After criticizing the Mountain Folk for a while, Ian assigned another task to the tribes near the central Bison Mountains.
They were to search the area around the Great Snowcap in the Bison Mountains for the Ice-Mist Dragon's remains, or the Land of Return to Heaven.
It sounded like a task that should not have been difficult for the Mountain Folk.
But only those who had truly entered the mountains could understand just how difficult it was to search a region of such high altitude spanning more than a dozen continuous peaks.
Still, no matter how difficult it was, the Mountain Folk were immensely enthusiastic—one might even call them fanatical.
Because this was the first "holy decree" Ian had issued in the name of the "Dragon God's Messenger"—the first such order since the founding of the Spirit-Veneration Church. If they could accomplish it, who knew what immense glory it would represent? Every tribe wanted to be the first.
With the Mountain Folk's troubles settled, things within Xiahui Territory were also proceeding quite smoothly.
Over four months, under the City Hall's quiet promotion, a culture of learning gradually began to stir throughout Xiahui Territory.
Many families wanted to send their children to school.
There were many reasons for this.
First, if someone in the family was studying, they could receive City Hall subsidies—this was the foundation.
Second, on top of that, students who ranked near the top academically could receive rewards from the school, including scholarships and material prizes such as fruit, grain, and cooking oil. In the future, it would also be easier for them to find work at alchemy workshops.
Thus, studying itself became synonymous with benefit, and studying well could even "make money"... Rather than leaving children at home or having them help with some handicrafts, why not