Chapter 51

The reason why NPCs find it harder to occupy the territories of monsters is largely due to the current situation of the world and the differences in their respective circumstances.

The monsters have the advantage in overall strength, so they have always been the attacking side. On the other hand, the NPCs have very few territories, but because they have built extensive fortifications, it is generally difficult to breach them. This has led to the NPCs being strong in defense but weak in offense.

It is very difficult to capture an NPC territory, but if it can be captured, the monsters will have no trouble occupying it.

Conversely, it is relatively easy for NPCs to initially capture a monster's territory. With just a few moves, they can occupy the monster's territory near their city. However, while it is easy for NPCs to capture a monster's territory, it is extremely difficult to defend it.

Monsters patrol all the territories outside the cities, and once the NPCs send troops, their actions are quickly reported to the higher-ups of the monster side. Given the strength of the monsters, when the NPCs try to expand, the monsters naturally launch one or even several attacks against them.

What does it matter if the NPCs are relatively strong? What does it matter if the NPCs have the help of players? In the face of the overwhelming numbers of the monsters, no matter how much preparation the NPCs make, they will most likely end up failing.

Therefore, for various reasons, even if the monsters outside the city are weak, to avoid the losses from actions that are destined to be futile, the NPCs generally do not easily leave the city to occupy the monsters' territories.

Zhou Tian had also taken this into account when he made his move. Although his actions were fine in the short term, the risks increased over time.

Although it is difficult to occupy the monsters' territories, just as the monsters try to occupy the NPCs' territories, the concept of seizing territory is deeply ingrained. In such a situation, as long as there is even a glimmer of hope, the NPCs will, like Zhou Tian did, do their utmost to find a way to occupy the other side's territory.

Zhou Tian has already withdrawn all his half-orcs to deal with the undead monsters in the Skeleton Cave. With such a large empty territory outside the NPC city, the NPCs are bound to notice the abnormality.

Although the NPCs generally do not easily touch the monsters' territories, if no monsters appear in that territory for a long time, the NPCs will not remain idle.

Even if they do not immediately mobilize to occupy the monsters' territory due to the abnormality, they still have the courage to make some small moves during that time.

Starting with small actions, if they do not encounter a strong reaction from the monsters, it is easy to imagine that the NPCs will become more and more bold. If they confirm that there is a real chance to occupy the territory, the NPCs will undoubtedly take serious action.

If that situation really occurs, regardless of whether the NPCs ultimately succeed in occupying the territory, Zhou Tian will be labeled as 'incompetent,' and if that happens, Zhou Tian will be in serious trouble.

Therefore, even before the problems in the Skeleton Cave are completely resolved, Zhou Tian has to deal with the issue of the territory outside the NPC city.

Regarding the aftermath of occupying that territory, Zhou Tian has only one solution: psychological warfare.

While it is possible for Zhou Tian to force the NPCs back using conventional methods, he will not do so.

The consequences of a large-scale conflict outside the NPC city can be clearly seen from the beast race monsters. Not only does Zhou Tian have many places where he needs to deploy troops in the future, but the cost of such actions is already predetermined, making it impossible for Zhou Tian to take such actions.

Since he cannot use force, Zhou Tian can only 'scare' the NPCs back.

The NPCs are well aware that it is difficult to occupy the monsters' territories. If they see an opportunity, they will not let it slip. However, if they suspect that the opportunity is a 'trap,' they will likely think twice before acting.

With a clear decision in mind, Zhou Tian immediately took action against the NPCs after leaving the Skeleton Cave.

Originally, Zhou Tian would have given the NPCs a harsh lesson, but after the previous battle, his troops are already few. Although Zhou Tian cannot remain inactive, he has to be more cautious.

After revising his original plan, Zhou Tian carefully sneaked toward his territory.

"Those bastards can't really think my territory is theirs! If that's the case, I'll have to give them a lesson today. I'm short on troops right now, and if I can earn more merits, I can replenish my forces sooner. The Skeleton Cave is still consuming troops every day, and if I don't prepare more, I might end up as a lone commander."

Muttering to himself, Zhou Tian led a small group of half-orc warriors directly to his territory outside the NPC city.

"These guys are too bold. Although I haven't made any moves for a long time, they are completely disregarding me. I have to give them a lesson today; otherwise, anyone will think they can do whatever they want on my territory." Zhou Tian did not expect that when he arrived at his territory outside the NPC city, he would see a scene that made him extremely angry.

Perhaps because Zhou Tian had not appeared for a long time, the NPCs assumed he had abandoned the territory. After initial suspicion, they confirmed that the territory was indeed free of monsters and sent a group to investigate.

At first, the NPCs might not have been so bold, but after a long period of relatively peaceful investigation, seeing that the territory was truly free of monsters, they began to prepare for fortification without any precautions.

When Zhou Tian returned with his half-orcs, he saw NPCs scattered around, preparing for fortification. Seeing this, Zhou Tian immediately took action.

First, if the NPCs really started fortifying, he would be punished, so Zhou Tian needed to stop them. Second, the NPCs' actions were also a sign of disrespect toward Zhou Tian, and feeling insulted, Zhou Tian could not remain inactive. Therefore, under these circumstances, Zhou Tian had to give the NPCs a lesson, regardless of the reason.