Chapter 268

The sky was utterly clear, not a cloud in sight, like a vast blue mirror.

In front of the sundial in the central square, the plaza was already packed with beastmen. They chatted among themselves, speculating about what great announcement the city might make today.

Some were still talking about the morning’s events, but after seeing so many mass relocations, what most fascinated them now were the strange and ingenious pieces of furniture made by the Heishan Tribe.

Before long, the front rows grew silent.

Following their gaze, everyone saw a group slowly step out onto the second-floor terrace of the Temple of Worship.

Soon, five priests and elders took their places, flanking the High Priest and the City Lord.

All eyes were fixed on them when Elder Yun Tan, head of the Council Hall, stepped forward.

“People of the clans, the merciful City Lord and High Priest granted you homes in this city ahead of time. Now, under their leadership, we have at last completed the construction of the main city.”

Yun Tan’s voice carried the weight of years, deep and resonant, imbued with quiet conviction.

“Blackflame City! Blackflame City!”

The crowd roared, raising their arms in unison.

At Yun Tan’s wave, several Giantwind horned-beasts bent low and emerged from the courtyard of the Council Hall.

They came in pairs, each pair carrying a massive stone slab four meters high. Altogether, seven groups appeared.

When the slabs were set upright and fixed into bases before the sundial, the crowd gasped. Each slab was carved with writing.

“Black… black…” One beastman stumbled over the words, squinting at the top line.

“Blackflame Code of Laws!”

A crisp voice rang out—it was Shu Lin, chest puffed with pride.

The Blackflame Code had been chiefly compiled by Qi Bai, but Shu Lin and Tu Ya had also contributed heavily. Seeing their laws etched into stone filled him with pride and accomplishment.

The beastmen nearby instinctively crowded closer to Shu Lin, hoping to hear him explain the texts.

Up above, Yun Tan’s voice carried again:

“What you see before you are the laws of Blackflame City. From today onward, after each sunset, literate beastmen will gather here in the square to explain the statutes. These lessons will continue for five weeks. All may come and listen.”

His tone grew stern:

“Of course, you may also choose not to come—so long as you guarantee you will never violate the Code.”

The meaning was clear: whether or not you understand the law, if you break it, you will be punished.

The Council Hall oversaw judgment within the city. Its standing judges were Yun Tan, Monkey Yan, Xiong Han, Lu Yan, and Zhi. For difficult cases, they could confer with the five priests of the Temple; if still unresolved, the High Priest would give the final ruling.

As former clan chiefs, all were accustomed to decisive authority. But unlike the arbitrary rulings of the past, Blackflame’s laws had strict written statutes—a nightmare for leaders who couldn’t read a single character.

Among them, Xiong Han suffered most. Strong in might but weak in literacy, she envied the Giantwind Clan for having no chief—hunt-leader Wei had slipped away, leaving her student Zhi to take over in the Council, which suited him far better.

Qi Bai knew Xiong Han was struggling, but the newly formed judiciary required deterrence above all. For now, she would have to endure.

The clansfolk below were unaware that their leaders were tearing their hair out trying to memorize the Code.

The people, meanwhile, were thrilled. They nodded eagerly—curiosity about the stone slabs already burned in their chests. If someone was offering free lessons, why wouldn’t they come?

Whether they could fully learn was another matter.

After the Code’s proclamation, Yi Division director She Li stepped forward.

In his hands was a thick stack of paper that Qi Bai had prepared.

He pointed toward Yi Division’s public notice board and dropped another bombshell.

“From now on, the production brigades will only work in the mornings. In the afternoons, everyone may freely seek work. Vacancies and requirements will be posted on Yi Division’s notice board, and positions will be given to those who meet the criteria, first come, first served.”

“All jobs that last ten consecutive days will earn wages. These wages will be your private property, free to spend as you choose.”

Compared to the incomprehensible Code, this announcement set the crowd ablaze.

Extra wages! And personal ones at that!

“By the Beast God—such fortune! Truly, Blackflame City is the best place on the continent!”

Behind She Li, Qi Bai rubbed his nose awkwardly.

She Li’s words contained a hidden trick: half-day production brigades also meant half-day wages. It sounded like people were gaining extra income, but in reality, their total pay might even drop depending on the job.

That crafty scheme was, of course, Qi Bai’s doing. He suddenly felt like a capitalist squeezing his workers.

But he believed the dip would be temporary.

The city’s stored supplies far surpassed anything the tribes had ever gathered alone. The half-brigade system at least guaranteed no one would starve, even if they couldn’t find work right away. Within a year or two, once people settled into suitable trades, everything would balance out.

As soon as the meeting ended, the clans surged toward Yi Division.

The three staff members were ready. They’d set up small tables beneath the notice board and organized queues to register applicants.

Since Yun An couldn’t read, Mao Nai sat beside her to assist.

Both announcements had taken little time, yet when Qi Bai checked the sundial it wasn’t even three o’clock. Judging by the crowds, however, the registration would take hours.

Maintaining a composed posture on the terrace had worn him out; the moment they left, Qi Bai stretched hard and muttered to Lang Ze, “Yun Tan and She Li both did well today. I think even without us, they could keep the city orderly.”

