Chapter 7.1: …you actually have a Creator God?!
In the City Lord chat group, everyone was still acting fairly normal.
[Blue Leaf Safe City]: Blue Sea is actually this capable? You can really afford to sell food?
[Blue Leaf Safe City]: @Blue Sea Safe City, can we still buy some now?
[Withered Star Safe City]: Same question.
[Cosmic Lord Safe City]: Hoh, enough food to support an entire safe city… you must’ve sold at least 10 tons, right? Quite the move there, @Blue Sea Safe City. Mind telling us how much stock you still have?
[Meow Meow Safe City]: Hey now, Cosmic, why don’t you tell us how much stock you have first, meow~
[Cosmic Lord Safe City]: Heh, I’ve got 5 million tons.
[Meow Meow Safe City]: Sounds totally fake to this cat, meow. Blue Sea, don’t say anything. No cat asks another cat how many dried fish they have unless they’re planning to rob them afterward, meow.
Cheng Qisheng looked over the chat and wondered whether her territory expansion plan should involve cooperating with Meow Meow Safe City.
After all, it was obvious at a glance that Meow Meow and Cosmic were enemies.
Then again, enemies or not, if a real fight broke out, it would still come down to whether there was profit to gain.
There was only one City Lord Core, after all. Better not stir up unnecessary trouble.
She organized her thoughts and started typing.
[@Blue Leaf Safe City @Withered Star Safe City]: I only accept trades in resources or equipment. If you want to exchange, feel free to DM me =v=
For a moment, private messages started flooding in nonstop.
Cheng Qisheng ignored the DMs for the time being. Instead, she skipped over Cosmic’s group message entirely and replied directly to Meow Meow.
[@Meow Meow Safe City]: Thanks for the warning. I’ll be careful~
—Blue Sea Safe City has sent one jin (about 500 grams) of dried fish to Meow Meow Safe City—
[Meow Meow Safe City]: Wow! You’re such a good person, meow! Meow Meow thanks you!
Aether, standing nearby, observed and learned from this:
“City Lord, are you showing off your financial strength to Cosmic Lord?”
While privately messaging Blue Leaf and Withered Star, Cheng Qisheng replied:
“Yeah. I have to let him see what he could gain by attacking me.”
Aether asked, “Then should we make contact with him and lure him into coming to our coordinates voluntarily?”
“No, that’s an option too, but we’d still be taking some risk.”
Cheng Qisheng treasured her current physical condition far too much. She wasn’t willing to take even the slightest risk.
“The ideal outcome is for Cosmic to give me his coordinates. That way, the initiative stays completely on our side.”
Aether calculated for a moment. “City Lord, Aether believes that will be difficult. No Safe City would willingly expose its own coordinates.”
“Exactly. It’ll be difficult. That’s why he needs to feel like he’s the hunter.”
Cheng Qisheng was deliberately ignoring Cosmic.
When does a person feel completely certain of victory?
It’s when they believe they’ve gone through countless schemes and great effort to successfully gain the prey’s trust.
If the prey delivers itself too easily, even someone as arrogant and self-important as Cosmic would probably become a bit more cautious.
Sure enough, before long, Cheng Qisheng received a private message from Cosmic.
[Cosmic Lord ]: You don’t actually believe that cat, do you?
[Cosmic Lord]: I’ll tell you the truth. That cat and I do have a grudge, but it’s not like what it said. Back in another world, I accepted a commission to “teach its residents a lesson.” Turns out its residents were way too strong, and I lost. Ever since then, it’s held a grudge against me.
[Cosmic Lord]: Can you even blame me? When it placed the order, it never mentioned its civilization was made up of cat-people. When fighting them, they go straight for biting people. I was scared of getting rabies.
[Cosmic Lord]: That cat goes around ruining my reputation everywhere. It’s just that I’m not good with words. Once you get to know me better, you’ll understand.
[Cosmic Lord]: Since we’re both from human civilization, I’ll send you a case of alcohol as a greeting gift.
—Cosmic Lord Safe City has transmitted one crate of beer to Blue Sea Safe City—
Cheng Qisheng kept watching Cosmic’s messages pop up one after another. Only after he started sending beer did she leisurely reply.
[Blue Sea Safe City]: I don’t know anything about the grudge between you two. In any case, it has nothing to do with me, so there’s no need to explain all this to me.
[Blue Sea Safe City]: There’s no need for a greeting gift either. This world is so huge that we’ll probably never run into each other anyway. You don’t need to worry about what I think of you.
[Cosmic Lord Safe City]: Do you think I asked about your food supplies because I had bad intentions? I swear I really didn’t! I just speak without thinking—whatever comes to mind comes out!
[Cosmic Lord Safe City]: Think about it. If I really were that kind of person, would I ask you so directly in the group chat? I’d definitely try to trick you into telling me indirectly instead.
