Samsara Paradise: Dream Weaver of Connections.

When Carlos saw the Pope's phantom disappear, his gaze toward Lin Yi became even more complicated.

From the moment they stepped into Bloodclaw Fortress, every step they took seemed to fall precisely into the young lord's calculations, a feeling that made him extremely uncomfortable.

Carlos took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent thoughts, and decided to reposition himself.

His instincts, honed over years of mercenary experience, told him that he was not facing the weak and easily bullied opponent he had imagined, but rather a cunning and shrewd player.

"My lord, regarding the clearing operation, do you have a specific order of targets or any additional intelligence? Our mercenary guild does possess some peripheral information, but it is not as comprehensive as your understanding of the intricacies and specific circumstances of this territory. Please be sure to inform us so that we can fully cooperate."

At this moment, Carlos began to lower his stance. He knew perfectly well that only by treating this kind of person with sincerity could he gain benefits.

"Don't worry, they'll be there soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, the heavy oak door to the hall was silently pushed open.

A figure appeared in the doorway, its silhouette appearing exceptionally solid against the morning light streaming in.

The newcomer was wearing faded old leather armor, with a similarly worn dark brown linen smock casually draped over it.

When Carlos and Ram's eyes fell on that iconic giant shield, they almost simultaneously stood up abruptly, clenched their right fists, and slammed them heavily into their left chests, right at their hearts.

This is the most solemn courtesy that the people of the Empire show to the Sun Legion!
Carlos and Ram Sidney bowed slightly: "Greetings, Your Excellency!"

"Alright, alright, this old man is no longer a member of the Sun Legion, and these old bones of mine can't carry that flag anymore. These formalities are unnecessary." Ruth Jack waved his hand casually, his movements carrying a kind of unpretentious and bold spirit.

Although Carlos and Ram Sidney sat back down as instructed, the shock in their eyes had not completely faded.

Moreover, judging from the shield Ruth Jack was carrying on his back, his status in the Legion was definitely not low back then.

Carlos seemed to have seen a similar description of this shield in the Mercenary Guild's confidential files; it was the symbol of a high-ranking guardian of the Sun Legion's "Bastion Sequence"!

Every member of the Sun Legion who is allowed to wear symbolic equipment is a legendary figure.

How could a figure who should exist in epic tales or the imperial capital appear in the barren Bloodclaw Fortress on the northern frontier? This was completely beyond their comprehension.

No wonder this lord is so calm and composed; it turns out he has such a powerful figure hidden by his side.

Ruth Jack paid no attention to the complex inner thoughts of the two men. His gaze went straight past them and landed on Lin Yi in the main seat, with the directness characteristic of a veteran: "Lord, how are your arrangements for the manpower to suppress the bandits?"

He moved his shoulders, making a slight grinding sound, clearly indicating that he had recovered a lot of energy after a night's rest.

For him, fighting and protecting are already ingrained in his blood.

His mission was to dedicate everything to the people under the protection of light, until his last breath.

His past experiences have undoubtedly proven this point.

"Now we have all the manpower, right?" Lin Yi pointed to the two people sitting opposite him.

From the very beginning, Lin Yi never intended to rely solely on the meager guard force of Bloodclaw Fortress to suppress the bandits. He was leveraging existing forces, and more importantly, creating momentum.

The elite of the Mercenary Guild, the power of the Holy See, plus a former officer of the Sun Legion... This lineup is hardly meant to wipe out a group of ordinary mountain bandits. It is clearly an elite assault force capable of smashing a medium-sized dark lair.

“Senior Ruth, Carlos of the Mercenary Association is at your disposal. The men I brought are ready to depart at any time; they are all experienced and skilled.”

Ram Sidney immediately reacted and solemnly said, "Lord, Lord Ruth! Although the Papacy's personnel are few, they are all devout and fearless warriors bathed in holy light! To purify the world of evil and protect the faith of light is our lifelong duty and supreme glory! Manpower and supplies are at your disposal. May the holy light guide our swords and prayers!"

