Feicui Long, after being left alone, is ready for everyone to go to sleep, but Callista and Melina have eyes that show they want to ask something, so he sighs tiredly and says while stroking their heads: "Alright, you can ask."
The two look at each other like accomplices and ask: "How did you do that with your special soul? Could you also explain what a special soul is?"
Feicui Long nods and says: "A special soul is the combination of soul energy, abilities, capacities, and attributes of a specific species. Theoretically, every species must have one... with the only exceptions being mortal species like common animals or plants, but also including the 14 mortal races. Besides, the special soul is something completely different from the normal soul you know." Feicui Long looks at Isabella and Mariane.
Feicui Long then adds: "Every being is born with one, and unlike the normal soul that everyone has, this one works separately and nothing happens if it gets damaged, because it regenerates. On top of that, it possesses unique capacities related to the species and another ability, which is that it can be used externally without the need for strange techniques or rare artifacts or treasures like the normal one. Also, even if it's destroyed, it can recover as long as the anchoring point you are born with is still there. That same anchoring point is the reason why, for example, when a mortal transforms into another species, they don't obtain a special soul even if they get everything else."
Callista nods and says: "So there is no way to obtain it other than by birth?"
Feicui Long shakes his head: "The anchoring point of the soul can be restored or rebuilt or even built if the necessary materials are obtained and everything else from the species is possessed, including the body. But it's easier to rebuild it than to build it. Besides, if a species that already had a special soul changes species, race or evolves, their soul can change, but it depends on whether it's a generic special soul or a unique one. Because it's easier to go from a generic to a unique or another generic than from a unique to a generic or another unique."
Melina asks one last question: "But then why is it that if you die, you can lose it unless you use a technique like you did, uncle?"
Feicui Long answers calmly: "Because of the anchoring point. It is located at the union of the four parts of a being: the soul, the spirit, the mental realm or the mind, and the body. When the body dies, the anchor is destroyed, dispersing or releasing the special soul. That is why it can be inherited or gifted."
The twins, satisfied, go to the room assigned to them and he goes to sleep. The coming day is a busy one.
...
Feicui Long the next day, the first thing he does is meet with Johan, who tells him: "Feicui Long, son, I hope your plans go well. By the way, yesterday I didn't give you the money, here, I managed to get a good amount: 75 gold coins for everything you brought. I also bought the rest of the things you asked for, from food to even equipment for your army, including the symbol you requested, although I still don't understand why you want to use the symbol of the emerald-golden dragon god."
Feicui Long smiles and places his hand on his father-in-law's shoulder and says: "Thank you very much, father. Don't worry, I'll be careful to make it happen."
That same day at 12 pm, everyone leaves taking different routes as a precaution, then regroup: the 260 slaves, the 35 new troops of Feicui Long, the other ten people who are going to accompany them, the carriages, and everything else.
Feicui Long has an initial plan to take over the entire Feldbach forest for himself and have it in the name of the barony, at least at the start. But for that, he needs a little time. For example, among the things he bought besides construction materials, he bought energy stones especially because he is running out of them to create formations and even beacon stones, which are the ones used to claim an area for mortal races.
But these stones are expensive to buy, so he buys them raw, which means he needs to inscribe them himself. Even so, they are still expensive, particularly because of the purchase of energy stones, which are costly. In fact, this is the real reason why building the 70 houses is so expensive, because he had to buy several stones for the inscriptions of each house.
In any case, he needs these stones to claim the forest. He has already explored the entire forest and has it mapped, especially thanks to Kagetsume, who he had carry one of his watch golems to map the area. The forest is large, but not that much. Even though it's part of the land lost in that war by the Habsburg Empire, it's just a small part and really the only area he can seize, since the others are truly dangerous. Besides, it's a resource-rich zone with great potential.
This part of his plan will take time, so that's why he needs to hide the existence of his village at all costs. Not because he fears someone will take it from him, since once it is claimed, the rules of the union protect the one who claimed it for literally decades. It can be from 10 to 20 years if it's new territory, up to 50 years if it's recovered territory. But having that protection doesn't mean they can't use other ways to cause problems for the barony, which is the one that will officially keep the territory.
So it's better to hide, in fact it was vital to do so, that's why at this moment he is looking at everyone and says to his troops and companions: "Alright, everyone take the fragment of the fragmented formation and activate it, remember to split in a straight line."
