"Boss, it's me~"
Kuka, draped in a Necromancer's robe, walked forward slowly, holding a skeletal scepter.
Beneath his conical hat,
his small eyes, glowing green, held a trace of fear.
Chen Yu's attitude was unreadable, carrying little discernible emotion. He didn't know if being specifically singled out to have the mercenary manager step forward was fortunate or ill-fated.
Seeing Kuka emerge hesitantly, raising his hand, Chen Yu couldn't help but chuckle.
"It's you?"
"Boss, I truly didn't want to," Kuka quickly explained. "I'm very aware that I'm not cut out to be a manager. All our old core members were assigned tasks, and if I didn't do anything, I'd feel quite remiss. So, I took over the mercenary affairs. But, honestly, my name is just on paper; everything is managed by Tian He."
"Tian He."
Chen Yu murmured the name, a flicker of recognition.
When the mercenaries had come to attack, it was he who had provided Chen Yu with information, identifying Tony and Giles.
Speaking of which, Tony still owed him a substantial sum of money.
He'd need to collect it sometime.
It was at that time that Tony and Giles were stripped bare. He didn't know if they had returned to their clans yet. If not, Chen Yu wouldn't be able to confront them directly if he went looking.
"Alright, it's fine for you to manage the mercenary department."
Chen Yu nodded slightly, patting Kuka on the shoulder.
"You are a core member of our camp. I'm someone who likes to play favorites. I trust you to manage the mercenary department. Tian He will be your deputy, and you two can manage it together."
"Me, am I capable?" Kuka was uneasy.
"If I say you are, you are,"
Chen Yu's eyes were serious, his gaze intense.
"Don't refuse. From now on, the mercenary and mage departments within the city will be under your jurisdiction. Coincidentally, I have something I wanted to ask you."
"Ask away, Boss."
"Are you... still intact?"
"Ah?"
Kuka's eyes beneath his hat froze, and then he saw Chen Yu subtly lift his eyebrows towards his crotch, finally understanding. A flush of embarrassment spread across his sallow face.
"Boss, what are you talking about? I haven't married yet, of course I'm intact!"
"That's good, that's good," Chen Yu grinned broadly. "Ah, don't overthink it. We went up to capture the Necromancer, and his lower half was empty, wasn't it? I was just worried that if you practiced the undead path, you might have also cultivated away your virility. Since it's still there, I'm relieved. Be cautious, a lesson learned from the past."
"Yes~"
Kuka lowered his head slightly. Chen Yu exhaled softly and said sternly.
"Alright, no more detours. In fact, the core purpose of calling you all here is to change the mercenary group's operational policy, and this matter requires the cooperation of all your departments. Er Gou..."
"Here."
"How is the training of the Blood Pill warriors coming along? How many are at the Bronze realm?"
"The first batch of Blood Pills has been administered. There's a larger proportion at the Black Iron realm. The Bronze realm ones are fewer, perhaps around a hundred."
"Deploy all these Bronze realm Blood Pill warriors to the mercenary department."
Chen Yu raised his eyebrows slightly, then said sternly, "From now on, the mercenary department will begin large-scale external exploration, aiming to discover the most resources in the shortest amount of time."
"Boss, mercenaries returning are very time-consuming."
"Therefore, there will be no need for frequent returns from now on," Chen Yu's eyes lifted slightly. "Have the mercenaries currently exploring return to the city. Integrate the Bronze realm Blood Pill warriors into them and equip them with directional return scrolls. Divide all mercenaries into three groups. Jack—"
"Here."
The lion with golden fur stepped forward.
"I officially appoint you as the commander of Group One." Chen Yu took out two vials from his embrace. "These are evolution potions. You and Rou Si will take them, and you two will lead Group One to explore in the northwest direction. It is imperative to explore as many cavern spaces as possible in the shortest amount of time."
Lion Jack and Rou Si didn't react much.
They didn't understand.
Born as beasts, though they had gained sentience and could speak human language, their understanding of spiritual medicine was not deep. Iliya, however, couldn't help but lift her gaze.
"Yes."
Jack stood tall and proud, biting down on the two bottles of potion.
"Black Donkey, this is your share." Chen Yu offered another vial but unexpectedly, Black Donkey shook its head, lifting its hoof.
"You don't want it?"
"Mmm-hmm—"
"Alright then, your strength indeed doesn't require it," Chen Yu shrugged slightly, then said seriously, "I am now appointing you as the commander of Group Two, to explore in the southeast direction."
"Mmm-hmm!"
Analyzing with Chen Yu's Level Six Donkey Language ability, this was likely an acceptance.
"That's about it," Chen Yu murmured. Kailing frowned upon hearing this, "City Lord, didn't you say the mercenary department would be divided into three groups?"
"Yes."
"Then what about Group Three?"
"Group Three's mission is not to explore for intelligence," Chen Yu sighed softly. "I need them to provide me with all the information regarding the surrounding terrain, the conditions within the caverns, and so on. In other words, Group Three requires not elite combat power, but keen observation and stealth capabilities. Kailin, this task is now entrusted to you. I apologize for the trouble, but please clearly delineate these three groups."
"No problem, this is what I should do," Kailin responded earnestly. "Who will be the commander of Group Three?"
"Tian He."
Kailin was surprised by this answer, yet also found it logical.
Chen Yu also sighed inwardly.
There was no other way.
His staff was quite small.
Although it had expanded rapidly recently, with many outsiders from other villages and foreign lands, none of them inspired particular trust.
Jack, Rou Si, and Black Donkey had been appointed.
The city also needed people to manage it. Er Gou needed to oversee the city's warriors, and Kuka, with his weaker strength, was also the stable provider of meat for the city. Furthermore, as the manager of the mercenary department, he needed to remain in the city to receive intelligence.
This left him needing to select personnel from outside.
Tian He was considered quite outstanding.
"Alright, that's all the matters. You all may return to your posts," Chen Yu said softly. "Cooperate with each other to the best of your ability, understand?"
"Yes!"
The managers withdrew from the wilderness. Only Iliya and Hei Dou remained in the wilderness.
"Why are you still here?" Chen Yu looked at Iliya and smiled, "I didn't see you dance today, and it feels like much of the fun is missing."
"Really?"
Joy sparkled in Iliya's eyes.
"Does Brother Chen Yu like watching Iliya dance? Then Iliya can dance for Brother Chen Yu every day. Do you want to watch now?"
"Perhaps another day?"
Chen Yu raised his eyebrows and smiled lightly. Iliya didn't say much more. Hei Dou, lying on the ground, scrunched its dark eyes, then tilted its head and spoke.
"Boss, did something happen?"