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

The chaos continues.

Deep in a dark alley.

An old man who had just received a bag of rice and a bag of loose silver was cornered by three thugs wielding sticks.

"Old man, be smart and leave the silver and grain behind!"

"Please, this is my grandson's life-saving money..."

"What the hell are you talking about!"

The local thug frowned, raised his stick, and was about to smash it down on the old man's head.

Just then, a dark shadow flashed past him.

"puff."

A soft sound, like a sharp blade piercing flesh, rang out.

The thug leader froze, looking down in disbelief at the blood-stained spearhead protruding from his chest.

Before his two accomplices behind him could react, two black spears, like silver snakes emerging from their holes, accurately pierced their throats.

The three corpses collapsed limply to the ground.

Three armored soldiers emerged from the shadows, glanced expressionlessly at the terrified old man, and then turned and disappeared back into the deeper darkness.

A similar scene was playing out simultaneously in every corner of Tiebiguan.

The crying gradually subsided.

Instead, there were brief, rapid screams and the dull thud of corpses falling to the ground.

In Bai Zhi's room, Nannan was awakened by the noise outside and clung tightly to her arm.

"Mother... what's that sound outside?"

Bai Zhi pressed her daughter's head into her arms and covered her ears.

As she listened to the dying cries outside the window and the synchronized footsteps of the Xuanjia Army, which seemed to tread on people's hearts, a complex look flashed in her eyes.

she knows.

This is Lin Mo establishing his authority.

It's baring its fangs at those thugs and hooligans.

However, the chaotic scene still made her feel uneasy.

Bai Zhi hugged her daughter tightly, her fair hands gently stroking her back.

"It's okay, go to sleep..."

"A tiger got into a pack of vicious dogs, and they... are fighting."

……

the other side.

Lin Mo watched the data on the system panel fluctuate wildly, feeling as if he were watching a thrilling candlestick chart.

The [Security] value skyrocketed, starting from -85 and quickly breaking through 0 to become a positive number.

And it is still growing steadily.

But the trend of public opinion is much more unpredictable, like a drunken madman, jumping back and forth between positive and negative.

Public support: -5 (They killed people!)

Public support: +2 (They killed bad guys!)

[Popularity: -10 (The way they kill is terrifying! Expressionless, they don't even blink!)]

[Popularity: +12 (But those who were killed all seem to be bastards from the city! I'm a good person, so I should be okay, right?)]

Lin Mo's lips twitched.

No, I'm punishing evil and upholding justice!

Do you guys have to be so dramatic with your inner monologues?

Just then, a brand new notification popped up.

[Ding! Your territory "Iron Wall Pass" has entered a new state: Silent Night.]

[Silent Night: Crime rate -90%, dissent rate -80%, respect for the ruler +200%.]

Lin Mo stared at the last line, "Awe level +200%", and fell into deep thought.

"From a 'man-eating demon' to an 'iron-fisted tyrant'...wouldn't you call that a successful character upgrade?"

Forget it, who cares if it's a demon or a tyrant.

Lin Mo twitched the corner of his mouth.

At least, the crying in the city has stopped.

Let's leave it at that for now.

The days of running around and scheming had long since exhausted Lin Mo's last bit of energy.

As his tense nerves relaxed, an overwhelming weariness, like a giant wave in the deep sea, instantly engulfed him.

Lin Mo tilted his head and fell onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep almost instantly.

……

Qin Ruxue acted even faster than Lin Mo had anticipated.

Night is the best cover.

A thug with a pointed face and monkey-like features had just snatched a money bag from a widow.

He excitedly weighed it in his hand, then turned to run.

But before he could take three steps, a dark figure emerged from the shadows at the alley entrance and blocked his way.

When the thug saw who it was, he was so frightened that he trembled and immediately begged for mercy.

"Sir, please spare me..."

However, he only said half of his plea for mercy.

"Pfft!"

A flash of cold light.

The thug's hand, which was clutching the money bag, had been severed at the wrist and lay on the ground.

"ah!!!"

Blood gushed out, and the thug let out a scream that sounded inhuman.

The Xuanjia soldier ignored the screaming thugs, stepped on the severed hand with his black iron boots, picked up the money bag from the ground, and turned to walk towards the terrified widow.

The widow looked at the money bag the soldier handed her, then at the thug still convulsing and rolling on the ground, and at his bleeding wrist.

"ah--!"

She let out a piercing scream, abandoning her purse, and stumbled into the darkness as if a demon were chasing her.

The armored soldier, holding the money bag, stood still for a moment.

Beneath the mask, no emotion could be discerned.

Finally, he hung the money bag on his waist and walked towards the next street.

Another place.

Two burly men were hurling insults at each other over some trivial matter, and were almost coming to blows.

However, at that moment...

"Clang!"

A soldier in black armor slammed the end of his spear heavily on the ground, the metal armor clashing and producing a dull thud.

He didn't say anything, he just stood there quietly.

The argument stopped abruptly.

The two men, who were at each other's throats just a second ago, instantly fell silent, trembling as they each took a step back and ran away.

Fear is the most effective silencing agent.

Overnight, all the crying, looting, and fighting inside the Iron Wall Pass disappeared.

The streets were eerily quiet.

This quiet is not from the peaceful and prosperous life of people living in peace and contentment, but rather from the deathly silence that comes from being choked.

People retreated back into their houses and closed the doors and windows.

In their eyes, these black-armored soldiers, silent as iron and capable of severing hands and taking lives with a single strike, were truly terrifying.

……

Early the next morning.

Lin Mo stretched and got out of bed.

He slept very well that night.

Last night, it became completely quiet outside in the early hours of the morning.

It seems Qin Ruxue has already resolved the matter.

As expected of a daughter of a military family, her efficiency is truly remarkable.

Lin Mo was in a good mood and habitually opened the system panel, ready to check the fruits of his victory.

However, when he saw the few lines of bright red text on the panel, the smile on his face instantly froze.

[Territory]: Iron Wall Pass

[Public Security]: 100 (Severe punishment of crime, 0% incidence of violent incidents.)

[Popularity]: -50 (Extremely terrified; the new city lord's soldiers are terrifying!)

Lin Mo: "..."

He rubbed his eyes, thinking he was still half asleep.

Public security, exactly 100?

Public sentiment, negative 50?

Extreme contrast?

Public support is even lower than when he first started distributing money and grain.

What the hell is going on?!

Even though the crime rate has been reduced to zero, why is public sentiment even worse?

He read the note again carefully.

"The new city lord's soldiers...are they terrifying?"

Lin Mo felt a tightness in his chest.

The Xuanjia soldiers were summoned by him using his hegemony, and their strength lay in absolute obedience, naturally lacking a bit of human touch.

But it's not exactly scary, is it?

He's clearly very powerful!

Besides, I'm doing a good deed and eliminating harm for the people. It's just that my methods are a bit extreme.

For a severe case, drastic measures were taken; Lin Mo was certain that his approach was correct.

Filled with doubt and frustration, he put on his clothes and left the mansion.

He wanted to see for himself what the current situation at Tiebi Pass was really like.