Holding the resume, his face was serious.
Chen Yu, squatting by the campfire, was a bit stunned, but in the next moment, he couldn't suppress his joy.
What does a camp need in its early stages of development?
Talent!
Although he had tricked many people into working in his city, he had always been lacking in top-tier experts. To this day, no one had emerged who could stand on their own.
Even though he hadn't provoked any powerful enemies yet.
The problem was, who could guarantee the future?
If he truly encountered insurmountable trouble, especially at the expert level, the difference in cultivation realm could never be made up by sheer numbers.
He never expected that Clark would want to defect.
"Cough~"
Suddenly, the little demon Barbara put her hand to her lips and coughed lightly. A soft whisper appeared in Chen Yu's mind.
"Stay calm."
"After all, you are the lord of a city. To get so excited when someone from the Obsidian Realm wants to defect, if someone even stronger wants to join you later, will you have to recognize them as your adopted father?"
"Leader, show the demeanor a leader should have."
The little demon Barbara kept winking at Chen Yu. Hearing her say that, it managed to suppress the surging surprise in Chen Yu's heart.
It made sense!
Being a leader required showing no emotion, making subordinates unable to guess your thoughts and always holding you in awe.
Using both benevolence and might was the best way to control a group.
From this incident, Chen Yu couldn't help but re-examine his past actions. He had been too friendly towards his subordinates. Their foundation was still small, and everyone would follow his ideas when problems arose.
As the power grew, his confidants might be sent out in the future.
Chen Yu didn't doubt their loyalty, but only for now. Status and power could change a person's temperament and also ignite ambition.
If they didn't hold him in awe, it could lead to many unnecessary troubles in the future.
Moreover—
He couldn't guarantee whether Clark was truly sincere.
From beginning to end, it was Clark who was speaking, and Chen Yu was merely a listener. Who could guarantee that he wasn't sent by Tony to deal with him?
The direction he was going was towards Chen Yu's city.
There was also a possibility that Clark was sent by Tony, and just happened to meet Chen Yu along the way. He decided to go with the flow and join him, intentionally mentioning his grievances with Tony to allay Chen Yu's vigilance.
Once they entered the city, they would all be captured in one swoop!
Sona had said that Clark was a sword master at the peak of the Obsidian Realm. Given the situation of Chen Yu's city, the wrath of a peak Obsidian Realm expert.
He couldn't resist it.
Unbeknownst to Chen Yu, while he was contemplating his future development plans, Clark, standing in front of the campfire, had already filled his mind with so many wild thoughts that they could fill a book.
What's going on?!
Why no response after so long?
Was it too presumptuous?
It shouldn't be. He was, after all, in the Obsidian Realm. While not the top fighter in the entire underground, he was definitely considered a pillar of strength.
A master of his level actively seeking to defect.
He should be readily accepted.
Why was there no response, and why were Chen Yu's eyes becoming more piercing?
"You want to defect?"
Suddenly, Chen Yu, who had been silent all along, revealed a hint of a smile in his calm eyes.
"Yes!"
Clark stated emphatically.
"To be recognized by a strong cultivator of the Obsidian Realm is an honor for me, Chen."
Chen Yu, who had been squatting by the campfire, slowly stood up. The surging flames of the campfire cast Chen Yu's shadow long, making the huge dark silhouette seem like a haunting nightmare.
For some reason, Clark felt a tremor of unease.
"However, I don't understand why you would do this, Mr." Chen Yu smiled faintly, "I believe you can see my strength."
"Bronze peak."
"As expected, this realm cannot be hidden from experts of the Obsidian Realm. If so, why would you stoop to be beneath me? We've only known each other for less than half an hour. You can't possibly say that my personal charm conquered you, though I do possess great personal charm."
"Ugh~"
The little demon Barbara covered her chest with her hand and stuck out her tongue.
Shameless.
Although she thought that, she certainly wouldn't undermine Chen Yu at this moment.
"I..."
Clark moved his lips but remained silent for a long time.
What should he say?
Could he say he was attracted to Chen Yu's wealth and thought he could get rich by following Chen Yu?
Too vulgar.
After all, he was an Obsidian Realm expert and had always considered himself a wandering swordsman. It would be too humiliating to say that.
Moreover—
Chen Yu's gaze made him feel involuntarily nervous and tense.
"Relax, Mr. Obsidian Realm." Chen Yu smiled, sensing Clark's emotions. "I'm just a Bronze. I'm nothing compared to you. You don't need to be so cautious with me. To join me, there must be a reason. Just tell me your thoughts. I like sincere people."
"Young man, speak your dream!"
Oh no!
Clark's heart sank, and he thought to himself that things were not good.
This was clearly a leader about to vet an employee.
How should he answer?
Should he speak of his dreams as grandly as possible?
Wanting to change the underground world?
Believing that the leader before him was someone worthy of entrusting his future to, and wanting to achieve great things together, leaving their great deeds in the underground?
Too fake.
Who would believe such words if spoken?
As Clark was lost in thought, Chen Yu was also whispering to himself.
Hurry up and say something!
I'll accept any excuse you give.
Damn it, this is the Obsidian Realm. How could I possibly refuse? Even if he truly had ulterior motives, I'd have to try and recruit him.
What if he truly wanted to defect?
Business is all about "gambling." Only by doing what others dare not do can one achieve unexpected results.
A stable income with no prospects is boring.
Clark remained silent for a long time. Chen Yu, who had been standing with his hands behind his back, maintaining his composure, was getting incredibly anxious.
"Speak!"
"Hurry up and say something."
Chen Yu's inner self was almost shouting at the top of its lungs.
Is it that difficult to come up with an excuse?
Just say 'I have dreams and want to change the landscape of the underground,' or 'I sincerely wish to follow the leader and expand our territory in the underground.' Just say such polite words.
They sound good, and leaders like to hear them.
As long as you don't mention 'money' or anything like that. Although it might seem practical, not all leaders like such practical people.
Too vulgar.
Perhaps the leader himself is vulgar, but they don't like others to be vulgar.
Chen Yu felt that Clark shouldn't be such a vulgar person. After all, he was an Obsidian Realm expert. At this level, he shouldn't be lacking in money. What they needed more should be spiritual satisfaction and pursuit.
Speak, brave young man, and shout your dream!
"I want to make money!"
After clenching his fists tightly for a full minute, Clark yelled out his true thoughts at the top of his lungs. Chen Yu, who had been full of anticipation, instantly came to his senses.
Well, I misjudged him.