Chapter 150 – The Price of Ambition

Chapter 150 – The Price of Ambition

The settlement was currently facing a massive crisis. The surrounding areas had been thoroughly scavenged for food, and what little remained was either guarded by hordes of demonic beasts or buried too deep underground for human hands to reach.

At most, the remaining food supplies would last them another seven to eight days. But one thing was clear – the apocalypse wouldn’t end in a week, and those damned demonic beasts weren’t going anywhere either.

When the food ran out, how would humanity survive? What could Wei Yun use to maintain control over the settlement’s population? Even if some horrific tragedy occurred, it wouldn’t surprise Wei Yun in the slightest.

Perhaps Cheng Yang’s arrival was the opportunity to solve this problem. Wei Yun comforted himself with this thought.

Wei Yun then summoned the settlement’s management personnel. The hierarchy was simple – at the top were the five leaders, followed by ten groups, each divided into ten smaller teams. Wei Yun had called for the group leaders.

Cheng Yang stood aside, watching as Wei Yun explained the situation to everyone. Although some were reluctant to change the status quo and become subordinates again, the giant wolf beside Niu Bing served as a sufficient deterrent. No one dared to harbor rebellious thoughts in the face of such a formidable creature.

Just as many thought the matter was settled, a loud shout came from outside: “Nobody move!”

Instantly, over twenty people raised their guns, aiming at Cheng Yang and the others, including Wei Yun’s group.

Cheng Yang frowned, though he wasn’t particularly concerned. While being at gunpoint was unpleasant, these weapons couldn’t seriously harm him. Unless these people could provide a reasonable explanation, they’d soon be explaining themselves to the King of Hell.

Wei Yun remained calm, scanning the crowd before turning to a group leader standing nearby. “Group Leader Zhao, quite the schemer, aren’t you?”

Zhao smiled, stepping forward despite the guns trained on him. “Big Leader, you can’t blame me. We all worked hard to build this settlement. Now you’re handing it over to outsiders for your own benefit. Don’t you think that’s cold?”

His words were persuasive. Several group leaders showed agreement, though none dared move under the threat of guns.

“It’s only cold for you, isn’t it?” Wei Yun retorted. “You’ve hidden your intentions well. I never expected you’d stockpiled so many weapons. Planning a rebellion, were you?”

Zhao laughed. “Rebellion? That’s not the right word. We’re just fighting for our own destiny.”

Cheng Yang finally understood – this man had been planning a coup all along, using this situation as his opportunity. Losing patience, Cheng Yang snorted, “Ignorant fool.”

Zhao turned his attention to Cheng Yang. In his eyes, aside from Niu Bing’s shadow wolf, everyone else was insignificant, including Cheng Yang. He’d heard from Wei Yun that the wolf was merely Niu Bing’s summoned creature. Kill Niu Bing, and the summon would disappear. Even if it remained, it would be no stronger than an ordinary demonic beast. With so many guns, what was there to fear?

Zhao looked at Cheng Yang with mockery, like a cat toying with a mouse. Little did he know, he wasn’t dealing with a mouse, but a tiger. And he wasn’t a cat – at best, a grasshopper.

“Kid, I admit you’re good at bluffing,” Zhao sneered. “But that doesn’t matter now. If you surrender and tell me how your friend gained his powers, I might let you live. Otherwise…”

He suddenly stopped speaking, not by choice, but because his body was encased in a layer of pale blue ice. He couldn’t move, let alone speak.

In a flash, Cheng Yang appeared beside Zhao, a sharp iron sword pointed at his throat. “I suggest you all stay still. If I thrust this sword, it won’t just leave a hole.”

The gunmen were stunned. In the blink of an eye, their leader had been captured. Cheng Yang’s abilities were too strange – they couldn’t guarantee their bullets would be faster. Without their leader’s orders, they dared not shoot.

As the ice melted away, Zhao saw the sword at his neck and paled in terror. “Y-you… let’s talk this out. Could you put that down?”

Cheng Yang sneered. “Do you take me for a fool? You have three seconds to order your men to drop their weapons, or you lose your head.”

“Can you guarantee my safety?” Zhao asked.

“Do you think you’re in any position to negotiate?” Cheng Yang retorted.

Zhao’s face turned pale, then twisted in rage. “Don’t push me too far! If I die, we all die together!”

Cheng Yang chuckled. “Seems you’re still dreaming.” He glanced at Zhao’s waist, where a pistol hung. His magic staff disappeared, replaced by Zhao’s gun, which he promptly fired at his own arm.

Zhao initially thought Cheng Yang was disarming him, but when he saw Cheng Yang’s unharmed arm, his face drained of color. He wasn’t stupid – he understood the message. Guns were useless against Cheng Yang.

His greatest advantage had become a joke.

“Impossible… impossible!” Zhao refused to accept reality. The gunmen, seeing this, began to lower their weapons. If bullets couldn’t penetrate Cheng Yang’s skin, what was the point of aiming at him?

Cheng Yang ignored Zhao’s shock. “My time is limited… three…”

“Wait! Even if you’re bulletproof, are you willing to let all these people die with me?” Zhao snarled.

Cheng Yang looked at him like he was an idiot. “Who’s the fool here? Do you think this is the only settlement in Yicheng? Or do you think I’m Buddha, willing to sacrifice myself for others? Fine, since you’re pitiful, I promise none of us will kill you. Now, order your men to drop their weapons.”

“Really?” Zhao seemed surprised by this sudden mercy.

After Cheng Yang confirmed, Zhao immediately ordered his men to disarm. The gunmen, relieved to be rid of their useless weapons, complied instantly.

Dozens of Wei Yun’s loyal followers emerged, disarming and restraining Zhao’s men.

Cheng Yang lowered his sword, true to his word. “Niu Bing, take care of them.”

Before Zhao could react, the shadow wolf pounced, its speed far beyond human reaction. “You promised…” Zhao began, but his words were cut short as the wolf’s fangs pierced his throat.

Cheng Yang looked at the lifeless body and sighed. “I only said we wouldn’t kill you. I never said the wolf wouldn’t. Too naive, my friend.”

The onlookers felt a chill. This was too cruel – the wolf had acted on Cheng Yang’s orders, after all.

But no one dared challenge him.

Cheng Yang approached Dong Zhengqing. “Handle the rest. I won’t interfere. I don’t like killing, but roots of trouble must be removed. If you’re unsure how, Wei Yun can guide you.”

Then, calling for Niu Bing, Cheng Yang said to Wei Yun, “Let’s survey the area and clear out some demonic beasts. Select a group to come with us. We’ll transport the rest in batches later.”

Without waiting for questions, Cheng Yang departed with Niu Bing. He was confident Wei Yun and Dong Zhengqing would reach a satisfactory arrangement.

PS: Seeking monthly votes and subscriptions… (To be continued)