Chapter 428: Who Is the Oriole After All?

"Commander Liu, Captain Yang, what are you doing! Do you really think I called you all together this morning for no reason? Of course it's because I received important information!"

Liao Youzhi pressed his hands downward toward Liu Yao and Yang Xinqi, signaling them to calm down, then continued: "You want evidence? I can't produce physical proof—but I have eyewitnesses. They're right here in Civilian Guardians."

Liu Yao and Yang Xinqi exchanged a rare glance—a brute and a schemer, neither foolish, both instantly understanding Liao Youzhi's implication.

Li Zongkai's expression twisted violently as he was pinned to the ground; the one thing he least expected had come to pass. In an instant, he thought of several suspicious members—but he could not admit anything now. He gritted his teeth and said: "Don't believe Liao Youzhi's nonsense. This is purely a delaying tactic—he's just trying to hold you off!"

"A delaying tactic? Hahaha, Old Li, your men—no, my men—have already told me everything you did last night. Why would I need to delay anything?"

Liao Youzhi smiled with complete confidence.

"Old Liao, if what you say is true, you've planted spies in Civilian Guardians—then surely you've also planted your own people in my Little Hawks, right?"

"What about my Dawn Corps, Old Liao? Haven't you slipped some of your eyes in there too?"

Liu Yao and Yang Xinqi subtly aligned themselves on the same side. They might bicker over small matters, but they knew right from wrong.

This was an outcome Liao Youzhi had never anticipated. By exposing Li Zongkai, he hadn't united Liu Yao and Yang Xinqi against him—he'd driven them to unite against him. It was beyond his expectations.

But now he had no choice but to explain patiently: "Gentlemen, you're overthinking. I never planted any spies in Civilian Guardians. It was simply one of Li Zongkai's subordinates, disgusted by his hypocrisy, who came to me voluntarily—essentially, he defected from darkness to light!"

Hearing this, Liu Yao and Yang Xinqi grew even more suspicious, silently wondering if their own camps harbored similar traitors—but that was a problem for later. First, they had to handle the current situation.

"Absolute nonsense! Civilian Guardians is united as one iron wall. I walk upright and stand true. This is all your one-sided lies and slander—your intentions are vile!"

Li Zongkai didn't know whether Liao Youzhi's words were true or false, but he knew for certain that Civilian Guardians had been compromised. Still, at this moment, he had to respond with force.

Liao Youzhi glanced coolly at Li Zongkai and said: "I know you used to be an official—your tongue is sharp. I won't argue words with you. But if you don't want everyone in Civilian Guardians to suffer because of you, cooperate. Wait until we take Tianma Island, then we'll deal with you. Understood?"

"If you're a man, kill me now. Isn't it shameful to use such dirty tricks?"

Li Zongkai was furious—but he was powerless, trapped in their hands.

"Why would I kill you? You've conspired with the leader of Tianma Island. I'll use you to deal with him! Commander Liu, Captain Yang—isn't this perfectly reasonable?"

After speaking, Liao Youzhi looked up at Liu Yao and Yang Xinqi nearby. His goal now was to keep them steady.

"Perfectly reasonable!"

Liu Yao slowly lowered his weapon, glanced at Li Zongkai on the ground, and snorted: "Old Li, I never knew you had two faces. Were you planning to team up with the northern forces and wipe us out? Thank goodness Leader Liao saw through your scheme. Hmph!"

Yang Xinqi said nothing more, but he too lowered his weapon. His expression relaxed slightly—he'd clearly accepted the situation as it stood. What he thought inside, only he knew.

"You two are fools. Alas, you've been fooled and don't even realize it."

Li Zongkai now understood Liao Youzhi's true goal. If he could unite Little Hawks and Dawn Corps, overthrowing the Survivors' Alliance was still possible. But his influence was weaker than Liao's, and his men couldn't match the Survivors' Alliance! "Enough babbling, Old Li. Looks like you won't cooperate. Boys, teach him a lesson—don't hit his face!"

Liao Youzhi waved his hand. The men holding Li Zongkai dragged him up and pounded his chest, abdomen, and back—thud-thud-thud—the sounds echoed through the empty mall.

