CHAPTER 560: CHAPTER 286: SETTLERS (PART 2)

"You want them...to come in now?"

Lin Yu asked in astonishment:

"Didn’t you say we needed to clean up first?"

"When I say clean up, I mean providing them with a basic living environment, not literally cleaning every corner."

Chen Jian looked at Lin Yu speechlessly, then continued:

"Their life here must be managed by themselves."

"And it must start from scratch."

"Only then will they form an emotional bond with this place."

"Such an emotional bond will dilute their...illusory faith in this city."

"Come on, go and help."

"Work with Ji Xing, take people to assign residences to these people."

"Ji Xing will handle the selection---at this time, whoever makes their choice early will benefit greatly."

After saying this, Lin Yu’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"Bullets?"

Chen Jian smiled mysteriously and replied:

"Exactly!"

...

One hour later, at the doorway of a spacious apartment in the "Light Zone."

Lin Yu read the text information appearing before him and spoke to the man at the door dressed as a Mechanical God Sect bishop:

"You see, the major difference between this apartment and others is that its facilities are updated and more complete."

"The plumbing here is unobstructed, clean water is available immediately—if the Huaxia Army completes the water plant construction, the water here will even be purified for direct drinking."

"Additionally, there are some basic living facilities here, including simple furniture and a few appliances."

"Look, there’s even a radio here."

"And that’s a great item—you know how much a functional radio sells for on the black market?"

"But now, you can own it for just 40 bullets."

"Honestly, it’s almost like giving it away."

"40 bullets..."

The bishop reached into his pocket and checked carefully, speaking slightly hesitantly:

"But...this isn’t ownership."

"According to your terms, it’s just a lease."

"Renting an apartment for a month costs 40 bullets, that’s a pretty high price."

"Well, you have other apartment options."

Lin Yu shrugged and continued:

"I still have other choices and each is good."

"At least better than those rundown houses you’re living in Anhan City, right?"

"...those aren’t rundown houses."

The bishop said somewhat stubbornly:

"Those are the blessed earthly dwellings given to me by the Holy Trinity, built by the Holy Hall..."

"Alright, alright."

Lin Yu interrupted the bishop and said immediately:

"No need for this pretentiousness."

"Do you know why I said all this to you? Because I know you’re different from the others."

"See, those truly stubborn folks—the ones you call ’staunch believers’—have long turned away."

"They wouldn’t accept so-called ’charity from the Huaxia Army.’"

"But you’re obviously much smarter than them, right?"

"At least for you, your faith isn’t exclusive."

"In fact, who said believing in the Holy Trinity means you can’t cooperate with the Huaxia Army?"

"The Forbidden Army Leader, that Guo Xu, even fights alongside the Huaxia Army."

"And as far as I know, he speaks highly of the Huaxia Army and is willing to learn from their strengths."

"You are the same as him, right?"

Lin Yu’s words were highly persuasive; at that moment, he felt like a qualified "real estate agent."

Even if it was the first time he learned the term, he really believed no other word better described what he was doing than "real estate agent."

And his persuasion immediately showed results.

The bishop hesitated for several seconds before finally gritting his teeth and saying:

"I’ll take this one."

"But this doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned my faith in the Holy Trinity."

"I just need a more...secure environment to propagate our beliefs."

"Yes, yes."

Lin Yu agreed wholeheartedly but secretly cursed the person for being hypocritical.

What faith?

You’re just hungry for days and exposed to the elements, finally realizing you can’t hold on any longer.

But what does it matter?

It’s people like this that the Huaxia Army desires most.

When these high and mighty "bishops" realize they don’t need to strive upward, nor use faith as currency to achieve a better life, their entire belief system will gradually crumble...

"So shall we trade now?"

"Let’s trade now."

The bishop counted out 40 bullets from his pocket and handed them to Lin Yu, who quickly glanced at his pocket and found there were quite a few left.

A curious idea flashed through his mind.

He coughed and said:

"Ahem...though a deposit isn’t required, if you rent for three months all at once, I can offer a...discount."

"For instance, just 100 bullets, how about that?"

"100 bullets?"

The bishop looked at Lin Yu in astonishment and then asked:

"Can you make that decision? That’s not a...small number!"

"Of course I can."

Lin Yu spread his hands, then asked:

"Do you have that many?"

"I...don’t."

The bishop shook his head and replied:

"I’m 25 bullets short, but I can...trade for them."

"No problem."

Lin Yu reassured him:

"You can give me the bullets you have now, and make up the rest after your transaction."

"I know you surely possess quite a bit of wealth, but honestly, this wealth might not be worth much in Mountain City..."

"So, while it’s still valuable, sell it as soon as possible."

"Alright, alright."

The bishop nodded repeatedly, as he handed over all the bullets he had accumulated to Lin Yu, and walked into the room, a complete sense of relaxation washed over him.

This was now his new home.

At first glance, it was considerably better than his place in Anhan City.

Clean, tidy, and even had a bed.

Except, the bed had no bedding, just a bare frame that seemed like metal, yet also plastic.

It appeared he needed some living supplies.

Some supplies that matched the standards of this room.

The bishop took out another pocket hidden under his wide clothing and emptied its contents.

Several heavy gold pieces appeared.

Perhaps it was time to convert this gold into Mountain City’s accepted "currency."

After all, he would be here for quite some time.

He needed food, water, clothing, and even to support other arriving followers.

Completely rejecting contact and transactions with the Huaxia Army was absolutely impossible.

Those who made such choices, regardless of their steadfast faith, were all fools without exception...

The bishop glanced around in the apartment’s room and went to a noticeable "switch" position.

Pressing the switch, the lights went out.

Pressing again, the lights turned on.

He wasn’t seeing such a design for the first time.

Yet for some reason, this time he felt something special.

And as he moved to the "kitchen" area and turned on the faucet, clean water poured out at once.

The flowing water washed away the grime from his hands, and he instinctively scrubbed until his hands were clean, even revealing a slight whiteness before stopping.

At that moment, it seemed like he lost many things.

But, it also felt like he gained many things.

It’s time to take a shower.

Should he shower here?

No, he remembered the Holy Blood mentioned earlier that this apartment indeed had a shower room.

The bishop explored inside the room, stepping into the tiny shower room, and upon turning the shower switch, he completely relaxed.

Although it was cold water.

But reportedly, once the water plant was built, it would be hot water flowing here.

This was...

True living...