After seeing off the families, Lin Yun, Huo Zhen, and Liang Yuan continued waiting outside the main hall for Commander Wu to arrive.
When noon arrived, Wu Tong still hadn’t shown up.
“Big Brother, time’s up. It seems this Commander Wu really has no intention of appearing,” Huo Zhen said.
Lin Yun stood with his hands behind his back. “Pass my order: effective immediately, remove Wu Tong from his position as Commander-in-Chief. Huo Zhen will take over.”
This was Lin Yun’s first act as Prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture.
“Yes!” Huo Zhen saluted.
…
Elsewhere…
In a cave within the Demon Beast Mountain Range…
A Sky Demon sat on a throne inside the cave. This was the same Sky Demon whose projection had negotiated with Lin Yun when he destroyed the demon clan’s underground teleportation fortress.
Below, a Refining Demon Tiger was reporting intelligence to the Sky Demon.
“Lord, according to reliable sources, Lin Yun has arrived in Dongyuan Prefecture as its new Prefect,” the tiger said.
“Oh? He’s the new Prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture? Interesting. This finally gives us a chance to eliminate him!” The Sky Demon flashed a chilling smile.
Ever since their negotiations fell apart last time, the Sky Demon had resolved to kill Lin Yun. First, Lin Yun had destroyed one of their teleportation arrays—a loss that cost the demon clan immense resources and effort to replace. Second, Lin Yun’s growth rate was alarmingly fast.
These two factors cemented the demon clan’s determination to eradicate him!
After that incident, Lin Yun had mostly stayed in the Divine Capital cultivating, leaving the demon clan with no opportunity to strike.
When Lin Yun went to the Endless Sea, he’d left the city discreetly, and the demon clan only learned of it afterward, missing their chance to assassinate him.
Now, with Lin Yun leaving the Divine Capital to serve as Prefect of Dongyuan Prefecture, the demon clan saw their opening!
Their infiltration in Dongyuan Prefecture was extensive, and with the prefecture bordering the Demon Beast Mountain Range, operations would be far more convenient.
“Lord, should we have our agents in Dongyuan Prefecture poison him again?” the Refining Demon Tiger asked.
“No. The last prefect died that way, so Lin Yun will surely be on guard. Poisoning him successfully will be too difficult,” the Sky Demon shook its head.
“Then what should we do? Please instruct us, Lord,” the tiger said.
“From what I know, he’s only been in the Tribulation Realm for a few months—his strength can’t be that high. Send someone to kill him directly. Pass the order: our insiders should monitor Lin Yun’s movements closely. The moment he leaves the prefecture city, strike,” the Sky Demon commanded.
“Yes!” the Refining Demon Tiger replied.
…
Back at the prefect’s palace in Dongyuan Prefecture, in front of the main hall…
The time reached just past 2 p.m.
Lin Yun was still waiting there.
Steward Sun had remained behind Lin Yun, standing by.
“Steward Sun, are you part of the Dongguo Party?” Lin Yun asked.
At the same time, he silently extended his divine sense to discern the truth in Sun’s response.
“Prefect, this old servant is just a steward—no imperial rank to speak of. In the eyes of those commanders, I’m no more than a dog. How could I qualify to join the Dongguo Party?” Steward Sun gave a dry laugh.
“What about your relationship with the previous prefect and his son, Yicheng?” Lin Yun pressed.
“Young Master Yicheng always treated us servants like dogs. Many of the maids under my charge have been ruined by him,” Steward Sun sighed.
Lin Yun could tell he was speaking the truth.
Since Steward Sun wasn’t part of the Dongguo Party, Lin Yun decided he could keep him as steward. If he had been, Lin Yun would’ve replaced him without hesitation.
“Prefect, Commander Wu and his group are here!” Steward Sun suddenly announced.
Lin Yun looked up.
Wu Tong, accompanied by a dozen generals—including Yicheng—finally entered his line of sight.
They reached Lin Yun in moments.
“Prefect Lin, I’m Wu Tong, Commander-in-Chief of Dongyuan Prefecture. My apologies—things have been unstable here lately. I was out with some of my generals on patrol, handling urgent matters, and only just returned. It’s not that I didn’t want to welcome you—it’s just that duty kept me busy. Duty comes first, right?” Wu Tong said with a smile.
Lin Yun gave a cold smirk. “Your ‘duty,’ Commander Wu, was drinking at a tavern, I presume? At least clean the stench of alcohol off yourself first.”
“I’ve always loved my drink. On the patrol, I took a few sips from my flask—nothing more. Don’t misunderstand, Prefect Lin,” Wu Tong said, still smiling.
“No need for excuses. A military order is ironclad. You didn’t arrive by noon, so per my command, you’ve been removed from your post as Commander-in-Chief. You retain your rank, but Huo Zhen will take over your position,” Lin Yun declared.
Wu Tong’s face darkened instantly.
“Remove me? Prefect Lin, I was out on official business—that’s why I couldn’t return. You’re dismissing me over this? How will that convince anyone?” Wu Tong’s gaze turned venomous.
He hadn’t expected Lin Yun to have the guts to actually strip him of his position!
“Prefect Lin, we were indeed out patrolling with Commander Wu. Please retract your order!” the generals behind Wu Tong chimed in.
“Anyone who can’t accept it can resign,” Lin Yun said flatly.
His words made it clear he had no intention of reversing his decision.
“Lin Yun, you dare remove me? You’ll pay for this!” Wu Tong snarled.
“Let’s go!”
With that, Wu Tong stormed off with his entourage.
“Yicheng, you stay!” Lin Yun called out to Yicheng in the group.
“Lin Yun, what do you want?” Yicheng stopped and turned to face him.
Huo Zhen stepped forward. “Yicheng, how dare you address the Prefect by name? Correct yourself at once!”
Yicheng’s face twitched violently.
“Prefect… my apologies for the improper address,” Yicheng gritted out, forcing the words through clenched teeth.
“Yicheng, when the steward showed me around this morning, I heard you’re still living in the prefect’s palace. Now that I’ve taken office, you can move out. You have one day,” Lin Yun said calmly.
Yicheng’s face flushed with anger. “I’ve lived here for over a century, and now you’re kicking me out? My father was the previous prefect!”
“You said it yourself—he *was* the previous prefect. You’re no longer the prefect’s son. Thinking you can still live here? That’s delusional,” Lin Yun sneered.
