Chapter 188 Winning Hearts and Minds

The interior of Taoyuan Residential Area was eerily silent.

The pungent smell of a mixture of Iron Material and blood still lingered in the air.

Wang Meng followed behind Zhuang Yi, carrying a Mountain-Splitting Axe in his hand, the dried blood on the blade shimmering dark red under the moonlight.

He looked at Zhuang Yi's slightly hunched back, remained silent for a moment, and then couldn't help but speak up.

"So you're Zhuang Qianhao's father?"

Zhuang Yi's footsteps paused for a moment. He didn't turn around, only giving a soft "Mhm."

In that single sound, there was a weight that others couldn't hear.

"My condolences."

Wang Meng struggled for a long time before only managing to squeeze out those two words.

He wasn't someone who knew how to comfort people, but in his heart, he truly admired the young man named Zhuang Qianhao.

"It's fine." Zhuang Yi shook his head, his voice raspy. "My name is Zhuang Yi."

He turned his head, forcing a smile onto his face that looked worse than crying.

"That kid Qianhao... was a real man. I, Wang Meng, respect him."

Wang Meng said in a muffled voice, "At that time, even though he knew he couldn't win, he was still willing to stand up and buy time for everyone. He's a real man!"

Zhuang Yi's eyes reddened, yet he still managed a smile. "As long as he didn't bring shame to Boss Su Ze."

With one sentence, he had made his stance and attitude clear.

Wang Meng's evaluation of this middle-aged man rose another notch.

As they spoke, the group had already reached the central plaza of the residential area.

The place was a mess, but the surrounding villas were deathly silent, their curtains drawn tight as if they were tombs.

Zhuang Yi took a deep breath and, using all his strength, let out a thunderous roar toward the surrounding buildings.

"Liao Long's gang is dead!"

"All players, come out! Your families have been rescued!!!"

His voice echoed through the silent night, sounding exceptionally clear.

At first, there was no response.

After about ten seconds, pairs of eyes filled with fear and suspicion began to peek out.

Following that, more and more figures appeared behind the windows.

Finally, a brave man rushed out from the First Floor. He was still wearing pajamas, his face filled with disbelief.

"Really... Are they really dead?"

His voice was trembling.

"Why would I lie to you!" a Jinghai University player beside Wang Meng shouted irritably. "Can't you check your Public Channel yourself!"

The man snapped out of it as if waking from a dream, hurriedly clicking open his virtual panel.

When he saw the names of Liao Long and his core subordinates in the Public Channel...

...all turned into unclickable gray, he froze entirely.

The next second, he jumped up abruptly, letting out a scream of wild joy that had been suppressed for a long time.

"Dead! They're really dead!"

"Liao Long! And his group of lackeys! Their names are all gray!!"

This shout was like lighting a powder keg.

*Clatter!*

*Bang!*

In an instant, countless doors were pushed open, and windows were flung wide.

Players with numb expressions and faces full of terror swarmed out from their hiding places.

They rushed to the plaza, confirming the news with each other.

When they learned that the mountain weighing on their heads was truly gone, the entire residential area instantly erupted into a mountain-shaking, ocean-toppling cheer.

"Wuwuwu... Finally... I finally don't have to live in fear anymore!"

"This is great! My wife and children are saved!"

"That beast Liao Long! He locked my sister in a villa. Every day I lived was worse than death!"

Some wept for joy, kneeling on the ground and wailing loudly.

Some rushed toward the nearby villas, wanting to rescue their families at the first possible moment.

Others ran up to Wang Meng and Zhuang Yi, so excited they were incoherent.

The entire Taoyuan Residential Area transformed from a deathly silence into an ocean of joy in an instant.

They had been threatened by Liao Long using their families' lives, ordered around like dogs, and would be beaten or even killed outright for the slightest mistake.

They had had enough of such a life!

Looking at this group of players who were overjoyed after surviving the disaster, Wang Meng cleared his throat and roared out the words Su Ze had instructed him to say, word for word.

"All of you shut the fuck up!"

His shout was full of vigor, instantly suppressing all the noise.

Everyone's gaze converged on him.

Wang Meng looked around, his face carrying a hint of murderous intent.

"Originally, our leader of Jinghai University, Boss Su Ze, was considering whether to kill all of you enemies who aided the tyrant!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the faces of everyone in the plaza turned pale in an instant.

The faces that were just full of wild joy were instantly replaced by fear.

Only now did they realize that although Liao Long was dead, the people standing before them were another group of even more powerful conquerors!

Seeing the fear on their faces, Wang Meng felt a secret thrill in his heart and continued:

"It was Mr. Zhuang Yi!"

He pointed a finger at Zhuang Yi beside him.

"He was the one who stood up and pleaded for all of you! Boss Su Ze only decided to spare your dog lives for his sake!"

The entire field fell silent.

Everyone's gaze shifted from Wang Meng to Zhuang Yi.

In those eyes, there was shock, guilt, and confusion, but ultimately, it all turned into deep gratitude.

*Thump!*

A man standing close by knelt down toward Zhuang Yi without hesitation.

"Mr. Zhuang... I'm sorry! About hunting down your family back then, I... I was forced!"

"Mr. Zhuang's great kindness! We... we..."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhuang! Thank you, Mr. Zhuang, for not holding a grudge!"

*Thump! Thump!*

The sound of kneeling rang out one after another like falling dominoes.

In the blink of an eye, a dense crowd was kneeling across the plaza.

The way they looked at Zhuang Yi was as if they were looking at a savior.

Looking at this scene, Zhuang Yi felt a mix of emotions in his heart.

He knew that Su Ze and Wang Meng were elevating him, helping him win over the people.

This move by the Boss not only gave him a massive favor but also directly pushed him into the position of leader for the survivors of Taoyuan Residential Area.

He waved his hand, his face showing a perfectly timed magnanimity and urgency: "Everyone, now is not the time for this!"

"Although those beasts in Liao Long's gang are dead, our families are still in their hands!"

"Now, everyone, come with me to rescue them!"

"Rescue them!!"

The crowd's emotions were completely stirred up. Under Zhuang Yi's leadership, they surged toward the villas where the hostages were held in a grand procession.

The atmosphere was so spirited; every face carried the joy of a new life and the anticipation of reuniting with their families.

They rushed to the largest villa.

The main door here was locked from the outside with thick iron chains, and faint movements could be heard from within.

"Dad! I'm here!"

"Wife! Wait for me, I'll get you out right away!"

Several men with bloodshot eyes slammed against the door with all their might.

Wang Meng couldn't stand to watch any longer and stepped forward, swinging the Mountain-Splitting Axe in his hand.

"Everyone move aside!"

*Crack!*

With a loud bang, the iron chain as thick as a wrist snapped.

The door was kicked open.

Everyone swarmed in impatiently, bright smiles on their faces, calling out the names of their relatives.

However, when they clearly saw the scene in the villa's lobby, all voices and all smiles froze completely in that instant.