He Fang searched the term “Methods to Increase the Loyalty of Wild NPCs in Ruins Without Restart” in the search bar.
Although the NPCs of Hope City had been housed for a long time, increasing their loyalty had always been difficult. Their loyalty typically remained below 100. Initially, their average loyalty was about 70-something, which had now risen to about 80-something. While it appeared to show an upward trend overall, the speed of this increase was incredibly slow. Currently, the average loyalty of his city’s residents has risen to 4,500.
Considering that the NPCs of his own city started with exceptionally high loyalty, having loyalty below 100 was barely a fraction of that. He Fang had yet to find a reason for such a vast difference in loyalty between the two cities.
“Why is there no information online after all this time?” He Fang searched the entire internet but couldn’t find the information he wanted or anything relevant.
He then visited the official website of “Ruins Without Restar”, but it was still the same—lifeless. There was no forum, player community, or strategy submission videos. Since this was an online version, even player-made models had not been updated for a long time. He Fang tried to download some, only to find that it was impossible to do so.
Scratching his head, He Fang couldn’t understand: Had “Ruins Without Restar” completely given up?
Looking at the simulation pod next to him, he noticed that it occupied a considerable amount of space. Furthermore, due to the issue of in-game time, it was easy to get addicted to this game. Many times, when He Fang logged off, he felt extremely hungry and quickly replenished his sugar levels. This led him to stock his fridge with numerous beverages and order plenty of sweets online to satisfy his immediate needs.
“Will there come a day when I just die inside the simulation pod?” He Fang wondered. He decided to set up some anti-addiction measures for himself. Otherwise, in his current state, if something happened, by the time the landlord found out, his body would likely already be rotting.
He Fang searched various video platforms for strategies, only to come up empty-handed. It seemed that rather than focusing on expanding the Nightmare Beast Forest, other players had effectively turned the game into a social simulator.
Forget about resident loyalty—these players seemed to have completely ignored the fact that this was meant to be a city-building game.
Feeling somewhat frustrated, He Fang reflected on the situation and began to understand. “Ruins Without Restart” had some significant issues in its city-building mechanics. Once constructed, buildings couldn’t be immediately demolished. Additionally, players were restricted to a single save file, meaning their accounts would be permanently deleted if their city were destroyed. Considering this game also required purchasing an expensive simulation pod, only the most naive enthusiasts were likely to buy it.
Browsing information aimlessly, He Fang logged into his account and reviewed his videos. Earlier, due to low views, it was difficult to notice trends. Now, he could see a massive disparity between the view counts of strategy guides and entertainment content. Entertainment videos were clearly more popular, garnering far more comments. Checking the bullet comment stats, He Fang noticed that the number of bullet comments would suddenly increase whenever he appeared in his videos.
Could it be that people were more interested in seeing him than watching guides?
If the developers didn’t take better care of the game, it was bound to lose traction.
He Fang logged into the official game website and meticulously wrote a detailed review. He also browsed through other players’ feedback, only to find almost nothing useful. It seemed as though no one was taking it seriously.
Could it be…
Was it because those who could afford the simulation pod were mostly wealthy players who didn’t care about strategies and just played casually?
It suddenly dawned on He Fang that perhaps no one really needed the guides he was creating.
Out of concern, He Fang sent the GM some suggestions on promoting “Ruins Without Restart”. He didn’t want to see a game he’d played for so long lose its data due to poor management. In the email, He Fang fully expressed his worries about the game’s future.
To his surprise, he received a reply from the GM within ten minutes.
Administrator Zheng-Fu: “Dear City Lord, hello. I have received your feedback. First and foremost, we sincerely thank you for your support and dedication to our game. We are delighted to have your input, and for a distinguished City Lord like you, we will promptly and carefully respond as follows:
Our game is dedicated to selecting high-quality, conscientious, diligent, and meticulous Lords to expand the game’s content. To create a better gaming environment for the City Lord, we have implemented the one-save-file-per-person system. Each City Lord has only one opportunity to create a city. The game operates on a publicly accessible model, aiming to select quality Lords rather than focus on commercial profit.
Our game solemnly promises that it is financially well-supported and will receive perpetual updates. City Lord, you need not worry about the game ceasing operations, shutting down servers, or deleting files. We hope you enjoy the most perfect gaming experience within the game. Thank you.”
