Samsara Paradise: Dream Weaver of Connections.

As the fog was dispersed by the sea breeze, the setting sun, like blood, bathed the two wrecked ships returning to port and the huge trophies hanging from their bows in a golden-red hue.

Lin Yi hung the lifeless head and body of the siren on the bow of the ship. Although the siren was dead, its remaining pressure, like an invisible domain, still permeated the return route.

The predators that lurked beneath the dark waves and were accustomed to attacking ships all retreated, and the journey was calm with only the monotonous sound of waves lapping against the ship's hull.

A dense crowd had already gathered at the docks of Bloodclaw Fortress as the armed merchant ship and Archbishop Angie's flagship slowly approached the shore.

The heavy planks were laid on the shore, making a dull echo.

The thick ropes were thrown down with great effort by the sailors, and amidst the shouts of dozens of strong sailors, the siren's body was entangled in the thick ropes and slowly dragged down from the bow of the ship.

When the corpse, a symbol of endless nightmares, finally slammed heavily onto the slippery stone slabs of the dock with a "bang," the deathly silence was instantly ignited.

"Sirens! Sirens!"

"Good heavens! The lord really killed it!"

"By the Holy Light! The nightmare is over! It's over!"

The fear stemmed from the long-standing shadow of death cast by the Sirens, while the awe was a direct feeling towards Lord Lin Yi, who could slay such monsters, and the power of the Holy See.

The emotions that had been suppressed for too long burst forth like a flood, instantly engulfing the dock.

Some people knelt on the ground and wept bitterly, some embraced each other and wept, and many more cheered Lin Yi's name with all their might.

Back on shore, the well-prepared guards, under Ruth Jack's instructions, quickly assembled a specially made, sturdy wooden frame coated with a thick layer of anti-corrosion grease, the heavy iron chains clanging with metallic sounds.

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, amidst deafening cheers, the Siren's enormous headless body was tightly bound by thick iron chains, and its beautiful yet terrifying head was hoisted high into the air.

They were hung on the massive stone archway that was the only way to enter Bloodclaw Fortress.

The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers that lasted for a long time.

These hanging items represent more than just spoils of war; they are a declaration—the dark ages of Bloodclaw Keep have ended, and an era of lord protection has begun.

News of the Sirens' death spread like wildfire throughout Bloodclaw Keep and the surrounding ravaged villages at an astonishing speed.

Once the chains of fear break, what is released is not only ecstasy, but also a collective emotion mixed with pride and curiosity.

In the following days, the huge archway at the entrance of the town, with the remains of sirens hanging from it, became the most popular tourist attraction along the entire northern coast.

The road leading to the archway was muddy from the constant flow of people.

Residents from surrounding villages and towns brought their families, young and old, as if on a sacred pilgrimage.

They looked up, pointing at the huge corpse and the hideous head. The old people told the terrifying legends brought by the Sirens in trembling voices, while the children stared wide-eyed, both frightened and excited, their little hands tightly gripping the hem of the adults' clothes.

The mercenaries, armed with their weapons, gathered in small groups under the archway, marveling at the monster and debating the terrifying strength required to slay it.

Some of the bolder ones even tried to get close and touch the cold scales, but were immediately shouted back by the vigilant guards.

The shrewd vendors had already caught wind of this and set up makeshift stalls near the archway.

They peddle all sorts of crudely made "souvenirs," including fish scales dyed with inferior paint that are passed off as "Siren scale amulets," wooden plaques with crooked siren patterns, and even "Siren dolls" haphazardly glued together from seaweed and seashells.

Although it was crude and ridiculous, the business was booming.

Beneath the archway, the shadow of fear was replaced by an unprecedented collective euphoria.

People talked about the lord's name with an almost divine reverence.

On the night the hanging ceremony was completed, Lin Yi climbed alone to the highest point of Bloodclaw Fortress overlooking the sea.

The Soul of the Tide lights up, and a soft, moonlit blue glow spreads out instantly, silently merging into the surrounding sea like the gentlest waves.

The light lasted for a moment, then slowly receded, eventually merging completely into the crystal.

In the days that followed, the residents of Bloodclaw Fortress were pleasantly surprised to find that the once capricious coastal waters had become as docile as sheep.

For several days in a row, the sky was clear and the sea was as calm as a mirror, with only gentle waves softly licking the beach.

This is nothing short of a miracle for a town whose lifeline is port trade!

The "Mud Pit" bar, once filled with despair and the smell of cheap beer, is now bustling with people, the atmosphere so lively it's almost as if the roof is about to be lifted off.

