Chapter 214: The Hero's Delusion: People Over Affairs

The silence in the reception hall lasted a moment.

Lin Yu leaned on the sofa, his gaze thoughtful as he sized up Lu Xuan. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but more so was a strong interest, as if he had discovered some unexpected treasure.

"Interesting..." He slowly sat up straight, the corner of his mouth curling into a meaningful smile. "Truly interesting."

He leaned forward slightly, carefully and attentively re-examining the young man before him, as if truly getting to know him for the first time. Water

The light from the crystal chandelier spilled a soft halo between them, yet it did not reach the depths of their respective eyes.

"Lu Xuan," Lin Yu said, his voice tinged with laziness, "the opportunity you just mentioned to get involved with Nanjiang..." He paused, "To be honest, I wasn't particularly concerned about it at first."

His tone carried obvious arrogance: "With my current strength, if I really wanted to move on Nanjiang, the troops your Lu family have wouldn't even fill a tooth gap."

Feng An nodded silently beside him. With the commander's current strength, Nanjiang is not beyond being encroached upon.

"However," Lin Yu suddenly shifted his tone, his eyes becoming sharp and penetrating. He stared directly into Lu Xuan's eyes, as if trying to see into the depths of his soul, "Now I am actually very interested in you as a person. I see something quite different in you."

His gaze was like appreciating a unique artwork, yet also like evaluating a dangerous beast: "You are like a..." He chose his words carefully, "a beast cloaked in sheep's skin, enduring in the darkness for years, desperately suppressing its claws and desires."

Lu Xuan calmly endured that sharp gaze, neither denying nor explaining.

"Alas," Lin Yu suddenly sighed, his voice tinged with regret, "Even a beast needs food." His voice turned cold again, "Without that twenty million ransom, even if I were more interested in you, I'm afraid..." He gave Lu Xuan a meaningful look, "You won't be taking Lu Xiao away today either."

His words fell, and the tension in the reception hall rose again. Lin Yu kicked the ball back to Lu Xuan, reiterating this unavoidable core obstacle. Twenty million—this huge number was like an invisible wall standing before Lu Xuan.

But Lu Xuan's expression remained calm, as if he had anticipated all this. He even showed a faint smile, as if Lin Yu's words hit exactly his sweet spot.

"Commander Lin, you're right," he said, slowly rising to his feet, his gaze sweeping over the huge map of Great Dry hanging on the wall. "With your strength, forcibly taking Nanjiang might not be difficult. But war..." His voice suddenly lowered, "It consumes enormous resources and carries many variables."

He walked to the map, his long fingers lightly tracing Nanjiang's outline. The light cast shadows on his side profile, deepening his expression: "A large-scale military operation—how much money would it need? How much manpower and material? How long would it take? More importantly..." He turned to look at Lin Yu, "How many people would die?"

Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, looking at him thoughtfully.

"But if," Lu Xuan's tone suddenly became earnest and forceful, "there were a chance for you to take Nanjiang, this vital hub of nine provinces, without spilling blood?"

His finger drew a graceful arc on the map: "This place is vast and rich, with a huge population. The Longjiang River runs through it, railways crisscross, making it truly the hub of nine provinces." His voice carried a bewitching power: "A complete, peaceful handover of Nanjiang into your hands—would its value not far exceed a mere twenty million taels?"

Lin Yu's gaze was also unconsciously drawn to the map. Nanjiang's position is indeed extremely important—not just a military stronghold, but an economic lifeline.

"Twenty million," Lu Xuan continued, his voice growing steadier, "To you it might be nothing. But an easily obtained Nanjiang..." He turned and locked eyes with Lin Yu, "It would be of extraordinary significance to your future hegemony."

The atmosphere in the reception hall subtly shifted. Lu Xuan was no longer a prisoner's relative begging for mercy, but an opponent laying a heavyweight chip on the negotiation table. He tried to elevate the nature of this deal from a simple ransom-for-life exchange to a strategic investment that could shape future power balances.

Lin Yu's gaze grew deeper. He certainly understood the weight of Lu Xuan's words. A peacefully taken Nanjiang would not only save huge military expenses, but also preserve a complete economic foundation and social order—such a temptation truly far outweighs twenty million taels.

But at the same time, he was also pondering another question: just what plan could Lu Xuan produce to make this seemingly impossible promise come true?

A faint sneer slowly appeared on Lin Yu's face. He shook his head, as if watching a clumsy trick: "Sounds wonderful. A bloodless Nanjiang? It does sound tempting."

He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest, sinking into the soft sofa. Yet his gaze turned sharp as a knife, full of doubt: "What reason do I have to trust you?"

Those words struck like a boulder, slamming heavily onto the reception hall's carpet.

"Lu Xuan," Lin Yu's voice suddenly turned icy, "you're a smart man, and also an ambitious one." His gaze seemed able to see into the other's heart, "Everything you've told me today is nothing but an attempt to use me, Lin Yu, to get your worthless brother Lu Xiao released without spending a penny."

Lu Xuan's expression remained calm, but his knuckles unconsciously turned slightly white.

"Then what?" Lin Yu stood, paced to the map, looking down at Lu Xuan from above, "You plan to take this 'merit of saving your brother' back to your indulgent father to claim credit and rewards?" His voice carried a hint of a sneer, "Further consolidate your position in the Lu family, gain greater trust and power?"

He turned around, his gaze like a sword thrusting at Lu Xuan: "When your wings are full grown, we'll see whether you remain loyal to the Lu family or bite me back."

Each sentence was like a sharp scalpel, precisely cutting open any hidden selfishness and risk in Lu Xuan's plan. Lin Yu's questioning laid bare the huge trust gap between them.

The tension in the reception hall rose again to the brink of battle. Feng An, standing beside, instinctively tensed his body, hand resting on his sidearm. He also wondered how this seemingly steady Major General of Nanjiang would respond to Lin Yu's sharp questioning.

Lu Xuan stood in place, facing Lin Yu's aggressive questioning, his expression showing a subtle shift. In those calm eyes, something seemed to be churning.