purgatory Sect are called the Demonic Sect is simply because the Heavenly Emperor chose the wrong side when he intended to rebuild the world. Before that, the Purgatory Sect and Dragon Sparrow Manor did not distinguish between righteous and demonic. However, due to the suppression by the Great Qian Imperial Family, the manpower and resources that the Purgatory Sect and other demonic forces could access were greatly reduced. In order to ensure the interests of their sects, their actions gradually became more intense..."

It has been echoed Gu Jinlai.

He did not view or differentiate between the righteous and demonic forces such as the Purgatory Sect, the Cold Moon Sect, the Yellow Springs Sect, the Dragon Sparrow Manor, and the Yellow Heaven Sect with any prejudice.

History is written by the victors.

The Sanqing Palace, Longque Manor, Yellow Heaven Sect Sword Sect, Taiyi Sect, and Tianhai Sword Sect, which assisted the Great Qian Imperial Family in fighting against the Heavenly Emperor, won and thus became the Six Immortal Sects.

The Cold Moon Sect, Purgatory Sect, Yellow Springs Sect, Heavenly Immortal Palace, Earthly Immortal Palace, Human Immortal Palace, Ruins Tower, Purple Cloud Sword Sect, Earth Mother God Sect, and Demon God Sect, which assisted the Heavenly Emperor in his rebellion, were defeated and thus became the Ten Great Demon Sects.

"Of course, in recent years, the competition between the Ten Great Demon Sects, both internally and externally, has become increasingly brutal. This brutality has made me realize the serious consequences of disorderly expansion, both internally and externally. I have realized the damage that disorder can bring to a power, a city, a state, a country, or even a civilization."

Gu Jinlai looked at Xin Tianqi and said, "Therefore, I want to build a world full of order, a world where the young are educated, the strong are employed, the old are supported, everyone can find their place, everyone has a path to advancement, and everyone can pursue the future and their dreams."

"The young are educated, the able-bodied are employed, and the elderly are supported..."

Xin Tianqi muttered to himself.

They seemed to be fantasizing about what a wonderful world this would be.

"To create such a world, it would require the tireless efforts of countless people over decades, or even centuries. Since Lord Xin has hope in his heart and light in his eyes, why not join us and work together to build such an orderly, hopeful, and harmonious world?"

From Gu Jinlai, he has solemnly extended an invitation.

"What are you planning to do?"

"What I need to do first is to provide them with the most basic survival guarantee."

From Gu Jinlai, it has been known that this was Xin Tianqi's test for him. "Survival guarantees are divided into two types. The first type is to provide them with food and clothing to avoid hunger and cold, and to have the most basic 'survival' conditions. This is the most important and the most unquestionable type."

Xin Tianqi nodded.

Due to the importance of population in today's world, some major cultivation sects also have dedicated personnel to develop various special items that are beneficial to clothing, food, housing, and transportation.

The rice planted now is the result of generations of optimization by the Celestial Masters, resulting in an astonishing yield.

The same applies to some poultry and livestock.

Because of these prerequisites, cities with a population of one million are not uncommon in the Great Qian region.

Star City, the capital city, has a population of several million.

Furthermore, the Great Qian and even local cities have many policies that encourage childbirth, so it is normal for a couple to have five or six children, and even ten or eight is not considered excessive.

Like Gu Changfeng, the elder brother of Gu Jinlai, who led the way, the Lineage has grown to nearly two hundred people in just four generations.

If you include the members of the nine clans, the scale would start at four figures.

If it weren't for the frequent wars between various factions within the Great Qian Dynasty, coupled with the rampant spread of Demonic Beasts —such as the rampant Demonic Beasts in the Yunqi Mountains, which directly caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands, nearly a million people, around Taihe City, including a large number of innocent civilians, thus limiting the explosive population growth—then the explosive population growth would have been significantly reduced.

In addition, there is a significant gap in wealth and social status.

