When Gopla returned to the Inspectorate, Di Lin was already fully dressed and ready to leave. He was lecturing a group of Inspectorate officers: "Listen up: make your eyes fiercer, keep your faces tight, make your tone rougher, and keep your hands on your swords—today, even if someone asks you for the time on the road, make sure your answer carries a little killing intent!"
The officers roared their acknowledgment. They rolled up their sleeves, glared fiercely, and paced back and forth, their polished sabers clanking at their waists. They looked murderous, as though the Flowing Wind Army had already reached the gates of the Imperial Capital.
Gopla understood. Di Lin was preparing to attend the so-called "joint report meeting." This "joint report meeting" had been proposed and chaired by Zichuan Canxing, supposedly for the purpose of "improving communication and understanding between the Commanders' Office and the Inspectorate, reducing friction, uniting as one, pooling our wisdom and strength, and weathering the crisis together!"
But in Gopla's view: "Zichuan Canxing is simply pouring oil on the fire. He has no intention of letting the Commanders' Office and the Inspectorate coexist peacefully. If Luobo Minghai and Di Lin were locked in a room together, they could eat each other alive without even needing soy sauce or seasoning—bringing people like that together to discuss 'pooling wisdom and strength'?!"
For that reason, every "joint report meeting" always followed the same unchanging procedure:
1. Everyone took their seats.
2. Zichuan Canxing gave his opening remarks. ("These are difficult times. Everyone must set aside personal grudges and put the greater good first!")
3. Luobo Minghai gave his report.
4. Di Lin made a sarcastic jab. ("You did it with the intelligence of a pig!")
5. Luobo Minghai launched a heated counterattack. ("You shameless freak!")
6. They