Chapter 0112 – The Sacrificed

Many people understood that with the establishment of One Hall, Two Pavilions, and Six Departments, the power of the entire village would be consolidated and structured. All forces would be united and directed toward a single purpose. This was a huge improvement over the previously chaotic, disorganized efforts—far more efficient.

Those who felt underappreciated were itching to prove themselves.Some scholars in particular saw this as their golden opportunity.

Currently, there were few educated people in the village, making their chances of standing out much higher.Once One Hall, Two Pavilions, and Six Departments were established, a vast number of positions would need to be filled.

Especially in internal administration branches like the Tianji Hall and Tiande Hall, literate individuals would naturally have a great advantage.

Meanwhile, those who had once served as constables had their eyes set on the Six Doors, the security and law enforcement branch. Once it was established, many constables would be recruited, and their prior experience gave them a distinct edge.

Fate Qi Pool!

Yi Tianxing appeared naturally beside the Fate Qi Pool. He looked at the pool—layers of gray water now covered one-third of its height, over a meter deep. The water volume had increased dramatically. Moreover, from the spring at the bottom of the pool, streams of Fate Qi constantly bubbled up.

Once the Fate Qi Pool overflowed, the village would be ready to advance.

The golden Fate Carp swam leisurely through the waters. With more room and richer Fate Qi to bathe in, it was visibly growing. It had become larger than after it had devoured the Fate Spirit from the ogre camp. Its golden scales now gleamed with radiant light—it looked mystical and intelligent.

Noticing Yi Tianxing, the carp leaped out of the water and blew a bubble at him, joy dancing in its eyes as it splashed playfully.

"Stay here and grow well," Yi Tianxing said with a smile. "This pool isn't your final destination—your world is the vast sky beyond. Today, I brought a friend to accompany you. She's my daughter, and you're not allowed to bully her."

The rise in water volume was due to the sudden population boom and the village's clear development structure. Population generates Fate Qi, and when people's hearts are at peace, Fate Qi arises naturally. The spring in the pool would continuously produce water as long as morale remained stable. This was a slow, continuous process.

With a flash of light, a crystal sphere resembling a Star Network orb appeared in Yi Tianxing's hand. Inside, Xinghai stood quietly with her eyes closed.

"Xinghai, I will now place the Star Network into the Fate Qi Pool. From now on, you will merge with the pool. Wherever the Fate Qi of the village reaches, the Star Network will reach too."

"Yes, Father," Xinghai replied.

Whoosh!The orb dropped into the pool and instantly merged with the gray water. Streams of Qi began to seep into the sphere. Xinghai didn't resist the process.

Over time, the sphere blended completely with the Fate Qi Pool, creating a mysterious connection. Brilliant starlight burst from the orb and flowed into the pool, sending out an invisible rhythm that radiated across the entire Xuanhuang Village.

This vibration was imperceptible but very real—it was part of the Fate Qi. Without a medium, no one would notice it. Only through a medium could one access the Star Network.

In this silent moment, an invisible Star Network enveloped all of Xuanhuang Village.

The Fate Carp joyfully chased after the orb, spitting golden light into it, swimming playfully around it.

"Father, the Star Network now covers all areas touched by our Fate Qi. Once we create proper mediums, anyone can connect to it. I can help store and manage all types of data," said Xinghai.

"I'll get started on that right away. I have a treasure that allows for rapid replication once a sample is made. I plan to craft a form of identity card—a Heaven Register Card (Tianji Card). Everyone's identity will be bound to a card via a drop of blood."

"The card will show identity info and function like a bank card—it can store Merit Points, which can be distributed directly to each person. They can view, transfer, or trade their points. With your ability, I believe you can implement this system."

Yi Tianxing's eyes flashed with determination.

If this succeeded, the Merit Point System could be fully realized and immune to manipulation. Only by hacking the Star Network and interfering with Xinghai could it be compromised.

Once people registered at the Tianji Hall, all data would be uploaded to the Star Network. Information could be updated and secured in real time.

"Yes, Father. Xinghai can handle this. Once their data is entered, the Merit System can run automatically," Xinghai replied confidently.

Of course, crafting such Tianji Cards wouldn't be easy.

"Alright, Xinghai. I'll come visit often. You take care of the rest."

With a final instruction, he turned and left the Fate Qi Pool.

His next task was to figure out how to create the Heaven Register Card.

While Xuanhuang Village stirred with hope and enthusiasm due to the establishment of new institutions, over at the Xiongnu military camp near the valley, despair reigned.

The Xiongnu soldiers were still forcing Han men into labor. Any lagging worker was whipped mercilessly. Screams filled the air. Some collapsed and died on the spot, while the survivors were covered in wounds.

As dusk approached, during a break, a large group of laborers was gathered.

Two men who had conspired earlier met again.

"Sheng, I've spoken with some of the braver men. We all know we'll be killed eventually by these savages. Everyone is ready to rise up. When the time comes, if you call, they will follow," a lean man said.

"Guang, I've mapped the surroundings. The Xiongnu camp is fenced all around with just one guarded entrance. But since we built those fences, I can secretly leave a gap in the southeast corner. If we push hard enough, we can break through," the hardened man replied quietly.

"Perfect. If we escape, the whole camp will fall into chaos—it'll be hard for them to round us up again," Guang said joyfully.

"But we need someone brave to sacrifice themselves—carry poison into their food supply. We can't get near their water or meals otherwise."

The Xiongnu weren't fools. They'd never let slaves near their provisions—only one type of person could get that close: the dead.

To them, Han slaves were just livestock. When one died, they were cooked and eaten. Sometimes in groups. They saw it as a delicacy.

"I've already spoken to a volunteer—and brought him here," Wu Guang said, pulling a man forward.

He was fat, his skin once pale and soft—a sign of a good upbringing. But now he was dirty and battered, whip scars crisscrossing his body. His eyes burned with hatred.

"This is Wang Kai. His sister was raped and killed in the camp, then eaten like livestock. He volunteered for this role."

"Sheng, I'm done. I can't survive this any longer. I've never done this kind of labor. If not for my desire for revenge, I'd have collapsed already. Let them eat my flesh—I just want them to pay. Kill as many of them as you can. Avenge me. Avenge my sister," Wang Kai said coldly.

"Rest assured, Brother Wang—we'll avenge you. We'll never forget your sacrifice. If even one of us makes it out alive, we'll erect a monument in your honor. We owe our lives to you," Chen Sheng vowed solemnly.

"Give me the poison. I'll swallow it and storm their camp. I'll die. But tonight, they'll light their fires and cook. When they eat me, the poison will do its work. My meat will feed many of them—and they'll die for it. Just promise me... avenge me. My name is Wang Kai."

His chubby face twisted into a grim, determined expression.