"I do have a rough plan. My idea is this..."
Meeting Xiao Wu's expectant gaze, Yu Yan sighed softly and began to explain his thoughts.
First, among the people abducted by these so-called big shots for trafficking, some surely still have families; we can let them decide for themselves whether to stay or leave.
Those who want to go home—Yu Yan will find a way to send them to the border between the two kingdoms, to a remote town on the edge of the Starlight Kingdom.
As for how they get home afterward, Yu Yan can only give them a little money; escorting every single one home is plainly unrealistic.
Second, for the homeless commoners, Yu Yan plans to relocate them to villages near major cities far from the border—or help them build a new village so they can live in peace.
Among this group, those with the potential to become Spirit Masters or who are already Spirit Masters are the least of his worries; with their status they can live well wherever they go.
Finally, handling all this with just the two of them is obviously impossible.
Therefore, Yu Yan intends to use the method Dugu Bo sent via the ancient scroll: temporarily subdue the less irredeemable Spirit Masters among the captives—those willing to repent—and have them help with the aftermath.
The escort guards can't be released either; Yu Yan will have the subdued Spirit Masters supervise these guards and assist in the clean-up.
This plan is a solution Yu Yan pieced together from things he'd heard and seen before his Transmigration.
Though not yet refined, it covers everyone he could think of.
"That's the gist of it. If any special cases come up, we'll decide together. Xiao Wu, what do you think?"
After laying out his plan, Yu Yan asked for Xiao Wu's opinion; he couldn't accomplish this alone and needed her full support.
So hearing her thoughts was crucial.
"It's a solid plan. Let's do exactly as you say."
Xiao Wu might lack ideas, but she has judgment; she could tell his plan was excellent. Left to herself, she'd never have come up with anything so thorough and workable.
"Since you agree, you go collect the captives' opinions while I find Spirit Masters willing to help us."
"Alright."
Hearing Yu Yan's division of labor, Xiao Wu stood at once, walked over to the captives, climbed to a higher spot, and began asking for their views.
Once Xiao Wu left, Yu Yan shook the Profound Ice Chain in his hand and looked at the somewhat dubious Spirit Masters. "Hey, those of you still awake should have heard me. I need ten volunteers—speak up quickly."
"Me, me, me! Brother Yu Yan, I'm willing to make amends and help settle this."
The moment Yu Yan finished speaking, someone he never expected answered eagerly.
That unexpected person was one of only two Spirit Kings among the captives, the wanted man You Shang, known as the Soul-Reaping Ghost.
"You?"
Yu Yan eyed You Shang with interest, curious what excuses the man would offer.
When Xiao Wu had discussed things earlier she'd called Yu Yan by name, so he wasn't surprised You Shang knew it.
"Yes, yes! I was just tagging along out of curiosity, wanted to see what you looked like. I never meant to oppose you; he forced me—"
You Shang blamed everything on the still-unconscious noble youth surnamed Xue, promising he could handle the very problems Yu Yan had just mentioned.
"Mm. Follow the steps in this scroll: swear eternal loyalty to Him, never lie to me, and I'll spare you."
Yu Yan didn't care what You Shang was really thinking, nor about his excuses; as long as he obeyed the ancient scroll's steps, he could use the old man for now.
He produced the scroll, crouched before You Shang, and slightly loosened the suppression on the man's spirit power, indicating he could proceed to swear by his Spirit.
Besides solving the manpower shortage, this would also test whether the scroll Dugu Bo had sent through Ye Lingling was genuine.
You Shang spoke honeyed words, yet when it came time to act—when he actually read the scroll—he hesitated visibly.
Yu Yan wasn't rushed; he stood waiting for the man to swear by Spirit and spirit power. A clever man would choose correctly and wouldn't keep him waiting long.
Just as Yu Yan expected, after more than a minute of hesitation and sensing his spirit power constricted, You Shang resigned himself and, following the scroll's instructions, circulated spirit power, roused his Spirit, and swore to the unknown deity.
"I, You Shang, hereby swear to the great, dear, revered You: I shall forever be loyal..."
As You Shang spoke the oath, golden light flared in Yu Yan's eyes; he watched and listened to everything around him.
Under the enhanced golden eye empowered by the gazing through autumn water dew, Yu Yan saw strange characters appear out of thin air, merge into You Shang's body, and vanish without a trace—nothing he could detect.
So this is a divine-level oath?
Unable to judge with his limited knowledge, Yu Yan simply asked You Shang, "What do you feel?"
"I feel that if I ever betray you or lie, my Soul will perish just like the oath said."
Utterly subdued, You Shang stared blankly at the sky as he answered.
"Anything unusual in your body?"
"No."
"When the divine oath took effect, could you sense which deity it was?"
"I couldn't."
"No feeling at all."
"Well... maybe one thing: a vast Will seemed to descend beside me, witnessed my oath, and guaranteed it."
Through this exchange Yu Yan gained a clearer understanding of the scroll Dugu Bo had sent: it was indeed a reliable divine oath document that forever prevented the swearer from betraying it.
As for exactly which deity, that would take time to determine.