"You have no right to speak here!" Lu Hexi glanced at Zhao Changfeng and spoke coldly. He then turned his head to stare at Lin Beichen again, adding, "Mansion Master, the Divine General’s Mansion is not just your life’s blood, but all of ours. For the sake of a better future for the Divine General’s Mansion, I hope you will make a decision soon!"
From beginning to end, Lin Beichen’s expression was extremely calm, even cold.
"I never expected that Hexi, who used to be innocent of worldly affairs and only knew how to charge at the vanguard, would also start caring about the position of Young Master of the Divine General’s Mansion." Lin Beichen smiled hoarsely, a trace of loneliness on his aged face. "Does Hexi know that although I am old, my eyes are not blind? The bonds of affection in this world are not infinite or inexhaustible!"
Lin Beichen spoke slowly. "However, you were all my comrades-in-arms on the battlefield. I have hung by a thread thirteen times, and it was entirely due to your bloody battles that my life was saved. Since you have a request, I will grant it. But... I’m afraid this will be the last time."
"Mansion Master, you mustn’t!" Zhao Changfeng cried out, but Lin Beichen waved a hand to stop him.
"I am indeed old. When people get old, they tend to think of the past and cherish old bonds. But as you dwell on them, they eventually fade away. I hope one day you will understand this!"
Zhao Changfeng hesitated to speak, finally letting out a helpless sigh. Looking at the cold and indifferent expressions of half the generals in the great hall, he clenched his fists tightly. He thought, "The Divine General’s Mansion, which was once united in heart and mind to defeat the enemy, will probably cease to exist after today."
The world had been at peace for over twenty years. Over these two decades, some had eventually become corrupted, drifting further and further away from the ideals of the Divine General’s Mansion.
Craving power and position!
Seizing benefits!
Forming factions for personal gain!
...
Twenty years of wealth and glory were enough to wear away the drive and principles of most people, and enough to cause the Divine General’s Mansion to continuously fracture internally amidst its boundless glory.
"Lin Haoran, are you willing to take on the position of Young Master of the Divine General’s Mansion?" Lin Beichen asked hoarsely. His gaze, however, fell on Lin Huang, and a peaceful smile appeared on his lips. He thought, "It’s fine if he doesn’t become the Mansion Master. This way, I’ll have time to take care of him."
In the great hall, Lin Huang frowned, killing intent already rising in his heart...
Seeing that the situation was set, Lin Haoran no longer declined. He immediately knelt on one knee and declared loudly, "Lin Haoran is willing to walk through fire and water for the Divine General’s Mansion, without hesitation even if it means dying a thousand deaths!"
His resonant voice echoed in the hall like a great bell. A powerful sense of confidence appeared in Lin Haoran’s eyes.
Within that confidence was a hint of arrogance.
Three years of painstaking effort had finally achieved his goal today. After today, who would dare to look down on him? He could unbridledly ride a tall horse across the Great Xia Dynasty.
As long as he listened carefully to that person’s words, in another three years, he, Lin Haoran, would be second only to one, but above all others!
"From today onwards, you are the Young..." Lin Beichen said in a low voice.
"Hold on!"
Right at this moment, an unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone’s hearts trembled. Who would dare to interrupt Lin Beichen at this moment? It was clearly someone who didn’t want Lin Haoran to become the Young Master. Then, everyone suddenly realized, rapidly turning their heads to stare at the young man sitting in a wheelchair in the middle of the hall!
They saw Lin Huang slowly raise his head, his fingers tapping against the armrests of his wheelchair. His slowly opening eyes revealed a long-dormant sharpness, fierce and imposing like an Ancient Sword unsheathed.
Under everyone’s astonished gazes, Lin Huang pushed his wheelchair to the center of the hall. Looking at Lin Haoran, he revealed a cold smile, his words chilling like a blade.
"I, Lin Huang, am not dead yet. How can I allow a Household Slave like you to act so brazenly!"