Chu Yan was uncertain how many days the Executioner would remain at the Dead Sea borders, but he suspected it wouldn't be for long.
After settling the two distinguished guests into their freshly prepared rooms, he eagerly began to extol the accomplishments of his recent endeavors, exhibiting a hint of the eagerness often associated with a sycophant.
To emphasize the arduous nature of his work, Chu Yan produced a memory gem—a natural magical stone capable of vividly capturing environmental images.
"Although Jiggle City may not seem particularly remarkable in your eyes, and is somewhat dilapidated and desolate..."
As Chu Yan spoke, the maid Bird Feather could scarcely contain her inner thoughts:
[No, no, no! This lord's castle alone is quite exceptional.]
"...however, the sanitary conditions that existed when I first arrived in Jiggle City were appalling, and transforming them into the current ordinary state required considerable effort."
Upon finishing his explanation, Chu Yan activated the memory gem.
What had recently been a landmark within Jiggle City was projected before them.
A miniature aerial view of Jiggle City materialized in the room.
"Is this where the nobility amassed? Did they not send anyone to address the situation?"
The Executioner remarked, a subtle urge to cover her nose overwhelming her, as if she could sense the stench emanating from the projection.
The details revealed by the memory gem were strikingly vivid—the wriggling maggots amidst refuse, and the free-floating flies and rats were depicted with unsettling realism.
It was akin to certain niche art pieces featuring "jade feet" where the artists, in a display of skill, could almost evoke the scent of rancid feet through their work.
Merely viewing the imagery felt as if a foot were pressing against one's face, assaulting the senses with its odor, temperature, humidity, and pressure.
Chu Yan explained:
"Yes, ordinary households lack the wealth to produce such refuse, but the nobility do not neglect to clean; rather, they allow the waste to accumulate until it becomes excessive, then use magical water to wash it away, beneath which lie the slums and the ocean."
This statement subtly insinuated that the local nobility were careless about sanitation, suggesting they merely neglected waste management.
In truth, their methods did manage to keep the affluent areas rather clean, routinely employing water flows to cleanse the streets—how could it not be clean?
However, this was a method he was reluctant to adopt.
...
After a brief conversation, both guests from afar confirmed that this seemingly mundane sanitary task was indeed a formidable challenge in the Dead Sea borders.
While it superficially pertained to "environmental sanitation," it inherently contained the undercurrents of political maneuvering between the new lord and the local nobility.
Clearly, Chu Yan could not singlehandedly clear away such an enormous amount of refuse; he must have persuaded the nobility to send manpower to assist.
Though the specifics of his methods remained uncertain, the achievement indicated that this new lord had made commendable strides in his initial endeavors.
The Executioner nodded, revealing a glimmer of appreciation and affirmation as she stated:
"Based solely on the preliminary results, I would award full marks."
My goodness...
Chu Yan's eyes sparkled, utterly captivated by her noble, grand, and just virtues, and he instantly felt a profound respect for this strikingly attractive lady!
After all, he had been thrust into this desolate place under dubious circumstances, and he had anticipated that the Executioner would nitpick his performance, invariably deducting points.
With his extensive experience in examinations, Chu Yan understood deeply that one's final score in specialized courses heavily relied on daily assessments!
If you were a slacker at the bottom of the ranks... a student with vast untapped potential, your daily scores could be your lifeline to passing.
If you were a top-tier student, those daily scores were crucial for maintaining an edge over your peers; should a teacher harbor bias, the gap in daily assessments could not be bridged by exam scores alone!
In such a place as the Dead Sea borders, it was genuinely unpredictable how many points he might ultimately earn; he was wholly reliant on those daily scores to bolster his overall standing!
Chu Yan's mouth was not idle; he quickly expressed his gratitude:
"I am immensely grateful! I never expected the Executioner to appreciate and comprehend my efforts to such an extent!"
The maid Bird Feather's lips twitched slightly; while she certainly acknowledged Chu Yan's accomplishments, she questioned whether the score was overly generous, leaving no room for compromise.
Any assessment that appeared too dogmatic could tarnish the Executioner's image of wisdom and discernment.
She hastily clarified:
"Lord, this is merely the Executioner's recognition of your municipal sanitation efforts; it does not constitute a final evaluation. We will continue to consider other aspects."
Chu Yan paused for a moment, his expression subtly shifting as he replied:
"Ahem... for the time being, there's no need to evaluate other aspects, as I have focused solely on sanitation."
The maid fell silent.
She had previously accompanied Sossia, the legitimate Executioner, to inspect the family trials of other dragonborns, but Chu Yan's approach was genuinely rare.
Typically, initial efforts involve establishing frameworks and plans, leaving the subsequent refinements to the passage of time.
