In a short while, Tang Lian was defeated.

He had really tried his best, but he really couldn't beat An Qingge. It was only because An Qingge didn't want him to die that he survived.

"I'm sorry, I've embarrassed you." He approached the city lord with a guilty expression. "If you need anything in the future, just give me your orders. I promise I'll go through fire and water for you. Today... I'll be leaving now."

Tang Lian was too ashamed to stay any longer.

He was a reborn individual, and a renowned lone expert in Hope City. The city lord trusted him enough to send him to fight for him, but he couldn't even defeat a beautiful woman.

"This isn't your fault," the city lord said calmly. "Go on, I'll contact you again if I need anything later."

"Farewell!"

Tang Lian turned around and left without looking back.

The city lord looked at Zhang Lin and said softly, "An Qingge is now the captain of the fourth team."

Zhang Lin smiled and nodded, giving a thumbs-up. "The city lord is magnanimous!"

As the city lord said before, he set the rules, and he can change them at will. Four out of the five captains are your people, right? Then why don't I just change it to ten captains, or just abolish the city guard and change it to something else?

But the city lord did not do that.

Zhang Lin admired the city lord quite a bit in this respect.

Xia Xiaonuan had told him that the city lord was quite powerful at this time, but he simply didn't want to take action.

Now, even as Zhang Lin presses him relentlessly, he doesn't intend to resort to violence or break the rules. This persistence is truly impressive.

Anyway, if it were Zhang Lin, if anyone dared to treat him like that, he would have killed them long ago, let alone waited until now.

This, to some extent, confirms Xia Xiaonuan's statement.

She advised Zhang Lin not to be an enemy of the city lord, because it was unnecessary. As long as Zhang Lin could demonstrate great potential, the city lord would definitely not be his enemy.

Because the city lord's primary goal is to cultivate strong individuals.

As long as Zhang Lin doesn't really turn against the city lord, even though Zhang Lin has practically sidelined him now, the city lord might still choose to help Zhang Lin in the new era.

Zhang Lin was initially skeptical.

In the end times, are there still such magnanimous people?

But at this point, he was starting to believe it.

The city lord felt that Zhang Lin's praise was mocking him. He pursed his thin lips under the silver mask and let out a low "humph".

"Don't worry, City Lord. I, Zhang Lin, am also one of your captains. If you need anything in the future, just let me know!" Zhang Lin naturally had to give the City Lord face at this time, lest he really anger him and risk his life.

The city lord treated it as if a dog had farted.

"Now that the fourth captain has been chosen, let's talk about establishing the city guard," the city lord said calmly. "After the new era begins, whether it's defending Hope City, acquiring resources from various places, or waging war with other human forces, the city guard will be essential. You need to select promising individuals from within Hope City to serve as your subordinates, train them well, and strengthen Hope City's foundation!"

After saying that, he turned around and went inside the city lord's mansion without even glancing at Zhang Lin.

Countless times we've experienced the end of the world, through countless cycles of reincarnation.

When have I ever suffered such injustice?

"You just wait, I'll get my revenge sooner or later!"

The city lord made a vicious vow in his heart.

"Gentlemen, did you all hear what the city lord said?" Zhang Lin shrugged, not caring about the city lord's attitude. They were about to take away the city lord's Hope City, so why couldn't the city lord be a little less polite? "Go back and do as the city lord said."

Even if Lu Dazhao was slow to realize, he could sense that something was wrong at this moment.

seemingly……

Something incredible has happened.

"I'll just contact my old subordinates again. You don't need to worry about the city guard," Lu Dazhao said to Zhang Lin, then turned and left.

He should have reported this to the city lord, but for some reason, it felt particularly natural to say it to Zhang Lin at this moment.

Lu Dazhao is gone. Now, in the city lord's mansion, which belongs to the city lord, the remaining four captains are all his own people.

Xia Xiaonuan is the first captain, Zhang Lin is the second captain, An Qingge is the fourth, and Ji Yuetong is the fifth.

"Should we also remove Lu Dazhao from office?"

Zhang Lin suddenly felt that his obsessive-compulsive disorder was acting up.

Why is Lu Dazhao such an eyesore?

"Zhang Lin, I'm going back now."

Xia Xiaonuan stood up, said something very deliberately, and then turned and left.

Her meaning was clear: she wanted Zhang Lin to go over there.

"We'll head back now."

An Qingge naturally knew what was going on. She didn't want to compete with Xia Xiaonuan because Zhang Lin didn't like it, so she took Ji Yuetong's hand and the two of them went back together.

Zhang Lin also left the city lord's mansion. Instead of going home, he went directly to Xia Xiaonuan's house.

Second floor living room.

Zhang Xiaonian was happily munching on a basket of snacks. With no other entertainment options, all she did all day, besides cooking for Xia Xiaonuan, was eat snacks to pass the time.

They were enjoying their meal when Xia Xiaonuan suddenly returned.

"Auntie, you're back! Are you hungry? I'll cook something for you." She immediately greeted her with a fawning smile. Despite her young age, she had already fully grasped the ways of the world.

"I'm not hungry. I'm going back to my room. Don't bother me." Xia Xiaonuan didn't even glance at her and went straight back to her bedroom.

"That's strange." After watching Xia Xiaonuan enter the bedroom, she turned around and went back to the living room, continuing to happily show off her snacks.

She no longer thinks about running away.

After Zhang Lin left that day, Xia Xiaonuan gave her an awakening gem.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!