Amidst the swirling smoke, mercenaries with their stained leather armor exposed, sailors with their sleeves rolled up revealing their bronze arms, small merchants spitting as they spoke, and even a few small traders dressed in slightly more respectable linen clothes crowded around a corner table, their eyes gleaming.

Everyone was talking about only one thing—going to sea! Making money!

"Old Tom! How the hell is your precious 'Seagull' being repaired?" A mercenary with a thick beard and a build as strong as a northern ice bear slammed his large, fan-like hand heavily on the greasy wooden table, making several empty wine glasses jump.

His eyes were bloodshot, whether from the cheap liquor or burning greed, it was hard to tell: "I've staked everything I've saved up for half my life, plus the gold coins I got from the last bandit raid, all on this trip to 'Emerald Bay' with you. I heard from traveling merchants from the south that spices there are as cheap as sand, and if we bring them back, we can make ten times the profit! Ten times the profit!"

The old sailor, "Old Tom," who had been patted on the shoulder, took a sip of cheap rum and stroked his graying beard smugly: "Don't worry, Jack! The keel has been replaced, and the sails are top-quality Northern sails! We're just waiting for this good wind! The sirens are gone, the sea is calm, I can sail across with my eyes closed! Spices from Emerald Bay? Hmph, I'm still eyeing the pearls of the Sunset Islands!"

"Pearls? Come on, old Tom, that route is too risky. If you ask me, we should hurry up and go to Ironforge before the news spreads too far and bring back a ship full of fine iron. Think about it, how many years have we been fighting those barbarians in the North and those restless guys in the West? It's never stopped! Ironware, weapons, armor, there's never a shortage of buyers. The lord is currently suppressing bandits and expanding his army, what doesn't he need iron for? The quartermaster's eyes are practically glowing green with envy at the sight of iron ingots. Bringing iron back now is like holding a gold mine!" A lean merchant interjected, his small eyes gleaming with shrewdness.

"Yes, yes, yes! Ironware and grain! Last year, the southern duchies had favorable weather and abundant harvests, so much so that their granaries were about to burst. Grain prices were as low as dirt. When we transport it over, it won't even double in price; it'll just rise by 70 or 80%, which is still a windfall. With the sea and our new granaries, how could we possibly go hungry?"

"Don't forget about salt! The inland areas are short of salt! We're right next to the sea, so we need to restore the salt fields as soon as possible!"

"Fur goods, pelts of snow wolves and bears from the North!" A hunter wrapped in an old fur coat slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "In the eyes of those noblemen and wealthy ladies in the South, these are extremely sought-after items. A fine snow wolf pelt can be exchanged for half a year's worth of food in a major southern city!"

"Ships! What we need most are ships!" A gruff voice drowned out all others. It was the old man who managed the shipyard at the dock, complaining with a worried expression. "Damn it, how many ships have the Sirens destroyed over the years? Only a handful are left. Now, whoever has a ship is the boss. Those bastards at the shipyard have been swinging their hammers until they're smoking, but they can't keep up. I'm so envious when I see a broken sampan that can even get out of the water."

The bar owner, Bob "Muddy," a man who used to be stingy, was all smiles and busy refilling drinks for the customers.

The clinking of coins in the money box felt like heavenly music. He had never found these uncouth drunkards so endearing; each one was his lucky charm.

The entire Bloodclaw Fortress, like a giant suddenly awakened from hibernation, burst forth with astonishing vitality.

The shipyard, silent for who knows how many years, was suddenly filled with the exhilarating sounds of hammering and shouts.

Huge logs were hauled onto the slipway, sparks flying as hammers and chisels struck each other, and the fresh scent of new wood mingled with the smells of tung oil and tar filled the air.

Merchants, like sharks smelling blood, darted between the newly cleared, makeshift warehouses and makeshift barns hastily erected from canvas and planks, their voices ringing out as they fiercely bargained, gold coins clinking in their coarse cloth purses.

Today, the ancient castle where Lin Yi is located has also been revitalized.

The guards, dressed in brand-new leather armor, patrolled the area with their backs ramrod straight.

The servants hurried along, but their faces were filled with pride and honor.

Some caravans with keen senses, like sharks that have smelled blood, swarmed in from all directions.

First, a few small caravans from the nearest location tentatively arrived, bringing food, cloth, and tools, in exchange for furs stockpiled in Bloodclaw Fortress and some strange shells and corals salvaged from near the Sirens' lair.

When they returned with substantial profits and undeniable news, even larger caravans followed.

The docks of Bloodclaw Fortress became visibly bustling. The pier, which could initially only accommodate two or three dilapidated small boats, was soon crowded with merchant ships of all sizes.