If Ram participates in this project, he will not only be able to fulfill his duties to the Vatican, but it could also become the most brilliant achievement in his personal resume.

Especially since he had just obtained the fragments of "The First Expedition," if he could also perform a great service by personally purifying a dark lair, then the position of archbishop would no longer seem so far away.

“Very well, then our goal this time is to go to ‘Stone Rift Valley’ to eliminate ‘Bloodfang’. Let me warn you beforehand, this is likely to be an extremely tough nut to crack. I hope that you two and your men are fully prepared, both mentally and materially.” Ruth Jack looked up at the two men and gave them a heads-up.

“Stone Rift Valley? Bloodfang?” Carlos chewed on the name, his mind racing through the Mercenary Guild’s intelligence network that spanned the Northern Territory, retrieving relevant information.

"Lord Ruth, are you referring to the 'Bloodfang' bandit gang, notorious for its cruelty, that is entrenched deep in the Blackrock Mountains to the northwest? Rumor has it that the terrain of Rift Valley, which they occupy, is treacherous, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and... they seem to be more than just ordinary mountain bandits?"

"The roads inside Rift Valley are intricate and maze-like, filled with natural traps and man-made defensive fortifications. The most troublesome thing is that 'Bloodfang' himself may possess some kind of dark power, or he may be a puppet of some kind of dark power. His subordinates act fearlessly and fight in an extremely bizarre way, far beyond the capabilities of ordinary soldiers."

Carlos didn't finish his sentence, but everyone present was intelligent and understood what he meant.

There must be a powerful force protecting Bloodfang; it is by no means a pushover to be easily manipulated.

Eradicating Bloodfang might touch a nerve lurking in the shadows.

"Ha, this old man doesn't care which filthy maggots crawled out of the gutter behind him! If they know what's good for them, they should cut off all contact immediately and pretend nothing happened. If they dare to jump out, then this old man doesn't mind stretching his muscles and summoning those old comrades still shining brightly throughout the Empire, letting them come to the North to 'help out.' Perfect, let those old guys see the harsh scenery of the North!" Ruth's voice suddenly turned icy, a killing intent that could freeze the soul spreading out. Although he had left the Sun Legion, it didn't mean he couldn't contact the people in the Sun Legion.

Seeing that Ruth Jack had already said so, Carlos naturally wouldn't try to dissuade him anymore.

The Sun Legion is the pinnacle of the Empire's military power. Its prestige and combat strength are at the T0 level, making it a nightmare for any evil spirits.

Even the most notorious and powerful bandit gangs, entrenched deep in the mountains, would choose to retreat when they saw the sun emblem from afar.

With such a powerful figure in charge, the so-called "shadow" behind Bloodfang, no matter how large, no longer seems so terrifying.

Carlos even felt a slight excitement; being able to participate in an operation of this caliber was an honor and a qualification in itself.

"Captain Carlos, your men are familiar with the mountains and skilled in stealth, tracking, and harassment. Your primary mission: depart immediately. Utilize your speed and concealment to secretly seal off all known and suspected hidden exits of Rift Valley. Remember, all of them. Not a single mouse, not a single bird, is allowed to escape! At the same time, ascertain as much as possible the latest defensive deployments, troop distribution, and sentry positions within the valley. Most importantly, the exact movements and permanent location of Bloodfang himself. I need the most accurate intelligence, but secrecy is paramount. Better slow than exposed. You and I both know the consequences of alerting the enemy."

“Understood, Your Excellency Ruth!” Carlos straightened his back, his voice resolute.

Although the task was arduous, it was indeed the perfect fit for a mercenary's strengths and his area of ​​expertise.

"I'll personally lead the team this time, and I guarantee we'll complete the mission!"

"Ram, you and your men need to conserve your energy and prepare for the tough battle ahead. But before you set off, I need you to utilize the Vatican's extensive information channels and the Inquisition's intelligence network to investigate one key matter: In the past six months, in the northern part of the kingdom, especially in the area surrounding the Blackrock Mountains, which noble lords, merchant guilds, or clandestine forces have exhibited unusual movements in the flow of resources, particularly strategic materials such as food, weapons, armor, medicine, and alchemical materials?"

