Heilong-kou (Black Dragon-Mouth/Pass)
Heilong-cheng (Black Dragon-City)
Censorate (Supervisory Court)
Yuling City (Jade City)
Jingui Town (Golden Turtle Town)
Xuanwu City (Black tortoise City)
…
Yin Jixue was itching to head back and start drafting the project plan immediately. But this wasn't something that could be rushed—it would take quite a bit of groundwork and preparation.
It didn't have to be some elaborate IP based on all the past Demon Kings. Just one fictional Demon King would be enough of a gimmick—who it was didn't matter.
After this discussion, the future direction of Black Dragon Pass had been more or less decided: a combo of heavy industry outside the city, and tourism inside.
It sounded a bit odd, but that was the only advantage Black Dragon Pass had.
Yin Jixue didn't linger. As soon as the discussions concluded that same day, she returned to Black Dragon City, thanks to the speed of her car.
By the time she arrived, it wasn't fully dark yet, but the streetlights had already turned on.
Yan Ye was very fond of the streetlights in Black Dragon City. The Night Demons from his tribe all loved how the lights lit up the dark streets like daylight.
To them, night was both their domain and their slaughterhouse—where demonic beasts struck under the cover of darkness.
The demon folk who had discovered the hot spring had been waiting at the city gates for Her Majesty's return ever since getting off work.
When Yin Jixue learned about the hot spring at the gate, she showed a rare look of genuine surprise.
She turned to Ruoshui. "Can the hot spring water be diverted to the palace?"
"It should be possible. I'll personally inspect the source and find a way to connect it."
Ruoshui moved fast. Yin Jixue only had to wait about twenty minutes before she returned.
"I've carved out an alternate river channel that can divert the spring water directly to the palace."
After a full day of running around, being able to soak in a hot spring upon her return felt like an unexpected luxury.
She had Ruoshui stay behind to reward the workers who found the spring, while she headed back into the city to consult the three instructors at the school.
Once the instructors learned that she wanted to create stories around the Demon Kings of the Black Dragon Clan, not only did they express full support—they nearly begged her to stay and listen to some tales.
Yin Jixue found an excuse to escape. She'd already explained the concept—now it was up to them to write the scripts.
Back at the palace, she gave the palace cat a good cuddle. Fengxiu carried the kitty out afterward and prepared her bath.
Yin Jixue soaked in the warm spring, with only half her head above the water, completely enveloped in the comforting heat.
"This hot spring's not bad at all. I wonder how big the one outside the city is?"
"Ruoshui said that the whole area is a spring field—it could fit over a hundred demonfolk."
It'd be a shame to leave it unused. Spring was here, and it was time for the demon folk to start paying attention to personal hygiene.
In winter, skipping baths had at least some excuse. But now that the weather was warming up and clothes were getting lighter, walking around all grimy would be... indecent.
Why not turn this into Black Dragon City's second official team-building event? It'd also be a great chance to welcome the newly arrived Night Demon Tribe and the twenty demonfolk visiting from other regions for training.
No sooner said than done. After her bath, Yin Jixue headed straight to her study—now conveniently connected to her bed-chamber by a private door, so she didn't have to walk outside in the cold.
She drafted the plan and had Fengxiu deliver it to the Censorate overnight.
Team-building couldn't be done on a weekday. Since students had weekends off too, Saturday and Sunday would be ideal. But there were quite a few demonfolk involved, and the exact conditions at the spring site were still unknown.
After a great night's sleep, Yin Jixue woke up feeling completely refreshed. Her usual soreness and stiffness from overworking had vanished thanks to the hot spring.
If it worked this well for a regular human like her, it would be even more effective for demonfolk.
Soon, the Censorate sent back a report after an on-site inspection. They recommended developing the area into a full-fledged hot spring resort.
"Sounds like the hot springs cover a large, spread-out area."
One of the senior demon officials from the Censorate had visited Black Dragon Pass with her yesterday and was now hyper-alert to tourism potential—like the resort idea she'd casually mentioned.
