Chapter 473: Chapter 499: Recent Situation
The environment of the Inner City is vastly different from the Outer City.
One could say completely distinct.
The Veterans Mutual Aid Association’s branch in the City of He Mountain is located between the Inner and Outer City, which is why Baiyu didn’t experience the scenery of the Inner City last time he came over.
Although the entire Inner City falls short compared to Villiduo.
However.
Compared to the Outer City, it’s already an extremely good environment.
At least.
The streets are clean, there are no homeless people on the roadside, nor those flauntingly dressed streetwalkers.
Moreover, the patrol forces are stronger than those in the Outer City.
Soldiers in iron armor patrol every street. Unlike the pallid and emaciated patrols in the Outer City.
Priests, merchants.
Can be seen everywhere.
The decorations of the storefronts are much more upscale, at least upon looking, they don’t give a sense of extreme hastiness.
Most importantly.
The entire Inner City District can be seen having kerosene street lamps everywhere.
Even at night in the Shelter, when there is no luminous main star in the sky, only the faint light from lone stars.
The brightness provided by the kerosene street lamps makes the place no different than the vibrant nightlife of Canglan Star’s bustling cities.
But the Outer City is different.
Once it gets dark.
Most places lack kerosene street lamps.
Hence, nighttime crime rates in the Outer City are remarkably high, and chasing criminals is a time and energy-consuming task.
The Outer City had planned to install kerosene lamps.
However.
Each time they were just installed, someone would quietly steal them during the night, and after several cycles, the matter was left unresolved.
Along the way.
Baiyu listened to Shang Yufei talk about the City of He Mountain, and he had a rough idea of this place.
The City of He Mountain.
Unlike other shelters.
This is indeed one of the top three major cities of the East Prosperity Imperial, possessing unimaginable strategic significance in the Spirit Realm.
Saying nothing else.
The mere region where the City of He Mountain is located sees no exotic races dare to invade.
Initially.
There was an extremely brutal war between exotic races and the City of He Mountain.
However, later.
Surrounding exotic races and Exotic Beasts were mostly purged and cleared by the City of He Mountain, creating a vast area.
Nowadays.
Within a twenty-mile radius of the City of He Mountain, it is basically a safe zone.
Many people have settled outside.
Of course.
Exotic Beasts occasionally cause disturbances. This is normal, and the City of He Mountain sends out troops to regularly eradicate these Exotic Beasts every month.
This is why the Outer City is overcrowded, chaotic, and has low living conditions, yet its inhabitants are unwilling to leave the city.
Outside the city.
One might face Exotic Beasts directly.
No matter what, within the city, no Exotic Beast will appear directly.
...
The Inner City.
Before the grand mansion, a procession of carriages entered through the side gate, and the servants began cleaning and arranging the entire mansion.
"Yes, hang it like that, don’t hang it crookedly."
At the main entrance of the mansion.
Ning Qian directed the servants to take down the empty plaque from under the eaves of the original mansion door and hang a new plaque.
"Violet Count’s Mansion."
On the plaque.
Six flamboyant gold-plated characters, extremely striking.
Many Earl’s Mansions are named by their titles, Baiyu’s is naturally no exception.
However.
This Violet Count, somehow sounds a bit odd.
After bustling for most of the night, red lanterns were hung in front of the mansion, a scene of festivity.
The servants and maids under him now are loyal people directly dispatched by the Ning and Qiong families, with unquestionable safety.
With the addition of so many people.
The Earl’s Mansion gained some vitality, bustling with activity, and Baiyu could finally settle down in peace.
Now in the Shelter.
He wouldn’t leave for a short time.
He needs to seize this time to strive to enhance his strength.
Of course.
There is also the work of the Security Bureau.
When he came, he had already understood from Shang Yufei that the actual commander of the Inner City’s entire City of He Mountain is divided into the Security Bureau, Anomaly Bureau, and Armed Department.
The government of the City of He Mountain.
Is basically occupied by people from these Three Departments.
If any major sudden incident occurs, the leaders of the Three Departments discuss and vote to decide before reporting to the Imperial.
Of course.
This is just the official regulation.
In fact, for many years, apart from the period when the Security Bureau was first established, having some say in matters.
With new generations replacing old ones.
The Security Bureau had long faded, completely losing its voice within the Shelter, and coupled with the Armed Department controlling the troops, it inherently held more power, this difference became increasingly evident.
And the Anomaly Bureau.
Its position is as stable as Mount Tai, supported by strong backers.
Thus.
The situation of the Security Bureau worsened day by day, eventually being pushed out of the power center.
And no one manages the chaos in the Outer City.
Otherwise.
Such a good position wouldn’t have fallen to Baiyu.
The lack of real power for the Security Bureau has persisted for many years, and Long Shanyun’s intention is for Baiyu to manage it himself.
If he has the ability.
To rectify the Security Bureau, he can regain significant power.
If not.
Then he will be as mediocre and eventually driven away as the previous Security Bureau leaders.
However.
This position given to Baiyu was still his gain.
With the support of the Qiong Family, the Third Prince, and Erza, it won’t be difficult to reorganize the Security Bureau.
You might break even.
However.
I will definitely make a huge profit.
...
Five days later.
The Violet Count’s Mansion was tidied up, and Baiyu finally brought Erin and Cang Yan to his side.
The hamster that had been away from him for quite some time burst into tears upon reunion.
"Baiyu, I missed you so much."
At the Earl’s Mansion.
The hamster’s chubby body leaped forward.
If Baiyu didn’t know her species, he would have thought this creature was a fat squirrel.
Erin beside him, smiled silently.
And Jiang Xi, Ning Qian, and others already knew this hamster could talk, so they weren’t very surprised.
Of course.
The hamster’s lethal appeal to young girls remains substantial.
"How’s Erza doing over there?"
After playing around for a while, Baiyu finally looked at Erin and seriously asked.
As the most trusted person under his command.
Erin had proven her exceptional business and management skills multiple times.
If Linjiang City’s Shelter hadn’t been invaded by exotic races, his business over there should have already flourished.
In the present world, what is the most important?
Obviously, talent.
"Everything is well, Lord Erza eats a lot every day, the Qiong Family established a special care team, working diligently every day, though judging by their expression, even Lord Erza’s appetite is somewhat overwhelming for them to bear."
Erin said, suppressing her laughter.
Baiyu’s face darkened slightly.
Erza doesn’t eat ordinary things, usually minerals and the rarer the minerals, the more to her liking.
If Baiyu didn’t control it.
This creature even wanted to swallow his Living Iron Greatsword.
However.
This is an unavoidable situation.
If she doesn’t eat a lot, she must enter a dormant state to maintain energy.
But.
In the current situation, should any sudden dangerous event occur, the dormant Legendary Ship would find it hard to respond.
Baiyu and the Qiong Family dare not let her sleep deeply.