Chapter 964: One Word

Ten minutes later, Lin An exchanged a sheet of letter paper in the reputation shop.

The pen tip swished, quickly informing Chu An of the card's information, then he didn't think further.

At this stage, many of the problems he faces, aside from Chu An being able to give him some reference, no one can help him.

The card is a must to obtain.

Whether it's the fourth stage reward or the title, Lin An doesn't intend to give it up.

A one-time death exemption permit is enough for countless Awakened Ones to fight over.

Thinking long-term.

He actually isn't sure how to advance to the fourth stage.

Before, due to lack of information, he always thought that continuously completing missions or hunting mutants would allow him to level up.

But as his strength gradually increased, Lin An clearly felt that the difficulty of advancing each stage was increasing exponentially.

The third stage requires a trial; what does the fourth stage require?

He is confident he can reach advanced third stage, even the peak, in a short time.

But when the time comes, whether he can advance to the fourth stage and what is needed, he knows nothing.

The road ahead has no one tread; he is now the first, and also the strongest walking at the forefront of humanity.

Under immense pressure and the threat of mutants from the YiKongjian, increasing strength is imminent.

Third stage... still too weak!

Whether using the card to advance to the fourth stage or keeping it as a trump card, both are necessary.

Even if we step back ten thousand steps, pushing Zhang Tie and Gao Tian to the fourth stage and taking all titles, isn't that stronger than recruiting those strong ones from past life?

Not only that.

Under the butterfly effect, Lin An isn't even sure those people can still stand out from the apocalypse.

Besides that, most of the titled Awakened Ones in past life, he really hasn't found a few.

Not to mention far, just talk about Gao Tian.

If it weren't for me arriving in time, this former demon hunter would have starved to death...

He exhaled lightly, put away the card.

Lin An raised his head to look at the uneasy Fang Yirou, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

The girl before him, after finishing speaking all the information, sat silently in place without moving.

As he pondered, Fang Yirou seemed to recall past events, amidst her utmost suppressed sorrow, she couldn't help but softly sob.

In just a day, her brother died, the Safe Zone fell, she was even imprisoned by her once-trusted uncles, and they even wanted to seize the last relic Fang Hai left her. Like a duckweed, her life and death are not in her own hands.

Under such a huge blow, her being able to muster courage to trade with Lin An is already her limit.

His fingertip lightly tapped the assistant.

After a moment, Lin An still suppressed the thought of silencing her.

He doesn't like going back on his word.

Although killing the girl might be better.

Now Fang Yirou has no more use value; her life or death is in his single thought.

With the resurrection skill, the dead are more reliable than the living.

It's not that he's soft-hearted, but perhaps there's still a shred of humanity.

However, the premise is...

"I cannot let the information leak out."

Lin An faced Fang Yirou and spoke expressionlessly.

The girl waiting for Lin An's answer trembled at the sound, as if thinking of something, her eyes widened in fear.

She didn't have time to wipe the tears on her face.

Her eye sockets were red, the fingers gripping her shirt's edge suddenly tightened.

She couldn't tell what Lin An intended, nor did she know what he thought in those few seconds.

She only heard from those emotionless words the meaning of extreme danger.

Is this, planning to kill her to silence her?

Did I, lose the bet!?

Indeed, I seriously underestimated the card's value, and even more underestimated Lin An's ruthlessness!

This man, cold-blooded to the extreme, having killed so many people, would he care about this small fry like me...

Despair on her face, Fang Yirou trembled in voice, complexion pallid.

"I... I won't..."

Before she could swear she absolutely wouldn't speak, Lin An suddenly took out a scroll from his ring and lightly tossed it before her.

"Sign the contract."

"As long as you leak the information, you will die."

"Not only that, I can help you fulfill those demands, but from now on, all your affairs and actions must have my approval."

Upon hearing, she froze.

Fang Yirou, who thought she was surely dead, stared blankly at Lin An, then glanced at the contract obviously a system prop.

Even though she hadn't much contact with these things, through hearsay she recognized it as a valuable reputation prop.

Overjoyed.

Looking at Lin An's expressionless face, she actually felt somewhat 'affable'.

Plot twist.

After a moment, a hint of joy flashed across her face, and she opened her mouth in surprise.

I... thought Mistaken!?

「I'll sign! 」

Without hesitation, regarding Lin An's latter remarks, she didn't care at all.

