On my second playthrough, they were full of malice towards me.

They started to have their own agendas. Instead of thinking about how to continue developing and expanding Ash Base, they began to think about competing for profits and how to divide up the huge cake of the base they had conquered, because if they were slow to divide it up, it would belong to someone else.

Although some people feel that this is wrong, most people who are vying for power and profit or are lazy and enjoying themselves do not feel that there is anything wrong with it.

After all, in their eyes, Lord Ash

That should be the case, right?

What's the point of expanding your power in a world destined for destruction? It will only make you a prime target for the monsters of the Calamity.

This is why, in the world's hierarchy of power, from settlements to sanctuaries, and finally to bases, there is no next "alliance," let alone an "empire."

Because the "base" has already met the needs of the vast majority of people.

Therefore, wars between bases are extremely rare, and it's even rarer to see one annex another; they usually just claim a territory and that's it.

What good is it to become even bigger?

Could it be that you intend to launch a counterattack against Zhuo'e?

Do not make jokes.

Chapter 260 Do you think she dares to touch me?

"Commander Luo, take a look at this. What do you think? The quality is pretty good, isn't it? It's from our private equity's explorer team. They just picked it from outside today. It's very fresh. And don't be fooled by how small it is. The team lost seven or eight people to bring it back!"

In a large mansion within the Ash Base, in the study, a smiling businessman and a well-dressed chief officer are admiring a plant.

Its appearance resembles a rose, but the petals are a deeper crimson. The stem and flower bud are strangely twisted. Even though there is no wind in the room, this blood flower is still swaying gently.

Blood poppies are creations of turbidity and calamity, but unlike other plants corrupted by turbidity and calamity, blood poppies, while also highly polluting, are more manifested on the spiritual level. After people consume them, their bodies will not become diseased and turn into turbid corpses, but their minds will become unpredictable and go mad.

The middle-aged man, referred to by the merchant as "Commander Luo," first brought his nose close to the blood poppy and took a deep breath. After nodding in satisfaction, he skillfully put on gloves, plucked a petal from the blood poppy, put it into his teacup, shook it a few times, and then eagerly took a sip of the tea, which was stained blood red by the blood poppy petal.

After taking a sip, a look of ecstasy immediately appeared on Commander Luo's face. He closed his eyes, as if he were in a trance. Several seconds later, it seemed that the effect had worn off. Although his complexion was somewhat weak and depleted, his spirit was extremely high.

"Hmm, Stan, I can tell you've taken it to heart. This Blood Poppy is indeed quite good."

"Right! Even you approve of it, I believe the other commanders at Ash Base will definitely like it too. If we cultivate this breed, it will definitely be a big business!"

"Alright, Stan, just tell me straight, how much purification resources do you want?"

“Hey, Commander Luo, as you know, the rarer the variety, the higher the required soil quality. To cultivate Blood Poppies, you need at least seven units per month.”

The businessman rubbed his hands together, announced a number, and looked over with expectant eyes.

“Seven units per month.” Commander Luo frowned, seemingly hesitant because the number was too large.

Purification resources were the most precious resources in the Old World. As the name suggests, they were devices that could purify impurities and were related to people's survival, ranging from food production and water resources to weapon forging and equipment maintenance.

The purification resources of seven units are no small amount. In other words, they can change the drinking water of tens of thousands of people from heavily polluted to lightly polluted, and can maintain more than a hundred pieces of machinery and equipment that have been corroded by turbidity.

Seeing Commander Luo's expression, the merchant opposite him immediately added, "Who doesn't know that Commander Luo was one of the earliest followers of Lord Ash? Others might not be worthy of such praise, but for you..."

"Only seven units? Isn't that just a matter of a word from Commander Luo?"

"You're quite the smooth talker, but when it comes to the length of time you've followed Lord Ash, hmph, no one can compare to me. I was among the first survivors of the Ash Settlement. Back then, so many people looked down on Lord Ash and thought the Settlement had no hope, but I remained steadfast and followed in Lord Ash's footsteps."

The merchant's words seemed to evoke memories for Commander Luo, who spoke of the experience with pride and satisfaction.

