37: Chapter 37 What are we here for?

He straightened his ruffled mage robes, took a deep breath, and instantly adopted the demeanor of an inscrutable Archmage.

At this moment, those dozen or so Demonic Beasts, already blown to pieces with missing limbs, happened to limp right into the mages' optimal firing range.

Liu Gan raised his right hand high, the scorching fire elements in his palm condensing frantically, his eyes flashing with excitement.

"Mage squad! Listen to my command!"

"Target: The remaining enemies ahead!"

"Fireball—covering volley! Fire!!"

Boom, boom, boom—!

In an instant, it was as if a red sun had risen above the city walls.

Over a hundred fireballs, dragging long tails of flame, whistled through the sky.

The scene was even more spectacular than the previous rain of arrows!

One hundred fireballs smashing into a dozen or so low-health wolves.

This was like using a cannon to kill a mosquito!

"Boom!!"

The violent explosions merged into one across the ground, and the rising flames instantly engulfed those few pathetic Demonic Beasts.

Forget about resisting; they didn't even have time to let out a final scream before they were burned to a crisp.

This scene not only shocked the Archers on the city walls but also left everyone below the walls dumbfounded.

In the refugee camp, those refugees who were holding shields and wooden spears, ready to sacrifice their lives and fight to the death, all had their mouths wide open, their weapons clattering to the ground.

"Is... is it over already?"

An old man rubbed his eyes, looked at the corpses of the Demonic Beasts in the distance, then looked at the sharpened wooden stick in his hand, and suddenly felt a sense of absurdity.

Those were over a hundred Demonic Beasts!

How were they blasted into slag in just such a short time?

They couldn't even reach us?

"Flower City..."

Strategist Zhu Ge sat in his wheelchair, watching the group of Professionals on the city walls who were still arguing about "who killed more and who killed fewer," a bitter smile appearing on his pale face, which then turned into deep shock.

"How can this be a small F-rank city?"

"With such terrifying long-range firepower and so many Professionals... this is clearly a war fortress armed to the teeth!"

He had originally thought they were coming here to take refuge, and that they would even help their benefactor guard the city gates.

Now it seemed their benefactor didn't need them to guard anything at all.

The so-called "fight to the death" of these refugees seemed so superfluous, and even... a bit ridiculous, in the face of Flower City's absolute firepower.

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...

Of course.

It wasn't just the refugees who felt "superfluous" and "ridiculous."

There was another group of people currently standing in the snow, disheveled in the wind.

That group was none other than Lei Lie and his close-combat assault team, who had just jumped down from the city walls and were currently striking various cool combat poses.

The cold wind whipped up snowflakes, blowing across Lei Lie's stiff face.

The long blade in his hand was still held high, maintaining a "charging" pose.

Su Nan, Guo Qiang, and the others behind him were also exuding Killing Intent, some holding shields,

others wielding daggers, all ready for a big fight.

But...

Where were the Demonic Beasts?

"..."

Lei Lie's mouth twitched as he slowly lowered his sore arm.

An unprecedented sense of awkwardness welled up in his heart.

If he had known... he wouldn't have arranged for so many ranged Professionals to be on the city walls.

Who could have thought that these hundred-plus Demonic Beasts would be so fragile when gathered together?

They were taken out in two volleys?

"Commander..." Guo Qiang, behind him, scratched his head and asked with a naive look: "Then what did we come down here for?"

Lei Lie took a deep breath, looking at the group of refugees in the distance who had already started cheering, and then at the group of smug Mages and Archers on the city walls.

He silently sheathed his sword, forced a dignified expression, and said through gritted teeth:

"What for?"

"Can't you tell?"

"We came down... to welcome the new city residents into the city!"

Just then, Minister Wang Fugui's signature voice came from afar, carrying a hint of anxiety.

"City Lord! City Lord!"

A moment later, a round figure appeared on the steps of the city wall.

He was sweating profusely, followed by a dozen or so Chamber of Commerce members who were all panting.

Seeing Zhou Yun standing there safe and sound, Minister Wang Fugui stepped forward quickly and knelt directly on the ground.

"Your subordinate heard that Demonic Beasts were attacking the city, but I arrived late to protect you; please forgive me, City Lord!"

He knocked his forehead heavily against the bluestone slab, his voice filled with a hint of fear and self-reproach.

Zhou Yun reached out to help him up and said gently:

"Minister Wang, there is no need for this; it has already been resolved."

Minister Wang Fugui stood up accordingly, looked Zhou Yun up and down, and confirmed that there were no injuries before letting out a long sigh of relief.

"It is good that you are safe and sound, City Lord. Your subordinate's heart can finally rest easy."

