Chapter 46: Developing the Outer District

Chapter 46: Developing the Outer District

Cang Cheng first sent the delegation to the market to shop, while he headed to a temporary reception room on the second floor of the market to discuss the next phase of the planet's development plan.

Looking down through the glass window, he saw the enormous Central Plaza teeming with life and activity. People came and went, lively and full of energy.

Everyone wore a relaxed smile, with none of the worry from the past visible.

Life was improving day by day.

Cang Cheng remembered that the previous time the Luo Ri Star market was held, Simon was only selling essential daily items.

This time, however, due to the massive food production on Luo Ri Star and the increasing variety on the food trucks, the residents' quality of life had significantly improved. Cang Cheng then considered selling goods that would further enhance their quality of life, such as kitchenware, villas, and expanded buildings.

These items sold very well.

"Sir, you have remarkable foresight, having adjusted the market goods early on. Not only did you increase the residents' happiness, but you also made a small profit. Your wisdom is truly impressive.

I am in awe of your insight..."

"Enough."

Simon clamped his mouth shut immediately.

Cang Cheng handed Simon nearly 230 Spirit Runes, which he had drawn over the past few days. These runes were made using ordinary Spirit Rune boards, not Cang Stone Spirit Rune boards.

Simon recognized the wind and water system runes among them, but he was puzzled by a few other unfamiliar ones.

"My lord... what are these runes?"

"B-grade Sealing Rune, B-grade Earth's Wrath Rune, and B-grade Stone Golem Rune. Their functions are..."

Cang Cheng briefly explained the functions of these runes.

As for the previously created Transformation Rune and Energy Gathering Rune, Cang Cheng was not yet ready to put them on the market.

The former was used on the fake Tataru, and Cang Cheng did not want the Shalarian regime's power vacuum to be discovered just yet.

The latter was not as useful in the Canglan Star Region compared to mental energy replenishment potions, so Cang Cheng did not wish to promote it.

"My lord, you are truly astounding. These exquisitely crafted runes will surely amaze everyone. But..."

Simon rubbed his hands together, hesitating to speak.

Cang Cheng looked up. "Speak."

"My lord, you haven't appeared in the arena for a long time. You... may need to go to the arena to promote your runes; otherwise, their prices might drop."

Simon was growing bolder, daring to push his lord to get back to work.

Cang Cheng glanced at Simon.

Simon immediately shrank his head like a quail, feeling a chill around his neck.

Yet, he felt that as his lord's most loyal subordinate, he had to urge Cang Cheng to focus on his work.

Lord Cang Cheng needs to work diligently so that we can earn more money. With the capital, we can continue to create more wealth for you, my lord.

Risking his life, Simon said, “My lord, the Star Network evolves rapidly. You’ve been out of the public eye for almost three weeks now, and ANKEN’s name is no longer on the hot topics on the forums. So…”

Cang Cheng glanced at Simon, then looked away.

“I’ll visit the arena in a few days. In the meantime, you can begin selling these Spirit Runes. Also, the food supplies have accumulated into a mountain, ready for you to clear out.”

“Yes, my lord, I will secure the highest selling prices for you!”

Simon pressed his forehead to the ground again to show his loyalty. “May I ask, my lord, what should I purchase for you this time?”

The medical and transportation facilities on Luo Ri have been installed, ensuring the basic living needs of the residents are met.

Basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, and transportation have been secured. The next step is to vigorously develop the city’s defense systems and expand the food and livestock production lines to increase the planet’s revenue.

Cang Cheng communicated with Hilmeth: “[Mo, this time I plan to continue purchasing climate control systems to improve hospital facilities. Most of the budget will go to Ming Bai to form his team and set up the manufacturing chambers. After that, I want to buy a few food processing plants to sell non-perishable items like bread.

Ideally, we should sell them to higher-tier planets and profit from their wealthy residents.

Mo, do you believe this plan is viable?]”

