CHAPTER 769: 190、DIVINE CONTRACTOR

"President."

The sound of singing mingled with voices created a noisy din inside the hall. A man in a suit quickly walked up to Lin’s father, bent down and whispered in his ear, "Both the front and back doors of New World have been sealed off by a large number of troops, no one is allowed to leave."

Lin’s father furrowed his brow and said, "Understood."

Lin Yue glanced over but did not ask further. Although the hall was quite noisy, with his keen hearing, he still caught the words spoken by his father’s secretary.

"President Lin."

The short, fat, bald man sitting at the nearby table had obviously also received the news. He spoke in a lowered voice, "This Marshal Lu is so domineering, I fear his appetite is not small. Does President Lin know if Old Master Zhou has any arrangements?"

President Lin replied softly, "Don’t worry, Old Master Zhou is a renowned figure in the Southwest and has personally come here. Naturally, he’s confident."

"Indeed, indeed."

The short, fat, bald man breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, and with a hint of self-reassurance echoed, "Even a powerful dragon cannot oppress the local snake. Old Master Zhou has been operating here in Yihai City for over twenty years, deeply rooted. All the warlords of the Southwest region have to give face to Old Master Zhou. Marshal Lu certainly wouldn’t dare to take him lightly..."

Old Master Zhou?

Lin Yue took an intrigued glance at the table in the corner. The old man over fifty with grizzled hair, dressed in an outdated long gown, with a kind face, was surely Old Master Zhou, the most powerful figure in Yihai City.

However, what interested Lin Yue was the person sitting opposite Old Master Zhou.

Old Master Zhou, with his old feudal thinking, would never allow a servant to sit at the same table. Yet, that person sat casually opposite him, clearly given great respect.

What was important was that Lin Yue sensed from that person a mysterious aura enveloped by a will that transcended the Mortal.

This was something he had never encountered before.

"Interesting..."

Lin Yue slightly raised his eyebrows. "A Contractor?"

After a while, guests began to arrive en masse, and the reserved seats in the hall had been mostly occupied. The music and dancing gradually came to a halt.

And then, Marshal Lu finally made his appearance, surrounded by a group of soldiers in blue uniforms, he walked onto the stage.

Marshal Lu was over forty, with the ruggedness characteristic of Northern Territory men, clearly weathered by the elements, yet his gaze was extremely sharp. Standing on the stage, he swept his eyes over the many guests, and the whole hall fell silent.

"I have long heard of the prosperity and hospitality of Yihai City. Coveting it for a long time, I have thus brought my brothers from the military over, traveling miles to intrude. My apologies for the discourtesy."

Marshal Lu said sincerely, "Today, I’m hosting a banquet for you all as a gesture of goodwill. Since you all have given me this honor by coming, we naturally celebrate with open arms."

As he spoke, his tone suddenly turned cold, "As for those who failed to attend, I presume they do not welcome us and do not wish to give me this honor. In that case, they are enemies of our military."

He glanced at his aide and said indifferently, "Pass my order, for the guests who are not present today, deploy troops immediately to annihilate them, seize their properties."

The guests below the stage were stunned upon hearing this.

Just for not attending the banquet, all would be annihilated?

This...wasn’t this too tyrannical?

However, since Old Master Zhou, the most influential person in Yihai City, did not speak up, no one else dared to say anything.

After all, tens of thousands of soldiers were stationed within Yihai City – who would dare to provoke them?

"Everyone, no need to panic."

Marshal Lu revealed a trace of a smile and said, "I am ruthless to my enemies, but naturally, it is different with friends. I hope to live in Yihai City with you all in the future, and I hope we can defend against foreign enemies together, preserving a sanctuary amidst this chaotic world."

It was clear to everyone that he was first issuing a threat before making polite remarks; there was bound to be a twist, so naturally, no one applauded his speech.

"Unfortunately, my forces have fought from Beijing all the way to Yihai City, encountering countless battles, large and small, with many casualties and severe depletion of military supplies."

Marshal Lu lamented, "I would very much like to stand with you all in defense of Yihai City, but we lack the Silver Coin to wage war, our capabilities are insufficient. Fortunately, I’ve long heard that Yihai City is wealthy and prosperous, and all of you are prominent figures here. I hereby earnestly request your support with Silver Coin to replenish our military strength. This is also for the safety of Yihai City, and I trust you will not be stingy."

The many guests below the stage sighed to themselves, as expected, he was here for money.

"Marshal Lu."

A somewhat hoarse elderly voice rang out, and it was Old Master Zhou who had spoken.

"Support with Silver Coin? I wonder how much Silver Coin does Marshal Lu plan to have Yihai City support?"

Old Master Zhou looked calmly at Marshal Lu.

"So it’s Senior Master Zhou."

Marshal Lu smiled and said, "I have come in haste, only getting a brief understanding of your wealth, and have not calculated specifically how much is needed. Let’s calculate it now, one household at a time."

While speaking, he turned to the closest guest below the stage and said, "May I know how much Manager Chen is willing to support?"

Manager Chen’s forehead was covered in cold sweat, and through gritted teeth, he said, "I am willing to contribute 10,000 silver dollars as military pay to support Marshal Lu!"

"10,000 silver dollars?"

Marshal Lu’s eyes suddenly turned icy, "I’ve heard that Manager Chen’s tobacco business is prospering, yet you’re only willing to contribute 10,000 silver dollars. Could it be that you consider our military as mere beggars passing by?"

No sooner had he finished speaking, the soldiers behind him aimed their guns at Manager Chen in unison.

Terrified out of his wits, Manager Chen turned deathly pale and said through clenched teeth, "I mean no offense, would Marshal Lu kindly name his price?"