The struggle for the position of the Alliance Leader of the Luofeng Alliance has come to this point, fearing that neither party will find a suitable reason. Now, this reason lies right before us, how could Wei Ruhan possibly let it go?
As Chi Lu’s mind raced, someone suddenly whispered in his ear:
"City Lord... great joy!"
This voice came so abruptly that it startled Chi Lu, who quickly turned around: "What joy could there possibly be, as we are facing a great disaster right now?"
"Hehe, calamity begets fortune, and fortune may lead to calamity.
"In the current situation, whether it is a blessing or a curse for you depends on your thoughts."
Hearing this, Chi Lu glanced at the speaker thoughtfully: "Explain further."
The man looked around cautiously and whispered, "May I ask, Alliance Hierarch, with Zhou Qingchuan dead, who is in charge of Zhongfu City?"
"Obviously, I am in charge."
Chi Lu didn’t even have to think about it. He had been competing with Zhou Qingchuan for so long without a clear winner. Now that Zhou Qingchuan is dead, naturally, he holds the greatest authority over the affairs of Zhongfu City.
"Then may I ask, Alliance Hierarch... for whom is Su Mo running this errand?"
"Obviously, it is for..."
Chi Lu was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly paused. He originally wanted to say that it was obviously for the villagers.
But the intelligence he had just gathered informed him that Su Mo had already avenged the villagers.
Only one of the Guanchuan Five Ghosts remains, and he’s half-dead.
His trip here, claiming to seek justice from Zhou Qingchuan for an unchecked crime, however... did this unchecked crime truly merit death?
Chi Lu’s brows slightly furrowed: "He holds the Wei Token, seizing the opportunity to make things difficult. The struggle for the Alliance Leader position has not yet settled among the Eight Alliance Leaders. Each restrains the others, a single move affecting the whole body.
"Unless there is a justifiable cause, neither party dares to act recklessly.
"Hua Qianyu, using the pretext of a covert accusation made by Zuo Qiuyang, eliminated one Zuo Qiuyang, which was perfectly timed.
"However, Tianyu City ultimately cannot fall into her hands alone. The Alliance Leader presented Wei Ziyi, also weighing all aspects.
"Moreover, Wei Ziyi is the Alliance Leader’s own granddaughter; she has to have a place within the Luofeng Alliance.
"In this way, Hua Qianyu didn’t completely monopolize one city, and all parties acknowledged the situation.
"However, taking action again has become much more difficult.
"But Su Mo, on the other hand, does not belong to the Luofeng Alliance.
"Seizing this opportunity and acting under the name of the Path of Chivalry, others could hardly find fault."
He spoke all this in one breath, then heard the person beside him nod and smile:
"Precisely, think carefully. With Zhou Qingchuan dead, the entire Zhongfu City fell into your hands.
"This time, he lets you go to Wei Ruhan in seven days...
"Do you really think it’s to have you beg for forgiveness from the Alliance Leader?"
Chi Lu took a deep breath: "Right, right, I was almost confused. He gave me exactly seven days... and these seven days are enough for me to handle Zhou Qingchuan’s followers.
"To seek forgiveness from Wei Ruhan afterward... this isn’t asking for forgiveness, but clearly offering a Token of Loyalty!
"What a Wei Ruhan, this tactic, this tactic is simply..."
He furrowed his brows, intending to say something about being cruel and ruthless.
However, upon reflection, the adversary’s actions were entirely reasonable.
The Guanchuan Five Ghosts invaded, and without prior investigation, villagers indeed died.
Su Mo handled the situation perfectly.
If this had not happened, if Su Mo had inexplicably come to kill an Alliance Hierarch of the Luofeng Alliance, even holding the Phoenix Order, his rationale would still be shaky.
But now, things are different.
The Guanchuan Five Ghosts slaughtered the villagers, and Zhou Qingchuan, along with Chi Lu as the City Lords of Zhongfu City, could not shirk responsibility for this matter.
And facing Chi Lu were essentially two paths.
The first path, according to Su Mo’s intentions, was to clean up Zhou Qingchuan’s remnants, bring Zhongfu City under control, and then go to Luoxia City to offer Wei Ruhan the Token of Loyalty.
From then on, belong to Wei Ruhan’s faction and aid Wei Ziyi from front and behind.
The benefit is taking charge of a city’s land, reigning supreme.
The second path... if he does not go to Wei Ruhan, today, with Su Mo’s prior words, if he came later to kill, it wouldn’t be an action without justification.
Judging from his martial arts skills, even if he and all his best men attacked together, they probably would not be his match.
Moreover, he might not even come openly.
If he stealthily killed him and then left, who could stop him?
Thus, rather than saying there are two paths, it’s better to say there’s only one path now.
Chi Lu, upon this realization, sighed: "At this stage, there’s indeed no other way."
"What does the City Lord suggest?"
The person beside him quickly asked.
"Delay would mean trouble, act quickly, take all that belongs to Zhou Qingchuan under control.
"No matter what, Zhongfu City cannot be thrown into chaos!
"Afterward, prepare gifts, and once things inside Zhongfu City are settled, I will immediately head to Luoxia City to seek... forgiveness from the Alliance Leader!"
The person beside him finally nodded and smiled: "That’s exactly what should be done. Although Wei Ziyi is now in a weak position and the Alliance Leader intends to pass on the position, he still struggles alone.
"At this juncture, by swearing allegiance to the Alliance Leader, ostensibly we are supporting this young woman.
"Yet with the Alliance Leader’s support, we would firmly hold this city.
"What happens next, is still all up to us, isn’t it?"