Chapter Seventy: The Remains on the Stone Platform

Jiufeng City recovered from the dead silence once more.

People gradually began coming and going along the streets, the shops reopened for business, and figures appeared working in the fields outside the city.

But the siege had still left an indelible mark on the place.

"Many of the commoners have left. They're all afraid the army will come again. I tried to persuade them that without travel permits, they would easily be driven out or imprisoned as refugees even if they went to other prefectures, but it didn't have much effect."

Liu Zhiyuan sat across from Liu Shuyue. As he described the situation in the city, he kept a complicated watch on the slightest changes in this immortal master's expression.

Unfortunately, he had failed to find any useful information.

By now, Liu Zhiyuan had become somewhat uncertain.

He still wanted to treat her as his daughter, but his body could no longer do so—especially after witnessing her summon over a thousand followers and destroy the army that had come to suppress them in an instant with thunderous methods. The awe he felt before such unimaginable power had taken deep root in his heart. Before meeting Liu Shuyue, his greatest hope had merely been that she could lead the entire Liu family to safety.

"Those who can't be kept should be allowed to leave," Liu Shuyue said indifferently. "For now, focus on distributing grain and completing the census. Don't delay the autumn harvest. The government office shouldn't be staffed entirely by members of the Liu family either, lest you cover for one another. Bring in some outsiders where appropriate. That way, you may actually be able to hold this position longer."

"I understand. Don't worry," Liu Zhiyuan said with a nod.

The government officials had fled long ago, and the army's