Gao Wu: A centenarian old man, many children and good fortune! Chapter 132

The shifting of power was not only reflected in the majesty of issuing commands but also more directly in the environment of Xiao Yan’s daily life.

His original manor, while considered a luxurious residence in the core area, was not among the most top-tier in New Nanjing City No. 4, a place teeming with powerhouses. However, with the “heroic sacrifices” of War Kings Cangshan and Jingtao, and the quiet retirement of War King Lieyang, the city’s power structure underwent a dramatic change. Xiao Yan, the new king who ascended with thunderous means, his prestige had already cast an invisible shadow over the hearts of every faction that had ever interacted with him, or merely heard of his “illustrious achievements.”

Xiao Yan did not actively seek to change his residence; he seemed to care little for such external possessions. But the principle of “if the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain” also applied in the realm of power.

Within mere days of War King Lieyang announcing his retirement and the news spreading that Xiao Yan had officially become the city’s foremost figure, a peculiar phenomenon occurred. Ten manors, all of considerable size and adjacent to Xiao Yan’s estate, had their owners make a “wise” decision almost simultaneously.

Some, out of deep reverence for Xiao Yan’s terrifying strength—which had seen him slay two war kings and force three vice-sect masters into retreat—feared that the new king might one day find their mansions an eyesore, and thus proactively offered them up for peace of mind. Others, assessing the situation, believed this was an excellent opportunity to express loyalty to the new king and present their “pledge of allegiance,” hoping to gain a share in the future new order.

Regardless of their intentions, the result was the same. The owners of these ten manors, some personally, others through their most trusted stewards, approached with utmost respect and pre-prepared land deeds and documents, “pleading” with Xiao Yan to accept their “insignificant” gesture. Their words were earnest, their postures humble, as if dedicating their homes to Xiao Yan was the honor of their lives.

Xiao Yan, naturally, was not one to decline such proactive “expansion.” He understood their intentions and was happy to go with the flow. A larger, more secure residence would only benefit his increasingly large family and future development.

Thus, in a very short time, with Xiao Yan’s original manor as the core, the surrounding ten manors were swiftly integrated. Walls were torn down, and new planning and construction proceeded day and night under the efficient operation of the Lin family’s engineering team. A gigantic manor complex, far exceeding the previous size and almost equivalent to a small urban district, rose from the ground. It featured not only more luxurious and comfortable living quarters but also expansive play and training grounds specially designated for children, as well as more secluded and highly protected core secret chambers. Large tracts of land were even reserved for future unforeseen needs.

The new Xiao Estate now stood as a new landmark in the core area of New Nanjing City No. 4. Its immense scale and extraordinary grandeur far surpassed any previous war king’s residence, silently proclaiming the supreme authority of its new master.

And accompanying the expansion of the manor and the complete stabilization of Xiao Yan’s status, the gates of the Xiao Estate, which had once only occasionally seen visitors, now truly became “a bustling marketplace.”

Every morning, even before dawn, outside the newly constructed, magnificent main gate of the Xiao Estate—large enough for a dozen large vehicles to enter and exit simultaneously—there was already a steady stream of traffic and a throng of people.

Military generals, led by Zhao Meng, waited respectfully at the side gate with the latest military reports and documents requiring approval. Officials from administrative departments, meanwhile, held plans for urban reconstruction and resource allocation, hoping for an audience with the new city lord.

Lin Jianye, Elder Chen, Ye Tiannan, and other family leaders already deeply bound to Xiao Yan, came almost daily to “pay respects and greet,” reporting their families’ recent activities and proactively undertaking various tasks assigned by the new city lord, effectively becoming Xiao Yan’s most capable assistants.

As for the various large and small factions that had once been attached to Cangshan and Jingtao, now without their backing, or those who had previously maintained neutrality and observed, they swarmed like ants drawn to honey. They brought all kinds of rare treasures and priceless gifts, trying every possible means to meet Xiao Yan, even if it was just to catch a glimpse from afar and utter a word of loyalty, which would be enough to bring them peace of mind.

For a time, various types of hovercars formed long queues outside the Xiao Estate, and a continuous stream of visiting envoys and representatives flowed in. Some presented rare minerals, others offered ancient texts and secret methods, some recommended beautiful younger generations from their families hoping to “serve” in the Xiao Estate, and there were even some imaginative small factions that brought several exotic beast cubs, supposedly possessing ancient bloodlines, hoping to win the new city lord’s favor.

Facing this tide of incoming factions and various forms of “tribute,” Xiao Yan naturally could not meet with everyone personally. Most visitors and gifts were handled by Lin Wei, his legitimate adjutant, and by Zhao Meng when he wasn’t busy with military affairs. Representatives of particularly important families or factions were met by Lin Yue, Chen Siyu, and Ye Zihan, the “madams” whose positions were secure, who, as mistresses of the house, handled the negotiations and appeasement, further solidifying Xiao Yan’s connections with these forces.

Only those truly high-ranking or with urgent matters to report among the core figures, after layers of notification, were fortunate enough to enter the core area of the Xiao Estate and meet the new city lord, who sat at the head of the table, his aura growing increasingly unfathomable.

The entire Xiao Estate, due to these endless visitors, became bustling yet orderly. This scene of a “bustling marketplace” not only showcased Xiao Yan’s current formidable power but also heralded the complete formation and efficient operation of a new power core in New Nanjing City No. 4.