Within the city-state, an atmosphere of peace prevailed.
The attack by the external enemy had not affected the city-state at all, or rather, the citizens within had no idea that an external enemy was attacking.
Everything was as it had always been.
In the academy, the beastmen sat attentively, listening to their teachers, while the workers, with smiles on their faces, poured their sweat into the city-state's construction. kAnshu伍.ξà
From time to time, people greeted Chen Yu, and the entire city-state flourished.
"What mischief are you up to now?" The little demon, its curiosity bursting forth, had been pestering Chen Yu ever since before they entered the city.
"What do you mean, mischief?"
Chen Yu, who was smiling and nodding to the surrounding citizens, glanced sideways at the little demon.
Was he mischievous?
If one were to ask everyone in the chat channel, they would likely all hail him as a saint, someone radiating golden light, inviolable and divine.
In the eyes of the cave dwellers, calling Chen Yu a merciful Guanyin Bodhisattva would not be an exaggeration.
When they lacked food, he provided food.
When they no longer wished to risk their lives, he offered them jobs.
Was there anyone better than him?
Allowing the crocodile leader to leave was indeed part of his plan. He hadn't intended to speak of it, but he couldn't stand the little demon's incessant chatter.
"I found some letters."
Not wanting to be bothered any longer by the little demon, Chen Yu sighed softly and revealed this.
"Letters?"
The little demon furrowed its brows slightly.
"As you saw, those letters in the secret chamber," Chen Yu explained softly, "In those letters, I saw the Scar family's inscription."
"Oh!!!"
Immediately, the little demon on his shoulder showed a look of understanding.
"These unlucky fellows actually crossed paths."
Chen Yu found the description 'unlucky fellows' rather fitting. They were indeed quite unfortunate, with few survivors in the entire cave as exceptional as Chen Yu, yet they had encountered him.
Now, these unlucky fellows had gathered again, plotting to overthrow him.
If it were earlier, Chen Yu might have been a little worried about these people uniting. While their overall strength wasn't particularly high, only the Scar family was worth Chen Yu's slight attention, and he feared their numbers.
Chen Yu didn't have many skilled fighters under his command.
It would have been quite tricky.
But now, Chen Yu possessed the Tiger Tally, and the strength of the city's citizens had significantly improved. Over this period, he had also been diligently incorporating surrounding villages, tribes, and small encampments.
The city-state's population had been supplemented, and its military strength had grown considerably.
Coupled with his superior equipment,
If they dared to come, the result would only be for them to be served up on a platter!
"Your city-state's development is entirely thanks to these unlucky fellows serving themselves up," the little demon commented softly with a laugh.
"Hahaha..."
Laughing heartily, Chen Yu returned to the encampment. Although Chen Yu's current focus was on the city-state's construction, the encampment was ultimately his foundation, and its development had never ceased.
At this point, his encampment had undergone several expansions.
The number of districts had increased to over 40.
The entire encampment had grown to the size of a small encampment itself.
"Camp Master."
Shandong Youtai, wearing a sword at his waist, walked over quickly. Hegou and the others were currently undergoing divine general fusion, so matters concerning combat and prisoner management within the encampment had fallen to him.
Seeing Shandong Youtai approach, Chen Yu withdrew his smile.
"How is it?"
"As you ordered, I've had those with dissenting thoughts integrated into the city-state to participate in work. Our people are monitoring them discreetly, and if they make any moves detrimental to the city-state during their work, they will be immediately brought back to the encampment for moral re-education," Shandong Youtai said with seriousness in his eyes.
Chen Yu had to admit that he always considered Shandong Youtai to be a talented individual.
He was decisive and meticulous.
Having been the young master of the Hyena tribe, Shandong Youtai already possessed a commanding presence before joining the encampment. Under his training, the hyenas in the encampment had become the main fighting force.
When Er Gou and Hei Lü were around, Shandong Youtai had not been very conspicuous.
However, during this period, Chen Yu had witnessed many of his strengths.
He was worth promoting!
This was Chen Yu's evaluation of his performance during this time.
