Chapter 114: Terrifying Deterrence

Lin Yu pushed open the gate; the night‑time street was filled with armored vehicles. The vehicle lights illuminated the whole street, and soldiers in tight formation, weapons in hand, sealed off the entire block.

"Bureau Chief," Zhou Wei hurried forward and draped a coat over Lin Yu's shoulders.

Lin Yu lit a cigarette, his gaze sweeping over the fully armed force. The barrel of the armored vehicle pointed at the Sun Family residence; with a single order, the luxurious building would be reduced to ruins in an instant.

"Bureau Chief," Zhou Wei lowered his voice, "You can act tonight. Those so‑called Four Young Masters are merely reckless playboys. We could easily..."

"No rush," Lin Yu exhaled a smoke ring, his voice lazy, "Let them bounce around for a few more days."

"But..."

"Just wait and see," Lin Yu's mouth curled into a cold smile, "The Security Command Headquarters will soon fall into chaos. Then they'll understand what 'overreaching' really means."

Zhou Wei, thoughtful, said, "So tonight..."

"I'm here tonight to make those people see clearly," Lin Yu flicked ash, "Those Jiangnan Four Young Masters amount to nothing in my eyes."

The armored command vehicle's door opened, and Lin Yu turned and walked inside. The convoy started slowly, the roar of the armored vehicles resonating powerfully in the night.

On the second‑floor balcony, Sun Lingyun stared intently at the departing convoy, his fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. He had never imagined that a minor inspector could wield such overwhelming force.

What was even harder for him to accept was that Lin Yu paid them no heed at all. That contempt and disdain were more humiliating than any violence.

"Lingyun..." Liu Wen stepped up to his side.

"I know," Sun Lingyun inhaled deeply, "Tonight's events have changed many things."

The roar of the armored convoy faded gradually, yet the sense of oppression lingered in everyone's mind. Lin Yu told everyone in the most direct way: in this city, he was the true ruler.

And the Jiangnan Four Young Masters' plan seemed utterly ridiculous at that moment.

As soon as Lin Yu left, the atmosphere in the banquet hall turned completely cold. The mansion, once filled with clinking glasses, now lay in utter silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." Sun Lingyun began to speak, but the guests were already taking their leave. No one wanted to stay in this place of controversy.

"Young Master Sun, let us meet again another day."

"Take care of your health..."

"There are still matters at home..."

Various excuses kept coming. These haughty elites, who usually strutted with arrogance, now only wanted to leave quickly. The shadow Lin Yu cast left everyone with lingering dread.

In less than half an hour, the vast banquet hall was reduced to a handful of people. The long tables that had been laden with fine wine and delicacies now looked especially bleak; broken bottle shards littered the floor, and bloodstains remained starkly visible.

"Everyone gone?" Qin Chang'an descended from the second floor, his expression gloomy.

"They fled faster than rabbits," Lu Xiao gritted his teeth, his head wound already roughly bandaged, "A bunch of spineless scum!"

Liu Wen said nothing, merely gesturing for everyone to follow him. The four passed through the back courtyard and entered a secluded study.

"Speak up," Liu Wen closed the door, "What do you think of tonight's events?"

No one answered at once. The shock Lin Yu brought was too great, not only the unbridled violence but also the force that could flatten the Sun Family residence at any moment.

"He's warning us," Sun Lingyun rubbed his chest, the pain from the earlier kick still lingering, "No, it's more a naked threat than a warning."

"Those merchants and gang leaders will probably avoid us from now on," Lu Xiao sneered, "He ruined an entire night's arrangement in an instant."

Qin Chang'an remained silent for a long while before speaking, "We all underestimated him. This Lin Yu not only has imperial authorization but also commands real military force. Tonight he wanted to tell everyone: in Shen City, he is the one who truly calls the shots."

"So we just concede?" Lu Xiao sprang to his feet, but staggered due to the pain in his head.

"Stay calm," Liu Wen poured tea for each person, "The most important thing now is to discern his true purpose. Why choose tonight? Why this method?"

"He wants to cut off our network," Sun Lingyun mused, "Tonight's guests are all key figures of Shen City. His move tells everyone that cooperating with us will cost something."

The study fell into silence. Lin Yu's methods were ruthless; in one night he tore apart the carefully woven network of relationships. Even more frightening was that the power he displayed far exceeded everyone's expectations.

"We need to change our strategy," Liu Wen said softly, "We can no longer use the old playbook."

Sporadic footsteps came from outside the window, likely the last guests departing. The banquet, meant to showcase strength, ultimately became their night of embarrassment.

"Just the four of us are no match for him," Sun Lingyun stood and paced the study, "Tonight's events have proven that."

"Then what do you mean?" Liu Wen asked.

Sun Lingyun halted, a sharp glint in his eyes, "We need more strength. Within the Security Army there are many who resent Lin Yu, especially the senior officers. They will never be content to be suppressed by an outsider inspector."

"The Security Army?" Lu Xiao sneered, "Are you sure they would dare step forward?"

"It depends on the negotiation," Sun Lingyun's voice deepened, "I've already established some contacts in the French Concession. If we give them enough incentive, they won't stand by while Lin Yu monopolizes everything."

Qin Chang'an frowned, "You want to pull outsiders in as well?"

"Is this still a concern now?" Sun Lingyun's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, "Underground gangs can be used too. They've long been dissatisfied with Lin Yu's oppression, only lacking a leader."

His gaze swept over everyone present, "The Security Army's insiders, the Concession's forces, underground gangs, plus the network we four have. If we integrate these strengths, victory may be possible."

The study fell silent for a moment. Everyone was stunned by Sun Lingyun's resolve. This was not some joint plan; it was clearly a scheme to unleash a storm capable of shaking all of Shen City.

"You do think it through," Liu Wen mused, "Only question is, once this fire is lit, whose head will it finally burn?"