The candlelight flickered.
Leaning back in his chair, Chen Yu watched his shadow dance around the room, stirred by the flickering candlelight. He stretched languidly before deactivating the projection from his wrist-worn device.
Creak!
The wooden door to the room swung open, and a little demon, wearing a decorative hat that concealed her demonic horns, entered.
"Another sinful day comes to an end?"
A sly giggle escaped the little demon's lips. Chen Yu, hearing this, immediately pouted and shot her a glare.
"What did I do now?"
"How would I know?" The little demon pulled a chair from her bracelet, took out a can, and began to eat it with relish. From time to time, she would look up at Chen Yu and mutter, "The survivors in the zone are all following your lead. To fill their stomachs, they have to bring their explorations to you to buy food. The city-state's exploration teams are squeezing the survival space of other survivors. I estimate that it won't be long before all these people are working for your city-state."
"It's not that exaggerated," Chen Yu replied. wΑp.kanshu伍.net
He did indeed control the majority of the resources in the zone, but to say he was squeezing their survival space was not entirely accurate.
The underground world was vast.
Several mergers had led to a manifold increase in the survival areas for the survivors. While he had dispatched exploration teams, they couldn't possibly integrate all the resources within the zone.
As for whether the survivors wanted to work for his city-state, that was their choice.
Chen Yu never coerced anyone into making a decision.
If they desired stability, his city-state provided them with a stable life. If they wished to venture out, Chen Yu would support them with equipment and consumables.
With so many conveniences, it was only reasonable for him to charge a handling fee.
The most direct evidence was the survival rate: the survival rate in his zone was several times higher than in other zones. Where did this increased survival rate come from?
Was it not from the resources he provided?
"You wicked capitalist," the little demon grumbled, wrinkling her delicate nose. Chen Yu pushed himself closer to her, reached out, and tapped her head. "And yet, you're eating snacks provided by this wicked capitalist. Shouldn't you offer the capitalist some compensation?"
"I have no money!"
The little demon shielded her can with her eyes wide.
"No money to give, no life to offer!"
"Heh, you're being unreasonable with me, are you?" Chen Yu chuckled and tapped her head again. He then stretched, "Are Hei Dou and the others asleep?"
"No."
The little demon shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.
"Hei Dou called me out just now to ask for some cultivation advice. It seems he's truly determined. Liu Yue's appearance has indeed served as a good spur for him. As for Roni, I don't know what she's doing, but the light in her room is still on. If I'm not mistaken…"
"She's thinking of her tribesmen in the Tato Kingdom," Chen Yu murmured.
Although Roni had stayed in River Town with Chen Yu and the others for a while and seemed content, never showing any signs of worry, her heart was always concerned about her tribesmen.
She only pretended to be at ease with others because she didn't want her troubles to affect them.
"Counting the days, we've really been in River Town for quite some time. It's time to consider returning to the Tato Kingdom," Chen Yu said in a low voice. "We can't just keep stalling here. Liu Yue and the others don't need to rush; this is their homeland. Our foundations, both mine and Roni's, are in the Tato Kingdom."
"It's up to you," the little demon teased with a slight shrug.
"I thought you'd be enjoying the company of pretty ladies here every day and forget all about home. I didn't expect you to remember that the Tato Kingdom is your root. That's right; you still have Bee Maidens and a bevy of other beauties waiting for you in your camp. You can't abandon your vast forest for a few small trees here."
"Stop being so passive-aggressive. Have you done the important business I asked you to?" Chen Yu pulled a chair and sat down. The little demon quickly finished her can and let out a comfortable burp.
"As you predicted, the Batu Free Federation has chosen to go to war with the Tato Kingdom. The core reason is not the threat posed by the demon race to them, but rather the corruption within the Tato Kingdom. Someone has chosen to betray the Tato Kingdom."
"As expected!"
Chen Yu smiled slightly upon hearing this news.
From the moment they arrived in River Town, Chen Yu had paid attention to the war between the two countries while cultivating. Not for any other reason, but because this matter would also impact his city-state.
It was only natural for him to want to understand more.
The fall of Grass Sparrow God made him realize that remaining in isolation would not end well. Since the two countries were about to go to war, he didn't want to maintain neutrality and face destruction like Grass Sparrow God, nor did he want to be a fence-sitter. If he had to make a choice, he would do so decisively.
Who he placed his chips on was a matter of life and death.
To this end, he specifically asked Roni about the national strength and combat power of the two countries, and also subtly inquired about some seemingly insignificant matters with Nuo Yi.
According to Roni, the Tato Kingdom was not the weakest among the entire human empire.
Among the several countries bordering the Batu Free Federation, the Tato Kingdom was definitely a tough nut to crack. Moreover, there had always been friction between the Orc Empire and the Human Empire, and border skirmishes couldn't be the reason for war. She had never heard of the Tato Kingdom doing anything that the Batu Federation could not tolerate.
This was quite peculiar!
The Batu Free Federation, under the threat of the demon race, had to occupy other territories to survive. Yet, instead of attacking the weaker kingdoms, they were determined to confront the hard bone that was the Tato Kingdom. No matter how one thought about it, it seemed unreasonable.
Coupled with Chen Yu's subtle inquiries to Nuo Yi, Nuo Yi was very confident about attacking the Tato Kingdom.
It was as if…
Everything about the Tato Kingdom had been seen through by the Batu Federation.
As long as the Federation could receive Chen Yu's equipment support, they were confident of resolving the war within half a year.
Half a year!
To conquer a country.
What an exaggerated claim.
Back then, Cao Cao conquered Yuan Shao. After the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao was greatly defeated. Even with such an advantage, it took several years to completely eliminate Yuan Shao.
Nuo Yi's confidence must stem from having sufficient backing.
This backing was an inside informant.
"The implementation of the 'recommendation of filial piety and integrity' has had a great impact on the Tato Kingdom. If you have to choose between the Batu Free Federation and the Tato Kingdom, I think the former might be more suitable for you," the little demon said in a low voice. Chen Yu remained noncommittal, "From the current situation, it does seem so. But if I were to provide equipment to the Tato Kingdom, I believe the Batu Free Federation would surely be destroyed. Regardless of national strength, military power, or heritage, the Batu Free Federation is not even a fraction of the Tato Kingdom."
"No way, you actually want to help the Tato Kingdom?"
The little demon's eyes widened in surprise, her face filled with disbelief.
"You... you are aligned with the Elton family, and the Tato Kingdom regards you as a thorn in their side. And you still want to provide aid to the Tato Kingdom? Chen Yu, aren't you a little too shortsighted?"
Chen Yu smiled slightly and suddenly leaned closer to the little demon's face.
"So I want to ask you, King Skally, what do you think?"