As he said this, he paused for a moment before continuing.

"I just feel that turning our conflict into a 'glorious war,' as you described, is a meaningful thing... Even Saint Sis would forgive my choice today, and may even agree with me."

"I'm glad to hear that, it means we share the same ideals... Alright, no need for further explanation, I understand," Luo Yan interrupted Alex, who seemed to want to clarify further, laughing heartily as he went on, "Then... how about a six-month term for the mercenary contract? For the next six months, I will pay you 3,300 orichalcum coins per month as salary."

A fifty-five-member mercenary band, that amounted to sixty orichalcum coins per person, which is equivalent to over six thousand orichalcum coppers.

In Thunder City, where the average income is just over three thousand orichalcum coppers, this salary was already considered high, and even some adventurers might be tempted.

Especially since they wouldn't be required to fight, they just needed to maintain the peace in Mist Town and catch some petty thieves... that is if any thief dared to steal on the Demon King's territory.

As for how much Alex would pay those mercenaries, Luo Yan didn't care; that was their own business.

He didn't even need them to expand their numbers.

After all, using mercenaries as local guards was only a temporary measure, purely meant to balance out the proportion of demons in the security system.

If the guards were all demons, it would likely dissuade any adventurer from stopping by, and without adventurers visiting, it would be even less likely for the guards to be humans, and local commerce would dwindle even further... thus creating a vicious cycle.

Therefore, the presence of mercenaries was necessary, but also bound to be phased out.

Once the residents of Mist Town gradually overcame their psychological barrier of "working for the Demon King," and began to realize that everything they did was for their own good, starting to take on more social responsibility voluntarily... he naturally wouldn't need these mercenaries for appearances anymore.

Out of trust for Alex, Luo Yan opened up the small treasury of Mist Town's adventurer guild and paid him an advance of one month's salary, letting him use the money to win people over.

If the gentleman intended to continue paying the mercenaries the previous salary of forty orichalcum coins per month offered by the adventurer guild, then, aside from the salaries, this sum was more than sufficient for him to do quite a bit.

After sending Alex off, Luo Yan summoned Zerick, the Clan Leader of the Lizardmen, to arrange for several acolytes to enter the town hall to serve as temporary clerks, registering information on Mist Town's immovable properties and attending to those humans interested in staying in Mist Town.

Leaving this task solely to the Lizardmen was certainly not feasible, as their intelligence wasn't high, and they couldn't compare to cunning humans.

So, after conveying the Lizardmen's mission, Luo Yan then had Youyou issue a server-wide announcement, recruiting some non-combat profession players to help the Lizardmen.

Especially in introducing "business loans" to those capable individuals.

While crafting Translation Crystals for these players consumed a considerable amount of Luo Yan's faith power, it was undoubtedly a worthwhile investment in the long run.

Looking at the queue forming at the entrance of the town hall, Luo Yan was filled with confidence about the future of Mist Town.

One day, this small town situated in the labyrinth would become the most shining pearl on the northern shore of the Vortex Sea!

Even if he couldn't achieve it,

those non-combat profession players would surely do it on his behalf.

"Lord Demon King, why have you suddenly become so generous? Has something happened?" Youyou asked curiously, floating beside Luo Yan.

Luo Yan chuckled.

"What are you talking about? Haven't I always been generous?"

Youyou: "Eh?"

That surprised voice was somewhat irritating, and Luo Yan glanced sideways at the air next to him, displeased.

"Don't take my Joss Paper lightly. Believe it or not, someday everyone on this continent is going to need the stuff."

"Believe! Youyou wouldn't dare doubt you," the voice from the mist was filled with grievance, and Youyou muttered sotto voce, "So, do you also pay those guards in Joss Paper?"

Luo Yan heard this and laughed, but he didn't answer the question directly.

"Youyou, have you ever fished?"

Youyou: "No, I haven't...why do you ask?"

Luo Yan smiled and said.

"An experienced angler often chums the water before casting their line."

Although he had never fished, this didn't stop him from spouting nonsense.

Youyou asked, puzzled.

"Chum the water?"

"Exactly! Put simply, it's about throwing some worthless bait into the pond first, attract a school of fish, and then cast your rod for a kill... This method is much easier than stubbornly waiting for a fish to take the bait."

As he said this, the Lord Demon King, with a smile on his face, made a powerful swinging motion—as if chumming the water.

He wasn't fishing for fish, but for the humans on the surface.

And this small town before him was his pond!

As he strolled along, Luo Yan went from the town hall back to the chaotic aftermath of the feast.

The Dark Night Elves and Little Demons had returned to their nests.

And Charles, along with the knights of the Cambell Knight Order, had also left with the adventurers and residents who had no intention of staying.

Only the innkeeper of "Youlin Rest" and a group of staff were left to tidy up the place.

The burly innkeeper promptly stopped his work and reverently bowed when he saw the return of the Lord Demon King.

"Greetings, Lord Demon King..."

Not just the innkeeper, but also the male and female servants in aprons all paused their work to bow to the Demon King.

"There's no need for formalities, get up."

Luo Yan nodded approvingly and gestured for everyone to stand, then walked up to the innkeeper and patted him on the shoulder.

Feeling the hand on his shoulder, the innkeeper's heart throbbed, almost leaping out of his throat.

Fortunately, the Demon King didn't reach out to pluck out his heart; instead, he continued in an approving tone.

"I am very satisfied with the banquet today, and the food was delicious... I hope you continue to run your business here."

Hearing this promise from the Demon King, the huge boulder that had been weighing in the innkeeper's heart finally fell.

His eyes filled with excitement; he even felt like prostrating himself before the Demon King right then and there.

"Tha-thank you, Lord Demon King!"

"Hahaha, don't mention it!" Luo Yan laughed and said, "I only have one requirement for you, or rather for all of you, and that is to treat all guests equally... whether they are humans, Demons, or mixed Demonfolk. If they cause trouble, contact the guard to handle it; aside from that, I don't want to hear any rumors about you refusing guests."

"Please rest assured! Youlin Rest has never turned away a single customer," the innkeeper earnestly raised his right hand to swear, "I can swear to Saint Sis... no, the Demon God... uh..."

"It's enough to swear to your conscience, or to me."

Interrupting the innkeeper's befuddled mind, Luo Yan let him off easy, speaking in a gentle tone.

"I hope you carry on the same way in the future... get back to work."

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