Therefore, Shen Mu didn't pay too much attention to Zhang Bo; instead, he admired him and included him among his key cultivation targets.
After all, Zhang Bo had delivered these two magic items, both of which could be analyzed by his Mount & Blade System and were Light and Nature-type magical tools that could aid important special buildings and crucial magical plants.
Shen Mu naturally had a great impression of Zhang Bo.
Because he didn't know about Zhang Bo and Green Leaf Group's secret schemes, nor did he know that his Deherim was actually being targeted by Green Leaf Group.
From Shen Mu's perspective, his established Deherim had developed too quickly. In fact, it had only been a short two weeks since he destroyed Diesel Company until now.
Even since his rise, only about a quarter, less than three months, had passed.
Because Shen Mu rose like lightning, too quickly, he didn't leave much time for Diesel Company and Green Leaf Group to think. This is also why Shen Mu has been busy with development and construction recently, as he needed to quickly integrate all the resources absorbed by Diesel Company into his Deherim.
He hadn't had time to deal with Green Leaf Group's matters yet.
And he couldn't deal with them yet. After all, Shen Mu had just sorted out those Blue Star Humans and just gotten them to recognize Deherim.
He needed them to continuously generate Faith Power to accelerate Deherim's development.
In other words, he had just gotten things in order and on track.
As for matters concerning Green Leaf Group, given their status as verbal allies, there was no need for too much concern. After all, what Shen Mu needed now was to quickly assimilate all the humans obtained from Diesel Company into Deherim's ruling system, make them generate Faith Power quickly, make himself stronger, accelerate urban construction and development, and make commerce more prosperous.
After a series of wars, Shen Mu was now rapidly absorbing all the rewards gained from the wars and transforming them into his own strength.
He was currently in this stage.
Even though Shen Mu already knew that by annihilating Diesel Company, the three-way standoff had been broken in a short time, leaving only himself and Green Leaf Group, the latter would definitely be wary of him, especially since he had established New Uxhall on the ruins of Diesel Company.
It was like a nail driven directly into the core area of Bali River Street, and it was subtly pressing towards Green Leaf Group, which was deep within Bali River Street.
Green Leaf Group would certainly retaliate against him, and there would be a significant reaction.
But Shen Mu didn't care, as he was currently only absorbing the various nutrients he had gained; he was just too lazy to act.
He needed to clarify his development strategy before he could stride forward.
If Green Leaf Group attacked him at this stage, Shen Mu wouldn't mind setting aside these messy affairs and concentrating his forces to annex Green Leaf Group.
Then he would integrate all these even messier matters and continue to slowly contemplate his development strategy, which would be the same.
It was just that Shen Mu didn't want to add to the chaos right now, which was why he let Green Leaf Group off.
This also meant that Shen Mu was unaware of Green Leaf Group's schemes and plans against him. After all, it's understandable when you think about it; Shen Mu had been confined to his own sphere of influence and hadn't had time to send out scouts for intelligence. Furthermore, for him, who focused heavily on the Mount & Blade Soldiers' path, intelligence has always been a weakness.
It's also understandable that intelligence is usually gathered by humans themselves. Mount & Blade Soldiers and Blue Star Humans are fundamentally different.
However, having these Mount & Blade Soldiers become followers of the Blue Star Humans is also a way for Shen Mu to solve the intelligence problem.
After all, those Blue Star Humans believe these mount & blade followers are permanently loyal to them, but for Shen Mu, his ultimate loyalty authority still lies with him.
Therefore, as soon as these Blue Star Humans show any possibility of rebellion, it will be quickly relayed to Shen Mu by the Mount & Blade Soldiers.
This also serves to monitor these Blue Star Humans.
And if these Blue Star Humans dare to order an attack on Shen Mu, these Mount & Blade Soldiers, loyal to Shen Mu, will let these Blue Star Humans know who the true supreme ruler is.
Of course, getting back to the main topic.
The secret connivance among these Blue Star Humans now is of no concern to Shen Mu. After all, everyone has their own circle, whether large or small, or even their core circle; it's a very common and normal thing.
And for him, it's also normal for Zhang Bo to have his own circle.
It's understandable that Zhang Bo has his own circle, and within that circle, he has his comfort zone and friends to talk to, turning into brothers; that's also very normal.
In any case, Shen Mu hadn't detected any abnormalities from Zhang Bo, nor had he noticed any collusion between Zhang Bo and Green Leaf Group.
That's why he was so at ease with Zhang Bo.
After all, if he didn't understand something, he truly didn't understand it.
However, after his Mount & Blade System began analyzing the Light magic item and the Nature magic item, the two magic items Zhang Bo had offered him, he still gave Zhang Bo a reward.
"Magician Zhang Bo can freely enter and exit the Castle District 4 times a day, and can stay in the Holy Light Torch Tower in the Castle District for 4 hours daily." Shen Mu had now entrusted Zhang Bo to the Holy Tree Knight.
The Holy Tree Knight had already led Zhang Bo to the entrance of the Castle District. As the barricade clanged down, the Holy Tree Knight led Zhang Bo into the Castle District.
Guarding the gate within the Castle District were the Lake Rat Gang Destroyers, with their burly, bear-like builds. Each stood nearly 1.8 meters tall, presenting an extremely strong visual impact.
So much so that when Zhang Bo, who had just arrived at the Castle District gate, saw the barricade drop and the numerous Lake Rat Gang Destroyers appear, his eyes showed a look of shock.
"Don't worry, Magician Zhang Bo," said the Holy Tree Knight leading Zhang Bo. "These Lake Rat Gang Destroyers are responsible for guarding the city gate. If you have nothing to do, they won't bother you."
