The contradiction instantly shifted.
Although Chen Yu's demands for compensation were unreasonable, with tens of millions in damages, even a town would require years, or even decades, of taxation to possess such wealth.
Such a claim was akin to asking for the moon. However, the current situation had a prerequisite.
The leaders of these encampments were simply no match for Chen Yu's troops. Faced with the choice between life and wealth, everyone knew how to decide.
For the dozen or so leaders, pooling the encampments' reserves made the sum not entirely unattainable.
Even if they handed over the compensation to Chen Yu, they would harbor deep hatred for him.
Fifty million in compensation.
Even if divided equally among the leaders, each would need to contribute around four million gold coins. This was the wealth accumulated over decades of exploring the underground, braving countless lives in underground palaces, conquering treasure-rich lands, and patiently accumulating it over time.
How could they not resent Chen Yu for taking it all so easily?
Despite amassing vast wealth, they were unwilling to abandon the outer regions and expand towards towns and cities in the inner districts, indicating their grand ambitions.
They aspired to become the rulers of this area.
To prevent other encampments from developing too favorably, these encampments had always kept each other in check. Unexpectedly, the emergence of Chen Yu's city-state had suppressed them all.
Their presence here was to join forces and eliminate Chen Yu.
However, Chen Yu's words at this moment had directly transformed the conflict between the encampment leaders and himself into internal strife among the leaders themselves.
The encampments in the vicinity of the city-state had alliances and grievances among their leaders.
While resentment towards Chen Yu was recent, the grudges between the encampment leaders had festered for decades.
Each of them wanted to gain an advantage over the others.
In the past, when their strength was comparable, they might not have been able to achieve this, but now, an excellent opportunity lay before them.
Surrender meant retaining a quarter of their savings.
Resisting defiantly,
would lead to complete ruin.
Even if they pooled their resources, incurring significant damage to raise the funds, they would all be weakened, and their overall strength would remain balanced.
In such a scenario, it would be better to take a drastic measure.
"Can you guarantee that those who refuse to surrender must pay fifty million to leave?" Suddenly, a burly man among the leaders, whose physique resembled a black bear, asked in a deep, resonant voice, narrowing his eyes.
"Black Bear!"
Hearing Black Bear's question, someone among the other leaders cried out in disbelief.
Black Bear did not respond,
quietly observing Chen Yu, awaiting his reply.
"Of course," Chen Yu's response was resolute and full of confidence. "I, Chen Ba Tian, always keep my word. Not a single gold coin less than fifty million in compensation. If you are willing to surrender, you will not need to pay the fifty million compensation, and you will also be allowed to keep a quarter of your savings."
"Black Bear, don't agree to it!"
The encampment leaders collectively advised him, their eyes fixed on him.
If these dozen or so leaders were to share the burden, they could indeed cover the compensation. Although painful, they could grit their teeth and bear it.
If Black Bear defected, they would each have to pay tens of thousands more.
It was akin to shopping; buying a refrigerator for three thousand. Though expensive, one could manage. But then, to discover the refrigerator didn't include free shipping, and the transport fee was an additional two hundred, this extra two hundred felt even more unbearable than the initial cost.
Furthermore, Black Bear's defection would trigger a chain reaction.
"Hmph, what right do you have to make decisions for me?" Black Bear looked coldly at the other leaders. "Especially you, Hu Tou. If you hadn't instigated me to come here, I wouldn't be in this predicament. Now you want me to contribute to the compensation with you? Dream on!"
Black Bear spat forcefully, then turned to look at Chen Yu.
"I surrender."
"Welcome to our ranks, the Free City-State will be your eternal home and support." Chen Yu's eyes smiled, and he gestured towards the position of the rabbit-person leader. "You can take your people there to wait. After matters here are concluded, Lord Mayor Kailin will handle your residency status."
"Black Bear, you're truly pathetic!"
Seeing Black Bear confirm his surrender, the encampment leaders gritted their teeth and yelled.
"Heh, you guys go ahead and gather your money. Fifty million, not a single copper less. We'll see who's pathetic after the compensation is paid," Black Bear said with a cold laugh and moved to stand by the rabbit-person leader. Kailin also smiled and nodded in welcome.
Chen Yu's mood was excellent.
He hadn't expected it to go so smoothly; to have a leader actually willing to accept. Then again, Black Bear's acceptance was understandable.
Chen Yu now controlled the situation here.
Who could guarantee that after they paid, Chen Yu wouldn't have further demands? It was better to surrender now and retain some savings.
Compared to the other leaders, he was in a much better position.
Most importantly, Black Bear's surrender would act as a fuse, igniting the other leaders. His surrender would certainly not be the last.
Just like how the beast-men soldiers had surrendered their weapons earlier!
"Coward, surrendering!" The remaining leaders spat angrily, and other leaders chimed in, "Tell me about it. With Young Master Svel on our side, surrendering is just plain stupid."
"Shut up!"
However, the moment the echoing leader finished speaking, someone among the leaders scoffed.
"If you hadn't incited us to come here, would we be in this situation?"
"Starting to shift blame?"
The Deer-Ear leader among the encampment leaders crossed his arms and sneered.
"What does external instigation have to do with anything? Ultimately, you came here wanting a share of the spoils, didn't you? Among us leaders, your encampment is the furthest from this city-state, and you were least affected. Yet you eagerly rushed here. Do you really think no one knows what you're thinking?"
"And where does that leave you?" the attacked leader retorted with a sneer.
"Hmph, no matter how bad I am, I'm not as hypocritical as you. For instance, when you sneak-attacked the mine I controlled earlier, I saw you for the petty man you are from that moment on."
"Didn't you send people to destroy my fertile land?"
"Speaking of which, it reminds me, Hu Tou, why did you ambush my treasure-hunting team a while ago?"
"Old Wolf, you deliberately spread rumors in my encampment, didn't you?"
Instantly, the encampment leaders descended into chaos. All the leaders began accusing each other of wrongdoings, their conflicts escalating to the point where they were about to draw weapons.
This scene left the Merfolk envoy stunned.
He couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration.
Truly, a masterful strategy!