When a loud noise erupted from the center of the manor, the bodyguards in other parts of the estate immediately sprang into action. They drew their weapons, armed themselves with assault rifles and grenades, donned their bulletproof vests, and rapidly advanced towards the source of the commotion.
"Faster, faster! The Sect Master and the council members' safety is paramount, no delays!" the bodyguards urged as they rushed towards the small house at the very center.
Chaos reigned within the manor. Those inside knew that the seven most important individuals in the entire city were housed within the building. Any mishap would undoubtedly lead to immense turmoil in Kagoshima. Therefore, upon encountering an enemy, they were prepared to fight to the bitter end!
However, upon arriving at the central garden, over a hundred heavily armed bodyguards were astonished to find the seven most esteemed and vital figures of the city kneeling on the ground. Standing in the house was a gaunt young man, an unfamiliar face they had never seen before. A large hole had been torn in the roof, and tiles and wood splinters littered the interior. The bodyguards who had been stationed outside the house now lay on the ground, riddled with bullet holes, a grim sight.
These bodyguards froze, unsure of how to proceed. Should they attack now? The enemy was but one person, while they were numerous. A combined assault would surely ensure victory.
Just then, an old man suddenly lifted his head and, turning to a bodyguard, barked, "Kubo-kun, escort them all out. Today, you saw nothing!"
The bodyguards exchanged bewildered glances. They could scarcely believe that even their esteemed and benevolent Sect Master had knelt. Previously, they would never have imagined such a thing happening to their Sect Master. Yet, here they were, witnessing it with their own eyes. This was no dream; it was reality.
Thus, the bodyguards could only retreat from the small garden at that moment, leaving the scene.
Shen Feng said with satisfaction, "You have done very well. Now, you may have someone hoist the white flag!"
The others felt helpless. At this point, surrender was the only option. Though it was a disgrace, it was necessary to preserve themselves and the city. They had to choose this humiliating path. However, even in surrender, there was still hope. King Goujian of Yue had endured hardship and eventually sought revenge; they too should emulate him!
Subsequently, someone began making phone calls to subordinates, ordering them to raise the white flag. The subordinates, after a moment of hesitation, ultimately obeyed their superiors' instructions. Had they been facing ordinary enemies, they would never have surrendered so readily, even resorting to insubordination to continue the fight. But now, they realized their enemy was utterly invincible. In such a situation, continuing to fight would only result in needless casualties. After much deliberation, surrender seemed the only course.
Smoke billowed across the city, and people were still fleeing in many areas. Numerous houses were ablaze, the fires spreading. Bodies littered the ground, many having perished from the gravitational fields or trampled to death in the ensuing panic.
If the previous zombie outbreaks had given these people a taste of the apocalypse, the current chaos in the city plunged them back into the brutal reality of doomsday.
As the battle raged on, casualties in the city continued to mount. The areas Yue Hengyi passed through suffered exceptionally heavy losses. Those with weaker constitutions were crushed by their own gravity, with only evolved individuals managing to withstand the gravitational fields.
Yue Hengyi was taken aback by the suicidal attacks of a group of soldiers. He had never encountered such a situation before. Soldiers lay across his path, ready to detonate their explosives if he dared to advance. This method of attack came at the cost of their lives, typically seen only in the tactics of terrorists. It was then that Yue Hengyi realized he could not underestimate any opponent!
Consequently, Yue Hengyi was forced to constantly shift his position in the city's outskirts, moving with his gravitational field. Fragile buildings easily collapsed under the strain, causing countless people to flee in all directions, utterly lost and scrambling through the city like headless flies.
However, as Yue Hengyi continued to relocate, he suddenly spotted soldiers in the distance raising white flags. White flags were generally associated with the French, given their performance in World War II. The meaning of a white flag was simple: surrender, something even a child understood!
Upon witnessing this, Yue Hengyi immediately grasped the situation. Had the other side surrendered at this point?
Following this, Yue Hengyi deactivated his gravitational field, and the soldiers indeed ceased their attacks. Soldiers arrived in vehicles and escorted Yue Hengyi to the side of an office building, where Shen Feng and several key leaders were located. Shen Feng sat in the prime seat, formerly occupied by the chairman, now belonging to him.
"Now, please tell us, what are your identities? Are you perhaps sent by China to carry out official duties here?" an old man inquired.
Shen Feng pondered for a moment before replying, "My name is Shen Fuyao. I am unemployed and have no official duties. I was injured in a typhoon at sea and am currently recuperating!"
Yue Hengyi quickly added, "My name is Yi Hengyue. I am also a man of leisure, recuperating as well. Frankly, you attacked us first. If you seek trouble, you are in the wrong."
"We dare not. We were blind and failed to recognize your greatness, offending you both. We beg for your forgiveness!" With that, the seven individuals stood up in the conference room and bowed deeply to Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi, who were seated at the head of the table. Their ninety-degree bows were so precise that it was evident they had practiced them frequently.