Lang Ze was unimpressed. “It’s because you divided their duties so clearly. They just have to follow through.”

Qi Bai chuckled. “Did you finalize autumn hunt plans with Xiong Han this morning?”

Harvest had just ended, and the hunt would soon begin.

Lang Ze nodded. “Yes. This time, we’ll head north to the Wastelands first.”

Qi Bai frowned. “If the drought still lingers, prey there won’t be plentiful.”

“Warbear, Cloudvalley, and Giantdeer all have their own hunting grounds—larger than the Oxhorn Tribe’s, and some with water sources. In drought, prey might actually gather more densely.”

The hunt would not only supply food but also bring back news from the north.

Lang Ze added, “The Warbear lands host ding beasts and ming beasts. Their pelts are valuable. I’ll try to capture cubs to tame.”

Qi Bai still worried. “Be cautious. If the drought is severe, withdraw at once. The city’s stores will sustain us—we can tighten our belts if needed.”

Lang Ze smirked. “Relax. If prey runs thin in the north, we’ll swing back to the Oxhorn grounds. No danger.”

Talking as they walked, the two reached the new academy.

Education was critical. Though the Heishan Tribe had once had a small school, it wasn’t formal. Qi Bai had to oversee this one personally.

The courtyard was piled with bamboo desks and chairs. The classrooms’ doors and windows stood open, furniture yet to be moved in when the assembly horn had sounded.

Without a word, Qi Bai and Lang Ze rolled up their sleeves to help.

The academy had five rows of classrooms, each with five rooms—enough for about 1,500 students, Qi Bai’s estimate of the daily cub population.

But since nearly the entire city needed basic literacy, enrollment might surge at first. Packed tighter, 150–160 students per room was possible.

As they worked, time passed swiftly.

Lang Ze hammered bamboo nails with his sword’s hilt while Qi Bai hung red-lacquered signs outside each doorway: “Building Five, Class One”… up to “Class Five.”

With every plaque hung, Blackflame Academy stood ready to welcome its first students.

By the time they left, dusk had fallen.

Beside the academy stood the new great canteen, aromas of food wafting out. Many clansfolk, bowls steaming in hand, were hurrying to the square.

Lectures on the Code had already begun.

Qi Bai and Lang Ze joined the flow, collected food, and sat among the crowd.

Late summer heat had waned; sitting on the stone bricks together no longer stifled them. A cool autumn breeze occasionally swept through.

Torches lit the plaza, firelight dancing over the engraved slabs, as if the words themselves might leap free.

Today’s lecturer was Shu Lin. He had taught in the Heishan school before; now, facing nearly a thousand, he carried himself with practiced confidence.

The Blackflame Code was spread over seven slabs:

1. Administrative Code – defined the city’s organization. The City Lord was head, the High Priest and Council shared decision-making on major matters, the Seven Divisions managed daily affairs, and both the Council and divisions had election procedures.

2. Personal Rights Code – affirmed basic rights of all beastmen and abolished slavery in Blackflame City.

3. Marriage & Inheritance Code – required two-person family registration, established rights of childrearing and elder support, and clarified inheritance.

4. Property Code – guaranteed private property rights and protection against violation.

5. Trade Code – encouraged fair trade and safeguarded contracts and credit.

6. Criminal Code – listed crimes like murder, theft, robbery, and prescribed punishments.

7. Procedural Code – set proper procedures for applying the laws above, ensuring consistency and stability.

This comprehensive legal system, drawn from modern principles but tailored to beastkind, was Qi Bai’s creation for Blackflame City.

The language was simplified as much as possible, yet remained precise, which made some parts dense.

Had it been six months earlier, the beastmen could never have accepted such complexity. But Qi Bai and Lang Ze had already been guiding them by these principles since the city’s founding. Many already knew the spirit of the laws, even if not the exact words.

When the lecture ended, many stayed behind, excitedly discussing.

“It’s just registration, right? Easy. My mate and I registered last year on the courtship day, and when our cub was born this year, we registered again with the High Priest.”

“Support? My cubs are all dead. I don’t need to provide support,” an old beastman waved dismissively.

“No, no,” a Heishan cub piped up, pointing at the slab. “It says here, if old beastmen have no cubs, the city will support them. Once you’re over seventy, you’ll get extra rations!”

The old one sucked in a sharp breath, straightening to peer closer. “Truly?”

In the past, elders only got less food as they aged, until they weakened and died. No tribe had ever vowed to care for its old.

The elderly had always accepted this fate—it was tradition. They had once eaten their fill as youths thanks to the sacrifices of their elders.

“Of course it’s true,” said Otter Yun. “The High Priest said every elder gave much to the tribe. We mustn’t abandon them just because they can’t fight anymore. We must honor them.”

Leopard Xing nodded vigorously. “Yes! He also said an elder’s experience is a treasure no food can equal.”

The cubs’ tender voices struck deep. Many old beastmen quietly wiped their eyes.

Blackflame City’s prosperity was dazzling. Even those resigned to death now longed to live a little longer, to see more.

Warmth swelled in their hearts. The Code’s promise was clear: even when they could no longer work or hunt, the city would not forsake them. They would live out their twilight years in peace.

In the dark, the towering slabs seemed to radiate solemn dignity.