The rich live in luxury, with many wives and concubines, while the poor, though not starving, find it difficult to marry and have children, and their lineage often dies out after three generations.

Therefore, there is a saying that poverty does not last beyond three generations.

Despite these various factors, the population did not grow to an uncontrollable level.

However, there are approximately 60 million people in Star Province alone.

The populations of places like Chi Province, Jiangzhou, and Lanzhou are between 30 and 40 million.

It is said that the capital city alone has a population of ten million.

The Central Plains, where the capital is located, has a population of over 100 million.

"After survival comes safety. Safety is a broad concept, but it can be mainly summarized as the protection of life, which is manifested in an orderly system and a stable environment."

Gu Jinlai paused here, saying, "Just like the Six Cities of Lingxiao, in the current Six Cities of Lingxiao, at least there won't be two forces fighting and killing each other in the streets because of a disagreement. Similarly, ordinary people won't be shot dead for accidentally bumping into powerful people or martial artists."

Xin Tianqi nodded.

He went to Lingxiao City and lived there for a month, where he learned that what has been said Gu Jinlai was true.

"Besides that, there is a third point, which is also the most important one, and that is the meaning of life."

"The meaning of life?"

"Yes, a father has children, and watching his children grow up is the meaning of his life. A husband has a wife, and making his wife happy is the meaning of his life. A soldier guards a city, and he knows that his fellow villagers live in the city. Therefore, protecting the city from harm is the meaning of his life. This meaning also includes his achievements and the respect that his achievements bring to him from others and society."

"Achievement, respect?"

Xin Tianqi seemed to have realized something.

These achievements, and the respect they inspire, are the key to truly bringing a person to life, to making a living being feel that their existence in the world has "meaning."

This is also the core reason why they have hope in their hearts and light in their eyes.

"Although the leaders of many cities encourage childbirth, in their minds, the so-called common people are nothing more than environmental improvers. In order to provide them with a better environment for cultivation, they treat the common people as livestock and tools, without considering factors of achievement and respect. In order to ensure their long-term rule, they will even do their best to erase unnecessary thoughts from the minds of the common people."

Gu Jinlai said, "When a person loses the ability to think, or no longer has the time or right to think, or even if they are able to think but understand that they cannot change anything, that person's spirituality is extinguished, and when we look at them again... there is no light in their eyes."

Xin Tianqi was deeply moved upon hearing the words spoken Gu Jinlai.

During the time since he returned from Lingxiao City, he had been thinking about what the difference was between the people of Lingxiao City and the people of Xingguang City.

Logically, the people of Starlight City should be wealthier.

Their lives, their food, and their possessions are better than those of Lingxiao City. So why is it that the people of Lingxiao City are full of spirit, vibrant with life, while Xingguang City, while not exactly stagnant, is filled with apathy and apathy, and full of mechanical energy?

Now, listening to the detailed analysis from Gu Jinlai the present, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sudden enlightenment.

"Achievements and respect! These are the core meanings of life! Without these, those people can only be described as 'existing' at best..."

"Yes."

Gu Jinlai's tone was heavy. "This world is sick, very sick. This is what I concluded during the six months I spent in Changjun City. If we really want to change anything, we have to start from the root."

He extended his hand and invited, "Lord Xin, you are also a person who is unwilling to follow the crowd, unwilling to fall into depravity, and full of hope. Come, let us work together to overturn this world, heal this world, and make everyone in the world needed and respected, instead of being numb and indifferent like tools, letting ourselves and the world head towards death!"

Xin Tianqi looked up at the Gu Jinlai.

It seems they wanted to confirm whether he actually possessed this ability.

Gu Jinlai didn't speak, but simply nodded emphatically at him.

Xin Tianqi stared at him for a long while, and finally...

He nodded emphatically. "Okay, let's work together to heal this world."

Having said that, he cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Gu Jinlai: "From this day forward, the Meteor Guard is willing to serve as the City Lord of Gu..."

He paused slightly. "I am willing to follow the orders of the Ancient Prefecture Lord!"