"Especially those supplies that seem unrelated to the barren territory of Bloodclaw Fortress, yet whose ultimate destination is difficult to trace. Bloodfang's ability to establish itself and grow strong in Rift Valley, supporting such a large group of desperados, suggests their supply lines couldn't have appeared out of thin air, nor could they have relied entirely on plunder. By following the flow of supplies, we can find the hand that 'bleeds' them." "Chopping off the outstretched claws is certainly satisfying, but more importantly, we must follow the claws' path to find the greedy beast hiding deep within the cave. Bloodfang is a malignant tumor; to remove it, we must also find the source of its growth. Otherwise, if we eliminate one 'Bloodfang' today, 'Black Fang' and 'Poison Fang' will emerge tomorrow. What we need is to eliminate the threat forever."

It's clear that Ruth Jack's goal this time isn't just Bloodclaw, but also to wipe out the forces behind Bloodclaw.

Ram immediately bowed: "Understood. I will contact the nearest sanctuary immediately and utilize the Inquisition's intelligence network to find those filthy tentacles hiding in the shadows!"

Carlos and Ram bowed respectfully and hurriedly left, each carrying their heavy missions and surging emotions. The heavy oak door closed, shutting out the noise from the outside world, leaving only Lin Yi and Ruth Jack in the hall.

Lin Yi remained seated, relaxed. He picked up a cup of tea that had long since gone cold, took a small sip, and his gaze fell on Ruth Jack's weathered face: "Senior Ruth, such a large-scale operation is clearly intended to cut off someone's livelihood and weaken their power. Aren't you afraid that old dog August Blackwood, who has been entrenched in the North for many years, will be pushed to the brink and actually retaliate? He's no saint; he has deep roots, countless henchmen, and his methods are notoriously ruthless and vicious."

It has to be admitted that Ruth Jack's identity is incredibly useful.

The emblem of the Sun Legion is an invisible flag. When you point it here, both arrogant mercenaries and fanatical members of the Church instantly become subservient, greatly alleviating Lin Yi's initial predicament of having no one to rely on.

Ruth Jack turned around, her hawk-like eyes staring directly at Lin Yi, her sharp gaze seemingly able to pierce through one's heart.

A mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Hmph, kid, don't try to provoke me with these roundabout methods. I've lived for so many years, I've waded through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, what storms haven't I weathered? If you were really afraid of that old scoundrel August who only knows how to hide in his golden palace and scheme, you wouldn't have withstood immense pressure to take that little brat Anne into your dilapidated castle in the first place."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the window.

The morning sun was trying its best to dispel the last trace of chill in the northern morning, and the faint sounds of people coming from the square below the castle carried a long-lost vitality.

“Old man, I’m helping you cut off August’s outstretched claws, not because of your nice words, and certainly not because of this damn lord title you’re wearing.”

“Before you arrived, Bloodclaw Fortress was like a corpse lying in a coffin, waiting to die. The air was thick with despair. They weren’t living; they were just waiting for the inevitable end.” His gaze returned to the window, where the morning sun was dispelling the last chill, and the faint sounds of people from the square could be heard.

"Although the houses are still dilapidated, the roads are still bad, and people's food and clothing are not much better, things are different now. When I stand on high ground and look down, those who are digging ditches, moving stones, and queuing up to see a doctor... their backs are straighter, their voices are louder, and there is something in their eyes."

He withdrew his gaze and looked at Lin Yi again, "Just for the sake of giving them this little bit of 'hope,' this old man will help you shield them from the wind and chop off their claws. It's worth it."

Ruth Jack saw all of this, which is why he was willing to help Lin Yi.

"Alright, be careful of your safety during this time. That old viper Auguste Blackwood is treacherous, cunning, and ruthless. He's been operating in the North for decades, and his underhanded dealings are countless. Back when I was in the Legion, I heard many 'legends' about him. He will never sit idly by and let you cut off his source of income or weaken his power. It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Be careful."

"Don't worry, he won't succeed."

