Chapter 201: with translation of chapter title

Assistant Minister Chen, take care and have a smooth journey. Lin Yu stood at the reception room doorway, wearing a polite smile, making a "please" gesture toward Chen Jingwen. His tone was gentle, as if the suffocating psychological duel just now had never happened.

Chen Jingwen's face remained ashen, his eyes somewhat vacant. He clasped his hands toward Lin Yu, almost instinctively returning the salute; his lips moved but no sound came out. In that state, he bore no trace of the dignity of an imperial envoy.

Feng An led the way from the side, still respectful, yet kept a step's distance from Chen Jingwen. This neither-far-near spacing gave an intangible sense of pressure.

Chen Jingwen followed Feng An out the gate with somewhat unsteady steps, stepping onto the garden path. The biting late-autumn wind blew in his face, making him shiver before he slightly regained his composure.

Before him lay a meticulously trimmed garden; in the distance, the silhouettes of armed guards could be faintly seen. Chen Jingwen's mouth twisted into a bitter, self‑mocking smile.

Having spent most of his life in officialdom and priding himself on having seen countless people, today he was utterly manipulated by a young man in his twenties from start to finish. All court decorum and talk of punitive expeditions meant nothing before the other's seemingly gentle but actually "Heavy Sword Without Edge" tactics—he wasn't even given a chance to speak before all his thoughts were completely shattered.

He recalled Lin Yu's youthful face, those clear yet unfathomable eyes. What kind of local warlord could this be? Clearly a tiger in sheep's clothing! All his schemes back in the capital seemed like child's play before this opponent.

He instinctively touched his chest, where a secret imperial letter still lay. But now, what use were these things? Simply preserving his old life and his family's safety would be a blessing.

The late‑autumn wind carried a few withered leaves that spun down to his feet. Chen Jingwen drew a deep breath, feeling utterly exhausted—both physically and mentally.

He quickened his steps, eager to leave the manor that made his heart pound. Behind him, the orderly flora, elegant buildings, and armed guards silently conveyed a cruel fact: in Shen City's territory, he, an imperial envoy, was destined from the outset to be a laughingstock.

Feng An continued to lead the way at an unhurried pace, his footsteps echoing on the stone slabs. Chen Jingwen followed with his head down, like a prisoner sentenced to life, left with only utter resignation.

Feng An saw Chen Jingwen off, then turned and returned to the reception room.

Lin Yu had already settled back onto the leather sofa, picking up the book again. Yet his gaze, through the floor‑to‑ceiling window, followed the receding figure on the garden path, a hint of amusement playing at the corner of his mouth.

"It seems this Assistant Minister Chen is a bit sharper than that Mr. Zhou last time." Lin Yu spoke lightly, his long fingers idly turning a page. Sunlight slanted in through the window, casting a shadow on his fair hand.

"The Commander's methods are superb; he dare not fail to understand." Feng An stood respectfully to the side, replying in a low voice.

Lin Yu gave a light chuckle: "The court side is, for now, dealt with. This senior official, upon returning, will surely know what to say." His tone carried a hint of disdain, as if the earlier conversation, which could have made one's heart race, was in his eyes merely a trivial little game.

Suddenly he closed the book, lifted his eyes to Feng An. Those clear eyes instantly sharpened like a drawn sword: "Then, the next matter—the Sun Family people, they should be arriving soon, right?"

Feng An immediately straightened his back: "Yes, Commander, we just received word that several suspicious vehicles have entered the city, and we've assigned people to watch them." He paused, then continued, "The leader is a battalion commander of the Sun Family named Wang Zhenwu; he's sending people over to request an audience with the Commander."

"Oh? Battalion Commander Wang?" Lin Yu's fingers lightly tapped the sofa arm, producing a rhythmic sound. "Interesting."

He rose and walked to the window. The late‑autumn sunlight fell on him, casting a long shadow. "Let them wait." Gazing at the distant city skyline, his voice held a hint of chill: "If we figure the timing, the ransom should have arrived by now."

"Tell those below," he turned, a profound smile spreading across his youthful face, "prepare to 'welcome' our guests. I'd like to see how this Battalion Commander Wang intends to talk with me."

As the last words fell, the temperature in the reception room seemed to drop several degrees. Feng An couldn't help but shiver; he knew well that when the Commander spoke in that tone, it usually meant someone was about to suffer badly.

"Yes, I'll see to it right away." Feng An bowed and withdrew from the reception room, his steps light yet resolute.

Lin Yu settled back onto the sofa, idly picking up the book, but he clearly had no interest in reading. His gaze was thoughtful, as if calculating a precise chess game. Chen Jingwen's piece had already been easily taken by him; now a new piece was entering the board, and a more intriguing game was about to begin.

In a secluded freight depot in the eastern suburbs of Shen Cheng, several inconspicuous black sedans and covered trucks were parked quietly in the innermost spots. Around them, bustling porters and merchants created a noisy din that served as the perfect cover.

Wang Zhenwu stood beside a covered truck, dressed in civilian clothes, yet his upright military bearing was hard to conceal. He cautiously scanned the surroundings, ensuring no one was paying attention, then signaled his men to open a corner of the cargo compartment.

Crates were neatly stacked inside the compartment, each tightly bound with rope. Wang Zhenwu lifted the lid of the outermost crate; the orderly rows of gold bars flashed a dark gleam. He snapped the lid shut in a flash, as if those priceless gold bars might scorch his eyes.

Thirty million in ransom—he had never handled such a huge sum before. Thinking that these were amassed by Governor Sun after nearly emptying the treasury made his mood even heavier.

"Listen up," Wang Zhenwu lowered his voice to his close aides, "for now this place is safe, but we must never let our guard down. Split into two teams to take turns standing watch; no one may approach these vehicles, and without my order, nobody is to open the cargo compartment. Understood?"

"Understood!" several subordinates replied in unison, their eyes wary. These were his carefully chosen confidants, each aware of the mission's importance.

Wang Zhenwu adjusted his civilian collar, his gaze sweeping the surroundings like a blade. He turned to his most trusted deputy, Zhang Ming: "You take two men and come with me; we're going to see Commander Lin."

He paused, then lowered his voice further: "Remember, we're here for the ransom—no unnecessary complications. The current situation cannot afford any mistake."

Though he said that, his hand unconsciously moved to his waist, where a finely forged steel Browning pistol lay concealed—though he hoped never to have to use it.

"Battalion Commander," Zhang Ming began, then hesitated, "should we bring a few more people? That Commander Lin..."

"No need," Wang Zhenwu shook his head, "more people would only draw attention. Besides," he gave a wry smile, "on someone else's turf, bringing extra men would be pointless."

After confirming all arrangements, Wang Zhenwu led Zhang Ming and the other two men out of the freight depot. They deliberately slowed their steps, posing as ordinary merchants, and merged into the bustling crowds of Shen Cheng's streets.

Walking the crowded streets, Wang Zhenwu's mood grew ever heavier. They were inching closer to the core of Lin Yu's power, each step feeling like approaching the lair of a dormant beast. Yet to rescue the Eldest Young Master of the Sun Family, they had no choice but to press on.

All they did not know was what situation awaited them.