Li Yu's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear and impactful.
He pressed his hand firmly on Ma Yuanbai's shoulder, as if conveying some kind of entrustment, then slowly withdrew it, turned around and walked into the Thunder Bureau's gate.
Ma Yuanbai was deeply shocked!
Staring blankly at the tall, pine-like figure before me, I felt a sense of responsibility to break through the fog and bear immense weight.
The relief and understanding that Li Yu felt after reconciling with him couldn't even compare to one ten-thousandth of the relief expressed by Li Yu's words.
In his memory, Li Yu, who had always been 'passive' in moving forward, had so readily accepted the position of city lord!
This huge change left Ma Yuanbai momentarily stunned.
"What?" Li Yu's voice drifted from inside the Thunder Bureau, carrying a barely perceptible urging:
"You didn't lock him up? Why don't you come in and recognize the place?"
Ma Yuanbai took a deep breath of the cold air, suppressed his turbulent emotions, and finally showed a relieved smile on his face. He strode after him and said, "You're here."
"Squeak—"
The heavy alloy prison door was pulled open with force, and the salutes of the soldiers of the Seventh Regiment rang out simultaneously:
"Commander! Deputy Commander!"
In the shadows of the corner, Chen Hai's body tensed almost imperceptibly.
He slowly stood up, his gaze calmly fixed on the entrance, his movements still carrying a hint of sluggishness from just being released from paralysis.
Despite being imprisoned for a long time, Chen Hai did not look disheveled at all.
Li Yu and Ma Yuanbai appeared at the end of the passage.
Chen Hai's keen senses, which had long struggled on the edge of power, tightened instantly. He knew that the moment that would determine their life or death had arrived!
"Director Chen!"
Upon seeing Li Yu arrive, several of Chen Hai's trusted subordinates immediately tensed up, their eyes flashing with vigilance and resentment, still harboring anger and a lingering flame of resistance.
They thought Chen Hai was going to lead them in a final stand, so they subconsciously tensed up, and the suppressed energy within them began to stir again.
"Keep them all!" Chen Hai's deep voice rang out, carrying an unquestionable authority that instantly suppressed the restless atmosphere among his subordinates.
His gaze never left Li Yu and Ma Yuanbai, who were approaching. He simply turned his head slightly and spoke quickly in a voice only those close to him could hear:
"Stay calm. It's not at the point of mutual destruction yet."
Chen Hai straightened the slightly wrinkled front of his uniform, the last bit of dignity he could maintain while imprisoned.
Then he calmly walked to the cell bars and looked calmly at Li Yu and Ma Yuanbai who were walking towards him through the cold alloy bars.
His face showed no flattery, no disappointment, only a weariness born of hardship and a calm understanding of the world.
He wanted to see for himself whether all of this was indeed Li Yu's doing.
Only after confirming this can he make the next important decision.
"Li Yu." Chen Hai's voice wasn't loud, but it still carried the air of someone in a superior position.
"Director Chen." Li Yu stopped and looked back at him calmly, without any unnecessary formalities.
A brief silence filled the air between them, as if an invisible force was at play.
Chen Hai's men behind him almost held their breath, clenched their fists, and were ready to fight to the death at any moment.
Finally, Chen Hai saw the determination in Li Yu's eyes. Having received his answer, he spoke slowly, his tone calm and steady, as if stating a fait accompli:
"Kangcheng is already under your control. I, Chen, am incompetent and have failed in my duty to defend this territory. There is nothing more to say."
He readily admitted defeat, maintaining a humble yet dignified demeanor.
Even though he had already guessed something, for the sake of everyone in their Thunder Division, Chen Hai still personally spoke up to confirm again:
"Li Yu, now that you've taken over Kang City, will you consider personally assuming the position of city lord?"
"I am already the city lord of Kangcheng!" Li Yu's calm answer exploded like a bomb in everyone's hearts.
The trusted subordinates behind Chen Hai, along with the Thunder Bureau members who had woken up in the other cells, were all struck dumb!
Their eyes widened and their mouths agape as they stared at Li Yu in disbelief!
City lord? !
The other party actually admitted it directly, and it seems they really intend to establish themselves in Kangcheng.
Even the soldiers of the Seventh Regiment who were guarding the group couldn't help but widen their eyes, and they were slightly agitated.
Breaking news! Their leader has actually accepted the position of city lord!
Upon hearing Li Yu's personal admission that he was now the city lord of Kangcheng, Chen Hai nodded slightly.
He understood that it was time for him to choose sides.
Chen Hai immediately changed his tone and addressed him differently:
“Lord Li Yucheng, if you could have spoken with me, Chen, beforehand, I might have been willing to entrust Kangcheng with this responsibility.”
His tone carried a hint of barely perceptible regret, which also made it clear that he was not without value.
Chen Hai's gaze swept over his subordinates who had followed him for many years, his eyes revealing a heavy sense of responsibility, and his voice became more solemn:
"Now that things have come to this, I, Chen, only have one question: How does Lord Li Yucheng intend to deal with us? And with these brothers who have followed me for many years and shed blood for Kangcheng?"
He deliberately emphasized the handling of the situation, intentionally adopting a humble stance and placing his side in a position where the other party needed to make the decision.
Li Yu looked at Chen Hai. The man before her showed no groveling or angry accusations, only a calm composure that remained clear-headed even in dire straits, and a sense of responsibility towards his subordinates.
This stance carries more weight than any dramatic display.
Li Yu also hesitated, wondering how to deal with these people.
After all, they have been operating in Cannes for many years and know the situation there very well. If they can use it for their own purposes, that would naturally be a good thing.
However, if not handled properly, it could become a hidden danger for Kangcheng.
Chen Hai stared sharply at Li Yu, his words carrying an extreme clarity:
"Kangcheng has changed hands; regardless of Lord Li's future actions, our failure to defend the city is a capital offense. If we are taken back to Zhongzhou..."
A bitter yet insightful smile tugged at the corner of his lips:
“What awaits me is not a simple demotion, but to bear the full responsibility for the loss of Kangcheng. We are the best scapegoats.”
The words "scapegoat" struck the hearts of every member of the Thunder Bureau like a cold hammer.
Chen Hai didn't roar; he simply calmly stated the cruelest reality.
Now he only has one path to take, and that is to be tied to Li Yu on the same rope.
Only by seeking refuge with Li Yu can they survive.
Chen Hai believed that Li Yu definitely had the ability to protect them.
But if they lose Kangcheng and don't find a backer like Li Yu...
Thinking of this, Chen Hai glanced at his confidants with a serious expression. They, these scapegoats, would only face death. After all, someone had to be held responsible for the fall of Kangcheng.
“Director Chen has a clear understanding.” Li Yu’s voice was emotionless, but Chen Hai could sense that Li Yu was seriously considering his words.
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