Chapter 212: Strategic Breakthrough, Nanjiang as Bait

The atmosphere in the reception hall was heavy.

Lin Yu's threats and mockery still echoed in the air, and everyone was waiting for Lu Xuan's response.

However, Lu Xuan's expression was unexpectedly calm, even carrying a faint smile. He gave a slight nod, his tone relaxed as if discussing a trivial matter: "Commander Lin, you are indeed perceptive." His gaze met Lin Yu's steadily, "Your father's difficulties, I suppose you are also aware of."

He paused, his voice still steady: "That's right, I came this time without bringing any ransom."

Feng An's hand unconsciously tightened on his sidearm, thinking Lu Xuan would next start bargaining or show weakness and plead.

Lin Yu also waited with interest for what Lu Xuan would say next, as if watching an entertaining performance.

But Lu Xuan's next words were like a heavy bomb exploding in the silent reception hall.

"But I came today to take my brother away, unharmed."

His voice was not loud, yet each word resonated firmly. His calm eyes stared directly at Lin Yu, his gaze resolute to the point of stubbornness.

There was no request, no negotiation, but an indisputable statement.

Lin Yu first froze, then burst out laughing as if he had heard the biggest joke.

The laughter echoed in the splendid reception hall, carrying a touch of mockery and a touch of contempt.

The laughter stopped abruptly.

Lin Yu's eyes turned icy in an instant, like a north wind in deep winter: "Take him away?" He slowly rose to his feet, looking down at Lu Xuan, "Lu Xuan, what gives you the right?"

He reached for the Browning pistol on the table, smoothly and skillfully pulling the slide. With a "click," the sound rang clear in the quiet room, startling to hear. The dark muzzle gleamed coldly under the crystal chandelier.

Lin Yu gently placed the pistol on the redwood coffee table before him, his movement elegant as if setting down a fine ornament. He took a cigarette from the silver case, lit it leisurely, and drew a deep breath.

Smoke curled slowly in the air, blurring his youthful handsome features. He exhaled a smoke ring, his voice tinged with laziness: "I'll give you the time it takes to smoke this cigarette."

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. The pistol on the coffee table, the slowly rising smoke, and the burning cigarette all silently measured the pace of life and death. Lin Yu, in the most elegant way, instantly pushed the pressure to its extreme, forcing Lu Xuan to give, within this brief span, a reason compelling enough to move him.

The cigarette burned slowly between Lin Yu's fingers, the threat of death enveloping the whole room like a tangible presence.

However, at this tense moment, Lu Xuan's action left everyone stunned.

Not only was he not intimidated by Lin Yu's threat, he stepped forward, walking calmly to the sofa opposite Lin Yu, as naturally as if he were in his own home.

Even more shocking, his hand reached for Lin Yu's silver cigarette case on the coffee table.

"What are you doing?!"

Feng An was startled by this sudden move, his pupils contracting, almost instinctively stepping forward, his sidearm again aimed at Lu Xuan's head, his voice showing obvious tension and vigilance, his finger already on the trigger.

Lu Xuan's motion halted mid-air. He slowly raised his hands, making a harmless gesture, his face bearing a puzzling relaxed smile.

"Captain Feng, no need to be nervous." His voice remained calm, even with a hint of teasing. Then he turned to Lin Yu, gaze steady, "I'm not a fool; if I moved against Commander Lin here, could I walk out of this door alive?"

Having said that, he sat down calmly on the sofa under everyone's wary eyes, his posture relaxed, hands naturally resting on the armrests, as if he completely ignored the Browning pistol on the coffee table that could take his life at any moment.

Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, carefully examining this audacious young man before him. He had thought Lu Xuan would, under his threat, either beg for mercy, rage, or fear. But Lu Xuan's performance completely exceeded his expectations.

This kind of composure under mortal threat, this courage of exposing oneself completely to the enemy's gun barrel, and the calm logic revealed in those words—all made Lin Yu feel surprised. His originally icy gaze involuntarily revealed a hint of genuine curiosity and interest.

The cigarette smoke swirled between them. Lin Yu suddenly realized he might have underestimated this opponent. Lu Xuan before him was indeed unlike anyone he had met before. This young Young Commander, behind his seemingly rash actions, might harbor deeper calculations.

Feng An still nervously held his gun, waiting for Lin Yu's order. But the atmosphere had quietly shifted; the oppressive threat of death had unknowingly turned into a subtle battle of wits.

Lu Xuan's gaze fell on the silver cigarette case on the coffee table. Feng An wanted to stop him, but Lin Yu lightly raised his hand, signaling him to retreat.

Lu Xuan calmly took out a cigarette, lit it elegantly. The smoke curled slowly between his fingers, he took a deep breath, as if savoring this valuable imported tobacco. After a while, he spoke slowly:

"Commander Lin now controls Shen City, mighty in all directions, truly impressive." His tone carried a hint of sincere praise, but then he shifted, "Yet at the same time, you have become a target of public criticism."

He lightly tapped the ash, his gaze deep: "Foreigners, the northern court, will not let this rest; the neighboring families, such as our Lu Family, and the Sun Family you just squeezed, regard you as a thorn in the eye." The smoke traced a beautiful arc in the air, "Not to mention the hidden forces eyeing Shen City's rich meat like tigers watching prey."

"And then?"

Lin Yu suddenly interrupted him, his voice full of undeniable dominance. He sprang to his feet, looking down at Lu Xuan: "Whoever dares to reach out, I'll chop off his hand! Shen City can only be mine!"

Lu Xuan nodded unhurriedly, a hint of approval on his face: "I naturally believe in Commander Lin's ability." He gently exhaled a smoke ring, "But with your ambition and appetite, I doubt you'll be satisfied with just a little Shen City, right?"

Lin Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.

Lu Xuan slowly lifted his head, his gaze locking onto Lin Yu's. His voice was not loud, yet each word was clear: "Release my brother. I, Lu Xuan, can give you a chance to reach for Nanjiang in the future."

The air in the reception hall seemed to solidify. Feng An stared at Lu Xuan in disbelief, unable to believe he would say such a thing. Even Lin Yu, whose expression had remained icy, flickered with an unusual light in his eyes.

Their gazes met in midair—one deep and calm like an ancient well, the other sharp as a blade, as if trying to see into the other's heart.

Lin Yu slowly extinguished the cigarette about to burn out in his hand. The butt made a faint "hiss" in the crystal ashtray, the red ember gradually fading. The whole room fell into a suffocating silence.

After a moment, Lin Yu leaned forward slightly, making a simple gesture to Lu Xuan: "Please continue."

The atmosphere in the room had quietly changed. The former tense standoff had unknowingly turned into a delicate balance full of uncertainty and possibility.

The cigarette in Lu Xuan's hand continued to burn, smoke swirling around, his expression becoming ever more inscrutable.