The great hall fell into utter silence.
To the Twelve Junior Banners under Liang Hu, the newcomer had overawed Banner Bearer Liang at first sight and seized control of the situation.
Liang Hu had originally been the Banner Bearer of Qing Shan Ward. For the past three years, he had acted as the Banner Bearer of two wards, which showed that his abilities were far from ordinary.
As for this Impermanence Banner Bearer, rumors around the wards said that he had already entered the second great pass of Martial Arts.
Yet when he entered the Heavenly Supervision Department, he had only been at the peak of the first great pass of Martial Arts, tempering his Skin, Flesh, Tendons, and Bones through the four realms.
In just over two short years, this man should currently be at the Blood Refinement level of the second pass. Most likely, he had yet to Wash the Marrow. As for the third pass, Internal Strengthening, that still lay far in the distance.
That was why Liang Hu had developed the intent to suppress him, planning to hand over authority openly while manipulating him in secret.
But now, it seemed that the rumors circulating outside had underestimated his opponent.
At this moment, Liang Hu also recovered from beneath the killing intent pointed at him by that slash just now.
The aura this man unleashed earlier doesn't seem to be stronger than mine.
It's just that he has killed too many people recently, causing his killing intent to grow so powerful that his edge was exposed. He actually managed to suppress even me.
It seems that after coming to Gao Liu City, I have lived too comfortably these past few years and lost my edge. I was actually cowed by his killing intent.
But in truth, with my abilities, I should be far stronger than him.
Thinking this, Liang Hu gathered his focus and swept his gaze across the hall.
He discovered that although the Fifth Master seated in the place of honor possessed an imposing might and abundant killing intent, his qi and blood did not seem particularly vigorous.
He immediately judged that his opponent's Martial Arts cultivation was still within the second pass and that he had perhaps not even washed his marrow.
His heart thus settled. He took a step forward, carried his hands slightly behind his back, and said, "As the Banner Bearer of Qing Shan Ward, I have acted as the Banner Bearer of Lin Jiang Ward for the past three years. I have gained considerable experience in keeping the peace. Considering that Fifth Master has only just arrived and may be unable to maintain the current situation, I have come here to handle the handover."
Lin Yan's expression remained unchanged. He said, "Banner Bearer Liang, you are considerate. Since Impermanence has taken up the Lin Jiang Banner, I naturally have the ability to manage Lin Jiang Ward. There is no need for outsiders to worry!"
"Fifth Master is young and hot-blooded, so it is only natural that you are somewhat overconfident. But you do not know that Lin Jiang Ward, as the First District in the far southern region of the Outer City, has a complicated situation."
Liang Hu sighed. "Leaving aside the intricate web of forces throughout the city, the foreign merchant caravans entering through the South Gate first set foot in Lin Jiang Ward."
"Over the past three years, if not for the Liu Clan of the Inner City assisting and mediating from the middle, Lin Jiang Ward would never have remained so peaceful."
The Liu Clan was one of the Six Great Clans of the Inner City.
By bringing up the Liu Clan, was this man planning to invoke his backer and use power to suppress others?
According to the information Commander Han had given him, Liang Hu was originally from Phoenix Perch Prefecture City. Thirteen years ago, he had been transferred here to serve as a member of the Outer City branch of the Heavenly Supervision Department.
Ten years ago, he had formally been promoted to Banner Bearer and assigned to the Outer Southern Department.
But six years ago, Liang Hu's younger sister had married into the direct line of the Liu Clan.
Three years ago, Liang Hu had been able to concurrently take up the post in Lin Jiang Ward, and that had not been unrelated to the Liu Clan.
Lin Yan gave no response, his expression still cold.
Seeing this, Liang Hu glanced to the side.
Immediately, one of the Junior Banners stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Fifth Master, the forces in Lin Jiang Ward are far too complicated for one person to suppress alone!"
"Our duty is to supervise all sides. You have only just arrived, and without Banner Bearer Liang's guidance, you will likely be unable to penetrate the various forces and learn all the hidden details."
"If you know nothing, you cannot fully take control of Lin Jiang Ward, and it will be difficult for us to serve Fifth Master."
"We ask Fifth Master to place the greater situation first and the people of Lin Jiang Ward first. Do not allow personal interests to plunge Lin Jiang Ward into chaos."
The Twelve Junior Banners all stepped forward and bowed.
Clerk Yang's expression shifted slightly, but he did not step forward.
Lin Yan's gaze swept across them, and he suddenly laughed once.
"Without Banner Bearer Liang, Lin Jiang Ward will fall into chaos?"
"Without the Liu Clan's assistance, you will find it difficult to do your jobs?"
"In that case..."
Lin Yan gripped his saber and slowly rose from the seat of honor.
The Twelve Junior Banners exchanged glances, their faces lighting up. They assumed he was rising to give up his seat.
