Abyss Summoner-Chapter 325 - 318: By Any Means Necessary

Silence reigned.

The conference room was filled with sounds of gasping, unmistakably revealing Chen Feng’s intimidation at that moment.

Even Xu Hongzhuang’s beautiful face was full of shock, as she had sparred with Chen Feng several times and had never seen him use such a long-range attack before. More importantly, he didn’t waste any words, but used the simplest method to shut Tian Jian up.

Dead.

A professional who had contributed to Qiaodong had his organs pierced and died right there on the ground.

Drop!

Chen Feng wore simple linen-colored clothes, his expression calm, showing no trace of hesitation or worry after killing someone. Instead, this only added to his intimidation, evoking an unknown fear in others.

He swept his gaze around the people in front of him, his eyes indifferent, yet many didn’t dare meet his gaze and instead chose to lower their heads.

"You noisy trash may not understand the importance of the news just now, so let me say it again."

His words were shocking.

Many of those who followed Tian Jian in clamoring were professionals and Battle Group leaders, considered elder-level figures in Qiaodong. Compared to Chen Feng, they boasted power and influence. Yet now, these experts known for their strength and clout were being called trash. This was no longer provocation but a blatant insult.

And the result?

No one dared to stand up and accuse him directly.

Why?

The corpse at their feet was the best reason.

More importantly, these people had the skill to read the room. Seeing the once leaderly Xu Hongzhuang now meek and submissive, they realized that the tide in Qiaodong had changed.

It turns out they had targeted the wrong person; the manipulative hand behind the scenes, suppressing everything, wasn’t Xu Hongzhuang, but this young man!

Surprise outweighed anger.

In this situation, everyone felt as if they’d swallowed bitter lotus, the bitterness spreading from their tongues to their hearts. When did an outsider manage to reach this point without anyone being aware?!

Fear.

Soon after, sheer terror enveloped them.

Including Tian Jian, they had been so aggressive because they knew Xu Hongzhuang’s character—upright, uncompromising, unable to tolerate any nonsense. This girl cared about "reason" in everything. Thus, they used Feng Zhiyong’s experience to blackmail Xu Hongzhuang.

They knew that, due to psychological pressure, she would make some concessions. In fact, they had already seized some power by exploiting this weakness of Xu Hongzhuang, and her retreat had only fueled their arrogance.

But now...

These people bizarrely found that the real mastermind was someone else. The elder identity was no longer leverage but practically a death sentence.

One new ruler, one new set of ministers.

It was clear without giving it much thought that they, as old ministers, were thorns in the young man’s side. Concessions? Don’t even think about it. He might wish they were dead!

Understanding all this, they exchanged glances, seeing fear and regret in each other’s eyes.

Chen Feng didn’t care about their subtle actions but spoke in a slightly low voice: "I now have accurate information. Deep in Qiaoxi, there is a powerful entity. Their strength is alarming, and once they attack, with the current forces of Qiaodong and the economic development zone, defense is impossible. In such a situation, everyone must devote all their energy to resist any imminent danger."

"Once the city falls, it won’t just be about a few deaths but tens or even hundreds of thousands of casualties. No one can bear this responsibility. Therefore, anyone who is negligent or disobeys orders will be charged with rebellion. Anyone, regardless of their position or power, who disobeys—dies!"

Chen Feng stopped speaking.

His gaze swept over those who had been the most vociferous, and he said: "Tian Xuefeng acted recklessly and must be punished. So, who opposes this decision, you? You? Or you?"

"No! I have no objections."

"Neither do I."

"I... I have none either. I will strictly follow Colonel Xu’s orders!"

These people were old foxes, nodding furiously now, afraid of being remembered and ending up dead like Tian Jian.

"Good, since that’s the case, Xu Zhe, you’ll handle this matter. I’m giving you three days to complete it."

"Yes, master!"

Xu Zhe remained expressionless and agreed to it immediately.

What he cared about was only the life of Liang Jingyao. Everything and everyone was based on this premise. For him, if Tian Xuefeng disagreed, the Magic Crystal Cannon couldn’t be built. Without defensive weapons, both cities were in danger. When danger arrived, how could Liang Jingyao stay out of it?

Xu Zhe’s belief was simple: anything harmful to Liang Jingyao must be destroyed with overwhelming force.

Xu Hongzhuang’s face was somewhat flustered, and only after hearing Chen Feng’s command did she finally speak up: "We can talk about this slowly, Tian Xuefeng there..."

"Enough!"

Chen Feng shouted angrily, his eyes fixed tightly on the opponent’s gaze, speaking sternly: "You should know the current situation; one wrong move and it’s all lost. I cannot affect the bigger picture because of one person. I have arrangements for this matter, and you don’t need to worry about it."