Of course, as he spoke, the Holy Tree Knight also snorted at those Lake Rat Gang Destroyers, clearly dissatisfied with them.
There was no helping it, as these Lake Rat Gang Destroyers were truly a group of quite rude outlaws, which the Holy Tree Knights, noble knights from a formal knight order, found quite displeasing.
Of course, these Lake Rat Gang Destroyers also couldn't stand these Holy Tree Knights who constantly held their chins high and looked down on others; they were equally dismissive of these knights.
Therefore, the relationship between the two sides was not very friendly; there were even minor conflicts.
Of course, within the scope of this conflict, it was impossible for there to be a clash or internal strife where both sides fought each other.
After all, Shen Mu was still here, and their respective worlds were facing a world-ending crisis. They all understood the priorities, so because Shen Mu was still here suppressing them, a true conflict was impossible. However, in terms of language and attitude, they would occasionally mock each other.
Just like now, even Zhang Bo keenly sensed the displeasure between the Lake Rat Gang Destroyers and the Holy Tree Knight.
At this moment, a smile appeared on his lips, because he discovered that these mount & blade Humans under Shen Mu's command also had cracks and unpleasantries. Therefore, for Zhang Bo, this was a very good crack.
Flies don't bite seamless eggs.
If he could use these cracks to disintegrate these human soldiers more quickly in the upcoming plan, it would be quite helpful to his scheme.
"Alright, go in. Since Lord Shen Mu has spoken, this magician named Zhang Bo can enter the Castle District. Four trips a day, for a total of four hours. You must firmly remember this time. If you exceed the time, don't blame us for being impolite."
The Lake Rat Gang Destroyer snorted, not even glancing at the Holy Tree Knight, but instead staring intently at Zhang Bo and saying rudely, "I must warn you, I will be watching you at all times. You can only go to the Holy Light Torch Tower once inside the Castle District. If you dare to deviate your route to other places, we will let you know what punishment means."
"Yes, yes, I understand that very well. Please rest assured, I will absolutely not make any mistakes." Zhang Bo seemed a bit fearful at this moment, swallowing his saliva and clutching his backpack tighter, as if afraid these Lake Rat Gang Destroyers would snatch it.
"Remember, I am no longer a Bandit, but a loyal soldier of Lord Shen Mu; I will not rob you." However, this expression only made the Lake Rat Gang Destroyer even more displeased. He snorted again and directly moved aside, waving to the other Lake Rat Gang Destroyers behind him, signaling that the Holy Tree Knight could now lead Zhang Bo into the Castle District.
And the Holy Tree Knight didn't bother with him, directly entering the Castle District, then turning to Zhang Bo and saying, "Come, please follow me to the Holy White Council's Holy Light Torch Tower."
For the Holy Tree Knight, speaking with these Bandits defiled his spirit and character; he had no desire for much interaction with them.
Of course, those Lake Rat Gang Destroyers also had no desire to interact with these pretentious nobles.
Both sides disliked each other.
"Hello, please inform Mr. James for me." The Holy Tree Knight then led Zhang Bo to the first floor of the Holy Light Torch Tower, which was the timber storage warehouse.
At the warehouse entrance, and by the ascending ramp nearby, ten Lake Rat Gang Destroyers were also guarding the area.
Of course, they weren't just guards; when the Holy Light Torch Tower's top level needed to burn wood, they would also transport large quantities of timber from these warehouses to the top level, providing the necessary fuel for the Torch Tower's burning.
Of course, if enemies were to arrive at the Holy White Council's Holy Light Torch Tower and attempt to destroy it, they would immediately draw their weapons and join the battle.
For the Lake Rat Gang Destroyers, a nominally Tier 4 unit, after completing the Pig-Headed People's pig-headed soul enchantment, their true combat power was no less than that of the Nord Royal Guard.
Moreover, in terms of close combat, they even had a distinct advantage in strength and physique over the Nord Royal Guard.
One must even know.
The Nord Royal Guard, that was a genuine and sole Tier 6 unit.
Invincible in close combat.
Absolutely the number one in destructive power.
Now, these Lake Rat Gang Destroyers, nominally Tier 4 units, already possessed close-combat abilities stronger than the Nord Royal Guard, which was enough to demonstrate their power.
This was also why Shen Mu confidently entrusted the defense of the Castle District to these Lake Rat Gang Destroyers.
"Alright, you two stay here. I'll go inform Lord James." The Lake Rat Gang Destroyer nodded, glancing at the Holy Tree Knight and Zhang Bo, who followed behind him. He said nothing more, turned, and walked up the nearby ramp towards the library on the second floor.
And according to Zhang Bo's senses, the magical fluctuations were strongest in the library on the second floor; that should be where the magician team was located.
"This is truly too mysterious. I didn't expect Shen Mu to possess such a foundation." Zhang Bo instinctively swallowed, but then he suddenly felt a peculiar natural fluctuation and instinctively turned his head to look towards the main castle building.
However, that glance made his pupils instantly contract.
It utterly shocked Zhang Bo.
"That's... my heavens... that's... that's..." Zhang Bo felt his mouth go dry and couldn't help but swallow before finally articulating the word: "Magic Plant?!"
He was not unfamiliar with this kind of magic plant, as he had lived in a Wood Elf Village before.
He had also heard in his mind that if one possessed a magic plant and nurtured it well, it could bring powerful assistance to any Wood Elf or Nature-type profession.
Moreover, even in the Wood Elf Plane, such magic plants were extremely precious.
Even before the Spirit Realm was destroyed, it was a very rare resource.
But now, such a rare and precious magic plant had appeared right in the castle courtyard of Shen Mu's Castle District.
How could Zhang Bo not be shocked?! (End of Chapter)