The previous gangs, chaotic and tyrannical, had no rules or order to speak of, offering no useful model to follow.

The Federation’s old model of governance through ballots and meetings was also clearly no longer suitable for the current situation.

Now, many survivors even acted as if they were part of an official organization, demanding free food and shelter and requesting vehicles to transport them to the safety of the rear.

Most of the survivors who chose to remain at the outset of the apocalypse were opportunists, the weak, or even the "foolish," and a large number of them were stubborn, middle-aged to elderly people and women.

Their overall caliber was already low, making the task of managing them even more difficult.

During her call with Lin Feng, Han Yuxin poured out her grievances, complaining about a whole slew of problems.

Lin Feng just smiled when he heard this. He had anticipated these issues, which was why he had prepared a logical solution back at the start of the apocalypse.

That solution was to take in the exiled royal family of another kingdom:

Princess Betty and the forces behind her.

The Rolle Kingdom was one of the few nations on Blue Star that still maintained a feudal, autocratic system. It was only by sheer luck—owing to its status as a small nation and the establishment of the modern international order—that it had been preserved.

Although they had attempted to make changes over the years, such as establishing a cabinet to govern and lead the kingdom toward progress and prosperity, the King’s authority remained indisputable.

Therefore, more than the gold Princess Betty had brought to the Federation, Lin Feng valued the ministers and attendants who followed her.

In the apocalypse, their administrative wisdom was far more suitable than that of people like Han Yuxin, who had been raised and steeped in the ideals of freedom under the Federation’s educational system.

They wouldn’t treat people like human beings.

It might sound cruel, but in a world where no one knew if they’d live to see the next day, survival was the only goal.

"It’s time to have Betty come over. I imagine she’s been dying for the chance."

Han Yuxin, sporting dark circles under her eyes, hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing.

"We can, but we can’t let them take over our entire administrative system just yet. Otherwise, they’ll become too powerful to control, leading to endless trouble down the line..."

Lin Feng nodded in complete agreement.

"Of course. We’ll only give them deputy roles, making them responsible for drafting specific regulations. The power to approve and execute those regulations will remain in our hands."

"But don’t worry. As long as our Warrior system remains intact on the front lines, they won’t be able to cause any major trouble. However, to ensure they serve us with absolute loyalty, Betty will have to become my partner and a member of the high council in the future."

Han Yuxin pinched the bridge of her nose. This was exactly what she was worried about.

Betty wasn’t like Chen Yanyan. The value she and Han Yuxin could offer Lin Feng happened to overlap.

Before her position was threatened, Han Yuxin knew she had to solidify her own standing.

Power is only accountable to its source.

Han Yuxin knew exactly how to secure her position.

Besides, Lin Feng wasn’t a fool. Even if he married Princess Betty to stabilize the home front, he wouldn’t let her faction become all-powerful. Han Yuxin’s own presence would serve as an effective counterbalance.

The Federation survivors also needed someone who could "truly" represent them.

At this thought, Han Yuxin’s eyes narrowed slightly, and her tone relaxed.

"So, when will you be coming to pick up the Fine Steel? Or should I have someone deliver it to the Wu City camp?"

Lin Feng shrugged.

"Let’s not waste fuel. Focus our resources on transporting the fish to guarantee the food supply. As long as people have full stomachs, things won’t descend into chaos for the time being."

"I’ll make the trip myself."

"I’ll set out early tomorrow morning. I have to lead members of the Tier Two Corps to the Old Mountain Research Institute on the other side of the river anyway. I can inspect the situation in Jin City’s urban district and process the Fine Steel on-site. By the way, how are the technicians you received from Ding Chenghai settling in?"

Han Yuxin nodded.

"About six people from the weapons research institute decided to stay. They’re all young. Either their families were killed in the Swarm, or they want a chance to get stronger by killing Black Spine Zergs. In any case, they’ve been properly settled."

"They’re at the steel mill in the southern part of the city right now, leading apprentices and continuing the production of Chainsaw Swords."