He Fang read this response and blinked. A game that doesn’t prioritize profit?
Feeling skeptical, he went online to investigate the company behind the game. He discovered it was a completely obscure small company with “Ruins Without Restart” as its only developed game.
At this point, He Fang began indulging in conspiracy theories. Could it be that a nation was secretly supporting this game as part of some research? Perhaps it was created in preparation for potential future scenarios, and the game might serve as an experiment to see if any breakthroughs could be found within it?
He Fang felt his thoughts becoming increasingly absurd, to the point where he forgot his original intention of finding ways to improve loyalty.
Thinking it over, He Fang actually typed into the search bar: How to train aggressive dogs.
There were quite a few videos on this topic, and surprisingly, the interaction between dog trainers and their dogs was rather intriguing. However, after closing all the videos, He Fang sat there expressionless.
Apologies—he was really just joking and casually searched for it. He had absolutely no intention of using dog-training methods on humans.
He Fang logged back into the game, intending to check if construction had started on the area he had previously approved to transform an airport into a residential district in the newly developed zone. While on the way there, though, he suddenly heard the sound of chains.
Instinctively, He Fang glanced around. Was there a dog chained up nearby? But the moment he turned his head, He Fang froze in place.
His eyes slowly widened, and his entire body turned to stone on the spot as he stared in utter shock at the two figures approaching him.
Because this new development area was not yet fully constructed, very few people were around. Pedestrian traffic was sparse, and all the NPCs were programmed to move forward along pre-set paths. Even with something so strange happening right before their eyes, not a single NPC showed any sign of shock or alarm.
And He Fang was the only one left utterly dumbfounded.
Standing at the forefront was Zhu Yan. Every time he left the laboratory, his stark white presence created an overwhelming contrast with his surroundings. He seemed completely out of place, his strikingly handsome appearance almost too surreal. But what truly left He Fang in disbelief this time was what—or rather, who—was behind Zhu Yan, being led on a leash: Ye Sheng.
Ye Sheng’s neck was already fitted with a collar, but it wasn’t just the collar—his eyes and ears were completely covered with matching designs that concealed them entirely. This peculiar setup seemed like it catered to some unique preference or habit. Dressed in a white top and black trousers, Ye Sheng stood there with all his sharpness muted, evoking an almost fragile and easily mistreated aura.
Because Chong Xiao had broken his hand, it was now fully bandaged. The doctor’s skills somehow managed to treat such injuries.
What truly shocked He Fang, though, was Zhu Yan holding the chain in his hand. He was indeed leading Ye Sheng just like one would lead a dog, bringing him directly to He Fang.
He Fang refused to acknowledge ever designing something like this.
It must have been the result of inserting a niche comic with peculiar preferences into the data during setup that led to this outcome.
“City Lord,” Zhu Yan gave the chain a slight tug. Feeling the force, Ye Sheng stepped forward two paces. Once the chain slackened, Ye Sheng stopped. Zhu Yan then explained, “As you requested, I have brought Ye Sheng to your side and equipped him with a collar. Since this city had never had outsiders enter before, I blocked his vision and hearing to ensure he didn’t break the precedent. If you need to speak to him, just hold the chain, and you can talk through it.”
He Fang looked down at the black chain, a system of solid sound transmission.
“I didn’t actually want you to go this far…” He Fang took the chain, feeling an immensely complicated mix of emotions. This design, which entirely treated a person like a dog, couldn’t be someone else’s personal bias or bizarre hobby, could it?
No matter how you looked at it, before the apocalypse, this had been a free nation that once valued human rights. Though in the post-apocalyptic world, humanity had been forced to rely on city life due to environmental challenges, which inadvertently reinstated the class systems that had long been abolished. And now…this was akin to treating someone like a slave.
“I have programmed the collar,” Zhu Yan said, his gloved hands casually hanging at his sides. His tone was icy, and his solid-colored eyes reflected an extreme coldness toward Ye Sheng. “If he gets too close to you, he’ll receive an electric shock. Should he touch you, he’ll be immediately sedated. If he strays beyond the range of the chain, he’ll also be sedated. During your absence from the city, we trained him in advance. He has already learned how to operate within the range of the chain.”
