Chapter 139 – Leader!

Volume 2: Battlefield Between Two Worlds

Upon hearing Zhang Wenhu's words, Wen Yu spoke up.

"I'm here to check on the defensive measures. At the same time, I'd like to trouble you with something, Old Brother."

"Whatever it is, just say the word, Younger Brother! Your Old Brother will definitely see it done!"

Zhang Wenhu replied with a broad smile.

Wen Yu pondered for a moment before directly pulling Zhang Wenhu into a nearby building.

A long while later, Wen Yu was the first to emerge, leaving the Settlement immediately.

Shortly after, Zhang Wenhu walked out of the room with a grim, ashen face. He issued several orders to Li Shanlin, who was standing nearby.

"Do we really have to do this?"

Li Shanlin asked, his face full of shock after hearing Zhang Wenhu's instructions.

"The situation is out of our hands. What choice do we have!"

Zhang Wenhu thought back to Wen Yu's words-a mix of soft persuasion and hard pressure. To be precise, they were orders. He couldn't help but feel a bitter taste in his mouth.

Watching Wen Yu's receding figure in the distance, Zhang Wenhu muttered to himself.

"Strength! Strength! Without strength, you are nothing! In that case…"

Zhang Wenhu turned to look at the bustling Settlement.

"No matter what, I cannot give up on this place!"

Back at the Small Stronghold, Wen Yu quietly organized the items in his Spatial Ring.

There wasn't much-mostly potions and other supplies, aside from the things he couldn't use yet.

Seeing that Sun Ruixing and Sun Aotian were already up and starting on the defensive measures again, Wen Yu didn't interfere. He spent his time quietly familiarizing himself with his Skills and conserving his stamina.

All the necessary arrangements had been made. Now, there was nothing left to do but wait for the great battle to begin.

Time flew by. A single day was only enough to further reinforce the layout of the Stronghold.

Meanwhile, the arrangements at the distant Camp were also complete.

At least, in Zhang Wenhu's eyes, the preparations they had made were considered adequate.

As noon on the seventh day arrived, the Black Light shimmering from the Demon Realm Gate reached its peak!

Wen Yu, accompanied by Sun Ruixing and Sun Aotian, returned to the Settlement.

This was the result of a discussion between Wen Yu and the other two.

It was always better to scout the strength of the Demon Race beforehand.

If the situation turned south, they could retreat to the Stronghold. Given the strength of the three of them, the risk of doing so was actually quite low.

Furthermore, Sun Ruixing hoped to move the Survivors who had no combat capability to the Stronghold ahead of time.

Wen Yu had no particular opinion or objection to this.

Inside the Settlement, about thirty meters in front of the Demon Realm Gate, Zhang Wenhu stood with all the combatants of the Camp, quietly waiting for the gate to open.

Seeing the three of them approach, Zhang Wenhu nodded to Wen Yu but didn't bring up any other topics.

"By the way, Boss Zhang, I hope to move the non-combatants from the Camp to the rear first," Sun Ruixing said.

In Sun Ruixing's eyes, this was merely a heads-up, done entirely out of politeness.

However, the result was unexpected.

"No."

Zhang Wenhu shook his head seriously, offering no further explanation.

His refusal left Sun Ruixing stunned.

"Forget it, Sun,"

Seeing that Sun Ruixing wanted to argue, Wen Yu immediately grabbed the corner of his sleeve and spoke calmly.

"But…"

Sun Ruixing's expression was one of confusion, and even more so, anger.

"There will always be reasons people don't want others to know. Hu-Ge is a smart man; if he says no, then he definitely has his own reasons."

"Brother Wen Yu is the only one who understands me."

Zhang Wenhu smiled at Wen Yu, not even glancing at Sun Ruixing. He turned back, staring intently at the Demon Realm Gate before them.

Seeing Sun Ruixing's still reluctant expression, Wen Yu advised him in a low voice.

