After reflecting for a moment, Cheng Yu patted his cheeks to calm himself down, then looked toward the Performer's army.
White Cloud Basin was a paradise for the beastmen. It housed the largest beastman settlement in the entire Keynes World, with a population of no fewer than six hundred and thirty thousand.
The basin's natural defenses left them with almost no outside enemies. Its fertile soil and proximity to the sea ensured they never lacked food or clothing.
That day, however, their scouts received word that the army of Yuri Constantine, the new overlord of Monster Forest, had wiped out the Lizardmen of Wetland Swamp.
The Orcs' leader, Roar Zell, was an upright, lion-like Orc. As he listened to the report from a cat-like upright Orc, he let out a deep sigh. He did not know whether White Cloud Basin's geographical advantages could hold that army back.
Two days had passed since Wetland Swamp fell. By then, it looked completely different. Manufacturing plants and energy generators rose across the swamp, while densely packed Basic Units mined and transported energy resources and minerals. A spatial jump gate connecting it to the headquarters in Monster Forest had also been built. The place had effectively become Cheng Yu's second base.
Only then did the Performer's army arrive at White Cloud Basin. Faced with the towering mountains, the Performer did not search for a road into the basin or attempt to cross the mountains to reach the flatlands within.
When Cheng Yu ordered an attack on White Cloud Basin, the Performer had included two hundred thousand Basic Units in the army of three hundred thousand.
Basic Units were the RTX Destroyer's all-purpose basic worker units. The Performer's answer to Cheng Yu had been:
"Two hundred thousand Basic Units will need only about three days to dig a tunnel from outside the basin straight into its flat interior, wide enough for two 0-4s to travel side by side."
Three and a half days later, the tunnel was complete. During those three and a half days, beastmen had indeed come to disrupt the Performer's digging operation, but the Performer repelled them wave after wave. Quite a few Basic Units were scrapped in the back-and-forth fighting.
Still, they were only half a day behind schedule, and Cheng Yu said that was perfectly fine.
White Cloud Basin got its name from the thick clouds that hung over it year-round. Satellite surveillance could not make out anything inside, but as the first Purger entered the basin, Cheng Yu finally got his first glimpse of its interior.
Through the army's eyes, Cheng Yu saw a scene that could only be described as an earthly paradise. He was a little surprised. He had never expected these beast-like creatures to live somewhere resembling the idyllic havens described in old stories.
Neat houses stood among crisscrossing paths, with cultivated fields stretching one after another. It was simple, yet beautiful. Through the Purger's beyond-visual-range sight, he could even see beastman children running through the fields.
Cheng Yu fell silent, then asked,
"Are there any resources within White Cloud Basin?"
The Conductor answered,
"Only two small gold deposits, both buried very deep."
Cheng Yu continued,
"Then can we conclude that White Cloud Basin has no value worth conquering?"
"Yes, Commander. However, past records indicate that most organic beings do not possess stable loyalty. There is little point in conquering them. I propose purging all organic beings."
Upon hearing the Conductor's proposal, the Performer and the Artist spoke up as well.
"Seconded."
"Seconded."
Cheng Yu then looked toward Yog and Miss Puppet.
Yog raised his teacup and said softly,
"I will not interfere with any decision you make."
Miss Puppet also said,
"Your will is the highest directive, Your Eminence."
Cheng Yu sank into thought.
As he pondered, he looked up and saw a crowd of beastmen in coarse cloth clothing gathering in front of the mechanical army, carrying all kinds of weapons.
Compared with the orderly ranks of the mechanical army, they were nothing but a disorganized mob. Through one Purger's eyes, he saw elderly beastmen and young children fleeing farther into the distance.
Roar Zell demanded,
"We have always lived here! We have never made an enemy of anyone! We have never harmed any living being! We would never steal from others! We only want to live in peace! Why?! Why are you invading our home?!"
Cheng Yu remained silent for a moment, then told the Performer,
"Deploy a spatial jump gate."
The Performer said, "Spatial jump gate deployed."
Cheng Yu nodded, then left the main city and stepped into a spatial jump gate.
Miss Puppet shook her head.
"This is why I consider emotions useless. Going to the front in person is the most foolish course of action. In our past records, there were 145,718 instances in which eliminating a frontline commander resulted in victory."
Yog set down his teacup.
"But in the end, didn't you lose to someone who went to the front in person?"
Miss Puppet said nothing.
Yog continued,
"Everything is unchanging, and everything can change. To anchor inevitability amid countless possibilities is itself a great miracle. If everything followed its predetermined outcome, wouldn't that be rather dull?"
