Zhu Lie felt a deep sigh within his heart. If he had known of Ye Longlin's current achievements back then, even the Ye family itself would have personally pursued and eliminated him, rather than just issuing a bounty.
However, who could truly predict the future?
Zhu Lie remained silent, gritting his teeth.
Seeing this, Zhu Jun's anger surged. This person, around his own age, was the legendary Dragon Lord? Moreover, his own grandfather seemed like a child who had misbehaved in front of him, acting submissively and not daring to show the slightest hint of disrespect.
This…
"This matter is already settled. Furthermore, the military academy needs its reputation. If this incident were to be exposed, it would be a blow to the academy as well."
Zhu Lie spoke with difficulty. In the presence of this individual, no one could remain calm, let alone someone who had once pursued Ye Longlin.
Ye Longlin looked at the delicacies on the table and sniffed the wine in his cup, hinting, "Without Military's Lie, have a cup of tea to calm your temper."
Zhu Lie's mouth twitched. He quickly instructed Zhu Jun, "Serve the tea."
Zhu Jun was indignant, "Why should I serve him tea? He's clearly here to cause trouble. Must we treat him like a honored guest? Our Zhu family is a renowned name in the military. Even if he is the Dragon Lord, so what? Even the Dragon Lord cannot act against us, defying the military's supreme authority. If he takes action against us, it will surely wound the hearts of many soldiers. With morale scattered, even he, the Dragon Lord, will be nailed to the pillar of shame!"
As soon as these words left his mouth, Zhu Lie's face turned ashen. His hair stood on end. He quickly apologized, "My grandson is young and ignorant. Please forgive him."
Youngster?
Zhu Jun's mouth twitched. He felt an unnamed fire churning within him. To be dismissed as a mere child by a stranger of similar age, a grown man in his early twenties preparing to join the military, would make anyone uncomfortable. Thus, a surge of unspoken rage rose within him, and he muttered in a low voice, "Grandfather, what are you talking about? I'm not a child anymore!"
Zhu Lie's anger intensified. He turned and slapped Zhu Jun across the face, glaring fiercely at him.
"You scoundrel! In his eyes, you're not even considered a child. Behave yourself, shut your mouth, and stop looking around!"
Zhu Jun: "..."
Zhu Jun was stunned. In his memory, his grandfather had never hit him before. This was the first time. Finally, he realized that this was not a matter he could handle. He immediately shut his mouth and remained silent. Only the five finger marks on his face revealed that he had spoken disrespectfully to Ye Longlin and had been slapped by his grandfather.
Feeling wronged, Zhu Jun entered the room and soon brought a cup of tea, placing it respectfully before Ye Longlin without a word.
Ye Longlin took a sip, waiting for Zhu Lie's explanation.
Zhu Lie's body trembled slightly. He glanced at Yu Yuan beside him, noting his pale face and vacant eyes.
The Lord of the Dragon Pavilion could easily dismiss an old academic from the military academy. What concerned Zhu Lie was whether General Li Mingyuan, an old general of the Dragon Pavilion, had exaggerated the situation when speaking to Ye Longlin. This was no ordinary person! Furthermore, he didn't care about his reputation and killed based purely on his whims. Such a person was the most troublesome. If he didn't kill your entire family, it simply meant he was in a good mood at the time.
"Today is also a joyous occasion for my Zhu family. Could we perhaps have this family banquet first, and then have a private gathering later?" Zhu Lie asked tentatively, feeling both fear and helplessness towards this person, but more so, fearing that he might be in a bad mood and contemplating how to annihilate his entire family.
*Bang!*
Ye Longlin's hand holding the tea tray trembled, and the teacup fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. The crisp sound echoed in everyone's ears, like a thunderclap. Zhu Lie, already under immense psychological pressure, recoiled four or five steps due to his fear, his body also trembling. His behavior, like a startled bird, left everyone present dumbfounded.
"You..."
Sensing his own loss of composure, his rapid breathing betrayed his inner turmoil. Especially since Zhu Lie, who had retreated four or five steps, now had to obediently stand forward again.
Ye Longlin sneered, "Can you handle it?"
Zhu Lie's expression turned grim, and he remained silent, gritting his teeth.
Ye Longlin shook his head helplessly. "I am here, first, because you insulted my Dragon Pavilion's retired soldiers, tampered with scores, and interfered with the national examination."
"The second matter is your pursuit of me back then."
Zhu Lie's pupils contracted instantly. After a long while, he seemed to have lost all his spirit and energy, wilting in an instant.
"I admit that I used improper means in some matters to secure my grandson's future. The pursuit of you back then was under the Ye family's bounty order, and I had no choice but to act."
"I implore the Dragon Clan to show mercy, considering my many contributions to Great Xia and my voluntary confession!"
At this point, Zhu Lie feared that further resistance would bring disaster upon his family. These two matters were his doing, and had no relation to anyone else in the Zhu family. The Zhu family must not be ruined through him.
Ye Longlin looked at the empty tea tray without speaking, but this already indicated his stance. Zhu Lie's composure completely shattered. His eyes widened, bloodshot, and his voice filled with indignation, "Ye Longlin, don't push your luck too far!"
Li Mingyuan stepped forward with his son at this moment and said with a cold laugh, "Back then, when you tampered with my son's test papers, did you ever imagine today would come? The one who has been pushing his luck has always been you, Zhu Lie!"
Zhu Lie: "..."
Zhu Lie finally yielded, his knees hitting the ground with a thud. "This old man can be at your disposal, but I hope you will spare the Zhu family. Consider… the decades of comradeship."
Ye Longlin pondered for a moment, "Very well, but your high-ranking officials in the Zhu family must pay a price for this. For the rest to live, it will be what you exchange for half your military service."
Hearing this suddenly, everyone present was shocked. But upon reflection, the decision rested with the Lord of the Dragon Pavilion. According to normal logic, those in high positions usually valued their reputation and could find a balance point through various considerations. However, Ye Longlin, in his high position, did not cherish his own wings at all. Instead, he often directly caused the entire line to collapse amidst various factions. This was his method of dealing with matters! The word "kill" was embodied perfectly in him.
"Since the wooden box contained knives, what is in the square box?" Zhu Lie asked with intense curiosity. The second item had not yet emerged.
Li Mingyuan patted Li Xuan's shoulder, signaling him to present the square box. The square box slowly opened, revealing a square seal with a three-dimensional sculpture of a Qilin! The Heavenly King's Seal, suppressing the military's fortune in this era!