Chapter 202: Here, no one can question me

The gate of Lin Gong Guan remained solemn and dignified, the guards on either side standing straight like statues. Seeing Wang Zhenwu's party approach, they immediately raised their guns, eyes vigilant.

"Stop!" the lead guard shouted.

Wang Zhenwu stopped, took a deep breath. He could feel many gun barrels pointed at them from the surrounding darkness.

"I am Wang Zhenwu of the Sun Family," he said in a low voice, tone neither humble nor arrogant, "I have been ordered to come see Commander Lin to discuss important matters." Although he tried to stay calm, a hint of urgency showed in his eyes.

The guards sized them up, then turned and went inside to report. Shortly after, a middle-aged man in civilian clothes walked out from the gate. He had a steady composure and calm demeanor, obviously a person of high position.

That man stood on the steps, looking down at Wang Zhenwu. His gaze lingered a few seconds on Wang Zhenwu's soldierly upright posture, then thoughtfully swept over his few subordinates.

"Sir," Wang Zhenwu said, "I am sent by the Sun Family......"

"I know," the middle-aged man interrupted, "I am Feng An. Commander Lin already knows of your visit. However the commander is busy now; please wait here a moment." His tone was polite but carried a bureaucratic detachment.

Wang Zhenwu frowned. He knew well that this "wait a moment" was often a silent pressure. But now they had come to ask for help, so they could only endure.

"Mr. Feng," he suppressed his anxiety and spoke low, "We come with sincerity. But before discussing ransom, I want to first confirm the safety of our young master." He paused, tone firm, "This is the bottom line of the Sun Family."

Feng An's face showed a meaningful smile: "Battalion Commander Wang, rest assured, the young master is doing well." He waved his hand, "Whether we can see him or not still depends on the commander's arrangement. Please stay calm and don't be impatient."

After saying that, he turned and left, his leather shoes making a crisp sound on the stone steps. His back seemed to silently declare: Here, everything must follow Lin Yu's rules.

Wang Zhenwu stood where he was, staring at the tightly closed gate, feeling anxious and uneasy. Although the surrounding guards had lowered their guns, their watchful gazes never relaxed. They were like caged beasts, being scrutinized at will.

Time passed second by second. The autumn sun gradually slanted westward, casting long shadows on the ground. Wang Zhenwu could sense his subordinates' unease, but he could only feign calm and continue waiting.

This waiting itself was a silent torment. He clearly understood that the other side was using this method to tell them: Here, even time is not under their control.

Wang Zhenwu lifted his gaze to the high walls of Lin Gong Guan, sighing inwardly.

After an unknown amount of waiting, Feng An finally appeared at the gate: "Battalion Commander Wang, please follow me. The commander has arranged for the young master to be temporarily moved from the City Hall jail here, for your convenience to confirm."

Wang Zhenwu's heart tightened. He signaled his men to stay put, taking only his most trusted Zhang Ming with him as he followed Feng An into Lin Gong Guan.

Passing through several heavily guarded corridors, they arrived at a basement. The damp air was filled with a musty smell, and the dim light cast flickering shadows on the walls.

Wang Zhenwu's heartbeat suddenly quickened. In the innermost cell, he saw a familiar figure—Sun Lingyun curled up in the corner.

The usually spirited young master now looked like a different person. His clothes were torn and filthy, bruises purpled his arms and face. His gaze was vacant, staring ahead as if he had lost all response to the outside world.

"Young master!" Wang Zhenwu almost shouted. This child he had watched over since childhood—how could he have become like this?

"It seems Battalion Commander Wang recognizes the young master." A gentle voice suddenly sounded.

Only then did Wang Zhenwu notice that Lin Yu had somehow taken position on the other side of the cell. He leaned against the wall, wearing a playful smile, as if enjoying a good show.

A surge of anger shot up Wang Zhenwu's head. He turned sharply toward Lin Yu, unable to suppress his fury any longer: "Commander Lin! We came to ransom him—how could you treat our young master like this?!"

Before his words even finished, Lin Yu's smile vanished instantly. His movement was so fast it was hard to react—he raised his hand and delivered a sharp slap that landed hard on Wang Zhenwu's face!

"Slap!" the crisp sound of the slap was especially piercing in the cramped space.

Wang Zhenwu staggered a few steps from the sudden blow, his cheeks burning, his ears ringing. He never expected Lin Yu would suddenly strike him.

But worse was yet to come. Before he could regain his senses, Lin Yu had already drawn his sidearm, the black muzzle pointing directly at Zhang Ming, who stood nearby equally stunned.

"Bang!"

A deafening gunshot exploded in the basement. A bullet hole suddenly appeared on Zhang Ming's forehead; his eyes stared wide open, as if he never understood what had happened even in death. His body fell straight back, blood splattering onto Wang Zhenwu's trousers.

The entire basement fell into a deathly silence. Everyone was stunned by the sudden bloody scene—even Sun Lingyun lifted his head from the corner, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes.

Lin Yu put away his gun, as if nothing had happened, and put on that gentle smile again: "Battalion Commander Wang, I don't like people speaking to me in that tone. Now, can we talk properly?"

Lin Yu slowly lowered the still-smoking barrel; the air filled with the smell of gunpowder and blood. Sun Lingyun, frightened by the sudden gunshot, curled up in the corner and let out a muffled sob.

"Here," Lin Yu's voice was low but carried a bone-chilling chill, "In Shen City, no one has the right to question me in that tone."

He stepped forward, the gun muzzle lightly pressing against Wang Zhenwu's forehead. The cold metal made his whole body tremble, but he forced himself to stand straight.

"That shot just now," Lin Yu's tone carried a cruel calm, "was to give you a lesson. If there is a next time, I will let you personally experience what it feels like for a bullet to pierce your skull."

Wang Zhenwu trembled all over, the muscles in his face twitching uncontrollably. He looked at Zhang Ming's corpse on the floor, blood slowly spreading and staining the ground red. Then he glanced at the corner where the frightened young master lay dazed, his eyes bloodshot, fists clenched tight, nails almost digging into his flesh.

A huge surge of anger, grief, and fear churned in his heart. He wanted to rush forward and fight Lin Yu to the death, but reason told him that would only make things worse. For the young master's sake and to complete the mission, he had to endure.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Zhenwu forced himself to suppress all emotion. His voice was hoarse, but he strove to keep it steady: "Commander Lin... I understand. Please release my family's young master and let him leave Shen City safely."

He straightened his body, locked eyes with Lin Yu, and said word by word: "The ransom, you will receive it in full. I, Wang Zhenwu, am willing to stay as a hostage until the deal is done."

Lin Yu withdrew the gun, studying Wang Zhenwu with interest. That elusive smile reappeared on his face, as if he were pleased with the outcome, yet also as if he were enjoying the prey's final struggle.

He did not answer right away, merely turning the gun over slowly in his hands. The metal barrel gleamed coldly in the dim light, like his unfathomable gaze.

The cell sank into an oppressive silence, broken only by Sun Lingyun's occasional soft whimpers and the faint sound of the blood pool slowly spreading. The air was thick with the smell of blood, like an invisible net enveloping everyone.

Wang Zhenwu's fate, as well as the destination of the Sun Family's thirty million ransom, hung on Lin Yu's inscrutable, profound thought. And this young warlord, with a near‑cruel patience, was savoring the pleasure of total control.