Chapter 157 – Signs of Trouble

At that moment, Cheng Yang noticed Yu Kai pacing back and forth in his small courtyard.

“Old Yu, why are you back?” Cheng Yang asked, slightly surprised.

Yu Kai replied, “Lord, why weren’t you cultivating in the territory last night?”

Cheng Yang was taken aback. He indeed hadn’t returned last night as it was his final day in Tongling Village. Some matters had kept him occupied until past midnight. To prepare for another attempt at the Dark Night Jungle dungeon the next morning, he had chosen to cultivate in Tongling Village that night, merely missing out on the time acceleration from the Nirvana Divine Stone – a negligible loss.

“I didn’t return last night. Is something wrong?” Cheng Yang asked.

Yu Kai’s expression turned serious. “Lord, the situation might be turning bad. Last night, my men spotted some professional combatants from the main city near Dongshan Village. Some of them had exceptional stealth abilities, clearly professionally trained. I suspect they’re military personnel.”

Cheng Yang frowned. This is concerning. Dongshan Village’s defenses pale in comparison to Luofeng Village. Aloud, he asked, “Are you saying Dongshan Village has been discovered?”

Yu Kai shook his head. “It’s hard to say for sure. Without territory guards, we can’t detect if anyone has entered our territory. But with the military’s reconnaissance capabilities, if they venture deep enough into the jungle, finding Dongshan Village wouldn’t be difficult.”

Cheng Yang pondered for a moment. “This is troublesome. It seems someone is deliberately stirring the pot behind the scenes.”

“What do you mean?” Yu Kai asked, confused.

Cheng Yang explained, “Just days ago, I warned the main city. With Yuan Jianze’s cautious nature, he wouldn’t dare violate our agreement so soon. Therefore, this must be someone acting behind his back. In fact, the bomb planted in our Luofeng Village might have been their doing too.”

Yu Kai looked startled. “What should we do? Help Yuan Jianze find the culprit?”

A cold smile played on Cheng Yang’s lips. “No need. Why should we? If someone wants to fish in troubled waters, I’ll make the water even murkier. Let’s hope they don’t drown in it.”

Cheng Yang then revealed his plan to disrupt the main city’s power structure, taking advantage of the upcoming rule changes that would allow people from other towns to enter the main city. This influx would create chaos, providing the perfect opportunity to establish a new power base.

“Should we send people to establish a new faction or take over an existing one?” Yu Kai asked.

Cheng Yang thought of Xiao Zheng, whom he had rescued in the ruins of Xiangcheng City. A man of such integrity is rare in these times. While too much kindness can be dangerous in the apocalypse, my plan requires someone with a benevolent heart. People naturally gravitate towards compassionate leaders.

“We’ll work with an existing faction,” Cheng Yang decided. “I’ll handle this when I visit the main city later.”

Yu Kai voiced his concerns about Dongshan Village’s defense, but Cheng Yang reassured him, handing over a newly acquired Sound Transmission Jade Talisman for emergency communication.

After dismissing Yu Kai, Cheng Yang rode his white tiger, Xiao Bai, towards the main city. The journey was smoother now, with most demonic beasts cleared from the path.

Upon arrival, soldiers immediately recognized Cheng Yang and escorted him to meet Yuan Jianze. The main city’s combatants watched in awe, their perception of Cheng Yang shaped by Yuan Jianze’s earlier propaganda painting him as a fearsome figure.

As Cheng Yang entered the inner city’s elegant streets lined with pavilions – a sight he had only admired from afar in his previous life – he was led to a particular building where Yuan Jianze awaited with several prominent figures of the main city.

“Mr. Cheng, you’ve kept us waiting,” Yuan Jianze greeted with a smile as he stepped forward.