Time for Plan B

Wei Huoran had gotten comfortable in the courtyard he was renting and was eating a meal from his storage. He bought out a few items from home to make his stay here more convenient and had his tablet in holographic mode speaking to the ministers back home. He sensed a few people of Foundation Establishment stage moving his direction so you excused himself, ended the call, and stored items that he didn't want seen. Almost ten minutes later, someone announced the arrival of Dao Wen, the mayor of Ice Lake city, Qin Rong, the captain of the guard, and their followers. Opening his courtyard he politely allowed them to enter and guided them to the main hall.

"Please sit here, I'm unprepared to receive company, so excuse my meager efforts", Huoran said.

"It's my pleasure to meet you Doaist Wei, since we came over without warning, we should be asking you to forgive us", Dao Wen signaled to one of his men to hand him a box.

As he received the box, storing it, and also produced two boxes of low quality spirit fruits just for occasions such as this, "it's not much but please accept my sincerity", Huoran expressed his good will.

Dao Wen and Qin Rong personally took the boxes from him. Dao Wen smiled and said, "I don't want to be seen as rude, but I was curious how long Doaist Wei would honor us with your presence?"

"Not to worry mayor, I won't be here for too long, maybe a week or two at most. I have some business to attend to and then I will no longer be a burden for you", Huoran told him.

Hearing Huoran, the mayor's smile seemed strained before replying, "Ah, Doaist Wei is certainly not a burden, in fact, I had already decided to invite you to a feast tonight and hope you wouldn't refuse."

"I would be honored to attend, there is no reason to ask someone to pick me up though, it will take too much time and I already know where to find you", Huoran informed the mayor.

"Very well", Dao Wen replied, "I believe I have intruded enough, I have things to do and will take my leave now."

Huoran walked them to the door and bid them farewell as they left.

'This will be a headache', he thought to himself, 'I have a feeling I should have just slipped my way into town. Now that those two are aware of my presence, I'll just be followed everywhere. It's time to use other means of recruitment.'

He summoned three drones from his storage, stood up, and allowed the drones to circle around him. His tablet displayed a progress bar and when it fully filled up, he activated a program. Next to him was himself, but it was visual projection created by the scans of the drones.

"Ok, let's change the color of the robes, the hairstyle, his height, and his age. Now let's record all my movements, and translate it to the light clone. Drone 3C, let's record messages and change the voice to pair with the clone. And finally, let's map the area and prepare routes for it to walk to include the gathering areas for beggars, the slums, and the slave traders. When it's time to negotiate with them, notify me, and I'll speak through the connection. Currency will be carried by Drone 3B and it will camouflage as a servent to pay the balance."

The three drones deactivated the clone and cloaked themselves, leaving the courtyard to begin their mission.

Huoran called Minister Ye and place the tablet back into holographic mode.

"Boss Wei, how are things on your end?", Ye asked.

"Unfortunately, it's complicated, I will be entertained by the ones in charged here as they watch me. I activated the light clone plan in response so it won't be the real me escorting the new citizens though the portal. I will arrive at most two days later when I finish my other business."

"We will adjust to the situation then Boss Wei, how many people do you foresee coming?", Ye inquired.

"I predict it to be seven to nine thousand if no problems arise", Huoran guessed.

"That's quite a few people, Boss, that will almost double our population. Will we have the space, jobs, and food to support that many?", Ye questioned him.

"My extra days here will be the solution to that problem, just make sure we have enough space to house everyone", Huoran told Ye, "I have to prepare for a feast and monitor the light clone. I will contact you when it's time to activate the portal, have a good day for now."

Huoran ended the call, opened another application, and began watching the video feed of the clone making its way around the city. After watching for awhile, he left the courtyard, heading towards the mayor's residence.

Zeng Meirong was contemplating her next move as she sat in an inn located near the slums.

'Ah Rong, you're really in hot water now. Not only did my uncle attempt to kill my father, but he also sent others to kill me', Meirong thought to herself, 'If it wasn't for distraction in the ocean and the other one at the front entrance, I wouldn't have escaped my uncle's men and entered this city of men so easily.'

She looked at her pursue, even though she knew how many coins there were , she still counted them again.

As she sat by the window in her room that was slightly opened, she heard a conversation. At first, she paid it little mind, but she listened anyways since she wasn't sure what to do now. She knew her uncle wouldn't be able to find her here, it was too difficult to attack the land. Even if there weren't cultivators to stop them, most the army was only useful in the water.

As she continued to listen, she heard someone say, "Excuse me, but I represent someone who is looking for workers. There is shelter, food, clothes, well paying jobs, and it's very certainly warmer there than. We are looking for those who are down on their luck but who aren't criminals. Here is my card and if you are interested then find me at the location on the back of the card. Feel free to invite others like yourself and of course if you have family, they can come as well."

Meirong heard this man introduce himself to several people and pitch the same offer to all of them.

'Maybe I should try to travel with that man, I can blend into a crowd and make my way north. I heard from other sea clans that the waters around a certain island have become chaotic since the barrier there has strengthened and more visitors have been seen there recently', Meirong considered.

Deciding that this was the best course of action, she made her way downstairs and left the inn. She quickly located the light clone of Huoran's and approached it, using a charm skill to bolster her chances of receiving preferential treatment.

"Please excuse the intrusion, but I just happen to hear your proposal to some of the people in the area", Meirong spoke to the clone flirtatiously, "I had hoped that you haven't filled your quota and that there would be space for someone like me."

"Of course young lady, please take this card and follow the instructions on the back", the clone politely said.

Seeing that her acting hadn't charmed the man, she just smiled and walked away quickly.

'I don't understand, my voice should have possessed his will. Did my technique not work? Impossible, Siren's whisper should work on most normal men', Meirong felt confused and her pride had taken a slight hit.

She went to the market to prepare for a long trip, before returning to the inn.