Chapter 374: Enemies Often Cross Paths

"Roar!!!"

"Argh!!! Help, help!!!"

The beast's roar and the human's screams wove together into a bloody and terrifying scene.

However, what composed this scene were not true beasts and humans, but two people.

To be precise, a dead person and a living person.

This was a prison in Ansili, and Hogan, the new king about to take office, stood outside the cage, witnessing the entire process.

Hogan stared into the cage at the dead soldier wearing the attire of the Due Sect, still unable to believe that the scene before his eyes just now was real.

This cultist who had been hanged clearly had a broken neck, yet under the influence of whatever method Zanpu Dunzhu had used, he had come back to life.

Not only did he possess True Qi, he could also use True Qi to launch attacks, but the way he attacked was more like a beast.

Hogan gazed at the dead soldier's pale complexion and those eyes glowing with a green light; even with the cage between them, he still felt afraid.

Watching helplessly as the dead soldier devoured a death-row prisoner completely, he looked at Zanpu Dunzhu beside him with a shocked expression, a trace of wariness flashing in his eyes: "How exactly did you do it? Making people turn into this kind of monster—this is not a Martial Artist's method at all, it's more like witchcraft."

Zanpu Dunzhu said respectfully: "This is not witchcraft, but an Artisan Technique, and also a Martial Artist's method; it can be considered a Secret Technique."

"No wonder you wanted me to order the execution of the Due Sect cultists; so these believers were all your hidden dead soldiers."

Hogan looked at Zanpu Dunzhu, "Tell me, how do you manage to control them."

Zanpu Dunzhu did not speak, but instead shot a wisp of True Qi into Hogan's forehead.

Hogan's body shuddered, and he gripped the True Qi Pistol at his waist: "You... what did you do?!"

"Your Majesty the King, please do not worry, I just used a small trick just now; now you can also control it."

Zanpu Dunzhu explained.

Hogan was half-believing and half-doubting, watching Zanpu Dunzhu vigilantly.

Zanpu Dunzhu kept his head lowered and eyes submissive: "You can try to control it; you only need to think it in your mind."

Hogan glanced at the dead soldier standing quietly in the cage, and with a shift of his thoughts, the dead soldier indeed took a step forward.

Hogan's eyes lit up, and he said with pleasant surprise: "It actually really works!"

"Controlling them requires special means; Your Majesty the King's current cultivation cannot do it, but the True Qi I just gave you is equivalent to sharing the authority to control them with you. From now on in this world, only the two of us can control these dead soldiers."

Zanpu Dunzhu said.

Hogan nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, with them, I will sit even more securely on this throne!"

Hogan looked at Zanpu Dunzhu again and asked: "What is the method to create them? The ones who died were all believers of the Due Sect, which means that apart from these people, others cannot turn into dead soldiers after death, so you must have done something."

Zanpu Dunzhu lowered his head and said: "Your Majesty the King is wise; I do indeed have a special way to create them, but this belongs to the final payment. Once I receive what Your Majesty the King promised, I will tell you this method without reservation."

Hogan beckoned, and a soldier walked over and handed a file bag in his hand to Hogan.

"It was prepared long ago; we have traded more than once, and both sides have credibility."

Hogan smiled and handed the file bag to Zanpu Dunzhu.

Zanpu Dunzhu hurriedly took it and opened it to check: identification, passport, cash, plane ticket... everything was there.

Zanpu Dunzhu put the things away and bowed respectfully to Hogan: "Many thanks for Your Majesty the King's grace!"

"There is no need for polite words; you know what I want." Hogan waved his hand and said.

Zanpu Dunzhu took an envelope out from his bosom: "This is half of the method; I will tell Your Majesty the King where the other half is once I successfully leave Ansili."

Hogan said displeased: "The Cult Leader is still as cautious as ever."

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty the King; I must ensure that I stay alive now, to live and head to Xia."

"Speaking of which, why must you go to Xia?"

"Naturally, there is an unavoidable reason."

Hogan still wanted to say something, but Burton walked into the prison at this moment, called out to Hogan, and then leaned into his ear and said: "Your Majesty the King, Princess Laila has been found and has now returned to the palace."

Hogan's eyes lit up and he laughed: "That is truly great."

"Oh right, what about Yuri?" Hogan asked immediately after.

