At the prefect’s palace in Dongyuan Prefecture…
“After the previous prefect died, who’s been in charge of Dongyuan Prefecture this past month?” Lin Yun asked coldly.
“Reporting to the Prefect, Commander Wu has been temporarily acting as prefect,” a guard replied.
“Pass my order: tell him to come see me here immediately. I’ll wait at the entrance,” Lin Yun commanded.
“Reporting to the Prefect, Commander Wu… he left the city this morning for an inspection,” the guard reported.
Liang Yuan stepped forward, whispering in Lin Yun’s ear, “Prefect, the official notice of your appointment must have reached them already. Knowing you’d arrive today, he’s not here to greet you and instead left the city. This is absolutely intentional!”
Lin Yun, of course, understood this perfectly.
“Go inform Commander Wu at once. Tell him to meet me at the prefect’s palace before noon. If he’s late, I’ll strip him of his position on the spot!” Lin Yun’s tone was sharp, his authority radiating.
The guards felt suffocated under Lin Yun’s overpowering presence.
“This… Prefect, I… I don’t know where Commander Wu is,” the guard stammered quietly.
“If you don’t know, find out. I don’t care how—I only care if he shows up by noon,” Lin Yun said icily.
“This… this…” The guard hesitated.
“What are you waiting for? Can’t you understand the Prefect’s orders?” Huo Zhen barked.
“Yes, yes, yes! I’ll go right now!” The guard scurried off after receiving the command.
“What about the prefect’s palace steward? He’s not out of town too, is he?” Lin Yun asked another guard.
“Reporting to the Prefect, no! No, he’s here!” the guard replied hastily.
“Then why hasn’t he come to see me yet?” Lin Yun pressed.
Just as he spoke, a white-haired old man hurried out.
“Greetings to the new Prefect! This old servant is the steward of the prefect’s palace. You may call me Steward Sun. I’m late—please forgive me, Prefect!” the old man said quickly.
“Lead the way. Show me around the prefect’s palace,” Lin Yun instructed.
“Yes!” Steward Sun replied promptly.
He then guided Lin Yun into the palace.
Lin Yun had visited the prefect’s palace once before, after the martial examination in Dongyuan Prefecture, but as a guest.
Now, he entered as its master!
Inside, they crossed a vast plaza, with the main hall looming ahead.
As they walked along the central path…
“Brother Liang, start preparations today. Tomorrow, we’ll begin recruiting talent across Dongyuan Prefecture. I want to build a personal guard of about ten thousand—minimum strength at Void Penetration Realm, the higher the better. Quality over quantity,” Lin Yun said.
“No problem,” Liang Yuan nodded.
“Also, we need to find a way to recruit some Mahayana and Tribulation Realm cultivators as key allies. That might be trickier, so you’ll need to put in extra effort,” Lin Yun added.
“Got it,” Liang Yuan agreed.
Lin Yun turned to Huo Zhen. “Huo Zhen, tomorrow you’ll join me to inspect various parts of Dongyuan Prefecture.”
“Alright, Prefect,” Huo Zhen replied.
“Huo Zhen, no need to call me Prefect—it’s too formal,” Lin Yun said with a smile.
“You’re my superior, after all. How about I call you Big Brother?” Huo Zhen grinned.
Though much older than Lin Yun, in the cultivation world, ability trumped age. Lin Yun was both his superior and stronger, so the title fit.
…
Elsewhere…
On the second floor of a high-end tavern in the city…
Wu Tong, Yicheng, and a group of Dongyuan Prefecture’s generals were drinking and watching a performance.
Their “inspection outside the city” was clearly just an excuse.
“By now, our new Prefect Lin Yun should’ve arrived, right? He must be confused, finding no one there to greet him. Haha!” Wu Tong laughed, raising his wine cup.
“He deserves it. If he hadn’t dared to cross the Chancellor, we wouldn’t have the guts to treat him like this!” Yicheng’s expression twisted with malice.
Another general chuckled, “Exactly! Opposing our Dongguo Party is career suicide. Want to bet how long he lasts in Dongyuan Prefecture? A month? Half a year?”
“I bet he won’t last a month!” Wu Tong said with a laugh.
“Ten days might be his limit! Haha!”
The table erupted in laughter.
“Come, let’s drink!” Wu Tong raised his cup again.
At that moment, the guard Lin Yun had sent to notify Wu Tong rushed in.
“Com… Commander Wu, the new Prefect’s here!” the guard panted, his face pale.
“So he’s here. Why the fuss?” Wu Tong frowned.
“The Prefect ordered me to tell you to meet him at the prefect’s palace before noon. If you’re late, he’ll… he’ll…” the guard faltered.
“He’ll what?” Wu Tong pressed, his brow furrowing.
“He’ll… strip you of your position on the spot,” the guard finished.
Bang!
“What arrogance! Strip me of my position?” Wu Tong slammed the table, his expression darkening.
The room fell silent.
“Uncle Wu, what now?” Yicheng asked.
“Ignore him. I’ll go in the afternoon. Let’s see where he gets the nerve to remove me!” Wu Tong declared confidently.
He was the late prefect’s trusted confidant, commanding the city guard through the Commandery Office. The entire million-strong force answered to him.
That was his leverage!
Plus, he was a Dongguo Party member—the most authoritative one in Dongyuan Prefecture. That was his backbone!
…
Back at the prefect’s palace…
Under Steward Sun’s guidance, Lin Yun had familiarized himself with the premises.
Now, it was a waiting game.
Waiting for Commander Wu to come meet him.
Two hours passed in this standoff.
“Big Brother, it’s almost noon, and he’s still not here. Looks like he won’t show up by then,” Huo Zhen said.
“If he doesn’t make it, I’ll keep my word!” Lin Yun’s gaze burned with resolve.
At that moment, a guard hurried over.
“Prefect, a dozen major families have gathered at the palace gates with congratulatory gifts to celebrate your appointment,” the guard reported.
“Let them all in,” Lin Yun said.
As the new prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture, he’d have to meet them eventually.
“Yes!” The guard dashed off to relay the order.
At the prefect’s palace gates…
Over twenty people had gathered, including the Mo family father and son, and the Zhu family father and son.
“Father, we don’t know what kind of person this new prefect is—his personality, his temperament. The Mo family will surely pull out all the stops to cozy up to him,” Zhu Xu said.
“We’ll do our best,” the Zhu family head replied, his expression grave.
The pressure was palpable—whoever won the prefect’s favor would gain a significant edge!
