Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Ambition of the City Lord

“Intrinsic value, 3,358. Good, very good! Hahaha!”
After reviewing the data, a hearty laugh rang out from behind the sofa, echoing through the room—it was Lord Mo Shi, the city lord.

After completing the combat test, Young Lord Mo Sa made his way to the Extraordinary Institute, for it was the only place with the means to measure an Awakened One’s intrinsic value.

Though every Awakened One could see their own value, to have it officially recognized, one had to rely on the Institute’s device.

At present, Ye Chen’s intrinsic value did not even amount to a fraction of Mo Sa’s.

This was why, when Mo Sa single-handedly faced ten mutated synthetic beasts, he had done so with such ease.

Yet, years later, when Mo Sa became nothing more than Ye Chen’s humble follower, who could say how much he would regret injecting the reagent and missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But that is a story for another time.

With the help of two women, the city lord pushed himself up from the depths of the sofa. When he stood tall, his round belly bounced twice in the air.

“Dr. Gu Yi, you have done exceptionally well!” The city lord, this time, walked around the sofa in person, standing before Dr. Gu.

“Not only you, but the entire Research Institute deserves a reward.

“Our City of Energy has gained another C-level Awakened One.

“This has made us that much more significant across the continent.”

Within the great hierarchies of the Awakened, the C-level marked a watershed. Only those who reached this level, with their considerable intrinsic value and formidable combat power, could be counted among the true pillars.

Lord Mo Shi had long refrained from allowing his son to inject the No. 1 Reagent, on one hand, hoping he might awaken naturally, and on the other, waiting for the emergence of a higher-grade No. 1 Reagent.

Dr. Gu Yi tilted his head slightly, visibly flattered.

To have the city lord rise from the sofa and praise him face to face—he felt every effort had been worth it.

This also meant he would officially join the city lord’s inner circle.

The city lord patted Dr. Gu’s thin arm, his gaze full of approval, and with an encouraging tone, said,

“Next, the Institute’s other mission is to use the blood of B-level Awakened as a blueprint to develop the No. 1 Reagent Type B.

“If you succeed in creating even one dose, our city will gain another high-level combatant.

“Then, we’ll be able to crush the City of Steel and the City of Ore beneath our feet.

“Of course, the development of the No. 2 Reagent must not halt—we must pursue both!”

Dr. Gu could not have been unaware of how desperately the city lord, as the city’s sole peak C-level Awakened, longed for more elite fighters.

Unable to advance himself, he sought to elevate the city’s standing by recruiting more B-level Awakened.

As for the No. 2 Reagent…

“I will not fail you!” With that, Dr. Gu remained half-bowed as he slowly retreated from the room.

The city lord, in high spirits, snatched the wine from the woman’s hand and downed it in one gulp.

He tossed the cup aside, swept the woman into his arms, drawing a playful shriek from her lips.

He strode toward the grand bed, while the other woman, ever tactful, drew the curtains and hurried after them.

At the doorway, the old butler silently sighed… Another bed to replace in the morning!

…

Meanwhile, in the outer city, at Ye Chen’s home.

Today, Ye Shanshan wore a new dress—a birthday gift Ye Chen had given her in advance.

Recalling Ye Chen’s playful complaints about shopping for the dress, Ye Shanshan couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh.

After Ye Chen collected his mission bonus from Old Jin, aside from handing over the payment card, he kept 1,500 in cash for himself.

He then headed to the clothing shops in the market district.

Shops in the outer city weren’t filled with fancy clothes; practicality and value were their hallmarks.

Winter wear was made with mutated beast hide on the outside and cotton lining for warmth—not exactly beautiful, but durable and reliable.

Ye Chen didn’t fancy himself a fashion expert; he simply asked for something warm.

At the register, he pulled out a wad of cash from his jacket.

The previously lethargic clerk seemed electrified, eagerly confirming the piece he’d picked was for a woman, and suggesting a couple’s set.

Watching 1,000 leave his wallet, Ye Chen’s confidence vanished. He forced a laugh and replied,

“Only single dogs buy their own clothes.”

With that, he grabbed the bag and made a quick escape.

Little did he know, the clerk thought to herself… Maybe you’re just a hopeless puppy.

Back home, he grumbled to Ye Shanshan,

“I really got the short end today. If I’d known, I’d have withdrawn more cash from Old Jin.

“If you buy two pieces, they give you a twenty percent discount.”

Ye Chen’s expression as he said this was as though he had lost not 400, but four million.

Tonight, Ye Shanshan shed her usual kitchen-maid attire.

Her features were exquisitely beautiful; her brows were delicate and elegant, slender and straight, her eyes large and bright, brimming with youthful vitality.

She wore a touch of treasured lip gloss, paired with pearly teeth, only enhancing her charm.

When a knock sounded at the door, Ye Shanshan skipped over to open it.

Ye Chen was brushing snow from his shoulders when he caught sight of her ethereal beauty and stood frozen for a moment.

Sensing his gaze, Ye Shanshan turned away shyly, murmuring,

“Why are you staring at me? You act like you’ve never seen me before.”

Ye Chen sighed inwardly; before he knew it, the once frail little girl had grown up.

“Let’s go eat! It’s windy outside; wrap a scarf around your neck!”

Ye Shanshan nodded happily, asking, “Alright! Where are we going?”

Tonight, she shed all pretense of being the “big sister”—as his housemate, she was content to let Ye Chen decide.

“We’re going to Zhou Peng’s tavern. I passed by during patrol this afternoon and let him know.

“He went to pick up ingredients for me, and I invited Old Jin as well.”

Ye Shanshan had thought tonight would be just the two of them, and hearing there’d be others, felt a little disappointed.

But then she thought—Ye Chen always ate with her, and even when they slept, only a thin wall separated them.

Wasn’t that intimacy, too?

And whether a man values you can be seen in whether he brings you into his circle.

Ye Chen’s circle was small, and she knew everyone in it—but that wasn’t what mattered. What mattered was thoughtfulness.

As they stepped outside, the cold wind hit them. Ye Shanshan instinctively hunched her shoulders, slipping her arm through Ye Chen’s and pressing close.

The two figures, side by side, walked through the swirling snow, leaving twin tracks stretching off into the distance.