Tycoon War God

Lu Shangfeng: ”...”

Lu Shangfeng was startled for a moment, then turned to ask Kong Lin, ”Is this really an instructor from your Divine Machine Camp?”

”The real deal, I guarantee it.”

Kong Lin was both amused and embarrassed. ”My apologies, we’ve made a bit of a fool of ourselves in front of you gentlemen.”

However, Lu Shangfeng wasn’t angry. Instead, he nodded with a gentle expression. ”Young people should have a bit of arrogance, after all.”

After a pause, Lu Shangfeng looked at Lin Mu. ”Young man, wouldn’t you agree?”

Before Lin Mu could speak, another senior officer in a military uniform interjected, ”Lin Mu, you nearly crippled my Wolf Slayer Camp a few days ago. This time, those youngsters are fired up for revenge. You’d better be careful.”

Lin Mu glanced at Kong Lin.

Kong Lin introduced him, ”This is Commander Lu Kai from the Yue Province Military Region. You’d better show some respect, kid.”

Lin Mu nodded and said to Lu Kai, ”The men from the Wolf Slayer Camp are too weak. It was only a matter of time before they were crushed.”

Lu Kai: ”...”

Kong Lin: ”...”

Kong Lin nearly cursed out loud. This is your idea of showing respect, kid? If it weren’t for the crowd and his duties as the host, Kong Lin would have jumped up to teach Lin Mu a lesson himself.

Lu Kai squinted, giving Lin Mu a serious look before saying with a smile, ”Youthful arrogance is a good thing, but not knowing when to rein it in is a bad thing.”

Lu Shangfeng, however, laughed heartily. ”Lu Kai, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, you old fox. Aren’t you just trying to find a helper to avenge your previous loss?”

This remark was clearly a hint for Lin Mu.

Lin Mu gave Lu Shangfeng a slight nod to show his thanks.

Lu Kai didn’t bother to hide it. ”That’s right, I have invited an expert to oversee things. But don’t tell me you all haven’t done the same.”

The other leaders exchanged glances and laughed.

A middle-aged man from the Lanzhou contingent spoke up. ”No matter who we invite, it won’t compare to those from Sichuan-Shu. Commander Lu, don’t you have anything to say?”

His words were directed at Lu Shangfeng.

Lu Shangfeng rolled his eyes. ”Yang, don’t you dare try to drive a wedge between my old friend Xiang and me.”

Xiang Yunlong just grinned, staying out of the conversation.

As they chatted, Lin Mu began to understand the situation. For this year’s grand competition, these old-timers had all brought in powerful experts to back their teams.

Lin Mu also noticed several other people seated on the far side of the stands. Each of them radiated a powerful aura. When Lin Mu looked over, one of the young men even gave him a subtle nod.

Lin Mu returned a smile.

”Alright, it’s about time. Let them go and prepare,” Kong Lin suddenly announced.

Lu Shangfeng and the others nodded, each heading off to discuss tactics with their respective teams.

Meanwhile, Kong Lin signaled for Lin Mu to step aside with him.

”Lin Mu, I assume Zhang Tao already told you?” Kong Lin asked, his expression grim.

Lin Mu nodded.

Kong Lin continued, ”The Military Department has promoted you to Major General. While it’s unconventional, Commander Xiao himself gave the order. So, even if others have their own opinions, no one dares to say much.”

He hesitated for a moment before adding, ”But there’s something you must know. Although the Divine Machine Camp was established during the Ming Dynasty, it was disbanded for a period and only later re-established by Commander Xiao. Under his command, the Divine Machine Camp once shone with immense glory.”

Kong Lin sighed. ”But then Commander Xiao got old. After the Divine Machine Camp was passed on to me, it became more and more forlorn. Although Commander Xiao doesn’t say anything, I know it hurts him more than anyone else.”

”So,” Kong Lin said, his gaze burning as he stared at Lin Mu, ”this time, in the grand competition, we can’t just win. We have to win beautifully and decisively! Do you understand what I mean?”

Faced with Kong Lin’s intense stare, Lin Mu paused for a moment before replying, ”Understood.”

”No, you don’t understand!”

Kong Lin gestured toward the stands. ”Do you know who those people sitting over there are? They are all masters from various regions, all from the military but with incredibly special statuses. They come to observe every major military competition.”

”But this time is different!” Kong Lin said sternly. ”Because of what you did in Yue Province, Commander Lu Kai has brought in a top expert to lead their team.”

”Aside from Lanzhou, Jinan, and the others, you have the teams from the Capital, Sichuan-Shu, and Yue Province. Even I can’t guarantee my chances against the instructors they’ve brought in.”

Kong Lin’s voice was heavy with worry. ”Because of the Yue Province incident, the other commanders are surely holding a grudge, even if they don’t say it aloud. The other major military regions definitely have some animosity toward our Jinan Military Region.”

”And since we’re the hosts, we will definitely be targeted.”

Lin Mu looked at the members of the other military regions, a slight curve forming on his lips.

”What, you don’t believe me?”

Kong Lin shook his head. ”How could I not believe you? The Yue Province incident proved it. The fact that the Divine Machine Camp you trained could crush the Wolf Slayer Camp demonstrates your ability. So even if some people are unhappy, they still respect you. That’s what true strength is!”

”You don’t need to worry about Lu Kai doing anything to you behind the scenes. People who reach that position aren’t the narrow-minded sort. What worries me now is...”

Kong Lin hesitated again. ”I’m afraid that during the competition, they’ll all team up to eliminate us first.”

This was Kong Lin’s greatest fear. Lin Mu’s ability was formidable, and the strength of his Divine Machine Camp was plain to see. But he was afraid they’d be outnumbered and overwhelmed. If the other military regions all ganged up on them at once, how could they possibly fight back?

Lin Mu said, ”Are you worried they’ll use their numbers to bully us?”

Kong Lin gave a bitter smile. ”It’s not a worry; it has happened before. The methods may be dishonorable, but the military competition is treated as a real combat drill. The only difference is that we’re competing in personal strength, not high-tech weaponry!”

”When they decide to gang up, several teams against one, can the Divine Machine Camp withstand it?”

A grin spread across Lin Mu’s face. ”If they really try that, I guarantee they will regret it.”

”Lin Mu, you mustn’t be complacent.” Kong Lin knew Lin Mu’s character all too well: capable, resourceful, and ruthlessly decisive. He would dare to take on all six military regions by himself.

But Kong Lin didn’t have that kind of courage.

Previously, Kong Lin wouldn’t have thought this way. But now, with the Divine Machine Camp being so strong, securing a top-three spot should be easy if they just played it safe and steady. If they were targeted by several other teams, even cracking the top five would be a long shot. The people selected for these special military units were anything but simple characters.

”Don’t worry, I have it under control,” Lin Mu said with a faint smile, trying to reassure him. ”You just sit back and watch. This championship is mine.”

Hearing Lin Mu’s words, Kong Lin felt a wave of unease. You have it under control? That’s the one thing I’m most afraid of hearing you say.