Heilong-kou (Black Dragon-Mouth/Pass)
Heilong-cheng (Black Dragon-City)
Censorate (Supervisory Court)
Yuling City (Jade City)
Jingui Town (Golden Turtle Town)
Xuanwu City (Black tortoise City)
…
Tengshe and Tiesheng returned without rest, bringing back two full buses of wild demonfolk.
Highly alert and wary of populated areas, they were assigned to dormitories closest to the mines—an old building previously used as staff housing.
Upon returning, Tiesheng dove straight into the Mechanical Works. The moment he stepped off the bus, he was told he had ten sports car orders waiting.
He hadn't expected to be training apprentices so soon after becoming an engineer. He took on two: one to build buses, and the other to work on sports cars.
In his spare time, Tiesheng also began developing new modes of transportation.
"You're planning to move the factory out of the city?" Yin Jixue had already considered the idea.
The Mechanical Works was inside the city, but space was limited, and with the inherent danger of machinery, it wasn't ideal for such a facility to remain within city walls.
"We'll allocate a new site for you. For now, just hold off a bit."
She held a meeting at the Inspectorate and confirmed the plan to relocate all inner-city factories outside the city limits, while actively promoting retail commerce within the city and encouraging demonfolk to open businesses.
Finally, she needed to personally inspect Heilongkou to investigate potential natural mineral resources.
This relocation initiative stirred up quite a spectacle—many merchants pushed open their inn windows to watch.
"What's going on in the city?"
A local demon on the street replied,
"They're moving the factories. All city factories are being relocated outside."
The merchants were confused. Moving out of the city wasn't safe—no matter how sturdy Black Dragon City's buildings were, they might not withstand a beast tide.
"Aren't they fine inside the city? Why move everything out?"
"Not enough space. There's plenty of land outside."
The merchants clicked their tongues. At first, they'd thought the Queen of the Black Dragon Tribe was courageous and wise. Now they felt she lacked foresight and didn't understand how dangerous the outside world was.
But in reality, a small township had already begun to take shape outside the North Gate. Not only were there factories, but newly built highways as well.
—
Back at the miners' dorms near the quarry.
The wild demon folk gathered together.
Each of them radiated a feral, predatory aura. Having survived in a land ruled by beasts, they were the result of brutal natural selection—still carrying their primal wildness.
A copper-skinned female demon, nearly two meters tall, asked,
"Ya, are we staying here?"
Ya, their leader, responded,
"Let's observe for a while. Living outside the city is what we expected. The low-level demons here don't show pain on their faces. Perhaps… this is our chance to survive."
The female demon nodded firmly with the others.
"We'll follow your lead!"
That very noon, a demon came to notify them that lunch was being served in the cafeteria.
When they had submitted to Tengshe, he'd said only that they were going somewhere safe—never that they'd have sturdy housing and regular meals.
The wild demons exchanged glances until Ya spoke:
"Let's go. It's probably just a one-time thing."
But then came dinner… then three meals the next day… then the day after that.
Finally, Ya couldn't hold back. He grabbed the demon who had come to notify them—dorm manager Ah Cao.
"Why are we getting food every day?"
Ah Cao wriggled out of his grip.
"You don't have jobs yet, so you're given meals—just three a day. If you want to stay here long-term, you'll need to work in the mines. Then this housing will be yours."
Ah Cao had the features of a lower-ranked demon. His words left the wild demons stunned.
What did 'only three meals a day' mean?
What did 'this house will be yours if you work' mean?
Ya, trying to stay polite, invited Ah Cao to sit down and explained all their questions.
It turned out that Black Dragon City had changed completely—and it was all thanks to the Queen. Since her arrival, no demon had gone hungry.
Where demons used to eat only twice a day, now they had three meals.
In Black Dragon City, all were treated equally. Even those from outside could buy a home and settle down—as long as they worked hard.
Anyone willing to work could eat well, drink clean water, and live in buildings tougher than the teeth of a Grade Five beast.
Ya, nearly two meters tall, trembled slightly as he said,
"May we… may we meet the Queen? The Night Demon Tribe wishes to thank Her Highness in person."
Ah Cao hesitated.
"I can pass along the message, but I can't promise she'll meet you."
"Thank you!" Ya placed his left hand over his heart.
Ah Cao was stunned.
The Night Demon Tribe, infamous for their ferocity, was showing gratitude to him.
Eventually, word of the request reached the palace. Yin Jixue was also curious about this so-called Night Demon Tribe.
Especially after seeing them on the monitor—they exuded such force that it felt like a waste to have them mining. The city outskirts just happened to need a new security detail.
"When I go inspect Heilongkou, I'll meet them outside the city."
Ya and his people soon received word—the Queen would see them in person.
They immediately went to bathe in the river. Despite the sub-zero temperature, none of them flinched—not even a change in expression.
Yin Jixue would probably have chattered teeth just watching them.
Ya scrubbed his son clean, chopping off the matted hair with a sharp stone.
At just thirteen, Ye already had a face full of wildness and cold detachment.
"Ye, don't scowl—try smiling. Make the Queen like you."
Ye forced a smile that looked more painful than crying.
"I don't know how to smile."
It wasn't that he didn't want to—it was that he couldn't.
At thirteen, Ye could already take down Grade Three beasts alone. He'd killed at least a hundred Fangtooth Boars with his bare hands.
—
Finally, it was time for Yin Jixue's inspection trip to Heilongkou. Feng Xiu drove, Ruoshui sat in the back to protect her,
While the guards and Inspectorate staff took the bus.
Tiesheng's modified double-decker became the long-haul line between the city and Heilongkou—used primarily to shuttle workers home and carry a few sightseers wanting to visit the area.
The upgraded buses made the journey much more comfortable. More workers could now return home while seated, not on the floor.
Two regular buses remained in the city, operating on separate routes.
The sports car, being faster, arrived ahead of the buses. Yin Jixue reached the old dormitories, where the Night Demon Tribe was already waiting in formation.
The moment she stepped out of the car, they dropped to one knee, right hands over their hearts.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Feng Xiu leaned in to whisper,
"Your Highness, this is the Night Demons' highest salute."
Yin Jixue invited them to rise.
One small boy standing front and center immediately caught her eye.
"Your Highness, this is my son, Ye. I offer him to you."
Yin Jixue quickly moved to refuse.
"No—"
Feng Xiu cut her off in a low voice,
"Your Highness, they're swearing allegiance. You must accept."
The Night Demons hadn't used this ritual in ages. That they'd even survived this long was a miracle—they were nearly extinct.
"Thank you. I won't mistreat him." I'll send him to school for a few years—he can come to work for me after graduation.
Yin Jixue didn't understand why this "offering a son" custom even existed, but if Feng Xiu insisted she accept, there had to be a reason.
While no one was looking, Feng Xiu quietly explained,
"Your Highness, he's the chief's son. This act represents the tribe's loyalty to you."
Yin Jixue frowned.
"Aren't they supposed to swear loyalty to the Demon King?"
Feng Xiu answered solemnly,
"They swear loyalty to the King's power—but they would die for you without hesitation."