Hilmeth nodded after a brief moment.

Cang Cheng’s vision for planetary development was becoming increasingly clear—city expansion, increased production capacity, and foreign trade were all part of the plan.

[The weapon research institute and manufacturing facility are essential. Once Ming Bai develops new weapons, we can sell them on the black market. The money earned will be used to build planetary and city defense systems.

For processed foods, we can produce fruit and vegetable canned goods and acquire a nearly bankrupt food factory to release them under their name. I remember there are a few food factories on the main planet that are struggling to survive. Lord Cang, you can take some time to reach out to them.]

Cang Cheng: “[So, most of my ideas this time are fine?]”

Hilmeth: “[Yes, this plan is very appropriate.]”

Seeing that the other party had no further comments, Cang Cheng’s eyes curved into a smile.

[Then I’ll have Simon handle the procurement.]

Cang Cheng relayed the just-discussed content to Simon, while Hilmeth remained silent on the side.

Cang Cheng was becoming increasingly adept at managing Luo Ri’s affairs, and during Cang Cheng’s last visit to Planet Sha, he hadn’t been able to assist much.

It seemed he was finding it harder and harder to help Cang Cheng.

Hilmeth’s mood was somewhat low.

On the other side, Simon took out his calculator and started calculating: “My lord has drawn a total of 190 Grade B runes and 40 Level C runes this time. Based on the average selling price… we can expect a profit of around 420 million.

My lord, your ability to make money is truly astonishing.

I’ve confirmed the food inventory with Professor Mu’s breeding chambers. This sale will include a total of 4 tons of vegetables such as potatoes, 200 kg of poultry meat, and a trial release of 50 kg of eggs and milk. The total expected revenue should reach around 120 million.

Professor Mu’s breeding chambers have an incredible ability to generate income!

After that, we will import climate control systems worth an additional 100 million.

Two wheat processing plants and two canned food factories are expected to cost 20 million star coins.

"Buy another 5 patrol robots for you, sir, at a 10% discount for 13.5 million."

Simon’s fingers tapped away on his calculator as he spoke, "Sir, how about allocating 250 million to Ming Bai and letting the weapon designer plan it himself, and then allocating 50 million to Mù Xīng to list the materials needed for the breeding chambers?

This way, you'll still have around 50 million star coins left from this transaction."

Cang Cheng had no objections and nodded, "Just do as you suggested! I have no issues."

"Alright, here's the contract, sir. Please sign it."

After signing the agreement with Cang Cheng, Simon left happily, whistling and skipping along.

Cang Cheng sighed as his newly filled wallet deflated again.

Well, spending money to improve Luo Ri is totally worth it. Seeing it become more vibrant day by day makes this expenditure worthwhile.

*

The delegation from Planet Sha, after being awestruck like Grandma Liu in the Grand View Garden, went on a shopping spree.

"Got it! 30 star coins for mashed potatoes."

"Got it! 30 star coins for chilled pumpkin porridge."

"Bought! 60 star coins for a chicken burger."

"Buy! 100 star coins for a set of facial masks!"

Nana Luo, selected to be part of the first batch to come to Luo Ri from the upper district, swept away her worries from the shuttle and fully immersed herself in shopping mode.

Luo Ri really was a wonderful place, with a pleasant climate, abundant goods, and such cheap food... Even though she lived in the upper district, Nana Luo had never seen so many cheap and practical goods in the market.

"That 300-star-coin summer dress looks amazing too!"

Maybe I should buy it too!

Nana Luo felt completely satisfied and thought coming to Luo Ri was the right choice.

What?

You say some people didn't want to come to Luo Ri?

You must be confused.

Nana Luo was very willing to come.

As for Lobuo, after witnessing the prosperity of Luo Ri, a desire to "stay here permanently" suddenly arose in him.

His visit to Luo Ri was just a normal work assignment, lasting for one month, after which he would return to Planet Sha.

Maybe I should find a way to stay here after a month and skip going back?

