The night.
The wind rose.
It howled in.
The branches by the roadside danced wildly, emitting a "whoo-whoo" sound, like the wailing of lonely ghosts, chilling the bone.
Heavy rain poured down without a moment's rest.
Columns of water, descending from the heavens, struck the ground with sharp cracks and flowed into ditches, converging into murky streams that surged like tides.
The windows were battered with a frantic clatter…
This night was destined to be restless!
Su Hang Governor Chen Zhennan had long since fallen asleep.
Yet, his brows furrowed intermittently, proving his sleep was far from peaceful.
"Ring ring!"
The desk phone by his pillow rang.
With just the first chime, Chen Zhennan jolted awake.
This was his home phone; it only rang for extremely close individuals or in matters of extreme urgency.
Seeing the caller ID, Chen Zhennan's heart skipped a beat.
It was Pan Changlin, the leader of the city defense forces!!!
Upon answering the phone, Chen Zhennan heard an anxious voice: "Governor, something terrible has happened!"
"Su Hang Military Region's Commander Hong Tianyin has forcibly entered the city with his troops. I can't stop them at all!"
"Now, they are heading towards that lord's location."
The lord he referred to was Bai Zihe!
After the events of the day, Chen Zhennan had convened an emergency meeting with all officials in Su Hang, urging them to be more restrained and to pay close attention to the situation in their jurisdiction.
He did not want a repeat of what happened this afternoon!
But as it turned out…
What was bound to come.
Had indeed arrived!
"Changlin, I order you to hold them back at all costs. I'll be there immediately!"
Chen Zhennan, terrified, leaped out of bed. Disregarding everything else, he grabbed his clothes and rushed out the door.
He didn't care that he was barefoot, putting on clothes as he simultaneously woke his driver.
Fortunately, the rain was heavy, and though the roads were slippery, there were few people or vehicles.
Normally, the drive to Tenglong Bay took an hour. Under Chen Zhennan's urgent urging, it was completed in less than twenty minutes.
And at this moment.
Hong Tianyin had just finished directing his troops to surround the area.
Chen Zhennan hurriedly got out of the car and approached Hong Tianyin.
Upon seeing him, Hong Tianyin did not immediately act, as this was a bustling urban area, not a remote military zone!
"Commander Hong, before a major disaster strikes, please take your men and leave!" Chen Zhennan said with relief, trying to persuade him.
"Leave?"
Hong Tianyin's eyes widened, flames of fury blazing within them: "I lost a general, and it happened in your jurisdiction."
"You not only did nothing, but you also advise me to leave?"
"Chen Zhennan."
"You may fear him, but I do not!"
As the Military Region Commander, Hong Tianyin already had a fiery temper. Facing such an incident, his willingness to wait for Chen Zhennan's arrival was already a great concession.
But for him to leave now was absolutely impossible!!!
Chen Zhennan had anticipated this outcome and secretly sighed, but he still said, "Commander Hong, you know me."
"I advise you to leave for my own reasons."
He was unaware of Bai Zihe's true identity, but he had seen during the day that Zhan Tianlong, a high-ranking officer of the Wolf Army, was merely a guard by Bai Zihe's side.
How much more terrifying must Bai Zihe himself be?
Therefore, he dared not provoke him, nor dare to reveal the slightest hint of information.
Hong Tianyin was not swayed and scoffed, "You have your reasons, and I have my reasons to kill him today!"
"Move aside. I will only deal with him and his family. I will not escalate the situation."
"After this is over, I will personally report to my superiors, so as not to make things difficult for you."
With that, he signaled the soldiers behind him to prepare for a forceful entry.
"Hold on!"
Chen Zhennan couldn't dissuade him, but he also couldn't stand idly by.
After all, Hong Tianyin was the Military Region Commander. If he were to be killed inside as well, Chen Zhennan, as the top civilian official in the jurisdiction, would be held absolutely responsible.
