Zhou Xiaopeng screamed in terror and began to struggle frantically with all his might, like a trapped beast.
The shackles rattled as he pulled them, but they remained unmoved, leaving only deeper and redder marks on his skin.
"Hehehe... Don't waste your energy, little guy."
Shitaka Yama let out a terrifying, eerie laugh, his withered fingers lightly tracing the cold metal shackles, feeling the vibrations:
"These shackles and platform were specially made by me to control Awakened Ones. They are made of the highest strength cold iron material. If you break free with your strength, I will really lose face."
"You're courting death! You dare touch my Central State Military Command and we won't let you get away with it!" Zhou Xiaopeng roared, his eyes bloodshot, as he struggled and made futile threats.
At the very same instant the protective shield shattered completely.
Zhou Zhenbei, who was far away in the military headquarters building in Jincheng, suddenly stood up from his seat.
The aura that was originally as calm as a mountain suddenly became extremely violent, and a terrifying pressure instantly swept across the entire building.
"Xiao Peng!!!"
A roar filled with shock and rage shook the air.
Zhou Zhenbei sensed it; the protective shield he had left for his son to save his life had been forcibly shattered!
He didn't have time to think, and his energy exploded instantly as he unleashed his superpower with all his might.
Almost simultaneously, inside the Kangcheng Research Institute.
The warm jade pendant at Zhou Xiaopeng's waist was instantly activated, bursting out with an unprecedentedly intense light.
Light rapidly condensed, forming a tiny energy vortex, within which a powerful and domineering aura emerged.
Zhou Xiaopeng, who had been terrified and panicked, suddenly felt relieved, and his eyes immediately lit up with joy and hope:
"Hahaha! You're all finished!"
He stared intently at Li Yu, Jiang Feng, and the others, his face once again displaying a twisted arrogance and resentment, his voice sharp with agitation:
"My dad already knows! He's coming soon! You're all going to die!! None of you will escape."
"Jiang Feng!" Zhou Xiaopeng glared at Jiang Feng, then turned his gaze to Shi Tuo Yan:
"And you old bastard, I'll tear you all to pieces!!"
Bai Ya's expression was solemn. The star array was already in operation, and the ritual could not be interrupted. Now that Zhou Zhenbei had intervened again, the situation was completely unpredictable.
The light emanating from the warm jade grew even brighter, and Zhou Zhenbei's illusory figure solidified completely.
Instead, it was a figure composed of pure energy and will, exuding a heavy and oppressive aura like a mountain, with two sharp, hawk-like eyes scanning the entire scene.
"Dad, kill them! They're the ones who kidnapped me!" Zhou Xiaopeng screamed impatiently, now that he had someone to rely on.
"Shut up!" Zhou Zhenbei's imposing phantom shouted, interrupting his son's wailing.
His gaze swept quickly over everyone present.
It wasn't surprising that Jiang Feng, who had taken Zhou Xiaopeng away, was present, but Xiao Zhan was nowhere to be seen.
Standing right in front of the phantom was Shi Tuo Yan, whose entire body exuded a sinister aura. Even upon seeing him, Shi Tuo Yan remained calm, clearly possessing some skill.
When Zhou Zhenbei saw the white crow maintaining the star array, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He hadn't expected to find the Deep Sea Watcher, with whom he had previously made a 'deal,' here.
As his gaze shifted, Zhou Zhenbei suddenly frowned.
Finally, his gaze settled on the young man in the center of the crowd, with a bow floating beside him.
bow! ?
A flash of murderous intent crossed Zhou Zhenbei's eyes, and the energy of the phantom surged violently.
He now feels extreme disgust for this weapon!
The arrows that had mysteriously fallen from the sky had repeatedly and accurately thwarted his plans, yet he had been unable to find the real culprit.
Furthermore, the team protecting Zhou Xiaopeng was also wiped out by arrows. It is likely that the appearance of this young man is no coincidence, and he may even be the one who has been secretly opposing him all along.
Zhou Zhenbei looked intently at the figure standing beside the bow.
"It's you!"
He finally recognized the person in front of him as Li Yu, the legendary hero of Zhongzhou.
Although he had suspected Li Yu before, deep down he never believed that a mere refugee, a person with the empty title of hero, could possess such heaven-defying strength and courage to oppose the General of Zhongzhou.
Only now, witnessing firsthand the profound and powerful aura emanating from Li Yu, did Zhou Zhenbei truly believe that the arrows that had been constantly hindering his plans were definitely related to Li Yu.
Such archery skills and strength are extremely rare in the entire Central Plains! Including Li Yu, he has only seen two such people in total.
Zhou Zhenbei's eyes gradually took on a cold and certain look, as if he had finally found the answer.
It's one thing for Li Yu to have always opposed him, but now she even dares to cooperate with Jiang Feng to kidnap his son. She really doesn't take him, a general, seriously.
More importantly, it seems that the Xu family of Jincheng has been the one who has been promoting Li Yu's heroic deeds, and the Xu family is one of the factions of Zhao Deyang.
Could it be... that old bastard Zhao Deyang is the one truly controlling Li Yu?
Zhou Zhenbei narrowed his eyes, his killing intent surging.
He was filled with doubts, but the only thing he was certain of was that killing Li Yu would be entirely beneficial to him!
However, although Zhou Zhenbei's phantom was surging with energy, it did not make a move immediately.
He was well aware that the Central Plains authorities had recently become suspicious of him and were very dissatisfied with his failure at the border. If he made too much of a fuss here, it would only give Zhao Deyang and his group an opportunity to use it against him.
Thinking it best to avoid trouble, Zhou Zhenbei suppressed the murderous intent in his eyes and spoke first:
"Gentlemen."
His tone carried a hint of condescension and threat:
“My son is young and doesn’t know any better. If he has offended anyone, I apologize on his behalf.”
"If we let this matter rest and send him back to Jincheng, I, Zhou Zhenbei, will repay you handsomely!"
"An apology? A generous reward?" Jiang Feng took a sudden step forward, trembling with rage, and pointed directly at Zhou Zhenbei's nose, shouting angrily:
"Zhou Zhenbei! You caused the Third Army Corps to perish on the border. Today, your son will pay for the lives of the soldiers of the Third Army Corps!"
Zhou Zhenbei's face darkened: "Jiang Feng, watch your words! Don't push your luck!"
"I've already said it, the incident involving the Third Legion was an accident, and it's an official outcome. If you're not satisfied, you can appeal to Jincheng. Besides, this matter has nothing to do with Xiaopeng!"
"Fuck your accident!" Jiang Feng cursed angrily.
Zhou Zhenbei glared at him, and Jiang Feng met his gaze without backing down. He had long since disregarded life and death and was completely ready to risk everything.
The two were locked in a fierce standoff, but Bai Ya and Shi Tuo Yan's gazes both turned to Li Yu, who remained silent throughout.
Li Yu is the core of this ceremony and the key to Zhou Xiaopeng's life or death.
Just as Jiang Feng was about to draw his sword, Li Yu slowly spoke, her voice cold and resolute as she refused:
"General Zhou Zhenbei, I'm afraid Zhou Xiaopeng won't be able to leave here alive today."
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