72: Chapter 72 Internal Reorganization

nether talisman balance: 137,000,000!

This figure had reached a staggering height thanks to Lin Chen’s monopoly profits from the "Netherworld Express" and the "compensation" he had... no, reasonably collected from Director Zhao Yongfu. Inside the Fortress, everyone’s faces were filled with an excitement and hope that seemed out of place in the apocalypse. With such massive capital, the newly built and immensely powerful soul suppressing pagoda, and the rapidly growing, well-equipped Yin Soldier Legion, even the "Lord of the Ultimate End" arriving in seven days didn't seem so invincible anymore.

Morale was at an all-time high.

However, amidst this seemingly flourishing atmosphere, Lin Chen made a decision that caught everyone off guard.

Inside the core command room, there were only three people: Lin Chen, Su Qingyu, and Zhang Hao.

With his back to them, Lin Chen looked at the heart-pounding string of numbers on the screen and announced in a flat tone:

"Effective immediately, suspend all Netherworld Express operations."

"What?!" Zhang Hao was the first to cry out in shock, his eyes nearly popping out of his head. "Master! Wh... why? We're raking it in right now! This is the perfect time to expand and fleece those suck—cough, I mean, earn nether talismans from our customers! It would be such a waste to stop now!"

Su Qingyu also frowned slightly, looking at Lin Chen in confusion. If they stopped their only—and currently fastest—way of amassing wealth, how would they pay the astronomical ten-billion-nether talisman fee for that intelligence?

Lin Chen slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. His eyes were as deep as an abyss, making it impossible to read his emotions.

"Money can always be earned," he said calmly. "But you only have one life."

He raised his hand and pointed toward the blood-red sky outside the Fortress, which remained shrouded year-round.

"Do you think that by relying on these nether talismans, the current Yin soldiers, and the soul suppressing pagoda, we can stop that thing?" Lin Chen’s tone carried a hint of imperceptible mockery. "People like Director Zhao Yongfu are merely minor irritants. The real threat comes from above. The Netherworld Express business has diverted too much of our energy and military strength, and it has turned the Fortress into a piece of fat that anyone can peer at."

He paused, his voice turning cold. "Before the real storm arrives, we need to be a monolithic force with absolute loyalty and cohesion. We don't need a motley crew attracted by nether talismans and a defensive line full of holes!"

Su Qingyu was thoughtful, seemingly understanding Lin Chen's concerns. Although Zhang Hao still felt the sting of lost profit, he didn't dare to argue further.

"Of course, that's just the public announcement." Lin Chen's tone shifted, and a cold arc curled at the corner of his mouth. "Internally, we need to conduct a... 'pressure test'."

He looked at Su Qingyu and Zhang Hao and issued his orders:

"Su Qingyu, you are responsible for taking a centralized inventory of the Fortress's existing supplies, especially the Energy Cores and weapons, and sealing them. Act as if resources are tight."

"Zhang Hao, go spread the word... say that in order to build the soul suppressing pagoda and upgrade the Yin soldiers, I've exhausted all our nether talisman reserves and even tapped into our foundation. Now, the Fortress's finances are on the brink of collapse, and we're struggling even to maintain daily defenses."

Both of them felt a chill in their hearts upon hearing this. They instantly understood what Lin Chen wanted to do—he was taking this opportunity to purge the internal ranks! He wanted to distinguish who the truly usable core members were and who the fair-weather followers were that would flee at the first sign of trouble!

"Master is brilliant!" Zhang Hao was the first to react, immediately flattering him. "This is the perfect way to weed out those lazy, impure-minded bastards!"

Su Qingyu also nodded. "I understand. I'll go arrange it now."

...

The orders were quickly carried out.

News of the indefinite suspension of the Netherworld Express business spread like wildfire throughout the Fortress, causing significant shock and speculation.

Following that, various "bad news" began to circulate quietly within small circles:

"Did you hear? To build that tower, Master Lin lost his entire fortune!"

"That's not all! My second uncle's cousin's nephew is in the logistics team, and he says the warehouse is almost empty!"

"The frequency of Yin soldier patrols has decreased. The energy supply must not be able to keep up!"

"It's over, it's all over. I thought I'd hitched my wagon to a star, but it turns out the star is crashing..."

"That 'Lord of the Ultimate End' thing in seven days... shouldn't we start thinking about a way out?"

Panic and unease began to spread among some survivors like a silent plague.