Survivors' Alliance members on the upper floors peeked out to see what was happening, but the dim light made everything unclear. Plus, strict rules forbade them from watching too long. They glanced once and quickly pulled their heads back.

After a round of "cooperative-beating," Li Zongkai vomited violently. He hadn't eaten anything that morning, and now he was spitting up stomach acid, his esophagus burning. Unfortunately, the mall's soundproofing was excellent—no one outside heard a thing.

Snap.

Liao Youzhi grabbed Li Zongkai's cheek and said: "Old Li, a wise man adapts to circumstances. I think you're the wise one. The situation is clear to you now. Don't resist. Don't cause trouble. Once we take Tianma Island, you can peacefully meet God. Oh—wait, you're not Captain Yang—you don't believe in God…"

"Right. You should go meet Heinrich. I promise you: if you don't cause trouble, we'll treat your men kindly. Otherwise…"

Liao Youzhi shook Li Zongkai's head hard and growled: "Otherwise, I'll slaughter every single person in Civilian Guardians right before your eyes—then send you to meet Heinrich!"

Li Zongkai finally understood: he was going to die either way. But the difference lay in whether his men's lives would be spared. His own life still had value—he couldn't die here. As long as he lived, there was still infinite possibility. He placed his hope in that one person.

Liao Youzhi had correctly identified Li Zongkai's weakness—he cared deeply for his comrades. But no matter how hard he calculated, he never guessed who Li Zongkai cared about most!

"Old Li, stop stubbornly holding out. Helping us is helping yourself—and helping the men who follow you. Just agree."

Yang Xinqi pulled out a tissue, stepped forward, and wiped Li Zongkai's mouth. Their relationship, untainted by direct interests, had always been decent—he never imagined it would come to this.

"Many people in Qincheng know your name, Chairman Li—honorable, principled. If you don't cooperate, both Civilian Guardians and Tianma Island are finished. If you do, at least Civilian Guardians might survive—or Tianma Island might surrender peacefully. Cooperate. I promise you: I'll treat your Civilian Guardians men well."

Liu Yao stepped up to Li Zongkai, shed his usual thuggish demeanor, and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder.

Gong Chengming, hidden in the shadows and unnoticed until now, felt a tangled mix of emotions. He blamed himself for his poor intelligence work—if he'd known Li Zongkai was tied to Tianma Island, his plan would've been easier. Now he had to take a dangerous gamble.

Watching Liao Youzhi's triumphant back, Gong Chengming's lips curled into a cold smile. He knew exactly what Liao Youzhi was up to—but whether the final gain would end up in Liao's pocket was another matter entirely. After all, the mantis stalks the cicada, while the oriole waits behind.

Gong Chengming believed he was that oriole!

Li Zongkai saw it all clearly—the good cop, the bad cop, the soft and hard tactics. Liu Yao's analysis was sharp. From a rational standpoint, a mutual destruction outcome was too terrible—he didn't want to endure it.

Most importantly, if he fought to the death now, he'd lose all chance of helping Tianma Island. That was not the result he wanted.

"Fine. Tell me—how do you want me to cooperate?"

"That's the right attitude for Chairman Li!"

Liao Youzhi laughed heartily, gestured for the men to release Li Zongkai, stepped forward, and handed him a bottle of water. "Drink some water. Let's talk slowly. First—tell us everything you know about Tianma Island."

Li Zongkai waved off the water. He rubbed his searing, cramping abdomen, staggered slightly, and gave a bitter smile.

"Your first plan is already wrong… I did know the leader of Tianma Island before—but I had no idea it was his territory. Otherwise, I never would've joined your northern expansion plan from the start."

It was the truth. He spoke it with full conviction.

Liao Youzhi sensed he wasn't lying. He frowned slightly and said: "So you don't know Tianma Island's current situation? That's fine. Tell us about the leader. My men have fought him before—they were outmaneuvered. His style seems formidable."

This time, Li Zongkai didn't refuse. He knew he had to give them something real—or he'd suffer more. He described what he knew of Zhang Su—but only surface details. The two had only collaborated once, together for less than a day. He had no deep knowledge.

(End of Chapter)