He Fang felt the chain in his hand, which Zhu Yan had been holding only moments ago—it was still icy cold to the touch. Just moments after logging back in, He Fang realized he had forgotten about the order he had given to Chong Ying before logging out. Now his NPC had brought the person over, but in such a form.
“Is there anything else I can do for you, City Lord?” Despite his coldness toward Ye Sheng, Zhu Yan always infused his words with a gentle, lingering softness when addressing “City Lord”.
“Um, Zhu Yan,” He Fang unconsciously tugged on the chain, prompting Ye Sheng to obediently step forward. “Our city is a democratic place. People cannot—or rather, should not—be treated like this.”
As He Fang looked at Ye Sheng in this state, he suddenly felt an eerie sensation, as though he had detected something ominous. His once-pure NPC shouldn’t harbor such strange and dark thoughts, right? Could it be that knowing too much had led to this bizarre perception?
“City Lord,” Zhu Yan said, standing in the sunlight. His gaze pierced through Ye Sheng’s shoulder to fix on He Fang. Toward Ye Sheng, however, his attitude was as indifferent as if Ye Sheng were a mere leaf obstructing his line of sight. Zhu Yan’s faint smile held a touch of ambiguity. “The residents of this city would never kill anyone without reason.”
He Fang froze for a moment before realizing—Ye Sheng was undoubtedly seen as a bloodstained criminal in the eyes of the city’s residents. For ordinary citizens who had never encountered crime, facing someone like Ye Sheng must have been incredibly frightening. So, were Zhu Yan’s measures simply to put the residents at ease?
“You’re right—I didn’t think it through enough.” He Fang raised the chain in his hand. “I just feel like this is a bit… inhumane.”
“City Lord, your time is precious. You don’t need to waste it on too many matters. According to Chong Ying, your intent was to see if the gatekeeper could be useful to the city. I understand you, so I’ve ensured that he communicates with you in this state,” Zhu Yan said, slightly turning his gaze. His eyes finally rested on Ye Sheng. “This is already my greatest concession. After all, he attacked you, and we have a responsibility to ensure your safety, City Lord.”
“Alright…” He Fang looked down at the chain, then followed its length. Though Ye Sheng wore shoes, he was also shackled with leg irons, restricting him to walking and preventing him from running. He Fang’s expression turned strange. But unable to voice his objections, he muttered with a complex look, “Thank you, Zhu Yan.”
“When you speak to him, if he refuses to answer,” Zhu Yan stepped forward, gripping He Fang’s hand and yanking hard on the chain. Instantly, the sound of electricity crackled, and Ye Sheng’s hair visibly stood on end. “You can use this method to make him talk.”
He Fang’s scalp tingled—he was certain he had never designed anything this terrifying.
“Are all the gatekeepers this complicated?” He Fang couldn’t help but ask.
“Only him. All the others are still in the ‘Land of Hope’, wearing only anti-escape collars. He is the only non-resident currently allowed into the main city. Since the import/export rules haven’t been fully established yet, this is a temporary measure. If you’re dissatisfied, all you need to do is say ‘agree to release’, and it can be removed at any time,” Zhu Yan explained.
“Alright.” He Fang gazed at Ye Sheng, who stood there looking utterly pitiful, resembling a small, chained dog.
“Well then…”
“It’s fine. You may leave now,” He Fang said.
“Understood, City Lord,” Zhu Yan replied.
He Fang watched Zhu Yan’s departing figure, knowing that the NPC was returning to his designated location. Feeling conflicted, He Fang turned his attention back to Ye Sheng and lightly tugged on the chain. Ye Sheng obediently stepped forward, without a trace of the fierce, sharp demeanor he once had.
“Does it hurt?” He Fang gripped the chain and asked.
Ye Sheng didn’t respond, leaving He Fang puzzled as he looked at the chain. Wasn’t it supposed to enable communication simply by holding it?
A moment later, Ye Sheng finally replied, shaking his head.
He Fang tilted his head, wondering—was there some delay?
“Are you scared?” He Fang thought to himself that if he lost his sight and hearing and was left with only a chain, he’d probably go mad.
This time, Ye Sheng quickly shook his head.
