ATIGIBTC Chapter 25

«Nightmare Beast Forest is the best defense»

When He Fang was led into the hallway of the Finance Department by Lu Hu, he was utterly stunned. Although the game “Ruins Without Restart” was so vast that it required a sensory simulation pod to operate, the level of detail in every corner, from intricate decorations to the flawless shadows and highlights, was shockingly realistic. It was terrifyingly immersive.

If this level of detail were placed on an ordinary gaming console, optimizing it would be an absolute nightmare.

However…

The decor here was opulent to the extreme. He Fang, not being knowledgeable about gemstones or jewelry, couldn’t tell if the golden embellishments around him were merely plated or solid gold. The exterior of the Finance Department was orderly and formal, but the interior was excessively extravagant, resembling a dazzling imperial palace from ancient times. So much so that its over-the-top grandeur crossed into gaudy territory. This kind of aesthetic was hard for He Fang to appreciate—it was the kind of ostentation that felt like it was blindingly garish.

Lu Hu walked ahead, leading the way, while He Fang followed. As a man, He Fang was surprisingly shorter than Lu Hu. At first glance, he even seemed like the frailer one between them.

Lu Hu eventually guided He Fang to a room—an exceptionally lavish reception lounge. The most ostentatious centerpiece in the room was a magnificently ornate chaise lounge. Draped with the soft pelts of wild beasts and adorned with gold-thread embroidered cushions, it promised an almost sinful level of comfort. Just brushing against it was enough to prove that it had cost a fortune.

Thankfully, this was just a game. If this were real life, this single lounge chair would be enough to expose the Finance Department’s embezzlement.

After He Fang took a seat, Lu Hu casually reclined on a nearby chaise lounge. Her long, elegant legs stretched across a luxurious handcrafted blanket. Her demeanor was relaxed and carefree. Nearby, someone even served them glasses of red wine.

Lu Hu’s expression remained haughty throughout. Yet, whenever her gaze landed on He Fang, her arrogance would melt into a soft, pale blue flame of warmth—gentle but searingly intense.

However, He Fang was completely unmoved. His expression remained calm, as though he were deep in thought.

Lu Hu smiled, assuming the most alluring pose she could muster. Her crimson lips curved ever so slightly, and her enchanting eyes seemed to hold entire galaxies, beckoning exploration. Her voice was sultry and soft, captivating anyone who heard it.

“Adorable City Lord,” Lu Hu purred, “perhaps before we begin our discussion, we can enjoy a drink to loosen up a little? It might help make our conversation more productive.” Her light laughter gave the scene the air of a leisurely vacation rather than a serious meeting.

Meanwhile, Min Zhizhou’s expression was visibly tense. He forced himself to remain composed, struggling not to reveal his discomfort. Lu Hu was the kind of woman who, despite doing seemingly nothing, made it feel as though she were doing everything. It was impossible not to be drawn to her.

“Lu Hu.” He Fang had no intention of drinking anything Lu Hu offered. Instead, he shifted the topic directly. “I think we need to talk.”

“Oh?” Lu Hu’s eyes narrowed slightly, a glimmer of triumphant amusement flickering within them.

“I think we should consider cutting the Finance Department’s expenses,” He Fang said, finally voicing what he had been holding back for a long time.

“…” Lu Hu froze for a moment. “What? Excuse me?”

“The decorations in the Finance Department are ridiculously over-the-top. They look expensive. Plus, I noticed even the smallest corners are adorned with decorative stones. Min Zhizhou mentioned that gemstones and minerals like these are incredibly valuable resources right now. We could probably sell them for a lot of money. So maybe we should economize a bit and increase our fiscal revenue. What do you think?” He Fang’s gaze was earnest and sincere, embodying the demeanor of a city lord genuinely concerned for his people.

Lu Hu raised an eyebrow. “But the Finance Department has to maintain its image, doesn’t it? Otherwise, how could it live up to its name?”

“This place is decorated… pretty poorly,” He Fang bluntly expressed his first impression of the lavish surroundings. He even tilted his head to ask the innocent Min Zhizhou standing beside him, “What about you? Do you think this decor looks good?”

Lu Hu’s expression froze, her gaze turning icy as she shot a sharp sideways glance at Min Zhizhou.

Caught in the crossfire, Min Zhizhou instinctively swallowed nervously. “Uh… I… I think it looks great. It’s incredibly impressive. I never imagined I’d see such a concentration of wealth. Honestly, I feel like this place could be listed as a world treasure.”

“Lu Hu, did you design this decor yourself?” He Fang asked in surprise. Were they seriously under the impression this looked good? Was it his taste that was off?

Lu Hu smiled proudly. “Isn’t it beautiful? People love wealth, but I am wealth. The more unattainable something is to them, the more satisfying it is to discard it as if it were nothing. Watching them seethe with jealousy yet remain too intimidated to complain is immensely gratifying, wouldn’t you agree?”

This time, it was He Fang’s turn to fall silent. He was beginning to suspect that this might truly align with Lu Hu’s tastes.

“Lu Hu, the reason I came to you today is because the city’s finances aren’t in a good state. I’m in dire need of money,” He Fang said, dropping all pretense and getting straight to the point.

