It wasn’t long before Zheng Lin arrived at the fortress, and Lu Feng met with him immediately.
"Congratulations, Boss. The plan is halfway to success!" Zheng Lin congratulated him the moment they met.
Lu Feng nodded. "Next, take Chen Feng to the Li Family."
Zheng Lin asked, "Boss, what about the new farmland? Should I report it to the Li Family? Also, Chen Feng has secretly hoarded a huge amount of grain. He built private granaries, and it’s all stored there."
Lu Feng’s reply was decisive. "Hand over most of the grain from the granaries to the Li Family. Report the new farmland, too. That will make them lower their guard."
"And try to get some benefits for me from the Li Family, like the position of Guard Officer of this fortress. Also, tell them I need reinforcements and get their permission to recruit soldiers from the City East Alliance."
’He really didn’t care about the grain.’
’After all, he could continuously bring in grain from the real world.’
’As for the new farmland, even if he told the Li Family, the crops couldn’t be harvested right away. It wasn’t as if he was just handing the land over to them.’
’It would take several months for the new farmland to yield a harvest.’
’A lot could happen in a few months.’
’This would actually earn the Li Family’s goodwill. When the time was right, even if he took the farmland for himself, what could they do about it then?’
’Besides, as long as I can get the position of East Suburb Guard Officer, I can openly recruit people from the City East Alliance.’
’After all, the City East Alliance had a population of a million in its periphery and slums alone, all gathered in the eastern district of Celestial Sea City.’
’The last time I went to the City East Alliance, it was just to a place on the very outskirts to buy Cheng Yaoyao for her expertise in repairing electromagnetic technology. But compared to other parts of Celestial Sea City, even that periphery of the Alliance had a hint of prosperity.’
Zheng Lin nodded at Lu Feng’s words and quickly left the fortress with Chen Feng, heading back to the City East Alliance. Wang Cheng went with them to act as a liaison and prevent any unforeseen problems.
Chen Feng was shackled in electronic chains and tightly bound. Coupled with his severe injuries, he was in no position to try anything.
Zheng Lin drove the hover car, racing back to the City East Alliance at top speed.
The most famous area in the City East Alliance was, of course, the Noble District.
The streets of the Noble District were immaculate, with dedicated sanitation workers sweeping away trash and fallen leaves.
Hover cars glided down the roads, and vendors hawked their wares on the sidewalks.
The roads were lined with all sorts of open shops: bakeries, florists, taverns...
There were even graceful noblewomen strolling down the street, walking their pet dogs.
The scene before them looked nothing like the apocalypse; it was more like a bustling metropolis from before the end of the world.
This was the Noble District, a world apart from the apocalypse outside—a world of food shortages, cannibalism, and moral decay.
It just went to show that in any society, only those with power could live better than everyone else.
And everyone in the Noble District belonged to a family that held power in the City East Alliance.
A hover car drove onto a street in the Noble District.
Looking at the clean streets and the peaceful, harmonious, and prosperous scene, Zheng Lin was filled with emotion.
’This is why, despite being a Fire Element Superpower User, I chose to be a lackey for the Li Family.’
’In this apocalyptic world, who wouldn’t want to live in an environment like this?’
’Only here can you live like a human being.’
But not just anyone could enter the Noble District, not even Superpower Users.
These noble families controlled even more Superpower Users. If you didn’t play by their rules, they would eliminate you without a second thought.
So, even Superpower Users had no choice but to pledge their allegiance.
Zheng Lin once again drove the hover car up to a manor.
He had lost count of how many times he had entered this manor.
This was the Li Family Manor.
But as a Superpower User affiliated with the family, but not part of it, he wasn’t qualified to live here.
Zheng Lin announced his arrival and was allowed into the Li Family Manor.
After all, the matter of sending Qingfeng Base to the East Suburb as cannon fodder to deal with the bandits was currently one of the Li Family’s top priorities.
Qingfeng Base had replaced the Gray Wolf Mercenary Corps and was now also tasked with helping the Li Family find that Salvation Army squad.
But the Li Family would never guess that the Salvation Army squad was already at Qingfeng Base, and that the weapon they were looking for—the Mecha—was also there.
Zheng Lin soon entered the main hall of the Li Family Manor.
An old man was already there, waiting for him.
It was none other than the Li Family Patriarch, Li Sheng.
When Li Sheng saw Zheng Lin drag in Chen Feng, who was covered in blood and bound in electronic chains, his brow furrowed. "Zheng Lin, what is the meaning of this?"
Zheng Lin was one of his Li Family’s men, their instrument for controlling the Guard Officer of the East Suburb Fortress. From the scene before him, anyone could tell that something must have happened in the East Suburb.
Zheng Lin didn’t dare hesitate and immediately reported, "Mr. Li, I took the men from Qingfeng Base to the East Suburb and have investigated the matter thoroughly."
"The men the Li Family previously sent to the East Suburb were all murdered by this man, Chen Feng. The bandit leader there is named One-Eyed Tiger. Chen Feng colluded with him to kill the two previous groups the Li Family sent."
"What’s more, Chen Feng tried the same trick again, plotting with One-Eyed Tiger to eliminate the people from Qingfeng Base. Fortunately, I noticed in time and led my men to safety."