"Ding Chenghai also left three Chainsaw Swords before he left. I was just about to send them to the front lines."

Lin Feng grunted in acknowledgment.

"Have them start work as soon as possible and expand production. Prioritize quantity over quality for now. And don’t bother sending those three Chainsaw Swords; I’ll pick them up tomorrow when I’m there."

"Anything else? If not, you can get back to it."

Han Yuxin considered for a moment before speaking slowly.

"Yesterday, while we were expanding our territory north of the city..."

"...we received some news."

"It’s about that high school girl from back then."

Lin Feng’s brow furrowed. The image of the young woman he had met at the start of the apocalypse flashed through his mind; Liu Yueqi’s tenacity and courage were still fresh in his memory.

"She’s still alive?"

Han Yuxin nodded.

"Should be. A gang leader we captured said that in a remote town North of the River, there’s a granary that was never cleared out. A faction has holed up there."

"The leader is a young woman who wields a Long Saber. Her Sword Skill is supposedly so great she can slice bullets in half."

"There aren’t many Treasure Sabers that can cut through bullets, and not many people specialize only in close combat. I think it must be Liu Yueqi."

Lin Feng grunted.

"Then don’t make a move. Wait for me to get there tomorrow."

With that, he hung up.

On the other end of the line, a triumphant smile crept across Han Yuxin’s face.

The news about Liu Yueqi was, of course, true.

But Han Yuxin’s reason for mentioning it at the end had nothing to do with Liu Yueqi herself.

It was to make Lin Feng stay in Jin City longer, unlike his previous visits, which were always rushed.

She had never been able to find a good reason for a proper, face-to-face conversation with him.

If Lin Feng was going to search for Liu Yueqi north of the city...

...then her opportunity would naturally present itself.

...

After Lin Feng ended the lengthy call, it was already a little past nine in the morning.

He left the conference room and returned to the Dreadnought Battleship.

By now, after harvesting a large number of Tier Two Zerg Eggs, Chen Yanyan had successfully reached Lv. 26.

She was just moments away from advancing to the Tier Two Late Stage.

Promotions to minor levels within a tier were very fast. Even advancing through the Early, Middle, and Late Stages only took about ten minutes each. This was unlike a Tier Jumping Upgrade, which required at least an hour. For those with more unique Superpowers, the deep Awakening process would take even longer and carried certain risks.

Seeing Chen Yanyan completely absorbed in her Upgrade, Lin Feng didn’t disturb her. Instead, he decided to go find Ling Yi to discuss the specific details of the decapitation plan.

Back in the depths of the Underground Hive North of the River, Ling Yi had secretly contacted the Mother Empress of the North—the same one allied with the Hai City Mother Empress.

The alliance only stipulated that the two would not attack each other.

Furthermore, the pact was set to expire shortly after the defenses of Wu City were breached. Once the Wu City line fell completely and both sides entered Taihu Lake, it would be a free-for-all.

Although the Jiangbei Mother Empress had the first-mover advantage and could enter Taihu Lake first, this advantage wouldn’t last long.

In the future, the Hai City Mother Empress would advance to Tier Three Mid-Stage Perfection and command a Swarm of millions.

’How could she possibly tolerate the Jiangbei Mother Empress’s existence?’

This was the opening Ling Yi had seized.

Both were Tier Three Early Stage Mother Empresses. By cooperating in advance, they were employing the strategy of "allying with the distant to attack the near," creating a pact of mutual protection between the north and south.

And through this, Ling Yi could learn the Jiangbei Mother Empress’s exact travel route, providing Lin Feng with invaluable intelligence.

As he was mulling over the details of the decapitation plan, Lin Feng had just stepped off the Dreadnought Battleship when he ran into Shen Jie by the vessel’s side.

He saw the hesitant look on Shen Jie’s face, the worry between his brows plain as day.

Lin Feng walked up and clapped him on the shoulder.

"What’s wrong? ...Go on, tell me."