Dang.
The ancient bell on the city wall roused the people within the city.
Stretching lazily, Chen Yu slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of stale air, then pushed himself up from the ground, dusted off his clothes, and twisted his shoulders, feeling invigorated.
Since entering the Golden Realm, Chen Yu had noticed his need for sleep diminishing.
Meditating for a few hours left him more refreshed than a full night's sleep.
Squinting slightly, Chen Yu attempted to use his soul power to perceive the outside. Before long, he sensed many people gathered around the fountain in the city's central plaza.
The recruitment plan was underway!
New announcements from the City Lord's Mansion were always posted in the plaza area, and people would occasionally visit to check for new content. Although the plaza seemed sparsely populated now,
Chen Yu was certain that within half an hour, the plaza would be packed.
The City Lord's Mansion was issuing benefits again.
Participating in the recruitment drive would earn one a piece of exquisite roasted meat, a 'luxury' that cost 30 copper coins to buy. All they had to do was participate in the recruitment assessment, and they didn't even need to pass. Such a simple task, and who would refuse such easily obtainable deliciousness?
Pressing his lips together in a slight smile, Chen Yu tapped on his wrist device projection.
To his surprise, Yu Pu had not yet replied to him. Given their relationship, Yu Pu would have responded to Chen Yu's message immediately.
This meant he hadn't woken up yet.
This was quite unusual.
Yu Pu's healthy lifestyle was something both Chen Yu and Jiang Yaqing had witnessed firsthand. He never thought Yu Pu would sleep in.
Chen Yu, however, didn't dwell on it.
Finding Clay in his contact list, Chen Yu sent him a message.
"Head to the assessments in batches and coordinate with Yabo. Don't have everyone rush into the deep mountains and old forests for their assessments. We still need people in the city."
"Received."
It was crucial to maintain a presence in the city at all times. If all the city's inhabitants went for assessments, it would leave the city empty, making it difficult to handle any unforeseen situations.
Furthermore, the assessment areas wouldn't be able to accommodate so many people.
Chen Yu had absolute confidence in Clay's abilities; otherwise, he wouldn't have entrusted him with the position of Deputy City Lord. He always adhered to the principle of trusting those he employed. Take Li Xing, for example; Chen Yu had only met her once, yet he had given her full control of the breeding and livestock sector.
The next step was to await the assessment results, though he wasn't sure how many people would pass.
"When do we leave?" At that moment, the little demon, holding a piece of exquisite roasted meat with its small mouth smudged with grease, floated towards Chen Yu.
"You seem to enjoy floating around a lot lately."
"Walking is tiring."
"You never said you were tired before."
"Wow, Old Chen, how can you even say that?" The little demon finished the roasted meat in a few bites and raised its greasy little hands, attempting to wipe them on Chen Yu's clothes.
Fortunately, Chen Yu reacted quickly, stepping back two paces, thus escaping the little demon's "assault."
Failing to succeed, the little demon pouted in disdain, took out a cloth, wiped the grease from its hands, and then spread them out, saying.
"Please, can you think about it? Before, you and I stayed in the city every day. Since going out of the city with you, we've been traveling everywhere. It's really hard work, you know."
Hearing the little demon's words, Chen Yu felt that it was indeed the case.
Back when he was in the Free City, even Chen Yu wasn't as busy as he was now. He had to patrol various areas daily, monitor the movements of lurking monsters, and check on the city's construction progress. In his previous small city, Kailin, Nuo Ya, Fang Xiu... these tasks were handled by others.
In Fengqi City, having to personally attend to everything was truly exhausting.
"We are short of talent."
Chen Yu sighed inwardly.
He was severely lacking in personnel. Fengqi City was so vast, and its management was much more troublesome than that of a free city-state.
"If it's that tiring, you shouldn't come with me."
Chen Yu glanced sideways at the little demon and twisted his shoulders.
"I'll go into the mountains by myself later. You can stay in the city and keep an eye on things for me. The recruitment will draw away many of the city's residents, and the cavalry corps will need to ensure safety along the way. I won't feel at ease if there's no one watching over the city."
"Is that how you ask someone for a favor?"
"Heh..." Seeing the little demon getting worked up, Chen Yu grinned and leaned towards it, "Oh, great demon Barbara, here is your most devout believer, Chen Yu. Your demonic light is deeply imprinted in your believer's heart, and your believer is proud to believe in you. Would you be so kind as to bestow a ray of light upon your believer and illuminate the path ahead for them, alright?"
Grabbing the little demon's arm, Chen Yu shook it back and forth, his eyes filled with eagerness.
"Do you need me to kiss the back of your hand?"
"Ugh, you're so disgusting." The little demon shuddered, pulling its hand away with a look of utter disgust. "I know, I'll keep an eye on the city for you."
"Please also take care of hiring the magic chef."
"Ah!"
"Mwah."
Chen Yu placed two fingers to his lips and blew a kiss to the little demon. Upon seeing this, the little demon seemed as if its soul had been struck, freezing in mid-air for a long moment. By the time Chen Yu had left the City Lord's Mansion, the little demon finally came back to its senses and shivered.
"So disgusting, heavens, how perverted."
With time still to spare, Chen Yu made the shortest possible trip to the planting and livestock areas to check on them again, ensuring that the lurking monsters remained docile before he felt reassured.
He needed the recruitment plan to show results quickly; otherwise, the livestock and planting areas would continue to demand his attention.
By the time Chen Yu arrived at the trial grounds, the first batch of citizens participating in the recruitment had already gathered at the military camp deep within the forest. Chen Yu happened to hear Yabo mentioning him.
"I understand your aversion to war."
"But have you considered whether you want to live like this for a few days, a few months, or live happily in this city forever, ensuring that your descendants can also live in this city?"
"Fengqi City is a border city. If you don't want to fight, others will come to attack you."
"Picking up a weapon is also protecting yourselves."
"Don't disappoint the City Lord's expectations of you, don't disappoint the City Lord's heart."
Chen Yu quietly entered the military camp via a small path, listening with a smile as Yabo delivered his speech. He didn't object to appealing to emotions, and what Yabo said were all facts.
In times of chaos, no one could escape.
Regardless of whether they were averse to war or not, even if Chen Yu understood their feelings, the attackers from beyond the outer city would not heed their yearning for peace.
A city lacking its most basic defensive capabilities was, in the eyes of ambitious individuals, merely a flock of sheep with no threat.
They would only reveal their sharper claws and tear the sheep apart.
And devour them completely!
Chen Yu hoped these citizens would understand the reasoning behind it. While it was cruel for them to be forced to wield weapons after becoming refugees,
Becoming refugees again might be even more cruel!