Lin Yi was no longer the lone wolf he had been when he first arrived. With the elites of the Mercenary Association by his side, the power of the Holy See at his disposal, and Ruth Jack as his pillar of strength, plus the growing support of the people, he had begun to build his own power structure in Bloodclaw Fortress.

After a simple breakfast, Lin Yi stepped out of the main castle building and came to the square in front of the castle.

On the east side of the square, a long queue had already formed around several long tables temporarily erected from sturdy logs.

The people, dressed in patched clothes, waited quietly, their faces weary, but their eyes filled with a light called "hope".

This is a free clinic set up by the medical association. An elderly doctor with gray hair and wearing a simple long robe is patiently listening to the heart and lungs of an elderly woman who has been coughing incessantly.

The young apprentice beside him quickly scribbled down the symptoms on rough papyrus.

In the open medicine box next to it, neatly stacked herbal packets wrapped in clean oil paper and small medicine bottles with simple labels were emitting a faint herbal fragrance.

Medical consultations are free, and only a symbolic cost price is charged for medicinal materials.

In the past, when people fell ill, most either had to tough it out or turn to itinerant healers who charged exorbitant fees but whose effectiveness was often questionable, resulting in both financial and physical loss.

A mother clutched a few hard-earned copper coins, her husband's reward for a day's work at the construction site, to buy a small packet of fever-reducing herbs for their feverish child. Her face was a complex expression of heartache and gratitude.

On the other side of the square, near the ruins of the old, collapsed church, a bustling scene of labor was unfolding.

Dozens of strong men, under the command of a loud-voiced foreman, were chanting work songs as they carried heavy stone slabs and thick logs on their shoulders and in their hands.

Sweat soaked through their thin clothes as the ruins of the old church were cleared away, new foundations were dug, and carefully polished foundation stones were being steadily placed.

As the line of sight extends, there are several other places around the castle where construction is also underway.

Behind the castle, near the cemetery, a group of people were leveling the land, digging graves, and erecting simple stone tablets—it was a public cemetery that Lin Yi had ordered to be newly built.

The greatest comfort to the living is to let the deceased rest in peace.

Near the east gate of the inner city, the foundation has been laid and workers are building the wooden frame. This will be the permanent residence for the Mercenary Guild and the Doctors' Guild.

Further away, near the warehouse area, a larger and more robust warehouse building is also under construction to cope with the potential increase in the flow of goods in the future.

Several caravans were slowly making their way along the winding paths emerging from the forest.

The cart tracks left clear marks on the muddy ground, the horses pulling the carts puffed out white steam, and the drivers curiously looked at the border castle that seemed to be "coming alive".

These merchants, like bees and butterflies drawn to nectar, were attracted by the business opportunities that suddenly appeared in Bloodclaw Fortress.

Lin Yi embarked on a large-scale construction project, employing a large number of his subjects for the work. Although the wages were not high, the money actually flowed into the pockets of his subjects.

With the clinking of coins in their pockets, long-suppressed consumer demand began to sprout.

At the edge of the square, a quick-thinking vendor set up a makeshift stall, spreading out coarse linen and displaying salt, needles and thread, cheap earthenware pots and pans, and even small packets of sugar granules carefully wrapped in cheap oil paper.

His appearance immediately attracted the neighbors who had just received their wages or finished their medical treatment. The sounds of bargaining and children's exclamations when they saw the candy mingled together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Several caravans also joined the makeshift market, with drivers opening their cargo boxes to reveal cloth, tools, ironware, seeds, and even some rare spices and brightly colored, inexpensive ornaments from other places.

The people gathered around, cautiously inquiring about the prices, using their newly earned money to buy necessities to improve their lives.

Currently, the economy of Bloodclaw Fortress has entered a positive cycle: Lin Yi invests funds in construction → hires citizens → citizens earn income → consume and purchase goods → attracts merchants to bring more resources → tax revenue and territory vitality increase → Lin Yi is able to invest more in construction.

Bloodclaw Fortress, a small boat that had been stranded in the barren lands for far too long, was finally beginning to break free of the mud and set sail again toward the light. (End of Chapter)