“You…” He Fang initially wanted to ask if there was any way to communicate better, but he hesitated, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Initially, He Fang’s intention was to spend some time with Ye Sheng to build up his loyalty a bit. However, with things turning out this way, He Fang felt that not only would loyalty fail to increase, it might even drop into negative territory.
Rubbing his temples in frustration, He Fang could understand Zhu Yan and the others’ caution, but this level of treatment was simply dehumanizing.
“Do you want to be released?” He Fang suddenly asked.
This time, however, Ye Sheng didn’t answer.
“What’s wrong? Can’t you hear me? I’m asking if you want to be released—but just the blindfold and earmuffs, of course.”
Finally, Ye Sheng spoke: “If I’m released, I will see things in your city and gain information.”
“Ah.” He Fang hadn’t expected that this would need to be pointed out to him. “Yes, but it’s fine. If you want to be released, I’ll release you.”
Ye Sheng hesitated for a moment. He Fang noticed his contemplation and waited patiently without urging him.
After a brief pause, Ye Sheng nodded.
“Then go ahead and take it off yourself.” He Fang refrained from approaching, as getting closer would trigger the electric shock mechanism. “It looks like it’s not locked in place. You can use your other hand to remove it. I agree to release.”
Ye Sheng appeared to hesitate again briefly. Nonetheless, he eventually extended his uninjured hand to touch the object covering his eyes. His hand paused for a moment before he cautiously began to push it upward.
The device that had tightly restrained Ye Sheng was now removed without any resistance. He kept his eyes closed but took off the earmuffs.
He began hearing strange sounds.
Being a gatekeeper required frequent training, and his hearing was far superior to that of an average person. He could pick up unusual sounds—the wind, for instance. Ye Sheng was very familiar with that sound. Wind was a gatekeeper’s greatest fear because it could unknowingly carry Nightmare Beasts Seeds, which would require immense effort to eliminate once parasitized.
But among the wind, Ye Sheng detected peculiar noises: footsteps—a lot of them. The footsteps varied in weight and pace, and the sounds of different shoe soles striking the ground were distinct. Yet, none of these reminded him of the ceaselessly busy sounds he remembered.
There was the rustling of leaves carried by the wind, creating a soft susurration. Then there was… the honking of vehicles.
Ye Sheng had no idea where he was. His eyes had been blindfolded, his hearing blocked. Every movement he made had been dictated by the chain tethering him.
He had never resisted. He didn’t fear death. But if he could live, why choose death? He didn’t believe humiliation would break him. Even if he were leashed like a dog in the hands of an aristocratic lady, he felt no difficulty in enduring.
After all, from the moment they were born, people like him were never granted dignity.
“What’s wrong? Why won’t you open your eyes? Did the blindfold hurt them?” The boy, supposedly the City Lord, stood before him and asked. This time, Ye Sheng could hear his voice without the need for the chain.
In Scorching Sun City, where the strong ruled supreme, Ye Sheng speculated that the young boy had inherited a mobile city through bloodline legacy. It seemed likely that he currently controlled the resource-rich “Land of Hope” and was striving to restore “Hope City”. By doing so at minimal cost, he aimed to join the mobile city alliance and secure the leading position.
For such a City Lord to possess such absurdly capable subordinates, it was most likely due to special favoritism bestowed upon the boy by his predecessors.
Now, as long as he opened his eyes and saw all the information within the City Lord’s city, knowing too much could easily result in him spending the rest of his life imprisoned—or worse, losing his life altogether. Ye Sheng figured that the boy’s request for him to open his eyes must be a way to flaunt his greatness and mock Ye Sheng’s helplessness. There seemed to be no other plausible explanation for such an act.
However, if death was to come, Ye Sheng wanted to open his eyes and face it head-on—just as those he had slain had once done before him. He wanted to experience the same emotions they had felt.
He accepted the inevitability of his death.
And so, Ye Sheng opened his eyes.
At that moment, the distant wind gently swept a few leaves off the trees. But Ye Sheng, standing in place, was frozen, unable to move, utterly stunned.
“I never intended to isolate the main city. Connecting the main city with Hope City is inevitable,” He Fang said proactively to Ye Sheng. “It’s just that Hope City isn’t particularly stable yet. For now, no one’s allowed to enter. That’s why the residents of the main city have treated you this way.”
