Chapter 136: Section 137: I am a dignified leader


    All eyes were focused on Zhenjin.


    The gazes of those present were filled with intense curiosity and confusion.


    Zhenjin had snow-white skin and golden hair, and he was quite handsome.


    From his appearance, it was clear that he was young, around fifteen or sixteen, but no one underestimated him.


    Although Zhenjin’s leather armor was crudely made, it was clearly the skin of a Magic Beast.


    Those with discerning eyes also noticed the thin sword at Zhenjin’s waist; just from the scabbard, one could tell that this sword was no ordinary blade.


    ...


    Zhenjin’s lips were pressed together tightly, exuding an air of authority. His adventures and efforts on the island had endowed him with an aura of calm, stability, determination, and power, which belied his youthful appearance.


    What was more important, he was leading the way, with a group of people crowded behind him.


    There was Lan Zao, who followed closely behind with a confident stride, the Half-Beast Zong Ge in shining steel armor, Zi Di in a Magic Robe, the leader of the crew members Xi Suo, the Big guy of giant lineage…


    The trials they had faced together had revealed a spirit unlike that of ordinary people, like dark, smooth stones on a beach, polished by the waves.


    At a glance, this band of followers appeared elite. With such people thronging around him, it was obvious that Zhenjin, as their leader, was even more extraordinary!


    Without Zhenjin uttering a single word, everyone instinctively cleared a path for him.


    This was a clearing in the valley, where stepped stones lay naturally, forming a high platform.


    Under the watchful eyes of all, Zhenjin ascended the stone steps and stood at the highest point. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, his gaze calm as he looked down upon everyone present.


    Those who followed him, Cang Xu, Zi Di, Zong Ge, Lan Zao, and others, took their places on the lower steps.


    The crowd fell silent, the only sounds were the footsteps of those walking and the rustling and clinking of their clothes or armor.


    Once Zhenjin’s group had taken their positions, the clearing fell into a still and silent state.


    Lan Zao stood on a lower step, proclaiming loudly, “Let all who are present listen with open ears! Standing before you now is my master—Lord Zhenjin. He is the sole heir of the Hundred Needle Family, a noble Divine Favored Knight of the Holy Temple, and the future City Lord of White Sand City in the Wilderness Continent!”


    Noble, City Lord, Holy Temple Knight, Divine Favored Knight!


    Each term exploded like a bomb in the hearts of the crowd, creating towering waves.


    No order from Lan Zao was needed as everyone began to bow their heads to Zhenjin, offering him a bow or a kneel.


    The expressions on people’s faces were rich with shock, joy, and confusion.


    Was there really such a great figure among those on the same ship?


    Zhenjin surveyed the surroundings with a keen gaze, noting many were stealing glances at him.


    Such behavior was improper.


    Yet Zhenjin was not surprised—what kind of people would voluntarily travel by ship to the Wilderness Continent, where war was certain to erupt? Most of them were opportunists, criminals, and ambitious characters.


    Despite the brazen stares, no one questioned Zhenjin’s identity or showed a hint of defiance.


    They were, after all, the weakest, with meager combat power. Although numerous, they were essentially a disparate rabble.


    Watching the crowd bow to him, Zhenjin finally began to speak slowly, his voice echoing clearly over the area.


    “No matter the mountains or seas, the swamps or islands, my master’s Holy Light shines upon all. The flag of the Empire will always fly high, standing unassailable.”


    “Nothing can impede my progress. I will claim glory, and those who follow me will share in that glory.”


    “From now on, this place is under my control.”


    “Does anyone object?”


    The scene was silent as the grave.


    Zhenjin nodded his head in satisfaction.


    Many, including Zi Di, showed subtle reactions; the young knight was displaying a level of dominance and dignity previously unseen.


    Zong Ge’s face was expressionless, as he had a sense of the big picture and knew the group needed a single voice. And it was best if there was only one voice. That way, they could fully mobilize everyone and react more swiftly.


    Zong Ge had a deep trust in Zhenjin’s abilities.


    Zhenjin then began to reassign living quarters.


    There were caves of various sizes in the valley, not the work of the Monkey-tailed Brown Bear, but naturally formed.


    Many who had initially taken up residence were driven out.


    The most spacious and brightest cave was, of course, reserved for Zhenjin.


    Besides that, the better caves were assigned by Zhenjin to people like Zi Di, Cang Xu, Xi Suo, Zong Ge, and a few others.


