Game World: I Can Share Talents

Chapter 121: I Am the Super Philosopher King

The Qinghui People had lived in the Purity Forest for millennia. They naturally felt a sense of loyalty and belonging toward the Qinghui Clan that had ruled them for centuries, and could easily be brought to revere Duke Qinghui.

This was the most stable base of support Westheid could ask for!

The first step for any Celestial God looking to establish a Fanatic Realm was to secure a base of support.

The Radiant Holy Tree showed no restraint, poaching people directly from the Dragon Realm. The Yonglan Riding God gathered followers naturally through conflict. The Star Abyss Wings birthed a brood of adoring Dragon Descendant offspring. Even Emperor Qianlu had amassed his believers through trickery and deceit.

As for the Venerable Master of the Azure Heaven, Westheid had no idea how that most mysterious and ancient of Celestial Gods had gotten his start, but he presumed it was a similar story.

Westheid himself was the patriarch of the Qinghui People, an identity that afforded him a natural advantage he had to exploit.

’So, I just have to be a beloved, perfect monarch?’

’No problem! You want perfect? I’ll be as perfect as you need! I am the most sagacious and enlightened father to my people!’

Westheid was well aware that only by empathizing with the people’s hardships could he get them to invest in his blueprint for godhood.

When a great man of supreme benevolence keeps the people in his heart, the people will, in turn, lift his divine throne to the heavens.

Duke Qinghui returned to his official residence and went straight to work without a moment’s rest.

The residence had been built in just a few days. In terms of elegance and luxury, it couldn’t hold a candle to his original mansion, let alone his residence in the Imperial Capital.

But its strength lay in its simple, stately design, which eschewed fussy decorations in favor of pure practicality.

"First, we must establish a base of operations, one that is preferably self-sufficient. The war to reclaim the Qinghui Territory won’t be over in a few days, and we can’t rely on procuring supplies from the Yuanxi Territory indefinitely."

The Half-Elf Maid interrupted, "Actually, you can. The cost would increase several-fold, but the Yuanxi Territory has enough resources to supply all your activities. This is precisely my duty, and it is the promise of the Yuanxi Palace. Please, do not concern yourself with the expense."

Westheid gave Rozana a meaningful look. He had every reason to suspect this maid with the provocative figure was under orders from Luyetan to encourage him to spend as much of the aid as possible.

That way, even after reclaiming the Qinghui Territory, he would be unable to repay his debts, and Luyetan could justifiably claim Westheid as a source of Star Fury Power.

"That won’t be necessary. A supply line like that would be far too long and unstable. I think it would be better to establish contact with the neighboring Imperial lords."

Westheid paid Luyetan’s little scheme no mind. ’The main reason is I don’t want to tie my territory’s lifeline to the Star Gate trade routes. The damn Star Gates are going to collapse in a few years. When that happens, the Yuanxi Territory will barely be able to save itself, let alone look after the Land of Clear Radiance.’

’By contrast, the neighboring Imperial territories are the ones the Qinghui Territory needs to familiarize itself with.’

’At least then I’ll be in a prime position to devour them.’

"The decision is yours, Duke Qinghui."

Rozana didn’t insist on persuading Westheid to spend more and simply took a step back.

Although the aloof and glamorous maid was quite playful in private, often using cutting sarcasm to spice things up, Rozana kept her public and private personas separate. In a formal setting like this, she would only speak up on matters concerning the aid from Yuanxi Territory.

"We’ve purchased several self-contained agricultural systems from the Imperial Capital, all imported from the Celestial Vault Kingdom. Once they’re fully installed and catalyzed by Transcendents from the Holy Tree Series, they can easily support over a million people. As soon as we reclaim the Purity Forest, we’ll be able to sustain an even larger population..."

"Shamuel and the Shadow Fire Technicians are planning to construct a weapons workshop. When it comes to fighting Chaos, the people from the Shadow Flame Territory are true professionals. The Shadow Fire Weapons they forge will be crucial to reclaiming our homeland..."

"..."

Just as Westheid was outlining his vision and planning the future of their base, Yolanda approached.

"Brother, there is someone outside asking for an audience..."

"It’s Roy, isn’t it? Let him in."

Westheid waved his hand, having already anticipated this.

The only Qinghui person who would seek him out at this hour could only be the original leader of the settlement.

Roy was quickly led in. The moment he entered, the refined man—so handsome he possessed the distinct features of the Qinghui—took a deep breath, knelt on one knee before Westheid, and greeted him.

"My Lord, may the light of the Purity Moon shine upon you."

Westheid said, "I thought you would still call me Duke Qinghui."

Outsiders addressed him as "Duke Qinghui," which was certainly a term of respect, but it was not how the inhabitants of the Purity Forest addressed one of the Holy Spirit’s True Blood.

Roy replied, "Duke Qinghui is merely the administrator of the territory. The Patriarch of the Purity Forest, however, is our true Clan Leader."

"How dare you! Are you implying the Patriarch of the Qinghui is unworthy of the title of Clan Leader?!"

Yolanda, ever sensitive, rebuked him on the spot.

Roy said calmly, "If he is one who abandoned his people and homeland, then yes, that is true."

"You rebellious cur! Brother, permit me to take this traitor’s head!"

The platinum-blonde girl said coldly, her hand already on the hilt of her sword. A single nod from Westheid was all it would take for her to lop off the insolent man’s head.

However, Westheid had just resolved to become a Philosopher King, so he could hardly act so tyrannical and cruel.

Besides, he truly wasn’t angry. He waved his hand dismissively and said to Roy with a smile:

"But it seems you’ve had a change of heart. Was it because of my public confession?"

Roy lowered his head slightly. His ponytail slid over his shoulder, softening the profile of his face into a tranquil silhouette as he spoke calmly.

"Your change has indeed been immense. Regardless of whether your apology was sincere, I am certain that everyone’s grudges and grievances against you will vanish after today. But that is not what I value, My Lord. I only wish to ask you one question."

The refined, lavender-haired man lifted his head to look Westheid directly in the eye.

"You said you would reclaim the Qinghui Territory at any cost. Were you serious?"

"You can doubt everything else I say, but on this point, there is no room for doubt. I have a habit of telling the truth."

After holding Westheid’s gaze for a long moment, Roy let out a soft breath and prostrated himself fully on the floor.

"In that case, I ask that you wait to pass judgment on me until after our homeland is restored. Please allow me to give my last ounce of strength for the Purity Forest. If you must punish my sins now, then I only ask that you bury my bones in the Land of Clear Radiance."

"...You say that as if your death is a foregone conclusion."

Westheid retorted, seeing Roy’s expression of one bravely marching to his death.

"I have always been fair in my rewards and punishments. The fact that you’ve methodically organized so many refugees over the past two years is a great credit to you. Why would you be asking for punishment?"

Roy looked stunned for a moment. "My Lord," he said,

"you must be aware that this wasn’t accomplished by my power alone. I accepted aid from the Ring of Clear Skies."

"Hmm... the Witches. They are indeed wanted outlaws. But this is the Qinghui Territory. Even Imperial Law has no jurisdiction here. Therefore, whether or not you need to be punished depends entirely on my will."

Westheid sat down at the head of the conference table, steepling his fingers beneath his chin.

"So, tell me. What did the Ring of Clear Skies have you do?"