Midnight Conquest: All Shall Serve!

"You look troubled," Jiang Xiaoci remarked, her gaze fixed on Chen Dafeng.

"Tell me more about your clashes with the forces in the city center."

"There's not much to say."

Chen Dafeng, his pride palpable, shrugged dismissively. "You know resources are tight on my side, so I had my eyes on the city center leader. I figured he must be the top dog on the rankings. He's been recruiting non-stop—must have a treasure trove of resources."

He paused, frustration flickering across his face. "And I wasn't wrong. His supplies are the richest in the city—basically unparalleled. But no one can touch him. I sent people in seven times and personally led three skirmishes. The fights weren't massive, but none of my strikes left a dent. On the contrary, I lost several good men, and many more were injured."

He shrugged again, his tone tinged with resignation. "If you're planning to go head-to-head with him, I'd say it's hopeless. Don't let your tanks and artillery give you false confidence. Even I'm not afraid of those. Against that guy, military force is nearly useless unless you send that soldier from earlier in for a stealth mission. Take out the leader, and the rest will crumble."

Jiang Xiaoci raised an eyebrow. "And you didn't think of that strategy?"

"Of course I did!" Chen Dafeng's voice grew sharp. "But I couldn't find the bastard. I stormed his base multiple times, but he's like a ghost—impossible to locate."

"What about planting a spy?" Jiang Xiaoci asked coolly. "He's recruiting on such a large scale, which makes infiltration easier. Send someone to blend in. Even if he's cautious, you'd at least figure out his general location."

Chen Dafeng blinked, stunned. He stared at her for a long moment before muttering, "Oh, right. I could just send an undercover agent. Damn, why didn't I think of that?"

Jiang Xiaoci's palm met her forehead. "... Seriously?"

This guy's a textbook muscle-head—managing a whole settlement with sheer brute force, yet missing the simplest strategies.

"Chen Dafeng," Jiang Xiaoci sighed, "just tell me everything you know about the city center. I mean everything—no omissions."

Her voice turned sharp. "I have a feeling the city center leader isn't as invincible as you think."

"You can't beat someone I couldn't!"

"Maybe because you don't use your brain?"

"..."

While Jiang Xiaoci focused on gathering intel about the city center, her troops were already taking swift action outside. Survivors from the Little White Bear shelter were being registered and assessed under the glow of spotlights.

To "subjugate" them didn't mean cramming everyone into Jiang Xiaoci's base. The neighborhood was already packed. Instead, the process involved taking stock of their population, resources, and combat capabilities, as well as identifying individuals with useful talents.

The work was streamlined under the guidance of Chen Xiaoling, Chen Dafeng's younger sister. Quiet and diligent, she had an excellent grasp of the settlement's dynamics. Thanks to her help, the process was mostly wrapped up before midnight.

"You're not taking them all with you?"

Chen Dafeng stood beside the command vehicle, watching the milling survivors in the distance. His tone carried both curiosity and skepticism. "So, you're just going to leave them here for me to manage?"

"Exactly."

Jiang Xiaoci nodded.

Chen Dafeng frowned, his irritation flaring. "What kind of operation is this? Your boss sent you here to take over, yet you're leaving the people, the supplies—everything—still under my care? What's the point of all this then?"

"Chen Dafeng," Jiang Xiaoci smiled faintly, her eyes glinting with mockery. "Are you trying to ditch the responsibility?"

"Who said that?!" He retorted defensively, his voice loud enough to echo. "I'm just saying your approach doesn't make sense!"

Before he could rant further, his sister Chen Xiaoling chimed in softly, "Jiang Xiaoci, my brother really is exhausted. He's fought hard to keep this place together, but his ability isn't suited for supporting so many people. Every day, some die of hunger or leave out of desperation. It's been weighing on him."

She hesitated before continuing, her tone laden with guilt. "If possible, could you please arrange for more people to come and help manage things here? Otherwise, leaving my brother in charge won't improve the situation—it might even become a burden for your group."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with an unspoken plea.

Jiang Xiaoci glanced at the petite girl—a soft-spoken, delicate figure no taller than five feet. Her voice carried the gentle cadence of a typical southern girl.

"If you're so overwhelmed, why did your brother gather such a large group?" Jiang Xiaoci asked pointedly.

Chen Xiaoling's cheeks flushed. "It was my fault. I couldn't turn away the first group of people who begged for help, and after that... things just spiraled out of control."

"A saint, are you?" Jiang Xiaoci chuckled, her tone unreadable.

She didn't trust the siblings entirely, but their lack of ambition for power intrigued her. Were they genuinely overwhelmed or just playing a clever game to gain favor?

Her thoughts drifted as her eyes swept over the gathered survivors. The dim light revealed faces etched with fear and uncertainty. Some looked resigned, others hopeful. A few darted glances toward Chen Dafeng, searching for reassurance that wasn't coming.

"Jiang Xiaoci," a voice interrupted her reverie. Lin Yue approached, holding a clipboard. "Here's the inventory and personnel report."

Jiang Xiaoci skimmed the list before addressing Chen Dafeng.

"I hear your settlement harbors quite a few thugs. Some of them have done unspeakable things, haven't they?"

Chen Dafeng's chin lifted defiantly. "I allowed it. What are you going to do about it?"

"What else, besides killing?"

"Other than murder, theft, and assault... it's the apocalypse. People do what they must to survive. Are you going to hold that against them?"

Jiang Xiaoci didn't flinch at his words. Instead, she smiled thinly. "No, I won't. The past is the past. Our leader is willing to let it go. But from today onward, things will be different."

She turned to Lin Yue. "Announce it: all past grievances are pardoned. But moving forward, everyone will abide by our laws. From work assignments to resource distribution, every decision will follow our system. Anyone who disobeys will face consequences."

"And what about the survivors?" Lin Yue asked.

"Gather them all," Jiang Xiaoci ordered. "It's time for them to sign the fealty pact."

Chen Dafeng snorted. "A fealty pact? Sounds like just another way to control people."

Jiang Xiaoci's expression was unreadable. "Do you think these people value freedom over survival?"

4o