Li Sheng’s expression turned grave. "Why would he do that?"
Zheng Lin quickly explained, "Mr. Li, Chen Feng is ambitious. He secretly amassed a huge amount of grain in the East Suburb, storing it in several warehouses. Qingfeng Base will deliver the grain shortly."
"Furthermore, Chen Feng also discovered a new, sizable plot of arable land in the East Suburb. But he never reported it, intending to claim it for himself!"
At these words, Li Sheng’s gaze locked onto Chen Feng, and a thick killing intent washed over the man. "Is what Zheng Lin says true?"
Facing Li Sheng’s killing intent, Chen Feng panicked. "Mr. Li, spare me! I was blinded by greed! I was wrong! I’m a Superpower User! I can still be of use to the Li Family!"
"Damn you!" Hearing this, Li Sheng knew Zheng Lin was telling the truth. Killing intent flooded his face as he casually waved his hand, and a sound of something slicing through the air was heard.
Zheng Lin saw a transparent blade of wind shoot past.
Before he could even react, Chen Feng’s head had separated from his body and rolled onto the floor.
The wind blade, however, continued onward, piercing clean through the wall several meters away.
Seeing this, Zheng Lin swallowed hard.
’The Li Family Patriarch is just as terrifying as the rumors say.’
"What is the situation in the East Suburb now?" Li Sheng immediately asked.
Zheng Lin replied, "The situation isn’t good. The bandit leader, One-Eyed Tiger, was actually scheming against Chen Feng the whole time. Not only is One-Eyed Tiger a Superpower User himself, but he also has many others under his command."
"They took this opportunity to wipe out the fortress guards that Chen Feng had led out, and then they invaded the East Suburb Fortress itself."
"What?" Li Sheng couldn’t remain calm. He shot to his feet.
This was absolutely terrible news for the Li Family.
Based on what Zheng Lin was saying, the Li Family couldn’t spare the manpower to go deal with the problem in the East Suburb right now.
If the Flame Emperor found out about this, he would surely revoke the Li Family’s jurisdiction over the East Suburb. That would be an absolute disaster for them.
Seeing his chance, Zheng Lin quickly said, "Mr. Li, don’t panic. When One-Eyed Tiger invaded the fortress, Lu Feng, the leader of Qingfeng Base, went with me to relieve it."
"It seems One-Eyed Tiger was also afraid that occupying the fortress would provoke the City East Alliance to send an army to wipe him out, so he didn’t stay long. He just plundered some resources and left. Qingfeng Base is now garrisoning the fortress."
"So the fortress is still in our hands." Li Sheng let out a subconscious sigh of relief.
Zheng Lin nodded. "Yes, Mr. Li. One-Eyed Tiger has grown powerful, so Qingfeng Base is hoping for the Li Family’s support. Their leader, Lu Feng, wishes to be appointed Guard Officer of the fortress so he can legitimately defend it. He also hopes to come to the City East Alliance to recruit more men!"
"Qingfeng Base..." Li Sheng didn’t answer, but muttered the name to himself instead.
’I could grant both of those requests.’
’My family is in charge of the East Suburb, so appointing a new Guard Officer is a simple matter. Letting him recruit in the City East Alliance is even more trivial; once he becomes the Guard Officer, he’ll have every right to do so.’
’But Chen Feng was ambitious. Would this Lu Feng be any different?’
’After what happened with Chen Feng, how can I trust someone who isn’t one of our own?’
With that thought, Li Sheng gave his order to Zheng Lin. "Zheng Lin, I have a mission for you. I will issue the official documents appointing Lu Feng as the fortress’s Guard Officer. However, I will have Li Zong accompany you with some men."
"But the person who will ultimately become the Guard Officer is Li Zong. From now on, you will assist Li Zong over there."
"Ah!" Zheng Lin was stunned. He quickly asked, "Mr. Li, are you saying you want to eliminate Lu Feng?"
Li Sheng’s voice was cold and sinister. "With what has happened in the East Suburb, the Qingfeng Base team is indeed an excellent force to garrison the fortress. They can temporarily solve our family’s predicament."
"But it’s unsettling to have a force like Qingfeng Base not under our direct control. So, we’ll use the official documents to lull Lu Feng into a false sense of security. Then, when the opportunity arises, you will help Li Zong kill him. Li Zong will take his place and assume control of Qingfeng Base’s men."
Zheng Lin’s mouth fell open, but for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.
’The boss clearly miscalculated. He obviously never expected the Li Family to be so treacherous and ruthless.’
’Based on my report, the boss helped the Li Family solve a major problem.’
’Who knew the Li Family Patriarch would be so ungrateful? Instead of being thankful, he’s plotting to kill the boss and have one of his own people take his place.’
’How ruthless.’
But at this moment, Zheng Lin could only give an obedient reply. "Yes, Mr. Li. I will cooperate fully!"
"Very good!" Li Sheng was satisfied with Zheng Lin’s attitude. He had a sturdy man summoned and gave a direct order: "Li Zong, you will take two men and go with Zheng Lin to the East Suburb. Cooperate with him to deal with Lu Feng, the leader of Qingfeng Base. Remember, after you’ve dealt with Lu Feng, seize the opportunity to bring the people of Qingfeng Base under your command. Only then can we rest easy."