After eating their fill and shopping in the market, the delegation from Planet Sha signed their contracts and were led to an abandoned residential area on the outskirts of the central district.

The houses were standard two-bedroom apartments, not luxuriously decorated, but perfectly functional for everyday life, and much better than the sand houses in the lower district of Planet Sha.

The delegation was quickly settled, two people per room.

At night, after taking a nice hot shower, the members of the delegation from Planet Sha lay wide-eyed, staring at the ceiling, unable to drift off to sleep.

Clean air, unlimited water, affordable prices, and delicious food...

Is Luo Ri Star really this beautiful of a place?

They had thought they were coming to reclaim wasteland. Who would have thought that Luo Ri's development is even more advanced than Planet Sha's?

This can't be a dream, right?

Almost everyone stayed up all night, and by the next day, they were greeting each other with dark circles under their eyes but with bright eyes.

"Oh, didn't you sleep well last night either?"

"I feel like I'm too fragrant; it's a bit uncomfortable."

"I was actually able to brush my teeth twice a day; wow, I'm so touched..."

...

The delegation of 200 people gathered on the outskirts of the central district. Along with the sound of something heavy pressing against the ground, an unfamiliar vehicle appeared in front of everyone.

As soon as the horse-drawn vehicle appeared, it caught everyone's attention again.

Is this another unique mode of transport on Luo Ri Star?

It’s certainly unique.

When the members of the delegation saw the person getting off the carriage, they all knelt down on one knee in unison.

They shouted in unison, their voices booming, "Good morning, Lord Cang Cheng!"

Cang Cheng almost stumbled as he got off the carriage.

They’re... really enthusiastic.

Philip, Mù Xīng, and Ming Bai got off the carriage with Cang Cheng.

Noticing Cang Cheng’s brief pause from the enthusiastic greeting, they all chuckled inwardly.

Lord Cang Cheng is really endearing.

Cang Cheng first introduced the roles of the three people by his side to the delegation, then explained the work they would be doing next.

"Professor Mù Xīng’s nursery is currently being relocated, and we need manpower. The relocated growing facility will cover an area of one million square meters and include multiple zones.

The clean, uncontaminated food you enjoyed yesterday comes from the growing facility."

In the past few days, a small portion of the nursery's items had already been moved to the new facility in the outer district.

However, the transplantation process for various plants was somewhat complicated, and with the new base covering such a large area, even with the White Mask group’s assistance, the task felt like a drop in the bucket.

With the arrival of the Sha Star delegation, whose members are all Awakened, the relocation process will be significantly faster.

"A nursery? Does that mean we’ll get to see how food is cultivated?"

"There are still several types of food I can’t identify. This job will be an eye-opener."

"I really want to give the cows a pat."

...

Seeing that the delegation had received the news well, Cang Cheng continued, "In addition, I’ll be assigning a cleanup task for the outer district."

The outer district of Luo Ri has been neglected for years. However, with Luo Ri’s development accelerating, the outer district needs to be utilized, so it’s time to revitalize the area.

When clearing the outer district, you will encounter star beasts, so only Awakened individuals can take on this task. Those who accept the task can rent a set of combat gear.

All those who complete the task will receive corresponding Star Coin or weapon rewards. Additionally, the star beasts they hunt are theirs to keep.

Anyone injured during the task can get free medical treatment.

Initially, the delegation was hesitant about the outer district clearing task. After all, compared to setting up the cultivation base, the clearing task is clearly riskier.

But once they learned about the rewards and free medical care for injuries, they started to see the clearing task in a better light.

Hunting star beasts may seem dangerous, but Luo Ri has a hospital. With the advanced medical technology in the Canglan Star Region, even serious injuries like broken limbs can be healed, and minor wounds can be treated with a simple potion.

With that in mind, the risks of the outer district clearing task don’t seem so daunting.

Cang Cheng took the opportunity to announce the reward structure.

