Like the restrictions in the north, the restrictions in the south also came suddenly, but spread very quickly.

Su Yao knew that although these mayors were often looked down upon by northerners, they were definitely not completely brainless. Just judging by the speed at which this restriction order spread, these mayors had some secrets and were quite capable.

He is also very good at praising people.

"Lord Zhanxing is elegant and handsome, his golden dragon body is clearly extraordinary!"

"Yes, yes, having the fortune to sit on the lord's lap and fly on auspicious clouds is a blessing of three lifetimes for me!"

"Even if I never get to ride on a cloud, just seeing such a great dragon in my lifetime is enough to leave me in awe!"

"......"

The image of the Battle Star indeed looked quite impressive, but this group of mayors was just too cultured. Who knows what kind of vocabulary the game designers fed them; in any case, they were using idioms and sayings together, leaving the Battle Star utterly bewildered!

"Good, good taste!"

Zhan Xing detested the deceitful and cunning nature of humans, but he truly couldn't resist a human who was so good at giving compliments! After all, anyone who could praise him surely wasn't a hypocrite.

"I always thought my appearance would frighten humans..."

Zhan Xing barely finished his sentence before the mayors interrupted him, "How could that be! What's the name of our continent? It's called the Dragon Chant Continent! There's nothing we would hate, especially not you, sir!"

This statement is true. Su Yao dares to let Zhan Xing fly around not only because of its strength but also because of its good image. Although it is an evil spirit, its dragon identity automatically sets it apart from other evil spirits in the eyes of humans.

"Seeing you, sir, we can only feel that this is a miracle descending upon us!"

"You must know that we humans haven't seen the dragon lords for a long time! The last time dragons and humans lived together was hundreds of years ago..."

"Boss Su is truly capable, not only taking us to see the dragon clan flying on clouds, but also letting us witness the elves! With someone like Boss Su around, Longyin Continent might just return to the openness and prosperity of hundreds of years ago!"

"So lucky! So lucky!"

Each person said something, truly making the dragon happy, and even Su Yao, Ya, and the other staff were praised repeatedly.

"Today, it's my treat, it has to be my treat!" Su Yao didn't want to get carried away, but these mayors were just too good at giving compliments!

She beamed at the mayors and said, "This meal must be well-prepared! It is both to welcome everyone here and to celebrate the successful issuance of the decree, marking the first strike in our resistance against the North!"

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"Overestimating their abilities!" Count Brook sneered, "I think those Southerners are getting more and more foolish. Instead of coming to us when they're short on food, they try to use magic ores to restrict us. Hahaha, it's truly ridiculous!"

"The magic ore is useful, but without food, how will they survive?" Count Brook's subordinates also thought the South had gone mad.

"It's fine, it's fine, let's not worry about that for now. Let's focus on the assassination of the prophet first." Count Brook didn't think anything significant would arise from the south; the prophet of the Wolf Pack Mercenaries was still more dangerous.

"The subordinate understood the count's intention and immediately asked, 'Should we send that person out?'"

Count Brook sneered with a dark expression: "Yes, let him go, but not for the assassination. I have someone else in mind for that. His task is to expose the prophet... Since he claims the prophet is a fraud, let him go and prove it!"

The subordinate nodded, turned around, and went out to prepare gold coins and potions for this person who claimed to be a fellow countryman of the prophet.

Whether it's true or not, at the very least, this person must be allowed to enter Qiulun City alive.

I'm sorry, but it seems like the source text is missing. Could you please provide the text you would like translated?

As soon as the southern decree was issued, not only was the young count's faction mocking it, but all the other major factions also thought the southerners had gone mad.

Walking down the street, ordinary people were also talking about the matter, and a sarcastic smile appeared on everyone's face.

"This street hasn't been this lively in a long time." Reese stood at a high vantage point, looking down at the people outside, and remarked, "Looking at it this way, the restrictions in the south aren't entirely meaningless; at least they've made me and my people happy, hahaha!"

George nodded, clearly feeling the same way.

This time, Xi Xian, who usually didn't think much of George, surprisingly found herself on the same side as him. "Southerners are really stupid. After pressuring them for a year, this is how they retaliate? So foolish! Even begging for mercy would have been a better idea than this!"