He Fang watched as Ye Sheng slowly turned around. His skin, long hidden beneath layers of armor, was unnaturally pale. Even though the lighting had tanned him significantly over time, his complexion now looked even paler.
“I can’t possibly let you go. You know about the ‘Land of Hope’. Releasing you would be detrimental to us. However, I also don’t want to unjustly gain a group of prisoners,” He Fang said, idly toying with the chain in his hand. “If possible, I want to find the value you can bring to my city.”
He Fang noticed that Ye Sheng’s expression was peculiar. His gaze repeatedly lingered on the occasional passersby, then shifted to the sky and the buildings. Every emotion that flickered across his face was something He Fang couldn’t decipher.
“Anyway, let’s spend some time together first. I want to understand you all better,” He Fang continued, only to realize that Ye Sheng wasn’t paying attention to him at all. He called Ye Sheng’s name loudly several times, trying to snap him out of his daze.
Ye Sheng seemed to suddenly come back to his senses. He lowered his head and looked at He Fang.
“Did you hear what I just said?” He Fang asked, sensing that something was off about Ye Sheng’s state.
Finally, Ye Sheng fully returned to the present moment. His expression toward He Fang now carried a hint of something different—anger.
It was unmistakable, a visible fury. In the short time He Fang had known Ye Sheng, it was the first time he had seen such a clear display of anger on the man’s face.
Ye Sheng reached out, seemingly intending to grab He Fang’s clothing. However, a powerful electric current immediately surged through him, paralyzing his body and causing him to collapse onto the ground. He Fang quickly loosened the chain to prevent Ye Sheng from suffocating due to the restraint.
“What kind of nonsense are you pulling?!” Ye Sheng shouted at He Fang the moment he recovered from the paralysis. His tongue was still numb, making his words slightly slurred.
“What did I do?” He Fang was utterly perplexed, unable to understand why Ye Sheng’s eyes made him feel like some unforgivable villain.
“How can you build a city directly on the ground? How can you not seal it off? Aren’t you afraid that your residents will all be parasitized and destroyed by Nightmare Beast seeds?!”
When Ye Sheng first saw this city, for a fleeting moment, he felt as though he might have arrived in paradise or traveled back in time to the pre-apocalypse era. The vibrant, flourishing cityscape reminded him of the bustling metropolises that appeared in expansion packs. But then, his gaze caught the abrupt, towering darkness in the distance—a massive Nightmare Beast Forest!
The very darkness that mobile cities strove to avoid was now within striking proximity. Its lurking threat was ever-present, casting a shadow of impending annihilation over the city. To Ye Sheng, this City Lord seemed to be feeding everything in his city to the insatiable Nightmare Beast seeds!
Ye Sheng vividly remembered the faces of every “person who had lost their value” he had been forced to kill. He could never forget the sorrow, struggle, and despair that gave way to resignation in their final moments.
But this place was different.
Every passerby here possessed robust, healthy bodies. Their faces were radiant with vitality. Ye Sheng had even glimpsed an energetic elderly individual passing by him. In the midst of such a thriving community, was this clueless City Lord truly planning to offer them all up to the Nightmare Beast Forest?
These lives were full of potential.
How could they be wasted so prematurely?
He Fang blinked. In that brief sentence, he seemed to understand something. He squatted down, crouching in front of Ye Sheng, and asked: “So, you actually don’t want to kill anyone, do you?”
At this moment, Ye Sheng found it absurd. Was the person who had placed everyone in such danger now discussing life and death with him?
Ye Sheng struggled to overcome the increasing electrical current due to He Fang’s proximity. Gritting his teeth, he lifted his head and fixed a fierce gaze on He Fang—one so intense it seemed to carry the intent to kill. “If you want to die, don’t drag your people into the grave with you. You’re not worthy!”
Yet, despite those words, He Fang did not get angry. Instead, he laughed.
“I knew there was still hope,” He Fang said with a laugh that seemed almost relieved. Initially, he had worried about whether someone with zero loyalty like Ye Sheng could only be permanently restrained. But as long as he still had reverence for life, everything was manageable.