Shen Feng exchanged a glance with Yue Hengyi. Yue Hengyi understood, thinking, "I didn't know how to rob openly before. Now, isn't this an opportunity to plunder legitimately? Since they've surrendered, I can have whatever I want!"
"Forgiveness is easy to grant, but you must also show sincerity. After all, we have suffered greatly, and our injuries have worsened! It would be unreasonable if we did not receive compensation. Do you understand what I mean?" Yue Hengyi asked directly.
The people present understood perfectly; this was a demand for reparations.
"Kagoshima is a poor city. What do you two desire?" Matsushita asked.
Shen Feng looked at Yue Hengyi and said, "You propose the terms first. As your elder brother, I'll give you a little leeway!"
Yue Hengyi thought for a moment and then began to make an exorbitant demand. "Firstly, a luxurious villa with dedicated servants and a chef who can cook Chinese cuisine! As for gold, give us twenty catties. No, forty catties, forty catties per person! Then, provide us with all the necessary electronic products, and game consoles too..."
Yue Hengyi continued with what he considered excessive demands. However, as Shen Feng listened to the descriptions, his expression grew increasingly grim. What kind of demands were these? He recalled the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which had ceded so much silver. It seemed to be two hundred million taels of silver. Their own demands were far too modest, even mentioning game consoles!
Not only did Shen Feng find Yue Hengyi's current demands rather stingy, but even the leaders present were shocked by these terms. They had prepared themselves for a significant financial blow, but now, the other party was making such trivial requests, demands that could be easily met.
"Could it be that he's a country bumpkin?" the thought suddenly crossed their minds. If they weren't from the countryside, why would they propose such paltry terms?
Unaware that his demands were being looked down upon, Yue Hengyi continued to ramble, "Oh, and there should be hot springs nearby, with beautiful scenery visible at all times, a tranquil environment, and a large ship, the bigger the better!"
As Yue Hengyi spoke with great enthusiasm, Shen Feng cleared his throat softly. "Ahem."
Yue Hengyi understood and quickly said, "Right, right, Feng... ah, Big Brother has some additions. What do you want, Big Brother?"
Shen Feng did not hesitate and held up three fingers. "Listen carefully. I have only three conditions: First, hand over the mastermind behind the attack on us, to make an example of them! Second, satisfy all our needs in Kagoshima, and do not reveal our whereabouts! Third, I want all intelligence on Kagoshima. Whatever I wish to see, you must disclose!"
Yue Hengyi couldn't help but secretly give Shen Feng a thumbs-up. He was deeply impressed by Shen Feng's current demands. His own numerous requests were not as significant as Shen Feng's single condition of satisfying all their needs. Moreover, the ability to gather intelligence while recuperating here was a feat he could not achieve.
After Shen Feng stated his conditions, the seven leaders exchanged glances. When they had heard Yue Hengyi's demands, they had breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they were dealing with two country bumpkins who lacked vision. But now, it seemed the real demands were yet to come. The conditions proposed by the leading esper were indeed the ones that would require a significant sacrifice.
Then, someone swallowed and asked, "The mastermind is a few tax officials who betrayed you. Will their execution bring you some solace?"
It was evident that these individuals, sensing the unfavorable turn of events, intended to push out the staff members who had leaked crucial information to take the blame.
Shen Feng shook his head and said, "Not enough!"
"Then, a general from the army?" the others continued to probe Shen Feng's bottom line.
Shen Feng still shook his head gently and said, "Not enough. I need the life of the person who gave the order to attack. I don't believe the army would attack us without your consent, the seven of you!"
Upon hearing this, the faces of the seven individuals turned pale. It seemed their true intentions had been revealed: one of them present would have to take responsibility, or this matter would never be resolved.
Yue Hengyi, witnessing Shen Feng's performance, became even more envious. He marveled at Shen Feng's broad vision. Such demands could, without bloodshed, push the seven elite powerholders to the brink!
Silence fell upon the conference room. The forehead of one middle-aged man began to sweat profusely. It was clear that he was the one who had given the order. At this juncture, if a prominent figure had to be held accountable, it was likely to be him.
Matsushita was filled with anxiety, fearing he would be the scapegoat. However, at this critical moment of survival, would anyone be willing to save him?
Just then, an old man said seriously, "This matter was my command. I was foolish and my senses dulled, leading to a grave misunderstanding. I am willing to take my own life, only asking that you two spare the others!"
"Fujino-san? You... you have worked hard!" Matsushita was deeply moved. He hadn't expected that even now, someone would be willing to help him.
Shen Feng shrugged casually and said, "As long as one of you takes responsibility, everything will be fine! I will not pursue it further. We are preparing to rest now. You know what needs to be done, right?"
"We understand. We will make the arrangements. I will commit suicide tomorrow morning and prepare my affairs tonight. We ask for your understanding!" the old man Fujino said respectfully.
Shen Feng ignored him and turned to leave. He was indifferent to the matter, and Yue Hengyi simply shrugged and said, "Don't forget the demands I made earlier!"