"I always feel that after defeating the others in the north, I can also conquer the south," Rhys pondered seriously. "So this is how one dominates the Dragon Chant Continent, being able to see the end at a glance!"

Reese did not know that, in modern times, being able to see the ending at a glance was not a very good descriptor.

However, though Rhys was rather brainless, he was quite self-aware and respected talent. Knowing his own limitations, he would consult Xi Ao on everything.

"Even about this matter, he went to ask, 'Master, do you think my next step should be to go to the Misty Forest?'"

Xi Ao looked at Lis speechlessly. Initially, he covered himself to prevent others from recognizing him, but now he was doing it to keep Lis from seeing his disdain!

"It seems the leader already has a means to dominate the Longyin Continent? Otherwise, why would he want to go to the Misty Forest now?"

Ris nodded honestly, "Yes, I do have that thought. I think the South is now at a dead end and starting to go crazy. Maybe they're already going hungry, especially in the Misty Forest, where they're surely eating even less... This should be the time, right?"

Xi Ao snorted coldly, "The commander already has a guess, so why bother asking me again?"

"Master! Prophet! Xi Ao! I definitely have to ask you first!" Reese said, somewhat embarrassed. "I'm still afraid they might have a backup plan. I heard Chesterton estimate that the South still has reserves, which should ensure they can eat for two years. Plus, they can farm, so I'm also worried that they might not have been hungry at all."

Xi Ao, after hearing this, felt a bit more at ease. "It's sensible of you to have this thought."

"What?!" Reese's eyes widened. He was just a little worried, but he was still inclined to directly attack the Anxin Inn.

"Did I really guess right? I told you George doesn't think enough..." Reese said, bracing himself and speaking with a guilty conscience.

Xi Ao didn't care what Lis was thinking and directly gave him a definite answer: "Don't say 'maybe,' they definitely still have food, they definitely aren't going hungry, and they definitely have a backup plan."

Xi Ao truly felt that this group of northerners had been overly exalted, leading to a severe misjudgment of the outside world. "I suggest the commander send messages to the leaders of other forces, urging them to investigate the situation in the south."

When in doubt, send the enemy out first.

"But..." Reese sighed deeply, "Master, just tell me directly what reason to use to send people over. I really can't think of a good reason that would make them willing to go south to investigate the situation."

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Xi Ao: .....

Xi Ao told himself not to get angry. After all, he chose Lis in the first place because he was stupid and obedient. This was his own decision, and he shouldn't still be unaccustomed to it after so many years!

Xi Ao softened his voice and said, "Commander, relay the message according to what I'm about to say..."

I'm sorry, but it seems like the source text is missing. Could you please provide the text you would like translated?

After the banquet, everyone at the inn, both human and non-human, was very satisfied.

Su Yao, after many days, once again experienced this kind of relaxation.

"The gourmet food at the hotel is truly countless, and we old folks have finally experienced something good before we die."

"Especially that fish, it was truly both sour and spicy, extremely delicious!"

"And that large intestine, I really didn't expect something so dirty could be made so delicious!"

The mayors were not actually that old, but compared to the people at the inn, they could indeed call themselves old bones. However, no one cared about the age issue; they only cared about what they would eat tonight.

Since collaborating with Su Yao, the food from Anxin Inn has made its way into the homes of Southerners, and of course, these mayors have eaten quite a bit of it too.

I just didn't expect that those were only the tip of the iceberg; there are plenty of good things in the hotel!

"I wonder if the master is still interested in doing some business..."

Leopold had been quietly peeling and eating shrimp, and after listening to everyone's sentiments, he suddenly came out with this sentence.

A female mayor, quick-witted, instantly understood what Leopold was trying to say, "If the master is willing, we will also collaborate with t."

"What, what?" Questioning voices emerged from every corner.

At this moment, Su Yao was also a bit dazed. She had drunk too much wine tonight. Although fruit wine doesn't cause a hangover, it can still make one slightly tipsy.

She rubbed her eyes and asked, "What kind of collaboration? I'd like to hear about it, but as for whether I'll do it, we'll have to wait until I'm clear-headed tomorrow to discuss it."

Resolutely refusing to discuss cooperation when not clear-headed was the clearest decision Su Yao made when she was not clear-headed.