Miss Puppet did not understand.
"Your Eminence, have you acted against the duties of your own authority?"
"No. I have taken no action. I still know, but I still will not interfere."
Miss Puppet sank into thought, and then something began to go wrong with her.
Countless numbers flashed through her eyes, faster and faster.
Yog lightly snapped his fingers. Miss Puppet returned to normal, as though nothing had happened.
Upon arriving at White Cloud Basin, Cheng Yu truly felt how beautiful it was. He walked slowly forward, came to the front of the army, and addressed the beastman who had spoken earlier.
"What is your name?"
Roar Zell said, "I am the beastmen's leader, Roar Zell. May I ask who you are?"
Cheng Yu said softly, "Yuri Constantine."
Zell froze. Yuri Constantine, whom he had heard so much about but never seen, was human? Even so, he said,
"Lord Constantine, why are you invading our home? Whatever you want, please tell us. We will do everything in our power to meet your demands."
Cheng Yu said quietly, "Originally, I wanted your entire White Cloud Basin. But I've decided to give you a chance."
Zell hurriedly replied, "Please tell us."
Cheng Yu said, "I want you beastmen to submit to me. Completely and utterly."
Zell asked, "What price must we pay?"
Cheng Yu continued,
"You do not need to pay me anything. But from this day onward, White Cloud Basin no longer belongs to you. You will only have the right to live here. If I need to use the basin's land, you will not be permitted to object. Of course, I will also guarantee that your food and housing remain unaffected."
Zell was stunned. It was not that the terms were bad-they were far too good. All they would effectively be giving up was some land. Almost nothing else would change.
With that thought, Zell said,
"We accept these terms. On behalf of all beastmen, I pay my respects to Lord Constantine."
Cheng Yu nodded, then turned and returned to the main city. He had made the trip to show the beastmen his sincerity. After all, he truly did not want to slaughter another race like this.
Congratulations, host, on unlocking the achievement: Peaceful Deterrer (Bronze, one star)
Cheng Yu opened the system panel.
Congratulations, host, on unlocking the achievement: Peaceful Deterrer (Bronze, one star) Achievement description: Conquering a faction is not difficult. Conquering one peacefully is enough to prove that you possess sufficient deterrent power. Whether that power comes from you personally or elsewhere, congratulations, congratulations!
(Convert to currency.)
The currency field increased by twenty thousand, bringing Cheng Yu's total to a full seven hundred thousand.
"Oh, my foolish host, you can afford this month's shop item now, and it isn't expensive, either. Want to take a look?" 乁( ˙ ω˙乁)
Cheng Yu paused. Ever since buying the Carbon-Based Virus last time, he had not bought another item, not even a discounted one, because he could not afford them. ε(┬┬﹏┬┬)3
(Then let's have a look.)
"All right, the next item is:
Source of Augmentation (Silver One-Star): A casual creation of a very bored Mythic being. It can enhance the effects of any item below Silver, improve its quality, and perhaps even produce other effects. The results depend on the user's wishes. A creation born purely out of boredom. If not for the tiny trace of Mythic aura on it, it would not even qualify as Silver. Price: 100,000 currency (Title effect triggered. Price after a 90% discount: 10,000 currency)
Cheng Yu rubbed his chin and said,
"It doesn't seem all that useful."
The system popped up and said,
"You could use it on the Carbon-Based Virus. You might even unlock a world-destruction achievement in this world." (¬◡¬)✧
Cheng Yu smiled bitterly.
"If I had it in me to do that, would I have waited until now?"
"Suit yourself. I think it's pretty cheap, anyway. Ninety percent off! Think it over."
Cheng Yu thought the same. Ninety percent off. It's cheap anyway. I'll buy it.
(Fine, I'll buy it.)
"OK, the item has been placed in your system storage." 乁( ˙ ω˙乁)
Fifteen days had passed since the three armies launched their full-scale offensive. Cheng Yu finally controlled the entire north. Towering manufacturing plants and energy construction machines stood everywhere.
Just after subjugating the last faction, Cheng Yu unlocked another achievement.
Congratulations, host, on unlocking the achievement: King of the North (Bronze Five-Star)
Cheng Yu opened the system panel to read the details.
Congratulations, host, on unlocking the achievement: King of the North (Bronze Five-Star) Achievement description: You have become a major power that no faction in this world can afford to ignore. The entire north is now in your hands. The beast's fangs have fully grown. It is time to show the world your might, King of the North! Congratulations, congratulations!
Cheng Yu remarked,
"Finally, an achievement title that sounds badass. King of the North. Not bad. I really like it."
Before you continue