[Blue Sea Safe City]: Alright then. What you said was pretty offensive, honestly. I wasn’t angry, just confused. Since you explained it, let’s leave it at that. I won’t accept the gift, and we’ll consider the matter settled =v=
[Cosmic Lord Safe City]: Alright, alright! I just have a fast mouth. As long as you don’t misunderstand me, that’s enough. But you should still accept the gift. Don’t worry, it was sent through Safe City transfer, so the alcohol is definitely safe. Just treat it as my apology. Otherwise I’ll really feel bad about it. If you ever need help in the future, just say the word. If it’s within my ability, I’ll definitely help.
[Blue Sea Safe City]: Fine then =v=
Blue Sea Safe City accepted the beer from Cosmic Lord Safe City.
Cheng Qisheng stared at the messages.
“What a completely different person… Looks like Cosmic also knows he’s bad at talking, so he found someone else to speak for him.”
Still, based on the personality Cosmic had displayed in the group chat, she didn’t think he was the type to cultivate or win over subordinates.
Cheng Qisheng began to think…
Could she somehow make use of this smooth-talking spokesperson?
—
Inside Cosmic Lord Safe City—
Looking at the notification that the beer had been accepted, Cosmic revealed a smile.
“Your Majesty, how did it go? Does the other side believe us now?”
Opposite him, a refined-looking middle-aged woman also wore an eager expression.
Cosmic nodded in satisfaction. “Her attitude has already softened, and she accepted the beer. If we chat with her a few more times, she’ll fall for it sooner or later, right?”
The refined woman smiled. “That depends on how smart she is. But rest assured, Your Majesty—no matter how clever someone may be, after talking with me using these techniques for a while, they’ll definitely lower their guard around you.”
“Even if she doesn’t need help suppressing residents, there’s bound to be something she wants. Otherwise, why would she trade food with other City Lords for resources? Once we figure out what she wants most, I can immediately tailor the perfect bait for her…”
Seeing how confidently the woman spoke, the satisfaction on Cosmic’s face deepened.
“Good. You’ve done well. Tonight, I’ll reward you with meat.”
The refined woman immediately bowed gratefully. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s generosity! I’ll work even harder!!”
Cosmic enjoyed seeing others act submissively before him. He gave a satisfied grunt.
“If we can devour Blue Sea’s core this time, I’ll reward you by making you a citizen of the Empire.”
The woman’s face lit up with joy, looking as though she wanted to kneel on the spot.
“Your Majesty, rest assured! I’ll definitely make sure that core ends up in your hands!”
Cosmic nodded with restrained pride. “Mm. Hurry it up. Don’t always make me wait so long.”
“Yes, yes! I’ll speed things up!”
The refined woman was escorted out by the guards and returned to her own room. Since she was now acting as the City Lord’s “mouthpiece,” she had been granted permission to enter the City Lord’s manor so she could reply to messages promptly on his behalf.
She opened the window and looked outside.
The City Lord’s manor had been built very tall, though her floor was not especially high, so she could still clearly see the scene below.
Clusters of low, shabby houses were crammed tightly together. Thin, frail people labored in the streets. Whenever patrol guards passed by, if they felt someone was in the way, they would immediately lash them with whips, leaving their skin split and bloody.
This was the reality of Cosmic Lord Safe City.
The residents of the Safe City were divided into three classes: Sl*ves, guards, and nobles.
Sl*ves made up the overwhelming majority, and they were exploited the most harshly. The guards existed to watch over the Sl*ves, while the nobles existed only to enjoy themselves.
The zombies outside the city walls were mostly killed by Sl*ves. If the Sl*ves refused to fight the zombies, the guards would kill them first instead.
Some Sl*ves did resist, but almost none could ever threaten the nobles directly. The City Lord possessed the authority to expel residents. Even if rebellious Sl*ves hid themselves, they would simply be expelled from the city and then killed by guards waiting outside.
Every day, countless Sl*ves risked their lives to gather crystal cores and deliver them in huge quantities to the City Lord, yet the Sl*ves themselves still lived in constant fear and misery.
Meanwhile, the nobles ate steak at every meal, lived inside the luxurious City Lord’s manor, and enjoyed lives like emperors.
The refined woman shut the window, her heart filled with resentment.
She was a survivor from another world who had later been absorbed into this Safe City. Back in her own world, her intelligence had earned her a high status. But here, she had been treated as nothing more than a Sl*ve.
She had clearly explained that she was a researcher, someone capable of developing things of real value. Yet the upper ranks of this Safe City wouldn’t listen at all. In their minds, as long as they had crystal cores, they could buy anything they wanted—why would they need researchers?
Fortunately, she was smart enough. She quickly learned the language of Cosmic’s world and gradually climbed her way upward step by step.
In the previous world, she had helped Cosmic obtain a Safe City Core. And in return, that bastard had merely promoted her from a low-class Sl*ve to a first-class Sl*ve.
Thankfully, she wasn’t attractive and was already older. Otherwise, that disgusting creature had actually wanted to make her one of his consorts.
Yes—this guy had literally crowned himself emperor inside the Safe City!
Ridiculous!
How could someone so arrogant, mean-spirited, greedy, vicious, crude, and utterly lacking in management ability have been chosen as the City Lord?
