Chapter 206: One Word Shatters the Hidden Gold Vault

The air in the basement seemed to have solidified. Wang Zhenwu sat before the telegraph machine, anxiously awaiting a reply.

Each second felt like a blunt blade slowly grinding over his heart.

His gaze occasionally flicked to Sun Lingyun in the corner. The young master still looked dazed and spiritless; although someone had brought him clean clothes and a doctor, he seemed utterly unresponsive, merely staring blankly ahead, like a soulless shell.

Lin Yu leaned against the wall, leisurely smoking his third cigarette. The smoke curled in the dim light, adding an air of mystery. He appeared completely unhurried, as if he had everything under control, having long foreseen the outcome.

Suddenly, the telegraph machine emitted a rapid 'beep-beep' sound, breaking the basement's silence. Wang Zhenwu's heart jumped, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his palms.

The on-duty telegraph operator immediately began receiving the message. His fingers flew as he recorded it, then quickly translated the content. Feng An stepped forward, took the telegram slip, verified it carefully, and at once walked to Lin Yu.

"Commander," Feng An respectfully presented the telegram with both hands, "A reply from the Five Provinces Governor's Office."

Lin Yu stubbed out his cigarette, took the telegram slip. Everyone's eyes focused on him, and even their breathing unconsciously softened.

He glanced casually at the telegram's content, and a hint of an expected smile appeared on his face. The smile carried a touch of mockery, as if he were laughing at someone's overreach.

Wang Zhenwu's heart leapt to his throat. He fixed his stare on Lin Yu's expression, trying to read a hint of information. This moment's wait was more agonizing than the previous hours. His fingers unconsciously gripped the chair's armrests, knuckles whitening from the pressure.

The atmosphere in the basement tightened once more. Everyone awaited Lin Yu's words, waiting for him to announce the result that would decide life and death. Even Sun Lingyun in the corner seemed to feel this oppressive atmosphere, curling up even tighter.

Lin Yu's gaze remained on the telegram, but that faint, elusive smile made his thoughts inscrutable. What exactly was written in this thin telegram? Life? Death? Compromise? Confrontation? Everything hung on his single thought.

Lin Yu casually handed the telegram slip to Feng An, then turned to Wang Zhenwu, his smile relaxed and slightly teasing.

That air of having victory in hand inevitably evoked the expression of a cat toying with a mouse.

"Here, take a look." His voice carried an obvious sense of superiority, "What did I say? Your Governor Sun is still quite perceptive." He spread his hands, as if discussing a trivial matter, "Dealing with smart people saves effort."

Feng An handed the telegram to Wang Zhenwu, who took it and quickly scanned the contents. As he read deeper, his expression grew more complex, his feelings a tangled mix.

The Governor had agreed to all conditions...... which meant the young master was temporarily safe. But the price was enormous, so humiliating. Thirty million silver dollars, plus the Sun family's foundations built over years in Shen City, were lost in an instant. He could not feel the slightest relief; instead, his heart felt even heavier.

Lin Yu watched Wang Zhenwu's changing expression with interest. "Well," he continued, "since your Governor is so cooperative, I won't make things difficult for you."

He pointed to the door, his tone turning businesslike: "The Governor also instructed in the telegram that you handle this personally. Now go find the heads of the Sun family's various enterprises in Shen City, bringing all relevant deeds, property certificates, transfer contracts, seals......"

He paused, deliberately adding weight to his tone: "Um, and bring those thirty million silver dollars here together for the ransom. Feng An will tell you the place and time."

Wang Zhenwu took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress his surging emotions.

"Yes, Commander Lin." He nodded, his voice hoarse. Turning to leave this suffocating place, his gaze involuntarily flicked to Sun Lingyun in the corner. The young master remained curled there, unresponsive to the outside world.

That glance made his heart heavier still. Even after paying such a huge price, could they really bring the young master to safety? Would a man like Lin Yu truly keep his word?

But these doubts he could no longer voice. Now he could only follow Lin Yu's orders to carry out this humiliating task.

Wang Zhenwu endured the humiliation and anxiety, took heavy steps, and prepared to leave this suffocating dungeon.

Just as he was about to step out the door, Lin Yu's voice sounded again.

"Oh, by the way, Battalion Commander Wang."

His voice sounded casual and offhand, yet it struck like a thunderclap in Wang Zhenwu's ears.

His steps involuntarily halted.

Lin Yu's lips curled into a meaningful arc: "Let me remind you of one thing. Those thirty million silver dollars......" He deliberately drew out his words, "Next time remember to hide them better."

He paused, his gaze seemingly sweeping unintentionally over Wang Zhenwu's back: "Hidden in that abandoned warehouse in the eastern suburbs...... tsk tsk, that sort of place, full of mixed characters—if anything went wrong, and some blind petty thief made off with it, that would be troublesome, wouldn't you agree?"

Wang Zhenwu, as if struck by a paralysis spell, froze on the spot. A bone-chilling cold shot from his soles straight to the crown of his head, and his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat! He whirled around, incredulous, staring at Lin Yu, his eyes filled with shock and fear.

Lin Yu...... he actually knew exactly where the money was hidden?! When did he find out? His people...... had already infiltrated to this extent?!

The location of that abandoned warehouse was known only to him and a few core confidants; nobody else knew. They had chosen the site with extreme caution, and when moving the cash they had taken countless precautions. Yet before Lin Yu, all this caution and preparation seemed like child's play!

Lin Yu met Wang Zhenwu's terrified gaze, his smile growing brighter yet colder. He lightly waved his hand, as if dismissing an insignificant servant: "Go on, don't waste time. I await your good news."

Wang Zhenwu stumbled out of the dungeon, feeling a chill all over. Lin Yu's final words not only shattered his last psychological defense, but also made him realize a terrifying fact: Lin Yu's control over Shen City was likely far stronger than he had imagined—perhaps a hundred times greater!