Abyss Summoner-Chapter 266 - 261: Trumped-Up Charges

In a bright room, two people sat quietly. Unlike the hangers-on in the bustling market, these two had calm gazes and a vast and enduring presence.

The room was tidy and clean, attended to daily by a dedicated person, a treatment even ordinary professionals would not enjoy.

"I didn't expect the zombie tide to be broken through so quickly, it surprised everyone!"

At this moment in the room, around a table with tea leaves, sat a young man and a middle-aged man with a somber face—none other than Hong Jiuling's close associates, Li Chiyu and Mr. Fang.

"Yes, I thought it would last for a while," Mr. Fang glanced around and spoke lightly, "To support Li Chuan, I recently rushed a batch of Corpse Demons, but it seems they're no longer needed."

"However, now there's a lot of talk in the city, with all sorts of versions, everything is shrouded in mystery. We don't know if Xu Hongzhuang took the first prize or if Li Chuan emerged victorious," Li Chiyu said softly.

"The battlefield is ever-changing, no one knows what will happen in the next second. However, Li Chuan brought quite a few helpers this time, presumably reaping significant rewards. Once the battle is over, the troops will return soon, and then the answer will naturally be revealed," Mr. Fang appeared calm, as if unconcerned.

"You're right."

Li Chiyu nodded, then stood up, "Regardless of success or failure, the overall situation at the east of the bridge remains in our hands. The conservatives cannot turn the tables because of this little skirmish."

"Hmm... let's wait slowly."

Mr. Fang picked up a cup of tea and swallowed it slowly, and the two ceased talking and fell into silence.

.........

The next day at noon, five miles outside the east of the bridge.

In the cold wind, a regiment of disciplined warriors marched, exuding a fierce aura, majestic and mighty, while escorting countless prisoners, including zombies tied like mummies, and goblins with strange appearances.

After a great battle, the warriors held their heads high, projecting an overwhelming presence that was deeply inspiring.

On the roadsides, survivors and professionals—mostly from the pro-war faction—stood. Feng Zhiyong made an exception to allow these people to leave the city to welcome their heroes.

Among these people were families of the warriors. People looked around anxiously at the faces of the warriors. When they saw familiar faces, they waved excitedly, but after searching and not seeing the ones they wanted to see, some began to show panic and anxiety. Some, not strong enough to bear it, squatted immediately, feeling weak.

Wars bring death.

This is something everyone knows.

They could not accept watching their loved ones go to battle only to return as a corpse or a handful of yellow earth.

Bang bang bang!

A burst of gunfire actually came from a distance.

At the city gate of the east of the bridge, Feng Zhiyong surprisingly stood outside the gate himself to welcome the return of Xu Hongzhuang and a group of warriors.

"Bang!"

Yet that was not the end. As Xu Hongzhuang's team approached, a deafening sound exploded in the sky.

Magic Crystal Cannon!

Under such circumstances, the pro-war faction spared no expense—welcoming them with the Magic Crystal Cannon, scattering the clouds in the sky.

Feng Zhiyong stood at the back of the crowd, and beside him stood the elders of the pro-war faction, including Tian Xuefeng and Zhou Xian, among other experts.

It was meant to be a joyful occasion, but Feng Zhiyong's expression seemed a bit heavy, as if burdened with a secret, with even bloodshot eyes.

In truth, he hadn't slept for an entire day. Suppressing Hong Jiuling was a major matter—one wrong step and it would mean complete ruin.

But there was no turning back after drawing the bow. At this point, even if he regretted it, it was too late, and he could only choose to follow through.

"Everyone, walk forward to welcome the returning warriors."

Feng Zhiyong resolved everything and, without hesitation, issued orders to the crowd beside him.

Some exchanged glances. They had just received the order, saying it was to welcome but in truth, it was to rendezvous and later, inside and out work together to suppress the conservative faction's troops.

These people were Feng Zhiyong's trusted followers; loyalty was not an issue. Though they had not expected the colonel to take such action, they were warriors—all they needed to know was how to fight, everything else was beyond their choice or control.

At one side, representing the conservative faction to welcome the warriors was not Mr. Fang and Li Chiyu, but the irritable Weng Ziqiang. He stood still, glaring around with tiger eyes, exuding a powerful aura that was terrifying.

The three groups stood like sharp blades in three directions and then slowly converged. At this point, it was a matter of whose blade was sharper.

In the troop.

All the prisoners had been taken to the back under strict supervision, while at the front, apart from the gun-wielding warriors, all the Summoned Beasts under Chen Feng's command took to the stage.

Alongside the Undead Mage in the front, the Dark Elf and Flora stood on Chen Feng's sides like two guardians, loyally protecting him from harm.

Chen Feng was confident but not arrogant; he understood the opponents he faced this time. That's why he kept the Dark Elf and Flora by his side for better protection.

Xu Hongzhuang stood beside him, her face somewhat pale, seemingly tense.

"Everything is ready, act according to the original plan when the time is right. First, clear out the conservatives outside the city, then organize forces to invade inside. This all must be fast; take control of the city before the conservatives have time to prepare," Chen Feng said gravely.

Today's welcome was originally a Hongmen Banquet set up by Chen Feng and Feng Zhiyong to uproot the forces led by Hong Jiuling.

Xu Hongzhuang nodded, seeming to cheer herself up as her gaze slowly became firm. Regardless of the outcome, she must give it her all.

Half a mile ahead.

After some time, Chen Feng and his party finally appeared at the gate of the east of the bridge.

Feng Zhiyong looked at those proud faces, his body trembled slightly with apparent excitement. With a wave of his large hand, his close followers slowly gathered around them, unknowingly the two forces converged.

Weng Ziqiang stood by, appearing somewhat puzzled. He looked around carefully but did not see a familiar face, not even Li Chuan, nor any of the warriors he knew from before.

What was going on?

None of Li Chuan's men were there?

Weng Ziqiang felt something odd, stepped forward, wanting to have a closer look.

Just then, Xu Hongzhuang saw Weng Zhiqang and actually took a step forward, loudly announcing to Feng Zhiyong, "I have fulfilled my duty, the zombie tide has finally been repelled. We... have won!"

"However..."

Xu Hongzhuang changed her tone, her expression turning cold, "Li Chuan abused his power, constantly harassing the troops, even harming comrades. The battlefield is ever-changing, and I was forced to act first and report later—Li Chuan is dead, and I killed him! Moreover, I have conclusive evidence that Li Chuan has numerous crimes; all the bloody cases in the camp during this time are related to Li Chuan. I suspect others are directing him, so I demand a thorough investigation of Hong Jiuling!"

"What?!" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Weng Ziqiang's eyes nearly erupted with fire upon hearing this—Li Chuan was killed, and Xu Hongzhuang wanted a thorough investigation of Hong Jiuling. To him, this was simply provocation.

He stepped forward.

Weng Ziqiang walked toward Xu Hongzhuang, seeking an explanation from her.

But just then, Feng Zhiyong observed everything and suddenly shouted, "With Li Chuan's incident, you are complicit with them, not only unrepentant but now trying to act, seize him! I need to see whether Hong Jiuling harbors treachery against the east of the bridge!"

The curtain of battle was slowly drawn from now on...