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The Southern Barbarians have not been living well recently.

Ever since Chen Qing isolated Southeast County, the nations of the hundred tribes of the Southern Barbarians that once cooperated with the Imperial Court have been cut off in the Southeast. As Jiangnan has grown stronger, the South Heaven Pass in Southeast County has become even harder to breach than during the days of the Flying Dragon Army.

However, the poisonous insects and miasma within the Southern Barbarian territories have turned deadly under the surging spiritual energy. Most insect medicines have limited effectiveness, but in the early stages of mutation, they are extremely lethal to ordinary people.

In this year of surging spiritual energy, the Southern Barbarian population has been reduced by nearly two-thirds!

Most deaths resulted from various poisonous insect attacks. The carnivorous and terrifying insects lurking in the mist have become a nightmare for many residents, yet they cannot escape from them.

After all, people need to eat. Even the Southern Barbarians who have reached Extraordinary Levels require a considerable amount of food for sustenance. So, how can the supply of grain be maintained? Surely it cannot rely entirely on hunting?

Humans are omnivorous creatures, and the nobility especially require a diversity of food. Agricultural fields must be cultivated, and the ones responsible for this cultivation must be ordinary farmers.

Outside the cities, farmers are hard to protect fully.

In order to keep up with farmwork, farmers must reside outside the city, where safety cannot be guaranteed.

This is another reason the population continues to decline.

Although carnivorous insects lack intelligence, they instinctively avoid well-defended cities and target scattered farmers in the countryside.

Even with soldiers stationed nearby, safety still cannot be fully assured.

This has led to a mass exodus of the lower tiers of society.

Currently, managing this situation inside Southeast Pass has become one of the most troublesome issues.

"Boss, more and more people have been gathering down below recently. What should we..."

With the addition of a new Gate Deity at Southeast Pass and accelerated efforts by the Engineering Institute, the checkpoint gates here now tower over a hundred zhang in height.

Combined with the Gate Deity’s blessing and powerful formation, this pass has become so fortified that even the Imperial Army wouldn’t dare claim it could take it easily.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the soldiers stationed here are less than ten thousand.

The commander left in charge of the Southeast is from one of the Tian Family’s affiliated families, surnamed Bai.

The family head, Bai Lie, holds the rank of Deputy General within the army.

The Guard Commander of Southeast Pass also receives additional subsidies and commands an independent army.

With the Emperor far away and secluded from daily matters, it can be considered quite a decent posting.

Of course, it’s just "decent." It pales in comparison to those stationed near the Imperial Palace for maritime trade along the West Sea. Such prestigious positions would never have been available to a family of Bai’s relatively average standing.

Understanding this reality, Bai Lie voluntarily withdrew from the fierce competition for a post closer to the capital and instead opted to guard Southeast Pass, which suits him well enough.

This position has low war casualties, little daily workload, and reasonable benefits.

While it may not be optimal, it is far from the worst. Recently, Bai Lie received news that several of his colleagues back in those fierce postings have all met their ends.

Word has it that another rebellion erupted, dismantling affiliated families of higher ranks one by one, with their leaders captured—likely unable to even reincarnate into Hell.

Thinking of this, Bai Lie couldn’t help but feel fortunate about his decision. Years ago, he foresaw the inevitable downfall of his comrades. Blinded by greed, they had become arrogant and reckless—missteps waiting to happen. Now, his prediction has proven true.

Still, his situation isn’t devoid of troubles.

Though there are no major crises, minor issues persist. Thankfully, the isolation from central imperial politics has kept interpersonal relationships relatively simple.

The magistrate overseeing Southeast Border City is easy to work with, and the Hell Ruler, Shen Shiyi, while somewhat aloof, actually has a kind heart.

As long as Bai Lie goes along with him, many matters are negotiable.

Soldiers injured in battle, for instance, often receive good treatment—Shen Shiyi remains generous in such affairs.

