Many children, many blessings; a stunningly beautiful wife is given to you right from the start.

Behind the city gate of Tiebiguan is a small gate tower, which is also the hub controlling the opening and closing of the city gate.

Lin Mo bypassed several overturned corpses and walked straight to the huge winch mechanism on the side wall of the doorway.

This thing is different from the ordinary city gate latch; it is a complex gear linkage device.

To start it, several iron rods as thick as an arm need to be inserted into the holes of the winch.

Then, it took the combined efforts of dozens of strong men to lift the massive gate, buried deep underground, bit by bit.

Lin Mo glanced at it, too lazy to go find the iron rod.

He stretched his neck and made a crisp "crack" sound.

Then he took a deep breath and gripped the rough winch with both hands.

"rise!"

With a low growl, Lin Mo's arm muscles bulged instantly, stretching his black sleeves as if they were cast in iron.

"Crunch... crunch... creak—!"

A metallic scraping sound rang out, and he actually managed to turn the heavy winch, which required the combined strength of dozens of people,!

Rumbling--

As the winch turned, the earth trembled, and the city gate, forged from pure refined iron and which had isolated countless soldiers, slowly rose inch by inch amidst a muffled roar.

Outside the gate, Qin Ruxue, dressed in military attire, sat astride her horse, with the Xuanjia Army behind her forming a black steel forest.

As the massive gate, symbolizing an impregnable natural barrier, slowly opened, revealing a solitary figure behind it, his robes fluttering slightly.

Even Qin Ruxue, who was used to Lin Mo creating miracles, felt her heart skip a beat.

One person, opened the gates of heaven!

This scene was deeply etched in her mind.

"Entering the pass!"

Qin Ruxue's tense shoulders finally relaxed, and she suddenly waved her hand.

The black tide of the Xuanjia Army surged into the Iron Wall Pass with orderly steps.

At the same time, a series of system notifications exploded in Lin Mo's mind like a screen being refreshed.

[Ding! Detection indicates the host has successfully captured the first pass of the northern defense line: Iron Wall Pass!]

[Congratulations, host, on obtaining the achievement: Lord of the Natural Barrier!]

[The "Map of Mountains and Rivers" is currently being updated...]

[The fog of war on the map has been cleared... The Iron Wall Pass area is now unlocked!]

A familiar feeling washed over me again.

Lin Mo's consciousness instantly sank into the system.

On the huge 3D map, the black mist that had shrouded Iron Wall Pass, which was originally adjacent to Black Wind City, suddenly dissipated.

A magnificent pass was illuminated and clearly displayed on the map.

Immediately afterwards, a semi-transparent panel popped up in front of Lin Mo's eyes.

[Territory]: Iron Wall Pass

[Lord]: Lin Mo

[Status]: People's livelihood is in dire straits.

Population: 98546

[Public Sentiment]: -45 (Extreme panic; people are afraid to go out during the day and dare not turn on the lights at night; rumors circulate that the host is a "man-eating hungry ghost.")

[Public Security]: -60 (Order has collapsed, the law of the jungle prevails, and everything is illegal except for murder and arson.)

……

Looking at the appalling panel, Lin Mo's eyes twitched.

Good guy.

These numbers are even worse than when he first took over Blackwind City.

The public sentiment, especially with a reading of -45, is like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment.

Just how much did that bastard Wu Zhong exploit to create such a mess?

Also, what about that "man-eating demon"?

Who the hell is spreading rumors about me in the city?!

however.

Just as Lin Mo was complaining, the panel suddenly flickered again.

[Ding! Host detected occupying "Pass" type territory, unlocking the Iron Wall Pass exclusive technology blueprint - Iron Wall!]

As soon as he finished speaking, a blueprint shimmering with golden light slowly appeared in Lin Mo's mind.

[Blueprint: Iron Wall]

[Effect]: City wall durability +100%, city defense equipment power +50%, when the enemy attacks the city, apply a negative aura of "morale -10".

[Note]: One man can hold the pass against ten thousand. A city wall with ironclad defenses is the hardest tortoise shell in the world! As long as the defenders aren't incompetent, this wall can last forever!

Lin Mo was stunned.

He looked at the "Iron Wall" buff effect several times, and then looked at the final notes.

The hardest turtle shell?

This description sounds so reassuring.

Not bad.

Lin Mogang's blood pressure, which had spiked due to the negative numbers on the panel, instantly dropped.

"Lin Mo?"

Qin Ruxue rode up to his side and saw him standing there, sometimes frowning and sometimes grinning foolishly at the air, which made her a little strange.

"What strange thing are you pondering now?"

"Cough, it's nothing."

Lin Mo snapped out of his daze and waved his hand.

"I just found a treasure, I'm a little excited."

Qin Ruxue was completely confused, but she didn't ask any questions. Instead, she frowned and looked around at the desolate street.

"I plan to send men to the city gates and the armory, and then..."

"Yes, take over the armory, granary, and the four city gates as soon as possible."

"Take inventory of all supplies and register them."

Lin Mo's expression turned serious.

"Hurry up, don't let those rats hiding here cause trouble right under our noses."

"Um."

Qin Ruxue reined in her horse and turned it around, her clear voice echoing through the long street.

"Black Armored Army, listen to my command! First and second squads, take control of the armory! Third and fourth squads, take control of the granary!"

"The rest of you, follow me and take control of the four city gates!"

"yes!"

The black torrent split instantly, marching in unison, surging like thick ink towards the various strongholds within the Iron Wall Pass.

"Wait a moment."

Just as Qin Ruxue was about to lead the team off, Lin Mo stopped her again.

"What's wrong?"

She pulled on the reins and turned around.

"Don't you think this city is too quiet?"

Lin Mo pointed to the houses on both sides of the street, their doors and windows tightly shut and the place utterly silent.

Qin Ruxue followed his gaze and instantly understood.

Yes, it's too quiet.

A pass with a population of nearly 100,000 now resembles a ghost town.

There wasn't a single light, not a single human voice.

Only the clanging of their armor echoed in the empty streets, sounding particularly jarring.

"This Iron Wall Pass is easy to capture, but winning over people's hearts is a bit difficult."

Lin Mo remembered the glaring "-45" on the system panel.

And that outrageous rumor about a "man-eating hungry ghost".

"People used to be afraid of Wuzhong, now they're afraid of us."

"If we don't put their minds at ease quickly, even if we take over this pass, we won't be able to sit still."

"What should we do? Send someone to appease them? Or... keep a close watch on them?"

Qin Ruxue asked earnestly.

"No."

Lin Mo shook his head, a smile appearing on his face.

"The best way to deal with fear is to cover it up with something simpler and more direct."

"What is it?"

"money."

Lin Mo said decisively.

Qin Ruxue was taken aback, clearly not following his train of thought.

Lin Mo didn't explain further and simply made the arrangements.

"Send another team of men out and have them beat gongs and shout a few words all over the city."

"What did you say?"

Lin Mo grinned, revealing a set of bright white teeth.

"Just shout—"

"Wu Zhong is dead, and Iron Wall Pass has changed hands!"

"The new master, Lin Mo, doesn't like killing, but he loves giving away money!"

"Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), at the East Gate Square, money and food will be distributed; everyone will receive a share!"