"Ahem!"
"Let's cut to the chase, I'm about to tell you a core secret."
Chen Yu felt extremely uncomfortable with his arm being grabbed and his body pressed against Mi Mu. He tried to pull his hand away, but surprisingly, Mi Mu, despite her slender arms, possessed astonishing strength.
Having subsisted on various high-attribute ingredients daily, Chen Yu's strength was now comparable to that of the subterranean behemoths.
Yet, he couldn't break free.
"Hey, stop pulling. We're discussing core secrets for our two cities," Mi Mu whispered, frowning deeply. "Do you want others to overhear us?"
"Talk all you want, but why are you hugging me?"
"What's wrong? Are you married?"
Mi Mu's large, round eyes were filled with profound confusion.
"Hugging me doesn't hurt you, you're really strange. Besides, when we're exchanging vital intelligence, don't we need to be close?"
"Just say it."
Even if they were discussing core intelligence, they could have simply sealed off the surrounding space.
There was no need for such intimacy.
Strength wasn't Mi Mu's forte. If he continued to struggle, Chen Yu feared Mi Mu might dislocate his arm. He also suspected Mi Mu was doing this deliberately, likely for a specific purpose.
"Hold tight."
Mi Mu frowned, then spoke with a serious tone.
"Our main city, Milu City, has a population of 7 million. Including the surrounding cities, it's about 5 million. Within the city's territory, there are six resource cities: three mining cities, one elemental resource city, and two agricultural cities. The main city has 150,000 troops, and each of the six resource cities has 20,000 elite soldiers guarding them."
The series of numbers flowing from Mi Mu's mouth astonished Chen Yu.
A population in the tens of millions and nearly 300,000 troops.
Facing Milu City, Fengqi City would have no chance of victory, assuming Chen Yu didn't intervene. If he truly went all out and disregarded the lives of others, a few meteor strikes could turn hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers into dust.
However, Chen Yu was hesitant to act rashly.
A persistent doubt gnawed at him.
If the Saint realm possessed world-shattering power, why had they never appeared in the countless battles in the subterranean world? Even in wars of nation-annihilation, ancient subterranean records never mentioned the appearance of any Saint realm individuals.
Were there no Saint realm experts in the subterranean world?
Impossible!
Chen Yu boldly speculated that the absence of Saints wasn't due to their non-existence but rather some form of restriction that prevented their participation.
Perhaps, the existence of the Saint realm was merely a deterrent.
If Saint realm experts were to engage in combat, other Saint realm experts in the subterranean world might emerge and join forces to eliminate them.
If Chen Yu had used Saint-level power when incorporating the subordinate cities of Fengqi City, it might not have brought an era of unity but rather the apocalypse.
When considering the conquest of cities, he had to factor himself into the equation.
"Count Milu Ye's strength is truly astonishing," Chen Yu sighed deeply. "Such power is almost unparalleled within Fengqi City's territory, wouldn't you agree?"
"Not quite."
Mi Mu smiled and shook her head, speaking softly.
"Our Fengqi City is vast and resource-rich. It has existed since the founding of the Tatu Kingdom. There are many prestigious families within our territory that have continued from the beginning. My sister is a rising star, and within Fengqi City, she's at most... mid to upper tier in strength."
"Are you being humble?"
"Do I look like the type to be humble?"
Mi Mu pursed her lips and tilted her head, a bright smile dancing in her clear eyes.
"I'm speaking the truth. Of course... if my sister had a few more years, she might truly become the foremost presence. I believe she can achieve it. Now it's your turn, you should tell me about your city too, right?"
"There's not much to say about Fengqi City,"
Chen Yu couldn't help but chuckle, shrugging slightly.
"You should have a general understanding of our city's situation. Although there are hundreds of thousands of civilians, many are refugees and displaced persons. The city is in ruins, and the military is severely depleted."
"Your City Lord is rich, though." Mi Mu giggled.
"That's true. Our City Lord is quite wealthy. The city's wages and taxes are rare in the subterranean world. A significant amount of funding has been invested to rebuild Fengqi City."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Mi Mu nodded incessantly.
"My sister also mentioned your city's salary system and tax policies. She's currently working on reforms and plans to implement similar policies in Milu City."
Chen Yu, with his head lowered, furrowed his brow unexpectedly.
Disaster!
This was not good news for him.
Milu Ye's actions were not simply an attempt to emulate Fengqi City. Her primary objective was likely to poach people from Fengqi City.
As time went on, Fengqi City's salary system and tax policies would inevitably spread.
During the early development of free towns, the influx of civilians relied on their abundant resources, food, and unbelievable policies, attracting refugees and residents from surrounding towns and city-states. Because the cities surrounding Free Town lacked competitors, their population growth was also highly efficient.
In Chen Yu's vision, Fengqi City was to develop in a similar manner.
If Milu Ye implemented Fengqi City's policies, then in terms of competitiveness, the dilapidated Fengqi City would not be as attractive as the flourishing Milu City.
At that point, Milu City's development would accelerate, and Chen Yu's Fengqi City would be restricted.
