CHAPTER 991: CHAPTER 468: TRIAL

Very soon, Noshan found Lu Hong and informed him about the conversation with Bu Sheng and Konstantin.

After listening to Noshan’s narration, Lu Hong also furrowed his brows tightly. He wasn’t foolish and could naturally foresee the severe consequences this matter could bring.

"Someone come! Invite Commander Yang Lin to come over to me!"

Yang Lin was the fifth department commander appointed by Lu Hong, this Star Lord. Speaking of authority, he held the same level as Xie’an and the other four commanders, so Duke Noshan did not have the power to summon Yang Lin for questioning; only Lu Hong could do this, following the rules.

Very soon, Yang Lin arrived at Lu Hong’s residence.

"Minister Yang Lin greets the Star Lord." Yang Lin bowed deeply.

"Commander Yang, no need for formalities. Come! Sit!" Lu Hong waved, indicating Yang Lin to come a bit closer to him.

Yang Lin was clueless about being called here. With only Lu Hong and Noshan present, he felt a bit uneasy. Being summoned alone must mean there was something important to discuss with him?

"May I ask if there’s a matter for which the Star Lord summoned me?"

"Yes." Lu Hong nodded, a serious expression on his face, "Have you heard of some recent rumors in Lin’an?"

"Rumors?" Yang Lin indeed had no idea. Recently, he had been focused on the reorganization and training plans for his fifth department, largely ignoring external affairs.

Yang Lin shook his head in confusion, "Reporting to the Star Lord, I am unaware."

To which Lu Hong nodded, "In that case, let Duke Noshan explain to Commander Yang some of the rumors circulating in Lin’an World recently."

"Alright." Noshan nodded and then looked at Yang Lin.

Yang Lin instinctively felt something was wrong, possibly related to him, but he truly had no knowledge of recent events and could only brace himself, saying, "Please, Duke Noshan, enlighten me."

Noshan did not continue with pleasantries and opened his mouth, "Commander Yang, recently a large number of Scavengers and adventurers have flooded into Lin’an, bringing the latest news from the Constant Domain, such as the Plum Mountain assembly, rumors that Star Sea is a spy of the Eighteen Realms planted in the Constant Domain, and also that the major worlds of the Constant Domain are about to form an army to attack Star Sea."

"What?!" Hearing Noshan’s account, Yang Lin was also shocked, his expression stunned, "Star Sea is a spy of the Eighteen Realms?!"

Well, this Yang Lin indeed knows how to grasp the main point.

Lu Hong carefully assessed Yang Lin’s heartbeat and blood flow at this moment, confirming that he truly would not have known about this news.

Then Lu Hong spoke, "Commander Yang, my Star Sea is not a spy of the Eighteen Realms. Previously, when the Eighteen Realms invaded the northern frontier of the Constant Domain, it was I and the Star Sea Ancestor who forced them to withdraw from the Constant Domain. I hope you can believe this."

Upon hearing Lu Hong’s words, Yang Lin nodded. Now, whether he believed or not, he had to believe. If he dared to express any doubt now, Yang Lin had reason to suspect whether he could even leave through this door. Moreover, Lu Hong had no reason to deceive him. With the King of the Mountain not overseeing Lin’an, it wasn’t that difficult to control; it just required more time and cost more blood. Star Sea could completely handle it without needing to deceive him like this.

"I understand, this is a villain’s scheme." Yang Lin quickly figured out the crux of it, stating, "These three pieces of news are interconnected, intending to overwhelm Star Sea in public opinion, creating internal conflicts and divisions within our Star Sea."

Star Sea doesn’t only have its main department. The Tianwu Department and Lin’an Department originally belonged to the Constant Domain; these people have a deep affection for the Constant Domain’s homeland, so why would they allow outsiders to disrupt the Constant Domain’s stability?

Therefore, the emergence of these three pieces of news is bound to cause swings in the Tianwu Department and Lin’an Department, and even the three main departments of Star Sea might be significantly affected.

The more Yang Lin thought about it, the more alarmed he became, "Star Lord, this is likely an enemy’s plot, and this matter must be handled promptly and properly, or it will affect our internal stability in Star Sea and lead to losses in the subsequent war."

