Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

”I won’t give you any orders, nor will I make you do anything you’re unwilling to do. Also, I will provide you with ample supplies every month. For this Oath Taker expansion, growth, and attraction of new members you mentioned, I will cover all the costs and offer my support.”

Lin Haifeng spoke calmly, as if discussing a trivial matter. Yet, the resources involved in this promise could easily fund the construction of a new outpost base within a decade!

Every power’s revenue and expenditure are fixed. Lin Haifeng’s promise means additional, significant expenses, which must be offset by cuts elsewhere.

Education, infrastructure, pensions, welfare...

In short, though Lin Haifeng made it sound simple, the internal complexities are immense.

Upon hearing this, Moka and his two companions fell silent.

They could also guess what Lin Haifeng had to sacrifice...

After a while, Lin Haifeng’s relaxed tone came through the communicator.

”Actually, I’m quite optimistic about this Oath Taker idea you mentioned. I had similar thoughts before, but things never reached this point. I often think, perhaps when I’m old and can no longer manage Yanjing, maybe I’ll establish such an organization myself...”

”With a group of like-minded companions, free from restraints, without all those messy matters... wouldn’t that be wonderful...”

”I never realized you had such a knack, kid. Since you’ve achieved a goal I couldn’t, I’ll support you this time. So, it’s decided.”

It wasn’t clear whether Lin Haifeng was genuinely relaxed or just pretending to be.

However, Moka only shook his head.

”This differs from my intentions. My purpose in founding the Oath Takers isn’t the same. Since we don’t want to be bound by others, we cannot accept their favors. My idea is to ask you, Lord Lin Haifeng, to allocate a piece of territory for us—whether big or small, but a place with war potential, such as District 7 Mainland Bloc Number 0666 would be ideal.”

District 7 Mainland Bloc Number 0666 contains seven Demon Realm’s Gates within!

”That place will be our front line. We will be self-sufficient there, and for any shortfall in resources, we’ll trade the magic crystals we obtain from the war with Yanjing. What do you think of this arrangement?”

This plan, how should we put it... it has a certain feasibility, but in essence, it hasn’t changed a bit—still trying to seize resources from the main battlefield.

If one party’s gains increase, the other party’s naturally decrease. Moreover, there’s an issue of uneven war zone distribution.

If the Demon Tribe decides to launch an attack from District 7 Mainland Bloc Number 0666, the number of Demon Fiends pouring from the seven Demon Realm’s Gates would be enormous. Could Moka withstand it?

No, he couldn’t...

Nevertheless, Lin Haifeng agreed without a second thought.

”I agree! Your idea is better than what I proposed earlier!”

It’s a matter of dignity... Since the Oath Takers made such a grand vow, rather than Lin Haifeng seeming to be raising useless people, keeping these warriors who refuse to slay their comrades, it’s actually better to let them grow amidst the flames of war.

”However, I also want to propose a condition to you.”

”Please, go ahead.”

”My grandson, Lin Que, and his Dark Blade Knights Cavalry.”

At this point, Lin Haifeng paused.

”Actually, the main battlefield isn’t suitable for him. The training here isn’t sufficient. Just as well, your Oath Taker ideals align with mine. I want to incorporate Lin Que and the Dark Blade Knights Cavalry into your Oath Takers...”

Upon hearing this, Moka immediately frowned, uncertain of Lin Haifeng’s intentions.

Do you want to insert people into the Oath Takers and assimilate them, turning the Oath Takers into your own force, or...?

”The prerequisite is that they will withdraw from Yanjing, and I will tell Lin Que that from now on, he will be your clueless recruit. He doesn’t need authority; you only need to maintain the structure of the Dark Blade Knights Cavalry... Oh, and if there are casualties within the Dark Blade Knights Cavalry, replenish them with people from the Oath Takers as a priority. How does that sound to you?”

Upon hearing Lin Haifeng’s explanation, Moka was instantly overjoyed!

Moka was well aware of how strong Lin Que is— he feared he couldn’t hold his ground in District 7 Mainland Bloc Number 0666, and having Lin Que and the Dark Blade Knights Cavalry would undoubtedly significantly enhance the strength of the Oath Takers.

Seeing Moka’s expression, Old Lin immediately smiled.

”Then it’s settled. Fang Bai, later you talk to Lin Que.”

”Uh... Dad... Fang Yuqiong...”

Fang Bai implied that he wanted to insert Fang Yuqiong into the Oath Takers as well.

The reason was simple—Yanjing is in tough times now, and truth be told, everyone is having a hard time. Comparatively speaking, a neutral force like the Oath Takers sandwiched between three sides doesn’t seem as difficult.

Even though they are about to face the impact from seven Level 7 Demon Realm’s Gates...

”I have other arrangements for him.”

”Understood...”

...

Moka left, fully loaded with gains, feeling satisfied.

Indeed, Lin Haifeng was still approachable, but another challenge remained before the three on site.

”Do you think Wen Yu will have any extreme reaction to this?”

This question was first posed by Fang Bai.

In Fang Bai’s eyes, he speculated that upon hearing the news, Wen Yu would undoubtedly question immediately—are they pretending to defect, are they feigning innocence to gain your trust, is this Oath Taker a trick played by the Demigod... and so on...

Actually, strictly speaking, there are considerable issues here, even though the truth of the matter is indeed as Moka stated, when placed on some suspicious individuals, this matter can’t bear close scrutiny.

Fang Bai and the Corpse puppet trust Moka, and Lin Haifeng, considering the current situation, is also willing to support Moka—who knows if his transfer of Lin Que over was to monitor Moka...

In short, it’s still a dizzying game of high-level chess, and one cannot ignore Wen Yu’s stance regarding this matter.

”He won’t.”

The Corpse puppet simply stated, then a bitter expression appeared on his face.

”Didn’t you see? The master is angry this time, he is genuinely angry... but it’s just anger.”

After those words, all three, including Lin Haifeng, fell silent.

Just anger... angered by the Demigod’s threat, by Earth’s will’s betrayal... but that’s all.

If you really have to say whether Wen Yu would develop any thoughts about this Oath Taker, the Corpse puppet reckons he wouldn’t...

Because he simply has no interest in bothering with this trifling Oath Taker.

The goal is noble, which is good, but what about the strength?

Can it match half of one of my soul pets? Probably not.

So should I care if you play dirty? You dare play, then I’ll just kill you straightaway!

For Wen Yu, who sees through everything, the choices are instead much more straightforward!

You Oath Takers want to stay wherever you are, go ahead, just don’t get in my way, and don’t do things that make me unhappy, and then there’s nothing much else.

The logic is just that simple, and indeed, as the Corpse puppet thought.

Oath Takers? Are they a subordinate force of the Demigod? No? Then why are you telling me about this?

I’m busy clearing out the Demigod’s direct forces, and that’s a huge workload, isn’t it...