Over time, it was possible that the central city within the entire territory of Fengqi City could be redefined.
"City Lord Milu Ye has great vision." Despite his inner anxiety, Chen Yu still smiled calmly. "Implementing such policies would significantly impact the city's cash flow. Fengqi City's reforms were born from necessity. Milu City, with its stable foundation, undergoing drastic changes might not be smooth."
"I don't understand that."
Mi Mu pointed to her head and blinked her eyes.
"My brain isn't good."
"Hahaha, each to their own. Commander Mi Mu, possessing such strength is already remarkable," Chen Yu complimented with a smile, then whispered, "There's not much of interest to discuss about the city's situation. Since we are to exchange information, and we are both sincere, I think it would be better if we discussed something more secretive."
"Oh?"
Mi Mu's interest was piqued. The bright spark in her eyes indicated her enthusiasm.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"I heard that Count Milu Ye is under the command of the Seventh Prince," Chen Yu said calmly and subtly. "The Seventh Prince has always had a deep interest in our Fengqi City."
The city's circumstances could be ascertained with a little investigation.
This kind of intelligence was not particularly valuable.
Chen Yu directly broached the most sensitive topic, using it as an opportunity to gauge Mi Mu.
"You know that too?" Mi Mu suddenly lowered her voice, moving closer to Chen Yu, their bodies almost touching, their breaths mingling. "You little soldier know quite a lot. My sister is indeed under the Seventh Prince's command, and the Seventh Prince has always had designs on Fengqi City. He wants to use Fengqi City to intimidate the royal family and compete for the throne."
"Is that so?"
Chen Yu exclaimed, genuinely surprised by Mi Mu's candid admission.
Could it be that her intelligence was truly lacking?
From her words when dealing with Luoma, she didn't seem like someone unintelligent. Chen Yu had always suspected she was faking it, but her current admission left him somewhat bewildered.
There were two possibilities: either she was genuinely a bit foolish and would say anything.
Or, she was a true master!
"There are many complications involved," Mi Mu's large eyes darted in their sockets as she whispered, "Do you know the royal family is in chaos? The Chief Financial Officer supports the eldest son, and the Grand Tutor supports the Seventh Prince. The royal family is in complete disarray. The city lords within Fengqi City's territory are also taking sides and observing. You should also tell your City Lord to abandon the city and run if necessary."
"Why should we run?" Chen Yu feigned suspicion.
"Think about it, what kind of city is Fengqi City? It's a city on par with the royal capital. The territory of one city is comparable to half of the Tatu Kingdom. Possessing this city is akin to having the substance of a monarch. Even if one fails in the succession, seizing Fengqi City and declaring independence is also a viable path," Mi Mu stated solemnly. "Currently, Fengqi City is being eyed by the royal family and various nobles. The former monarch's siblings are also making their moves. Fengqi City is now a focal point comparable to the succession. Your City Lord is just a wealthy merchant; if he doesn't run, how can he compete with those esteemed figures?"
"You've made a good point."
Chen Yu pursed his lips and nodded. Mi Mu also pouted.
"I'm not trying to scare you; I just say what I mean. Anyway, I don't see much development potential in Fengqi City, but my sister seems very interested in it. Sigh, don't be afraid. If your City Lord really decides to flee, come find me in Milu City, and my sister will help you get by!"
"Thank you, Sister Mi Mu."
"It's a small matter."
Mi Mu laughed heartily and waved her hand. They then exchanged further details about their respective cities before arriving outside Fengqi City.
"Wow, this is Fengqi City."
Gazing at the tall and majestic city walls, Mi Mu's mouth opened slightly in awe.
"It's not bad."
"You're being a bit disingenuous," Chen Yu said with a slight smile. Mi Mu didn't retort. "Fengqi City's development has stagnated since the old Prince stopped managing it personally over a decade ago. The current city walls only vaguely hint at its past glory; they no longer possess that soul-stirring grandeur."
Stretching lazily, Mi Mu finally released Chen Yu.
"I've brought the person back to you."
"On behalf of our City Lord, I thank you." Chen Yu nodded softly. As Mi Mu turned to leave, she suddenly stopped and leaned in again, grabbing Chen Yu's arm to embrace him once more. "Oh no, I almost forgot the main thing. My sister asked me to tell your City Lord that in the coming period, she will conquer the cities that participated in the grain trade tonight. If possible, she requests that Fengqi City not interfere."
"Countess Milu Ye intends to attack the cities of Luoka and the others?"
"Mhm!"
"She plans to attack their entire territory?"
"Naturally."
Mi Mu nodded noncommittally, then continued in a low voice.
"Furthermore, my sister asked me to convey a message to your City Lord. She said... when she was young, she had the good fortune to meet an old wandering immortal master. The master observed her destiny and said that her fate was not meant for greatness, but for stability."
Seeing that Mi Mu had fallen silent, Chen Yu frowned.
"That's it?"
"That's all. These are the only things," Mi Mu replied with a confident nod. "I've conveyed everything that needed to be conveyed. Then... farewell, perhaps we'll meet again."