"It might be about the arrangements in the Camp, or it could be something else. Regardless, Zhang Wenhu isn't the type of person who can't distinguish right from wrong."

After a slight pause, Wen Yu continued.

"You can go check on the rear. Those without combat power have been settled in the back. If things take a turn for the worse, you can take them and leave."

These words were merely a platitude.

When the Demon Realm Gate first appeared, Sun Ruixing hadn't moved the non-combatants immediately because he was focused on setting up the Camp's defensive lines.

After all, a lack of combat power didn't mean a lack of physical strength!

The various traps and defensive structures currently in the Camp had all been prepared by these people.

Sun Ruixing's timing in speaking up just now was perfect; it ensured these non-combatants wouldn't have to face the Demonic Creatures directly, and it served as a proper accounting to Zhang Wenhu.

Unfortunately, given that Zhang Wenhu had refused to transfer the crowd, the life and death of these non-combatants in the Camp had become a major problem.

Even if things went south, they wouldn't be able to escape!

Sun Ruixing clearly understood this. He stood there, his brow furrowed deeply.

Seeing Sun Ruixing's expression, Wen Yu couldn't help but shake his head.

By now, Wen Yu thought highly of Sun Ruixing – he respected both his character and his strength!

Moreover, it was no exaggeration to say that Sun Ruixing had saved Wen Yu's life!

Therefore, Wen Yu decided to intervene in this matter.

"How about this, Hu-Ge? Why don't you tell Sun the reason? Otherwise, this will always be a thorn between you, won't it?"

Zhang Wenhu looked at Wen Yu, then at the indignant Sun Ruixing behind him. After hesitating for a long while, he finally nodded.

"It's because of my Class."

After saying this, Zhang Wenhu hesitantly revealed his Class information to Wen Yu and Sun Ruixing.

"Name: Zhang Wenhu."

"Class: Leader!"

"Skill 1: Territory (SS Rank, Active Ability): Establish a territory within a domain under your control. Within the range of the territory, the defensive capabilities of all buildings are enhanced, and the combat power of all members of the same race is increased! The size of the territory is related to the Host's strength! Once the territory is established, it cannot be changed!"

"Skill 2: Will of the Leader (S-Rank, Passive Ability): Takes effect after establishing a territory. Within the territory's range, the Host receives a buff based on the number of fellow tribesmen present! For every ten members of the same race, the Host's Physical Attribute is increased by one percent, while simultaneously increasing the Physical Attribute of Class Holders within the territory by zero point one percent! However, if the territory is destroyed or the number of people within the territory falls below ten, the Leader dies!"

"The Emperor guards the gates of the nation; the King dies for the altars of the state! Or rather, as long as the tower stands, I stand!"

Seeing Zhang Wenhu's abilities, Wen Yu and Sun Ruixing fell into a sudden silence!

It went without saying that Zhang Wenhu must have established this Settlement as his territory. There were at least a hundred non-combatants in the rear. A hundred people would provide Zhang Wenhu with a buff of roughly ten percent. Furthermore, by keeping them hidden in a secret place, Zhang Wenhu could prevent the population of his territory from dropping below ten. For the sake of his own life, he couldn't possibly let them leave!

"Forget it,"

Wen Yu was the first to speak. He patted Sun Ruixing on the shoulder and said to Zhang Wenhu,

"No wonder you're insisting on holding out here. I'll help you as much as I can; consider it a return for Hu-Ge's hospitality over the past few days! But let's be clear upfront: if things look bad, I'm definitely leaving!"

Zhang Wenhu nodded and spoke directly.

"I won't say anything else. When you leave, take my son with you."

"Can do."

Sun Ruixing listened to the conversation between Zhang Wenhu and Wen Yu, remaining silent for a long while.

Sun gave a bitter smile but said nothing more.

With Wen Yu having stated his position, Sun Ruixing's opinions and suggestions carried no weight.