As for Chu Yan...
He resembled a child who, after completing an exam, sought parental approval by presenting his paper.
—"Hey there, my beloved Mommy, look at this paper; I scored full marks on this question!"
—"Oh, my child, you make me proud! But what was your total score?"
—"I only answered this question; everything else received a zero."
It was almost comically similar.
The maid spoke on behalf of the Executioner:
"Her Highness needs a brief respite; afterward, she will explore various locations within the Dead Sea borders."
"Very well, enjoy your rest, and I shall refrain from intruding. Should you need anything, please come to my room; I remain at your service!"
As Chu Yan left the room, the sound of the door closing echoed through the corridor.
Only then did the maid Bird Feather address the Executioner:
"Miss Tiffany, your scoring seems excessively 'final,' leaving no room for contingencies. Should he falter in other tasks, it could significantly impact the Executioner's reputation."
Tiffany removed her black dragon mask, responding nonchalantly:
"Fairness exists only in fairy tales. For others, family trials are mere child's play, often involving taking their kin to hunt a few monsters.
Yet Chu Yan has been placed in this dire location, and his trial outcomes must be measured against those of his peers—what does that signify?
It is merely an initial score; Sossia is certainly already prepared for my evaluations, so there is no need for concern."
The maid merely offered a suggestion; if the other party remained obstinate, she had no means to influence this purple dragonborn.
Bird Feather continued:
"This temporary lord will face significant pressure in the future. The local safety and security, the coordination between hierarchies, and the strength of the lord's personnel reserves will all be critical points in such trials."
In essence, these "evaluation criteria" were essentially gifts disguised as challenges.
Most talented youths participating in trials typically began in their family's peripheral territories.
Moreover, they were often accompanied by a contingent of guards upon their appointment, and even disregarding familial connections, a well-armed escort could easily intimidate local troublemakers.
Conversely, Chu Yan found himself at the Dead Sea borders; unless he could enlist several prominent figures from the Dragonfire Family as his guards, the number of companions he brought would be of little consequence.
Regarding local safety levels, how would he handle the potential conflicts sparked by the peculiar and erratic outcasts?
As for coordination between hierarchies, the local nobility wouldn't even bother to extend a welcoming gesture—what then?
The strength of the lord's own team was another matter; the Dead Sea borders hardly attracted reputable adventurers—how would he reinforce his team?
Tiffany felt a slight headache merely listening to this, yet her curiosity was piqued:
"I wonder how this young fellow, so prone to seeking ease, will navigate such challenges. I am quite intrigued."
The maid remarked:
"Could it be that after completing the sanitation work, he would then disregard the rest, as failure in the trials would not threaten his life?"
Tiffany shook her head, replying with certainty:
"His guardian has complained to me; that child, Chu Yan, is not one to give up halfway."
The maid looked somewhat surprised, remarking, "A persistent character."
The beauty with amethyst-hued eyes continued:
"He might abandon the endeavor from the outset, choosing instead to sleep the day away without attending to even the 'halfway' tasks.
Yet now that he has made a start, it suggests he intends to see it through."
The maid found it difficult to comment, noting that this attitude in facing difficulties seemed more like "bullying the weak and fearing the strong."
However, Bird Feather had already discerned that the purple dragonborn lady genuinely cared for the young lord and felt compelled to offer some praise, using her eloquence:
"This reflects a precise judgment of the situation, avoiding futile endeavors, and efficiently managing one's energy.
No wonder Miss Tiffany regards him with such admiration."
...
...
In the slums.
Dura and a group of children gathered together for a meager meal, simple yet sufficient to stave off hunger.
Being situated in a coastal region, one would expect an abundance of seafood; however, that was far from the truth.
The marine life here was largely inedible; most were tainted by foulness, rendering them unfit for consumption.
Moreover, the so-called "seafood" was not merely vulnerable creatures; they were the region's native monsters.
It was a stroke of luck to avoid being killed by these "seafood"—who would dare to desire to eat them?
One could say that life here began with a certain fortune, devoid of anxiety for the unknown future, as death loomed ever close.
A youth of about seventeen burst in excitedly, greeted affectionately by the children as "Womack."
"Brother Womack, what has brought you such joy?"
"I've received a job! If successful, I can take you all away from here, away from the Dead Sea borders!"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"I'm serious! The task reward mentions that the benefactor can arrange numerous residential permits for us, and help us conceal our identities as denizens of the Dead Sea!"
To obscure the identity of those from the Dead Sea and become residents of the outside world...
This notion felt so distant it seemed foolish to even aspire to it, prompting both fear and caution.
It was akin to the bait cheese placed within a rat trap in a storybook.
"What kind of task reward is this? It seems rather questionable."