With this blade in hand, why bother with schemes?

Outside the Lin Jiang Department.

Liang Hu stood for a moment, then finally let out a cold laugh.

"It seems this new Banner Bearer is more hot-headed than I anticipated."

"Tonight, within the three hundred and sixty paces of the city wall, I'll see how he plans to defend it alone!"

"I've heard this person tramples on the rules of the underworld, bringing ill fortune. Tonight, his defensive line will be the most empty and weak. Let's see if he can walk away alive tomorrow!"

"You all don't need to worry too much. This person's skills aren't that high. Even if he luckily survives, he'll know the dangers involved."

Liang Hu said calmly, "He'll likely die tonight. Even if he survives, he'll be begging for help tomorrow."

The twelve Junior Banners exchanged glances.

In truth, they had all thought the same thing at first.

They had originally believed that even if the other party didn't show respect to Banner Bearer Liang, he would still rely on them.

But they hadn't expected that Fifth Master would dismiss them all from their posts.

Although the position of Junior Banner wasn't an official member of the Heavenly Supervision Department, they were still under the Banner Bearer and held a rather high status in the city.

For the past three years, in the eyes of the various forces in Lin Jiang Ward and ordinary citizens, they were influential figures in power.

Besides the four taels of silver distributed by the Heavenly Supervision Department each month, they also received considerable "gifts" from various parties.

What's more, a medicinal bath from the Heavenly Supervision Department was extremely beneficial for Martial Arts cultivation.

If they completely lost this status, what would become of them in the future?

Banner Bearer Liang already had twelve Junior Banners in Qing Shan Ward.

Even if they returned to Qing Shan Ward, there were no vacant positions.

"What? Have you already started to waver just because he's arrived?"

Liang Hu said coldly, "Do you think following me was the wrong choice?"

Before the twelve Junior Banners could respond, he waved his sleeve and shouted, "Did you think Liang Hu was backing down earlier because he was afraid of him?"

"Haven't you considered that this brat is, at best, only at the Blood Refining realm, or at most, Marrow Washing."

"I completed Marrow Washing two years ago. If it weren't for accumulating merit to obtain cultivation techniques, I would have already advanced to the Inner Strength level two years ago."

"I'll make it clear to you all today: I refined my heart at the beginning of the year, my Blood Essence is flowing freely, and I have achieved the Inner Strength realm!"

"This brat rashly drew his sword at me, but I simply didn't want to stoop to his level!"

"With his cultivation, he's no match for Liang Hu!"

"If it weren't for the fact that we're colleagues, why would I have retreated?"

Liang Hu spoke, his gaze growing colder.

This young man named Wuchang was, after all, the legitimate Banner Bearer of Lin Jiang Ward.

Previously, he had been sitting in the main seat and refused to move, which led to the other party drawing his sword.

In the end, it was his side that was in the wrong.

If things had escalated, and the Outer Southern Department had investigated, it would ultimately be seen as a dispute caused by his own attempt to seize power.

This was the real reason for his retreat.

And in truth, he felt quite helpless.

He had originally thought that this young man named Wuchang, with his lack of experience and ignorance of power struggles, would be easily swayed. He had planned to be amiable and discuss matters openly, making the other party believe he was offering good intentions and help.

He hadn't expected this young man to see through his intentions at a glance and turn hostile on the spot.

He had initially considered that since his cultivation was far superior to the other party's, he could subtly threaten him in private and then use his background to pressure him into submission.

Who would have thought the young man would flip the table the moment he arrived!

He had originally intended to let these twelve Junior Banners make things difficult for the other party.

He hadn't expected the other party to directly dismiss the twelve Junior Banners.

"A young person acting like this, flipping out the moment they arrive, completely without method or regard for rules!"

Liang Hu felt indignant and thought to himself, "After tonight, I'll personally collect his corpse!"

Inside the Lin Jiang Department.

Chief Clerk Yang ordered two scribes under his command to bring all the records from the past three years.

"Alright, you can go now."

Lin Yan waved his hand and said calmly, "Don't disturb me while I'm looking through the records before evening."

He was, after all, a local of Lin Jiang Ward and was aware of the various forces within the district.

The reason he was looking through the records wasn't to understand the situation in Lin Jiang Ward, but to investigate the events of last night.

He had a vague feeling that the incident was aimed at "Lin Yan," not Wuchang.

The Lin family, Chen Jiangbao's family, Chen Yuannü, the demon tiger, and even that "Abnormal Ovum"—he had too many clues to investigate. Since there was no immediate lead, he decided to start with the outermost Lin Jiang Ward.

In Chief Clerk Yang's eyes, it was perfectly normal for the Banner Bearer of Lin Jiang Ward to review the records of the past three years.

It was just that the timing seemed a bit off.

"Tonight's matter is urgent. Fifth Master, perhaps you could set aside these trivial matters for now and consider how to deal with the city's defenses?"

Chief Clerk Yang hesitated and said, "Otherwise, I could write a letter to the Outer Southern Department to request reinforcements? If Commander Han has any spare personnel, I'm sure he'd send someone to assist..."

"The Outer Southern Department is near the inner city, located in the First Ward! And our Lin Jiang Ward, being the outermost, is the Twelfth Ward!"

Lin Yan said slowly, "By the time you get from Lin Jiang Ward to the Outer Southern Department, it'll be late! By the time the Outer Southern Department makes a decision and sends people to help, it'll probably be close to dawn."

He looked up and continued, "Not to mention anything else, just passing through Qing Shan Ward, Liang Hu won't let you through easily! I suspect that guy has already anticipated that any request for help would lead to us setting up checkpoints for our Lin Jiang Department..."

Chief Clerk Yang's expression changed slightly. He opened his mouth, but found himself at a loss for words.

After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Then tonight..."

He looked at the Banner Bearer, whose expression was as calm as ever, and genuinely couldn't understand how the other party could be so nonchalant about tonight's events.

Based on the intelligence he possessed and his repeated calculations, he firmly believed that this Wuchang Banner Bearer would not be able to overcome tonight's tribulation, no matter what.

"If the city defense people request aid, tell them to wait. I will go out before sunset."

Lin Yan said this, signaling Chief Clerk Yang to withdraw.

His gaze was cold as he lowered his head to flip through the ancient texts.

He knew clearly that tonight, many forces would be focusing their attention on the matter of city defense, and many would also be looking towards Lin Jiang Ward.

And he, the newly appointed Banner Bearer of Lin Jiang Ward, was undoubtedly now within the scope of attention of various forces.

At this moment, any move he made, any sign of seeking external help, would arouse the speculation of various forces, and even prompt them to intervene!

Perhaps many people would think that he was currently plotting to break the deadlock, and that a battle of wits and courage was inevitable.

In fact, many people had already prepared traps for him.

"For me, tonight's matter, as long as I have a blade in hand, why would I need all these schemes?"

Outside the room, Chief Clerk Yang also felt quite helpless.

Fifth Master had just arrived and was now in such a predicament. All parties were undoubtedly paying attention, and even waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

As a newly appointed Banner Bearer, various factions would naturally question his abilities.

At this moment, Fifth Master should be racking his brains, putting in all his effort to make various arrangements, manage the overall situation, resolve the current crisis, and deter all opposing forces.

But why did it seem like he was just giving up?