Several more people in the crowd stepped forward, clasped their fists, and bowed, requesting to join the City Lord's Mansion.
An Qian saw that these factions were not notorious, so she accepted them all.
Eight first-tier factions, including the White Tiger Gang, the Azure Dragon Society, and the Shadow Pavilion, joined the City Lord's Mansion. The City Lord's Mansion's numbers suddenly surged to over two hundred thousand, surpassing Wen Zhiyuan's True Martial Association and becoming the second-largest force in Bei'an City in terms of personnel.
Of course, in terms of true strength, even if it were just Qin Shilei and An Qian, they would be stronger than the entire Bei'an City.
Qin Shilei spoke again, "Mr. Ji, Mr. Wen, please proceed!"
Wen Zhiyuan couldn't understand how they had come to pressure An Qian to solve Bei'an City's current predicament, only to find that not only was the problem not solved, but An Qian's influence had grown significantly.
Feeling dejected, he couldn't help but mock Yuan Yuhang and the others, "Hmph, you were good gang leaders, but you chose to debase yourselves by becoming subordinates. You truly are spineless.
You just wait; she'll reorganize your men and then gradually weaken your power.
Once you become isolated, you'll have plenty to cry about."
Yuan Yuhang and the others showed a hint of worry on their faces.
This was precisely what they were most concerned about.
However, Bei'an City was short on supplies and surrounded by numerous insects.
Only An Qian and Qin Shilei had the ability to lead everyone safely out to kill insects and search for supplies.
Therefore, they had no choice but to pledge their allegiance to An Qian.
An Qian did not refute Wen Zhiyuan at all. Instead, she looked at Yuan Yuhang and the others expressionlessly, "I can give you another chance to choose. Do you wish to join the City Lord's Mansion?"
Yuan Yuhang's heart stirred, and he quickly said, "I, Yuan Yuhang, am a man of my word. Since I recognize you, City Lord, as my leader, even if you assigned me to guard the city gate every day, I would be willing."
The other seven also quickly said, "We sincerely recognize City Lord An as our leader and will never go back on our word."
An Qian smiled lightly, "You will not regret your choice today."
Wen Zhiyuan's eyes darted, and he mocked again, "An Qian has no ability to solve Bei'an City's current predicament. What's the point of you joining the City Lord's Mansion? You'll still be trapped in the city with us."
Qin Shilei said calmly, "Only you will be trapped to death. We can leave Bei'an City whenever we wish and return whenever we please."
Wen Zhiyuan sneered, "Even if you two are Golden Realm experts, how many people can you protect? The vast majority of them will still be trapped in the city."
Qin Shilei said with confidence, "Tomorrow, our City Lord's Mansion's two hundred thousand strong will march out simultaneously, and we will return safely, fully laden."
"Keep dreaming," Wen Zhiyuan scoffed. "Two hundred thousand marching out simultaneously? Don't bite off more than you can chew; you might not even have a hundred thousand return."
Qin Shilei suddenly laughed, "Why don't we make a bet?"
Wen Zhiyuan became somewhat wary, "A bet on what?"
Qin Shilei said indifferently, "Tomorrow, we will send out two hundred thousand people. If, after three days, ninety-nine percent of them do not return, my wife's position as City Lord will be yours.
If, however, we return safely and fully laden, you will become a humble subordinate to my wife, obeying her every command."
Wen Zhiyuan looked at Qin Shilei with suspicion, then at An Qian, and remained silent for a moment.
Qin Shilei provoked him, "President Wen, are you afraid to take the bet?"
"Hmph," Wen Zhiyuan sneered. "Ninety-nine percent still means two thousand deaths. With your method of fighting, your two hundred thousand troops will be wiped out in less than three months.
If you have the guts, have all two hundred thousand march out tomorrow, and have all two hundred thousand return completely."
Yuan Yuhang immediately retorted sarcastically, "You're being completely unreasonable. This is the apocalypse, fighting with insects. How can there be no casualties?
I think it's more appropriate for you to hide in the city forever and be a turtle in a shell."
Qin Shilei suddenly raised his hand to stop Yuan Yuhang from speaking further and smiled, "Very well, two hundred thousand go out, and all two hundred thousand return without a single loss. Do you dare to bet?"
Wen Zhiyuan looked at Qin Shilei with suspicion again.
He simply couldn't believe that the other party could protect two hundred thousand people without any incidents.
However, just to be safe, he said, "A bet is a bet, but you can't just simply go out for a stroll and come back.
Each of them must kill at least one insect. If you fail to do so, you should hand over the City Lord position to us sooner rather than later."
"Alright, it's a deal!" Qin Shilei readily agreed.
The next morning, the City Lord's Mansion's army of two hundred thousand was already lined up at the South City Gate, waiting.
Survivors filled the city walls and nearby tall buildings, eager to witness the event.
Under the dissemination of interested parties, most of Bei'an City's survivors knew about the bet between the top expert Qin Shilei and Wen Zhiyuan of the True Martial Association.
Looking at the ready army, people began to discuss.
"To bet the City Lord position, what a grand gesture."
"I'm afraid this City Lord position will soon be ours, the True Martial Association's."
"Nonsense, Qin Shilei is the number one person on Blue Star. Since he dared to accept the bet, he must be confident he'll win. I'm afraid your president will be serving as a subordinate."
"You're talking nonsense! Two hundred thousand people going out to kill insects and returning without a single loss. How is that possible? Do you think the insects are his pets?"
"Exactly. And each person must kill at least one insect. In combat, even if Qin Shilei were to immediately advance to Platinum Realm, he wouldn't be able to do it."
"Qin Shilei can protect two hundred people, even two thousand, but he absolutely cannot protect an entire army of two hundred thousand."
"With such a large base, accidents are bound to happen. Qin Shilei is destined to lose."
Although there were a few die-hard fans who believed Qin Shilei would win, ninety-nine percent of the people in Bei'an City believed Qin Shilei was doomed to lose.
Wen Zhiyuan was standing on the city wall at this moment.
He looked at the two hundred thousand soldiers in the city and then at the countless insects outside the city.
A smile crept onto his lips as he thought, "Qin Shilei, Qin Shilei, you're finished this time."
Just then, Qin Shilei and An Qian rode a beetle four to five meters tall and galloped rapidly towards the city gate.
"Exit!"
With Qin Shilei's command, the city gate slowly opened.
The insects outside the city immediately scrambled to charge into the city.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, a roar that echoed through the heavens sounded.
The roar spread through half of Bei'an City, making the eardrums of many survivors sting and their heads buzz.
It also caused the insects outside the city to stop all movement.
Then, the insects preparing to charge into the city retreated frantically, as if they had encountered something terrifying.
"Depart!"
With Qin Shilei's order, the two hundred thousand troops behind him followed and marched out of the city.
At this time, the insects near the city gate had already retreated three to four thousand meters and were still continuously receding.
It was as if they were deliberately creating a path for Qin Shilei and his men to exit.
Everyone on the city wall stared at this scene in astonishment. "Are these insects afraid of Qin Shilei, this peak expert of the Golden Realm?"