Chapter 016: Planning Ahead

Thinking of this, Du Fan couldn’t help but frown and said, “So if I only asked for a combat-ready army, what would you do, Feray?”
Feray replied solemnly, “That’s not difficult. We just need to go to the slave market to find people. I believe that with enough money, we can definitely find some capable individuals… Even some down-and-out low-level warriors would make good choices for building an army—they’re at least a bit stronger than ordinary people… But such an army would likely have limited loyalty and cohesion! So, unless it’s absolutely necessary, I don’t recommend you do this, young master.”
Du Fan waved his hand and said, “Never mind. Prepare two options for me—on one hand, train an army that is both combat-ready and loyal; on the other hand, form a makeshift army first. It’s better than having nothing at all… You know these things better than I do. Discuss with Grandpa Mark how to carry out the preliminary preparations… Get ready in the next few days. If nothing goes wrong, you should start acting in seven days.”
Feray’s face lit up with joy. He had followed Du Fan from the start because he saw great prospects with him. Now, Du Fan’s words implied that he would be in charge of his private army after Du Fan was granted a title…
The power involved was beyond what ordinary people could imagine—how could Feray not understand that?
He quickly knelt down and said loudly, “Your servant will do his utmost to live up to your trust!”
Du Fan smiled slightly and said, “Alright… You may go now… Come to see me again once preparations are done. If you need people or money, go to Grandpa Mark. I’m sure he’ll cooperate fully with you… By the way, Selina, stay here for now. I have something to talk to you about.”
Selina had originally planned to leave with Feray and the others, but she paused slightly before staying.
Feray and the others also knew that Selina and Du Fan had a deep relationship…
One by one, they showed smiles that any man could understand, then quickly left.
Selina’s mind was filled with strange thoughts. After all, she had been captured by mistake, given to Du Fan as a gift, tricked into attempting to assassinate Gabriel, and nearly died. Although Du Fan saved her in the end, she still couldn’t help but wonder…

Since coming from the north, although Du Fan had assigned her few tasks, there seemed to be an underlying intention to rely on her, which deeply moved her. After all, after the assassination attempt, Selina realized that if she wanted to seek revenge, her own strength alone was far from enough. The only way was to ally herself with a powerful force, gain power through it, and then use that power to avenge herself—seemingly the best option. And her only choice now, the best choice… seemed to be following Du Fan. Thinking of this, Selina felt uneasy… Although Master Du Fan seemed decent, leaving her, a woman, here—could he be…? If he truly had an interest in her, it might not be so bad… She heard he was about to be made a duke. Though she might not become a duchess, having the title of mistress wouldn’t make it hard to mobilize some people to avenge her brothers… What worried her was if he just wanted to toy with her… In that case… Du Fan watched the woman’s ever-changing expression. With his intelligence, how could he not guess what she was thinking? He secretly smiled, then stepped forward, lifted her chin with his index finger, and said with a faint smile, “Miss Selina… what are you thinking about?” Selina was startled by Du Fan’s action but dared not move, only lowering her head and saying, “N-no…” “Really?” Seeing the expression on her face, Du Fan felt stirred, but he wasn’t impatient. Besides, he had important tasks to assign her. So, though Selina grew more beautiful, he couldn’t afford to act on his feelings. Throughout history, romantic entanglements with subordinates had only brought trouble. Even if it were just a physical relationship, if she became arrogant because of his favor, it would be difficult to handle. Secretly deeming it a pity, Du Fan withdrew his hand and said, “Are you worried that I’ll take your body? What if I told you… I am indeed planning to do that now? What would you think?” “I…” Selina’s body trembled slightly as she glanced up at Du Fan, her feelings complex. “I… I don’t know what I’d do!”

Du Fan touched his nose and smiled faintly. “If I really thought that way, I’m afraid you wouldn’t have much of a choice, would you? This is my territory; everyone outside is my man. Even your life was saved by me… Don’t even talk about me using force on you now. Even if I’m in a bad mood and decide to sell you to a brothel, you probably wouldn’t have any chance to resist, right? A girl like you, in the hands of a scoundrel like me, would be helpless no matter how hard she cried out, right?”

“But… but…” Selina suddenly gritted her teeth, her face turning red. “If… if Master needs anything, Selina will naturally serve you wholeheartedly… But selling me to a brothel… it’s better to just kill me!”

Seeing her expression, Du Fan felt uncertain about what to think. He just laughed and said, “Alright, I’m not joking with you. If I wanted your body, I would have taken it back in the North Country. Why would I keep you here? Although I’m not a good person, I still have some principles… So you don’t have to worry that I’ll sell you to a brothel…”

After saying that, Du Fan pointed to a chair not far away. “Sit down and talk!”

Selina looked puzzled, not understanding what Master Du Fan wanted. Still, she obediently sat down, sitting cautiously on the chair and watching Du Fan warily.

Du Fan glanced around before casually casting a soundproofing barrier spell.

At this point, Du Fan’s strength was at the peak of level nine, so casting this spell was effortless for him.

Seeing Du Fan’s caution, Selina grew even more anxious.

After setting up the spell, Du Fan continued, “Selina… If I’m not mistaken, you used to lead an adventurer team, right?”

Selina nodded. “Yes…”

“Good,” Du Fan said. “You were able to form a team based on your own strength. It may not be large, but it shows you have some talent… I think you did well in that regard… But working under me, with just that skill, it’s probably not enough. Selina, let me ask—if I asked you to form another adventurer team, how long do you think it would take you to do that?”

Selina frowned secretly. In the adventurer team she had formed before, aside from a few companions she could trust, the rest had joined mostly because of her beauty. Although she had managed to win them over with kindness after they joined, forming a similar team again would likely take a long time…

Seeing her expression, Du Fan couldn’t help but sigh slightly and said, “From your look, it seems you can’t do it, right?”

Selina nodded. “Yes…”

Du Fan tilted his head and thought for a moment before asking, “What if I asked you to lead an already formed team? Do you have the confidence?”

Although Selina didn’t understand what Du Fan meant by this, she still nodded. “I think… I should be able to!”

Du Fan nodded slightly. “Good… Then go back for now. But these days, stay out of Feri and the others’ affairs and practice your skills more… In the future, I’ll assign you a task—something likely more dangerous than anything you’ve done before… But as you know, I don’t have anyone else I can rely on, so I have to assign it to you… I promise you, if you do well, I’ll definitely help you take revenge on whoever you want. Do you understand what I mean?”

Selina’s expression changed, and she lowered her head. “I will do my best!”

Du Fan laughed heartily but waved his hand to signal her to leave, though he couldn’t help but have some peculiar thoughts.

After considering Duke Green’s advice, Du Fan felt that his father’s suggestion was the best. After all, although it seemed difficult to settle in the southern lands, once one established a foothold there, there was great potential for future development.

However, both Roland Academy and the Lanny Empire were in the south, and his relations with these two powerful forces didn’t seem very good! So, to develop, he needed people and money…

He didn’t have many subordinates. It wasn’t a problem to let Feri handle military affairs, but having Selina in charge of finances… Perhaps the intelligence network he had always wanted to establish would be more suitable for her?

But these matters couldn’t be decided yet. Everything would have to wait until the official rewards were given out to be certain!