Compared to Xiao Jin and the others who were working tirelessly, Shen Liâs state seemed no different from usual, exuding an aura of elegance and composure.
He strolled leisurely over to Shen Tangâs side and asked gently, "Did Xiao Tang have something to instruct by coming over this time?"
"This is a map Iâve organized these past days, indicating many significant extraction sites for raw materials, such as limestone, clay, iron ore, gravel, high-quality timber, and so on. You can use this map for extraction." These were all found by Shen Tang using a survey map, which she sketched and annotated in detail.
Shen Li took it and looked over it, showing surprise, not knowing how Shen Tang had obtained this information.
However, with so many secrets about her, this wasnât much of a secret after all.
He smiled broadly and said, "With this map, the teamâs extraction speed will be much faster."
"By the way, take me to see the mining areas youâre extracting from," Shen Tang said.
"That place is a mess, with rocks everywhere. Itâs easy to trip and get hurt. Iâll carry you over!" Xiao Jin said, then immediately transformed into a beast form: a sleek, muscular Black Panther, nearly five to six meters long, gleaming and majestic.
Shen Tang patted its panther head and was just about to climb on when a silver-white snake tail wrapped around her waist, pulling her into an embrace.
Xue Yinzhouâs deep, cool voice came, "Itâs too hot outside, let me take you instead."
Having walked all this way, Shen Tang was already sweating. Feeling the manâs cool, jade-like body emitting a slight chill was as refreshing as eating a popsicle.
Contrarily, Xiao Jin, having just finished working, was steaming like a furnace. Sitting on him would surely feel hotter.
Shen Tang naturally stayed where she was comfortable and didnât struggle, letting Xue Yinzhou hold her.
Xiao Jin, seeing this scene, was so mad he could have exploded, wishing he could angrily dig up two acres of land.
Shen Li squinted his long fox eyes, a hint of contemplation flashing in his gaze. Why did he feel that while he was away these few days, Xiao Tangâs relationship with this Snake Beast had become quite close?
After Xue Yinzhou returned this time, Shen Tang verbally acknowledged his status as a Beast Husband, but it was clear to anyone that they were still distant.
Shen Tang usually avoided intimate contact with Xue Yinzhou, let alone embracing him.
This time, however, she showed no discomfort or resistance and seemed accustomed to it.
Shen Li sniffed carefully, sensing a masculine scent on her, which was cleanly washed but lingered too long to hide completely...
Noticing the investigative and unfriendly gazes from the two, Xue Yinzhou slightly curled his lips into a shallow smile, then loosened the first two buttons of his collar, deliberately pulling it down to better help the female in his arms dissipate heat.
From Shen Tangâs perspective, she didnât notice anything amiss.
However, Xiao Jin and Shen Li instantly saw the red marks on Xue Yinzhouâs collarbone and chest!
There were scratch marks and shallow bite marks.
It was enough to imagine how much pleasure and indulgence he had experienced.
As for who had enjoyed such passion with him, there was no need to even guess.
Xiao Jin was so furious he could have burst into flames on the spot.
They were here working themselves to exhaustion, while this Snake Beast was at home making merry with the female?
Shen Liâs eyes also narrowed dangerously, a trace of deep coldness passing through his gaze.
Yet, he showed no sign of it, his red lips curling into a smile, and his fiery, fluffy fox tail swaying gently behind him, smiling soft and intoxicatingly, "Ohïœ looks like during the days we werenât here, Xiao Tangâer was having quite a pleasant time at home?"
"Remembering us in between, truly thoughtful of you."
Shen Tang blushed and coughed lightly to hide her embarrassment, "I remember both your hard work and efforts. There will be no lack of rewards when we go back!"
"Rewards... you can ask for anything."
Hearing these words, their eyes brightened immediately, finally gaining some consolation.
Xue Yinzhou frowned slightly but said nothing.
Bringing up business, Xiao Jin said, "The first batch of stones is ready and can be transported back to the city by tomorrow. However, Greenfield City doesnât have the corresponding factory, making processing time-consuming and laborious. Iâm afraid the project will have difficulty moving forward."
Shen Tang nodded, "Iâve come this time to discuss this with you."
She continued, "I have a blueprint for a factory and plan to build one in the city. Iâll leave the funds and labor to Jia Lan, so the raw materials you extract can be directly sent to the factory."
Shen Li took the factory blueprint and examined it carefully for a while before saying, "The design of the factory has no problem and can be constructed according to the cityâs technological level, but Xiao Tang I must remind you, this kind of automated factory has a very high production efficiency, but it requires a huge amount of energy to operate, and Greenfield City doesnât have an Energy Station to support the factoryâs operation."
The surrounding enthusiastic Beastmen heard this and all became disheartened.
"Yes, a remote town like our Greenfield City canât support the factoryâs operation, which is why entrepreneurs are unwilling to invest here."
"As a result, our cityâs economy has never been able to develop."
"His Highnessâs intentions are good, but unfortunately, weâre too incompetent; the factory operation requires a lot of energy, and we canât supply that much energy."
"You all donât need to worry about the energy issue. Since I have plans to build a factory, I naturally have a way to address the energy shortage!" Shen Tang clapped her hands to boost morale, taking out the Energy Core obtained from a polluted land back in the day from her space.
The moment the Energy Core was seen, the whole place was in an uproar.
"Am I seeing things? Is this the legendary Energy Core? Itâs said that an Energy Core contains enormous energy, enough to power a city for ten years!"
"With this Energy Core, the factory can operate normally!"
"His Highness is incredible, able to produce something as precious as the Energy Core!"
Xiao Jin, Shen Li, and Xue Yinzhou almost forgot about this gem, not expecting it to be so well-preserved by her.
Though this Energy Core was polluted, fortunately, they have now returned to the Empire, where they could hire Purification System Beastmen at high prices to purify the Energy Core.
Upon hearing the good news, the City Lord was elated to no end, announcing it to the whole city.
With this factory, Greenfield Cityâs economy would surely soar!
[Ding! Congratulations to the host, the Greenfield City public morale +5!]
When the discussions were finished, Xiao Jin was unhappy as Shen Tang was about to return to the city, tossing the map to Xue Yinzhou, "Itâs your turn to work, switch back to me in three days!"
Was he working so tirelessly and hard because he was kind, diligent, and loved to work? It was just to have the female see more of him, but he didnât expect the home to be stolen!
Thinking about how he was digging pits in the ground while this damned Snake Beast was busy filling them at home, Xiao Jinâs blood boiled, and it was a wonder he didnât faint on the spot.
"Xiao Jin has also worked hard these days, go home and have a good rest, you take over his shift first!" Shen Tang said to Xue Yinzhou.
This Snake Beast was too energetic; he needed to be properly worn out!
Too much energy with nowhere to release it, send him to the frontier to work for her!