But, while signing the contract, she raised her head and asked in a slightly hesitant whisper:

「Safe Zone, and Third Rank, are you really willing to help me? 」

Lin An nodded, after confirming the contract was signed, he put it away.

This item needs to be exchanged for prestige; for other Awakened Ones, the price is high, purely a 'luxury item', but for him, it's just that.

「Since I promised you, I will naturally do it. 」

「As for the Safe Zone... 」

「I can't give you a safe zone exactly like before; actually you can't manage it. 」

Lin An's tone softened a bit.

Towards outsiders, he always appeared cold-hearted, too lazy to waste words.

But Fang Yirou, having already signed the contract, might still be usable.

Originally he was considering the management issue of Yingshan Safe Zone, and had thought of transferring Wen Ya or Jing Tian from Long An to garrison there.

Now it seems Fang Yirou could serve as his pawn.

Although his strength was lacking a bit, having the courage to escape and trade with himself could still be useful in some aspects.

After pondering a moment, Lin An spoke decisively:

「As for the Safe Zone, to be precise, is it your brother's wish? 」

「Perhaps there are still some people; you want to replace Fang Hai in 'protecting' them. 」

「So, actually where the Safe Zone is, doesn't matter at all. 」

The girl nodded as she listened to Lin An's words; exactly, that's what she thought.

But she didn't quite understand what Lin An intended to do.

One second later, Lin An quickly sent a message to the acting commander who had been thrown back to Yingshan Safe Zone, and also privately chatted with Yuan Feng.

Looking back at Fang Yirou:

「Very simple. 」

「Take the spiritual energy nodes from here; I've already arranged for Yingshan Safe Zone to receive you. 」

「There are no more than seven-digit Awakened Ones, three combat brigades, and one Third Rank. They will unconditionally assist you in managing the Safe Zone. 」

「From now on, you are the deputy commander of Yingshan Safe Zone. 」

Lin An chuckled; in just a few short sentences, he had arranged everything.

Under absolute military power, the Yingshan city defense military commander who received his message almost instantly replied, quickly expressing agreement.

Heaven pities them; upon seeing Lin An's message, they were almost frightened to jump out of bed.

Throughout the channel, it was spreading that Lin An planned to annex Yingshan, and even intended to bloodbath and replace personnel.

In this short message, many people read that Lin An also intended to keep them, and after grasping that meaning, they almost tearfully became excited.

As for Yuan Feng, he hasn't appeared yet.

「Ying... Yingshan Safe Zone!! 」

「Give it to me!! 」

Originally thinking Lin An was great for calling some people to help himself repair the city walls, Fang Yirou, upon hearing his 'plan', was almost scared silly.

Yingshan Safe Zone, placed in the entire Eastern Mountain War Zone, also ranks notable.

Although it can't compare to Long An, its fame is outstanding outside; just the abundant supplies attract a large number of Survivors wanting to join.

Compared to the Safe Zone previously established by Fang Hai, the gap between the two shouldn't be too large.

The girl never imagined that Lin An would actually hand it over to her with just a sentence.

This level of excitement is no less than her wanting a village; as a result, Lin An gave her a city in return!

This too... is too exaggerated!?

Unbelievable.

Before Fang Yirou could react, Lin An continued speaking:

"The Third Rank issue is also very simple."

「In a few days, I will have a Third Rank Awakened One protect your upgrade until the next trial opens. 」

「By then, Long An's side will arrange people to bring you in to directly skip the trial and promote to Third Rank. 」

His tone calm, after Lin An finished speaking he calmly looked at the girl, indicating she should directly voice any further questions.

Seated opposite.

Fang Yirou stood dumbstruck, subconsciously nodding then shaking her head.

In just a few short sentences, all her demands were met, even better than she imagined.

Hard to imagine, she swallowed dryly, feeling as if she were dreaming.

Originally she still worried that her request hadn't been thought through, was too high, and what if Lin An refused...

But she never expected...

She felt she had underestimated this man...

「Ying... Yingshan... really belongs to me.. 」

"Will that Third Rank also help.. help me..?"

Like a dreamtalk, Fang Yirou dazedly repeated it, only to discover Lin An merely gave her a light smile.

It's not yours; it belongs to Long An.

From today, you are a member of Long An.

If there's no problem, you can now contact the commander of the Yingshan garrison; he will tell you what to do.

Anyone who disobeys will be killed.

Fang Yirou heard the voice and instinctively glanced at her private messages, only to see the inbox flashing wildly.

And the sender was none other than all the existing high-level officials of the Yingshan Safe Zone.