Chapter 132: The Court's Order

Security Command Headquarters.

"Commander Yang, a call from the court's special envoy," the adjutant rushed in.

Yang Chengdong took the microphone, but before he could speak, Zhou Special Envoy's cold voice came through: "Commander Yang, at any cost, encircle Lin Yu's forces!"

"What?" Yang Chengdong was stunned. "Lord Zhou, haven't you seen the battle reports? Our troops are no match; the First Division and the Seventh Mixed Brigade have already..."

"I don't care what method you use!" Zhou Special Envoy barked, cutting him off. "The most important thing now is to hold them back. Reinforcements will arrive soon."

"But..." Yang Chengdong hesitated, "our casualties are already heavy; if we keep pressing the attack..."

"Commander Yang." Zhou Special Envoy's voice suddenly turned ominous, "Do you think Lin Yu will spare you if you don't resist? Think of how he dealt with the Japanese. A single fire set the consulate ablaze. Do you believe he'll give you a chance?"

Yang Chengdong fell silent. He recalled that night, the towering flames of the Japanese consulate.

"Remember, hold them back!" Zhou Special Envoy emphasized one last time before hanging up.

French Concession, Sun Gongguan.

"Young Master Sun, there's a call from the court's special envoy."

Sun Lingyun took the microphone, and the other side got straight to the point: "I am Zhou Ming, Special Envoy of the Military Affairs Office."

"Lord Zhou." Sun Lingyun's voice immediately became more respectful.

"The situation is urgent now." Zhou Special Envoy got straight to the point, "Order the Lu Faction's troops and Qin Chang'an's Kunshan Security Corps to act immediately, and together with the Security Army, encircle Lin Yu's forces."

"What?" Sun Lingyun was startled, "But we just..."

"This is the court's order!" Zhou Special Envoy said sternly, "Lin Yu's troops are well‑equipped and of unknown origin. If you let him gain power, do you think he'll spare any warlord force that threatens Shen City?"

Sun Lingyun tightened his grip on the microphone.

"All factions are now converging on Shen City," Zhou Special Envoy continued, "If you can hold them back, once the reinforcements arrive, it will be Lin Yu's end! Remember, this is your last chance. If Lin Yu gains power, none of you local forces will survive!"

After the call ended, Sun Lingyun stood by the window, his brows tightly knit.

Outside, the sky grew dim, and faintly in the distance the roar of tank engines could be heard. That terrifying armored force still roamed the streets, like a pack of steel beasts poised to strike.

But now they have no retreat. Either they unite to confront Lin Yu, or they wait to be picked apart one by one.

This battle is destined to become even more brutal...

Shen City battlefield.

"Report!" the communications soldier rushed into the command vehicle, "The Security Army and the Lu Faction's troops have suddenly ceased fire!"

Shiteyin frowned, about to speak, when another communications soldier ran in: "The Security Army's western position is redeploying; their artillery is swiveling their guns!"

"The east as well!" the third communications soldier shouted, "The Lu Faction's two brigades have suddenly begun to mass, they..."

"Boom!"

A huge blast cut him off. The Security Army's Field Artillery suddenly opened fire, dense shells raining onto the Ghost Master's position. At the same time, the Lu Faction's machine‑gun fire erupted, forming a crossfire net.

"Interesting," Shiteyin sneered, "Seems they've reached a consensus."

"Sir!" another communications soldier ran in, "The Fifth City Defense Brigade has opened the gates; Kunshan Security Corps troops are pouring in! Combined, that's at least three brigades of force!"

Shiteyin immediately grabbed the communicator: "Director Lin, the enemy situation has changed. The Security Army and the Lu Faction's troops have suddenly joined forces, launching a general assault on us. The Kunshan Security Corps has also entered the fight; enemy strength is estimated over twenty thousand."

"Their deployment?" Lin Yu's voice came through the communicator.

"The Security Army's artillery is concentrated to the north, about four batteries of Field Artillery. The Lu Faction's two brigades are deployed on the east, with dense machine‑gun fire. The Kunshan Security Corps is encircling from the west; within half an hour they should complete the encirclement."

"Understood," Lin Yu's voice remained calm, "Proceed as planned."

"Jawohl!"

Shiteyin set down the communicator, his gaze sweeping the battlefield. The enemy's artillery grew ever denser, but against the Tiger King Tank's heavy armor, those old guns still could not inflict effective damage.

"Order the Tiger King Tank Company to advance north and suppress the enemy artillery positions," Shiteyin began issuing orders, "Split the Leopard Tank Battalion into two groups to block enemy infantry on the east and west. Armored Grenade Troop, prepare for a counter‑charge!"

"Yes!"

The steel torrent moved again. Though the enemy suddenly united, swelling their numbers, against this modernized armored force the numerical advantage seemed meaningless.

The enemy's artillery, though dense, lacked accuracy. The Security Army and Lu Faction's troops were numerous but under‑equipped. The Kunshan Security Corps possessed only a few old small‑caliber mountain guns.

"These people..." Shiteyin shook his head, "Even if they unite, what can they change?"

On the battlefield, the Tiger King Tank's 88 mm main gun had already fired back. A volley silenced a Security Army artillery battery. The Leopard Tanks spread on both flanks, suppressing enemy infantry attempting to close in behind streets and buildings.

This battle may drag on longer, but the outcome seems unlikely to change...

Fourth Bureau office.

Lin Yu stood by the window, watching the distant flames of war, his gaze gradually deepening.

"Interesting," he murmured, "So this was all a scheme."

Looking back now, all the clues point to this conclusion. Yang Chengdong's sudden attack on the Jiangnan Four Young Masters, that almost‑mad offensive, was clearly bait to draw him out. And now, the two sides that were once locked in a stalemate can, within a few hours, shake hands and unify the front.

"Who on earth..." Lin Yu squinted, "has enough power to make these scheming warlord forces suddenly unite?"

The Security Army, the Lu Faction troops, the Kunshan Security Corps... these normally hostile forces now set aside their grudges and act in unison. Behind them, there must be an unseen hand pulling the strings.

"The court?" Lin Yu's mouth curled into a cold smile, "Or perhaps... someone wants to use the court's hand to eliminate me?"

The battle reports on the desk kept coming in. Shiteyin's Ghost Master had fully seized control of the situation; the enemy's joint assault was no match for the modern armored force. Those old cannons and machine guns were like stones striking steel plates.

"What a pity," Lin Yu shook his head, "No matter the plot, it looks utterly laughable before absolute power."

Over three hundred main battle tanks, nearly three hundred self‑propelled guns, plus the Armored Grenade Troop... this steel torrent from the future can crush any scheme.

"Since you want to play..." Lin Yu's gaze suddenly sharpened, "I'll play with you to the end."

The cannon fire outside still continued, but behind this seemingly chaotic war, a larger conspiracy was quietly unfolding...