Chapter 233: with translation of chapter title

Lin Yu's figure disappeared at the grand hall's entrance, leaving behind a deathly silence and a lingering smell of blood.

After a long while, a reporter tremblingly stood up, helping each other, fleeing like frightened birds from this place that would be unforgettable to them for a lifetime.

The news spread like wings, traveling at astonishing speed throughout Shen City.

The streets that were just bustling with traffic suddenly became much quieter.

Although the shops were still open, the clerks were absent‑minded, occasionally glancing toward the street entrance. Pedestrians hurried along, rarely speaking to each other; occasional whispers were about the earth‑shaking press conference just held.

"Did you hear? Commander Lin… killed the foreign reporter!"

"Not only that! Qian Zhi Yuan, editor‑in‑chief of the Da Qian Daily, was beaten to death on the spot just for cursing a few words!"

"Good heavens… this really means the heavens are changing!"

"Shh! Keep it down! You're looking for death!"

Fear and shock permeated the city's air. Especially those foreigners who usually swaggered about now restrained themselves considerably. On the streets of the foreign concession, the foreign soldiers and police once seen everywhere were noticeably fewer, and bars and cafés also grew quieter.

Even the few foreigners who occasionally appeared hurried along, their faces showing unmistakable fear and anger. They gathered in the foreign firms, whispering curses at Lin Yu's brutality and madness, yet dared not openly provoke him.

After all, those two bodies still warm were the best warning.

The ordinary citizens' feelings were even more complex. Besides shock and fear, there was also a hidden sense of pleasure and anticipation.

They had had enough of foreign oppression and the court's weakness; Lin Yu's iron‑blooded methods, though cruel, also gave them a glimmer of hope—perhaps this decisive young warlord could truly bring Shen City a different future.

Undercurrents surged beneath the calm surface. Telephones at major newspapers rang nonstop, countless telegrams were sent from Shen City to all parts of Great Dry and even to the world's major powers. Everyone knew that Lin Yu's earth‑shaking action would not end here; a greater storm was brewing.

At the same time, inside the study of Lin Gong Guan.

Lin Yu took off his blood‑stained military coat and casually tossed it onto the sofa. He walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of whiskey; the amber liquid swirled gently in the crystal glass.

Lin Yu held the glass, walked to the window, and gazed at the seemingly tranquil nightscape of Shen City outside, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold arc.

Just then, a system prompt sounded in his mind.

【Ding! Detected that the host has completed a series of harsh actions; evaluation in progress...】

【Harsh action evaluation as follows:】

【1. Publicly slaying the foreign reporter: A‑level harsh action

Evaluation: Before multinational media, he boldly killed a reporter of the Great Powers, greatly intimidating the petty and exalted our nation's prestige!

Reward: harsh points】

【2. Publicly slaying the court's mouthpiece (Qian Zhi Yuan): B‑level harsh action

Evaluation: Publicly executing a symbolic figure of the old court, showing determination to break completely with the corrupt dynasty.

Reward: 4500 harsh points】

【3. Publicly declaring Shen City's independence: S‑level harsh action

Evaluation: Before countless eyes, he announced separation from the corrupt court, challenged the old order, and laid the cornerstone of hegemony! The impact is extremely profound!

Reward: harsh points】

【4. The press conference throughout was intimidating: A‑level harsh action

Evaluation: With thunderous means he controlled the whole scene, using words and actions together, leaving Chinese and foreign reporters silent as cicadas; the effect was significant.

Reward: 5000 harsh points】

【Total reward: harsh points】

【Current harsh points balance: += points!】

A series of prompts refreshed Lin Yu. Looking at the retinal interface showing the number that had surged again—176,200 harsh points—a flash of fervent light crossed his eyes.

"Over 170,000 points…" Lin Yu muttered, the corner of his mouth turning into a cold smile full of ambition, "Enough for a super draw, with plenty to spare."

Liu Chu downed the whiskey in his cup; the fiery liquid slid down his throat, bringing a burning sensation.

This huge amount of harsh points means more trump cards and faster expansion speed. Whether expanding the army, buying advanced equipment, or summoning greater power, there is ample capital.

The night outside grew darker, but Lin Yu knew that his dawn had only just begun. A storm that would sweep the world is about to be raised by his own hands!

In the suburbs of Shen City, at a certain place in Kunshan, an inconspicuous farmhouse's basement.

