「Half an hour later.」

Zhu Hongming hurried over. When he saw Zhu Qi kneeling on the ground in a pathetic state, he flew into a rage, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

A short while ago, Zhu Qi had called him, admitting he'd caused trouble and that the other party demanded he come personally to give an explanation. This ignited a fire of fury in Zhu Hongming's heart. It had been years since anyone had dared to speak to him that way. Demanding he come personally to offer an apology? The sheer audacity!

But because it was his own grandson, Zhu Hongming had come. He wanted to see who this person was.

With a grim expression, Zhu Hongming's gaze suddenly paused. He spotted Zhu Tao and was instantly overjoyed.

"Tao, you're back?"

This was the pride of the Zhu family. He had joined the military in his teens and, before the age of thirty, had already been promoted to First Lieutenant. Who else could boast such an achievement?

Zhu Tao kept his head down and said nothing. He didn't dare to speak.

Zhu Hongming said with a smile, "Tao, wait for me to handle a few minor things, then we'll go home and catch up."

Zhu Tao's status is sensitive, so there are some things he shouldn't get involved in. I'll handle this myself. he thought.

"Li Dajiao, Zheng Mingye, what is the meaning of this? How dare you lay a hand on my grandson!"

Zhu Hongming pointed at Zhu Qi. "Zhu Qi is my grandson, don't you know that? You need to give me an explanation for this!"

"Grandfather..."

Just as Zhu Tao started to speak, Zhu Hongming waved him off. "Tao, don't you worry. I can resolve a small matter like this."

After all, the Zhu family was a prestigious clan!

"Family Head Zhu, there's more to this situation..." Li Dajiao's expression changed. Just as he was about to explain, Zhu Hongming snorted coldly.

"More to it? I don't care what there is. You dared to touch my grandson. If you don't give me a proper explanation for this, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Zhu Hongming walked toward Zhu Qi. "Little Qi, speak. Who did this to you? Say it boldly. Grandfather will stand up for you!"

Zhu Hongming held a very high reputation in Jiangling. In recent years, however, he had retreated from the limelight, content to raise fish and tend to his flowers at home, paying little attention to the outside world. But anyone who knew him knew he was an autocratic and ruthless man. Combined with the Zhu family's considerable local power, everyone had to give him some face. When he said he would stand up for Zhu Qi, it meant he would not let the matter rest.

"Grandfather, I..." Zhu Qi glanced at Lin Mu.

Just as he was about to speak, Zhu Hongming's gaze shot toward Lin Mu. "Little Qi, was it him?"

Believing he understood everything, Zhu Hongming said coldly, "Boy, was it you who told me to come and give you an explanation? You certainly have a lot of nerve!"

"I've always had a lot of nerve. You have a problem with that?" Lin Mu replied with a faint smile. He was starting to get a good read on this Zhu Hongming.

Domineering, aggressive, and condescending.

Very good. Lin Mu loved to crush people like this!

"I don't know who gave you this confidence, but let me make myself clear today," Zhu Hongming said arrogantly, his hands clasped behind his back. "Right now. Immediately. Kneel and apologize to my grandson. Then, break your own legs, go to the gates of Jiangling City, and kneel to beg for forgiveness."

"Only then might you be allowed to live," Zhu Hongming added with a sinister smile. "Of course, you can refuse, but I doubt you can bear the consequences."

"Hahaha, I'd love to see if these consequences you speak of are as unbearable as you claim," Lin Mu laughed loudly before his tone turned indifferent. "Old man, you're far too arrogant. In this entire world, no one has ever dared to speak to me like that."

"My Zhu family is comparable to any great clan. How can a mere boy like you hope to contend with me?"

Zhu Hongming's eyes then fell on Xie Dingtian, who was standing behind Lin Mu. He shook his head and chuckled. "I was wondering where you, this little beast, got your gall from. So, it turns out you have Xie Tuzi backing you. No wonder, no wonder."

