Abyss Summoner-Chapter 206 - 203: The Rod of Intimidation

The team arrived at Bridge East New City at dusk.

The Bridge East and Bridge West areas were divided by the bridge, with the former focusing on the economy. Among the top ten high-priced housing complexes in J City, Bridge East accounted for eight spots, indicating that this had long been a gathering place for the wealthy.

However, nowadays, money seemed less important—professionals were the real mainstream in this world.

Similar to the construction of Order, Bridge East also had areas inside and outside the city. However, there was a distinction; outside the city, Chen Feng had begun building residential areas, whereas outside Bridge East, it was more like a fortified military camp.

The entire camp was surrounded by walls.

These walls were reinforced by professionals, a mixture of stone and steel, with pebbles and cement mixed in. Every twenty meters, there was an arrow tower to scout for surrounding threats. This military camp had only one large iron gate at the back, with the front tightly sealed, leaving no exit.

This was to guard against monster attacks.

The military camp was connected to Bridge East New City, serving as a buffer against enemy forces and providing reconnaissance, similar to ancient beacon towers. Once an enemy threat was detected, it would notify the New City immediately.

Outside the camp, a considerable number of people had already gathered. Some were patrolling soldiers, some were workers, while others had ventured out of Bridge East upon hearing the news, primarily hoping to catch a glimpse of Chen Feng and his companions in their majestic glory.

"It's really skeletons!"

"These skeletons are holding weapons! It's terrifying that they can actually control skeletons!"

The onlookers, both adults and children, though familiar with the terrifying monsters, were still visibly shocked to see such creatures as Skeleton Warriors.

"Here lies Bridge East New City. It's a populous place with many experts. Everyone follows my command and anyone who breaks the rules will be expelled from Order!"

Chen Feng pointed towards the massive, solid city wall in front of them and instructed the group.

The Thunder Prison Dragon Lion was sitting beneath him, a rope like a dog leash around its neck. This beast, returning to the familiar place after a long time, now had a vastly different identity and fate.

As fate would have it, many people in the crowd recognized the Thunder Prison Dragon Lion, and they were all astounded, unable to comprehend who this mysterious person before them was, who could control the beast known as Treading Thunder.

Chen Feng ignored the crowd's stares, continuing to hold his head high as he rode the Thunder Prison Dragon Lion, surrounded by many warriors, slowly advancing towards Bridge East New City.

Suddenly!

A synchronized sound of footsteps approached, and soon a small squad appeared before Chen Feng. Unlike Wang Feng's previous camouflage attire, this team was dressed entirely in black, resembling modified special training uniforms.

These individuals advanced directly up to Chen Feng, led by a middle-aged man who did not act hastily. Despite the intimidating presence of skeletons and warriors with iron wills at Chen Feng's side, which made him cautious, he stopped at a distance of ten meters.

The man, around thirty years old, had a bulge on the back of his left hand, which, when activated in battle, released a corrosive liquid, suggesting stealth abilities.

Clearly, this person was a professional.

The man looked at Chen Feng, calming himself before speaking mockingly, "Where do these small-time hustlers think they're going without announcing themselves when entering Bridge East New City?"

Wei Xun stepped forward, his expression slightly chilly, "We're from the Economic Development Zone, invited here by Colonel Feng Zhiyong. Someone will come to guide us shortly."

"Oh? So you are the force from the Economic Development Zone? And this here is the famous Chen Feng, Lieutenant Chen?" The man snorted derisively, his voice harsh like a squawk, "I've been waiting for you here for quite some time. Lord Zhang Xueyuan has prepared a feast at the residence and specifically instructed me to invite Lieutenant Chen to the banquet. Please proceed…"

No banquet is ever a true feast; no invitation is ever purely hospitable.

Chen Feng hadn't expected the conservative faction to move so quickly, possibly having long since discovered his arrival and waiting here in advance, even getting ahead of Wang Feng.

Wei Xun gestured to the man before them, his expression gradually turning cold, and then loudly declared, "Who is Zhang Xueyuan? We came here at Colonel Feng Zhiyong's invitation. Many people want to invite my master for a meal. If you want an invitation, go back and tell the one named Zhang to queue up and wait."

"Wait?" The man snorted, spitting a glob of phlegm onto the ground, "Who is Zhang Xueyuan? He's the elder brother of Zhang Luoyu and the true master of Treading Thunder under Lieutenant Chen. What's this? After killing his brother and taking his lion, now you don't dare to see him? Is this the leader of the unified Economic Development Zone? Is this the much-discussed Lieutenant Chen? I see... you have a reputation that precedes you!"

At the end, the man raised his voice intentionally, drawing everyone's attention and sparking murmurs among the crowd.

Scare tactics.

In feudal times, when exiled prisoners arrived at border towns, they were often beaten ten or twenty strokes as a show of force, known as "scare tactics."

Just like now, Chen Feng had barely set foot in Bridge East New City before facing such a move, aimed at breaking his momentum and leaving him at rock bottom.

Is the man afraid of me?

Of course, he is!

He's merely a small Bronze Tier, surely aware of my strength. However, although fearful, he has someone to back him up.

This is akin to the old regime, where corrupt officials relied on the state's apparatus to oppress the people, wicked to the core.

A stratagem in plain sight!

This was a stratagem blatantly set by the conservative faction for Chen Feng!

The man intentionally put on an overbearing demeanor, and if Chen Feng agreed to the banquet, he would appear timid and fearful, leaving an impression of being nothing special.

Yet, if Chen Feng refused the banquet after the man mentioned the secret of the Thunder Prison Dragon Lion, it would imply guilt, making him seem irresponsible.

No matter the choice, he would fall into the enemy's trap.

In a contest among masters, decisions often happen in an instant.

This stratagem appeared straightforward but was actually cunning and vicious. A single misstep, and Chen Feng would be doomed, his reputation plummeting, possessing power but lacking public support.

In the apocalypse, who didn't know of the proverb 'thrice and you shall fail'? Before even entering Bridge East, losing face would only embolden the surrounding jackals.

What a vicious scheme.

Chen Feng squinted his eyes—this was an attempt to corner him, and whoever devised such a ruthless plan was certainly not a simple character.