Seeing this, the merchant quickly added a few more words in agreement:

“That’s right! Who can compare to Commander Luo’s vision? As a veteran, Lord Ash must trust you a lot. Even if something happens, he won’t hold you accountable. At most, he’ll just say a few words.”

"Hiss, what are you saying! It's as if I'm doing something to offend Lord Ash! Allocating purification resources to grow these Blood Poppies is to better serve us, the core members of the base, to make our work more efficient, so that we can better serve Lord Ash, and... cough, better take this world back from the clutches of Turbidity!"

Commander Luo glared at the merchant. Although he himself felt a little embarrassed when he talked about the end, especially the part about "taking back the world," there was nothing he could do. It was Lord Ash's original words, and they had to memorize them.

As for whether to believe or not

No, I should say that no one would actually believe that, right?

"Oh, right, right! Look at my mouth, you're right, we're all doing this to fight against the calamity, to save the world!"

The merchants and Governor Luo hit it off immediately and began discussing where to "squeeze out" the purification resources for these seven units.

In addition to using Commander Luo's own authority, he also plans to conduct an educational activity within the base.

The call was made for the survivors in the base to be more hardworking and willing to sacrifice themselves. It was hoped that they would voluntarily give up drinking water with low pollution levels and instead drink water with moderate or even severe pollution levels in order to cooperate with Lord Ash. The same applied to food.

With high-ranking officials setting an example, ordinary people will surely follow suit, thus creating another opportunity to purify resources under the guise of "saving".

Of course, Commander Luo didn't dare to keep all of these resources. He first had to return all the purification resources to the higher-ups, and then divide the remaining resources among the common people into three parts: 30% for practical purposes and 70% for "serving" them.

The two were having a great conversation when suddenly a commotion broke out outside the mansion, with many guards seemingly trying to stop someone from breaking in.

The two people in the study were startled by the commotion. When they heard the name "Deputy Officer Jiu You" outside the door, the merchant's expression changed several times and he became somewhat panicked.

"Oh no, Commander Luo! It's Lieutenant Jiu You! She's already interrogated and arrested several base officials recently, how come she's involved with you too? She's incredibly audacious!?"

"Don't panic, what's the rush? Let her come, see if she dares to touch me."

Commander Luo's face was gloomy. Anyone would be upset if their home was barged into like this. He flung his hand away, opened the door, and went outside first.

Outside the courtyard, the Dragon Girl, accompanied only by two people—not guards, but clerical staff—was surrounded by Commander Luo's household servants.

Even so, they couldn't stop the Dragon Girl from advancing. Fortunately, Commander Luo came out directly, and Jiu You stopped as well.

"What does Lieutenant Jiuyou mean by this? We can arrange something."

Commander Luo initially tried to say some polite words, but the dragon maiden opposite him completely ignored him and went straight to the point:

"Los Angeles officer, you have seriously violated many of the base's regulations set by Lord Ash. Effective immediately, you are stripped of your position. Please come with me to the detention room for interrogation."

"I violated the regulations? Heh, Lieutenant Jiu You, you need to provide evidence before you speak. It's not good to slander others."

No sooner had Commander Luo finished speaking than Jiu You took out a scanner from her bosom.

Soon after it was pointed at Los Angeles, a familiar synthesized electronic voice sounded from the instrument.

"New waste detected. Waste sorting is in progress. Waste infested with woodworms. Initiating deep cleaning mode. Cleaning tools are being configured."

This mechanical sound

Commander Luo had a bad feeling. Then, the device in Jiu You's hand began to project a number of violations in Luo City, including but not limited to unauthorized use of purification resources, illegal recruitment of exploration teams, privatization of shared resources, and no less than twenty pieces of evidence.

Damn androids!

Only Zero, that maid, could do that. Luo Cheng cursed inwardly. Faced with the blatant evidence of embezzlement, he was losing face and angrily said:

"So what? Heh, I only called you Lieutenant Jiuyou out of respect. What are you really? Don't think I don't know your background. Since you're going to throw the mask on, don't blame me!"

"Listen up, everyone! I've already investigated our adjutant, Jiuyou. Guess what? This dragon girl is actually a slave! She's just a gladiator slave that Lord Ash bought from the arena on a whim!"

