Chapter 8 – Annexation

Volume 2: Battlefield Between Two Worlds

In Sun Ruixing's Settlement, Wen Yu found a bamboo mat in the room and spread it on the floor, quietly basking in the sun.

Ignoring the surprised looks from the patrol members passing by, Wen Yu would occasionally tease the Little Soul Beast.

It had been close to two hours since Sun Ruixing and the others left. In the meantime, Wen Yu ate a bit of food, then just stayed there like this, bored.

Though he couldn't help lamenting that doing so was really a waste of time, Wen Yu valued promises more.

Hearing the clamor in the distance, Wen Yu slowly opened his eyes. At the same time, he let go of the Little Soul Beast in his hands-pinched flat and rolled round-and directly picked up the Steel Blade.

The Little Soul Beast had only just escaped its master's clutches. Seething, it floated to Wen Yu's shoulder and bumped hard against its master's cheek, using this to express the anger in its heart.

Although the Soul Beast was already Level 2, that strength didn't even count as a lover's caress. And from the mental fluctuations the Little Soul Beast sent back, it also felt that Wen Yu's "massage" was very comfortable. It was just that a noble Soul Beast like itself was being kneaded like a ball at Wen Yu's mercy, making it feel a bit too embarrassed to hold its head up.

So this is what you call being tsundere.

Paying no attention to the emotions the Soul Beast sent back, Wen Yu fixed his eyes on the main gate. Lin Hu was leading a large group of strangers inside, and Wen Yu couldn't help frowning.

"Seriously… what a hassle. I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved with these Strongholds at all."

…

Mayor Li, brimming with high spirits, led a huge crowd into Sun Ruixing's Stronghold; the whole process was unbelievably easy.

Lin Hu had been bought over long ago and was already one of his people, and many of the Class Holders responsible for patrol duty were also Lin Hu's men.

Even if some of them were very loyal to Sun Ruixing, since the start of the Apocalypse it had only been a few days. Loyalty wasn't as important as one's own life. Seeing such a big group of Class Holders holding Steel Blades, even a fool would know what to choose. Besides, whoever you followed, you were still just following someone.

Those who saw the situation clearly made the wise choice to keep their mouths shut. Those who didn't see it clearly also followed along in a daze behind the Settlement's ostensible leader at the moment-Lin Hu-heading straight toward the Mansion.

Mayor Li adjusted his collar and walked directly onto a huge rock by the entrance of the Mansion. Ironically, every time Sun Ruixing hooked a Zombie, he would also make speeches from this very rock.

For today, Mayor Li had even put on formal attire.

He watched as Lin Hu gathered most of the people in the Settlement below him, including the patrol members. As for the patrol duties for the entire Camp, they had already been taken over by his own subordinates.

"Ahem, ahem." Mayor Li coughed hard twice. With a Class Holder's powerful Physical Attribute, Mayor Li's cough sounded quite thunderous. Seeing the confused crowd below turn to look at him, Mayor Li nodded in satisfaction and began delivering the speech he had prepared.

"Common People, I believe you know who I am. If you don't, that's fine-let me make a simple introduction first. My name is Li Quan'an, and I'm the mayor of Hualin Town.

"Today I've come here to tell everyone that our Country, our Government, has already begun rescue operations, and I am the person appointed by the Government to be responsible for organizing the rescue work in Hualin Town.

"I, Li Quan'an, started rescue operations as soon as the disaster began. Our Camp is located in the center of town. But Sun Ruixing, that petty man, for his own selfish desires, deceived the Common People and tried to become king in the midst of the disaster. This is an act of betraying the Country, and such behavior will certainly be punished by the Country. Fortunately, Brother Lin Hu still remembered the greater good of the Country and took the initiative to contact me, letting me know that here there are still so many Common People suffering hardship."

Calmly selling out Lin Hu, Li Quan'an ignored Lin Hu's livid expression and continued his speech.

"Today, I've come here to take everyone back into the Country's embrace, back to the civilized life you once had. In our Camp, there are supplies transported by the Country, absolutely enough to guarantee everyone three meals a day. There are also many powerful Class Holders to ensure everyone's safety, along with complete defensive measures to fend off harassment from Mutant Creatures and Zombies."

Watching the many people below reveal excited expressions when they heard words like "Country" and "three meals a day," Li Quan'an knew his rhetoric hadn't been wasted.

"Everyone, do you want this kind of life? Do you want to return to a civilized society? After the disaster is over, every person will be allocated land and supplies-do you want that? If you do, I will organize everyone's evacuation. This place isn't in a very good location; I'll take you all somewhere safe."

Below, some plants who had long been bought off by Li Quan'an's men stirred up the atmosphere. The Common People, unaware of the truth, had already been completely intimidated by the Government and by Li Quan'an's identity, and they shouted their agreement. Some Class Holders who could see what was really going on, with the faintly visible Blade in Li Quan'an's men's hands, couldn't bring themselves to say no.

"Good. Then let's go. Everyone line up. I've arranged Vehicles outside to take everyone away."

Seeing a Settlement vanish into smoke under his scheme, Li Quan'an was drowned in an immense sense of achievement.

"Wait. I want to say a couple of words."

Still immersed in the joy of success and unable to pull himself out, Li Quan'an's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden voice, and he couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed.

Thinking of how many people were down there, and that he should maintain his image before things were fully done, Li Quan'an smiled slightly and said, "Which Common Person has a question? I, Li, will certainly answer everything I know, holding nothing back."

The crowd naturally opened a passageway, revealing the figure of Wen Yu, who had been standing in the back.

Wen Yu scratched his head and showed Li Quan'an a mouthful of white teeth. In a negotiating tone, he asked, "Well, I promised Sun Ruixing that I'd ensure this Camp's safety before nightfall. Even though I don't want to get involved in this mess, I want to discuss it with you-can we wait until nightfall before we leave?"

Li Quan'an's face darkened. He hadn't expected that Sun Ruixing had not only left behind the Patrol Team, but had also left a Hothead to watch the place for him. Forcing down his anger, Li Quan'an said, "Young Brother, it won't be very safe after nightfall."

"Tsk, I knew this would be a pain." Wen Yu muttered, staring straight at Li Quan'an. "So what you're saying is, no?"

Li Quan'an was so furious he laughed instead. This Kid couldn't see the situation at all-he was completely an idiot. He stopped paying attention to Wen Yu, turned his head, and directly began organizing the transfer and evacuation.

Seeing Li Quan'an completely ignore his proposal, Wen Yu didn't want to say anything else either, and directly activated the Second Soul Realm.