Ji Cang was not eager to stand out, but Chen Fan had directly called his name, and he could no longer stand by and watch.
He had previously leaked the news of Yin Yazi and Zuo Lizhou's collusion, and the Hero Alliance might have found out.
Coupled with the conflict of interest at the Ghost Market at the pass, he now had no reason to side with Zuo Lizhou.
However, his words still left room for maneuver.
Not just him, but also the Feng and Shang families, in their words, had indeed left room for maneuver, merely persuading Zuo Lizhou to temporarily yield.
After all, it was not a matter of mortal enmity, and they did not wish to become sworn enemies with Zuo Lizhou.
"Good, very good!"
However, Zuo Lizhou did not buy it. His expression became even more somber as he said, "Ji Cang, over the years, has the Hero Alliance not provided support for the Ghost Market at the pass to remain stable?"
"Alliance Leader Zuo, the Hero Alliance did indeed contribute to the maintenance of the Ghost Market at the pass, but you also took a considerable portion of the profits, didn't you?"
Ji Cang said in a loud voice, "But you, Alliance Leader Zuo, want more and more, and I, Ji, am already finding it difficult to bear."
His words shocked many.
If one or two Grandmasters were dissatisfied with the Hero Alliance, it might be understandable.
But from the Feng family to the Shang family, and then to Ji Cang, all of them turned away from the Hero Alliance, and their words revealed that the Hero Alliance was by no means a just and selfless organization, which made people wary.
Many who had joined the alliance only a day or two ago were now filled with suspicion and regret.
Especially since Ji Cang was known as the King of Ningnan and had extensive connections in the martial arts world, knowing numerous heroes.
This man acted with boldness and had great influence in the Jianghu.
His siding with Chen Fan dealt a tremendous blow to the Hero Alliance.
At this point, many had already conceived the idea of withdrawing.
Regardless of anything, staying away from the Hero Alliance and not being dragged onto their ship was the right course of action.
Zuo Lizhou, with a face as dark as water, was furious and said coldly, "Betrayal is betrayal, why make so many excuses?"
Saying so, he scanned the martial artists behind him and sternly said, "Who else wishes to stand with Chen Tianjiao, come out now."
"Using missiles, snipers, and other thermal weapons against martial artists is an act of subversion and destruction of the martial arts world. To stand with Chen Tianjiao is to be a loyal subject, a lapdog of the authorities, and a disgrace to the martial arts world!"
With this heavy accusation, many fell silent.
The armed helicopters still hovered in the air, their cannons aimed at Guanling Ridge.
Chen Fan represented the will of the authorities, and to stand with Chen Fan was, in a sense, to accept the authorities' recruitment.
For many arrogant and unruly martial artists, this was rather unacceptable.
But at this moment, two figures stepped forward and walked to Chen Fan's side.
Chen Fan looked over and saw that they were Ye Yunchen and Raman.
Ye Yunchen nodded at Chen Fan and said, "Alliance Leader Zuo, I am not a lapdog, nor am I a loyal subject."
"However, I still stand on this side."
"Ten years ago, the enemy who destroyed my Four Seas Gang and killed my entire family, several of them were members of the Hero Alliance, close confidantes of Alliance Leader Zuo."
"The revenge for the destruction of my sect is irreconcilable. If I could kill Alliance Leader Zuo, I, Ye, would not show any mercy!"
Zuo Lizhou glanced at Ye Yunchen and said coldly, "What does the destruction of the Four Seas Gang have to do with me? You are looking for the wrong person for revenge!"
Ye Yunchen sneered, "It may indeed have nothing to do with you, Alliance Leader Zuo, but do you dare say that there are no martial artists within the Hero Alliance who destroyed the Four Seas Gang and the Ye family back then?"
"Hun Yuan Saber Li Chengguo, Lian Huan Stick Cheng Fei, Bai Ming Saber Liu Guoshan, are these not people of the Hero Alliance?"
"That is your own grievance."
Zuo Lizhou frowned and said, "I will not interfere!"
