At the entrance of Wu Manor.
Lin Yun, leading a group of generals, arrived at the manor’s entrance with great momentum.
The guards at the entrance, seeing such an imposing display, were naturally startled.
“Gentlemen, a banquet is being held inside Wu Manor—unauthorised persons are not permitted to enter!” a portly guard hurriedly stepped forward, blocking Lin Yun and his entourage.
“Are you blind? This is the new lord of Dongyuan Prefecture! You dare to stop him?” Huo Zhen stepped forward and rebuked loudly.
“Even if he’s the new lord, entering our Wu Manor requires Lord Wu’s permission—this is private property,” the portly guard replied.
Clearly, this guard dared to intercept Lin Yun because he had Wu Tong’s backing, and behind Wu Tong stood the Dongguo Party.
Thus, even Lord Lin Yun himself was someone he dared to obstruct.
“Even a mere guard dares to act so brazenly, relying on Wu Tong’s influence,” Lin Yun said with a cold smile.
At that moment, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered around the manor’s exterior.
“Did you see that? Commander Wu is truly formidable—the Dongguo Party is formidable! Even their guards dare to block the new lord.”
“A mighty dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Though Lin Yun is the new lord, Commander Wu is the true authority in Dongyuan Prefecture now.”
…
The onlookers were already buzzing with discussion.
Even the generals following Lin Yun were quietly wondering: what would Lin Yun do?
Would he send someone to announce his arrival, or would he barge in directly? Barging in would mean openly breaking ties with Wu Tong, but if he didn’t, with so many citizens watching, how could the dignified lord allow himself to be stopped by a gatekeeper?
This was a moment to witness both Lin Yun’s boldness and his capability.
At the manor’s entrance.
Lin Yun waved his hand decisively and shouted, “Everyone, follow me inside! Huo Zhen, take note—anyone who dares to obstruct us, kill them! There is no place in Dongyuan Prefecture I cannot go!”
“Yes, sir!” Huo Zhen responded loudly.
The next moment, Lin Yun charged towards the manor with fierce determination.
Whoosh.
Over three hundred generals followed closely behind him.
The guards at the entrance turned pale—they ultimately didn’t dare to intervene.
“He’s gone in! He’s gone in!”
“This new lord is truly bold—actually forcing his way in. I wonder what will happen next inside?”
“There’s bound to be an invisible war tonight. Dongyuan Prefecture might see a upheaval…”
…
The onlookers outside grew even more animated in their discussions.
Naturally, they couldn’t enter Wu Manor and could only linger outside, with more and more citizens arriving as word spread.
Undoubtedly, as the news spread, this matter had escalated beyond reconciliation—when two tigers fight, one is bound to be wounded!
Inside the manor’s courtyard.
“Everyone, keep drinking. The law doesn’t punish the masses. No matter how bold Lin Yun is, he wouldn’t dare dismiss all the generals present, because that would paralyse the entire city guard—an outcome he cannot bear!” Wu Tong said.
If only a few disobeyed Lin Yun’s orders, they might fear his punishment.
But if everyone defied him, it would be Lin Yun who should be worried and troubled!
At that moment, Lin Yun stormed into the courtyard with his generals in tow.
“He’s here, as expected!”
Seeing Lin Yun appear, Wu Tong remained lounging in his chair, a cold smile creeping across his face.
“Cease the music and dancing at once!”
“All generals of Dongyuan Prefecture, stand up immediately!”
As soon as Lin Yun entered the courtyard, he roared with authority.
His commanding voice thundered through the courtyard like a bolt of lightning, his presence overwhelmingly powerful.
The singers and dancers stopped in fright.
In an instant, the entire courtyard fell silent.
The gazes of all the generals attending the banquet turned to Lin Yun, yet none rose as he had ordered.
Yi Cheng said coldly, “Lord Lin, this is Lord Wu’s private residence. You barge in uninvited, without even announcing yourself? Do you truly think this is your own home?”
“I am here as the lord to carry out official duties—why should I need to announce myself? On the contrary, anyone who dares to obstruct me is hindering the lord of this prefecture in his duties!” Lin Yun’s voice boomed like a great bell, his intimidating aura radiating.
Wu Tong, still lounging in his chair, chuckled, “Since Lord Lin has come, I, Wu Tong, naturally welcome you. Don’t stand on ceremony, Lord Lin—take a seat. I’ll have my servants bring fine wine at once.”
“Wu Tong, do I look like I’m here to drink?” Lin Yun sneered.
He then turned to face the over eight hundred generals present.
“Yesterday, I issued an order for all of you to attend a banquet at the lord’s palace tonight—that was a command. Not only did you defy it by not attending, but you came here to indulge in debauchery. What crime should you bear for this?” Lin Yun demanded sternly.
Wu Tong laughed, “Lord Lin, since you’re holding a banquet, where people choose to attend is their own decision. If they didn’t go to your palace and came to mine instead, it only shows that you, as lord, haven’t done well enough. Of course, if you wish to punish them, go ahead—but with so many generals involved, you’d better weigh the consequences carefully!”
“If the lord wishes to punish us, we’re willing to accept it,” the over eight hundred generals chimed in.
They appeared utterly fearless, clearly unafraid.
Wu Tong slowly stood up, “Lord Lin, I’ve already been dismissed by you. This is my private residence. How you choose to punish them, you can issue orders tomorrow. For now, please leave and don’t disrupt my banquet. Otherwise, I, Wu Tong, am not someone to be trifled with!”
By the end, Wu Tong’s tone had grown sharp.
“No need to wait for tomorrow. I’m issuing my order now: all generals who failed to attend the banquet at the lord’s palace today will be fined twenty years’ salary and demoted one rank in the imperial hierarchy. If anyone defies my orders again, they will be sacked outright!” Lin Yun declared with authority.
Whoosh!
Lin Yun’s words caused an uproar among the over eight hundred generals attending Wu Tong’s banquet.
A twenty-year salary fine? That would undoubtedly hit them hard!
Demotion was no less painful.
Wu Tong waved his hand, signalling for silence.
“Lord Lin, forget next time—why not sack everyone right now? But do you dare?” Wu Tong sneered.
The entire crowd was stunned.
Even Huo Zhen and Liang Yuan, standing behind Lin Yun, paled—Wu Tong was challenging Lin Yun outright!
All eyes turned to Lin Yun, eager to see how he would respond.
Lin Yun gave a cold smile, “Wu Tong, I don’t need you to teach me how to act. Since I’ve just issued my punishment, my word is law—how could I change it just because of your words? Your influence isn’t that great!”
Then, Lin Yun’s tone shifted, “But I’ll keep my word. If anyone disobeys my orders again, I will sack them!”
“Very well, I believe that day won’t be far off. Let’s see if you dare when the time comes,” Wu Tong sneered back.
Then, Wu Tong beckoned to his steward, “Steward, see our guest out. Our banquet tonight must go on—we can’t let a few flies ruin our splendid evening!”
