"Prepare the brush and ink."
"I will pen a letter to the Master of the Dragon Pavilion. With my status, they will surely give me some face."
Gu Nanfeng mused for a moment before instructing the Tian family.
After all, the Dragon Pavilion Master was their greatest reliance at present.
Matters involving the Dragon Pavilion Master were no small affair. If handled improperly, the other party might intervene personally.
As a fellow soldier, even after retiring, Gu Nanfeng had heard of the Dragon Pavilion Master's protective nature. Moreover, the other party was in their prime. It was best to avoid a confrontation if possible.
"Whatever."
Ye Longlin shrugged. Yuan Gang, standing behind him, couldn't help but find it amusing.
The very person referred to as the Dragon Pavilion Master was right before them, yet Gu Nanfeng still attempted to write a letter to gain his favor.
The fact that he was allowed to sit and speak was already the greatest concession.
Ye Longlin's gaze returned to Tian Yi, a smile playing on his lips.
"I can give you another chance. Hand over the people on the list, and this matter will not be so troublesome."
Tian Yi snorted dismissively, "You dare to threaten me in front of my maternal grandfather?"
"My maternal grandfather is a pivotal figure. Even before the Dragon Pavilion Master rose to power, he was an undisputed renowned general. If my maternal grandfather weren't in his prime, why would the Dragon Pavilion Master be so courteous?"
"To put it bluntly, even the Dragon Pavilion Master is half a generation younger than my maternal grandfather."
Hearing this, Gu Nanfeng's eyes widened in fury. He roared, "Shut up!"
Was he out of his mind?
Otherwise, how could he utter such words in public?
Tian Yi immediately flinched. He had intended to highlight his maternal grandfather's status, which was comparable to the Dragon Pavilion Master's. However, he failed to realize that for people of their standing, flattery could be disastrous, especially in public.
"Deliver this letter to the Dragon Pavilion quickly. You have only one hour."
After sealing the letter, Gu Nanfeng handed it to his trusted subordinate.
The man, whose real name was Jiang Wu, nodded and was about to leave when he suddenly felt an invisible pressure, like Mount Tai pressing down on him, rendering him immobile.
Following this, large beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, and his back was instantly soaked in cold sweat.
"Just give it directly to me. No need for all that trouble."
Yuan Gang said with a forced smile. In a few swift strides, he stepped forward and snatched the letter from Jiang Wu's hand.
Last night, he had approached Ye Longlin.
"Boss, the previous Master of the Western Faction, Gu Nanfeng, has a letter for you."
Everyone present: "..."
Gu Nanfeng: "..."
Jiang Wu: "..."
"Damn it, what is this? A subordinate like you should stand aside. You have no right to speak here," the son of the Tian family's elder suddenly exclaimed, reaching out to push Yuan Gang.
However, the next moment, Yuan Gang exploded into action. He turned, crushed the man's skull, and his eyes blazed with cold light.
"When I'm speaking, who gave you the right to interrupt?"
What?
A General?
He was actually a General? How could this be possible?
If he was a General, then what was Ye Longlin's identity?
"You're asking for death!"
Jiang Wu was instantly enraged. With two strides, he charged towards Yuan Gang.
Yuan Gang glanced at him coldly and made no move. A vertical bloodline suddenly appeared on Jiang Wu's forehead, and blood began to seep out. He then fell to the ground, dead.
"Control your people, or the consequences will be far worse than just death!"
Yuan Gang snorted coldly.
"You..."
Gu Nanfeng was furious. Who exactly was this person, acting so outrageously?
He allowed his subordinate to kill with impunity. What was more, after displaying a seemingly friendly demeanor not long ago, he now remained silent, clearly condoning the act.
While they were still inside, at least three thousand people had already arrived outside the door, a surging crowd.
"I advise you to stop while you're ahead. If you truly provoke me, it's hard to say whether you can retreat unscathed."
Looking at the dense formation outside, Gu Nanfeng reminded him sternly.
At this moment, Ye Longlin calmly unfolded the letter, read it word for word, and then used a handgun to press it down.
"This King disagrees."
After uttering these words, everyone present felt their pupils contract, their eyes filled with shock.
Clearly, no one had expected Ye Longlin to say such a thing!
But when they looked up again, Ye Longlin had vanished!
This winter, Qing City was also experiencing heavy snowfall. At this moment, Ye Longlin stood in the center, casually unfastening his cloak.
He took a step forward.
The world was vast, and snow was falling everywhere.
On each of his shoulders were five gold stars, bordered by laurel leaves.
"This... Five Stars! He's actually a Five-Star!"
"He is the youngest Five-Star Heavenly King in the rumors from the capital!"
Gu Nanfeng shot to his feet, nearly falling. Tian Yi's pupils constricted and dilated, cycling endlessly. Everyone else present gasped, and Tian Ci and Tian Fa also took in sharp breaths, never expecting such a formidable being to be troubling them!
At this moment, a deathly silence descended upon the entire Tian family.
"This King has understood your meaning, Gu Nanfeng, but this King disagrees."
"Must I report to you before I kill someone?"
Ye Longlin turned his gaze to Gu Nanfeng, asking with a cold tone.
"No, you don't."
Gu Nanfeng was utterly terrified. He hadn't anticipated that the person before him was the youngest Five-Star Heavenly King rumored in the capital!
However, a question arose in his mind.
If he was a Five-Star Heavenly King, why could he command the Dragon Pavilion soldiers?
Wasn't the Dragon Pavilion always independent?
"Hu Haijun, pays his respects to the Heavenly King!"
Hu Haijun, leading the elite of the military, quickly saluted. Then, like waves of wheat swaying in the wind, they knelt down, row after row.
The Zhenwu Division also performed a half-kneeling salute to show their respect.
Ye Longlin surveyed the scene, his authoritative gaze falling upon Tian Yi.
Instantly, Tian Yi felt as if he were being targeted by a terrifying entity. All eyes in the hall converged on Tian Yi, making him feel immense pressure.
"Now, can the Tian family hand over the person?"
Gu Nanfeng took several deep breaths before regaining his composure.
"To meet a legendary figure like you in my lifetime is an honor. A pleasure."
In the entire scene, the only one who could still maintain his composure and communicate with Ye Longlin was this old war god.
"Since you have retired, why are you still involved in these matters? Aren't you afraid of tarnishing your legacy?"
Ye Longlin said with a half-smile, looking down as he placed the Dragon Ring on his hand.
Gu Nanfeng sighed, "When one grows old, one always cares about whether the family is happy and complete..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Ye Longlin domineeringly interrupted him with a cold snort, "Everything the Tian family has now was built upon our father and son's sacrifices. Now that I have returned, not a single person involved in the pursuit back then will escape! Do you understand?"