Chapter 65

The NPCs naturally could not ignore the pursuit of the monsters. However, when the NPCs split their forces to prepare to intercept the group of monsters led by the Puppet Master, due to the overwhelming strength of the Puppet Master and other bosses, the NPCs that were dispatched to intercept them ended up dying at the hands of the monsters before they could even achieve their goal of blocking the enemy.

Thus, in the face of the monsters' pursuit, the NPCs had no choice but to flee.

The NPCs could not possibly escape the monsters. If this were happening elsewhere or if the NPCs' true stronghold had been breached, then the monsters that were now enemies of Zhou Tian would likely not be able to leave alive.

However, because Zhou Tian's occupied territory was just outside the NPC city, the place they had breached was not far from the city where the NPCs resided. As a result, although Zhou Tian and his group left many NPC corpses in their wake, the NPCs did not give Zhou Tian the chance to deal a heavy blow. Just as Zhou Tian and his group were about to catch up with the main NPC forces, the NPCs had already reached the vicinity of their city.

"Fire!" The NPCs would never allow Zhou Tian and his group to rush into their city. Seeing their army in disarray, the soldiers guarding the city, under the order of their general, shot arrows at the pursuing monster army.

A rain of arrows fell, and under the attack of the NPCs, a large portion of the monster army pursuing them fell to the ground.

"Stop!" Although their morale was high after just defeating the NPCs, the Puppet Master was well aware of the defensive capabilities of the NPC city. Thus, seeing that they were approaching the city and the NPCs had launched an attack, the Puppet Master raised her hand to stop the other monsters from continuing their charge.

"Your goal has been achieved; let's withdraw for now!" Turning around, the Puppet Master directly gave her opinion to Zhou Tian.

The other bosses felt somewhat reluctant after hearing the Puppet Master's words. After all, they had just defeated the main NPC forces, and in such a situation, they were asked to withdraw. Those monsters who wanted to achieve more results were naturally unwilling.

However, the Puppet Master's strength was too great, so much so that all the bosses in the beginner area combined would not be a match for her. Moreover, to fight against the NPCs, they still needed the power of the Puppet House. Even if the other bosses disagreed with the Puppet Master's opinion, they did not dare to openly oppose her. Therefore, when the Puppet Master spoke to Zhou Tian, the other bosses secretly gave Zhou Tian a look.

Zhou Tian knew that the bosses wanted him to persuade the Puppet Master to change her mind. But considering the Puppet Master's character, Zhou Tian, after a bitter laugh, ultimately made a decision.

"Alright! I will withdraw my troops!" Could Zhou Tian persuade the Puppet Master? Perhaps the other monsters thought he could, but Zhou Tian himself was very clear that the Puppet Master was not the type to listen to others. Once she made a decision, she would not easily change it. If Zhou Tian dared to persuade her now, the Puppet Master would likely leave him to the NPCs.

Whether Zhou Tian's thoughts were correct or not, the Puppet Master was somewhat satisfied with Zhou Tian's reaction. Thus, after hearing Zhou Tian's words, she said nothing and simply waved her hand, leading the puppets of the Puppet House to fly away.

Seeing the Puppet Master and the puppets leave, the other bosses gave Zhou Tian a displeased look. Clearly, because of Zhou Tian's lack of tact, the bosses were already dissatisfied with him. If it weren't for Zhou Tian's previous good performance and the presence of a group of NPCs watching, it would not have been easy for Zhou Tian to leave easily today.

Of course, although it was difficult to act, the NPCs were not without ways to deal with Zhou Tian. After all, to get them to send troops, Zhou Tian had made many promises. Now that Zhou Tian's crisis was over, the bosses would not give up on the benefits he had promised.

"Alright, since the NPCs have retreated, shouldn't you, Lord Half-Orc Commander, fulfill your promise?"

"That's right, the territory you promised us, please hand it over quickly."

"..."

Hearing the bosses' words, Zhou Tian, though prepared, still showed a displeased expression.

Indeed, to convince the monster leaders to send troops, Zhou Tian had made a promise to cede territory. Although the Puppet Master had agreed first, the other monsters, even if they gave her face, would not put in as much effort as they did this time. After all, this action had no chance of capturing the NPC city. Even if they ultimately defeated the NPCs, there would not be much gain, and without any gain, the monsters would not put in their full effort.

If Zhou Tian could not defeat the NPCs, he would face the risk of death. Therefore, to defeat the NPCs, Zhou Tian would do anything. In that situation, Zhou Tian directly promised the bosses that if they helped him defeat the NPCs, he would cede a portion of the half-orc territory to them. Although the territory Zhou Tian promised was not too large, due to its strategic location, the benefits he promised were quite significant.

Because Zhou Tian promised significant benefits, after agreeing to his request, the bosses brought their elite forces to the battlefield. Now that the battle was over, the bosses who saw the matter concluded would not let Zhou Tian off without fulfilling his promise.

Could Zhou Tian say 'no'?

Now, almost all the monster leaders in the beginner area, except for the Puppet Master, had received Zhou Tian's promise. If Zhou Tian were to renege, these bosses would undoubtedly join forces to use force to take the territories from Zhou Tian.

Therefore, even if he was unwilling, Zhou Tian had to fulfill his promise. However, although the territories Zhou Tian promised were not large individually, when added together, they already accounted for nearly 90% of his current territory. If Zhou Tian did this, the half-orc race would be basically finished. So, while Zhou Tian would not break his promise, he would not casually cede his territory to the bosses.

With no expression on his face, Zhou Tian said, "I will fulfill my promise. You go back first, and I will arrange for my half-orcs to evacuate. Then I will transfer the territories to your names."

The bosses did not doubt Zhou Tian's words. In their view, Zhou Tian would not dare to renege. After all, the number of bosses who received Zhou Tian's promise was too large. Given the strength these bosses represented, if Zhou Tian dared to renege, he would face a terrible outcome.

As a result, after hearing Zhou Tian's words, the bosses immediately dispersed in groups.

However, just as most of the bosses had left, Zhou Tian suddenly called out to one of them, "Lord Carnivorous Flower, please wait, I have something to discuss with you."

Hearing Zhou Tian's words, one of the bosses paused. Originally, he did not want to deal with Zhou Tian, but perhaps considering that Zhou Tian still had to hand over a large amount of territory to them, the Carnivorous Flower leader ultimately stopped, said goodbye to the other bosses, and stayed behind.