Lu Hu’s eyes gleamed knowingly, but she still feigned curiosity. “Oh?”

“You’ve probably heard the news. Outside the Nightmare Beast Forest, there are now several other cities. We need to defend against potential unknown attacks while expanding our territory to boost the economy. Currently, there’s a significant demand for land, but the national treasury is severely lacking. Do you have any good suggestions?” He Fang asked, half-hoping for a miracle as he sought Lu Hu’s advice.

Lu Hu reclined lazily, her legs crossed, half-lidded eyes glinting as her red lips curved faintly. “Expand the land, increase the population, create more jobs, and boost resource output.”

Her response was precisely the steady, methodical strategy He Fang had always employed. But now, with external threats looming, he couldn’t afford to take things so slowly. “I mean something beyond that. With the pressure from outside forces, slow development might lead to an attack. What I need is a faster way to grow.”

“Then find a quicker way to expand the land, increase the population, create jobs, and boost resources,” Lu Hu replied, brushing her long hair that cascaded elegantly over her waist.

“That’s exactly what I’m asking for—a method to achieve those results,” He Fang said, amused by her circular logic but feeling a twinge of disappointment. After all, she was just an NPC; he had been expecting too much. “Sorry, forget it. This is something I should be figuring out myself anyway.”

Lu Hu blinked, her expression softening into a faint smile at He Fang’s disappointment and lack of blame. “I’m sorry, dear City Lord. I may not have a good suggestion for you.”

“It’s fine,” He Fang said, scratching his head awkwardly.

“But, my dear City Lord, what you need to figure out is whether your priority is making money or expanding territory,” Lu Hu said, tapping her thigh lightly with her crimson nails in a posture both seductive and deliberate.

He Fang froze. He needed money, so he had to expand the land. After expanding the land, he could make money. Weren’t the two goals complementary?

Lu Hu’s fox-like gaze locked onto him, her tone playful and alluring, though her words carried no hint of seduction. “My dear, adorable City Lord, some things can’t be solved simultaneously. Perhaps if you focus on just one goal, the other will resolve itself naturally.”

“Focus on one goal?” He Fang took Lu Hu’s advice to heart and began contemplating.

If he had to prioritize, the most urgent task right now would be expanding their territory. As long as they had more land, everything else could follow.

But how could he expand their territory without spending an enormous amount of money?

A thought suddenly flashed through He Fang’s mind.

“The land outside the Nightmare Beast Forest—can I just use it directly?” He Fang immediately turned to Min Zhizhou and asked, “Are there still people living and working on that land outside the city?”

“Of course. Otherwise, how would humanity survive?” Min Zhizhou confirmed. “Mobile cities don’t move all the time. When resources are scarce, they stop in a safe area to farm, cultivate, and gather resources.”

He Fang’s eyes lit up instantly. If there was ready-to-use land outside the Nightmare Beast Forest, why did he have to limit himself to expanding only around the city?

However, just as excitement filled him, another thought struck, dousing his enthusiasm. “No, that won’t work. We don’t know how strong the people outside are. What if we develop the city and end up being discovered by other mobile cities? What if they forcibly seize our resources?”

He Fang didn’t want to risk the safety of his city’s NPCs. He had always been protective of his city, unwilling to lose even a single NPC.

“Why assume they’ll seize our resources? Why couldn’t it be us seizing theirs instead?” Lu Hu smiled sweetly, her half-lidded eyes gazing at He Fang.

He Fang froze.

“In the apocalypse, most mobile cities abide by an unspoken rule to minimize conflict. Whether seizing or being seized, the losses are often devastating,” Min Zhizhou interjected.

“Survival of the fittest, the law of the jungle—those principles haven’t changed since ancient times. Why should we follow the same rules as the weak?” Lu Hu clearly dismissed the significance of the people outside the city.

“But what if the people outside are stronger than us?” Min Zhizhou, though aware it was unlikely, couldn’t ignore the possibility. As a mercenary, vigilance was second nature.

“Then we draw our blades against the strong. The world always shifts—power never stays in one place,” Lu Hu said, her red-tipped fingers brushing her lips, her eyes sparkling with excitement at the unknown.

He Fang noticed the clear clash of ideologies between Lu Hu and Min Zhizhou, each word laced with a pointed challenge.

“Besides…” Lu Hu suddenly narrowed her eyes, her tone carrying an unmistakable trace of laughter. “The apocalyptic world outside has long been in decline. Livelihoods are in ruins, lands are overrun with Nightmare Beast seeds, and habitable spaces for humanity are dwindling. Yet, Nightmare Beast seeds pose no threat to us. Doesn’t this prove that we are in an absolutely advantageous position?”

He Fang froze as her words sank in. It felt like something clicked in his mind, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Lu Hu’s crimson nails brushed lightly across his cheek as she stood up, cradling his face intimately. The faint, seductive scent of her perfume blurred his senses. “For instance… we could offer desperate humans the land and protection they long for the most. Or perhaps… we are already standing in what they consider the untouchable heart of death.”

He Fang’s eyes widened abruptly as realization dawned on him.

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