Meanwhile, the Fortress's resource rationing began to tighten noticeably. Food and water, which were previously supplied openly, were now distributed in fixed amounts. Lighting and defensive runes in some non-core areas were deliberately dimmed or turned off, creating an image of resource scarcity.

Zhang Hao and his "confidants" intentionally or unintentionally spread pessimistic views among the crowd, secretly observing everyone's reactions.

Lin Chen kept a low profile, appearing only occasionally with a furrowed brow and a look of being weighed down by worries and exhaustion. (Of course, it was an act.)

The pressure test had officially begun.

The first day was relatively calm. Although most people were worried, they were still waiting and seeing.

On the second day, some whispers grew louder, and complaints were heard from time to time.

On the third day, when Su Qingyu announced that due to a "shortage of Energy Cores," the energy replenishment for Basic Protective Talismans—used by non-combatants to resist the erosion of nether energy—would be suspended, the dissatisfaction reached a small climax.

At dusk, Zhang Hao sneakily slipped into Lin Chen's command room.

"Master, there's news!" His face held a trace of excitement and contempt. "As expected, some people can't keep their cool anymore!"

"Speak." Lin Chen sat on his throne, resting with his eyes closed, his tone flat.

"That Fatty Wang from the logistics team—the one who used to be in real estate—has been secretly hoarding compressed biscuits and water purification tablets. He's also privately contacted a few people. I bet he's looking for a chance to slip away!"

"The vice-captain of Combat Team Two, Li Kui—he used to be a thug—has been complaining all day about the small rations. He even said something about 'a wise bird chooses its tree,' implying someone is trying to recruit him!"

"And a few 'technical talents' who joined not long ago are also secretly packing their things and asking about the situation outside..."

Zhang Hao reported the details one by one; these were the results of his "hard work" over the past few days.

Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes. There was no surprise in them, only a cold indifference.

"Understood. Keep watching them and compile a list."

"Yes!"

Zhang Hao took the order and was about to leave when Lin Chen called him back.

"Wait." Lin Chen's gaze fell on Zhang Hao, carrying a hint of scrutiny. "What about you?"

Zhang Hao was stunned for a moment, then reacted by dropping to his knees with a thud. He gestured wildly as he swore, "Master! I, Zhang Hao, am absolutely loyal to you! The sun and moon can testify! Even if you aren't just in temporary trouble, even if you truly had nothing left, I, Zhang Hao, would definitely be your most loyal dog! I'll bite whoever you tell me to bite! If I have any treacherous thoughts, may heaven strike me down and my soul be scattered!"

His expression was sincere (at least it looked that way), and his tone was emotional, as if he wanted to rip out his heart to show Lin Chen.

Lin Chen looked at him without speaking, but his gaze seemed to pierce through his soul.

A few seconds later, Lin Chen spoke calmly, "Get up. Go call Su Qingyu."

"Yes! Yes!" Zhang Hao felt as if he had been granted a massive reprieve. He scrambled up, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and backed out. At that moment, he felt as if he had just walked past the gates of hell.

Soon, Su Qingyu arrived. Her face also looked a bit weary; clearly, the "acting" and management work of the past few days hadn't been easy.

"How is the situation?" Lin Chen asked.

Su Qingyu took out a list, which recorded the abnormal behavior and comments of some people, largely similar to what Zhang Hao had reported.

"It's all within expectations." Her tone was calm, but a flash of disappointment still flickered deep in her eyes. After all, some of the people on the list had performed quite actively before.

"As expected." Lin Chen took the list, didn't even look at it, and tossed it aside. "Such is human nature."

He stood up and walked to the window, looking at the neighborhoods within the Fortress that appeared somewhat dim due to the "resource tension," his gaze profound.

"Tomorrow, we take the final step."

He turned around and said to Su Qingyu:

"Tomorrow morning, gather all non-combat personnel and low-level guards in the Central Square."

"I will personally announce... that the Fortress's resources are completely depleted and we can no longer protect everyone."

Su Qingyu's heart jolted as she looked at Lin Chen. She knew the cards were about to be laid on the table.

"And then?" she asked softly.

A cold, temperature-less arc curled at the corner of Lin Chen's mouth:

"Then, give them a choice."

"Is it to stay and weather the storm with me, leaving their life and death to fate,"

"Or... receive a 'severance pay' and find their own way to survive."

"I want to see just how many people in this Fortress are sincere and how many are fake."