And now he was even telling her to hurry things up and stop making him wait so long!
If it weren’t for this guy constantly dragging things down in the City Lord chat group—casually saying things that exposed his intent to covet other City Lords—would it really have taken this long for him to fail to gain their trust?
And yet she couldn’t say anything about it. Cosmic was the type who simply could not tolerate any criticism.
The moment someone said his words were unpleasant, that person could be dragged out and executed by the guards the very next moment.
So she had to swallow her frustration and instead flatter him, saying things like: “Your Majesty, your words are truly majestic.” Or “The moment you speak, everyone falls silent—clearly you’ve already intimidated the other City Lords.” And so on.
Just thinking about it made her grit her teeth.
No—this wouldn’t work.
With Cosmic’s petty and ruthless personality, even if she helped him obtain the Safe City Core this time, she still wouldn’t have any real security.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered killing him and becoming the City Lord herself. But this Safe City was Tier 3, and as its City Lord, Cosmic was also a Tier 3 superhuman.
A Tier 3 superhuman could crush an ordinary person as easily as stepping on an ant.
Unless the other superhumans in the Safe City were willing to act, she wouldn’t stand a chance—but that was a gamble she couldn’t afford. Those superhumans were only kept alive if they chose to submit; those who resisted had already been reduced to ashes.
If she tried to recruit help and someone reported her in advance, she would be finished.
Her world had already been destroyed. She had survived with great difficulty—she hadn’t done so just to languish in this city of Sl*ves.
Was this City Lord’s plan to attack Blue Sea Safe City… perhaps an opportunity?
The refined woman thought carefully. She had originally intended to remind Cosmic that Blue Sea Safe City had reached Tier 2 within just 24 hours of entering this world—meaning it either had strength, intelligence, or both. In any case, it would not be easy to deal with.
But when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back down again.
First, Cosmic absolutely disliked hearing his subordinates say that others were stronger than him. If she said the wrong thing, he might very well have the guards drag her away and kill her on the spot.
Second… could this upcoming Safe City war actually be an opportunity?
If chaos broke out, she might be able to escape.
During her time as the “mouthpiece,” she had learned that there were thirteen Safe Cities in this world. Perhaps she could defect to another one.
Even if she ended up unable to find one and was trapped in this world, she would still take the risk.
Following that damn Cosmic would only lead to suffering. Sooner or later, her head would be on the chopping block anyway.
If death was inevitable—early or late—she might as well choose her own way to die.
—
The Blue Sea army continued advancing through the city, while crystal core hunters had already scattered across various areas.
The City Lord chat group remained much the same as before. Occasionally someone spoke, but most of the time it was quiet.
Cosmic (version: mouthpiece) and Cheng Qisheng chatted from time to time.
From Cosmic’s perspective, Blue Sea Safe City was gradually softening its attitude over time.
From Cheng Qisheng’s perspective, she was casually inserting one or two lines of subtle provocation into otherwise normal conversation.
[Blue Sea Safe City]: Of course residents should have entertainment too. I just bought a cinema from Blue Leaf—my citizens are very happy, and every screening is packed.
[Blue Sea Safe City]: Right? I think of my residents as my own people, so of course I should make their lives as good as possible~
[Blue Sea Safe City]: No unrest here either. My citizens are very obedient. As long as you treat them well, why would they rebel? =v=
Cosmic only thought: this Blue Sea City Lord was far too indecisive—naïve and laughably idealistic.
What truly made him envious, however, was the sheer amount of resources she clearly possessed. Otherwise she wouldn’t be so generous toward her citizens, even going so far as to spend food to buy a cinema.
If she had so much food, she should just save it for when he invaded.
Meanwhile, the refined woman acting as his mouthpiece gradually sensed that something was wrong.
The word “residents” appeared too many times.
Even though it was mixed into various topics, it was still too frequent.
It didn’t feel like it was being said to Cosmic at all—it felt like it was being said to her instead.
This thought kept circling in her mind. During the day she acted as the mouthpiece, and at night she lay in her room replaying every single thing Blue Sea Safe City had said.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt certain: the other side had realized there was someone else speaking for the City Lord—and was attempting to sway her.
But if that was true, how could Blue Sea Safe City be sure she would understand the message?
In the middle of the night, the refined woman tossed and turned. Just before dawn, she suddenly understood.
Blue Sea didn’t need to be sure she would understand.
Only a resident who wanted better treatment but wasn’t receiving it would be able to pick out those specific comments about citizens’ lives from all the noise.
If the residents of Cosmic Lord Safe City lived well, they would see those “ordinary good lives” as nothing special—like a person walking down the street not noticing stones along the roadside.
But if their lives were poor, those words would be like fireworks in the night sky—impossible not to notice.
And only residents living in poor conditions would ever consider turning against their own City Lord and siding with another Safe City.
She realized something else as well: a City Lord capable of such calculation could never be the “prey” Cosmic imagined.
On the contrary—Blue Sea Safe City was the hunter holding the gun.