Chen Zhennan took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Commander Hong, if you insist on going in, allow me to seek instructions first, how about that?"
"Seek instructions…"
Hong Tianyin sneered.
The Governor of Su Hang, a powerful official of the highest order, was so flustered…
He felt a surge of contempt for Chen Zhennan in his heart.
However, he still waved his hand, "Alright, go ahead."
Chen Zhennan lightly knocked on the door and, after receiving permission, cautiously pushed it open and entered.
In the hall, Bai Zihe sat there with a cold expression.
Chen Zhennan bowed respectfully and apologized, "Lord Bai, I apologize for the late-night intrusion!"
"Speak."
Although Bai Zihe only uttered a light command, Chen Zhennan could feel the surging anger beneath his calm demeanor.
A fine layer of sweat formed on his forehead, and he quickly said, "Su Hang Military Region Commander Hong Tianyin wishes to avenge Hero Zheng."
"A mere local commander dares to seek revenge for that scoundrel of the Zheng family?"
Bai Zihe let out a cold roar, his eyes shooting out terrifying glints.
Chen Zhennan wiped the sweat from his brow and asked, "Lord Bai, how should I reply?"
"Take this seal and tell him to scram immediately."
"Otherwise, I will take his life!"
Bai Zihe produced an object.
It was the Wolf King Seal that his senior aunt had given him before he descended the mountain!
Chen Zhennan's body trembled.
The wolf head on the seal was lifelike and majestic…
Anyone who used a wolf head as a seal must hold a higher position within the Wolf Army!
"Yes!"
"I will do it now!"
Chen Zhennan took the Wolf King Seal and held it above his head with both hands.
He went out and approached Hong Tianyin: "That lord wants you to see this!"
Hong Tianyin took the Wolf King Seal and examined it carefully for a moment but could not discern its origin.
Chen Zhennan solemnly produced it, indicating that the seal must represent the identity of the person inside!
Hong Tianyin, having reached his current position, deeply understood the principle of "caution sails the ship safely." He immediately called his superior, a significant figure in the Southeast Military Region, to inquire.
"Elder Yue, it is my impudence to call you so late at night."
"I've encountered something tonight. The other party produced a seal representing their identity, which I cannot recognize, so I have come to seek your advice."
Then.
Hong Tianyin described the appearance of the Wolf King Seal.
There was a moment of silence on the other end.
Afterward, Elder Yue said slowly, "Little Hong, it is right to be cautious when encountering matters, and I will not blame you."
"As for the seal you mentioned, I don't recognize it either."
"However…"
"I saw a seal similar to what you described in the Military Affairs Council's data bank, but I do not have the authority to access it!"
What!
These words were like a thunderclap, sending Hong Tianyin's heart pounding.
The person in question was his superior, a powerful figure in the Southeast Military Region, a true formidable character!!!
Yet, such a prominent figure did not have the authority to access a seal?
This…
If Elder Yue hadn't said it himself, Hong Tianyin would have slapped him across the face!
"Such a person, with overwhelming power, and you ran into him."
Elder Yue continued, "Forget it. Since you asked me, and I don't know, I will ask General Chen to see what the origin of this seal is!"
General Chen!
One of the towering figures of the Southeast Military Region!
Hong Tianyin never imagined that this seal would involve so many influential people!
He couldn't help but glance at the Wolf King Seal again and replied with a tremor, "Alright, I apologize for troubling you, Elder Yue!"
"It's no trouble."
"I too would like to know who the owner of this seal truly is."
With that, the line went dead.
A silence fell upon the scene. Those nearby could vaguely hear Hong Tianyin's voice, knowing that a major event had occurred.
As for the Zheng family members, such as Zheng Ding Tian and Zheng Hao Xiong, they could only wait anxiously, without even the right to inquire.
"Ring ring!"
The phone rang again, and Hong Tianyin eagerly answered.
"Tianyin…"
"Even General Chen has no authority to access it!"