Besides Lu Dangui, Li Yue, Wang Yan, and Li Qiusheng knew the most about Xia Chuhe's private affairs, since they all came from the base together.

However, Li Yue knew only a limited number of things. She only heard that Xia Chuhe had someone who had altered her memories out of good intentions, someone who seemed to be called "Aunt Deng." She knew nothing else.

Bu Yi arrived in Green Willow City with murderous intent. He felt uneasy because he hadn't personally dealt with the shady shop owner; he felt like he owed something.

Since Xia Chuhe wasn't there, she and Deng Congrong went through the motions of making it clear that they would notify her once Xia Chuhe came out.

Deng Congrong seemed to know quite a lot, and took the initiative to bring up the matter of the black shop owner spreading false information.

"Rebuilding city rules is something no one has ever done before. Next time Xia comes home, don't let her take the risk for something like this."

Bu Yi nodded: "I will tell her, but..."

Whether Lord Xia listens or not is beyond her control.

Perhaps Lord Xia would reply, "Just because no one has done it before doesn't mean no one will be able to do it in the future."

Deng Congrong reminded Bu Yi: "Before conquering Green Willow City, I had the opportunity to visit Taotie City. The two surrounding dungeons are quite good. Make good use of them; they can completely protect most of Taotie City. As for the remaining half, as long as Xia asks for help, Xinghuo will definitely go all out."

"Thank you for your kindness, but the city lord wants to protect more than just Taotie City."

There's also Dream City, the Trading Center, and even Cape Base.

She wanted to protect everything that belonged to her and everything that depended on her.

Since Deng Congrong pointed out that urban rules are difficult to rebuild, Bu Yi readily agreed and decided to implement the backup plan left by Xia Chuhe.

Resource migration.

Especially human resources.

The main focus is on relocating from Cape Base and Dream City towards the Temple of Heaven. Early relocation involves moving easily accessible shops and people, while later relocation involves moving factories.

As for Taotie City, it was the last city to be migrated.

Firstly, Taotie City is close to the Temple of the Heavenly God, and secondly, there are two dungeons to block the attack, which can give the warriors of Taotie City enough time to react.

The people underground are trying their best to preserve their lives and resources.

The people in the heavens, however, were peacefully holding a dance party.

The heir to the Lu family has been decided. Old Master Lu spent more than a month showing Lu Yunzhao the Lu family's assets, connections, and secrets.

Resources and secrets are static, which is fine.

However, building a network of connections is not easy.

Lu Yunzhao often sensed doubt from the sharp gazes of those people, and these negative emotions were like needles pricking her fragile self-esteem.

In front of his elders, Lu Yunzhao had to put on a steady, mature, and reliable demeanor.

Privately, she frequently held banquets, inviting her peers and young people, secretly planning to replace those arrogant old folks once her great-grandmother passed away.

They're nothing more than dogs for the Lu family to manage their affairs and command their forces; a new batch of dogs could do the job too.

Speaking of dogs, Lu Yunzhao thought of the most loyal and capable dog that lived in the basement.

She unusually sent an invitation to Lu Dangui, inviting her to a banquet.

Lu Dang returned, wearing a combat uniform with a faded collar and frayed sleeves, standing out conspicuously among the glamorous crowd.

She ignored all of that, walked unhurriedly to the dining area, sat down and began to eat, her manners slow and elegant.

For a moment, those who considered themselves superior found it impolite to peek and discuss.

Lu Dangui didn't stay in the upper echelons for very long, and she rarely showed her face, so not many people knew her.

Although Lu Yunzhao disliked her, he also wanted to win over a powerful fighter, so he had no choice but to condescend and take the initiative to talk to her.

"Are you going to live in the basement forever? These people will become the real elites in the future. I've paved the way for you, aren't you going to get to know them?"

Lu Dangui put down his fork, swallowed the food in his mouth, and said indifferently, "I have no interest in making friends. But out of respect for the invitation, I'll kindly remind you that the person you invited is not willing to sit in a position below you."

Lu Yunzhao's expression darkened.

Becoming the heir to the Lu family brought not only immense glory but also, and sooner, the doubts and relentless scrutiny of past minor mistakes. Even those who appeared friendly with him among his peers were not immune to gossip and deliberate ignoring.

After all, Old Master Lu is not dead yet, and the Lu family's wealth and power have not truly been brought under Lu Yunzhao's control.

Lu Danggui's words struck a nerve with Lu Yunzhao.

She gritted her teeth and forced a smile: "These people are disobedient, just replace them. There are plenty of people who want to climb the ladder."

She stared at Lu Dangui and suddenly asked, "Will you listen to the next head of the Lu family?"

Lu Dangui looked back at her, his deep brown eyes flickering uncertainly.

Staying on the upper level didn't bring her much useful information.

In the last battle at the Temple of the Heavenly God, the upper echelons suffered considerable losses and lost face. Logically, they should have launched a war as soon as possible to regain their dignity and face, but Elder Lu did nothing. Instead, he focused on cultivating his successor.

Only by getting close to Lu Yunzhao can one indirectly understand Lu Lao's thoughts.

Lu Dangui lowered his eyelids slightly, avoiding Lu Yunzhao's gaze first, as if he had been defeated.

She said, "Yes."

This posture, as seen by Lu Yunzhao, added a touch of helpless obedience to Lu Dangui.

"Good dog." Lu Yunzhao showed her most genuine smile in many days. Using her body as cover, she moved with lightning speed, grabbing Lu Dangui's throat and forcing her to look up.

Lu Yunzhao laughed and said, "Let me hear you bark like a dog."

Lu Dangui remained cold-faced but did not resist, only uttering a single word: "Get lost."

Lu Yunzhao let go and patted her face: "If a dog is naughty, it will be abandoned."

...

"Yun Zhao and Dang Gui almost got into a fight?" Old Lu listened to the monitor's report and seemed to be deep in thought.

Lu Yunzhao was arrogant and spoiled, and apart from his close relationship with Shen Chu, he had few close friends.

This is best, as it will help her quickly familiarize herself with Lu Yunzhao's interpersonal relationships.

...

Liu'er brought Xia Chuhe and Li Qiusheng to the hospital and raised enough money for the medical expenses. The child was undergoing a semi-mechanical ascension surgery.

Outside the operating room, the child's mother paced back and forth with her hands clasped together. When she saw the benefactor who had helped raise the money, she could only manage a weak smile.

Her forehead was bright red, and the knees of her pants were completely worn out, indicating that she had gone straight to the operating room after returning from the mountain.

Time seemed to pass exceptionally slowly in the silent, solitary sitting.

Xia Chuhe clenched his fist neither too hard nor too softly, his fingernails leaving faint marks on his palm.

Her farm holds crucial evidence about Liu'er's identity, which may be the key to breaking the rules of this land.

Outside the operating room, the lights flickered, and the sign that read "Operation in Progress" suddenly went dark.

The door opened, and the first to emerge was a child whose human head was preserved, but whose torso had been completely replaced by machinery.

The doctor said, "Parents, please come and see if it's effective."

The child's mother stumbled to her child, knelt on the ground, and stroked the child's body, her eyes filled with tears.

She suddenly screamed, "Monster! It's a monster! This isn't my child!"

She turned and ran to the open window, then jumped.