The Moon-shaped Spring Town looked no different than before, but in He Lai’s eyes, it was different.

"No, take a closer look, and you’ll find some differences. The barrier between the Half-Beast and Human Clan here has disappeared. Many humans are walking on the streets, and even many human families have moved into the nearby residences," He Lai had never seen any place on the Bahuang Continent where humans and half-beasts coexisted so harmoniously.

He Lai frowned slightly.

Could it be that the people of Moon-shaped Spring Town are not worried at all that Cangdu might send people to attack the town?

And how can the human who killed Hu Yixue walk around as if nothing is amiss?

In all his years as a Think Tank, He Lai had never encountered such strange people and matters.

At this moment, there was a commotion at the town entrance, as a seemingly highly respected human elder posted a notice on the bulletin board.

As soon as the notice was posted, a crowd gathered around.

"Lord Yun Sheng has issued new decrees."

"What are the new decrees this time?"

The humans and half-beasts in the town flocked together. He Lai and several half-beasts exchanged glances and then lowered their heads, approaching the bulletin board, curious about what the human was up to.

The freshly posted bulletin listed several new decrees, with the ink still wet.

He Lai glanced over it and saw several decrees outlined.

"Effective immediately, every registered resident of Moon-shaped Spring Town can collect a portion of Crescent Well water monthly from the Mayor’s Mansion based on the number of people in their household."

"The town encourages cultivation, and those who can open up new fields will have their children study and train for free at the town’s school and Martial Arts Hall."

"Abolish all systems related to slavery,"

"Strict prohibition against private fights between humans and half-beasts,"

"Encouragement of intermarriage between humans and half-beasts."

The bulletin was filled with nearly ten decrees.

The further He Lai read, the more shocked he became, not only because these decrees were unheard of on the Bahuang Continent but because this set of decrees clearly challenged the entire system of the Bahuang Continent.

"Lord, isn’t this human town mayor crazy? Any one of these decrees violates the rules of the Sky Fox Tribe Country," some Cangdu warriors in the crowd sighed quietly.

Such decrees were audaciously published.

"Though they defy the rules of the Sky Fox Tribe Country, they’ve won the people’s hearts," He Lai withdrew his gaze, observing the reactions of the humans and half-beasts who read the decrees.

Both beastmen and half-beasts were delighted upon seeing the new decrees, eager to spread the word, and some even began discussing and inviting friends and family from neighboring towns and countries to move to Moon-shaped Spring Town.

A wise ruler knows how to win people’s hearts.

This human who occupied Moon-shaped Spring Town, regardless of her strength, had undoubtedly gained the people’s support with her new decrees.

He Lai, who assisted Hu Yue, crafted most of Cangdu’s decrees himself. He knew that the policies of Moon-shaped Spring Town might not yet pose a threat, but if they were continued long-term, they would inevitably ignite a wildfire within the Sky Fox Tribe Country, affecting the entire nation.

More and more humans and half-beasts would respond to the practices of Moon-shaped Spring Town.

"Lord, what should we do?" Cangdu’s warriors, seeing He Lai’s serious expression for the first time, questioned.

"Quick and decisive action is needed. Before the decrees can truly take effect, eliminate all humans and half-beasts already influenced," He Lai’s handsome face bore a harshness inconsistent with his demeanor.

Three days later, around midnight.

He Lai led Cangdu’s warriors in a surge towards the Mayor’s Mansion.

Inside the residence, it was pitch black; it was a starless night, and the entire Mayor’s Mansion was silent.

"Master He Lai, as per your instructions, I’ve poisoned the water in the Mayor’s Mansion. Our people have confirmed that everyone in the Mayor’s Mansion is poisoned."

"Break it open!" With He Lai’s command, dozens of Cangdu warriors charged at the Mayor’s Mansion like hungry wolves.

The door burst open, and in the courtyard, only a dim Lighting Magic Array cast its glow.

"Immediately search for the whereabouts of that human mayor; capture her alive," He Lai ordered.

The warriors received the order and swiftly rushed inside to search.

Time passed by slowly as He Lai awaited a response.

The warriors rushed out, their faces full of bewilderment.

"Lord, the people, they’ve all disappeared!"

The entire Mayor’s Mansion, inside and outside, was devoid of any living person, and those poisoned seemed to vanish like snow under the sun.

He Lai’s forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

He suddenly realized something was off.

Bang—

The door behind them suddenly closed.

The heavy sound made He Lai and the warriors turn their heads.

The courtyard suddenly lit up, accompanied by a clear, pleasant voice, as a tall figure seemingly descended from the sky.

"Honored guests, Yun Sheng has been waiting for you for quite some time."

It was a young woman clad in a female Mage Robe who had suddenly appeared in the previously empty courtyard.

She sat at a table with a lute placed upon it.

The woman’s appearance was as bright as the moon in the sky, her eyes smiled as she nodded towards He Lai.

"You are the new mayor of Crescent Spring Town, the female Mage who killed Hu Yixue, and the one who issued those decrees?" He Lai did not expect this seemingly gentle and delicate woman to be the notorious ruthless female demon.

"Master He Lai, you flatter me. I’m not really a mayor; I’m just a passerby who happened to travel through Crescent Spring Town, merely helping my fellow humans in need," Yun Sheng’s fingertips lightly plucked the lute strings.

The zither sound flowed gently, and Yun Sheng’s face was full of leisure and contentment while watching her made the Cangdu warriors more anxious.

By now, they had realized that tonight, they had fallen into this woman’s trap.

Yet this woman dared to face them alone and had the composure to play the lute here. Did she truly believe that she could fend off so many elites from Cangdu by herself?

"Helping, you say? What you’ve done is punishable by death." He Lai’s gaze turned sharp, as the warriors beside him appeared ready to attack at any moment.

"Wait, all guests are welcome. Before we resort to fighting, why don’t we listen to a piece by Yun Sheng? If after the performance, you still wish to fight, Yun Sheng will surely accompany you to the end," Yun Sheng’s eyes glinted cunningly, and as her fingertips moved, the flowing zither sound poured out.