Chapter 112: Uninvited Arrival

The banquet hall's main door was suddenly pushed open, and a gust of night wind carrying chill rushed in.

The previously noisy hall fell silent in an instant. Everyone's gaze was drawn to the figure at the doorway—a casually dressed Lin Yu, lazily leaning against the doorframe, his face bearing a half‑smile.

No one reported it, no one led him. He appeared abruptly at this meticulously prepared banquet, like a predator storming into a flock of sheep.

"Lord Lin… Lin," a waiter stammered, trying to step forward to attend to him.

Lin Yu waved his hand and walked toward the bar on his own. Each step seemed casual, yet those around involuntarily cleared a path. The business magnates and gang leaders who had just been chatting loudly fell silent as if chilled.

"Continue," Lin Yu poured himself a drink, scanned the room, and said, "Why is everyone silent? Weren't we having a lively conversation earlier?"

No one dared to reply. The atmosphere in the banquet hall solidified terrifyingly.

On the second floor, Sun Lingyun and Liu Wen exchanged a glance. The sudden visit of the Lin Inspector was clearly no accident. Lu Xiao tightened his grip on his glass, a flash of sharpness flashing in his eyes.

"Tsk tsk," Lin Yu swirled his glass, paced to the center of the hall, and said, "What a grand scene. All the leading figures of Shen City are present tonight?"

His gaze swept over everyone present, carrying a lofty, scrutinizing tone. The usually arrogant dignitaries involuntarily lowered their heads under that stare.

"Lin Inspector," Sun Lingyun descended from the upper floor, forcing calm, and said, "Since you're here, why not take a seat and chat?"

"No need," Lin Yu chuckled lightly, "I'm just passing by, wanted to see… who has the nerve to stage such a grand display in Shen City."

His words caused a stir throughout the hall. Even Sun Lingyun's complexion changed. The threatening implication was unmistakably clear.

"Lord Lin is joking," Liu Wen interjected timely, "It's just a gathering of old acquaintances, why make a fuss…"

"Old acquaintances?" Lin Yu cut him off, his gaze suddenly sharp, and said, "Then I'd like to see how many of these 'old acquaintances' are actually clean."

The scene became unbearably awkward. Who among those present didn't have some shady dealings? At this moment Lin Yu was like a sword hanging over everyone's heads, ready to fall at any time.

"Young Master Sun," Lin Yu swirled his glass, his gaze suddenly sharp, and said, "You call this an old‑acquaintance gathering? To me it looks more like a muster of troops."

His words caused the whole room to hold its breath. Sun Lingyun's smile tightened slightly.

"Lord Lin, where does this come from?"

"From where?" Lin Yu sneered, "Let me count: the French Concession's Hua Director, the heads of underground gangs, military representatives, business magnates… Tsk tsk, these 'old acquaintances' are indeed widespread."

He paced forward, each step seeming to step on Sun Lingyun's heart, and said, "You say it's a reunion, but I feel it's more like dividing a cake. Commander Qin just left, and Shen City is about to reshuffle?"

Sun Lingyun forced calm, "Lord Lin, you're overthinking. Commander Qin is gravely ill; we juniors are merely…"

"Xiang Zhuang's sword dance, intent on Pei Gong." Lin Yu abruptly cut him off, "Young Master Sun, do you think I'm someone who can't read the situation?"

The scene froze. Even Liu Wen and Lu Xiao on the second floor changed color. They hadn't expected Lin Yu to be so direct, nor that he understood the situation so well.

"You think I don't know?" Lin Yu's voice carried a hint of mockery, "The Jiangnan Four Young Masters reconvene, secretly linking various forces—what for? To let Qin Chang'an secure the Security Commander position? Or…"

He paused meaningfully, "To establish a separate stronghold in Shen City?"

His words were so blunt that even the ever‑adept Sun Lingyun was momentarily at a loss. Representatives of the various factions looked at each other in disbelief, not expecting they had become pawns in a game.

"Lord Lin," Sun Lingyun finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, "Are you…"

"Did I misunderstand?" Lin Yu cut him off, "Then why don't you tell me why these people came tonight, and why, of all times, now?"

The hall fell silent. Each of Lin Yu's sentences was like a sword thrust at the vital point. More unsettling was that he seemed to know each person's intent perfectly.

Sun Lingyun gently set down his glass, a composed smile resurfacing on his face.

"Lord Lin sounds quite reasonable," he said slowly, "Unfortunately, you're completely wrong."

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow.

"You say I'm gathering troops?" Sun Lingyun looked around, "Among those present, how many can actually command soldiers? You say I'm dividing a cake—what cake is there to divide in Shen City now?"

His tone grew even more composed: "As for your 'establish a separate stronghold'… Lord Lin, don't you think that phrasing is overly sensitive?"

The atmosphere in the banquet hall shifted subtly. Sun Lingyun's balanced demeanor seemed to restore some confidence to the guests.

"Then, in your view, how should I interpret tonight's banquet?" Lin Yu asked with a half‑smile.

"Very simple," Sun Lingyun stepped forward two paces, "Commander Qin is gravely ill, and the people of Shen City are unsettled. As a longtime friend of the Qin family, I merely invited friends from all circles to sit and stabilize the situation. Lord Lin, do you think there's anything wrong with that?"

As he spoke, he silently observed Lin Yu's expression. The Lin Inspector's sudden visit was clearly not spontaneous. What does he truly want? Is he genuinely here to organize tonight's banquet, or does he have ulterior motives?

"Stabilize the situation?" Lin Yu chuckled lightly.

"Indeed," Sun Lingyun continued, "Lord Lin, as the Lin Inspector, you surely don't wish to see Shen City in turmoil, do you? We locals are merely offering a modest contribution."

His words were sincere and heartfelt, as if truly for Shen City's stability. Yet everyone present knew it was merely a verbal game.

"Lord Lin," Sun Lingyun suddenly shifted tone, "You came tonight, could it be just to say these things?"

It was a clever retort, pointing out Lin Yu's abnormal behavior while subtly probing his true intent.

Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, as if re‑examining the young man. Sun Lingyun's composure clearly exceeded his expectations.

The scene fell into silence. The banquet hall's atmosphere tightened again, everyone waiting for Lin Yu's response. Sun Lingyun weighed in secret: would the Lin Inspector's sudden appearance disrupt their original plans?

Lin Yu suddenly laughed, a contemptuous smile. He casually placed his glass on the nearby table, not even glancing at Sun Lingyun.

"Jiangnan Four Young Masters?" he sneered, as if mocking, "A bunch of clueless playboys daring to pull such tricks in Shen City?"

He turned, looking down on everyone present. That gaze was like watching a troupe of over‑confident clowns.

"No matter how flashy the play, it's still petty skirmishing," Lin Yu said disdainfully, "Only these merchants and thugs can be placated."

This behavior and attitude left no doubt about his contempt for the Jiangnan Four Young Masters. In his eyes, those so‑called young masters were nothing but children playing house.