https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-977-The-Frenzy-of-Greed-With-thanks-to-Gu-Feng-Liulang-for-the-generous-reward-/13046590/
Chapter 976: The Finale
Chapter 976: The Finale
Li Yi had never been naive enough to believe that he could subdue Zhang He without relying on his strength.
To be honest, Li Yi himself didn't have much confidence in exposing Zhang He's identity.
Zhang He had returned to the southern part of Bingzhou half a year ago, and during that time, Li Yi and Zhang He had interacted quite frequently.
Li Yi was well aware of Zhang He's capabilities, and while it wasn't impossible to reveal his identity under everyone's watchful eyes, it would undoubtedly be challenging.
Even if his identity was exposed, there was no guarantee that Zhang He wouldn't have a backup plan, so Li Yi had prepared himself for this eventuality.
In a situation that was extremely unfavorable to him, Li Yi, without further ado, ordered his men to enter.
Li Yi was also well aware that taking such action would likely lead to serious misunderstandings and even solidify suspicions about his ambitions. However, he had no choice but to resort to force.
On the one hand, he had to capture Zhang He; otherwise, the situation would be life-threatening for them. On the other hand, Li Yi's inner desire to control the southern part of Bingzhou was also a driving factor.
In this regard, it was not only Li Yi's personal ambition but also his clear understanding of the current situation in the southern Bingzhou. The region was facing heavy crises, and a strong and influential leader was needed to take charge and lead the resistance against Lu Hai Kong. In Li Yi's mind, there was no one else for the job but himself.
Therefore, when Li Yi took decisive action, he aimed to achieve two goals simultaneously: capturing Zhang He and taking up the leadership role. With this, the current situation would be resolved.
At Li Yi's command, soldiers rushed into the hall.
Within a few minutes, the entire assembly hall was filled with an elite force, guarding the hall's entrance while subtly surrounding the family heads of the aristocratic families.
Witnessing the sudden intrusion of soldiers and their gleaming weapons, many of those present turned pale.
Confrontations between aristocratic families were usually more about subtle maneuvers and political intrigue, and direct confrontations like this were rare. Li Yi's ruthless use of force made some people view his actions as similar to those of Lu Hai Kong].
After Zhang He's previous words, Li Yi was unconcerned about their gazes at this point.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I know there may be misunderstandings, but what's important is that Zhang He is indeed Lu Hai Kong's man. Give me some time, and I'll provide an explanation. Men, take Zhang He into custody!"
After the soldiers entered, Li Yi scanned the room, bowed to everyone present, and with a wave of his hand, the soldiers sprang into action.
As the sound of clanking armor filled the air, Li Yi's previously composed face finally showed a hint of satisfaction. Having endured so much, he finally felt a sense of relief, and his gaze towards Zhang He carried a touch of triumph.
At that moment, the aristocratic families watched the unfolding scene with pale faces, but they were powerless to intervene as Li Yi's soldiers surrounded Zhang He.
Although he was reluctant to admit it, Li Yi, who had resorted to force, was now in a dominant position.
However, Zhang He's face didn't show much panic; instead, it was filled with disappointment.
"Sigh, Lord Alliance Leader, why did it have to come to this? We know your character and abilities. If you had just waited for the situation to stabilize a bit, the position of Bingzhou Governor would have been yours. Why were you in such a hurry?"
Li Yi responded with a cold smile, "Enough! Don't pretend to be innocent when you're facing death!"
"No, it's not him who's facing death; it's you! Men, capture Li Yi, this traitor!"
Just then, a loud voice rang out, and before anyone could identify the speaker, a group of soldiers turned and seized Li Yi before he could react.
As the elite soldiers surrounded Li Yi and pressed the cold blade against his neck, Li Yi was momentarily stunned.
Even as the metallic scent reached his nostrils and the chill of the blade touched his skin, Li Yi still felt a sense of unreality.
The sudden turn of events was too drastic. One moment he had control, and the next, he was at the mercy of others. Even someone as resilient as Li Yi struggled to accept this change.
The more unacceptable fact to Li Yi was that he was all too familiar with the voice that spoke.
The speaker was none other than the former Governor of Hexi County. It wasn't the man's identity that Li Yi found hard to accept, but rather, it was the fact that this person had previously stood behind him and was even the first to come forward in support.
In a sense, it was because of this man's backing that Li Yi dared to confront Zhang He at this moment. However, what he didn't expect was that the first person to support him would be the one to stab him in the back at a critical moment.
"Why? Why betray me?" Li Yi turned and stared at the Governor of Xihe County, who had betrayed him at a crucial moment, his eyes filled with disbelief. After a long silence, he could only manage to ask, "Why the betrayal?"
"Betrayal? I never pledged my loyalty to you. It was only because of Mr. Zhang's instructions that I pretended to side with you. I never expected you to have such reckless ambitions."
"That's not the issue. But right now, the defenses are not fully established, and Lu Hai Kong's troops have not been completely blocked. At this moment, the alliance cannot afford any chaos. Your ambition will bring death to us all, so we must take you down!" The Governor of Xihe County spoke with a cold tone.
Hearing these words, Li Yi looked at the Governor of Xihe County and then at Zhang He. At this moment, Li Yi finally understood that he had never had any chance of success from the very beginning.
He had been plotted against from the start, and even his discovery of the Grand Historian's identity was part of their plan.
Li Yi's frantic efforts during this time seemed laughable, and his desire to fight for survival was equally amusing. In reality, all his efforts only served to accelerate his downfall and that of the aristocratic families behind him, and even the entire southern aristocracy of Bingzhou.
In the 1691st chapter, the truth is revealed!
Zhang He looked at the captured Li Yi, his face devoid of any triumph, only a hint of regret. "To the Alliance Leader, without you, we would have eventually reached this point. Now, for our future, I'm afraid you'll have to endure some hardship for a while."
As Zhang He spoke with a hint of regret, Li Yi couldn't hold back his laughter any longer, erupting into a long, bitter laugh.
This laughter was filled with anger, resentment, helplessness, and a touch of madness.
"Good, good... Well done, Zhang He. Well done, Lu Hai Kong. Indeed, I, Li Yi, admit defeat wholeheartedly."
At this moment, everyone could hear the sorrow in Li Yi's words, but few paid it any mind. In their eyes, Li Yi's] words were like the pitiful howls of a defeated dog.
However, after this mournful howl, Li Yi lifted his head, his gaze shifting from Zhang He to the heads of the aristocratic families.
At that moment, those who had been watching Li Yi like a defeated dog trembled. Li Yi's gaze was filled with ridicule, madness, and despair, leaving a profound impact on them.
"Look at me. Remember me now, for I am the future you. If you don't, you will surely face a fate worse than mine!"
The more intense the emotions, the more powerful the impact on those who witnessed it. As they stared into Li Yi's eyes and listened to his words, some began to wonder if he had truly been framed and wronged.
Amidst this emotional atmosphere, the Governor of Xihe County sneered, "Enough, Alliance Leader. What's done is done; there's no use dwelling on it. You'll stay here, and we won't kill you. You'll see what becomes of us, and we'll take care of you. Men, take the Alliance Leader away!"
As he spoke, a group of soldiers escorted Li Yi out.
Watching Li Yi being led away like a disgraced dog, the people in the room felt a surge of emotion, even prompting some to reflect.
Just then, the Governor of Xihe County's words shattered the tense atmosphere.
"You've all witnessed Li Yi's wolfish ambition and his downfall. It's only right that someone who disrupts our grand plan is taken down. But now that Li Yi is gone, a new problem arises. Who will take his place?"
His words left everyone stunned, and their gazes shifted...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