Ye Yunchen laughed, "Alliance Leader Zuo speaks righteously, but if I were to go and kill these people, I fear Alliance Leader Zuo would have a different story to tell."
"Rather than that, it is better to stand on Alliance Leader Zuo's opposite side!"
Zuo Lizhou ignored him and, seeing that no one else was defecting, felt slightly relieved.
Chen Fan then said, "Alliance Leader Zuo, you still have quite a few people on your side, but if I, a martial arts Grandmaster, were to request your cooperation in an investigation, who would act for you?"
His gaze swept across the faces of Wang Yucheng, Xin Beitian, Yan Siyu, and others, and he said in a deep voice, "I am Chen Tianjiao, a general of the war zone, the commander of the Iron Blood Camp. Due to the ambush by Fu Qinglei and others an hour ago, I request Zuo Lizhou to cooperate with the war zone investigation!"
"Those who obstruct official business will be punished as accomplices. Those who are not involved, please retreat. Otherwise, fists and bullets are silent. If you are injured as a result, do not blame me for not warning you!"
He spoke with a voice like thunder.
On Zuo Lizhou's side, Wang Yucheng first made way and retreated into the crowd watching the spectacle.
The Wang family's status and position were extraordinary, and there was no need to curry favor with Zuo Lizhou. The Wang family would not get involved in such matters.
Yan Siyu stared at Chen Fan with hatred in her eyes, then also retreated a few steps and stood aside with the disciples of the Misty Rain Sect who were watching.
The Misty Rain Sect was a hidden sect and had no prior business dealings with Zuo Lizhou.
Although she wished she could kill Chen Fan on the spot, as the Grand Elder of the Misty Rain Sect, Yan Siyu had this much sense.
Several other Grandmasters, after exchanging glances, also made way.
Of course, several of them were still hesitant.
"You..."
Zuo Tiance looked at the scene with anger.
One Grandmaster said, "Alliance Leader Zuo, I am very sorry, our small business and humble family cannot afford to oppose the authorities. Please forgive us, Alliance Leader Zuo and Young Alliance Leader!"
Of the many martial arts Grandmasters, only Xin Beitian remained on Zuo Lizhou's side.
Xin Beitian glanced to his left and whispered something into Zuo Lizhou's ear.
Zuo Lizhou's expression changed, and his gaze towards Chen Fan was as if he wanted to devour him alive.
He naturally knew Zuo Lizhou's intention of arresting him in full view of everyone.
To put it plainly, it was to undermine his prestige, to have the dignified Alliance Leader of the Hero Alliance taken away in full view of many martial arts peers, and to see his image crumble.
A blow to the heart!
However, he also knew that Chen Tianjiao and the War Zone could not do anything to him.
The War Zone dared not kill him, let alone detain him for too long, otherwise the martial artist unrest that would be caused would be enough to trouble the authorities.
Martial artists who violated the law with their martial arts, especially at the Grandmaster level, were too dangerous to society.
Even with Chen Tianjiao and the Town Guard Jing Wu Sheng present, it would be impossible to eradicate the Hero Alliance completely.
The rules of the martial arts world were that death by sword and blade was without resentment, but death under official punishment was not something martial artists would willingly accept.
The Hero Alliance had existed for twenty to thirty years, and Zuo Lizhou had no small number of subordinates and confidantes, so the authorities could not take them lightly.
Under Xin Beitian's whisper, Zuo Lizhou's expression changed.
Finally, he slowly opened his mouth and said, "It's just cooperating with the investigation, Chen Tianjiao, what can you do to me?"
"It's easy to invite gods but difficult to send them away. I'll see how you will resolve this."
He narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Do you want handcuffs?"
"Handcuffs are meaningless to a martial arts Grandmaster like Alliance Leader Zuo."
Chen Fan smiled and said, "Please, Alliance Leader Zuo, cooperating with the investigation is being a good citizen, and it is the duty of every citizen of Great Xia to do so!"
Zuo Lizhou was so angry that he wanted to smash Chen Fan's face to pieces.
And all the martial artists present were greatly shocked.
Who would have thought that Zuo Lizhou would ultimately yield!