"You only got the favor of Lord Ash because of your looks, and he gave you the position of adjutant to play around with. You wouldn't actually believe it, would you? You really think you can investigate me?"

"Let me tell you, when Lord Ash was fighting the monsters of Turbid Calamity in the wilderness, you were nowhere to be found! Lord Ash's achievements today are all thanks to the support of us elders! Capture me? You're not worthy!"

"Don't even mention you, even if it were Sthija, she'd have to call me Uncle Luo. You? Who do you think you are! Get out of here!"

Commander Luo unleashed a torrent of abuse, raising his voice and intensity to the maximum. In any ordinary case, no one would dare to touch such an old man close to Ash, but unfortunately, he encountered Jiu You.

Chapter 261 A New Era

The Dragon Girl said no more, but walked over step by step. Under Luo Cheng's gaze, which was first shocked, then furious, and finally horrified, his body was sent flying like a ball by the Dragon Girl's punch, crashing heavily into the wall of his carefully built courtyard. He lay on the ground unable to move amidst painful howls, and it looked like he had broken several ribs.

Everyone present was stunned. No one expected the Dragon Girl to be so violent. When they came to their senses, the guards quickly surrounded the Dragon Girl, trying to stop Jiu You and even attack her.

Just as things were about to escalate, a hurried footstep came from outside the door, and a little girl in a nun's habit arrived, panting.

"Sister Jiuyou, leave this to me."

"Okay, I understand, Tia."

Seeing Tia's pleading look, Jiu You finally relented and left with her people. However, Jiu You emphasized that after Tia healed Luo Cheng, she would still go and capture this person.

"Uncle Luo, are you alright?" After Jiu You left, Tia quickly helped Luo Cheng, who was lying on the ground groaning in pain, to his feet.

The guards around her treated Tia differently than they did Jiu You, and they all felt at ease entrusting their Commander Luo to the little nun.

The same goes for Los Angeles herself.

"Tia, hurry, heal me! That damned, stinky dragon girl! She actually attacked! Once I'm healed, I'm going to kill her!"

Seeing that Sthija had arrived, Luo Cheng was completely relieved. After all, these old folks all knew that this nun was an angel, and there was no injury she couldn't heal.

So now, Commander Luo's eyes are filled with ruthless revenge. Today, he was humiliated in public by Jiu You, and he can't tolerate this.

"Alright, Uncle Luo, calm down and drink your medicine first."

The young nun looked helplessly at the elder, blowing on the bowl of medicine in her hand to warm it as she fed it to the half-crippled Luo Cheng on the bed.

After Luo Cheng gulped down his drink, he wiped his mouth and couldn't help but sigh, "Tia, you're the best. It wasn't for nothing that I painstakingly persuaded Lord Ash to take you in."

"Eh? So it was Uncle Luo who asked Lord Ash to take me in?"

"Hmph, of course. You know our Lord Ash's temperament. Without me, Lord Ash wouldn't even look at you."

"I see, thank you, Uncle Luo." After hearing Commander Luo's words, Styutia gave him a sincere look of gratitude.

Before Luo Cheng could say anything more, the little nun's voice rang out again.

"Uncle Luo, now that you say that, Tia doesn't feel guilty anymore. Thank you so much."

"Guilt? What guilt? Cough cough cough cough!"

"You!!"

Zero's memory fragments ended there. After reading them, the dragon girl in Liao Ji's arms looked like a little girl who had made a mistake, giving Liao Ji a very apologetic look.

If Jiuyou remembered correctly, the news of Luo Cheng's death came the next day, causing an uproar throughout the Ash Base, and Styutia came forward to apologize repeatedly.

"I'm sorry, Lord Ash. I was so inconsiderate back then. Not only did I cause you to lose a core member, but I also dragged Tia into this."

"But I shouldn't have used that much force, and with Tia's treatment, how could this have happened?"

While expressing her apologies, Jiu You was also somewhat puzzled.

Liao Ji might have been surprised if he hadn't seen Tia's past fragments before, but now...

"It's alright, Jiu You. Luo Cheng's death probably has little to do with you."

"Huh?"

"Don't worry about it, you did the right thing, which is why I appointed you in the first place."