Chapter 71: An Arrow Piercing the Clouds

Chen Mu replied with a gentle smile, “Master Lin, you are too gracious. I have come today to inspect the private soldiers. I wonder if you have already reduced their number in accordance with the new regulations?”

Lin Ye beamed with delight as he answered, “Ah, Your Highness, in the past, times were turbulent and bandits roamed unchecked. Great families like ours had no choice but to recruit private troops for our own protection. But now, thanks to Your Highness’s sweeping reforms, the realm is at peace. Where would we need private soldiers now? All the private troops of the Lin family have already been dismissed, saving us quite a sum.”

Chen Mu smiled to himself. If Lin Ye truly wished to cut costs, why hadn’t he disbanded his soldiers earlier? Why wait for the imperial decree? Clearly, Lin Ye was not as innocent as he appeared.

“Very well, thank you for your cooperation, Master Lin. If all the family heads and officials in the land were as cooperative as you, peace would reign everywhere.”

“Let us proceed with the inspection, then.”

Lin Ye, his face wreathed in smiles, replied, “Of course, Your Highness, please follow me.”

Lin Ye led the way, Chen Mu followed, and together they toured the entirety of the Lin family manor. Chen Mu was not the only one conducting the inspection; the guards accompanying him were all seasoned soldiers, well versed in recognizing the telltale signs of trained private troops. Over the past days, following Chen Mu, they had already uncovered many private soldiers disguised as servants.

As they moved through the manor, they scrutinized the servants’ physiques and demeanors, but found no evidence of trained soldiers among them. They also checked the storerooms inside and outside the Lin residence, yet found no weapons or armor.

Chen Mu stroked his chin and nodded. “Impressive, Master Lin. It seems you truly have dismissed all your private troops.”

Lin Ye breathed a sigh of relief. He had truly feared Chen Mu would force a charge upon him, which would ruin all his plans.

“Your Highness, how could I dare deceive you? Since there are no issues with private soldiers, you must be tired from the inspection. If you do not mind the humble fare of my household, would you honor us with a drink in the main hall?”

Chen Mu replied, “Very well. Since you have so warmly invited me, I shall accept.”

Lin Ye was delighted. “Please, Your Highness, this way!”

Chen Mu and his attendants followed Lin Ye into the hall. The servants brought out the prepared wine and dishes. Then, the maid beside Chen Mu produced her tools and tested each dish for poison.

After the inspection, she nodded to Chen Mu, indicating all was safe.

Chen Mu spoke a few words in the dialect of Dongyue, then turned to Lin Ye with a smile. “My father always urges me to be cautious, so I am compelled to test for poison before eating. It is rather troublesome, I admit. Please forgive me, Master Lin.”

Lin Ye waved off the concern. “Your Highness possesses a life worth its weight in gold; such precautions are only right. Come, allow me to offer you a toast!”

The two exchanged pleasantries as they drank and ate. Lin Ye was unconcerned by the poison testing, for he had never intended to use poison. His weapon was something else entirely.

After a while, the hot dishes cooled. Servants entered with fresh dishes, removing those that had grown cold. One servant rounded a corner, handed off the tray, and quietly slipped into a room. He approached the bed, lifted the board beneath it, and whispered, “The time has come. Come out, all of you.”

A sudden rush of movement followed as five hundred private soldiers emerged, clad in leather armor. Some held sabers, others axes, and many bore shields in their other hand. Clearly, Lin Ye had spared no expense; these troops, their equipment, and the secret tunnels all represented a significant investment.

Meanwhile, back in the main hall, Lin Ye watched as the servant left and began to count the minutes. His gaze lingered almost casually on the white jade wine cup beside him. He had spent a great deal on this set, and felt a pang of reluctance as he looked at it.

Chen Mu had been watching Lin Ye closely. The moment he caught that look, he understood. He spoke a few words in Dongyue to one of the maids, who nodded and stepped out into the courtyard.

Lin Ye paid her little mind, continuing his conversation with Chen Mu. When he saw the servants bring in more cold dishes, Lin Ye suddenly seized the jade cup and smashed it hard against the floor.

Immediately, the cabinet doors on either side of the hall flew open and a group of private soldiers rushed out, surrounding Lin Ye protectively. At the same time, more soldiers stormed in from the courtyard, confronting Chen Mu’s guards.

Chen Mu smiled, “Lin Ye, you are truly audacious.”

Lin Ye threw his head back and laughed. “Hahaha… Chen Mu, you forced my hand!”

Chen Mu replied, “Even if you kill me, what then? Do you think you’ll escape unscathed?”

Lin Ye retorted, “Once I kill you here, I’ll march out with my troops. My entire family has already been placed under the protection of the Yin Tang Organization. What do I have to fear?”

Chen Mu sneered, “Leave? The whole realm belongs to the king. Where do you think you can run?”

Lin Ye sneered right back, “You know nothing of the true power of the Yin Tang Organization. Countless great families have joined us. Your Chen dynasty—your Great Xia—is about to collapse.”

Chen Mu nodded. “Very good. Thank you for telling me this.”

With that, Chen Mu called out in Dongyue to the maid in the courtyard. She drew a small crossbow from her sleeve and fired a whistle arrow into the sky.

The arrow emitted a piercing shriek as it soared upward.

This whistle arrow was unique to the Dongyue region, unknown in Great Xia until Chen Mu brought it back as one of his specialties. At the sound, activity erupted outside the Lin family manor.

Peddlers pushing carts, diners at roadside shops, and casual strollers all dropped what they were doing and rushed toward the gates. Some retrieved weapons from their carts, others pulled shields from their bundles, and a few began issuing orders, gathering everyone into squads.

These were soldiers of the Invincible Flying Army.

Chen Mu had anticipated a possible banquet of betrayal, so at every great family he visited, he had his soldiers disguise themselves as commoners, waiting outside the manor.

Lin Ye had never imagined such a tactic. The guards at the gate were mere servants, and upon seeing these fierce soldiers, they fled at once.

The Invincible Flying Army stormed into the Lin residence effortlessly.

The Left Protector of the Yin Tang Organization was watching from within the manor. Seeing the situation, he quickly disguised himself as a servant and slipped away.

The Invincible Flying Army did not slaughter indiscriminately; instead, they headed straight for the source of the whistle arrow.

Back in the courtyard where Chen Mu was, chaos had erupted. Fifty guards retreated to the doorway of the main hall, forming a shield wall for Chen Mu and holding back the private soldiers at the gate. Twenty maids drew daggers from holsters on their thighs, surrounding Chen Mu protectively.

Chen Mu himself drew his longsword from his waist, ready to join the fight at any moment.

Lin Ye had not expected the maids to be skilled in combat, but he remained calm; after all, he had five hundred axemen and swordsmen at his disposal. Surely, that would be enough to deal with a few dozen.