21 The Paper Mill.

The Marcus was really happy. The knowledge imparted by Neo twisted his entire world around. It was too exciting. The thing he needed the most was time and materials for experiments. The theory and practice were always different. Contents of the scrolls completely absorbed him and the sun rose again, bringing natural light into his room.

In the middle of the room, Neo stopped meditating and decided to concoct the elixirs. The problem was that their herbs were limited now. They couldn't go openly and buy some random herbs because it would arouse suspicion of Reis's previous family. There were still few doses of meridian expanding elixir. It was time to concoct the body cleansing medicine and make his followers ready for basic inner energy cultivation. Most of them won't reach the high stage, however, the most important thing actually was that it will improve their strength and lengthen their lifespan.

The plan was to slowly take control of the city while training a new generation of martial artists.

Most of the orphans lived the hell in this city. Neo wanted to save them and give them a purpose in life. Training and educating them will create a new batch of strong and intelligent followers.

(I should focus on creating paper and glass. I will show the method to the people and work on designs later for paper mill machines.)

He gathered some servants and started explaining the mystery of paper making. It wasn't that hard, it was rather a tedious process. The next thing was to draw the sketch of the necessary tools. The tools weren't complicated, and they could be created in a few hours.

(The problem is that without suitable strength I cannot spread any technology. We will be attacked and method will be monopolized by some force. I will keep technologies only for my organization for time being.)

Neo organized the meeting with his subordinates.

"The money from the treasury of bandits solved our money problem for a moment. However, in long-term, we have no income and many things will be a problem for us."

(I want to create an army. I should worry about feeding my own people first.)

"OK. We need to focus on getting a way of income. Reis you the best on this field. What's the most important thing for ordinary people?"

The money problem was most important. He wanted to create orphanage, so it was obvious that he needed to provide all the necessary things to these people.

"Food, shelter, and safety!" These things were obvious. The Black Sand City was surrounded by danger. Forest of Death, orcs at plains and impassable mountains. It made a food limited and more expensive in more safe cities. The space for farms was limited because of orcs attacks and hunting at forest was rather death's wish.

"Solving the food problem would be a good idea. How to produce big amounts of food in short term?" Neo was thinking for a moment and missed his gear from a previous life. The genetically engineered plants could produce more food in the shorter span of time, additionally, it was more nutritious to the body.

"I could solve many problems...but I cannot show myself to the world..." Neo was sad about this because although he could make the world a better place. People's greed would stop him and destroy all his plans.

(I need someone that will work as temporary protection...)

"Hmmm. We need to find allies, trustworthy ones that won't repeat the event of your family Reis"

"I am ashamed myself of their actions..." Trace of sorrow could be seen from his expression.

(The merchant families are not easy to control. The best thing would be merchant family on brink of destruction. The arrival of savior would make them grateful.)

"Any merchant families that are on brink of destruction? The best if they didn't any conflict with your family in the past." The strength of information was sometimes fiercer than weapons. Merchant job required to know more and earlier than your opponents to use it against them.

"There is one family but their leader stubborn... I tried to cooperate them once, however, they are a proud family of a craftsman. He called me snake mouth and told me to scram."

The merchant doesn't care about many things.

"It's problematic, although I think it's possible to convince them. People like them are not convinced by money or words. I will convince them with actions."

Reis came back to his tasks. Neo moved to Sam and asked.

"How is the process of building the orphanage and recruitment of homeless children?"

"It will be finished in two weeks! I already ordered people to recruit some of them. It will be easy as we are providing food and shelter for them." He answered in straightforward manned.

(He is like a soldier. It's not bad to teach him military ways from the future.)

"Did you start practicing the meditation method I taught you?"

The method was important because he needed to have a higher level of soul to be able to form soul contracts with his subordinates. It will ensure the safety of methods and make it impossible to betray them.

"Yes. It's hard and I prefer fighting! When you will teach me, that moves?" He was impatient and didn't want to spend time on studying.

"Soon. The first step is to go through two processes. I prepared for you two elixirs and you will take them soon. Firstly prepare bath..." Neo explained the effects of the elixirs to him and told to make someone watches over while he will undergo cleansing.

Aron was nearing the 3rd level of soul embryo stage. Neo explained the process of making the healing elixir to him, and he finally succeeded. His success rate was low but it will improve with time.'

The paper mill was almost ready and it will start to produce paper in a few days.

(Patience is a virtue. I almost died, when I was impatient. The paper problem is over. I still need glass. The sand is easy to get, so I need a proper stove.)

The mansion was slowly restored, due to other projects this process was slowed down. Homeless children were helping with some things. There was no free meal in this world. He didn't mean make them do free labor. They just did it by their own accord as it would be scary if they were tossed out on the streets again.

(I need to concoct more elixirs and strengthen our people!)

Most of the servants will remain ordinary but strengthening had another effect aside for obvious ones. The next generation will be genetically better. The meant smarter, stronger and more resistant to diseases.