Bai Yuan snorted: “No wonder. Though I brilliantly maneuvered, trapping those bandits in the courtyard for a four-sided assault, giving us overwhelming advantage, their losses proved minimal when they charged our artillery.”

Zheng Daniu scratched his head dopily: “Huh? Could y’all still recognize neighbors fightin’ in dark smoke where fire? I… didn’t think o’ that.”

The crowd: “…”

You buffoon should hurry and marry Gao Chuwu!

Thirty-Two respectfully paid utmost reverence toward the sky before lowering his head: “Amongst these survivors, many are neighbors, fellow villagers, even kin of yours, yes? Your restraint in battle stemmed from unwillingness to kill them. Likewise, the Deity spared them, considering your feelings deeply.”

The twenty-some kneeling figures pressed their foreheads to the ground, not daring to speak.

Those panic-stricken within the tunnel by the fearsome “holy flames” remained utterly silent.

Thirty-Two sighed: “Since the Deity forgave them, we must forego further slaughter. Yet handling these wretches poses vexation indeed.”

He furrowed his brow, turning options over and over without resolution.

Right then, Gao Yiye—silent until now—spoke slowly: “The Deity commands labor reform for them.”

“Huh?” The crowd stirred in bafflement: “Labor reform?”

Gao Yiye explained: “It means redeeming past sins through hard work.”

Comprehension dawned on them.

Gao Yiye: “The Deity decrees: Gaojia Village, amidst urgent reconstruction, requires abundant labor. Rather than slaying these wretches before their kin—breeding sadness and distrust—organize them. Let their toil repay their crimes.”

“Those undergoing labor reform will be known as labor offenders. They’ll receive meals only, no extras. Only upon full atonement, judged by the Deity, will they regain citizen rights.”

The huddled masses in the tunnel snapped up their heads abruptly: What? Meals provided? Punishment or reward? Sign me up for this ‘labor offense’!

Thud thud thud! Frantically, they kowtowed in gratitude.

Gao Yiye turned to Thirty-Two: “Assign their labor sites per your discretion, Third Lady.”

Being addressed thus rushed Thirty-Two with pride. He straightened his posture promptly: “Urgent tasks abound indeed! Mass production of cotton textiles and iron armor required. Xin Jia Fortress lacks doors and windows! Stone quarrying, timber felling, firewood harvesting… Overwhelming need exists! These labor offenders shall fulfill such demands.”

Villagers ceased murmuring. Even the twenty-some now rising from kneeling felt moved—the Deity spared their kin, valuing their hearts.

But…

Where would these laborers dwell?

A fresh dilemma arose!

Housing them inside Gaojia Fortress felt unnatural. After all—they’d just been murderous invaders! Residing alongside? Who’d risk throat-cutting whilst sleeping?

Li Daoxuan perceived their hesitation. Solution: simple! Reinserting the Lego bricks extracted days earlier from the scenic box, he now formed not walls, but a tiny enclosure with one narrow entry.

Just as villagers fretted… whoosh! Multicolored “walls” descended from the sky outside Gaojia Fortress, encircling ground into a small courtyard space—akin to an alleyway’s breadth.

All understood instantly!

Thirty-Two waved commandingly: “Dwell within those walls! Sleep obediently by night; labor diligently by day! The Deity decrees sustenance for you—hence Common Trade shall feed you. Yet merit? Extra coin? Forget it! Only upon the Deity’s approval, regaining innocence, shall your working earn reward.”

The bandits inwardly rejoiced: Meals guaranteed? Beyond any prayer! Extra pay? Who’d dream of such?! Still ignorant of the Deity’s identity yet hearing “Deity” repeated by villagers, knowing their pardon came from Him… gratitude flowed.

“Deepest thanks for the Deity’s mercy!” they chanted as one.

Finishing the shout, he rose to his feet and surrendered all his weapons.

He was then escorted by the villagers of Gaojia Village to undertake the first labor reform task: clearing the battlefield.

They stripped the corpses killed by stone impacts bare, carried them out of the fortress, dug pits on the hillside, and buried them. Dealing with those burned to death by lighters was comparatively troublesome—their clothes couldn’t be removed, and lifting the corpses left hands covered in black charcoal and sticky tar, the stench enough to turn one’s stomach.

But…

This was labor reform!

What choice did one have about assignments?

Whether willing or not, the work had to be done.

The villagers suddenly realized how convenient it was to have a group of labor offenders to command. After previous encounters where the Deity had eliminated bandits, they’d had to clear the battlefield themselves—carrying corpses and digging pits was utterly revolting.

Now, with labor offenders taking charge, they merely needed to supervise from the sidelines. Wasn’t that feeling absolutely exhilarating?

Indeed, killing all enemies outright was unwise; keeping some for labor reform was the true path of wisdom.

As this thought took hold, the sharper-minded villagers delved a layer deeper: What if Gaojia Village had more labor offenders—enough to handle every task? Couldn’t they then avoid work for life, simply spending their days escorting the offenders to one job after another?

Trouble!

Once this idea surfaced, it became impossible to shake.

Overcome by shame for such unsavory thoughts, the villagers sank into profound self-reproach, slapping their own faces hard several times.

After a long while, the labor offenders finally cleared the battlefield.

Gao Chuwu and Zheng Daniu escorted them into the large circle outside Gaojia Fortress.

Once all the offenders had entered, Li Daoxuan reached out and gave the building block circle’s small opening a light push. It sealed shut, imprisoning all one hundred men inside.

Everything was now in order. They’d release them safely at daybreak tomorrow.

Seeing the labor offenders securely confined, the villagers breathed a sigh of relief. They could finally return home to sleep in peace.

Just then, a man knelt before Bai Yuan and Thirty-Two, crying out loudly, “Lord Bai, Third Lady! You’ve forgotten… we must still rescue Brother Wang Er!”

Everyone turned to look—aha! It was White Cat, the informant.

Only then did they remember: this wasn’t over after all.

Embarrassing!

How mortifying! This man had risked his life to warn Gaojia Village, yet after the defensive battle ended, they’d completely forgotten about Wang Er. The shame was almost unbearable.

Thirty-Two flushed crimson with awkwardness, casting a pleading glance toward Bai Yuan.

Bai Yuan laughed, “With the Deity’s blessing, rescuing Wang Er from the mountains is nothing at all. I shall gather our men at once, storm into the hills, and bring your Brother Wang Er out. A piece of cake.”