In stark contrast to the peaceful countryside above, this disguised basement was lit brightly, yet the atmosphere was oppressive enough to make one breathless. The walls were covered with detailed maps of Shen City and surrounding areas, densely marked with red and blue pencil notations.

Beside several ticking telegraph machines, the code clerks were working nervously.

The air was filled with a strong smell of smoke. Three middle‑aged men in suits, with grim faces, sat around a long table; scattered on it were documents and translated telegrams about the latest intelligence on Shen City.

They were several core figures of the intelligence network established by the Oriental Empire in the central region of Great Dry.

Seated in the chief position was Major Sato Kenichi of the Special Higher Police stationed in central China. He was short, with a neat little mustache, currently holding a cigar between two fingers, his brows furrowed, silent as he stared at the detailed report on Lin Yu's press conference on the table. Beside the report lay a blurred photo— the miserable sight of Qian Zhi Yuan fallen in a pool of blood.

"Gentlemen, the situation is already clear." The first to break the silence was Tanaka Akira, lieutenant colonel dispatched by the Army General Staff. He pushed up his gold‑rimmed glasses, his tone grave: "This Lin Yu has completely escaped our control, and can even be said to be openly hostile to the empire! Shooting an imperial reporter, shooting a Great Dry official, openly declaring independence… each of his actions severely challenges imperial interests in China and the entire Far Eastern order."

"Hmph, a clueless madman!" Watanabe Hiroshi, lieutenant colonel in charge of naval intelligence, sitting on Sato's other side, slammed the table, his face full of anger: "The empire should have given him a taste of its color long ago! A petty warlord dares to be so arrogant! In my view, we should directly mobilize the imperial marines and give him a surgical strike, so he learns what heaven high and earth thick means!"

Sato Kenichi slowly exhaled a smoke ring, not looking at Watanabe but turning to Tanaka: "Tanaka‑kun, what do you think? Is he merely a madman?"

Tanaka Akira pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "No, Major Sato. If he were merely a madman, he wouldn't be worth worrying about. But judging from the information gathered so far, although his conduct is reckless, he proceeds step by step, extremely methodical. From taking over Shen City's defense, to purging internal affairs, to this series of actions at the press conference—though they seem mad, each step actually strikes at our weak points and also at the soft underbelly of the Da Qian Court."

He paused, his tone growing heavier: "He is more dangerous than any Da Qian warlord we have encountered before. He not only has ambition and courage, but also far surpasses ordinary people in tactics and strength. Moreover, he seems to completely disregard common sense, sneering at so‑called international rules and diplomatic niceties."

Sato Kenichi nodded, stubbing out his cigar: "Tanaka‑kun is right. This person cannot be judged by ordinary standards. He is like a wild horse that has broken free of its reins; if we let him gain a firm foothold in Shen City and even expand outward, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Watanabe Hiroshi still wanted to argue, but seeing Sato and Tanaka with solemn expressions, he could only restrain himself.

"The pressure we previously applied to the Da Qian Court through diplomatic channels—how effective is it now?" Sato asked.

Tanaka Akira gave a wry smile: "What else can they do? Those officials in Yan Jing, aside from passing the buck and making excuses, what can they do? They might even want to get rid of Lin Yu more than we do, but do they have the guts and strength? I'm afraid they're also overwhelmed, just trying to survive."

"In other words, hoping the Da Qian Court will restrain Lin Yu is basically impossible." Sato tapped his fingers on the table, producing a dull sound. The atmosphere in the basement grew even more oppressive.

"Yes, sir." Tanaka Akira answered firmly, "We must prepare for the worst."

Sato Kenichi stood up, walked to the map, fixed his sharp gaze on Shen City's position, and remained silent for a long while. The other two watched him tensely, awaiting his decision.

"Since those useless fellows in Yan Jing can't be relied upon…" Sato spoke slowly, his voice icy, "then we ought to consider our Plan B. The empire cannot tolerate such an uncontrolled force growing right on our doorstep."

His gaze swept over Tanaka and Watanabe: "Order all spy teams hidden in Shen City to closely monitor Lin Yu's every move and gather any valuable information. At the same time, let the Chrysanthemum Agency get ready…"

Speaking to this point, he paused for a moment, and a flash of ruthless light flickered in his eyes.

"If... I mean if, if the situation reaches the worst possible step, we must have the ability to completely nip this threat in the bud in the shortest time possible! Even if... we have to pay some price!"