Yang Lin was now in the same boat as Star Sea. Who else could he support if not Star Sea? The Alliance invading his home?

With the Heavenly God no longer presiding over Lin’an, if Yang Lin sought illicit deals, once the Constant Domain Alliance defeated Star Sea, Lin’an World could not possibly be returned to him; it would surely be forcibly occupied by a Great World within the Constant Domain Alliance. At that point, relying on the King of the Mountain would be worthless; he would likely lose his life. At best, he would work under someone’s thumb.

Everyone is a worker; Star Sea offers a higher status than any other place. Yang Lin understood this clearly.

"Yes." Noshan confirmed Yang Lin’s view, saying, "Therefore, we need Commander Yang’s help."

"Should Duke Noshan have any tasks, Yang shall assist with all his strength!" Yang Lin solemnly promised.

Upon hearing this, Noshan laughed heartily, "This is exactly what the old man was waiting to hear from Commander Yang."

As he spoke, Noshan handed over a note.

"Commander Yang, this note records the individuals in Yang’s army who have recently been in close contact with those foreign Scavengers and adventurers. Many of them have even harbored these outsiders in their homes. These individuals should have been directly dealt with by our Star Sea Investigation Department, but considering the current situation in Lin’an, there’s concern for unnecessary unrest, so no arrests have been made. However, to resolve this matter, the list on this note requires Commander Yang’s thorough handling."

Noshan made it clear that it was not they who were unable to deal with it, but rather a gesture of respect, giving Yang Lin the chance to handle it himself.

Yang Lin nodded, "Thank you, Duke Noshan, for the reminder. Without your information, I honestly wouldn’t have known that there were such traitors within my Yang family army!"

Looking at the names one by one on the list, these were all soldiers he had brought up, starting from small soldiers, becoming essential generals within the Yang family army. If Star Sea’s investigation department had directly made arrests, it could have provoked resistance within the Yang family army, making it difficult to resolve.

With a heavy heart after skimming through the eighteen names on the list, Yang Lin couldn’t comprehend why these most loyal soldiers of the Yang family would secretly liaise with foreign enemies, undermining the peace hard-won in Lin’an.

Taking a deep breath, Yang Lin cupped his hands towards Lu Hong and Noshan, "Star Lord, Duke Noshan, this is a matter of great importance that requires prompt resolution. However, the individuals on this list hold key positions within my Yang family army. While I can address this, should they truly harbor treasonous intent, inciting a mutiny, I’m afraid Yang will find it difficult to contain swiftly. Thus, I request that you provide assistance, sirs."

Noshan nodded, "Investigation Department’s Master Guerbash and Master Poison will cooperate with your investigation. If manpower is insufficient, Commander Yang can directly request personnel from the investigation department; they will fully support you."

"Thank you!" Yang Lin nodded. In fact, whether one or two assistants joined made little difference to Yang Lin; his words were merely to seek fairness and impartiality. He knew the characters on the list well, having watched their growth, so he didn’t believe many of them would betray. However, there might be errors from the investigation department, hence he couldn’t bypass them and investigate independently. Even if it turned out they hadn’t betrayed, it would seem like protection.

Asking Noshan for personnel was Yang Lin’s way of ensuring a fair process, showing everyone he was impartially upholding the law without bias.

Noshan understood Yang Lin’s meaning and casually assigned two formidable experts. However, in Noshan’s view, surveillance was secondary—more importantly, he needed these two experts to handle any difficulties Yang Lin faced, like eliminating those who had already betrayed Star Sea.

"Alright, Commander Yang still needs to handle this matter swiftly. I hope you can resolve it within six days, can you?" Lu Hong gave a deadline, explaining that in six days, he and Noshan would depart for Plum Mountain.

Upon hearing this, Yang Lin nodded and bowed, "I will not fail the Star Lord’s command!"

Quickly, Yang Lin left the Lu Hong Mansion, returning to the plane he controlled, where Guerbash and Poison also sought him out.

"Commander Yang, we have been ordered by the investigation department to assist with your case. Should you need anything, please instruct us as you decide."