40: Cuckoo usurps power, power shift

In the past few days, although Chen Ling didn't dare to openly confront Shu Xi, she had secretly allied with around 30 squad leaders.

Once it was confirmed that Huang Chen couldn't return, they would seize power immediately.

Moreover, starting from the second day, they stopped handing over the resources gained after bringing in new recruits, using various excuses, yet they continued to enjoy the provisions from Forbidden City every day.

This made Shu Xi and Lin Han's funds even more strained.

Just today, their funds hit rock bottom, and they couldn't even afford dinner.

"Sister Shu Xi, is there still no news from husband?" Lin Han asked.

Shu Xi shook her head. It would be great if there was news. There were only three days left until the monster siege.

However, at this critical time, the leader had gone missing.

Inn lobby.

"What is Shu Xi doing? Has she not distributed today's meal money yet? The inn hasn't been booked either."

"Could it be that she saw her husband was gone and absconded with the money?"

"Hmph, if you ask me, we should control her first and let Sister Chen Ling lead us. What right does she have to give us orders!"

"Call her down and tell us clearly when the supplies will be distributed."

"Yes, call her down, and what exactly happened to husband. Make her explain clearly."

...Chen Ling watched with satisfaction as the Harem Group in the lobby discussed indignantly.

The effect of her covert instigation over the past two days was starting to show.

"Lin Han, what should we do now?"

In the room, Shu Xi looked anxious. The problem was already very serious.

"Don't worry, I'll think of something!" Lin Han was also frowning. In the past few days, she had also secretly contacted a few squad leaders she had good relationships with.

But the reality was that very few people were on her side.

Just then, Shu Xi's communicator rang again.

"There's no other way. Let's go down and explain clearly to them."

Hearing Shu Xi's words, Lin Han sighed helplessly and followed Shu Xi and the other two downstairs.

"Shu Xi, how are you handling things? Where are today's supplies?"

"When is husband coming back? Explain clearly."

...As soon as the four of them arrived, the noisy scene became even more chaotic.

"Everyone, quiet down. Today, I'll explain everything clearly to you."

As soon as Shu Xi spoke, the entire scene immediately quieted down.

"The leader and the others are still in the dungeon and can't come out for now. I also can't contact him. And Sister Ning's funds that she left with me have also run out."

"It's over, something really happened to husband..."

"What? No money?"

"I think you've been embezzling!"

"So your previous orders were your own idea, then?"

"Are you trying to establish your own power?"

"Wolfish ambitions..."

Shu Xi's words once again stirred up a thousand waves.

At this moment, Lin Han stepped forward and said, "Alright! Husband's whereabouts are currently unknown, and Shu Xi and I are doing this out of necessity. If we don't step up to lead everyone, Forbidden City will definitely fall into chaos."

"What standing do you have to lead us?" The girl next to Chen Ling sneered, "If anyone's going to lead, it's Sister Chen Ling. Don't you all agree?"

"Yes!"

"Exactly!"

"Hand over the money, you're not worthy..."

In an instant, All the women all turned their attacks towards Lin Han and Shu Xi.

Shu Xi's face flushed red, "I'm also doing this for everyone's good. As long as we all work together through this period, everything will be fine when the leader returns."

But no one listened to her. All the women's spittle flew, directly drowning out her voice.

At this moment, the woman next to Chen Ling squinted at Shu Xi and loudly said, "I think Huang Chen probably isn't coming back. This is just a delaying tactic, isn't it?

No wonder you've been frantically collecting resources from us these past few days.

Are you trying to abscond with the money?

Hurry up and hand over the goods!"

Shu Xi's face changed drastically, "No, I didn't!"

Chen Ling, from beginning to end, had been smiling with her arms crossed. She had been observing Shu Xi's expression, and it wasn't until Shu Xi's face changed drastically at this moment that she finally confirmed,

That man wasn't coming back.

Since the matter was confirmed, she stopped pretending immediately.

She cleared her throat twice and coldly said, "Shu Xi, you have betrayed our trust. Today, let's see how you can still argue."

"I..."

Shu Xi opened her mouth but couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing that the situation was irreversible, Lin Han could only say fiercely, "Let's go. Husband will deal with them himself when he returns."

"Trying to leave? Leave the supplies!"