However, the people on the city wall were not moved by his "loyalty."

Zhang Qin curled his lip and moved half a step to the side without anyone noticing.

The others also exchanged glances, the disdain in their eyes unconcealed.

Although Minister Wang Fugui now held the title of "Minister of the Trade Department," who among those present didn't know his past?

Wang Half-City.

In the hearts of the old residents of Flower City, this name was almost synonymous with a vampire.

Selling grain at high prices during disaster years, hoarding goods—how many people had he indirectly harmed?

Those debts, how could they be wiped clean just by donating a few shops?

Someone muttered in a low voice: "He runs fast now, but where was he when the fighting was happening?"

Someone next to him chimed in:

"Where else could he be? When there's danger, of course, he hides far away!"

"Shh—keep it down."

"What are you afraid of? Can he even hear us?"

Although the voices were lowered, the wind on the city wall was not strong, so they drifted intermittently into Minister Wang Fugui's ears, making his expression somewhat ugly.

The Chamber of Commerce members behind him looked angry and were about to retort, but Minister Wang Fugui stopped them with a wave of his hand.

"Ignore them."

He lowered his voice, his tone calm.

"But Minister, they..."

"They are right."

Minister Wang Fugui interrupted his subordinate, "The me from before was indeed that kind of person."

His eyes were complex, holding both self-mockery for the past and a certain indescribable sense of relief.

If he hadn't met Zhou Yun...

He would probably continue to be that shrewd, cold-blooded, and profit-seeking "Wang Half-City."

How many people died in the city, what did that have to do with him?

He only needed to guard his own mountain of gold and silver and live securely.

But as luck would have it, he met Zhou Yun.

This young City Lord who could have easily crushed him to death but chose to give him a way to live.

This "fool" who could have monopolized all resources but chose to let the whole city eat their fill.

He had seen too many people in his life.

Corrupt officials, treacherous merchants, hypocrites, true villains... he believed he had long ago seen through the human heart.

But Zhou Yun made him realize for the first time—it turns out that in this world, there really are people who can "take what they need and use the rest to help the world."

It wasn't an act, it wasn't for fame, but truly, genuinely doing it.

He really wanted to know where one could end up by following such a person.

He also genuinely did not want anything to happen to such a person.

"Minister?" The subordinate saw him dazed and called out cautiously.

Minister Wang Fugui came back to his senses, his face once again wearing that signature smile.

He bowed to Zhou Yun again and said:

"City Lord, since the Demonic Beasts have been resolved and Lady Wan'er is busy with other matters, let the subsequent cleanup work be handled by your subordinate!"

Zhou Yun smiled and nodded: "Then I will trouble you, Minister Wang."

"It is my duty!" Minister Wang Fugui waved his hand and greeted the Chamber of Commerce members behind him, and they hurriedly went down from the city wall.

But just after getting off the city tower, the people following behind him began to whisper.

"Uncle Liu, aren't we from the Trade Department? Should this kind of dirty and tiring work... also be managed by us?"

"Sigh... I also don't..."

The topic had just begun when Minister Wang Fugui suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned his head.

His gaze swept over the crowd, his tone filled with dissatisfaction, "What about the Trade Department?"

"The Trade Department doesn't have anything urgent right now, so of course, wherever people are needed, that's where we go!"

"We are officials to seek welfare for the people, to do things for the city!"

"This is what an official is, understand? Learn well!"

The Chamber of Commerce members were helpless.

Ever since Minister Wang Fugui was granted the official position of Minister of the Trade Department, it was as if he had become a completely different person.

They really didn't understand, donating family wealth and exhausting himself—what was he actually aiming for?

But since Minister Wang Fugui had spoken, they followed his instructions.

However, before they had even walked a few steps, a burly figure blocked their path.

"Stop!" Lei Lie said, his hand on the hilt of his sword, looking at them coldly.

The Chamber of Commerce members were stunned, "Commander... Commander Lei Lie?"

"What are you doing?" Lei Lie's tone was unkind, "You are not needed here, go back! Go do what you should be doing."

The Chamber of Commerce members looked at each other, unable to react for a moment.

"We came to help," one person said, emboldened: "The Demonic Beasts attacked just now, and we arrived late; we should contribute something now, right?"

"Help?" Lei Lie snorted, "No need. The City Guard's business is not for your Trade Department to interfere with."

His attitude was very clear—they were not welcome.

The Chamber of Commerce members were immediately unhappy.

A middle-aged merchant stepped out, smiling without warmth:

"Commander Lei Lie, what you just said is not right."

"We came with good intentions to help, what kind of attitude is this?"

"Besides..."

He drew out his tone, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes.

