With 900,000 troops at his command, Zichuan Canxing felt secure again. His commanding presence returned in full force.
"Chief Executive, we've all handed over our private troops. May we leave now?"
Zichuan Canxing was pleased.
The clan heads, however, looked grim.
For the moment, everyone was still keeping up appearances.
But they all knew the truth.
After this meeting, every clan head knew a deep rift had opened between them and Zichuan Canxing.
None of them wanted to be put through this again.
Zichuan Canxing knew that too.
He had treated them badly this time.
But he had no choice.
It was the only way he could make one last gamble!
If he won, none of them would escape. He could deal with them afterward.
Even when he had been Chief Executive, he had put up with these Southwest clans for far too long.
If he won, power would be his alone. He had no wish to keep watching these pests jump around in front of him!
If he lost, there would be nothing left to say.
Since both sides had dropped the pretense, Zichuan Canxing saw no reason to be polite.
"Everyone, you cannot leave just yet!"
Zichuan Canxing rose, his aged face expressionless.
"What do you mean? We agreed to hand over our troops, and you still won't let us leave? What more do you want from us?"
Zichuan Canxing's words enraged every clan head present.
"Don't forget who backed you when you first came to the Southwest! We supplied money, men, and grain so you could establish yourself here!"
"Push us too far, and we'll bring you down with us!"
"That's right! If you won't let us live, we won't let you live either!"
The clan heads erupted, venting their anger.
"Silence!"
Luo Minghai stopped wiping his