Players: All NPCs in the Sect Are Moles

Mr. Zhang roared, swinging his cleaver down on Jiang Stone’s intact left arm!

SQUELCH! The blade sank into flesh, and blood sprayed everywhere.

A severed arm flew through the air, landing and rolling in the nearby dust.

"AHHHHHHH—!!!"

Stimulated by the pain module, Jiang Stone unleashed a scream that sounded horrifyingly real!

’Well, there goes my arm... How long did it even last? Gone again! But whatever. If the heroic maiden arrived and I still had a good arm left, it would be hard to explain anyway.’

Mr. Zhang’s tense nerves finally relaxed. He closed his eyes, a twisted smile spreading across his face.

"Haaaah..." His expression softened, and a wave of relief washed over him.

’That’s more like it... That’s the sound I wanted to hear...’

...

「Anhe City, City Lord’s Manor」

Su Ling’er rubbed her throbbing temples, a headache building as she looked at the two "councillors" blocking her path.

She had originally been planning to go out.

But now that the recent chaos had settled, lingering doubts about Qingxu Temple plagued her mind. The bronze and wooden statues in the main hall, in particular... thinking back on them now, something felt deeply wrong.

"Mr. Li, I’m certain something is still hidden in Qingxu Temple. I feel like we have to go back and check," Su Ling’er said in a low voice.

"An excellent idea! We might find some clues about them. This is too important to delay." Li Chunfeng glanced at the two councillors, then straightened his robes. "But since you have to deal with this first... I’ll go investigate Qingxu Temple ahead of you! I know the way, after all!"

Without waiting for Su Ling’er to react, Li Chunfeng practically bolted, clutching his Wooden Sword as he slipped out the main gate.

Su Ling’er: "..."

...

After Li Chunfeng made his escape, only two councillors remained in the hall, their gazes burning with intensity: [One Sword To Decide The Universe] and [Biqu Country Go 4].

And these two were here for one thing: Spirit Stones!

After all, Miss Su wouldn’t see a task if they just posted it on a quest board. They needed her to witness their efforts firsthand, to see their contributions to Anhe City. Due to Miss Su’s ten-thousand-word limit and past precedents involving bug exploits, the city’s development had become a direct extension of Su Ling’er’s will. But what they really cared about were the Spirit Stones and the perks their positions offered.

And so, two draft proposals for the development of Anhe City were placed before her.

[A Comprehensive Review of Systemic Reforms Regarding "Regional Stability Value" and "Infrastructure"]

To address the drawbacks of the city patrol’s current performance-at-all-costs model, [One Sword To Decide The Universe] proposed a reform package of "high salaries to ensure honesty" combined with "inverted performance incentives."

He suggested restructuring the patrol’s reward system by introducing the concept of a [Regional Stability Value].

If a patrolman’s designated district remained free of any serious crimes for a day, they would receive a full "Peacekeeping Bonus." If this streak continued for 3, 7, or even 30 days, the bonus would increase exponentially. At the same time, a system of collective responsibility would be enforced. If a crime did occur, the responsible patrolman would face deductions or even dismissal, depending on the severity of the incident.

The goal was to shift the patrol’s focus from reaction to prevention—stopping trouble before it started.

Meanwhile, [Biqu Country Go 4]’s proposal focused on infrastructure: building water management systems, reclaiming barren fields, repairing bridges, and providing work as a form of disaster relief.

His core logic drew from the classic saying, "The people will learn etiquette when the granaries are full." The goal was to provide another option for those truly driven to crime by poverty. However, the proposal also noted that wealth alone cannot eliminate the greed lurking in the human heart.

The current "snitching frenzy" had been effective in the short term, curbing the city’s shirkers and swindlers. But most of these people weren’t driven by circumstance; it was simply their nature. A lack of strict oversight had given them fertile ground to thrive.

Even while strengthening the patrol’s benefits, the existing system of "city-wide reporting and job competition" must be maintained to ensure strong oversight. Anyone attempting to tamper with materials would find countless eyes watching them. With such high-pressure competition for patrol positions, the cost of breaking the rules would become prohibitively high for everyone.

...

