Chapter 85

Lin Yu slowly pressed out the cigarette in his hand into the ashtray, his movement graceful and composed.

Lin Yu, Young Commander.

Qin Chang'an hadn't yet grasped the meaning of those words when a resounding slap landed heavily on his face.

Pa!

A crisp sound echoed in the reception room. Qin Chang'an staggered a step from the sudden slap, his cheek instantly swelling and reddening.

By the time he regained his senses and tried to retaliate, a dark gun muzzle was already pressed against his forehead.

The cold metal sensation made Qin Chang'an's body stiffen. He looked at Lin Yu, whose gaze remained calm, as if the slap just now were merely brushing dust off his clothes.

"You..." Qin Chang'an's voice trembled slightly, but he forced himself to stay calm, "You dare kill me?"

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Lin Yu's voice remained gentle.

Qin Chang'an, Lin Mansion.

Qin Chang'an, Security Army.

Upon hearing that, Lin Yu suddenly smiled. That smile sent a chill through Qin Chang'an.

"Young Commander," Lin Yu pressed the gun muzzle a little harder, leaving a red mark on Qin Chang'an's forehead, "Do you know what your biggest problem is?"

Qin Chang'an said nothing, merely staring fixedly at him.

"You're too young," Lin Yu continued, "so young that you don't realize some things cannot be measured by simple interests."

: no name.

Do you think the Security Army are all your father's direct descendants?

Qin Chang'an.

Lin Yu, Young Commander, Shen City.

Your father is no longer the Security Commander who speaks with absolute authority.

The reception room fell into a brief silence. The sunlight remained bright, yet Qin Chang'an felt a bone‑deep chill.

Lin Yu, the Fourth Bureau, a mysterious regiment-level unit.

Perhaps none of this is as simple as it appears on the surface.

"Now," Lin Yu's voice brought him back to reality, "Do you still think, as Young Commander, that you're qualified to negotiate terms with me?"

Lin Yu, the Security Army, brigade-level units, division-level units.

Lin Yu, Qin Chang'an, Yang Chengdong.

Qin Chang'an.

"You're too naive," Lin Yu sneered, "Doesn't Yang Chengdong want to become the new Security Commander? You think he'll support a wet‑behind‑the‑ears kid like you?"

The air in the reception room seemed to solidify. Qin Chang'an's face turned pale, for he knew every word Lin Yu spoke was true.

Yeah, what qualifies him to control the entire Security Army?

Qin Dongzhi.

Or is it because he brought out a security regiment from Kunshan?

Or perhaps because Yang Chengdong is his maternal uncle?

: no.

Lin Yu watched the changing expression on Qin Chang'an's face, knowing his words had taken effect. He slowly lowered his gun, but the next second came another resounding slap.

: no.

This slap was heavier than the previous one, and blood trickled from the corner of Qin Chang'an's mouth.

"Remember," Lin Yu's voice icy, "I hate being threatened. If you dare threaten me again, I don't mind sending you now to join your father."

Lin Yu, nicknamed "Lin Madman".

Qin Chang'an touched his swollen cheek, feeling the burning pain. He wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Because he finally realized that all his calculations today were wrong.

He thought he had leverage, that he could use the Security Army to threaten Lin Yu. In reality, he might not even be able to control the Security Army.

He thought Lin Yu needed his help to oppose the Ninth Division, but now it seems perhaps not at all.

Most importantly, he underestimated the young inspector before him. That nickname "Lin Madman" is likely not without cause.

"Now," Lin Yu resettled onto the sofa, "Young Commander, do you have anything else you want to say?"

Qin Chang'an fell silent for a moment, then finally shook his head.

"Very well," Lin Yu lit a fresh cigarette, "Please go now. Remember my words today, and don't do anything you'll regret."

The sunlight remained bright, but Qin Chang'an's retreating figure looked somewhat forlorn. Only when he stepped out of the gates of Lin Gong Guan did he truly realize he seemed to have been drawn into a situation far more complex than he had imagined.

And that young man named Lin Yu is likely far from being as simple as he appears on the surface.

Zhou Wei, Shen City, the French Concession.

Lin Yu, the Security Command Headquarters.

: no.

The Security Command Headquarters is warning me.

Zhou Wei, the Bureau Chief.

Lin Yu walked over to the sofa, sat down, picked up the cooled tea, and took a sip: "The time hasn't come yet."

: no.

That's right, Lin Yu's eyes grew deep; the most important thing now is to deal with the Ninth Division. Only after we take care of the foreigners will the storm truly begin.

He set down his teacup and said meaningfully, 'If nothing unexpected happens, the interior of the Security Army is also not as calm as it appears on the surface.'

Zhou Wei's eyes lit up: 'The Bureau Chief is saying...'

'Yang Chengdong won't willingly let Qin Chang'an take over as commander,' Lin Yu chuckled lightly, 'and Qin Chang'an kid also won't easily give up his father's position.'

He stood up, walked to the window: "Let them fight first. When the Ninth Division's matter is settled, the sky of Shen City will have to change."

Zhou Wei watched Lin Yu's back, suddenly understood something.

As it turned out, the Bureau Chief had long seen through everything; now he was merely waiting, waiting for the perfect moment.

And Qin Chang'an was merely a pawn in this grand chess game.

"Go prepare," Lin Yu's voice came, "The Ninth Division will be here soon."

"Yes, Bureau Chief."