Once Hegou and the others completed their fusion, Chen Yu would need to consider candidates for the second batch of divine general fusion, and Shandong Youtai might be given an opportunity.
"You've done well."
Chen Yu nodded with a smile, acknowledging his efforts.
"For those with minor dissenting thoughts, allow them relative freedom. Our city-state embraces all. As long as they are willing to join us, we should not dwell on their past origins."
"Yes!"
"Then there must be some troublemakers among the prisoners, right?"
"There."
Shandong Youtai nodded towards the 'moral education' area. Over a dozen beastmen from the crocodile tribe were tied to poles. At a glance, they were almost all core members of the crocodile tribe.
It was not surprising that they were unwilling to surrender.
They were not like the lower-ranking beastmen who were willing to bow their heads for a living. Work was work, and in a more liberal city-state like Chen Yu's, it might even be better.
However, as management, these individuals were those who had benefited from their positions in the encampment.
"Release me!!!"
"Chen Wudi, you are merely an outsider. What right do you have to imprison us? If our leader finds out, you will have nowhere to run."
"Release me immediately!"
Harsh shouts were incessant. Perhaps seeing Chen Yu, the shouting intensified.
Chen Yu smiled calmly, his eyebrows slightly raised.
A hyena warrior standing beside him threw a punch.
A punch amplified by the Bright Silver set was no light matter. It sent the troublemaker spitting acidic bile. Chen Yu then walked up to him and gently lifted his head.
"Still shouting so loudly while being a captive." kanδん
"Why bother? I'm here to lead you to a happy tomorrow. Why resist like this? Ask Rexis if you don't believe me. The city-state I govern adheres to a democratic system, which is much better than your constitutional monarchy."
"Pah!"
The troublemaker spat forcefully onto the ground.
"Rexis is a traitor, he has completely disgraced our tribe. I'm telling you, I will never yield to you, nor will I join this ridiculous, broken city-state of yours."
"Are you sure?"
Chen Yu looked at him with a smile. The manager, tied to the wooden pole, had his eyes filled with determination.
"I am sure!!!"
"Even if you kill me, I, Huo Er, will never surrender to you, will never join your city-state, and will never contribute to it!"
Several days later——
"Manager Chen."
Huo Er, with a simple and honest smile, saw Chen Yu patrolling and eagerly ran up. Manager Chen was Chen Yu's title within the city-state. Cairin held the position of City Lord, and Chen Yu held a prestigious position within the city-state. To make everything seem reasonable, Cairin granted him the title of manager.
"Huo Er."
Looking at the familiar face before him, Chen Yu's eyes curved into a smile.
"I still prefer the unruly you from before."
"Manager, you say that. It was my fault before," Huo Er said with a fawning smile. "I truly love our city-state now. I firmly believe that our city-state has a vast future."
"Ha..."
Chen Yu chuckled softly, and Huo Er scratched his head nervously.
He admitted,
He had spoken too loudly before.
He was the one who had vehemently declared he would never join, but as time went by and his understanding of the city-state deepened, he had fallen deeply in love with this place.
What if he didn't become a manager?
He was certain that this city-state would experience great development in the future. The city-state had ample job opportunities, and he was not a mediocre or incompetent person. As long as he worked diligently, he would definitely have his place in the future.
"Manager, I sincerely apologize for what happened before."
Huo Er bowed in a gesture of submission, a stark contrast to his defiance when he first arrived.
Chen Yu didn't tease him further.
As long as they were willing to join him, he would accept them all equally. Moreover, Cairin had people monitoring Huo Er during this period, and their evaluation was 'a person who can get things done.'
With ability, Chen Yu appreciated him even more.
"An apology is not necessary. As long as you work diligently, that is more important than anything else," Chen Yu said, patting him on the shoulder twice. Just as he was about to leave, Huo Er suddenly spoke up, "Manager, there's something I want to tell you."
"Oh?"
Chen Yu, who had taken only a couple of steps, stopped and then heard Huo Er speak.
"It's about my former leader!"