Chapter 453: Seizing Command Authority

Among the five major factions, the Followers of the Snow God were the last to arrive. However, it wasn’t their leader, Yuan Kongye, who came but rather the High Priest, Zheng Yixian.

No one found this unusual. After all, Yuan Kongye typically didn’t manage the sect’s affairs, especially as a young woman in her twenties, whose administrative skills were not as seasoned as Zheng Yixian’s. Thus, it was natural for Zheng Yixian to represent the sect at this meeting.

Zheng Yixian politely greeted Bian Junwu before finding a seat.

Once all five factions had gathered, Bian Junwu silently rolled up his sleeves and glanced at his watch.

“Good. No one’s late,” he said, his voice as cold as ice, sending a chill through the room.

He placed both arms heavily on the table, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

“The zombie outbreak in Tianhai City is a crisis for which all of you bear undeniable responsibility!”

His words instantly made the room tense, faces growing serious.

Zhang Yi frowned, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, while Xiao Honglian folded her arms and said mockingly, “Oh? So the envoy from Jiangnan District has come just to push blame onto us?”

Bian Junwu responded with a cold chuckle.

“Push blame? Do you even understand the purpose of these shelters?”

“I won’t dwell on the Followers of the Snow God since they’re a private organization,” he continued.

“But as for the Xi family, you either took over official shelters or inherited a large portion of their resources!”

“The purpose of these shelters is to maintain stability during citywide crises!”

His mocking tone intensified.

“You’ve seized these prime resources but refuse to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the city. If that’s not incompetence, then what is?”

Xiao Honglian’s face turned red with embarrassment and anger, leaving her momentarily speechless.

She understood the true purpose of the shelters: to preserve as many lives as possible. However, over time, they had long forgotten this mission, focusing instead on securing more benefits for themselves.

The veteran Wei Dinghai interjected smoothly, “Mr. Bian, that’s easy for you to say. Do you think we don’t want to maintain stability in Tianhai City?”

“But this zombie wave is enormous, sudden, and already beyond our control! Zombies are wreaking havoc everywhere.”

“With the limited forces we have, it’s impossible to handle this crisis. Unlike Jiangnan District, we don’t have advanced weaponry or the nation’s elite military corps at our disposal.”

Bian Junwu’s smirk grew wider at these words. He even crossed his arms and let out a loud, unrestrained laugh.

“Hahaha!”

“Then,” he said, his tone growing icier, “if you lack the ability to handle this crisis, from now on, you’ll have to obey my orders!”

“I will take command of this zombie crisis, and all factions must follow my instructions unconditionally!”

The leaders’ expressions shifted repeatedly, with a sharp glint flashing through Zhang Yi’s eyes.

Unconditionally follow someone else’s commands?

Impossible!

Even if it was Jiangnan District, he couldn’t accept that. Allowing others to control their actions opened the door to potential sacrifices.

“That’s something we can’t agree to,” Zhang Yi said.

“Even if Jiangnan District is the superior authority, expecting your small squad to command all of us is an insult. Unless you deploy a full force, it won’t happen.”

The faction leaders echoed his sentiment. They couldn’t stomach handing over power to a small, unfamiliar team. If it were a full deployment, they might have begrudgingly complied.

Bian Junwu sneered.

“Oh? So you’re saying I’m not qualified, is that it?”

Xiao Honglian scoffed, and though the others remained silent, their expressions spoke volumes.

Even if Jiangnan District’s squad was formidable, commanding the five major factions was beyond their reach.

Bian Junwu replied, “Fine, but with your strength alone, can you resolve this crisis?”

Silence.

The constant zombie waves and rat swarm attacks had left them overwhelmed. None dared to guarantee success, as the full scale of the crisis remained unknown.

Bian Junwu mocked, “You can’t protect Tianhai City, and now zombies are spreading to nearby cities, threatening other civilians.”

“Yet, you cling to your paltry power, unwilling to let go.”

“Let me remind you!”

Bian Junwu slammed the table, making everyone jump.

“Tianhai City isn’t your private property! With the nation still standing, Jiangnan District remains the highest authority here!”

Standing up, Bian Junwu towered over them. Though lean, he radiated an intimidating military aura, the likes of which Zhang Yi had only felt from Ling Feng before.

“I represent Jiangnan District. My words are the will of Jiangnan District!” he declared.

“If you refuse to follow my orders, you’ll face consequences you can’t bear!”

Zhang Yi frowned but stayed silent.

With only a handful of people under his command, ceding control posed minimal loss to him. However, surrendering authority entirely would endanger him and his group.

Xiao Honglian laughed coldly.

“And if we refuse, will you send troops to eliminate us?”

Though scared, she knew this negotiation was about leverage. She had to push back to secure their interests.

Power, once surrendered, would be nearly impossible to reclaim.

Her concern wasn’t unfounded—ceding power risked becoming a vassal of Jiangnan District, losing all autonomy.

Bian Junwu turned his sunglasses toward Xiao Honglian, staring silently for a long moment.

Xiao Honglian glared back.

“Trying to scare me?”

Bian Junwu finally broke his silence.

“Do you think the situation isn’t severe enough?”

“Do you believe this crisis only concerns Tianhai City?”

“Let me make this clear: our orders from the higher-ups are twofold.”

“First, cooperate with local forces to resolve the zombie crisis and prevent its spread to other cities.”

“Second, if containment proves impossible and the zombie threat can’t be resolved…”

He paused deliberately, sitting back down.

“…then Tianhai City can be abandoned.”

Author's Note