Chapter 83: Exposing the Corpse

At that moment, the open ground was packed with people. Over two hundred underlings had gathered once again at the very spot where Blood General had previously held the review assembly.

Despite the dense crowd, the atmosphere was frozen solid. So many underlings were gathered together, yet barely any sound escaped. No one even dared to breathe loudly. All eyes were wide, waiting in silent reverence.

The sole reason why all these underlings were so obedient, not daring even to speak, was right at the very front of the crowd. Placed on a wooden crate before Qian Xu, Wang Qianlie, and Sun Yimao was a corpse.

A corpse battered beyond recognition, dead in a wretched state… the body of Blood General!

Gazes filled with shock, terror, horror, disbelief, lingering fear… all were focused entirely on that single corpse.

Chen Chong, an Awakener who had only just arrived at the Territory recently, had killed Blood General!

This was the perfect deterrent. Even the underlings who hadn’t personally witnessed Chen Chong killing Blood General on the spot were scared out of their wits. They were effortlessly gathered and assembled by Zhang Long and three others, meek and obedient like little bunnies, ensuring a potential massive chaos was erased before it could even begin.

Not a single person wasn’t chilled by the actions of Chen Chong, or rather, the new ruler of Crimson Territory. The powerful and brutal ruler, Blood General, was history. Everyone’s state of mind had changed drastically, filled with fear of the unknown.

Everyone clearly realized that the sky over Crimson Territory was about to change.

Rustle, rustle, rustle…

At that moment, Chen Chong’s tall figure appeared, bringing with him the two Awakeners, Gu Jun and Zhang Long. Whether it was the three Awakeners like Qian Xu or the two hundred-plus underlings present, everyone’s hearts clenched tight. Their gazes were filled with awe, as if looking at a monster, all silently staring at him in unison.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Chen Chong walked to the front of the crowd, stepped onto the wooden crate, and scanned the mass of heads below from his elevated position.

“You should all know what happened by now, right?”

No one dared to meet his gaze. Everyone shrank their necks and involuntarily lowered their heads.

“Actually… I don’t really care what you think in your hearts, nor does it matter if you’re loyal or not.”

Staring fiercely around him, a menacing smile slowly crept onto Chen Chong’s face.

“I’m not good at persuading people; I only know how to force them! Blood General was beaten to death by me. Does anyone object? Does anyone want to avenge him?”

Only an idiot would want to avenge him!

Facing Chen Chong’s question, all the underlings felt a chill in their hearts. They didn’t dare to breathe deeply and hung their heads even lower.

“A man like Blood General deserved to die a thousand deaths. But don’t misunderstand, my killing him has absolutely nothing to do with justice. If it weren’t for his arrogant threats, he might have actually lived a few more days.”

On the platform, Chen Chong lifted Blood General’s corpse with one hand and sighed.

“But unfortunately, there are no ‘what ifs’. The final result is still the same. Since he’s dead, it stands to reason that his Territory, his manor, his everything, including all of you, now belong to me. You have no objections to that, right?”

The underlings dared not even raise their heads, so naturally, no one dared to step forward. To all the low-level underlings, what they revered was only strength. As long as someone possessed greater strength, it made no difference if they were ruled by Blood General, White General, or Silver General.

Very satisfied with everyone’s reaction, Chen Chong didn’t just keep pressuring them. He smiled and continued, scanning the crowd.

“But I am a very merciful person. I won’t drain the pond to catch the fish like Blood General did, using excessive oppression; his stupidity was beyond saving. Working under me, there’s only one rule: rewards and punishments are clear! Just be obedient, work diligently, and I guarantee you’ll live better and better!”

“First, as the new Chief, I have decided that starting today, the collective food distribution quota for everyone will increase by thirty percent!”

“Also, the working hours for all of you and all the laborers will be reduced by one hour, giving you ample rest time!”

“Second, all current managerial personnel will keep their posts and responsibilities, remaining unchanged. However, the three men, Yin Hu, Tie Shan, and Li Bao, are dead. These three vacant positions will be filled by people chosen from those present here!”

Hearing that the existing managerial positions would remain unchanged, Gu Jun and the others sighed slightly in relief. As for the other underlings present, a joyful look flashed in their eyes, and their breathing suddenly became heavier.

A thirty percent increase in food allocation undoubtedly meant they could fill their bellies better, which was extremely practical. The one-hour reduction in work time allowed for full rest. As for filling the vacant squad leader positions, that represented a chance to skyrocket!

Chen Chong’s few words instantly heated up the previously dead-silent atmosphere. The underlings, one by one, showed happy expressions and began whispering among themselves, immediately tossing thoughts of Blood General to the back of their minds.

“That’s all I have to say. Now, everyone return to your posts immediately, guard the factories, maintain order, and wait for me to inspect each area in turn!”

Unsurprisingly, the emotions of the underlings below were stirred up. On the platform, Chen Chong rotated his neck. With a light kick of his foot, he sent Blood General’s corpse flying to the feet of the Awakeners like Zhang Long, his voice cold and grim.

“Lastly, go hang the corpses of Blood General, Tie Shan, and Li Bao at the highest point in the Territory. Expose their bodies for three days and three nights! I want every single person in the Territory to see their fate. Understand?”

Looking at the battered corpse of Blood General at their feet, the five remaining Awakeners—Zhang Long, Gu Jun, Qian Xu, Wang Qianlie, and Sun Yimao—felt a chill in their hearts and hastily replied.

“Yes!”

It wasn’t just them; hearing Chen Chong’s cold and merciless order, all the underlings present involuntarily shivered.

They understood that the brutal dictator Blood General was now history. The new ruler they were getting was no gentle saint, but an even more powerful, even more ferocious tyrant!

Chen Chong nodded in satisfaction, scanning everyone below like a lion looking at sheep.

“Blood General’s way of doing things is in the past. From now on, this Territory follows my rules. Remember that, and you will all live very well. Those who directly served under Tie Shan and Li Bao, stay. Everyone else, dismissed!”

With this mix of kindness and authority, the underlings were deeply respectful and fearful. They dispersed in a rush. In less than half an hour, the vast Territory changed its banner and allegiance, thoroughly shifting power, leaving many in a daze even now.

As for Chen Chong, he reorganized the forty-plus former subordinates of Tie Shan and Li Bao, placing them under his direct command, preparing to bring them back to the manor.

Chen Chong didn’t care if these people were loyal or not. In a wasteland world like this, loyalty, mercy, kindness, fairness, justice—these were all meaningless. Only absolute power could establish absolute authority, and that was the only truth.

At the same time, he had absolutely no plan to completely overhaul the Territory, nor was he worried about a mass defection from its inhabitants. After all, every settlement was isolated by the dangerously vast Wilderness. The journey of at least a hundred kilometers across the wilds was fraught with countless deadly dangers, serving as natural barriers. Without such a premise, the people of Crimson Territory under Blood General’s rule would have probably fled long ago.

However, to truly take control of the Territory and convert its many resources into his own power, there were still many things waiting for him to do.