The troops, Arianne, Gloria, Caroline, Freja, Isabella, Callista, Melina, Mariane, along with Freja's cousin and Carolina's aunt and their respective maids, nod and deploy by spreading out, making sure to cover everyone with the formation. This formation is one of soundproofing, concealment, illusion and anti-espionage, because that's how secret it needs to be. Also to maintain the illusion that the lord of the forest who prevented the takeover by the union and the Habsburg Empire is still inside, ever since Carlotta left. Even though the limit to trigger the lord's attack was over 500, it is better to avoid anything that could alter this perception.
Luckily, no village or person stays near the town after the 10 recovery attempts that caused this whole area to be swept and destroyed by the beasts' counterattack. With that, they enter the forest, accompanied by the undead created by Mariane and Feicui Long, protecting them from a distance so as not to scare the children. The 7-day journey continues peacefully.
…
After 7 days, they can finally see the road that Feicui Long built to connect to his house, which by the way is about 3 km from here. The slaves are left surprised because the road looks totally different from the one in the forest, which, although in good condition, clearly looks abandoned for a long time. But this one is very well made and well maintained, of recent construction, and it even has canals that divert the water to prevent the road from flooding.
Feicui Long just smiles proudly at his construction and gestures for them to continue. Soon the view amazes the slaves because 30 houses are already built and the others already have the foundations, the piping and the bathrooms.
Feicui Long is also a bit surprised because he expected Annie and the golems to only finish the structures of 2 or 3, but this amount... leaves him quite impressed. On top of that, they look exactly the same as the 20 that gave him so much work. Anyway, Feicui Long leads them to the central "plaza", which is more of a clean area where he has built a platform with cement and granite blocks, along with a granite lectern.
Here, Feicui Long climbs onto the lectern and says: "You may sit on the ground please, I would like to speak with everyone. I know you're tired from the trip, but we really haven't had much time to do this."
Next to Feicui Long stand the 35 troops, plus 5 of the slaves. 3 are the sisters who were in that cage, in which one begged him to buy her, one is the scout and the other is the cursed girl who sings. Besides them are his usual companions, Isabella, Mariane and the others. In front of them, the rest of the slaves sit down in order, looking at him with some doubts.
Feicui Long then speaks: "I know you're probably wondering why I bought you, for what purpose. Well, I'm going to tell you why. Because I want to build a village here, a city, take this land and reform it. That's why I took the liberty to modify your slavery contracts…"
Feicui Long pauses his speech to observe the slaves' reactions, who look quite intrigued, and then adds: "The modification was simple: 7 years, you will work for 7 years and earn your freedom. But you can also shorten that time if you contribute to the village. Your contribution will reduce the effective time, even possibly recovering your freedom without having to wait a full year, as long as the contribution is significant."
This lights up many of the slaves' faces while others still look clearly suspicious. On Feicui Long's side, some already knew but still look surprised and others are impressed by this act.
Feicui Long then speaks again: "Now I will explain how the contribution point system works. With each task you complete, you will earn regular points. But if you contribute by inventing something, providing something that improves society, or discovering something, you will get many more points. Or if you do an impeccable job, you will earn more points than normal, although not as many as the previous examples. Also, these points won't only serve for freedom, but for other things too."
Feicui Long takes a breath and then continues: "That includes buying food, clothes, and tools, up to basic farming techniques, cultivation-related items, and medicine. Of course, I will provide enough food for each of you to eat three times a day, same with the clothes I already gave you and the tools to work. I'll also treat you if you get sick with medicine. But the food you can trade for will go beyond the basic food I'll give, which includes grains, flour, proteins like dried meat or legumes and other vegetables. You'll also be able to trade for food like fruits, meat, more dried meat, and get more food if you wish. In the future, even eggs and milk with the animals I brought."
This last part makes many of the slaves' eyes light up even more, and some feel truly happy. On Feicui Long's side, some still feel confused about why he's being so generous with them.
Feicui Long continues explaining: "Regarding clothing, tools and medicines, you will be able to trade to get new clothes made by tailors with cotton, linen and wool fabrics that I purchase in Skylion town, as well as the hides of energy beasts, monsters and other creatures I have hunted. The tools will be different from work tools, since those are my own. These will be yours. The medicines can be of all types, from healing potions to energy or qi regeneration pills."
Feicui Long, finishing his explanation, says: "This will also serve other purposes, not to mention that I will pay you 7 copper coins a month, which you can use to buy from the store of my merchant where I will sell everything. But you may also negotiate among yourselves. Also, everyone will receive education starting next year after winter, and finally, the list of things you can exchange and the points received for each action will be posted on the bulletin board placed next to this platform."