Perhaps because He Fang’s laughter stemmed from his relief, that smile provoked Ye Sheng’s rage even further. Furious, Ye Sheng tried to lunge forward, aiming to grab He Fang by the collar and use his expertise in lethal techniques to end this sinister city lord.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry,” He Fang said. Naturally, he wasn’t about to let Ye Sheng grab him so easily. He stood up and moved a little farther away. Ye Sheng’s expression eased slightly as the electrical current lessened. “Follow me.”
He Fang tugged slightly at the iron chain in his hand and spoke to Ye Sheng.
Ye Sheng’s heart was full of hatred. The more he saw this flourishing city, the deeper his anger grew toward the person who was said to be its city lord. However, the other party was evidently in good spirits, leaving Ye Sheng furious at his own inability to do anything about it.
“Keep at least one chain’s length away, or you’ll suffer for it.” He Fang could have released the chain and allowed Ye Sheng to walk freely, but to ensure their distance had a reference point, he held onto the chain.
At this moment, Ye Sheng’s expression changed. He realized they were approaching the ominous black Nightmare Beast Forest.
“I just happen to need to inspect the newly developed area, so it’s quite close to the Nightmare Beast Forest. If we were to take a detour, it would be a long way.” He Fang tugged on the chain, and this scene reminded him of the first time he met Min Zhizhou.
Min Zhizhou was equally shocked then, and he urged him to evacuate all the people from the city immediately. At that time, Min Zhizhou’s anxious expression was identical to now.
Perhaps as a mercenary, Min Zhizhou’s temperament was not as sharp as the gatekeepers. Having to kill compatriots constantly left him with a deeper emotional connection to death, leading to moments like this.
“Don’t approach the Nightmare Beast Forest. The wide area around it contains Nightmare Beast seeds. If we turn into Nightmare Beasts, your entire city will be annihilated!” At this moment, Ye Sheng suddenly stopped. He would rather endure the shock of the electrical current caused by He Fang moving away than take another step forward. “Your city’s construction has gone too far. It will become the favorite host for the Nightmare Beast seeds.”
He Fang turned back to look at Ye Sheng and gave the chain a slight tug. Seeing Ye Sheng kneeling on the ground, hands pressed against it in a humiliating posture due to the intense electrical current, He Fang smirked. Yet, even so, Ye Sheng showed no intention of continuing onward.
“Why won’t you follow me?” He Fang asked with ill intentions.
“I can’t let everything I’ve done before become meaningless.” Ye Sheng clutched the ground in pain caused by the electrical current. This area seemed to be farmland, with fresh vegetables all around him. But he clearly understood that this wasn’t a temporary stop for a mobile city—it was a city truly built upon this land.
He Fang pondered Ye Sheng’s words. Everything he had done before would become meaningless?
The gatekeeper’s job was to stand at the very edge of the city, using their bodies and lives to eliminate the threat of Nightmare Beast seeds for the city. By now, Ye Sheng’s hands had likely claimed countless lives that were once his compatriots. If even he became a Nightmare Beast and infected the city, then as a gatekeeper, he truly would become meaningless.
He Fang thought that someone who had often done such work—trained for it since childhood—would be numb to death or outright mentally distorted. But he hadn’t expected the role of a gatekeeper to ultimately still instill a sense of responsibility.
Did they feel both pain and pride in their work as gatekeepers?
He Fang approached Ye Sheng to ease some of his suffering. “It’s said that gatekeepers are selected from children with suitable physiques and trained from a young age in methods to kill Nightmare Beasts and identify them. You could be considered elites, right? So you must have some sense of honor in your work?”
Ye Sheng panted heavily, trying to alleviate the paralysis in his body. His thoughts were almost entirely interfered with.
“Ye Sheng, if you want to protect your people, why do you follow Scorching Sun City and wage wars everywhere? Don’t wars result in more deaths?” He Fang wanted to understand gatekeepers. After all, this was a field he couldn’t fully comprehend or research, which is why he was so indecisive about the fate of these individuals.
After waiting for a long time, He Fang finally heard Ye Sheng’s voice: “When survival requires sacrifice, then sacrifice becomes inevitable.”
“So, to ensure the people of Scorching Sun City survive, it doesn’t matter whether others live or die, is that right?” He Fang countered.