Single-masted coastal fast boats, wide-bellied inland river barges, and even large armed merchant ships flying the flag of the Southern Chamber of Commerce and equipped with crossbows appeared.

Like seabirds returning to their nests, they were densely packed in the harbor. The unloaded goods were piled up like mountains: bundles of southern silk, fragrant spices, polished ironware, sacks of grain, and barrels of spirits.

What was loaded onto the ship were high-quality furs, frozen dried fish, crude iron ore that had been partially restored from the northern border, and a small amount of "spoils of war" that had flowed out through underground channels secretly controlled by Leonard with Lin Yi's tacit approval.

Once the gears of trade begin to turn, they bring a flood of wealth.

The customs tax collectors were so busy they barely had time to breathe, their abacus beads clicking away.

Copper coins, silver coins, and even the occasional gold coins, symbols of wealth, flowed continuously into the once empty vault beneath the castle.

The amount was so large that even the hands of Hans, the old clerk in charge of managing the accounts, which were covered with age spots, trembled slightly.

He had to urgently recruit several literate young people as assistants in order to barely figure out the flow of this enormous wealth that was pouring in like a tidal wave.

Lin Yi then invested the money in the reconstruction of the territory, recruited and trained more guards, set up public granaries to stabilize prices, and even began planning a simple school and medical clinic.

Every investment was like a cornerstone, solidifying his rule in Bloodclaw Fortress and genuinely improving the lives of every resident.

Walking down the street, the residents' gazes toward Lin Yi were no longer those of numbness or alienation, but rather filled with heartfelt gratitude and an almost fanatical loyalty.

Children would chase after his carriage, running and cheering, and even the lowest-ranking peddlers would puff out their chests a bit when making a transaction because they were “the lord’s subjects.”

A strong sense of belonging and protectiveness grew in the hearts of the people—anyone who dared to ruin these hard-won good days was an enemy of the entire Bloodclaw Fortress.

Beneath this seemingly prosperous and thriving scene, a sinister serpent has silently crept into the shadows of Bloodclaw Fortress.

The viper was now leaning wearily against the creaking wooden bed in a cheap hotel.

The room was dimly lit, with only a small window letting in a sliver of natural light. The air was filled with a strange smell of dust and cheap incense.

It took him much longer than expected to cross the chaotic North, avoiding fleeing soldiers, bandits, and harsh weather, to reach this remote frontier.

What infuriated him was that his meticulously planned scheme to use someone else to do the dirty work had completely fallen through.

When he finally found the Rift Valley after much trouble, he only saw a ruin burned to the ground and a few desiccated bandit corpses hanging at the entrance of the valley.

The informant he painstakingly contacted was, of course, nowhere to be found.

"A bunch of useless trash!" Viper cursed under his breath, a hint of anger flashing in his sinister eyes.

The disruption to his plans meant he needed to confront his goals more directly, significantly increasing the risks.

However, he quickly calmed down.

As an assassin, adapting to the environment and seeking opportunities is instinctive.

He disguised himself as a traveling merchant from a southern province who ran a small business selling miscellaneous goods and went out to gather information.

His disguise was quite sophisticated. He wore a slightly weathered but still clean linen shirt, leather boots that showed signs of a long journey, a crate containing cheap glass beads, needles and thread, and a small amount of dried fruit from the South, and spoke Common Tongue with a Southern accent.

His eyes had lost all their sharpness, leaving only the mercenary nature of a businessman and a trace of travel weariness.

The next morning, Viper pushed his creaking little cart and blended into the gradually bustling market of Bloodclaw Fortress.

He imitated the other vendors, calling out in a slightly hesitant southern accent: "Look, look! New things from the south! Colorful beaded necklaces, for kids to wear and play with! Sewing supplies are cheap!"

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, blending perfectly into the hustle and bustle of the city.

As the day went by, the viper's heart grew heavier and heavier.

The almost blind worship and protectiveness the residents showed when they talked about Lin Yi made him realize that creating chaos here would be extremely difficult.

Unable to obtain the goods through conventional channels, Viper immediately changed his approach.

He turned his attention to those shady underground places, breeding grounds for rumors, gathering places for the downtrodden and speculators, and dark markets for intelligence and trade.

The "Mud Pit" bar was still noisy. Viper pushed open the door and was hit by a mixture of sweat, cheap alcohol and tobacco.

He frowned slightly, then resumed the somewhat timid expression of a small vendor.

He found the darkest spot to sit down, ordered the cheapest beer, and sipped it slowly, as if trying to relieve his fatigue.

"Hey, have you heard? Old John's fleet returned yesterday! They brought back fine iron from Ironforge and made this much money in one go!" A drunken sailor gestured with his fingers.