Burton shook his head: "Princess Yuri was rescued; I suspect it was the Princess's former confidants."

Hogan nodded: "Laila is back, Yuri will return to the palace... let's go, let's go see Princess Laila."

Hogan walked out, stopped when passing by Zanpu Dunzhu, and said: "Tomorrow is my coronation ceremony; Cult Leader, stay and attend the Ritual."

Zanpu Dunzhu replied: "Many thanks for Your Majesty the King's kindness, but I am a dead person; it is not appropriate to appear before the public."

"That makes sense; in that case, then you should leave quickly, but do not forget what I want."

"I dare not forget!"

Hogan nodded and instructed: "Burton, you make arrangements to send the Cult Leader to the airport."

"Yes."

The three left the prison, walked through the long corridor, and returned to the magnificent palace.

Hogan dismissed Burton and the other Follower subordinates, walked into the main hall alone, and saw Princess Laila kneeling on the ground.

………

Burton escorted Zanpu Dunzhu out of the palace. Along the way, Zanpu Dunzhu kept his face covered with his wide cloak, his eyes vigilantly observing the surroundings.

"Cult Leader, rest assured; since Your Majesty the King promised to send you away safely, he will not break his word."

Burton said.

Zanpu Dunzhu kept his head humbly lowered: "Your Majesty the King is broad-minded."

The two did not speak further and walked all the way to the palace gate.

Zanpu Dunzhu suddenly braked his steps, retreated a step, and hid in the corner against the wall.

Burton noticed the movement behind him and turned to look: "What is the matter..."

"Boom!!!"

Before the words were finished, a loud crash came from outside the palace gate, and over a dozen fully armed guards flew in, landing in a scattered heap.

Burton was shocked and immediately drew his gun to stand guard, only to see that the person who had broken in was actually Yuri.

However, when he saw the two people behind Yuri, his body jolted violently.

"Xia... Xia people!"

Burton rushed over with his gun raised, shouting, "Quick, stop them!"

The guards inside the palace swarmed forward, surrounding the three people who had swaggered into the palace.

Zanpu Dunzhu poked his head out from around a corner, staring at Chen Che's calm face, and gritted his teeth, saying, "To come so quickly... it really is a small world after all..."

………

Princess Laila was still wearing her nun's habit, her hands tied behind her back, her hair disheveled, and her delicate face already covered in tear tracks; seeing Hogan at this moment, ripples of fear and anger stirred in her clear eyes.

"Laila, you've finally returned; I've been looking for you for so long." Hogan looked down at Laila, his smile radiant.

Laila stared at Hogan, tears sliding uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes: "Why did you do this? Why did you kill my father!? Why did you hurt us?!"

"There is no why."

Hogan crouched down and gazed at Laila, "Laila, you are still young, it is normal not to understand many things, but you must believe me, I truly never wanted to hurt you, never."

"Then let me go, and let my mother go too!" Laila said stubbornly.

Hogan shook his head and said, "Laila, you don't know yet, do you? Fatima is now my Queen, and you are now my daughter; as long as you are obedient, you are still the Princess of this country."

Laila's face turned deathly pale: "You... what did you do to my mother?"

A wicked smile curled the corners of Hogan's lips: "Nothing, we just did some things that a husband and wife should do."

"Bang!"

Laila mustered her courage and slammed her head into the bridge of Hogan's nose, crying and screaming as she cursed: "Hogan, you are not human! You are a beast! You actually hurt my mother, I won't let you off! Even if I die, I won't let you off!"

Hogan rubbed his nose; as a Martial Artist, he was not about to be injured by this blow from Laila, but Laila's actions had successfully enraged him.

"Slap!"

Hogan struck Laila across the face, and Laila fell to the ground, seeing stars, the taste of blood filling her entire mouth.

"I am the King now! It is already my mercy that I haven't sent you to join Abdullah! You are ungrateful and dare to talk back to me! It seems I really should teach you a good lesson!"

Hogan was furious, grabbed Laila by the hair to pull her up, and was about to kick and punch her again.

The doors of the great hall opened at this moment, and Queen Fatima rushed over, running in a panic: "No! Hogan! Don't! Your Majesty the King, don't hurt Laila!"

At this moment, Fatima abandoned the dignity of her status as Queen, shoved Hogan aside, and pulled her daughter tightly into her arms.

………