Just then, Lin Liang, the captain of the mobile unit at the door, walked directly to Chen Ling's side and coldly watched Shu Xi and the others with Chen Ling.

Lin Liang and Chen Ling were originally a couple in school.

However, due to circumstances, Chen Ling had joined Huang Chen's Harem Group, which made Lin Liang hate Huang Chen to the core.

But Huang Chen's strength was also evident to all, and Lin Liang couldn't even muster a thought of revenge.

However, Huang Chen's disappearance this time gave him a great opportunity.

As the captain of the 100 men Huang Chen recruited, it would be easy for him to seize power by allying with Chen Ling.

Once everything settled, what could Huang Chen do even if he returned?

Even if he was strong, could he withstand another concentrated attack?

The woman next to Chen Ling saw Lin Liang approaching, immediately turned to All the women and loudly said, "The facts are already clear. Shu Xi and the others embezzled funds and intended to betray us. I suggest we kill them immediately."

Just like in successive dynasties, usurpation also required legitimacy.

"Good! Good!" As soon as the woman finished speaking, various colored lights immediately lit up in the crowd.

And just then,

The inn waiter, who had been watching the show at the bar, coldly spoke: "Those who injure others in Novice Village will be imprisoned for 15 days; those who kill will pay with their lives."

The waiter's voice immediately made Chen Ling and the others break out in a cold sweat.

They had forgotten about the order in Novice Village.

The situation was now one-sided. Lin Han and Shu Xi exchanged glances, seeing deep powerlessness in each other's eyes.

The situation was stronger than them. The four of them were powerless to turn the tide and could only leave the inn for now, waiting for Huang Chen to return before making any further plans.

After Shu Xi left, the squad leaders Chen Ling had secretly won over immediately started making a fuss, nominating Chen Ling as the leader and Lin Liang as the deputy leader.

Chen Ling and Lin Liang politely declined a few times, then reluctantly accepted.

As for those who hadn't expressed their stance.

What did it matter?

As the four of them walked out of the inn, Chen Ling gave a look to the woman beside her, and the woman then secretly followed them with a few others.

After being elected leader, Chen Ling immediately ordered the male team to start recruiting people from Novice Village.

In her opinion, expanding the scale of their power was the most important thing now.

Firstly, they had to deal with the upcoming monster siege.

Secondly, in case Huang Chen returned, as long as their power was large enough, they would be able to handle it calmly.

Many people were actually not convinced by Chen Ling's election, but once you've bent your waist for too long, it's hard to straighten it again.

This group of people mostly went with the flow, without any independent consciousness.

Chen Ling's actions were extensive. This expansion almost included everyone in Novice Village.

And those with low levels, who could receive the protection of a force, all eagerly rushed to join.

Thus, in 10086 Novice Village, all 3151 people, except for the four of Shu Xi, joined Forbidden City.

And the four of Shu Xi were also strictly monitored, not daring to leave Novice Village at all.

In the inn room,

After a bout of passion, Chen Ling, drenched in sweat, lay on Lin Liang's chest, drawing circles.

"Ling'er, are you sure Huang Chen isn't coming back?"

Although this seizure of power was clean and decisive, Lin Liang still had a great fear of Huang Chen in his heart.

That was a man who dared to rush into a horde of corpses alone.

Could they really confront him?

"What if he can come back? Are we afraid of him with so many people?"

There was a fierce look in Chen Ling's eyes,

It's best if you die outside, but if you dare to come back, I'll make sure you die without a complete corpse.

At this moment, Huang Chen, who was having a blast fighting monsters in the Land of Skeletons, suddenly received a system message.

[Ding, Chen Ling's favorability -80]

"Who is Chen Ling?" Huang Chen was somewhat puzzled by the message and looked at All the women in confusion.

"She's a squad leader in your Harem. What's wrong?"

Xie Chunyan had some impression of this person; she had volunteered to serve him several times.

"A squad leader?"

A ruthless glint flashed in Huang Chen's eyes. It seemed someone was causing trouble while he was away.

He then looked at the Black Bone Mountain behind him. The bone mountain was about a hundred meters high, entirely made of black bones, and five-colored streams of light swirled at the summit, which he presumed was the teleportation array to leave this place.