Lin Zhan returned to the encampment with the Grand Shang Ancestral Court Guard and the Executioner Imperial Guards.
The addition of over 100,000 people completely filled the encampment.
When Lin Zhan arrived at the meeting room, not only were the members of the Lin family present, but also the two leaders of the Resistance Army, the former big shots of the Azure Red Gang, Situ Zhentian and Li Qingshan, were also in attendance.
Even Wang Dahu, who had been brought to China by William to seek Lin Zhan's aid, had now risen to a high position in the Resistance Army and was present in the meeting room as Li Qingshan's follower.
"Ancestor Li Bai, Uncle Ye Fan, it must have been tough for you two guarding this foreign land for so long," Lin Zhan greeted Li Bai and Ye Fan with a polite expression.
Seeing Lin Zhan's demeanor, Lin Xiang couldn't help but chuckle and say, "You brat, stop putting on an act. Fan'er is my adopted son, he's like my own son, and he's one of us Lin family. Be practical, stop saying useless things."
Lin Zhan was momentarily stunned by Lin Xiang's words. Seeing Lin Hai and Lin Shan nod at him, he realized this was true.
"Oh dear, Grandpa Xiang, why didn't you say so earlier? This is awkward. I've roped my own family into this godforsaken place. If I had known, I would have had Ancestor Li Bai come by himself. He wasn't doing much in China anyway, I only tricked him into coming here for practical reasons."
Li Bai, who had been expecting a raise, was so enraged by Lin Zhan's words that he blurted out, "What the hell, can you still be considered human? I've been guarding this dump for you for so long. I've put in effort, if not merit. Is this how you treat your meritorious officials?"
Lin Zhan gave the old drunkard a look and said, "Merit? What merit do you have? Don't think I don't know. All the hard work was done by my Uncle Ye Fan. As for you, you were given a month's ration of spirit wine, and you finished it in three days. Tell me, how much do you owe me on the ledger?"
At this, Li Bai was speechless. After all, since arriving in America, he had made his disciple do everything while he himself drank wine and wrote poetry, living a rather lavish life.
If he ran out of wine, he would simply ask the young Taoist to let him owe it.
In Ancestor Li Bai's words: "Eat and drink, and if there's no wine, just owe it."
Li Bai said to Lin Zhan in annoyance, "Brat, I'm your uncle's master, no matter what. If you keep talking like this, don't blame me for beating you up."
This time, before Young Master Lin could speak, General Dian Wei, who had been standing behind Lin Zhan, and the black-armored strongman, each grabbed Li Bai from one side.
This black-armored strongman was none other than Xu Chu, also known as Xu Zhongkang, a fierce general under Boss Cao.
After Xu Chu and a group of awakened kings found their elder brother Dian Wei, the two discussed matters. Dian Wei would protect Lin Zhan, while Xu Chu would lead his Tiger Guards and charge into the lizardmen battlefield.
After the lizardmen campaign, the two, under the banner of Grand Shang and empowered by the human race's luck, were directly promoted to Town-Protecting Kings.
They then selected 36 quasi-king level experts from the Tiger Guards and Great Halberdiers to form Marshal Lin's personal guards, taking over the duties of the Grand Shang Ancestral Court Guard.
As Comrade Dian Wei put it, although the Grand Shang Ancestral Court Guard was powerful, they were all too handsome.
They could easily overshadow your Lord's heroic appearance. But Xu Chu and I are different. With us two ugly men to set you off, no matter who it is, the first glance will always be focused on you.
Thus, Marshal Lin's personal guard team was officially formed.
According to insider information, on their first day in office, Comrades Dian Wei and Xu Chu presented 10 king-level spirit cores to Marshal Lin's brother-in-law.
They expressed their gratitude to the young Taoist for helping them come up with such a good idea.
Subsequently, it was rumored on the black market that outsiders wishing to see Marshal Lin could seek assistance from Marshal Lin's personal guards for introductions, with each introduction costing 100 quasi-king level spirit cores.
If you couldn't afford it, then unfortunately, if you couldn't even afford 100 quasi-king level spirit cores, you shouldn't bother seeing the Marshal, because Marshal Lin was even greedier and charged higher prices.
Seeing that Ancestor Li Bai was about to be dragged away by the formidable Dian Wei and Xu Chu, the young Taoist quickly stood up and said, "Hold on, both ancestors, please don't act yet."
He then turned to Lin Zhan and said, "Big Brother, I believe Ancestor Li Bai not only has no demerits, but has made great contributions."
"Everyone, since Ancestor Li Bai arrived in America, he has only made three appearances. Although the number of times he appeared was small, these three appearances resulted in the deaths of 7 king-level beings from the Undead race and 2 kings from America, one of whom was the faith of that nation, the guy who always wears his underwear on the outside."
As he spoke, he winked at Wang Dahu beside him.
Wang Dahu, having received the young Taoist's signal, quickly stood up and said, "Marshal, the Little Celestial Master is right. Ancestor Li Bai's three appearances have slain nine enemy kings, not only freeing our Resistance Army from the threat of kings but also greatly promoting the prestige of our China."
"We in the Resistance Army are very much in agreement with Ancestor Li Bai and greatly enjoy cooperating with him."
Upon hearing this, Li Bai was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn't help but sigh, thinking that it wasn't in vain that he associated with these people. They really spoke up for him at a crucial moment.
Lin Zhan listened and then pondered for a moment before saying, "Release Ancestor Li Bai. It seems I have misunderstood Ancestor Li Bai. Ancestor Li Bai's usual drinking and heavy sleeping must be a ruse to confuse the enemy."
"Ancestor Li Bai, for guarding the American Special Zone and slaying nine enemy kings, he is rightly rewarded. Reward Ancestor Li Bai with 500 jin of thousand-year aged spirit wine and 2000 jin of hundred-year aged spirit wine. Ancestor Li Bai's own treatment will be elevated by one level."
After speaking, Lin Zhan stood up and bowed respectfully to Li Bai, saying, "Ancestor Li Bai, it was I, the junior, who misunderstood you. I know you lack nothing but material possessions, so I can only use this cup of liquid as a reward."
Then, he took out a bottle of exquisitely packaged Hundred Flower Wine and handed it to Li Bai with both hands: "Ancestor, this is the specially made Hundred Flower Wine from the Shen Nong clan, brewed with ten thousand-year-old spirit wine. You are a king-level cultivator, so you cannot drink too much of this. This bottle will be my apology to you, Ancestor."
Li Bai had naturally heard of the Hundred Flower Wine, but he had never tasted it. He knew it was extremely precious, and even some established old ancestors did not have the opportunity to drink it.
"You're quite considerate, brat. You admit your mistakes and correct them. Seeing these fine wines, just say whatever else you need, and Ancestor will help you with it."
Li Bai looked at the bottle of Hundred Flower Wine and sold himself to Lin Zhan once again.
Lin Zhan and the young Taoist exchanged glances, and their eyes simultaneously revealed:
Drunkards are still the easiest to fool. We've got him.