Chapter 111: Test!

While Lin Yue frequently went out to adapt to his surging power, Xuanwu City, under Wang Gongtou's leadership, underwent a tremendous change.

Towering residential buildings rose from the ground, wide roads crisscrossed, the agricultural zone was lush with greenery, and the breeding grounds teemed with chickens and ducks.

The whole of Xuanwu City presented a thriving scene, full of vitality and energy.

However, this tranquility was shattered half a month later by a group of uninvited guests.

That day, the sun shone brightly, and the sky was cloudless for miles.

Outside Xuanwu City, the previously silent mountains suddenly rang with the roar of a convoy.

Han Ya stood on the city wall, holding a telescope, her cold gaze fixed on the distance through the lens.

"Report to the City Lord! A convoy has appeared outside the city! Initial assessment: over fifty vehicles!"

Han Ya's voice came through the walkie-talkie.

Lin Yue had just returned from hunting in the wilderness, sitting in the City Lord's mansion, wiping his alloy short blade.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, thinking:

"How could there be anyone here?"

Lin Yue had chosen to stay here for half a year precisely because the place was surrounded by mountains on all sides, basically no one would come, allowing them to focus on construction; but now that someone had arrived, he still needed to find out what was going on, so he asked:

"Can you find out what the situation with these people is?!"

"Judging by the direction the convoy is traveling, this group is likely from Suchen."

Han Ya said in a deep voice.

Lin Yue nodded; this was somewhat unexpected for him.

"Go ask them what their purpose in coming here is!"

After thinking, Lin Yue decided to first find out what their purpose in coming here was.

"Yes!"

…….

More than fifty modified armored vehicles finally stopped in the open ground outside Xuanwu City.

After the convoy came to a halt, dozens of shelter leaders disembarked one after another.

Leading them was none other than Scar-faced Old Li, whom Lin Yue had met once before.

He looked at the city before him, which was even more majestic and imposing than half a month ago, and was shocked beyond words.

"Old Li!"

A thin-built shelter leader rushed up to Old Li, his face full of excitement, his voice trembling somewhat,

"You really came through, actually bringing us to find Xuanwu City!"

Old Li said nothing, just gave a heavy nod, his eyes still fixed firmly on that majestic city wall.

"You came from Suchen?"

Han Ya's cold voice came from the city wall.

Old Li stepped forward, raised his head, and spoke respectfully:

"Yes, Minister Han, we've come from the Suchen side!"

"Speak! What business do you have here?"

Han Ya's voice, devoid of any emotion, asked directly.

Old Li didn't expect the other party to be so direct; he took a deep breath, as if making a great resolve,

"Minister Han, we want to join Xuanwu City!"

"Huh?"

Han Ya's delicate brows furrowed slightly; she never expected that, after traveling so far, their purpose would actually be to join Xuanwu City.

She unconsciously tightened her grip on the walkie-talkie; this matter far exceeded her authority.

"Wait a moment,"

she calmly said to the crowd below the city,

"I'll go consult the City Lord!"

Having said that, she turned and left.

Below, the shadow of the city wall covered the waiting crowd.

"Chief Li,"

an old man with white hair and a face full of wrinkles shuffled his steps over to Scar-faced Old Li's side,

"You say, will that City Lord Lin… agree to our request?"

Another middle-aged man in a worn leather jacket also chimed in:

"Yeah, Old Li, we've used up almost all our food and fuel on the way here; we can't take any more trouble!"

Everyone looked at Old Li, each face filled with anxiety and hope.

"I don't know either."

Faced with the crowd's barrage of questions, Old Li also felt helpless; how could he know what decision that City Lord Lin would make,

"Now, the only thing we can do is wait."

"Sigh!"

The crowd fell silent at once.

Meanwhile, Han Ya on the city tower informed Lin Yue of the situation here via the walkie-talkie,

"City Lord! What should we do?"

Lin Yue was worried about Xuanwu City's shortage of people—this is like someone sending a pillow just when you're sleepy!

But still, let's first meet the other side and then talk.

Wait a moment, I'll be there soon!

Soon after, Lin Yue's figure appeared atop the city wall.

He was dressed in a black casual outfit, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd below.

You've all come from far away, thank you for your hard work.

Lin Yue's voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly to everyone's ears,

I know why you've come. Xuanwu City welcomes anyone willing to contribute their strength!

City Lord Lin!

Lao Li hadn't expected the request to be so simple; he quickly stepped forward, clasping his fists.

We are survivors struggling to survive in the apocalypse; maybe we lack deep knowledge, but we have strength and courage! As long as City Lord Lin is willing to take us in, we are willing to give everything!

The shelter leaders behind him also chimed in,

We're willing! We'll do anything!

As long as we can eat our fill and have a safe place to live, we fear nothing!

Hearing this, Lin Yue couldn't help but sigh.

In the apocalypse, survival is the ultimate luxury.

Good.

Lin Yue's voice softened,

I'll give you a chance. Xuanwu City is undergoing large-scale construction and needs all kinds of talent. You will all be assessed; only those who pass may stay. During the assessment, Xuanwu City will provide food and lodging for everyone.

Thank you, City Lord Lin! Thank you, City Lord Lin!

At these words, everyone erupted.

Although they still need to pass the assessment to join Xuanwu City!

But this is better than outright rejecting them, and they believe no assessment could stump them!

Xuanwu City!

They've decided to join!

According to the count, Lao Li's group totaled 503 people.

Lin Yue looked at the cheering, exuberant crowd below, a faint smile appearing on his face.

He turned to Wang Gongtou and Han Ya beside him and issued a solemn order:

Old Wang, the assessment and placement of these over five hundred people is yours. The only principle is to make the best use of people's talents and resources. Whether skilled or strong, arrange everything clearly for me.

Upon hearing that people wanted to join Xuanwu City, Wang Gongtou rushed over.

Don't worry, City Lord!

Wang Gongtou patted his chest, rubbing his hands excitedly,

I guarantee I'll settle them properly!

Having given his instructions, Lin Yue turned and left; when it comes to employing people, he always follows the principle of 'do not employ those you doubt, and do not doubt those you employ.'

Soon, under Wang Gongtou's arrangement, a novel 'recruitment fair' unfolded bustlingly outside Xuanwu City.

The dozen or so leaders of Lao Li's group had already decided beforehand that they were no longer leaders, merely ordinary survivors.

Thus the whole process went quite smoothly.

Those who understood machinery were assigned to the Repair Department; those who knew farming joined the Agricultural Zone; the strong actively signed up for the Black Tortoise Guard selection.

Even those who knew nothing could find a place in the Construction Team as long as they had strength; daily meals and safe lodging were already good enough for them.

In the end, aside from a dozen or so frail, sickly elderly, women, and children who were specially accommodated due to inability to work, the remaining four hundred ninety were all assigned to suitable posts.

PS: New book, please urge updates and collect!