Chen Fan Takes Office

"Mr. Li Ping," Hua Jun struck while the iron was hot, "as for the position of Association President, you don't need to worry about anything. First, with your strength, you are fully deserving of this position. Second, the process is very simple. As long as you agree, the higher-ups will surely welcome it with open arms."

Yesterday, when reporting the situation to the higher-ups, Hua Jun had earnestly requested the association to dispatch a powerhouse to guard Anshan City. However, the higher-ups' attitude was very cold, only saying they would send hunters to investigate and requesting local cooperation, without mentioning sending anyone to take over.

The reason was simple: C-class Awakened were high-end combat power, scarce everywhere. Even if the higher-ups wanted to send someone, none of those powerhouses wanted to come to a troublesome place like Anshan City. Wouldn't it be better to stay in big cities? Therefore, the headquarters only hoped the small cities would resolve their defense issues themselves.

"Mr. Li Ping, please be our President!"

"Yes, Brother Li Ping, as long as you stay, we will follow whatever you say."

"We will absolutely obey your orders, please stay!"

Around them, the other Awakened also pleaded in unison. Most of them had no way out, or couldn't bear to leave their families behind. Li Ping was so powerful; they even suspected that even Yan Ming was no match for him. If he stayed, the safety of Anshan City would increase significantly. They were willing to follow the strong!

"Is that so?" Chen Fan pondered. Honestly, he was tempted. Having a group of people working for him meant his supply of medicinal herbs would be much more stable. If fierce beasts besieged the city in the future and external supplies were cut off, he would still be prepared. Moreover, protecting Anshan City was also what he wanted to do. This was a mutually beneficial relationship.

"Very well, I agree." The moment Chen Fan spoke, everyone was overjoyed, the heavy stone that had pressed on their hearts for so long finally lifted.

"Wonderful, Mr. Li Ping, I..."

Chen Fan waved his hand to interrupt Hua Jun, his sharp gaze sweeping across the field. "I haven't finished. Before I officially accept, I have one condition. If you can accept it, then from now on, I am the President, and I will protect Anshan City. If not, we can forget about this."

"Mr. Li Ping, please speak," Hua Jun replied quickly. The others also held their breath, wondering what request this powerhouse would make.

"My condition is: regardless of who it is, if you wish to stay, you must absolutely obey my orders. Anyone who doesn't accept can leave right now. If you choose to stay but dare to oppose me in the future, don't blame me for being impolite," Chen Fan said, his eyes flashing with a cold light that made the crowd feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, none of them daring to breathe heavily. "I am a reasonable person and will absolutely not force you to do cruel or unconscionable things."

The crowd looked at each other, then a long-faced man raised his hand. "Brother Li Ping, since you've said so, what is there to think about? I, Ma Lining, am the first to support you as President!"

"Well said, I agree too!"

"Anyone who doesn't agree can leave, I have no objections!"

Very quickly, everyone raised their hands to express agreement. Hua Jun was so excited his smile stretched from ear to ear. "Mr. Li Ping, you see, no one has any objections. Now, are you officially the President of the Anshan City Awakened Association?"

Chen Fan nodded. "Good, from now on, I am your President. Anshan City will be protected by you and me together."

Many people shed tears upon hearing this. They were also a part of this city, and protecting their home was an undeniable responsibility; now, they had a true leader.

"President," Hua Jun said excitedly, "having you guard us is a blessing for the tens of thousands of citizens in this city. Please rest assured, we will stand and fall with you!"

Chen Fan nodded slightly, sighing inwardly. The world was truly unpredictable; he had only intended to sell some materials and gather information, yet now he had become the President, holding power like a city lord. With this identity, his future actions would be much more convenient. Right, he should also call Gu Ze back; now, the entire Anshan City was his territory.

"President, if it's convenient, shall I lead you to complete the procedures and introduce the association's situation?" Hua Jun asked carefully.

"Sure."

Under Hua Jun's guidance, the two went to the third floor to connect with the headquarters. The process was extremely fast; the headquarters only confirmed his identity and immediately approved Chen Fan's appointment.

After the communication ended, Hua Jun smiled and said, "President, let me introduce the personnel and the matters that need to be handled."

Chen Fan interrupted, "As for personnel, compile them into a spreadsheet for me; I need to know what everyone's superpower is. As for daily matters, I delegate full authority to you to handle them, except for extremely important ones. You can make the decisions yourself." He needed to spend time cultivating and didn't want to get bogged down in trivial matters.

Hua Jun was stunned. The new President was delegating power so easily? Usually, a new official would want to seize all authority, yet...

"Do you have anything else?" Chen Fan asked.

"Not at the moment."

"Then I have a few things for you to do. Is the association growing medicinal herbs? For example, herbs for refining Qi-Blood Pills or True Qi Pills?"

"We have herbs for Qi-Blood Pills, but not in large quantities, mostly based on the previous city lord's requirements," Hua Jun recalled. "As for herbs for True Qi Pills, we have none at all."

Chen Fan nodded. "If we start growing herbs for True Qi Pills now, will there be any difficulties?"

"No difficulty," Hua Jun asserted. "Seeds can be purchased from the association, and labor is readily available. In particular, we have three Awakened who possess plant-related superpowers."

Chen Fan's eyes lit up. "Specifically?"

"Two can accelerate plant growth; they are currently in charge of the Qi-Blood Pill herb garden. The other can increase yield—for example, if a normal plant bears one fruit, through his hands, it can bear two or three."

Chen Fan pondered. "Meaning, as long as I spend contribution points to buy seeds, we will have a large amount of herbs before long?"

"Exactly, President. In fact, you don't even need to spend contribution points; we can handle this small matter."

Chen Fan looked at him, his lips curling slightly. "You certainly know how to handle things."

Hua Jun smiled flatteringly. He understood that only by proving their value would Chen Fan willingly stay to protect them.

"However, I don't like taking advantage of others, and I don't lack contribution points," Chen Fan continued. "I will buy seeds from the headquarters, and you will hand them to the person in charge of cultivation. Tell them that the more herbs there are, the happier I will be, and when I am happy, the rewards will be very generous. Even Heavenly God Fruits that can greatly increase mental strength won't be a problem."

"Heav... Heavenly God Fruits!" Hearing those three words, Hua Jun's breathing instantly grew rapid.