Cultivation Base Staff — 5,000/month, including three meals

D-grade star beast — 5,000/each

C-grade star beast — 30,000/each

B-grade star beast — 150,000/each

A-grade star beast — 1,000,000/each

The inhabitants of Planet Sha couldn’t help but feel tempted when they saw the prices.

One B-grade star beast could earn them 150,000?

Normally, a team of three experienced Awakened could take down a B-grade star beast with minimal or light injuries. If three people split the reward, they could each earn 50,000 for one mission, which equaled a year's worth of income.

This is an easy way to make money!

Many in the delegation had exhausted their family fortunes buying water during Tataru's administration. Now that there was such a good opportunity to earn money, how could they not be tempted?

“Should we form a team to hunt star beasts? This is very tempting.”

“Yes, let’s try hunting D-grade star beasts first.”

“Wait, let me review the star beast guide. I’ve never hunted a star beast before...”

...

Cang Cheng had considerations for offering such rewards.

First, there were basically no Awakened on Luo Ri. He could either have patrol robots slowly clean the outer district or spend a large amount of money hiring mercenaries. The rewards for the delegation were calculated to be much cheaper than hiring mercenaries.

Secondly... these people were bound to him. Even if they saw something they shouldn’t, they couldn’t say anything. Plus, they ate and drank on Luo Ri, so the rewards they received would still be spent on Luo Ri. It was like transferring money from the left pocket to the right.

Ultimately, he wasn’t losing much.

“The areas where cleaning tasks are assigned will be scouted by professional machines before the task is issued. After the scouting, the star beast levels and numbers will be detailed and marked to minimize the danger.”

“I believe that with everyone’s help, Luo Ri will become better and better. I’ll now hand over the organization of the subsequent work to Lobuo.”

After his concluding remarks, Cang Cheng handed over the reins to Lobuo.

He had already privately discussed with Lobuo. The breeding base and the cleaning tasks needed to be carried out simultaneously, and he believed that Lobuo would arrange the personnel properly.

Happily having settled the work in the outer district and gained a lot of labor, Cang Cheng, who hadn't rested much since visiting Planet Sha, spent the next two days lounging comfortably.

During those two days, apart from drawing 20 Spirit Runes daily to ensure income, he just lay around watching dramas to pass the time.

Like a lazy housecat, he settled into the bedroom, making it his temporary home.

Regarding this, Hilmeth did not think Cang Cheng was shirking his duties. Instead, he felt that Cang Cheng really needed a good rest.

During this time, Philip had asked Cang Cheng about the hospital and the list of drivers.

Some of them had records, but Philip had Ming Bai hack into the archives and found that their records were fabricated and framed by others.

Philip said, "My lord, I would like to give them a probationary work opportunity."

After looking at the files, Cang Cheng agreed, "Yes. Consider Luo Ri as a fresh start!"

Philip couldn't help but feel emotional.

How many people in the Canglan Star Region had been unfairly judged because of their troubled pasts, yet Lord Cang Cheng was willing to give them a chance to start anew.

What a kind-hearted lord.

He would definitely select the best talents for the lord, making sure Luo Ri develops smoothly.

"Yes, my lord. I will pay special attention to them."

After seeing Philip off, Cang Cheng returned to the bedroom to rest.

"Mo, come and watch a horror movie with me! It's said to be very thrilling."

Cang Cheng patted his bed eagerly.

"Watch a movie with me?"

"On the bed?"

Hilmeth's expression didn't change, but his tail began to twitch restlessly.

He lowered his gaze, "Watch a horror movie together?"

"Yes, a horror movie."

Hilmeth did not answer.

"Does Mo not want to? Or is Mo afraid of horror movies...?"

Cang Cheng leaned most of his body toward Mo and narrowed his eyes.

At this moment, Cang Cheng was wearing a loose silk robe. For comfort while sleeping, he hadn't buttoned up many of the robe's buttons.

