Half a month passed.
On the Southwestern Borderlands, the four main cities led by Black Iron City continued to hold their ground.
They had repeatedly wiped out the bandits who came to harass them, but these bandits were like locusts, impossible to eradicate. Kill one wave, and another came.
Moreover, their numbers kept growing, and their strength kept increasing. The situation had already become extremely grave.
At that moment, inside Black Iron City's dungeon.
In a dim, damp interrogation chamber, Gu Chenfeng sat on a wooden chair, his gaze sweeping over the seven or eight vicious-looking brutes kneeling before him.
"You certainly have some nerve, daring to seize cities and territory and launch a rebellion within the Feather Transformation Marquisate."
These men were precisely the leaders of several bandit groups that the Four-City Allied Army had defeated and captured that day.
At his words, all the leaders' expressions changed.
A short-haired burly man with a face full of savage flesh hurriedly said, "Gu City Lord, we were only following orders from the Heroes Alliance's higher-ups to harass the outskirts of Xilin Commandery.
"We had no choice. We never attacked any cities, let alone launched a rebellion. Please spare our lives, Gu City Lord!"
The others hurriedly offered excuses and begged for mercy as well.
Gu Chenfeng merely gave a cold laugh.
"Heh... you raped and plundered along Xilin Commandery's borders, burning, killing, and looting, slaughtering towns and sects. You wouldn't even spare children shorter than a cartwheel.
"Did someone force you to commit such bestial acts, too?"
At this, they were left speechless, their faces turning somewhat pale.
Gu Chenfeng spoke again. "I can give you a chance. Confess who is backing the Heroes Alliance and what your true purpose is."
But the bandit leaders all looked bewildered.
"Gu City