Construction of the resort had already been approved. But for now, they'd let the locals use it for team-building. Afterward, it'd become a paid facility.
When word of another team-building event reached the city, the demonfolk immediately began asking wide-eyed, "Will Her Majesty be attending?"
Of course, Yin Jixue would be going. She needed to give a speech to boost morale, commend Tiesheng's contributions, and then gracefully exit.
But on the eve of the team-building event, Gou Chen returned, covered in dust and grime.
"Your Highness, I've brought the Shadow Demon Tribe—a total of 465 demonfolk."
It was like someone had delivered a pillow just as she was getting sleepy. Outside the city was a sea of black-clad Shadow Demons.
"You've done well. Go find someone to help them get settled in the dorms first."
Gou Chen had sprinted across the land to bring the Shadow Demons back. While the tribe was known for their incredible speed, Gou Chen… wasn't. If anything, he was the one slowing them down.
A large group of Shadow Demons marched through the streets of Black Dragon City, drawing curious whispers from residents and passing merchants alike.
Merchant from another city: "Where did these Shadow Demons come from?"
Local demon: "No idea, but it looks like they'll be staying. Probably going to be our comrades."
Merchant: "Aren't you worried they'll take your resources?"
Local demon: "Her Majesty said—they're our brothers."
The out-of-town merchants shook their heads. The reason there was always a divide between the city and wild demonfolk was because of territory and resource protection—keeping to their zones.
Black Dragon City was a mystery to them. These people were already living in poverty, yet they still insisted on taking in wild demons.
To the merchants, demons had clear social ranks. City demons were simply better—more noble—than the low-born demonfolk living outside.
They couldn't understand why the Queen of Black Dragon City insisted on equality for all demonkind. It was a foolish dream. Thank the heavens she wasn't the queen of the Xuanwu Clan.
The Shadow Demons, unaccustomed to so many stares, began to quicken their pace.
At first, passersby could see their faces. Now all they saw were blurred afterimages darting by.
"Brother, you stepped on my shoe!"
"Your leaf shoes weren't sturdy anyway. I'll make you a new pair."
Most people couldn't even hear their conversations—their movements were just too fast.
But when the Shadow Demons passed, the city sanitation workers were fuming. The streets were now covered in shredded leaves—enough to form a thin carpet.
"Who the hell brought so many leaves into the city?!"
By coincidence, the dorms assigned to the Shadow Demons were right next to the Night Demons. Who would've thought two tribes from opposite ends of the world would end up as neighbors in Black Dragon City?
The Shadow Demons were much bolder—like hyperactive kids, they couldn't stop touching everything, curious about everything.
The Night Demons exchanged awkward glances. "Another whole tribe? Can Her Majesty even afford to feed us all?"
That very night, the palace received an employment application from the Night Demon Tribe. They didn't want to lose their jobs to the newcomers.
"Well, that works. Have the Shadow Demons start with mining demon crystals—they've got strength, they'll dig fast. Send people to tutor them in literacy every Saturday. They must memorize and recite Black Dragon City's regulations. Once they're familiar with everything, we'll ask for their job preferences."
"As for the Shadow Demons, have them join the team-building event first. After that, send them to the mines too."
Step one to settling in Black Dragon City: Mine crystals. Earn work hours. Exchange for a home.
The Shadow Demons had been talked into coming by Gou Chen.
Now, living in their assigned dorms, they practically radiated the feeling of "itching to do something".
"Weren't we told that as long as we work, we'll get food and housing?"
"Well, we already have the housing… but we don't even know what kind of work we're supposed to do!"
"Don't let it be hunting—I'm terrified of those sharp-fanged tapirs. I don't wanna go hunting!"
"Little bro, you're only twelve. No one's sending you to hunt."
"Look! The Night Demons across the hall are all heading out. Did they get assigned jobs already?!"
A bunch of Shadow Demons crowded around the windows, enviously watching the Night Demons walk off.
The Shadow Demon chieftain quickly gathered his inner circle. "We can't sit around waiting any longer!"