But then they saw him raise his saber and say slowly, "Difficult to handle? Then don't handle it!"
"You twelve, hand over your Junior Banners and go home."
"As for this Lin Jiang Ward, I would like to see just how it will descend into chaos beneath my saber!"
"Get out!"
Lin Yan's voice rang through the great hall in an instant.
Everyone's expressions changed.
Even Clerk Yang could not help taking a step forward, as though he wanted to speak but hesitated.
He naturally understood driving Liang Hu away and taking true control of Lin Jiang Ward.
But dismissing the Twelve Junior Banners and standing alone—how could he stabilize the situation?
Moreover, Liang Hu and the Junior Banners under him had deep ties and dealings with all the forces in Lin Jiang Ward. Removing them all now was akin to cutting off his eyes and ears.
Without eyes and ears, how would he know the slightest stirrings in Lin Jiang Ward, or the surging undercurrents beneath the surface?
"Let's go!"
At that moment, Liang Hu waved his hand slightly and said, "Since this Fifth Master is unwilling to accept our good intentions, let us see how he can firmly establish himself in Lin Jiang Ward alone!"
He turned around, let out a cold laugh, and said, "You have only just taken charge of Lin Jiang Department, yet you have smashed a splendid situation into a heap of shattered ruins. Even Commander Han will not be able to preserve your position!"
He abruptly flicked his sleeve and left.
The Twelve Junior Banners hesitated slightly, but in the end, they followed behind him.
They had been promoted by Liang Hu in the first place.
Now they had also stood behind Liang Hu and confronted the new Banner Bearer, with the tension already as taut as a drawn bowstring. They had completely lost any chance of changing masters.
But before leaving, they looked toward Clerk Yang, who had remained motionless at the side. Their expressions grew increasingly complicated.
There was hostility, anger, and resentment, along with what seemed to be a trace of jealousy.
That was because Clerk Yang had been directly appointed by the Outer Southern Department and could now continue to stay.
He did not need to take sides. As long as he remained neutral, he could keep his post.
"These Twelve Junior Banners probably thought over the past three years that they had already become members of the Heavenly Supervision Department. Even if a new Banner Bearer arrived, he could not dismiss them without reason, or else no one would accept it."
Clerk Yang watched their departing backs and slowly said, "But they forgot that Junior Banners are not formal members of the Heavenly Supervision Department. The Banner Bearer of every ward department can decide whether they stay or go."
At this point, Clerk Yang raised his head and said, "Perhaps they have something to rely on and believe that without them, Fifth Master cannot stabilize Lin Jiang Department by himself!"
Lin Yan laughed and said leisurely, "So from the very beginning, all of you thought this was merely a struggle between Liang Hu and me?"
"That is correct."
Clerk Yang said, "Liang Hu himself included. He believed this was a clash in which Fifth Master could be easily manipulated! Even if Liang Hu was ultimately forced to yield, the Twelve Junior Banners he left behind would trip you up in all sorts of matters afterward... forcing you to bow your head to Liang Hu!"
No one had expected that this Fifth Master would possess such decisiveness—or perhaps such reckless impulsiveness—and directly turn himself into a lone Banner Bearer with no one under him.
He looked upward, hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "At noon today, the Sky Gazing Tower of the Temple of Lord Liu in the Inner City issued a 'Mystic Light Order'... Starting tonight, the city defenses will be reinforced."
Lin Yan's brows rose. He seemed to understand something.
Clerk Yang rubbed his brow and continued, "According to past practice, Lin Jiang Department is responsible for assisting with the defenses of the southern city wall. Twelve defensive positions will be left vacant there!"
He paused, then emphasized, "I am not a martial artist. I only handle clerical records and act as keeper of the storehouses. The people under me are not martial artists either."
Under normal city-defense arrangements, one person was stationed every hundred paces.
But reinforcing the city defenses symbolized a change in the situation. Usually, one person would be stationed every fifty paces.
Yet the "Mystic Light Order" issued by the Sky Gazing Tower indicated an even more urgent situation.
Therefore, tonight, one person would be stationed every thirty paces.
Lin Yan would have to guard three hundred and sixty paces of city wall on either side all by himself.
"Should I..."
Clerk Yang hesitated. "Go ask them to come back?"
A smile appeared on Lin Yan's face. He said, "So Liang Hu and the other twelve are still lingering outside the Lin Jiang Department compound, waiting for you to report this to me, and then for me to ask them to return?"
As he spoke, Lin Yan reached out and ran his hand over the blade. His voice was solemn as he slowly said, "Recently, the various powers have all regarded Lin Jiang Ward as a treasure trove! If I cannot hold these three hundred and sixty paces of city wall with the saber in my hand, how could I possibly hold on to the position of Banner Bearer of Lin Jiang Department?"
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