Evil Wind Rises [Bonus Chapter]

The results of the martial demonstration at the Royal Hunting Ground seemed to have sprouted wings, spreading through Heaven Dou City's upper circles in an incredibly short time.

"Heavenly Wolf General Lin Jin," "Azure Dragon Will," "Array in the East, Azure Dragon Listen to Orders," "Hundred People Break Formation," "Young Protector of the Crown Prince"...

For a time, these terms became the hottest topic of discussion after meals in noble estates and military and political departments alike.

After that legendary martial demonstration, Lin Jin's prestige reached an unprecedented height.

He was no longer merely a young general who had been parachuted in on the strength of his Northern Border military achievements, but a truly formidable figure with terrifying strength and the power to influence the situation.

Crown Prince's Mansion, Secret Chamber.

Qian Renxue had already removed her disguise as Xue Qinghe. Her exquisite face carried a trace of weariness, along with deep contemplation.

Pufferfish and Snake Lance exchanged glances. The atmosphere in the Secret Chamber was somewhat heavy.

"Your Highness, after this battle, Lin Jin has revealed all his sharpness. He is no longer someone who can be confined to a small pond. Can such a rebellious Youngster truly be used by us?" Pufferfish was the first to cautiously probe.

Snake Lance Douluo added with a trace of concern in his tone, "Indeed. This Person's Martial Soul potential, terrifying military talent, and unpredictable strategies... if we cannot completely control him, he may become a Great Trouble."

"I fear that Miss..."

Snake Lance Douluo did not dare continue. He had originally wanted to say that Lin Jin's Martial Soul talent might rival Miss's, but he did not dare say it.

Qian Renxue raised her hand and stopped him from continuing.

She walked to the window, gazing at the heavy night outside as she slowly said, "His scheming, methods, and strength all prove that I did not misjudge him back then."

"But as you said, perhaps I misjudged him again. He has exceeded my expectations by far."

"But I trust my instincts. Since he dared make that promise, he is not someone who would break his word. Besides, when have we ever mistreated his Younger Sister these past few years?"

"More importantly, the stronger he becomes, the more Strength he gives us in seizing the throne, does he not?"

"Let him do as he pleases. I want to see just how great a storm he can stir up."

"If he harbors other intentions, do not forget that we are Spirit Hall!"

"Yes, Young Lady!" Seeing this, Pufferfish and Snake Lance no longer worried.

Because in their hearts, Spirit Hall was something no one could shake!

Prince's Mansion, study.

Bang! A valuable porcelain piece was smashed viciously onto the floor, fragments flying everywhere.

Prince Xue Xing's face was livid, his chest heaving violently, his eyes filled with rage and humiliation.

"Trash! All of you are trash! Odysseus is a useless old fool too! He cannot even handle a Youngster!" he roared in a low voice, his words twisted by fury.

The Butler and several confidants stood silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to make a sound.

"Lin Jin... Lin Jin!" Prince Xue Xing ground out the name through clenched teeth. "This King and you are irreconcilable!"

Hearing those voices outside made Prince Xue Xing furious beyond measure. Not only had his suppression failed, he had instead become a stepping stone for Lin Jin's prestige.

How could a Prince possibly endure such a thing?

He took several deep breaths and forced himself to calm down, a sinister light flashing in his eyes. "Is he not arrogant? Does he not have His Majesty backing him? Fine. This King wants to see whether he can remain so smooth-sailing forever!"

"Your Highness, what do you mean?" one confidant asked carefully.

Prince Xue Xing sneered. "Go. Secretly contact those dissatisfied with Lin Jin, especially that old fool Odysseus. Though he lost, his influence in the army still remains."

"Also, investigate for This King! Find out whether Lin Jin left behind any dirty loose ends in the Northern Border. And while he was there, he killed a Northern Territory Commander from the Star Luo Empire. The Star Luo Empire's Military Department hates him to the bone. It would be best if Star Luo killed Lin Jin."

