Chapter 34

Chapter 34

If these nobles attending the Charity Sale weren’t fixated on returning to their fortunes, they would surely be enjoying themselves in Radiant Town so much that they wouldn’t want to leave.

Though the accommodations here were a bit cramped and the servants fewer, everything—food, drinks, and entertainment—was so novel. Moreover, they’d heard that new marvels were introduced periodically.

If possible, they’d love to transplant everything here to their own territories.

However, before they could expend effort undermining the Lis Church, many of their own people had already been lured away.

“You’ve spent so much money bidding for the Church’s ‘sacred techniques.’ You must be worried about whether these things can be successfully executed and, once made, whether they’ll actually turn a profit.” Ning Chan stood before a large blackboard, holding a black cane as he pointed to several items on the board, explaining to the audience below.

Initially, Darren and the others were displeased to see a child receiving them, even if Miced had praised the boy to the skies—they brushed it off. But with the Archbishop and others busy with blessings and unavailable to attend to them, they had no choice but to let Ning Chan take charge.

However, after witnessing Ning Chan’s eloquence, they felt their earlier assumptions had been biased. Some children, it seemed, truly possessed divinely bestowed wisdom and were extraordinary from birth.

Hadn’t the Lis Church already demonstrated plenty of miraculous things? With so many divine decrees delivered, it didn’t seem far-fetched for a saint to be enlightened as well.

Once convinced of Ning Chan’s genuine capability, they adjusted their attitudes and dared not trouble him further. Even if the boy was still just an Apprentice Saint, he was an anointed representative of the gods and had his own exceptional qualities.

Now, as they looked at the words on the blackboard and heard Ning Chan’s question, they nodded in unison. Indeed, they had concerns.

But even if these methods proved useless, they could only grit their teeth and take the loss in stride, treating it as a write-off. The things the Lis Church had displayed only deepened their reverence for the divine, making them hesitant to rashly challenge the gods’ divine authority.

Still, since this saint had asked them directly, they naturally answered truthfully—who knew, they might receive some unexpected blessing?

“Yes, we’ve never dealt with these things before. We’re afraid our subordinates might bungle and defile them. Losing money is one thing, but disgracing the divine’s gifts would be far worse.”

“These are sacred techniques, after all. We don’t want to see them destroyed in our hands.”

“We offer our loyalty to the gods, praying only for their mercy to guide us, adrift in darkness.”

These high-and-mighty nobles didn’t hesitate to play the victim before Ning Chan, vying to prove their devotion in hopes of being noticed by the gods and receiving blessings in return.

Ning Chan rapped the blackboard with his cane, drawing their attention to the new words he had written.

“The gods don’t wish to see their followers suffer losses, so they’ve pointed out a path for you. Of course, if you’re unwilling or have other ideas, you don’t have to follow it.”

Seeing the words “trial district” on the blackboard, the audience below looked puzzled. What did this mean?

“Could Saint Ning explain to us what a ‘trial district’ is?”

“With this, can we stop worrying about those issues?”

After letting them ask their questions, Ning Chan nodded and circled the words “trial district” with chalk.

......

“‘Trial district’ means you first conduct small-scale trials in one location. If there are no issues, you can then expand the implementation. For example, if you set up a trial in Sun City, the Church’s personnel can guide you at every step, from start to finish, to prevent failure.

“Once you’ve produced the goods, you can trial sales in Sun City first. When the time comes, we’ll also provide guidance on marketing and outreach strategies.

“If the business proves profitable, you can then expand operations in your own territories and sell widely.

“If the business doesn’t do well, your losses will be limited. And as bearers of sacred doctrine, the Church will assess the overall risk and provide appropriate compensation—for instance, by imparting another ‘sacred technique’ to help you redeem your losses.

“You’ve demonstrated your piety and benevolence to the gods, and the gods will not forsake their devotees. Fear not.”

With investors right here, of course, they had to find a way to keep these golden opportunities around for the long term.

Unaware they were being played, the assembled nobles nearly shed tears upon hearing Ning Chan's explanation. The merciful god had thought of everything so thoroughly for them—why hesitate or worry?

"Good, then how should we establish this experimental zone? Has the divine provided any specific instructions?" asked the man who had purchased the cement-making method. As long as construction was involved, his business could start anytime.

"Yes, take a look. This is the blueprint for the test area. We’re just starting, so we’ll begin with this area first and gradually expand." Ning Chan unrolled the map he had drawn on the table—a lengthy scroll crammed with an entire city’s design.

Looking at the neatly arranged buildings, the smooth ground fit for galloping horses, and the expressions of people either leisurely or busy, they couldn’t decide whether to marvel at the exquisite artistry or the thrilling vision it promised.

What was depicted here was unlike any city they had ever seen, yet they had a strange feeling—if they built this thing, they would witness a new world unlike anything before.

It was precisely this map that convinced them the divine was showing them the way.

If not the gods, who else could produce something this goddamn impressive?

Ning Chan knew that keeping these factories here might mess up the local area, but relocating them elsewhere could lead to even more uncontrollable pollution.

Having them build here was not only to boost business but also to guide them toward standardized production. Starting properly here would keep things from going off the rails elsewhere later.

The production zone Ning Chan planned for them was not in Bright Town itself but in its surrounding areas.

Land in Yang City would not be sold or exchanged, only leased. Given their early-stage development, they’d skip the rent for now. However, once they began production and sales, they’d owe taxes to Yang City.

As lords, they were accustomed to paying taxes to the royal family. Paying the church instead was no big deal. Moreover, since they were using church land without charge, throwing them some taxes was only right.

After clarifying how the taxes would be levied and calculated, they nodded, pleased.

If they suffered losses or earned little, they wouldn’t owe taxes. Only if they profited substantially would they need to pay. By this logic, they damn near hoped they’d pay more in the future—because that would mean they were earning more.

In the faint smile of Ning Chan, they seemed to already see piles of gold coming their way.

With divine blessing, they’d be rolling in it!

"Good, no problem."

"Let’s proceed this way. We’re willing to pay the taxes."

Seeing them drool over the grand vision he had painted, Ning Chan’s eyes twinkled with mischief. "Since everyone agrees, let us sign the contract under the witness of the divine. From now on, all matters shall proceed according to its terms."

As Ning Chan placed several pages before each of them, they picked them up and carefully examined the contents.

Was this the contract? It contained so many details.

Though some parts went over their heads, as Ning Chan explained each clause, their hearts grew steadier.

With this document, they no longer feared being shortchanged.

Truly a contract born of divine wisdom—could they also use such terms in their future business dealings?

Beyond this ordinary contract, they wondered if there existed one that could share divine power.

Gazing at Ning Chan, it got them thinking—what kind of contract had the gods made with these holy sons?