Ye Sheng gritted his teeth. “Yes.”
He Fang didn’t see anything wrong with such a mindset in the apocalyptic environment. Even in his own era, there were cases where older sisters or younger sisters were married off to support the family’s male members. Such sacrifices might not be what many would choose, but they were an undeniable reality.
Ye Sheng’s selfishness was likely the result of being cultivated by Scorching Sun City since childhood. To become gatekeepers, they had to develop a spirit of sacrifice and the awareness and courage to kill reconnaissance teams.
He Fang looked once more at Ye Sheng’s attribute panel, and a suspicion arose in his mind.
Could Ye Sheng’s loyalty to Scorching Sun City be the result of psychological and mental conditioning from a lifetime of training? Much like how early education shapes beliefs—like how someone raised as a staunch atheist would remain so—was Ye Sheng’s loyalty to Scorching Sun City also a product of such conditioning?
He Fang stared at Ye Sheng, who still looked at him with resentment. “Have you ever thought about not being a gatekeeper anymore?”
“If the city lord no longer needs me, I will stop.” Ye Sheng seemed to want to regain his detached demeanor, but he continued to glare at He Fang, unable to conceal his current anger. “At that point, I would become the next generation of gatekeepers’ instructor, or perhaps… a reconnaissance team explorer!”
He Fang gasped sharply.
Clearly, the mobile city’s education for gatekeepers was incredibly effective. This deeply ingrained notion of being “useful” was almost second nature to them—no wonder something as simple as an eight-hour workday could boost their happiness.
He Fang thought of Zhao Wei again. Zhao Wei didn’t seem to fear death, but his ultimate dream was to send his daughter to survive in a mobile city. It was highly likely that Ye Sheng’s family also resided in Scorching Sun City, serving as his motivation for his actions.
“When you kill people, how do you feel?” As soon as He Fang asked the question, he regretted it. Wasn’t this blatantly poking at someone’s wound? Sure enough, he saw Ye Sheng’s sharp gaze, as though it could slice through his skull. He Fang let out a slight hiss and quickly added, “No, that’s not what I meant. I mean, if you didn’t have to kill anymore, how would you feel?”
Ye Sheng’s expression remained icy, giving no hint of his thoughts. He Fang could tell that Ye Sheng had clearly calmed down from his sudden anger and returned to his numbed demeanor.
This time, He Fang didn’t receive an answer from Ye Sheng for a long time. Feeling a bit downhearted, he scratched his head. Ye Sheng was proving difficult to deal with.
“I originally wanted to give you a surprise, but you’re so unwilling to come over.” He Fang tugged slightly on the chain, and sure enough, Ye Sheng refused to take even half a step closer to the Nightmare Beast Forest. “My city can now resist the parasitism of Nightmare Beast seeds.”
Ye Sheng’s expression didn’t change at all—numb and cold.
“You mentioned that the area near the Nightmare Beast Forest can still spread Nightmare Beast seeds. But right now, are you planning to ‘venture into areas where other life forms have left traces’?” He Fang asked.
Finally, Ye Sheng furrowed his brows slightly as he looked toward the distinctly visible black expanse of the Nightmare Beast Forest.
“Follow me.” He Fang gave the chain a slight shake. “I’ll show you proof that we won’t be parasitized by Nightmare Beast seeds.”
However, Ye Sheng’s expression grew colder. It was clear that while he harbored doubts about the situation, he completely distrusted He Fang’s words.
“Trust me,” He Fang said, pointing to the vegetable field on the ground. “Even if you don’t trust me, you have to trust what you see.”
Ye Sheng was momentarily stunned. Within his line of vision were the young city lord, farmers working the fields, and endless stretches of thriving farmland.
Despite being so close to the Nightmare Beast Forest.
Life showed no signs of succumbing to parasitism by Nightmare Beast seeds.
The young city lord’s voice carried a subtle tone of coaxing, as if carefully approaching a hedgehog bristling with quills: “Come on, I’ll show you evidence that we no longer need to sacrifice lives.”
Though he was utterly unwilling to approach the Nightmare Beast Forest.
Something inexplicable happened at that moment.
Ye Sheng felt a flicker of desire in his heart.