"Yes!"

Qin Yue's words were proving ever more valuable. An Evil Wind was on its way.

Fifth Detachment Garrison, Commander's Barracks.

Compared to the surging Hidden currents outside, Lin Jin's side was unusually calm.

"A Tu, write to Colonel Lei Ke. Have him bring two thousand Blood Blades back to Heaven Dou for reassignment. Matters concerning the Northern Border Blood Blades will temporarily be managed by Tie Shan."

"Yes, General!"

"Shadow, from now on, keep Prince Xue Xing under ruthless surveillance. I believe he is beside himself with rage right now. He will definitely expose some weakness."

As soon as Lin Jin finished speaking, one Shadow vanished from the Barracks.

"The warning has only just begun!" After giving all his orders, Lin Jin revealed an unfathomable smile.

Then Lin Jin stepped onto the High Platform at the Training Ground and looked at the roughly eight thousand remaining City Defense Force soldiers.

"Congratulations," Lin Jin began. His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly throughout the entire Training Ground. "You have passed my initial test and remained here."

"This proves that you are not hopeless trash, at the very least. It proves that deep in your Bones, you still possess the fighting spirit that refuses to fall behind and longs to earn merit and establish yourselves!"

His words were blunt and sharp, like a blade cutting open the resentment buried deep in many hearts.

"I know that many of you have stayed here for years. Perhaps your edges have long been worn away, and you have grown accustomed to muddling through your days. But I am telling you, those days end today!" Lin Jin's voice abruptly rose, carrying an unquestionable resolve.

"I, Lin Jin, have no need for soldiers who merely eat and wait to die! What I want is a Tiger and Wolf Army that can follow me to earn merit, win honors, and bring glory to their wives and children! An iron-blooded force that can make enemies tremble at the very mention of its name!"

He paused, allowing his words to echo in everyone's heart.

"Yesterday, you saw how my Personal Guard, the Blood Blades, fought. Many of you may think they were born strong, that they are special." Lin Jin changed his tone. "But I am telling you, most of them, three years ago or five years ago, were just like you. Some may even have been worse than you! They are where they are today because they endured training more brutal than you can imagine, because they seized every opportunity to grow stronger, because they dared to fight, dared to kill, and dared to stake their lives on it!"

"And now, the opportunity lies right before you!" Lin Jin's voice was filled with passion and power. "I will give you the strictest training, the best equipment, and the fairest opportunities! As long as you work hard enough and fight hard enough, you can become just as strong as them! Even stronger!"

"Do you want to remain Miscellaneous Soldiers in the City Defense Force, bullied by everyone, or become members of the Blood Blades—men others respect, men your families can be proud of, men the Empire relies upon?" Lin Jin posed a question that struck at their souls. "The choice is in your own hands!"

The Training Ground fell silent, with only heavy breathing rising and falling.

In the eyes of many Soldiers, a fire began to burn—a fire long suppressed, called "ambition" and "hope."

"From today onward, the Fifth Detachment abolishes the old system!" Lin Jin's voice was like thunder, announcing a new beginning. "I will introduce a new training program and implement a new system of rewards and punishments! The capable rise, the mediocre fall! Those who earn merit will be greatly rewarded, while those who fear battle will be severely punished! Here, only Strength matters, not seniority!"

"Now, tell me your answer!" Lin Jin swept his gaze across the crowd, his voice shaking the four directions. "Will you choose to fight like men and strive for fame and achievement, or will you take your Severance Pay now, crawl home, and continue being the turtles hiding in your shells?!"

After a brief silence.

"We are willing to follow the General! To earn merit and establish ourselves!" someone shouted first.

Then, as if a powder keg had been ignited:

"We are willing to follow the General!"

"Earn merit and establish ourselves!"

"We are not trash!"

"Heaven Dou will triumph! The General will triumph!!"