Chapter 550: Arrogance and Domineering

Zhang Yi arrived at Qingfu Base and was immediately greeted with great enthusiasm by Xing Tian.

He had brought dozens of people to welcome Zhang Yi, including his beloved demon dog, Lele, and his goddaughter.

Seeing such a grand welcome, Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “So many people came to greet me? I must say, I feel quite flattered.”

Xing Tian was momentarily stunned before realizing Zhang Yi was still wary of him.

Scratching the back of his head, he laughed heartily. “After all these years, your cautious nature hasn’t changed one bit.”

“But don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare make a move against you!”

As he spoke, he leaned in closer to Zhang Yi, winking.

“After all, your current strength is probably on par with Yuan Kongye’s back in the day, right?”

Everyone in Tianhai City knew that Zhang Yi had killed Yuan Kongye, so they assumed he had absorbed Yuan Kongye’s power and reached the same level.

With his hands in his pockets, Zhang Yi sighed lightly. “It’s not as simple as you think. That battle… sigh, forget it. Just take me to meet the investigation team first.”

Normally, Zhang Yi wouldn’t mind letting people think he was powerful.

But things were different now.

He truly was strong—so strong that he had to downplay it.

The last thing he wanted was for Jiangnan District’s leadership to start keeping an eye on him because of his overwhelming strength.

Of course, he knew that no matter how he explained, Xing Tian might not believe him.

So he left his words unfinished, letting Xing Tian interpret them as he wished. Whether he believed it or not was his own business.

Right now, the most important thing was to meet with the investigation team.

Xing Tian grinned. “Come with me.”

He stepped aside, making way for Zhang Yi. Once Zhang Yi passed, Xing Tian followed half a step behind him.

As they walked, Xing Tian continued, “That battle was brutal. Wei Dinghai died, and our teams lost more than ninety percent of their Superhumans. Even the investigation team, as powerful as they are, suffered severe injuries.”

“Old friend, from now on, Tianhai City is yours! You have to look after your brothers!”

Zhang Yi glanced at him and responded with a faint, noncommittal smile.

He had no interest in expanding his power.

Managing people and handling affairs would only bring unnecessary trouble.

How could that compare to the freedom he enjoyed now?

They chatted casually along the way.

Zhang Yi already knew most of what Xing Tian told him, and since Xing Tian didn’t dare disclose details about the investigation team, Zhang Yi didn’t gain any particularly useful information.

Soon, they arrived at the underground shelter where the investigation team was recuperating.

It was a high-level medical facility—not as luxurious as Zhang Yi’s mansion, but it was top-tier treatment within Qingfu Base.

After bringing Zhang Yi over, Xing Tian tactfully excused himself and left.

However, Zhang Yi’s presence immediately made the atmosphere within the investigation team tense.

Among the six members, some scrutinized him, while others looked at him with a hint of hostility.

Unsurprisingly, Wu Di, who had always had an issue with Zhang Yi, gave him the most intense glare.

He was also the first to speak.

“What are you doing here?”

Zhang Yi looked at Wu Di. The guy’s hair had turned completely white—the last battle had taken a heavy toll on him.

Yet, despite his usual unfriendly demeanor, his hostility wasn’t as intense as before.

For a long time, Zhang Yi hadn’t understood why Wu Di treated him so poorly.

Could it be that he was simply jealous of Zhang Yi’s good looks?

Zhang Yi mocked him silently in his mind.

Still, he lazily lifted his gaze, clasped his hands behind his back, and said leisurely:

“The battle’s over. Can’t I visit the wounded?”

“After all, we might be working together in the future. If I act too indifferent, people might say I lack empathy and don’t care about my teammates.”

At these words, almost everyone in the investigation team frowned.

The phrase “care about teammates” had an underlying implication—was Zhang Yi already considering himself their leader?

Some members of the team welcomed Zhang Yi’s addition, but that didn’t mean they were willing to accept an arrogant and domineering leader.

Even if Zhang Yi did have the strength to back it up.

Wu Di was furious. He pointed a finger at Zhang Yi and shouted, “What are you so smug about?! You think you’re qualified to join our investigation team?”

Zhang Yi cast a light glance at him, his expression calm and unreadable, yet there was an undeniable sense of superiority in his gaze.

“I killed Yuan Kongye. Do you think I’m qualified?”

That one sentence shut Wu Di up.

When they fought Yuan Kongye, the investigation team had barely been able to hold their ground. Wu Di himself had nearly died.

If not for Zhang Yi, they all would have perished.

From that perspective, they owed Zhang Yi their lives.

But, of course, Wu Di would never admit that out loud.

So he turned away with a sour expression, refusing to speak.

Seeing this, Zhang Yi’s smirk deepened.

He puffed out his chest and scanned the group. “When you report back, don’t forget to tell Jiangnan District’s leadership about my contributions. Make sure they recognize my efforts.”

“I deeply regret the loss of Captain Bian Junwu. If given the chance, I’d like to inherit his legacy—to protect this land and bring peace and prosperity to the people of Jiangnan District!”

His words sent shivers down everyone’s spines, giving them goosebumps.

In an instant, their already declining impression of Zhang Yi plummeted further.

Right now, Zhang Yi was speaking in a completely bureaucratic tone, like a smug politician basking in his own success.

Compared to when they first arrived in Tianhai City—when Zhang Yi had been humble and reserved—he seemed like a completely different person.

Baili Changqing coughed, already feeling irritated, but forced a smile.

“Rest assured, we won’t forget your contributions. But as for joining the investigation team, that decision is up to the higher-ups.”

Zhang Yi laughed. “Just a formality! Tell me, who else but me is more qualified?”

He strode forward and threw an arm around Baili Changqing’s shoulders.

“Brother Baili, let’s have a private chat. Some things aren’t meant for… ‘ordinary’ members to hear.”

As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at the others in the room.

The rest of the team clenched their teeth. If they weren’t worried about how strong Zhang Yi had become, they would’ve jumped him right then and there.

Baili Changqing studied Zhang Yi, curious to probe his true intentions.

So he nodded and smiled. “Alright, since you want to talk privately, I’ll gladly join you.”

The two of them walked out, arms around each other.

As soon as they left, the room erupted.

Kong Sheng, his muscular arms crossed, scoffed. “That Zhang Yi is way too arrogant! He’s not even in our team yet, and he’s already acting high and mighty. If he really joins, or worse, becomes the captain, won’t his ego shoot straight to the heavens?”

Author's Note