Chapter 66: Forceful Clash

7 p. m., Da San Yuan Restaurant.

"Director Lin, are you satisfied with this private room?" Hong Yuan personally escorted Lin Yu to tour the largest suite on the top floor, "I had it redecorated especially, waiting for a distinguished guest like you."

Lin Yu gave a casual glance. The suite was indeed lavishly arranged: crystal chandeliers glittered, the carpet was as soft as clouds, famous calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls, and a grand piano stood in the corner.

The most striking spot was by the window, offering an unobstructed view of the Bund's nightscape.

"Not bad," Lin Yu nodded.

Hong Yuan immediately breathed a sigh of relief. As a senior member of the Green Gang with the "Wu" generation, he was a well‑known figure in the French Concession. Even foreigners and officials usually gave him a sliver of respect.

But in front of Lin Yu, he didn't even dare to draw a breath.

Who would know that this guy had just blood‑swept the Eastern Concession last night? Over three thousand lives were cut down on a whim, the whole concession set ablaze at his word.

"The wine is my prized XO," Hong Yuan continued, "The dishes are Da San Yuan's signature, and the chef was specially recruited from the old bakery…"

"Enough," Lin Yu waved his hand, "You go down first. When Commander Qin arrives, bring him up directly."

"Yes, yes, yes," Hong Yuan nodded repeatedly, "I'll wait downstairs myself."

After Hong Yuan stepped away, Lin Yu walked to the window. Under the night sky, the Bund's lights just began to glow, the river was dotted with vessels of all sizes, and neon signs on distant skyscrapers flickered incessantly.

Snap!

He opened the pure‑silver lighter and lit a cigarette.

This bustling city had already been carved up by the Great Powers into a patchwork. Each concession was a tiny kingdom, governing itself.

But from today onward, everything will change.

He will make those Great Powers understand: in Shen City, Lin Yu is the true king!

"Report!" Hong Yuan's voice came from below, "Commander Qin has arrived!"

A smile tugged at Lin Yu's mouth corner as he turned and walked toward the door.

It's time to have a proper talk with this old fox.

"Director Lin," Qin Dong Zhi stood at the suite entrance, his gaze like torches.

"Yo, Commander Qin, your illustrious presence," Lin Yu said lazily, leaning in his chair, "I'm truly honored and startled."

"Director Lin's name is now known throughout Shen City, isn't it?" Qin Dong Zhi sneered, "As a Security Commander, I'm afraid I can't even get into Director Lin's good graces."

"Commander, you jest," Lin Yu lit a cigarette, "You are venerable and respected; how could I possibly ignore you?"

The two sat at the window side. Hong Yuan personally poured wine for them, then, knowing his place, stepped out.

"I heard this is Boss Hong's prized wine?" Qin Dong Zhi raised his glass, "But compared with Director Lin's haul last night, this wine is hardly worth mentioning."

"Commander is right," Lin Yu exhaled a smoke ring, "Over three thousand Eastern dogs' lives, a whole concession's wealth, indeed worth more than this wine."

A cold glint flashed in Qin Dong Zhi's eyes: "Director Lin, you have such nerve, planning to stir up a storm of blood and carnage in Shen City."

"Storm of blood and carnage?" Lin Yu scoffed, "Commander, you speak as if Shen City were peaceful now."

"You!" Qin Dong Zhi slammed his glass down, "Lin Yu, do you know the consequences of your actions?"

"Consequences?" Lin Yu stared into Qin Dong Zhi's eyes, "I want to ask you, Commander, over these years Easterners have run rampant in Shen City, oppressing the people—have you ever considered the consequences?"

"You..." Qin Dong Zhi was at a loss for words, then sneered, "What a Fourth Bureau Chief, truly broadening my horizons."

"Flattering," Lin Yu brushed off the ash, "I'm merely doing things you want to do but dare not."

The suite's atmosphere froze instantly.

Their gazes clashed in the air, as if sparks flew.

Beneath this seemingly peaceful dialogue, undercurrents roiled.