The lean revealed a large expanse of skin and his entire right shoulder.

His pale, flawless skin, with a hint of pink, looked soft and inviting, like milk.

Hilmeth shifted uncomfortably, averting his gaze.

His heart was beating fast.

His tail was still in his hand, twitching restlessly, the fur making him feel a bit warm.

A little itchy, too.

Hilmeth steadied himself and finally sat down on the edge of the bed, his voice low, "What do you want to watch? I'll keep you company."

As Hilmeth came closer, Cang Cheng felt as if a minty breeze enveloped him entirely.

Pretty refreshing.

His thoughts stuttered for a moment, and it took Cang Cheng a while to come up with that description.

Cang Cheng looked at the silent exotic with the large tail and pushed his odd thoughts aside, focusing his attention back on the movie.

"Let's watch this one! 'The Deep Sea'."

Cang Cheng pointed to a highly-rated movie at random.

"Sure, let's do that."

After drawing the curtains, turning off the lights, projecting the movie on an entire wall, and switching on the surround sound, everything was set.

This was the perfect setup for a movie night.

Cang Cheng was already looking forward to it.

In the Siaxi Continent, they didn't have movies, just stage performances, so Cang Cheng was very interested in watching one.

Cang Cheng didn’t think a horror movie could scare him.

He often dealt with necromancers, skeletons, and liches, so what were the chances a horror movie could scare him?

However... Cang Cheng had overestimated himself.

As a sudden sound effect played, Cang Cheng's body twitched slightly.

The next moment, countless eyes appeared in an endless abyss, and Cang Cheng felt a wave of discomfort.

His heart was pounding.

Help... no one told him horror movies were like this!

A sudden, gross scene like that would freak anyone out, right?

Cang Cheng curled up tighter, eventually huddling in front of Hilmeth.

He didn’t realize how close he was to Hilmeth.

Cang Cheng clung to Hilmeth’s clothes, pressing most of his body against him, only occasionally peeking out with one eye to look at the screen.

A heavy sound, 'boom', echoed in Cang Cheng's ears.

Startled by the sound, Cang Cheng buried his head in Hilmeth's chest.

He could faintly hear Hilmeth’s steady heartbeat near his ear, which helped calm the fear from the horror movie.

Cang Cheng pressed himself closer against Hilmeth.

Hilmeth said nothing.

He watched as Cang Cheng moved closer, as he gripped his shirt, as Cang Cheng nestled against his chest, his bare feet resting near Hilmeth's thigh.

In places Cang Cheng couldn't see, his amber eyes blazed like molten gold.

His tail twitched restlessly, but it couldn't draw any of Hilmeth's attention away.

All his focus was on Cang Cheng, and even the slightest movement made his heart skip a beat.

Eventually, Hilmeth silently slipped his hand around Cang Cheng's waist, drawing him even closer.

Cang Cheng relaxed into the embrace, even taking Hilmeth's large hand and placing it more snugly around him.

In the dimly lit room, the two figures nestled together, their breathing synchronized.

The two-and-a-half-hour movie finally ended, and as soon as it did, Cang Cheng flicked on every light, covered his pounding heart, and went to wash up.

He decided that he would never watch horror movies again. This one had nearly taken his life.

When Cang Cheng finished washing and lay in bed, pulling the covers up, ready to sleep, the terrifying sounds of 'thuds' and 'scrapes' still echoed in his ears, refusing to fade away.

Cang Cheng's pure black eyes blinked, and he felt his limbs, which had only just warmed from his bath, turning cold again.

I wish I could forget I ever saw this movie...

Maybe a memory-erasing spell?

Ah... I haven't learned a memory-erasing spell, so never mind...

Cang Cheng curled up, turning to see Hilmeth, the tall and reliable exotic with the large tail, still sitting on the sofa.

His black eyes suddenly lit up.

"Hilmeth," Cang Cheng spoke, a brilliant smile on his face, "can you stay with me tonight?"