Having said this, he turned and walked toward the door without looking back.

Xu Hongzhuang clenched her fists, her face slightly flushed, but what could she do? She stood obediently aside, watching Chen Feng walk out the door, his figure gradually disappearing.

And the surrounding high-level officials, after witnessing this scene, were further convinced of their thoughts, and some opportunists already had ideas of changing allegiance.

Chen Feng.

It was on this day that this simple name became thoroughly etched in their minds.

...............

In a dark and damp prison covered with moss, Tian Xuefeng leaned against the wall, his clothes tattered, his face unshaven. His only remaining arm and legs were chained, forcing him to stand. Even though he was a Silver Peak-level powerhouse, such torture left him somewhat exhausted.

He was notoriously crude, having more than once openly rebuked Hong Jiuling in the council chamber, even cursing angrily. His barbaric style was well-known. He was once the highly anticipated new leader of Qiaodong. In terms of qualifications, this man who built the Magic Crystal Cannon and strengthened weapons held stronger advantages compared to Xu Hongzhuang.

But things didn’t go as planned, and in the end, he became the losing side. Two days ago, he ended his life of freedom, locked up like a prisoner in this jail.

"So, have you made up your mind?" A voice came from the cell door.

Tian Xuefeng opened his eyes, his lips chapped due to a lack of water, curving into a sarcastic smile: "Kid, this place is lovely, I’m here to enjoy myself. What do you want me to do? Oh, build weapons, right? Sorry, I’m busy."

Xu Zhe was not annoyed.

This guy, who in his previous life fell into darkness for the sake of a woman, now showed amazing patience.

A bucket of ice water was poured directly over Tian Xuefeng, the sound of cold water droplets falling distinctly clear in the silent basement.

Tian Xuefeng gasped sharply. No matter how strong he was, having gone two days without food or water, his physical functions had dramatically declined. At this moment, the bucket of ice water undoubtedly exacerbated his condition.

He exhaled a breath of impure air. Ignoring his physical pain, he smiled at Xu Zhe and said, "You dog of Order, don’t think I know nothing. I know Xu Hongzhuang’s character best, how truly loyal she is to Feng Zhiyong. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have helped her make a name for herself, turning from a nobody to a renowned Valkyrie, a female war god!"

"But... everything changed since your master Chen Feng came. The former Xu Hongzhuang is now so unfamiliar; she’s willing to turn against us to seize control of Qiaodong. Hong Jiuling is a Devil for sure, but your master is a monster in human skin! I make weapons for humans to use, not for beasts! Tell Chen Feng to give up. No matter what, I will not build a Magic Crystal Cannon for you ever again!"

Tian Xuefeng saw clearly and understood well who the true leader of Qiaodong was now.

Xu Zhe wasn’t annoyed. This young man, whose Brain Realm was enhanced and promoted by Chen Feng until now, answered irrelevantly, "You’re forty-seven today. In this apocalypse, with your family either dead or injured, isn’t your only direct relative a son?"

Tian Xuefeng’s face changed slightly, and he quickly shut his mouth.

Xu Zhe opened a box, inside was a lock of hair. Although it was just a small tuft, it made Tian Xuefeng’s pupils narrow to a thin line.

"You bastards, my son hasn’t offended anyone, he’s just lying on a sickbed. What trouble has he caused you? If you dare touch him, I’ll haunt you even in death."

Tian Xuefeng glared angrily, his chest heaving violently, as if he was about to break out of the cell at any moment, exuding a terrifying aura.

Yes.

When the apocalypse came, Tian Xuefeng’s son was unfortunately targeted by the Blood Nether Centipede. By the time Tian Xuefeng and others rushed back, his only son’s legs had been devoured. From then on, he took meticulous care of his son, fulfilling the duty of a father.

Xu Zhe spoke calmly, "The elder said that a leader should understand tolerance. This time it’s just hair, next time, I might accidentally cut off something else."

"The elder does everything for Qiaodong. You may not understand now, but that’s not important. What’s important is that you need to serve the elder, you must serve him. I have a lot of patience to play with you, but your son? How many more chances does he have to wait for my visit?"

"Is your resentment more important or a father’s duty? I don’t know, so could you tell me the answer?"

This man, who would get furious over small matters and was once rated the most troublesome high-level figure in Qiaodong, now had nothing angry or reproachful to say.

In the cell, a threatened Tian Xuefeng hung his head, not even glancing at the other party. But everyone knew he had made a choice.

Compromise.

Ultimately, this man compromised.