After a while, someone in the seated crowd raises his hand. Feicui Long sees him. It is the muscular man who asked him to buy his sister, so Feicui Long nods for him to ask the question. Then the muscular guy speaks: "Can I ask what your motives are, your intentions behind all this kindness?"
Many slaves remain frozen in fear looking at him, some because he makes them fall into the cruel reality that nothing is free in existence, others because they fear that Feicui Long might punish them for questioning him like that. But Feicui Long can only burst into a short laugh: "Hahahahaha"
Then Feicui Long speaks and says: "You're right. I have a hidden motive. That motive is simple. I want you to become my citizens once you're freed. Having slaves can help develop a place, but I'm not interested in that. A village, an empire, a nation needs people, citizens to live, to exist. As the saying goes, without men there is no land."
A skinny guy further back raises his hand as well. Then Feicui Long gives him the word: "And how can we be sure of that? You wouldn't be the first to say those kinds of things."
Feicui Long looks at him seriously and says: "I am Feicui Long, and I would never break my oath, my promise. In fact, right here and now I make an oath, in the name of the absolute heaven, in the name of the absolute sovereign, the only thing I desire is citizens."
A dark-skinned man further back says: "Then tell us what will happen when we're freed."
Feicui Long looks at him and begins to speak: "Alright, I will explain. You can decide now or when you're about to be freed if you want to stay here or not. If you stay, the house assigned to you will be yours and will be tax-free, unless you turn it into a business establishment. Besides that, each one of you will receive 5 gold coins and a citizenship card."
Feicui Long then sweeps his gaze across everyone and says: "If you decide not to stay, you are free to leave. You will receive 25 silver coins and may take with you the things you purchased, but you will lose the house since it will return to my property. Also, the subcontract that binds you will activate and erase the memories some of you had of being here. Everything will be as if you had never seen this village and the people who live here. Aside from that, everyone will be free. Though my advice is: don't go to the Habsburg Empire so the slavers don't catch you again."
The same dark-skinned guy speaks with a voice full of mockery, disdain and provocation: "Aren't you afraid we might turn against you and kill you and all your people?"
Feicui Long looks at him and smiles with a smile that isn't a smile and says: "If you have the ability, why don't you try?"
After that, Feicui Long claps.
Then sounds of heavy things being placed on the ground can be heard, and with them, the sounds of heavy and hard steps. A total of 175 tall figures from 3m (9.84252 ft) to 3.5m (11.4829 ft) appear from the right side and from behind. All the slaves see them. They are golems made of earth, rock and wood. But it doesn't stop there. The sound of bones cracking, the sound of flesh moving soon follow, showing about 200 undead, of all kinds, from humanoid monsters to energy beasts, all of them staring at them with those dead eyes.
Feicui Long then opens his mouth and says: "Oh yes, I also forgot this." Snapping his fingers and pointing at the dark-skinned guy, an aura so terrifying bursts out for a few seconds, before Feicui Long snaps again and makes it disappear instantly.
The dark-skinned man then becomes deeply anxious while sweating. No one sees what happened to him, but it doesn't stop there. The muscular man grabs his shoulder and says: "Are you an idiot? If you want trouble, look for it with me, not with the young lord!"
Feicui Long then looks at everyone and says: "I want to say this. Even though I want the best for you, for you to become my citizens and that's why I'm offering you my kindness, don't forget this. I'm not a saint nor a Buddha. I'm not even a person of the righteous path. I belong to the neutral path, and if I have to kill someone, I will."
The people who hear this are cursing the dark-skinned man in their minds. Everything was going so perfectly, but that damn bastard…
Feicui Long interrupts the heavy atmosphere by saying: "Now then, the important thing is that I'm going to assign the 20 houses that are fully completed, the rest will have to set up the tents until the remaining houses are finished, including the 10 that only need the inscriptions to be added. Also, since I almost forgot, you may walk around a 1 km² area (0.386102 mi²), you may freely hunt common animals, gather wild fruits, mushrooms and the like, as well as cut down trees and such without worrying, since the protective formation prevents any energetic being and mortals from the 14 mortal races from entering."
Feicui Long then says: "But to make it fair I've prepared a draw, each family will take a number and depending on which number they get, they'll obtain one of the finished houses. Also, since we still don't have many of the working areas, the professions that can't yet work must help with the construction and the harvest to speed up the process."
All the slaves stand up to grab their number and with that the first houses are assigned. Some jump in joy, the others just sigh from exhaustion and begin setting up their tents to be able to rest peacefully with their families. With that, the rest of the day passes calmly in this nameless village.