Even as City Lord He Yunlong sat, calculating and cautious, Wang Yan had already executed every step of the plan with precision. He had studied Qinghe Town for months—its defenses, the layout of the estates, the exact positions of the three families' Soul Ancestors, and the paths of least resistance. Every strike, every movement of the Iron Guard, had been calculated to perfection.
After the operation, Wang Yan instructed Instructor Qiu to send trusted members to Qinghe Town. Their task was clear: merge with the townspeople, guide them carefully toward the abandoned inner core—the old Qinghe Town, and reveal the hidden gold mines. As the citizens discovered the treasure, a spark of realization spread: the beast attack had never been real. The massacre had been orchestrated by the three families for the gold, and the City Lord's explanation to the state capital—a story of a sudden spirit-beast attack—was false. It became painfully clear that He Yunlong had covered for the three families.
Wang Yan took care to maintain subtlety. He instructed Instructor Qiu to spread this information through hidden channels across Green Pearl City, ensuring it moved swiftly yet invisibly, so no one could trace the source. By the time the city learned the truth, the realization was unstoppable.
As the information spread, the two powerful families of the city grew suspicious, their fingers pointing toward the City Lord, demanding explanations. Patriarch Liang had already been informed earlier by Instructor Qiu after the missions, and they asked him to apply pressure, using his authority to confront the City Lord.
.....
The City Lord's mansion, normally a place of unshakable authority, was now alive with tension. Fang Rui, returning from Qinghe Town, had reported that everything there had spiraled completely out of control. He Yunlong sat tensely at the head of the hall, trying to maintain composure—but the crowd pressing at the doors made that impossible.
Patriarch Liang stepped forward first, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
"City Lord He Yunlong," he said steadily, "you defended the very people who slaughtered Qinghe Town. You covered their crimes. How can someone entrusted with the city allow this?"
A representative from the Fang Family pressed in, voice sharp as a blade:
"You stood with the murderers. The citizens demand accountability. Resign! Surrender this mansion! Your authority is finished if you do not!"
Murmurs rose to shouts. Merchants, guild leaders, and ordinary citizens pressed forward, faces twisted with outrage.
"Justice! Justice for Qinghe Town!"
"Resign now, or leave!"
The tension became unbearable as Iron Guard combat division members entered, silent, disciplined, and imposing. Wang Yan followed at their head, eyes cold and unyielding. He Yunlong's gaze swept over them, lingering on Wang Yan and his three friends. His fists clenched. His breath grew sharp.
His voice cracked, searing through the hall like molten steel:
"I know… I know this! This chaos… this massacre, the exposure… it is all your doing! You—yes, you! Wang Yan, Chen Yu, Liu Ming, Zhao Qing—you are responsible! You have orchestrated this entire situation! Do you think I will allow it to go unpunished?!"
He slammed his fist against the table, the sound echoing like thunder. "I will not—no, I will not be dictated to! Attack! Crush them! Tear the Iron Guard apart before they dare to take this city from me!"
Wang Yan's eyes swept the battlefield. Around him, soldiers of He Yunlong surged forward, loyal to their master. He Yunlong's presence was oppressive, his Black Iron Tyrant Ape roaring as he prepared to strike. Fang Rui moved in coordination, his Stoneback Armored Rhino blocking any who approached.
Wang Yan's voice rang out over the chaos:
"Liu Ming, you and I — we're fighting the City Lord. Patriarch Liang, Fang Rui is yours."
The clash erupted instantly. Wang Yan and Liu Ming moved with lethal precision, their attacks forcing He Yunlong to defend constantly. Each blow tested the City Lord, every movement a deadly gamble.
Patriarch Liang charged at Fang Rui. His Hammer swung with relentless force, matching Fang Rui blow for blow. The second deputy tried to escape, but Zhao Qing intercepted him. Together, Zhao Qing and Patriarch Liang delivered a decisive strike — Fang Rui fell, motionless.
Instructor Qiu, Chen Yu, and Zhao Qing cut through the remaining soldiers. Iron Guard combat units, Fang Family warriors, and allied merchants surged in from all sides, overwhelming the City Lord's forces. The loyal soldiers were unable to regroup, pushed back in chaos.
He Yunlong's fury turned desperate. Wang Yan and Liu Ming pressed in perfect tandem. A crushing strike from Liu Ming slammed the City Lord to the ground, forcing him to the edge. Every strike had already drained much of his usual strength.
Then, He Yunlong's right hand began to glow with a metallic brilliance. All eyes widened — he had activated a right-hand soul bone. The moment it struck, every blow became twice as powerful as his normal attacks. The battlefield shook as the overwhelming force of the Black Iron Tyrant Ape fused with the raw power of the soul bone. Wang Yan and Liu Ming pressed on, countering and weaving through the devastating strikes with all their skill and coordination.
Just as they prepared to strike again, Jin Lei appeared, his Thunder-Scaled War Lion erupting in a thunderous arc, dragging He Yunlong out of immediate danger and forcing Wang Yan and Liu Ming to pause.
The battlefield gradually settled into silence. Fang Rui lay where he had fallen, unmoving. The City Lord had escaped amid the chaos, leaving behind scattered soldiers and a city on the brink of disorder.
Only Wang Yan and his group remained. Wang Yan looked around once, then spoke.
"This can't be left like this. Someone has to take control before the city loses order."
Patriarch Liang's voice followed, slower, heavier.
"With the City Lord gone, people will panic. If authority doesn't appear immediately, chaos will spread."
Wang Yan nodded slightly.
"Then it needs someone experienced. Someone who understands this city."
Patriarch Liang turned toward his son.
"You stay. Handle this properly."
Instructor Qiu did not hesitate.
"I will. I'll remain in the City Lord's mansion with a few Iron Guards and keep things stable."
Wang Yan said nothing more. The decision was made. Order, at least for now, had a firm hand holding it together.
End of Chapter.