Su Ling’er stared at the two proposals in her hands. Though they were filled with obscure terms she only half-understood, she was still deeply impressed!

"Not bad at all."

Su Ling’er understood why they had come to her. As Cultivators, the mortal government couldn’t provide the rewards they truly desired. She nodded.

With a wave of her fair hand, two crystal-clear, low-grade Spirit Stones landed in their palms.

"Since your hearts are in the right place, you have my leave to proceed. If Anhe City truly improves because of your efforts... there will be more Spirit Stones as a reward."

"Thank you, Miss Su!!"

[One Sword To Decide The Universe] and [Biqu Country Go 4] accepted the Spirit Stones and exchanged a grin. ’Mortal government work is just for chump change,’ they thought. ’We’re already top-tier Cultivator players. Why squabble over petty rewards when we can improve Anhe City, raise our favorability with Miss Su, and earn some real rewards?’

They even started wondering if they should hire a few artists to paint some flattering portraits of them "diligently overseeing the construction and peace of Anhe City, willing to give their all for the cause" when they went to supervise the work in disguise later...

...

Back in the City Lord’s Manor, as Su Ling’er was examining the "infrastructure blueprints," her Divine Sense suddenly jolted.

A jade slip tucked in her robes began to buzz urgently. It was the [Communication Whistle] she had given to the righteous beggar with the severed hand, Jiang Stone.

’That direction... the barren mountains near the main road to Pingyang City?’

Su Ling’er’s brow furrowed. The righteous beggar may have been crippled, but he possessed the heart of a true hero.

’Has he discovered something? Or is he in trouble?’

Without a moment’s hesitation, Su Ling’er formed a hand seal, and the Wooden Sword on her back shot out instantly.

She stepped onto the Wooden Sword, transforming into a streak of light that sped directly toward the barren mountains.

...

On a remote path leading out of Anhe City, two horses galloped madly, spurred on by furious whipping.

It was Zhao Decang and his advisor.

"My lord! Are we really just leaving? The official seal is still back at the manor!" the advisor panted, glancing back over his shoulder.

"To hell with the official seal! Are you telling me you need an official seal to go home and visit family? That girl from the Su Family has lost her mind! Daring to change the entire system as a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator? And starting some kind of council? She’s trying to tear the whole sky down!"

"This is a ’family visit,’ do you understand?! I’m afraid if we stayed, we’d be the first so-called ’rebel sympathizers’ to be made an example of!"

Su Ling’er was a Cultivator; maybe she could get away. But he, Zhao Decang, was just a mortal. ’Rather than stay and wait to die,’ he thought, ’it’s better to use this chaos as cover. Flee to the next commandery city under the guise of a family visit and live out my days in peace.’

Zhao Decang hadn’t even finished speaking when his horse let out a bloodcurdling whinny. Its front legs buckled, throwing both him and his advisor to the ground.

"Oof! My back!" Zhao Decang rolled several times on the ground. He was about to get up and start cursing when he suddenly felt the temperature plummet.

Sometime, somehow, a thick fog had rolled into the once-clear forest.

"Gyehehehehehe..." A sinister cackle echoed from all directions.

Zhao Decang looked up in terror. A group of black-robed figures emerged from the fog. Their leader held a long, jet-black banner, its surface covered with countless twisted human faces screaming in silent agony.

’What... what is happening?’

Several of the black-robed disciples, at the Qi Refining Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage, lunged forward.

"AHHH—!!!" The piercing screams lasted for barely half a second before cutting off abruptly. Shrouded in a demonic art, the bodies of Zhao Decang and his advisor began to wither at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Their blood essence turned into a red mist, which several Body Refining disciples greedily inhaled;

Their flesh instantly withered away, exposing stark white skeletons, which were then skillfully dismantled and divided among a few Foundation Establishment Stage disciples.

Finally, two ethereal figures—their souls—floated up from the remains, only to be violently ripped into the jet-black banner. The leader, a Core Formation Stage Demon Cultivator, stroked the banner in satisfaction before turning his gaze toward the distance.

"Let’s go. It’s time to fulfill our contract. Once the illusion formation is in place, you can kill and play with the people in the city as you please—but only for half a day. After that... Anhe City will no longer need to exist."