Douluo: I Have an Unnamed Law

Chapter 339 Tianxia Pavilion, Establishing Rules

"Gentlemen, during the reign of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Soul Master community, especially the Heaven Dou Soul Master community, was not bound by the empire and often formed its own faction, seriously disrupting the empire's order. The people of the Soul Master community also had to sleep with swords under their pillows every day. I can assure you that this situation will never happen again during the reign of the Spirit Empire."

"Of course, these things also require the help of the elites of the Soul Master world to achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Even Ning Fengzhi felt a pang of unease. This was a blatant warning to them, an attempt to establish their authority. But was the Martial Soul Empire's move too domineering?

Gu Han took in everyone's reactions but didn't offer any explanation. Instead, he turned his gaze to Ju and Gui, who were sitting to his left.

During the meeting between Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo rose from his seat, unfurled a huge blueprint, and hung it on the wall behind him.

The table above is arranged from bottom to top. Anyone with a discerning eye can see at a glance that this is an indispensable hierarchical division of power.

"Brother Gu, what is this?"

Ning Fengzhi could certainly see that this was a hierarchy chart of power, but that wasn't what he asked. Instead, he asked what Gu Han wanted to do.
"Gentlemen, in order to facilitate the future management of the Soul Master world by the Spirit Empire, I have created a civilian organization affiliated with the Empire called the World Pavilion. Once you enter here, you can discuss and resolve conflicts in the Soul Master world."

"And this Tianxia Pavilion has seven elders, all of whom are outstanding figures in the folk soul master world."

"And above this Tianxia Pavilion are the Imperial Hall of Worship and the Hall of Elders. You can raise any needs you may have with the Hall of Worship and the Hall of Elders, and then the Imperial Council of Elders will decide whether to approve your needs."

The crowd relaxed. Although the Tianxia Pavilion was subject to the Empire, it still gave them some freedom and didn't control them too much.

Ning Fengzhi's eyes flashed with interest. The elders of the Tianxia Pavilion held extraordinary positions, and the leaders could even have direct contact with the elders and retainers of the empire. Their status in the folk soul master world was absolutely extraordinary.

However, there are also drawbacks. The Martial Soul Empire is bringing its past hidden conflicts into the open, making everyone argue in the Heavenly Pavilion. To win the argument, the Empire's help is indispensable. As a result, everyone will be subject to the Empire's control, forming a strange chain that binds all the major forces together.

"Ahem, Your Majesty, is it possible to choose not to join?" a middle-aged man asked.

“Of course.” Gu Han smiled, and before the other party could breathe a sigh of relief, he continued, “However, in this way, your sect’s safety will no longer be protected by the empire, and all risks will be borne by your sect itself.”

Upon hearing this, everyone, including Ning Fengzhi, felt a chill run down their spines.

"Haha, I'm just asking. My Thunder Serpent Sect is definitely 100% willing to cooperate with the Martial Soul Empire."

The person who initially asked the question quickly stated their position, fearing that if they hesitated any longer, their Thunder Serpent Sect might be inexplicably wiped out by a "mysterious force."

Ning Fengzhi glanced at the man and cursed inwardly, "Where did this shill come from?"

But then I thought, even if this person didn't ask, what's meant to be will still be there. Putting things out in the open now isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Seven Grand Secretaries."

Tang Yuehua muttered to herself, "Does this mean the seven major sects are going to have to re-elect?"
But thinking about it, it makes sense. Of the former three great sects, one has perished and another has gone into hiding. Only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect remains. With two of the seven great sects missing, the four lower sects all want to compete for the position of the three great sects.

Now that the empire needs to govern the Soul Master world, the empire's power alone is not enough, which will lead to a confrontation between the empire and other major forces.

However, if the major sects are to supervise and restrain each other, then the empire is needed. As long as the checks and balances are properly maintained, it will be difficult for the major forces in the Soul Master world to unite.

Tang Yuehua felt that the positions of the three upper sects would be easily reclaimed once the Haotian Sect emerged. However, she had something more pressing to understand, so she asked, "Your Majesty, what should be done with the hidden sects and families?"

Tang Yuehua did not directly mention Haotian Sect. Although some people here knew her true identity, there were many more who did not. In order to make it easier to hide her identity in the future, she could not directly ask Haotian Sect what to do.

Gu Han naturally understood what Tang Yuehua meant and replied, "Hidden families and sects are not subject to the Empire's jurisdiction as long as they stay at home. However, if they do leave their homes, they must act in accordance with the Soul Master laws established by the Empire." The meaning is simple: if you stay at home, no one can control you, but if you leave your home, you are out of the world and come into contact with the outside world, so you must abide by the rules.

"Thank you for your clarification, Your Majesty." Tang Yuehua nodded slightly, indicating that she understood.

"Alright, let's leave the matter of Tianxia Pavilion here for now. We can ask you about more details when it's established."

"Now let's talk about the second thing."

Seeing that no one had any objections, Gu Han brought up the second matter.

"The second matter concerns the mining and operation of resources such as minerals, grains, and land. The mining of minerals and the pricing of grains and land must be carried out under the supervision of the empire."

"Especially for necessities for ordinary people's daily lives, the pricing of these must be controlled by the Empire. Does anyone have any objections?"

"I have no objections to anything else, but I have a question that I need to clarify."

"Sect Leader Ning, please speak."

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment and asked, "Does the fact that mineral mining also needs state control mean that mineral resources belong to the Empire?"

"That's natural. All land under heaven belongs to the emperor. Salt mines, iron mines, and various minerals such as gold, silver, copper, and iron naturally belong to the empire. You may mine them, but you must obtain the empire's approval. At the same time, you must pay 20% of the profits to the empire as tax."

Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's face twitched slightly. If one were to ask what the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School relied on to make money, then minerals would be one of its biggest sources of profit. The Martial Soul Empire's move was undoubtedly cutting into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's flesh. Twenty percent of taxes might not seem like much for a small business, but when placed on top of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's operating income, it would be an astronomical figure.

"Isn't this a bit too high?"

Ning Fengzhi felt a pang of regret. Although he usually donated a lot of money to the Spirit Hall, it was all with hope and a return, and it was given voluntarily.

However, this 20% tax is something that comes with no hope or return, and is given passively; it's a completely different matter.

"Not much left. The Empire provides the mines; you go and mine them, then sell them. The only cost is labor. It's incredibly profitable. The Empire only takes two-tenths of your profits. Is that too much?"

"Or does Sect Master Ning intend to abandon the mining industry?"

Ning Fengzhi's eyelids twitched violently, and he said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty is joking. Twenty percent is not much, just right."

"Why is this kid going back on his word?" Bone Douluo secretly transmitted his voice to Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi, clearly dissatisfied with Gu Han's attitude towards the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

"Uncle Bone, this is a matter of the Empire, and it is not something that one person can control. Please do not act rashly."

Ning Fengzhi quickly sent a telepathic message to reassure himself, also to comfort himself. If Uncle Gu really went up and asked, then the conflict would be brought to the forefront, and their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would not be able to withstand the iron fist of the Martial Soul Empire.

As for running off to the Star Luo Empire?

Ning Fengzhi had no such idea. Putting aside whether he could even get there, given the current ambitions of the Martial Soul Empire, would it let the Star Luo Empire go?

At that point, they won't even be able to protect their current interests.

(End of this chapter)