But the most troubling issue now is what his subordinate just reported.

Bai Lie, standing atop the city walls, frowned deeply at the sight of the densely packed Southern Barbarian refugees below.

These refugees are said to have been driven out by the various nations of the Southern Barbarians, forced into a dead-end existence.

Many were compelled to farm outside city limits, where their survival couldn’t be guaranteed, leading to countless deaths.

Reports claim that last year alone, tens of billions died on the Southern Barbarian side.

This number rivals the catastrophic disaster in the North years ago and left Bai Lie deeply shaken.

Those who managed to survive the miasmas and valleys teeming with poisonous insects and demons—dragging along their families—are among the fortunate ones. Now, upon arriving at the gates, they’ve found a thread of hope for survival.

Whenever demons approach, the array automatically activates. Its protective coverage under the Gate Deity keeps poisonous creatures at bay, offering this group of Southern Barbarians a rare respite.

Someone leaked news of this place’s safety. Refugees have flocked here in droves, and over time, the crowd has piled up—they could almost build a city of their own by now. Their numbers have reached over a million.

Their sheer density gives Bai Lie a headache!

The real problem lies with Shen Shiyi, the high-ranking yet empathetic youth.

Someone with power and compassion like him only makes things more complicated.

Shen Shiyi has repeatedly demanded Bai Lie and his men provide food for the refugees below.

Initially, it wasn’t an issue. But now, with refugees numbering over a million, how can charity alone sustain them?

Either a proper settlement must be established or they must be incorporated in some way.

Yet, how can they simply absorb such a massive group of Southern Barbarians?

What if spies are hidden among them? Who would bear the responsibility if chaos ensues?

Bai Lie still wishes to serve steadily until retirement—he has no desire to invite unnecessary trouble.

But refusing isn’t easy either. Not only would it anger Shen Shiyi, but the sight of women and children below truly tugs at his conscience.

Back in the day, Bai Lie himself fled to Jiangnan, dragging along his family under Marshal Tian’s banner.

When his family relocated, they had many apprehensions.

Unlike the first wave of settlers, Bai Lie arrived later, covertly following Tian Heng who had defected to Jiangnan.

Tian Heng sent a secret pigeon message urging Bai Lie to join him with his family.

Bai Lie followed through despite the risk of a crime punishable by exterminating nine clans.

Initially, his wife, children, and parents were full of complaints.

Now, after years of stability and better days, his family has come to accept the wisdom of his choice. He can’t afford to ruin it now.

But watching the malnourished children below, faces ashen with hunger, Bai Lie couldn’t help but think of his own daughter during their flight.

Back then, to avoid catching the Imperial Court’s attention, Bai Lie couldn’t bring military rations. His poor daughter starved for ten days, surviving only on roots and water—a pitiful sight, just like the children below.

Looking closely now, the Southern Barbarians don’t look so different from the Central Plains people. There is talk they share common ancestry, which makes the sight of those starving children even harder to bear.

Not just him—his soldiers also struggle to watch such suffering. Many have been secretly giving away their own rations to help the people below.

"Boss... I think... maybe we should let them in?" a deputy suggested cautiously.

"Are you insane?" Bai Lie glared at him. "Would you take responsibility if something goes wrong?"

"Honestly... it doesn’t seem necessary to be so overly cautious. These starving, skin-and-bones folks could hardly hide anyone dangerous, right?"

Bai Lie hesitated for a moment. As a warrior, he was aware that stronger individuals require substantial nutrition.

For instance, he himself currently consumes at least a hundred pounds of Daqing Mountain’s premium-grade meat daily.

Many of those below have been stuck at the gates for a year, suffering severe malnutrition—no warrior could endure such deprivation.

"Boss..." Another deputy proposed, "If you’re still unsure, how about we allow only women and children into the city?"

"This..." Bai Lie was truly moved this time. After a moment of deliberation, he sighed, "I’ll request permission from above..."