Xu Huaishan sat in stunned silence for a long time after hearing these words, unable to snap out of it.
After a while, he let out a heavy sigh and said, "Xiao Ce, this is all fate. Try not to be too heartbroken."
With that, Xu Huaishan tilted his head back and drank another cup of wine.
"What are your plans now that you're back?"
Lin Ce replied indifferently, "I'll just stay in Zhonghai for a while. I don't have any other plans for now."
After all, Lin Ce and Xu Huaishan hadn't seen each other in over a decade; he couldn't tell him about seeking revenge just yet.
Just as Lin Ce was about to ask about some details regarding Xu Huaishan and his adoptive father from back in the day, Xu Huaishan began to show concern for Lin Ce.
"Xiao Ce, have you retired from the military now? Do you have a job?"
Lin Ce gave a half-truthful reply, "I don't have a job yet."
Hearing this, Wang Lang seized the opportunity and chimed in:
"Having been in the military for so many years, you've long been out of touch with society. Even university graduates find it hard to land a good job these days. For a common grunt like you, finding a decent job is going to be nearly impossible."
Xu Huaishan frowned and reprimanded him with displeasure, "What nonsense are you talking about, child? Lin Ce will definitely make something of himself in the future and accomplish great things!"
Lin Ce knew that Xu Huaishan was merely saying this to help him save face so things wouldn't get too awkward.
Yet Lin Ce said nothing, taking all of this with total indifference.
Wang Lang, however, had no intention of letting Lin Ce off the hook and continued:
"Dad, I'm just worried about Lin Ce."
At that moment, Xu Lan walked out from the kitchen and couldn't help chiming in:
"Darling, since you run a company, why don't you introduce Lin Ce to a job there first? His family went through such a huge tragedy, it really hasn't been easy for him."
Xu Lan and Lin Ce used to play together when they were kids. Seeing the Lin Family suffer such a devastating blow, she couldn't bear it and wanted to help wherever she could.
A hint of awkwardness crossed Wang Lang's face as he said:
"Honey, it's not that I don't want to help. Even the receptionist at my company requires a bachelor's degree, and our security guards are all recruited from professional security agencies—they're rigorously trained professionals.
"As for someone like Brother Lin here, who lacks education..."
"What's wrong with someone like Xiao Ce? Spell it out clearly!"
Xu Huaishan slammed the table. From the start of the meal, Wang Lang had been making sarcastic insinuations—did he really think he hadn't noticed?
Wang Lang gave an embarrassed chuckle, glanced at Lin Ce, and said:
"Fine, let's do this then: my company happens to have an opening for a security guard. If Brother Lin doesn't mind, he can go be a guard. Other people get twenty-five hundred a month, but I'll start you at three thousand. How's that? Pretty generous of me, right?"
He said it as if he were taking the high road, but the mockery woven between the lines was unmistakable.
Hearing this, the expression on Xu Huaishan's face turned completely cold.
Knowing full well that Lin Ce was the son of his old friend, and that he had been a pampered young master since childhood, yet asking him to be a security guard?
Wang Lang saw that his father-in-law was angry, but he kept quiet and secretly cast a glance at Lin Ce.
He had expected Lin Ce to fly into a rage, but to his surprise, he found that Lin Ce remained completely unfazed, his expression entirely unchanged.
It gave him the frustrating feeling of punching a thick pile of cotton.
Tsk tsk, looks like this guy really can't find a job anywhere. He must think being a security guard is the greatest honor imaginable, otherwise why wouldn't he utter a single word of protest?
Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Xu Huaishan gave two dry coughs and said:
"Forget it, you two don't need to worry about Xiao Ce's job. I'll handle this."
"Oh come on, Dad, I only had good intentions. Look at you misunderstanding me again," Wang Lang said hypocritically.
Watching this group trade barbs back and forth, Lin Ce actually found it rather amusing.
The dignified Northern Dragon Head was being offered a job as a security guard—and they were bickering over it back and forth—it was genuinely comical.
As for Qili standing nearby, her threshold for amusement was clearly lower than Lin Ce's. By now, she was covering her dainty mouth, struggling to hold back her laughter.
Had it not been for Lin Ce's strict military discipline, she probably would have been doubled over laughing by now.
Returning to the matter at hand.
Lin Ce said with a serious expression, "Uncle Xu, the reason I've come this time is that there's something I need to ask you."