"Pshaw, that's nothing! The Gray Rat Gang said their boss just got in touch with the lord's mansion, and they'll be in charge of security at the docks and warehouses from now on! That's where the real money is!" Another man with a scar on his face lowered his voice, his tone full of envy.

"Security? I think it's more like extorting protection money? But the lord has tacitly approved it?"

"Tacit approval? I think it's cooperation! You know Lord Leonard, right? The vice-captain of the lord's guard, he's a regular here now! The 'Grey Rat Gang' treats him like a grandson! I heard it was Lord Leonard who made the connection..."

"Reinard? Oh, the one who was the first to follow the lord back to Bloodclaw Keep, right? Tsk tsk, he really made the right choice! He's really getting cocky now, I heard his words carry more weight than the sheriff's in the dock area..."

Viper's heart skipped a beat: "Reinard? A confidant who wields real power and doesn't seem to be invincible? This seems... to be a potential breakthrough."

He casually approached the group, a fawning smile plastered on his face, and handed them a few copper coins: "Gentlemen, excuse me. I'm new here and wanted to ask you something. I overheard you mention Lord Leonard? That's quite a figure! Where does he usually spend his time? I run a small business and was thinking... hehe, maybe I could offer him a small gift?"

The scarred man glanced sideways at the copper coin Viper offered, then sized up his shabby clothes, and sneered, "Offering tribute to Lord Leonard? You?"

He casually swept the copper coins into his pocket. "Save it, kid! Lord Leonard is a favorite of the lord now, he's even fought sirens with the lord! He's playing 'Golden Dice' now! The winnings and losses from one hand there are enough for you to sell groceries for a year! Do you have that kind of money?"

"Golden Dice?" The viper memorized the name, his face still bearing a fawning smile. "Yes, yes, yes, I was overestimating myself. Then... what about the lord? What does he like? I'd like to... cater to his tastes?"

Upon hearing the mention of the lord, the scarred man's expression immediately turned serious, even tinged with a warning: "The lord? Is that something you can inquire about? He's the savior of Bloodclaw Fortress! The great hero who killed the siren! Is his preference something you can ask about? Kid, seeing that you're new here and don't know the rules, let me remind you: in Bloodclaw Fortress, keep your mouth shut and don't go around asking about the lord! Otherwise..." He made a throat-slitting gesture, his eyes fierce.

The others at the table stopped laughing and joking, staring at the viper with hostile eyes, and the atmosphere instantly turned cold.

Viper's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly waved his hand: "No, no! Brother, you've misunderstood! I just... I just admire you! Purely admiration! I have no other intentions! This drink is my apology to you brothers!" He quickly ordered the bartender to bring another round of drinks, which barely eased the atmosphere.

After that, he tried going to the brothel "Red Lantern" and several other dens of lowlifes to carefully gather information about Lin Yi in a similar manner.

The result chilled him to the bone. Whether it was the brothel madam, the casino thugs, or the street thugs, once the topic touched on Lord Lin Yi, their words immediately became unusually tight, and their eyes were filled with vigilance and protection.
He tried to pave the way with money, but what he got were either unsubstantiated boasts or outright rejections. He was even rudely kicked out and given a stern warning: "If you want to live, watch your tongue and don't cause trouble for yourself!"

"The control here... has it penetrated to this extent? Even the lowest scum has been bought off?" Viper returned to his cheap hotel room, his brow furrowed.

It's not surprising that a lord's prestige can extend to the common people, but it's not simple for these profit-driven and opportunistic underground forces to so consciously protect him and even refuse the temptation of money.

This cannot be achieved solely through powerful military deterrence; it must be accompanied by substantial vested interests and a tight surveillance network.

Lin Yi's foundation here is much deeper and more dangerous than he had anticipated.

While Viper was frustrated by the difficulty in obtaining intelligence, he did not realize that his obsessive pursuit of information about the lord, as a "rookie merchant," had already attracted the attention of some people with ulterior motives.

The "Golden Dice" casino, located on a relatively respectable street in the Bloodclaw Fort dock area, is currently the town's most upscale den of iniquity.

Although it was still filled with the smells of sweat and tobacco, compared to the "mud pit," this place had rough carpets, more oil lamps, and the gambling equipment was slightly more presentable.

Renard, the vice-captain of the lord's guard, was sitting imposingly at a dice table.

He wore a leather armor jacket studded with copper studs, open to reveal a fine linen shirt underneath. A brightly decorated short sword hung at his waist, and a pile of silver and copper coins, along with a few gleaming gold coins, lay before him; clearly, he was having a lucky day. (End of Chapter)