Chapter 112

Chapter 112

The commotion quickly drew the attention of everyone in the courtyard. They all looked toward the disturbance outside.

The moment the crowd saw the dead tree beside the courtyard wall overflowing with life, everyone surged toward it.

Some even plucked leaves from the lower branches and put them in their mouths.

“It’s real. I can taste the leaves’ bitterness.”

Xiao Che had witnessed all kinds of supernatural abilities from Jin Bao, but even he was so astonished by this scene that he could not speak for a long moment.

“Daddy, Baby did it. Hee-hee.”

While Xiao Che stared at the newly green tree, his daughter whispered into his ear from within his arms.

Xiao Che’s eyes widened in delight.

“Daughter, did you truly do this? How did you manage it?”

Xiao Che found it baffling. He had held Jin Bao in his arms the entire time and had not seen her move. How had she brought the dead tree back to life?

“Baby used here.”

Jin Bao tapped her little head with one hand and tilted it as she blinked. Then she yawned.

“But Baby’s sleepy now. Baby wants a nap.”

Xiao Che quickly secured Jin Bao against his body again and covered her with his wolfskin cloak so she could sleep on his chest.

His excitement at that moment was beyond description.

He thought he understood part of what had happened. Reviving a dead tree must have consumed Jin Bao’s energy. Why else would she feel sleepy?

She had been energetic only moments ago, but now she was exhausted. She fell asleep in the blink of an eye and could not be woken.

Wait. Why had his daughter suddenly awakened another supernatural ability?

Could it be related to everyone kneeling before her just now?

He remembered that back in the cave, everyone had also knelt to thank her. Her strength had increased dramatically afterward, and she had gained the living map.

The situation was identical this time.

If their conclusion before had been only a guess, this incident confirmed it.

The power of faith could make Jin Bao stronger.

If everyone learned of Jin Bao’s ability and their faith in her deepened, would that help her awaken more quickly?

To test his theory, Xiao Che prepared to announce that Jin Bao had revived the dead tree.

Her identity as the Star Maiden was already known everywhere, so he might as well seize the opportunity to spread her fame.

Since Jin Bao was a Princess and vassal princes throughout the realm were rebelling, why shouldn’t the Xiao Family support the Princess in inheriting the throne?

Not only would their cause be legitimate, but it would also have the people’s support.

After thoughts raced through Xiao Che’s mind, he announced in a clear voice, “Everyone, what you just witnessed was not a miracle. It was my daughter’s ability.

“Everything you said was correct. My daughter is the Star Maiden. More than that, she is a Princess of Great Xia and a blood relative of the current Emperor.

“Master Huiyuan said my daughter can bring stability and peace to the realm, end the people’s displacement, and allow commoners throughout the land to live and work in peace.”

The moment Xiao Che finished, complete silence fell. Then everyone quietly knelt.

No one spoke. Their faces and eyes brimmed with incomparable devotion. Their kneeling resembled the worship they offered to the god in their hearts during holiday rites, arising entirely from within.

Some even prostrated themselves fully on the ground.

These refugees came from different places and followed different forms of worship, but their hearts were the same. Each used the highest rite of their homeland, fearing they might otherwise profane the Star Maiden.

Xiao Che had not expected them to believe him so readily. He had assumed he would need to spend a long time explaining.

Perhaps it was because they had witnessed Jin Bao’s speed and strength, followed by her revival of the dead tree. Her many abilities and “miracles” led them to accept the rumors as true.
Now, as long as Xiao Che personally acknowledged Jin Bao’s identity, the refugees would believe it completely.

They trusted what they had seen with their own eyes.

After the refugees finished worshiping, Jin Bao moved slightly as expected, though she did not wake.

Xiao Che raised his brows. It seemed to be working.

However, Jin Bao’s ability defied the heavens, and he did not know whether it might harm her body. From now on, she should avoid using it whenever possible.

“Does anyone here still not wish to follow us into the valley? If so, please stand to one side.”

Even though Xiao Che urgently needed people to help mine the ore, he would not force anyone against their will.

Not a single person stepped away.

“Valley Master, we are willing to follow the Star Maiden. We believe she is the Divine Maiden who will save us. We are willing to recognize the Divine Maiden as our master and worship her for generations.”

“Divine Maiden! Divine Maiden!”

“We will worship her! We will worship her!”

The crowd shouted excitedly.

Xiao Che lowered his head and looked at the sleeping Jin Bao. His heart had finally found its true purpose.

Not only these refugees, but the Xiao Family as well would follow the Star Maiden for generations, protecting her and clearing the way ahead.

“In that case, everyone will now gather in the main hall.”

Xiao Che once again possessed the commanding presence of a general leading thousands upon thousands of troops.

The refugees left the western side courtyard in an orderly fashion and entered the main hall.

The hall was large, but even it could not hold more than a thousand people at once.

The crowd automatically opened a path to let Xiao Che and Jin Bao enter first.

Only then did Xiao Che clearly see the horror inside the hall.

Bodies lay everywhere he looked, and blood had splattered across the pillars and floor.

The heavy stench of blood filled his nose, mingling with the inn’s original musty odor until it was nauseating.

Xiao Che planned to use Blackwind Fort as their temporary base.

Ye Qi had investigated the place the night before. Blackwind Fort was a military fortress abandoned more than twenty years ago. People had gradually moved in, then moved away again over the years, leaving it deserted once more.

The innkeeper had occupied it and opened a temporary inn.

The tower stood three stories tall. No one had cleaned the upper two floors, but they were still habitable.

The stairs leading upward had fallen into disrepair over the years and were broken in many places. Once repaired, the three-story tower could serve as temporary shelter for everyone.

Xiao Che was now the group’s leader in name, and everyone waited for his orders.

But Xiao Che was thinking farther ahead. First, he had to solve their food problem.

He was a soldier, and he always believed in human nature. If everyone remained hungry, they would inevitably riot again. To prevent that, he had to secure food, clothing, and shelter for them as quickly as possible.

“Ye Qi, Ye Ba, receive your orders!”

“This subordinate is here!”

Ye Qi and Ye Ba immediately stepped forward and stood with bowed heads.

“The ten of you will divide the people into ten groups, with each of you serving as a centurion.

“Starting with Ye Qi and ending with Ye Shiliu, you will form squads one through ten in the order of your numbers.

“Assign one hundred people to each squad for now, selecting as many young and strong men as possible. Send everyone left over to me. Report back here in one hour.”

“This subordinate accepts the order.”

The Xiao Family’s Shadow Guards were numbered beginning with Ye Yi according to their level of martial arts.

The Shadow Guards were extremely capable in every area.

In less than an hour, they had organized everyone.