Abyss Summoner-Chapter 286 - 281: A New Era

A single stone stirs up a thousand waves.

This is no longer a simple transaction, but rather a cautious exhortation to relinquish power.

The words Chen Feng spoke just now were very clear: After the Hong Jiuling incident, I cannot trust any of you; not even you, Feng Zhiyong, are an exception. Therefore, to gain my trust and resources, I need to support someone I trust to the high position.

More power.

Obviously, only the ruler of the east of the bridge has the qualifications to deal with him.

No one present was a fool. Feng Zhiyong frowned, Han Qiang remained patient, and Tian Xuefeng glared angrily; these were their views on this matter.

But at this moment, they were curious more than anyone else about the mysterious person for whom Chen Feng was willing to offer such promises; who could it be?

"Xu Hongzhuang, Major Xu!"

However, when Chen Feng finally said the name, the few people wore an expression of surprise, filled with disbelief at first. After all, to them, Xu Hongzhuang was an ally standing with them, a Martial God personally promoted by Feng Zhiyong. Anyone might betray, but Xu Hongzhuang? Unlikely.

At this moment, several people simultaneously turned to look at Xu Hongzhuang.

Hearing Chen Feng mention her name, Xu Hongzhuang was momentarily stunned, a bit of panic showing on her face. Pressured, she even bit her lip. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Not good!"

These seasoned people could easily see Xu Hongzhuang's unusual behavior.

Perhaps Chen Feng wasn't just speaking recklessly; he genuinely wanted to support Xu Hongzhuang as the ruler of the east of the bridge!

It was too sudden.

In this situation, the originally short-tempered Tian Xuefeng was the first to explode in anger. Shouting loudly, he pointed with his only remaining arm at Xu Hongzhuang, rebuking, "You can't judge a book by its cover! I thought Hong Jiuling was deep enough, but now I realize there's another small-hearted person hiding among us!"

"Xu Hongzhuang, look at me! When was Colonel Feng ever unkind to you? And yet you conspire with outsiders to seize power!"

"Has your conscience been eaten by dogs? No wonder you just protected Chen Feng like that; it turns out you two have long been in collusion. Traitor, that's what you are!"

Chen Feng's gaze slowly turned cold.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, and a pressure descended on everyone.

Chen Feng was not a nice guy who would let Tian Xuefeng criticize him indirectly; with the insect swarm imminent, he could not accept a fractured administration in the east of the bridge.

Helping Xu Hongzhuang control the east of the bridge—this was a decision he had made earlier.

Although Feng Zhiyong was good, and Chen Feng believed he cared for the people, there was one point: Feng Zhiyong had too many concerns. Under such circumstances, many of Chen Feng's ideas could not be implemented quickly.

But Xu Hongzhuang was different; she was filled with the obsession for vengeance, acted with more decisiveness, and supporting her ascent would facilitate the implementation of plans.

Xu Hongzhuang now had strength and fame. In today's world, the strong are respected. Over time, Xu Hongzhuang has also amassed a considerable number of supporters. Chen Feng didn't like plotting slowly; he wanted to take decisive action to make Xu Hongzhuang the ruler of the east of the bridge.

Since the conversation had reached this point, it implied that Chen Feng was ready to tear off the masks. Anyway, he was confident that he could capture Feng Zhiyong and the others before reinforcements arrived from outside.

Earlier, under the guise of transporting supplies, Chen Feng had already mobilized eight hundred warriors. Additionally, Mr. Fang's Corpse Demon, the Undead Mage's Skeleton Warriors were all ready. Should chaos erupt, they could immediately assist Xu Hongzhuang in suppressing the rebels.

The coup foretells death.

Chen Feng never thought that once the masks were off, he could take over the east of the bridge bloodlessly.

He was ready for battle.

This might seem hasty, but in reality, every step Chen Feng took had deeper meaning.

Imagine, with Xu Hongzhuang controlling the east of the bridge, pooling the resources of the Economic Development Zone and the east of the bridge would unleash even more terrifying combat power.

Anyone who tries to thwart his plan deserves to die!

However, these thoughts only flashed through Chen Feng's mind, not causing any disturbance. He waited, waiting for an answer from the other side.

Feng Zhiyong remained unhurried, without the imagined scene of accusation. Instead, he raised his hand, first stopping Tian Xuefeng's rebuke, then looked at Xu Hongzhuang, his voice trembling slightly: "Hongzhuang, I want to hear it from your own mouth, is this what you really think?"

Xu Hongzhuang was somewhat conflicted; she hadn't expected Chen Feng to bring this up today, and in front of Feng Zhiyong and others.

As the pride of the east of the bridge, Xu Hongzhuang instinctively wanted to shake her head, denying everything Chen Feng said. But at that moment, the decision she made that day suddenly resurfaced in her mind.

She had already made her choice.

She should not choose to escape.

Clenching her fists, Xu Hongzhuang's hands turned somewhat pale. She spoke, word by word: "The east of the bridge needs change. I... am doing this for everyone's good."

This voice was filled with certainty and resolve.

At this point, fully expressing her thoughts, Xu Hongzhuang seemed to have broken some kind of limitation, exuding a sharp Sword Qi that, even without any ability, others felt as if their souls were being torn apart and slain by her.

Looking at Xu Hongzhuang, the corners of Feng Zhiyong's mouth curled into a slight smile, as if reminiscing, or perhaps a sense of release, and he said softly: "You've grown up, Hongzhuang."

"I have always shackled myself, thinking that everything I did was for the good of the east of the bridge. But in reality, none of it was so; I am just an ordinary person, and no matter how hard I try, I cannot become like you, professionals."

"The future belongs to you young people. I'm old, perhaps it's time to let go."

As Feng Zhiyong spoke, his face instantly appeared aged, and even his once straight back became bent, slightly hunched.

In the past, he had always been holding on.

As the leader of the main battle faction, as Colonel of the east of the bridge, everyone could be sad, upset, but only he needed to maintain a clear mind at all times.

Ordering the killing of warriors pained him.

Step by step tolerance angered him.

Witnessing Zhou Xian's death saddened him even more.

But he couldn't show it, because he was Feng Zhiyong.

But now, when the subordinates he had painstakingly cultivated began to negate all his efforts, this stubborn leader finally laid down his burden.

"I sat in this position for so long, not for power, but for the entirety of the east of the bridge."

"You're not wrong; perhaps I was just too obstinate."

"Promise me, Hongzhuang, make this place better."

[The Betrayal of the Trustworthy.]

It became the last straw that broke Feng Zhiyong's back.

Everything followed naturally.

Abdication.

Shortly after, Feng Zhiyong claimed to be in poor health and handed over all ruling powers in the city to Xu Hongzhuang. The Iron Demon Army and other military units also fully pledged allegiance to her without any dissent.

Tian Xuefeng's position was stripped, and except for weapon crafting, he was not involved in any tasks.

Han Qiang also mysteriously retreated to a back seat, no longer touching the secrets of the city.

These were the surface news.

Anyone with some influence knew this was a coup because the old powers disappeared so suddenly. But who dared to protest?

A week after taking control of the east of the bridge, Xu Hongzhuang issued an order to capture the remnants of the conservative forces.

In just one day, she killed over a hundred conspirators attempting to overthrow power and captured more than six hundred staunch loyalists.

Everything happened too suddenly.

No one anticipated that Xu Hongzhuang would use such swift and resolute means to completely uproot the conservative foundation.

It was because of this.

The east of the bridge.

Welcome to a new era.