Chapter 84: with translation of chapter title

Inspector," Qin Chang'an suddenly changed his tone, "I know what you're worried about. But now, we can temporarily set aside personal grudges."

Lin Yu looked at him with interest: "Oh?"

"The Ninth Division is not an ordinary unit," Qin Chang'an said solemnly, "It is the elite ace division of the Eastern Ocean Empire, a first-class division. Their equipment and training are top-notch."

"The Young Commander seems quite familiar with the Ninth Division?"

"I studied them back at the military academy," Qin Chang'an's voice carried a hint of solemnity, "This unit, in drills on the Eastern Ocean mainland, once defeated a combined attack of two divisions with just one division's strength."

Lin Yu listened without changing expression.

"And now," Qin Chang'an continued, "How much force can the Inspector mobilize? The few hundred of the Fourth Bureau? That battalion-level unit? And... that mysterious regiment-level unit that appeared in the concession last time?"

He paused: "Even if we add them all up, facing the Ninth Division, we'd probably still be insufficient."

"What does the Young Commander mean?"

"My meaning is simple," Qin Chang'an stared into Lin Yu's eyes, "If you're willing to support me, then the thirty thousand Security Army will be your assistance. Then..."

"Then we'll join forces to resist the Ninth Division?" Lin Yu chuckled lightly, "The Young Commander is thinking too beautifully."

"This isn't imagination," Qin Chang'an said solemnly, "This is reality. Inspector, you know very well that with your current strength, you simply cannot resist the Ninth Division's attack. But if the Security Army cooperates..."

He didn't finish his words, but the meaning was already clear.

Lin Yu stood up and walked to the window. The sunlight outside was still bright, but his gaze grew deep.

Qin Chang'an was betting, betting that Lin Yu would compromise in the face of the impending crisis. In his view, Lin Yu's current situation was perilous—he had limited strength yet had to face an ace division's attack.

But he didn't know that Lin Yu's mouth was curling into a meaningful smile.

"Inspector," Qin Chang'an's voice lowered, "Why don't we look at this from a different angle?"

Lin Yu leaned against the window, gesturing for him to continue.

"If you're willing to support me, let me take the position of Security Army Commander," Qin Chang'an said slowly, "Then I'm willing to share Shen City with you."

"Share?" Lin Yu chuckled.

"You and I both know," Qin Chang'an lowered his voice, "The court is now weak and feeble. Governors across the land have carved out their own kingdoms, all waiting for the day the court declines."

Lin Yu's gaze deepened: "So?"

"Shen City is a big cake," Qin Chang'an stared into Lin Yu's eyes, "Its location is superior, its economy developed, it's a military stronghold. If we join forces..."

"Interesting," Lin Yu suddenly interrupted him, the corner of his mouth curling into a meaningful smile, "I'm curious, how did the Young Commander manage that?"

"Achieve what?"

"Sitting down with your father's killer," Lin Yu's voice carried a hint of amusement, "to calmly discuss the so-called exchange of interests."

The reception room fell into a brief silence. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

"My father's death is already an irreversible fact," Qin Chang'an said calmly, "The living must always look forward."

He stood up and walked to Lin Yu: "In the past, my qualifications were indeed insufficient. Even if my father stepped down, I might not necessarily become the new commander. But now..."

"Things have happened suddenly now; are you the only choice?" Lin Yu took over the conversation.

"That's right," Qin Chang'an nodded, "The thirty thousand Security Army needs a leader, and I am the most suitable candidate. Inspector, you know this isn't just for my personal gain."

Lin Yu looked at the young man before him. At twenty-four years old, he was already able to calmly weigh pros and cons, even willing to cooperate with his father's killer.

"The Young Commander really makes me look at him anew," Lin Yu said lightly, "For power, even a father's grudge can be set aside."

"No," Qin Chang'an shook his head, "It's not for power, but for survival. Inspector, you and I both know that in this chaotic era, either we take the initiative to attack, or we wait for destruction."

His gaze turned sharp: "I choose the former."

Lin Yu took out a cigarette case from his pocket, lit a cigarette, and passed one to Qin Chang'an.

"No need," Qin Chang'an waved his hand to refuse, "I don't smoke."

Lin Yu took a deep drag, the smoke swirling in the sunlight: "Young Commander, on what basis are you certain I have no way to deal with the Ninth Division?"

He exhaled a smoke ring: "And what makes you think I will definitely cooperate with you?"

"The threat of the Ninth Division is no joke," Qin Chang'an's voice turned icy, "Inspector, my willingness to sit down and talk with you now is already the greatest concession."

"A concession?" Lin Yu chuckled.

"That's right," Qin Chang'an's eyes turned sharp, "You killed my father—anyone can see that. By rights, I should now lead the entire Shen City Security Army, tear you apart limb from limb, to comfort my father's spirit in heaven."

Lin Yu silently watched him, waiting for what came next.

"In other words," Qin Chang'an stepped forward, "The Inspector now also has no choice. Either cooperate with me, or..."

"Or what?"

"Or I will lead the thirty thousand Security Army to crush you to ashes and scatter them," Qin Chang'an's voice carried a hint of chill, "Do you think, with the few personnel of your Fourth Bureau, you could withstand the wrath of the entire Security Army?"

The atmosphere in the reception room suddenly tightened. The cigarette in Lin Yu's hand burned slowly, ash falling onto the carpet.

"Interesting," Lin Yu suddenly laughed, "Is the Young Commander threatening me?"

"No," Qin Chang'an shook his head, "I'm merely stating a fact. Inspector, you know very well that the current situation is unfavorable for you. The Ninth Division is about to arrive, and the Shen City Security Army..."

He paused: "Thirty thousand elite troops will either become your aid, or they will avenge my father. The choice is in your hands."

Lin Yu stubbed out the cigarette in his hand, walked up to Qin Chang'an, and said: "Young Commander, do you know what your biggest problem is?"

"What?"

"You're too overconfident," Lin Yu's voice was soft, but each word was as sharp as a blade, "You think you've grasped all the chips, you think you've seen through the whole situation."

He stared into Qin Chang'an's eyes: "But have you ever considered that perhaps... everything you see is merely what I want you to see?"

Qin Chang'an's pupils contracted slightly: "What do you mean?"

Lin Yu didn't answer, merely turned and walked back to the window. The sunlight remained bright, but his back gave off an inexpressive sense of oppression.

Qin Chang'an suddenly felt a twinge of unease. He began to doubt whether he had truly seen through this young Inspector before him.

Was Lin Yu, who was merely a ordinary patrolman a month ago, really as he imagined—just a weakling who needed to rely on the Security Army to survive?