Chapter 28: Forming a Team and Selecting Members

Just as the crowd began to stir, the system issued a notification.

【The host has killed Player No. 033. The reward will be issued after the mission concludes! Remaining participants: 041!】

So, the city lord before her was actually a player? No wonder these commoners had acted like mindless drones, swarming at the slightest provocation. That phone call he had made earlier was strange too; it wasn't hard to guess that the person on the other end was a player as well. She would have to figure out the details of the other players once she settled the current situation.

On the other side, Fang Daqiang’s instigation had caused the residents nearby to erupt into chaos. Some were after the tomatoes, some were just joining in the excitement, and others were looking to vent their long-standing resentment—after all, they had been forced to boil meat every day only to be berated for it.

The crowd surged forward, tackling the guards to the ground. The guards began to howl in the fray. The scene was far too chaotic. She had to end this quickly to rescue Wang Yiyi. She fired a few more shots into the ceiling.

"Quiet!" she commanded sharply.

Looking at the guards and the citizens beaten down on the ground, she couldn't help but find it amusing. She pulled ten crates of tomatoes and ten crates of watermelons directly from her system inventory. She jumped onto the crates, retrieved her hat from the floor, and held up her gun.

"From now on, I am in charge here. Those who want supplies, line up now! And one more thing: anyone who helps tie up these traitorous guards before joining the line will receive an extra reward!"

Hearing this, the crowd went wild. Even the morale of the guards crumbled. Not only were they being beaten, but now they were being told to surrender. The real question, however, was when had this guard suddenly become a woman?

"I say we surrender," said Wang Ming. He had only been in the guard force for a year, promoted by the previous city lord for his exceptional combat skills. His mentor, Zhang Li, had always treated him relatively well, setting aside bits of food and drink whenever the city lord had extras, which was how Wang Ming had grown so sturdy.

"Surrender? Have you no backbone? Surrender to a woman!" Zhang Li had been close enough to Gu Xi earlier to notice her fair skin and the lack of an Adam's apple, leading him to his conclusion.

"A woman? I don't see it. Isn't she a guard?" Wang Ming asked, looking confused.

"Are you stupid? She's clearly a woman, just dressed as a man! The real guard at the gate is probably dead by now! I won't surrender! I’ll kill her the first chance I get!" Zhang Li spat, even as he was being kicked and bound.

Hearing this, Wang Ming took a closer look at the person before him. Indeed, just as Zhang Li said, it was a woman.

"Hello, I would like to surrender," Wang Ming said, looking seriously at Gu Xi, who stood high above.

*Pfft...*

What was going on? Though she felt like laughing, Gu Xi maintained her composure. The guard force was surrendering before things had even really started—they were pathetic. She jumped down and pressed the barrel of her Winchester against Wang Ming's forehead. The crowd trembled and stepped back at the sight.

"You want to surrender? Tell me, what are you capable of? I only keep those who have skills."

Without hesitation, Wang Ming broke free of the rope Fang Daqiang had used on him and landed a heavy punch on his mentor, Zhang Li.

"You...!" Zhang Li hadn't even recovered his senses before a row of his teeth was knocked out. He couldn't understand how his own apprentice had turned on him.

"I can be your enforcer. That is my strength," Wang Ming said, looking at Gu Xi with sincerity. It wasn't just about the food. Humans were naturally drawn to strength, and he had been ruled by the city lord since he was an infant. For all these years, no one had ever been able to defeat the city lord, yet the person before him had killed him instantly—and she was a woman to boot! Her potential was limitless.

Wang Ming fell to his knees before Gu Xi, begging her to keep him. Gu Xi slid the gun barrel from his forehead down to his chin, lifting it to look into his unwavering eyes. Because of the fight, Wang Ming’s shirt had been torn away, revealing solid, lean muscles.

"Fine. You're in charge of maintaining order for now," Gu Xi said, immediately giving him a task.

Wang Ming obeyed instantly, picking up a club and preparing to interrogate the other guards.

"Wait," Gu Xi said. "I’ll distribute the rewards first. You all see, I am a person who keeps her word."

"Line up! Listen to our new boss!" Wang Ming quickly maintained order for her, acting exactly as she directed.

For the first time in her life, Gu Xi felt the true taste of power. The crowd lined up, and Gu Xi distributed the tomatoes and watermelons. She ensured every citizen present received their share. Everyone was beaming with joy as they received their rewards.

Only the bound guards were left, glaring in frustration. Zhang Li was filled with hatred. He would not surrender—never. He struggled while scanning his surroundings for any chance to escape. He had taught his apprentice everything he knew, including his weaknesses.

Once the produce had been handed out, Gu Xi jumped back onto the crates. This time, she took off her hat.

"From now on, you will call me Boss Xi—'Xi' as in hope. Do you understand? Those who obey get to eat. Those who don't..." She made a throat-slitting gesture.

Fang Daqiang’s mother, who had been arrogant before, nearly died of fright upon seeing the woman’s face. Wasn't this the guard they had run into on the road? She was doomed. She tried to shrink into the crowd, hoping Gu Xi wouldn't notice her.

For the others, having vegetables and fruit to eat was enough. It didn't matter who ruled this place; whoever provided food was as good as a parent to them! After Gu Xi finished speaking, the crowd cheered in agreement.

"Boss is right! Listen to the boss!"
"That’s right, follow the boss and eat well!"

Fang Daqiang joined in the cheering from the sidelines. Gu Xi had noticed him long ago. Now that the public mood was settled, it was time to get down to business. She would leave the guards for later; once she finished dealing with Wang Yiyi’s situation, she had plenty of ways to handle them.

"Quiet, everyone. Now, I am going to choose some partners to live with me—and you heard me right, to live inside this castle."

At her words, the crowd went wild, all raising their hands to volunteer.

"I want to ask, who among you knows how to farm?" Gu Xi asked. In her impression, everyone just boiled meat all day; she had barely seen anyone cultivating crops. Agriculture was a vital role in her team. If food ran out later, knowing how to farm would ensure their survival.

The crowd fell silent until a little girl raised her hand, pulling her grandfather toward Gu Xi.