Stroking his beard, Zhu Hongming shook his head again. "But unfortunately for you, that is not nearly enough capital for you to act so brazenly in front of me!"

Hearing Zhu Hongming's words, everyone present wore a peculiar expression. This man was so used to being arrogant and overbearing, did he really think he was all-powerful? Unfortunately for him, he had truly met his match today.

"Whether I have the capital or not isn't for you to decide," Lin Mu said, glancing at Zhu Tao. "Tell him if I have it."

Just as Zhu Tao was about to speak, Zhu Hongming sneered, "My Tao is a dragon among men, a vital general of the nation. How could he possibly know a mere mortal like you? Asking him is just asking for humiliation."

Zhu Tao's mouth fell open. He stared blankly at his grandfather, a roar filling his mind as his entire body went weak.

"Grandfather, he... he's my superior officer," Zhu Tao managed to force the words out. "My rank is lower than his."

He felt that if he didn't speak now, his grandfather would offend Lin Mu beyond any hope of redemption.

"No wonder, no wonder. Since he is your..." Zhu Hongming's words caught in his throat, as if a hand had suddenly seized his neck. He choked out, "Tao, you said... he's your superior?"

Zhu Tao nodded.

The color drained from Zhu Hongming's face. He cried out in disbelief, "How is that possible? That's absolutely impossible!"

"Grandfather, it's true." Zhu Tao sighed, handing his grandfather a military ID. "This is his identification. He's a Colonel!"

"This..." Zhu Hongming staggered back several steps, his face a deathly white. "This isn't real! It's a fake!"

An idea lit up Zhu Hongming's eyes. "Tao, fake IDs like this are a dime a dozen on the street. You can get one made for a little bit of money."

Zhu Tao was also taken aback.

Could it really be fake?

To be honest, he didn't want to believe it either. After all, Lin Mu was too young. Besides, even if it were real, he had never heard the name Lin Mu. The number of personnel in the seven major military regions wasn't small, but it wasn't unmanageably large either. Furthermore, each military region's ID had unique markings, and Lin Mu's was from the Jinan Military Region.

Colonel Lin Mu of the Jinan Military Region? There's no such person in my memory! So, Grandpa's right! This has to be a fake!

"I knew something felt off. So it was a fake!" Zhu Tao's expression darkened as he clenched the ID, glaring at Lin Mu. "Do you realize that forging a military officer's ID is a serious crime? If you don't give me a reasonable explanation today, I have the authority to execute you on the spot!"

The humiliation from that kick, compounded by the disgrace his brother had suffered, sent Zhu Tao into a burning rage. It seemed if Lin Mu didn't provide an explanation, he really would act.

"Tao, you may be a first lieutenant now and have spent years in the service, but you still have very little experience with the ways of the world," Zhu Hongming said with a gentle smile. "In society today, this kind of thing is common. Many people forge credentials to swindle and deceive. It's understandable."

"However, this young man's luck ran out today. This is a classic case of an impostor running into the real deal. He'll have no one to blame but himself for what's coming."

Hearing this, Zhu Tao subconsciously nodded. Just as he was about to speak, a group of people suddenly approached.

Zhu Hongming recognized two of them. One was Fei Xiang, the Mayor of Jiangling. Behind him stood an older man: Jiang Weiguo, the top official of Handong Province! Following them was a large contingent of men in military uniforms, all armed with live ammunition.

He didn't recognize the middle-aged man at the front who looked like a commander, but anyone standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Fei Xiang and Jiang Weiguo couldn't possibly have a low status.

"Mayor Fei, Governor Jiang, you're here as well?" Assuming they had come for him, Zhu Hongming was pleasantly surprised. "I can't believe this matter has troubled you both. I am deeply grateful. Once this is over, I will host a banquet at my home to properly toast you all."

Fei Xiang paused, looking baffled. "What does this have to do with you? I'm here to see Instructor Lin."

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