"Before the City Lord descended, your salary was still paid by us!"

Once these words were spoken, several Chamber of Commerce members around him also chimed in.

"Exactly, exactly!"

"Now he's putting on airs."

"It's really funny."

Lei Lie's face instantly darkened.

These words poked at his sore spot.

Yes, the old Flower City was dirt poor, and half of the City Guard's salary was "borrowed" from the Chamber of Commerce.

It was said to be borrowing, but everyone knew what that really meant.

Minister Wang Fugui controlled the economic lifeline of Flower City at that time; never mind the City Guard, even the previous City Lord had to act according to his mood.

Those days were a permanent humiliation in Lei Lie's heart.

As a dignified Commander of the City Guard, taking the silver alms of Minister Wang Fugui to guard his house—it was embarrassing just to say it out loud.

Now these people actually dared to use this to taunt him?

"Move aside." Lei Lie's voice lowered, carrying a dangerous tone, "I said, this has nothing to do with you."

The middle-aged merchant, however, would not let it go and sneered: "Is Commander Lei Lie trying to drive us away? Fine, I'd like to see—"

"Clang!" With a sound of clashing metal, Lei Lie's sword unsheathed three inches.

The blade's light shone on the merchant's face, making the second half of his sentence get stuck in his throat.

"I will say it again." Lei Lie's gaze was like a blade, and he said word by word: "Here, there is, nothing, for you to do."

The air seemed to freeze.

The Chamber of Commerce members were shocked by this sudden Killing Intent and retreated a few steps.

They were all business people; they were experts at playing with words and calculating people's hearts.

But if it really came to swords and guns...

They really couldn't win!

A few timid ones had already started to shrink back, just thinking about getting away quickly.

Just then, an unhurried voice came from behind, "Commander Lei Lie."

Minister Wang Fugui walked forward slowly, his face wearing that signature smile.

Lei Lie saw him, and his brows furrowed even tighter, "Minister Wang Fugui, control your people."

"My people?" Minister Wang Fugui chuckled, "They are indeed my people."

He walked up to Lei Lie and looked directly into his eyes, neither humble nor arrogant.

"You don't have to listen to what they say."

"But does what I, the Minister of the Trade Department, say count?"

Lei Lie narrowed his eyes and did not answer.

Minister Wang Fugui didn't care and continued on his own:

"They are working for me, and they are also working for the city. Your people are also working for the city."

"Everyone is contributing to Flower City, so why distinguish between you and me?"

His tone was peaceful, but every word was resonant.

Lei Lie's brows were knotted together.

He certainly knew that what Minister Wang Fugui said was reasonable, but he just felt uncomfortable!

When it came to killing the Demonic Beasts, he hadn't made it in time.

If the cleanup work was also snatched away, wouldn't that mean he had done absolutely nothing?

"Minister Wang Fugui, you are the Minister of the Trade Department, that's true, but this is outside the city, and it is the jurisdiction of the City Guard." Lei Lie said in a deep voice.

"I appreciate your good intentions, but we can handle it ourselves."

His implication was clear: This is my territory, stop interfering.

However, Minister Wang Fugui's reaction was unexpected.

This fat merchant, at this moment, actually lifted his chin slightly!

"Commander Lei Lie, you might not have heard clearly." Minister Wang Fugui's voice suddenly raised a few notches.

His Aura was not at all inferior to this Silver Rank warrior before him.

"I am not discussing this with you."

"I am ordering you."

Once these words were spoken, the surroundings immediately quieted down.

The Chamber of Commerce members widened their eyes, unable to believe their ears.

The Minister... was actually ordering Lei Lie?

That was the City Guard Commander!

A Silver Rank expert!

Did he have a death wish??

Lei Lie was also stunned.

He glared at Minister Wang Fugui, a flash of anger in his eyes:

"What did you say?"

"I said—" Minister Wang Fugui took a step forward, nearly face-to-face with Lei Lie.

His gaze was calm and firm, without the slightest retreat.

"This Minister orders you, and your subordinates, to immediately cooperate with the Trade Department to complete the handover work of the refugees, and to clean up the remains of the Demonic Beasts."

He paused, and asked word by word: "Commander Lei Lie, do you understand?"

Lei Lie's face flushed red.

He never expected that Minister Wang Fugui, this fat bastard, would actually dare to speak to him in this tone today.

His hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his knuckles turning white.

He really wanted to slash over and let this ignorant guy know what a Silver Rank warrior was!

But...

He couldn't.

Damn it!

Lei Lie cursed inwardly.

Minister Wang Fugui was the Minister of the Trade Department, personally appointed by City Lord.

And he, Lei Lie, when it came down to it... was just a commander.