"Bang!" Qin Dong Zhi slapped the table, sending the teacups hopping.

"Lin Yu!" he sneered, "Do you think no one in Shen City can deal with you?"

"How could that be?" Lin Yu calmly shook off the ash, "Commander, you are venerable and respected, have run Shen City for years, your reach is boundless. I'm just a small director, how could I not regard you?"

"You!" Qin Dong Zhi narrowed his eyes, "What a sharp tongue! I'll see whether, when the Eastern troops march into Shen City, you can still be so arrogant!"

Lin Yu suddenly laughed, his smile tinged with sarcasm: "Commander, is this a threat to me? Or have you already sided with the Easterners?"

"Audacious!" Qin Dong Zhi sprang to his feet, "Lin Yu, don't think two units and a few machine guns make you great! This is Shen City, not a playground for you!"

"I don't know," Lin Yu rose slowly, looking down from his height, "Commander, how do you plan to deal with me? Send Security forces to besiege the Fourth Bureau? Or ally with the Easterners against me?"

"You..."

"I advise the Commander to think clearly," Lin Yu's voice turned icy, "The Fourth Bureau is no joke. If you want to tangle with me, go ahead and try."

"Lin Yu!" Qin Dong Zhi trembled with anger, "Are you threatening me?"

"I wouldn't dare," Lin Yu sneered, "I'm merely reminding the Commander of the lesson from the Eastern Concession, which you must have seen. Whether it's the Military Police or the Security Force, none can match the Fourth Bureau before me!"

"You..." Qin Dong Zhi suddenly calmed, sat back down, "Fine, very fine! Director Lin truly is a man, I've learned a lot today."

"Commander, you flatter me," Lin Yu relit a cigarette, "I just want to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"From today onward," Lin Yu exhaled a smoke ring, "Shen City's rules need to change. Not the Easterners' rules, nor the Great Powers', but my Lin Yu's rules!"

The suite's atmosphere dropped to freezing.

Two men: one, an old fox nearing his sixties who has run Shen City for years; the other, a vigorous madman daring to stir a storm of blood and carnage in Shen City.

They both knew this was not merely a simple talk, but the first direct clash between Shen City's old and new forces!

Qin Dong Zhi trembled all over, his fingers instinctively clenching into fists. At a single command, he could mobilize the entire Security Force and execute this arrogant brat on the spot!

But years of official intuition told him not to act rashly.

He stared deeply at Lin Yu, a flash of brilliance in his eyes. This was no ordinary patrol officer; the aura in his gestures, the confidence in his speech, the decisiveness in his actions...

Huh... Qin Dong Zhi inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm.

"Lin Yu," he said slowly, "who exactly are you?"

Lin Yu flinched slightly, the cigarette hanging mid‑air.

"You are certainly not a simple patrol officer," Qin Dong Zhi said, staring into Lin Yu's eyes. "I had people investigate you—from Yanbei to Shen City, from the police academy to the patrol; all the information seems complete, but it cannot withstand scrutiny."

He lifted his cup and gently swayed it: "I originally thought you were sent by the court, but now I see I was mistaken. No matter how incompetent the court is, it would never allow a reckless lunatic to run amok in Shen City!"

"Don't interrupt!" Qin Dong Zhi suddenly raised his voice. "The well‑trained unit under your command, and that fine equipment—no ordinary patrol officer could obtain those. Even the court's regular army could not possess such combat power!"

He drained the cup in one gulp: "So, who exactly are you? Who is behind you, supporting you?"

Lin Yu said nothing, merely watching the night view outside the window in silence.

The atmosphere in the private room solidified.

Qin Dong Zhi stared at Lin Yu intently, trying to find any flaw on the young man's face. But Lin Yu's expression was as calm as water, revealing no trace of anything.

At that moment, Old Fox suddenly felt a chill.

He has been operating in Shen City for years; what kind of person hasn't he seen? But someone as unfathomable as Lin Yu, it is the first time!