Everyone laughed after hearing this. The more reliable Su Yao was, the happier these partners were. Being led to success by someone smart and strong, it would be hard for them to feel anything but joy.

Leopold listened to Su Yao's words and didn't continue the conversation, choosing instead to wait until the next day when he was clear-headed to discuss it with her.

Su Yao's curiosity was piqued, but since everyone was drunk and wanted to sleep, she gave up on pulling someone aside to discuss it. She too, thanks to the alcohol, had a good night's sleep.

The next morning, Su Yao still woke up according to her biological clock.

Since her magic level surpassed the seventh tier, no matter how exhausting the previous night's activities were or how much she drank, she would not feel fatigue or a hangover the next day.

Every day is a new day, like rebooting the body, waking up in the morning is always a peak.

"New."

Su Yao arrived at the hall and, before seeing the group of mayors, first saw Felix.

Felix handed Su Yao a golden object, and upon closer inspection, Su Yao realized it was a little rabbit!

The first golden item she received was a small golden dragon. Upon learning that it could bring good luck, Su Yao took great care to protect it, even frequently playing with it.

Perhaps it was this gesture that caught Felix's attention, for one day after a soak in the hot springs, he gave Su Yao another golden animal.

This animal is a little pig.

Felix said, "I see you really like eating pork."

This reason was really not pleasant to hear, so Su Yao told Felix the story of the Chinese zodiac that she had heard since childhood.

Evidently, this continent had nothing to do with the Chinese zodiac, but after Felix heard about it, it was as if a new world had opened up to him. From then on, Su Yao would occasionally receive small golden ornaments with zodiac patterns.

Starting with the rat, then the rabbit, along with the previous dragon and pig, Su Yao had already collected half of them.

"Thank you! This little rabbit is also very pretty!"

Felix's reference point was unknown, but each animal resembled the zodiac images Su Yao had imagined, and they were all very cute!

"My heartstrings have truly been touched!" With the added attribute of good luck, Su Yao was absolutely in love!

[Felix's favorability +1.]

Felix, just as before, gave a little goodwill upon seeing Su Yao's positive response, and then left without any expression.

Su Yao arranged the little rabbit, and a group of mayors came downstairs.

Leopold and the others got up early and had already had breakfast. They came down now to continue last night's conversation.

"Do you have any plans to open a branch store, Master?"

"Branch?" Su Yao was taken aback.

"Yes, although we can sell the inn's items now, it's still too little and too scattered. If we could have a branch, like a mission hall, in every city, it would definitely be more convenient to sell things."

Leopold greatly admired the person behind the mercenary team. The emergence and spread of the mission halls were just like summer mosquitoes, appearing quietly and swiftly, and by the time people noticed, they were already everywhere!

Previously, Su Yao hadn't really considered the issue of opening a branch. Mainly because she didn't have much capability before, nor did she have the manpower to open a branch. Once her capabilities improved and she had more staff, she became busy with other matters, which led her astray and she never thought about opening a branch.

"This is indeed a good method."

For her, it was a good way to earn gold coins; for the southerners, it was a channel to steadily supply food and potions; for the southern authorities, it also meant collecting taxes and awakening economic development.

Killing multiple birds with one stone, only benefits without drawbacks.

"System, can I open a branch? Can the branch automatically stock food like the hot spring station?"

[Detected host's desire to open a branch, this desire is beneficial for the hotel's development... Congratulations to the host for obtaining a branch opening manual *1.]

Branch Manual:

Qualification to open a branch: ① Assets reaching ten crystal diamonds (not completed); ② Minimum inn level of 7 (completed); ③ Inn has hosted five hundred guests, with at least two hundred being new guests (not completed); ④ Stable power supply system.

Branch location: Once qualified, the location will be automatically recommended and will automatically appear on the hotel map.

Branch cost: Each branch requires a renovation fee of 1 crystal diamond.

Requirements after opening a branch: The store must have a manager and at least one employee; more than half of the shelves cannot be empty; the turnover must be positive (if the requirements are not met, the branch qualification will be automatically revoked, and the deducted coins will not be refunded).

[The branch does not currently support the automatic stocking of food; goods need to be transported from the main store and stocked manually.]

"A branch can be established, but it can't be built at the moment." Su Yao looked at the franchise qualifications in the manual and felt utterly overwhelmed!