A small, dark city.
Chen Yu hadn't expected that in just three years, a city could rake in five million gold coins. The profitability of city-states was truly astonishing.
Then again, he found it quite understandable.
This city-state didn't follow a legitimate path. Gambling dens and the adult services offered in taverns—these grey industries could indeed generate immense profits.
But—
If Chen Yu were in charge, he would never do such a thing.
At least, not in the short term.
To truly make a city-state prosperous, the most fundamental and important aspect was development, especially agriculture.
Agricultural prosperity was the root of development.
Only when the city-state had ample food and its people could live and work in peace, would it be the right time to develop entertainment projects.
Otherwise, if the city had no population.
How could it generate revenue?
Flipping travelers for a hefty sum was definitely not a long-term strategy.
Of course, these were all things for later.
Chen Yu's most immediate priority was to get his hands on the five million.
"I really underestimated you. You still have five million gold coins on you?" Chen Yu narrowed his eyes, looking at the scar-faced man. "Hand over the money, and I'll spare your life."
"You..."
The sudden appearance had startled all the overseers.
The scar-faced man pointed his finger at Chen Yu.
The undead mage standing to the side widened his eyes.
"It's you!"
"Yo~" Chen Yu raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Long time no see, I've missed you dearly. It's just, your situation is rather awkward, isn't it? Your subordinates are rebelling and trying to get rid of you."
"You've seen it all, what else is there to ask?"
The undead mage was more composed than Chen Yu had expected. He thought the undead mage would be furious upon seeing him, wanting to devour him alive.
But he wasn't.
"How about it? Do you need help?" Seeing that the other party wasn't too angry, Chen Yu also raised an eyebrow slightly. "Although we have some past grievances, I also particularly dislike traitors. If you need it, I can let you deal with these people."
"You?!"
It was clear from the undead mage's eyes that he was disdainful.
"A bit of petty theft is one thing; you have magic items, which is your advantage. These are all hardened warriors. What can you do with just yourself and a spirit pet?"
"Who said it's just me?"
The moment Chen Yu finished speaking, a large group of well-equipped orcs, brandishing weapons, charged from a distance in the district.
Er Gou, wielding a broadsword, led the charge with immense ferocity.
Upon seeing this, all the overseers' faces turned grim. Er Gou also roared with his bull-like eyes.
"Everyone, get down on your knees! All of you, get down on your knees!"
His clear roar echoed through the sky. The scar-faced overseer tried to resist, but then felt a glowing sword press against his neck.
"You can't run."
Chen Yu, holding the colorful sword, whispered.
"If you don't spit out the five million gold coins, do you think you can leave?"
The other overseers, seeing that things were going south, tried to flee, but they were suppressed by the Silver-tier experts borrowed from Jiang Ya Qing. A skeletal warrior also had an overseer under its foot, while holding Hu Zi high in the air.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
From the moment Chen Yu's people entered the city to subduing the overseers, it took less than five minutes.
"How about that?"
Chen Yu, with a smile, raised an eyebrow at the undead mage.
"I never would have thought you'd develop this quickly. Your shabby camp didn't have this many people the last time we met," the undead mage whispered, his voice low. "Impressive."
"A few days have passed, and you've also surprised me quite a bit."
Chen Yu murmured, "If you had had this attitude back then, I might not have stripped you bare. At least I would have left you your underwear."
"Heh~"
The undead mage let out a light scoff and said nothing more.
"So, for the sake of our past acquaintance, I can let you deal with these traitors." At this moment, Chen Yu had clearly taken control of the situation.
He raised an eyebrow and glanced at the overseers who were being suppressed.
"You speak very nicely, but in the end, aren't you here to seize the city as well?" the undead mage sneered. "What's the difference between you and them?"
"Hey, you can't say that."
Chen Yu quickly raised his hand, his expression serious.
"I seize cities with my own ability. If someone occupies a city, someone else will attack it; this is common sense. I need a city to establish a foothold, and yours happens to be the easiest to take, so I have no reason to give up. These people are your subordinates. Betraying you is a matter of morality and conscience; we naturally cannot equate the two."
"You're right."
The undead mage said in a low voice.
"Indeed, I never imagined you could win over Senior Yin. I'm truly impressed!"
"Yin?"
"City Lord, we encountered a very strong old man when we entered the city," Er Gou suddenly stepped forward and said in a low voice. "He was sitting by the city gate drinking at the time. We felt a strong sense of oppression before we even entered. Afterward, the old man who was drinking asked if we were with you."
"And then?"
"I said yes, and he let us enter the city. He also cautioned us not to damage the city or harm the slaves."
Hiss!
Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat.
The old man drinking by the city gate was certainly the old city guard with few teeth. Chen Yu had encountered him several times when he came to Black City, but he had never thought of him as a master.
He could make Er Gou and the others feel oppressed.
Then...
His strength must be at least Gold-tier or above.
"He actually let you pass?" Chen Yu looked astonished. Er Gou nodded, "He didn't stop us and even knocked out the city guard next to him. I felt something was off, so I watched him for a while. He didn't do anything else, just sat by the city gate leisurely drinking."
Unbelievable.
What was this old man's deal?
"Chen Yu, ask him if he's a mage," the little demon suddenly whispered. Hearing the call, Chen Yu glanced at the little demon, then his gaze sharpened. "Is the Senior Yin you're referring to a mage?"
"Of course!"
The undead mage said, his voice solemn.
"There's only one person who can be called Senior Yin, isn't there?! Since you ask this, it seems you are indeed acquainted with Senior Yin. He didn't stop you and let you in..."
For some reason, the undead mage couldn't help but sigh, a wry smile on his face.
"I understand his intentions now."
Chen Yu was completely confused. He didn't know the old man at all; in fact, he suspected the old man had scammed him the first time he came.
Meanwhile, the undead mage was muttering to himself.
"Since Senior Yin has made his choice, I have nothing more to say. This city is yours." As he spoke, the undead mage took out a seal from his embrace and extended it towards Chen Yu. "This is the City Lord's seal. In the future, this city-state will belong to you, and you will have all the rights to construct and set laws for this city-state."
Chen Yu reached out and took the City Lord's seal. The undead mage then said solemnly.
"I don't know your name yet," he whispered, and then chuckled lightly. "There's no need for a fake name. My name is Leideli Keke Er Ke, and you..."
Holding the seal, Chen Yu slightly extended his hand.
"Chen Yu!"