"Jiuge was not created by the state government before the cataclysm; it was initially formed by survivors from Funan, a nation bordering China, and established there. It included no officials, only drug traffickers from before the Apocalypse with armed forces, which is why it could develop to its current state."
"Drug traffickers?"
Tang Ye was stunned. He certainly knew what drug traffickers were—those who sold drugs. Drugs were harmful to both users and sellers; these people were quite detestable. However, Tang Ye hadn’t bothered to learn much about drug traffickers, simply aware of their existence, but he never imagined that they would have armed forces. Wasn’t that a bit too unbelievable?
"Yes, drug traffickers."
"These drug traffickers had armed forces even before the Apocalypse?"
"Huh?"
Xu Haishui gave Tang Ye a strange look, while Ah Fu had no idea what they were talking about.
"Chairman, you are really out of the loop. These drug traffickers are not that simple. Before the Apocalypse, drugs were hugely profitable. Some people risked their lives for the trade, and as the business grew, these traffickers became more than just simple criminals. On the South American Continent, drug traffickers’ forces already had armed groups that could contend with local governments before the Apocalypse!"
"Oh—"
Tang Ye nodded, surprised that criminals could develop to such an extent. As a model youth before the Apocalypse, he only knew that evil could not prevail, oblivious to the fact that all the wickedness began with the Apocalypse.
"And Jiuge is fundamentally a gathering of drug traffickers. Since they had armed forces in the early Apocalypse, they had an advantage others didn’t, allowing them to grow step by step into a force that can now stand against the United District. Even though there is a semblance of order within Jiuge, because its leaders are drug traffickers, such ’order’ only applies to the weak."
"Moreover, the entire economic system there, like in the rest of the post-apocalyptic world, is all about drugs. New humans can’t resist drugs either. If all these assassination incidents are done by forces from outside provinces, it must be Jiuge acting. In the past wars between the United District and Jiuge, the United District was at a disadvantage in every battle due to the seven divided rulers. But in terms of overall strength, the United District is much stronger than Jiuge, which is just a sanctuary zone developed from drug trafficking. During the time of the seven committee members, they could gain some benefits, but now that you, Chairman, are the master of the United District, Jiuge no longer has the upper hand under your will."
"Facing the new dictator of the United District, the ones who should be most panicked are probably Jiuge. It doesn’t seem impossible that they would play such tricks..." Xu Haishui paused, then continued, "And as for motive, only Jiuge would likely do such a thing."
Tang Ye listened, his eyes narrowing into slits.
"Indeed, it is highly likely the doing of Jiuge. But if they want to play, let’s play with them. I’m not one of the seven committee members!"
As he spoke, a fierce killing intent flashed through Tang Ye’s eyes!
"Let’s go, time to head back."
Tang Ye beckoned and led his companions towards the Central United District.
On the road, a few children chased each other, laughing and playing with paper windmills made from textbooks left over from before the Apocalypse. The Peace Party and the rebels’ conflict had affected many areas of the United District, yet order still prevailed. The children here still retained the innocence of the time before the Apocalypse, diminished though it was, they were still better off.
From afar, Tang Ye saw those children, his gaze complex and thoughtful.
He suddenly remembered the group of children he had encountered on his way to Liang City, armed and robbing passersby. The children surviving in the wastelands lived a starkly different life from those here—it was as if they were from two separate worlds.
As Tang Ye and his group drew closer to the playing children, they too noticed these strong men of the Peace Party.
Perhaps because of Tang Ye’s fame, even the children could recognize him.
One of them spotted Tang Ye and immediately called out to the others.
"Hey! Hey, hey! Look, it’s Li Henian! The hegemon of the United District!"
"It really is the hegemon of the United District!"
"The hegemon of the United District has come out!"
"Is it true?"
"It’s true, his name is Li Henian, the hegemon of the United District!"
"My mom says the hegemon is very fierce, but he doesn’t look fierce, does he?"
"The Overlord is so cool, I want to be an Overlord when I grow up!"
"But the Overlord is a bad guy, he killed a lot of people."
"Ah? Really?"
Several children excitedly gathered around, staring with a mix of curiosity and fear at Tang Ye, who was slowly walking by.
"What are you kids up to? Go home, this isn’t a place for you, scramble back to your houses!"
Just then, an adult appeared, his face pale, loudly scolding the children away before turning to Tang Ye with utmost respect.
"Marshal sir, this... these kids don’t understand, they accidentally..."
The man suddenly trailed off, unsure of what to say next.
"Accidentally what?" Tang Ye asked with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. This person looked like he might be the parent of one of the children, no wonder he was as pale as if he’d seen a ghost.
But at Tang Ye’s question, the man became even more at a loss for words.
Seeing he hadn’t answered for a while, Tang Ye finally said impatiently, "Alright, get lost."
"Yes, yes, yes."
How could the man dare to resist Tang Ye’s command? He quickly nodded, casting a worried glance at the group of children before turning his head and leaving. However, he didn’t go far; he stopped around a corner, peeking out with half of his face to spy on everything happening here.
But Tang Ye didn’t bother to pay attention to him anymore and instead turned his gaze to the group of children.
"What did you just call me?"
"We said you’re the Overlord!"
"Why would you say that?"
"Because my dad told me you are the Overlord, that you killed a lot of people in the United District."
"Overlord brother, did you really kill a lot of people? Are you going to kill us?"
"Hahaha!"
Tang Ye didn’t know why he started laughing. He spoke gently, "Kids, if someone punched you, would you hit back?"
After pondering for a bit, the children nodded and said in unison, "We would!"
"That’s right. If someone punches me, I have to punch back. Similarly, if someone wants to kill me, I can’t just sit there and let them, right?"
"So that’s why."
"Now do you understand why I killed people?"
"Understood!"
At that moment, a large group of people appeared, seemingly the guardians of the children. They all turned pale when they learned that their kids were interacting with Li Henian, and upon arrival, none of them dared to approach Tang Ye. They could only stand at a distance, watching everything unfold.
Having noticed them, Tang Ye said softly, "Alright, your parents are here, hurry back now."
"Okay!"