    The people who were driven out were naturally disgruntled, but no one openly protested from beginning to end.


    In the eyes of all, such an arrangement was entirely warranted.


    “`


    People of high status and strength should enjoy better treatment. The value system that respects the strong and disdains the weak has long prevailed among various races.


    The public storage of supplies immediately fell under the control of Lord Zhenjin.


    Lord Zhenjin then began to direct the people in the valley, relocating his own supplies to the public storage.


    Those who had accompanied Lord Zhenjin were all resting.


    The people in the valley had far more physical strength than them.


    “These people are really living the good life;if they had to endure the hardships we’ve faced, they’d probably be crying for their moms and dads.”


    “Although there’s a mysterious killer, most people should have survived.”


    “If they follow us, they’re likely to lose their lives halfway through.”


    “Hey, be careful! Handle these woods gently, don’t damage them. We went through a lot to bring these back!”


    Watching these people work, the returning members generally felt a sense of superiority.


    The working people, seeing others resting so openly and shouting orders at them, did have some complaints, but nobody voiced them.


    “Did you see? Even the powerful Zong Ge is subservient to Lord Zhenjin.”


    “Xi Suo is back too, along with the shipwrights. We have craftsmen again!”


    “It really looks like we’ve got a genuine chance of leaving this godforsaken place.”


    “They brought in so much wood, they’re probably planning to build new ships.”


    “Is all this trouble necessary? Lord Zhenjin is an important figure; maybe as soon as tomorrow, reinforcements from his family will arrive on the island.” Sёar?h the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No one felt humiliated by being directed by Lord Zhenjin; they were excited and felt honored.


    Lord Zhenjin’s status was lofty; they had never been so close to such an important figure.


    The valley was noisy, and the cave dwelling of Lord Zhenjin welcomed a beauty.


    Queshan.


    She bowed to Lord Zhenjin, bending at the waist, revealing her fair and unblemished chest. Though her figure was voluptuous, the dress’s neckline was high, concealing her bosom completely. With customs being comparatively traditional in the Eastern Empire, coupled with Queshan’s features that carried Eastern characteristics, she radiated a unique charm.


    No wonder the First Officer had desired her.


    She was indeed a rare beauty, only slightly less stunning than Zi Di.


    Having completed the curtsey, Queshan stood straight and sized up Lord Zhenjin from close range, with a look of genuine curiosity. She understood the pride of the Half-Beasts like Zong Ge, who kept it hidden in their hearts. And to see such a strong Half-Beast submit to the young man before her was a clear sign that he was no ordinary person.


    Queshan came here, naturally, because Lord Zhenjin had summoned her.


    “Tell me about your observations regarding the mysterious Magic Beast and the cave entrance,” Lord Zhenjin spoke.


    “Yes, Lord Zhenjin, I shall hold nothing back!”


    Queshan’s intelligence was only skin deep.


    After hearing her report, Lord Zhenjin, disappointed, dismissed her.


    Sitting on a stone that served as a makeshift stool, Lord Zhenjin fell into deep thought.


    Taking over the group in the valley had gone very smoothly, without any issues.


    This was all within Lord Zhenjin’s expectations.


    Being the strongest amongst all, he naturally held a position of leadership due to his high status.


    He was not alone; he had a group of subordinates who followed him closely.


    These subordinates also held combat abilities far surpassing the people of the valley.


    Moreover, in the state of seeking survival, the psychology of relying on the strong to enhance the chances of living made bringing the valley people under his control quite effortless and natural.


    The numbers were quite large; Lord Zhenjin had quickly estimated at least two hundred people just now!


    With such a large number, the way Lord Zhenjin led had to change.


    He had to demonstrate the authority of the Nobles, reminding everyone silently with his expressionless face, or stern look, that he was a leader, a Superior!


    At the same time, he also needed to establish the status of his own core group, ensuring they were slightly above the people of the valley.


    In this way, his subordinates would support him even more and ensure his authority.


    This was one of the deeper reasons behind his orders for his subordinates to rest while having the valley people labor.


    “Xi Suo and the other crew members are despised by the valley people because of their earlier escape. The Half-Beast Zong Ge, Sanda, and others also have an awkward standing because of their racial identities.”


    “This is all good.”


    From the vantage point of a Superior, Lord Zhenjin’s perspective and the angles from which he viewed things naturally differed from ordinary people.


    “The most important thing next is to find the real culprit behind the murders of the survivors.”


    “`