Xu Huaishan was slightly startled, then hurriedly said, "Xiao Ce, ask whatever you like. I'll tell you everything I know."
Lin Ce nodded, and just as he was about to ask his question, a knock sounded at the door.
Wang Lang's face instantly lit up with joy. "Honey, go open the door, we have guests."
Xu Lan walked over and opened the door, and the next moment, a middle-aged man came into view.
He stood with a straight posture, dressed in a military uniform. His bristly stubble looked like steel needles, and his face was resolute and solemn.
All eyes immediately fell upon his shoulders.
He was wearing four stars!
This man was none other than the military bigwig Wang Lang had mentioned—Su Mingwu from the Southern Theater Command.
Wang Lang hurried forward to welcome him, introducing him with great enthusiasm:
"Dad, this is Instructor Su Mingwu from the Southern Theater Command that I told you about."
Hearing this, Xu Huaishan stood up as well. Although he usually preferred immersing himself in academic research, to ordinary folk, a figure of this stature was someone they could only look up to in awe.
Therefore, Xu Huaishan also stood up and stepped forward to greet him.
Su Mingwu smiled and said, "Old Xu, it's an honor. I've heard a lot about you. I've wanted to come pay my respects for a long time, but I've been tied up with duties at the Southern Theater Command, so I'm only just making it today. I hope you won't take offense."
In front of a person of this caliber, Xu Huaishan didn't dare act haughty. Lowering his posture, he repeatedly said:
"Instructor Su is too polite. Let's not stand here, please, have a seat."
With that, he escorted Su Mingwu into the living room.
Once they entered the living room, Su Mingwu finally noticed Lin Ce. Back at the doorway, he had already noticed that everyone else had stood up to welcome him, except for this Lin Ce and the woman standing behind him, neither of whom had made the slightest move.
Su Mingwu couldn't help letting out a cold snort.
Just another arrogant soldier, completely devoid of basic manners. Who knows which theater command trained such a person—absolute disgrace to the military.
As an instructor in the Southern Theater Command, Su Mingwu trained tens of thousands of men under his command, and he held considerable sway over the defense of the entire Jiangnan region.
In other words, his presence in Jiangnan was such that not just Wang Lang, but even Jiangnan's top figure coming out to greet him wouldn't be overstepping.
Yet here at the Xu residence, some unknown youth dared to show such utter disregard for him.
It was simply unacceptable.
Furthermore, he had already displayed his rank insignia. Since this man had served in the military, he should know better than to show such contempt for his superiors!
***
Everyone gathered around the dining table. Xu Huaishan wanted Su Mingwu to take the seat of honor, but noticing that Lin Ce showed no intention of yielding the seat, he felt rather awkward.
Wang Lang didn't care about any of that and immediately rebuked him:
"Brother Lin, you're a military man too; surely you know you're supposed to show respect to your superiors. Instructor Su is here, what kind of attitude is that?"
Lin Ce couldn't help smiling.
When it came to respecting superiors, this Su Mingwu should probably be respecting Lin Ce first and foremost.
As the exalted Northern Dragon Head, let alone a tiny place like Jiangnan City, even across the entire Huaxia, how many people were qualified to make Lin Ce give up his seat?
It was simply laughable.
Let alone a mere instructor from the Southern Theater Command, even if the Lord of the Southern Territory, Black Dragon, had come in person, he wouldn't have had the qualification.
It was just that Black Dragon had been missing for many years, and his fiancée, Black Phoenix, had been acting as the interim ruler of the Southern Territory.
Yet even Black Phoenix would have to show Lin Ce three points of deference upon meeting him.
The Northern Territory had always been a land of frequent battles and served as Huaxia's northern gateway, having long suffered the ravages of war. If Lin Ce hadn't led his five Gods of War and ten Divine Generals to guard the northern borders, Huaxia would never have known the peaceful and prosperous era it enjoyed today.
Whether judged by the combat prowess of the four major territories or the personal strength of their lords, Lin Ce was fully qualified to look down upon all rivals.
As for Su Mingwu, he was nothing more than a minor instructor in the Southern Theater Command; he probably hadn't even laid eyes on Black Phoenix more than a few times, let alone someone like Lin Ce.
And in his wildest dreams, he could never have guessed just how monstrously powerful the background of this "arrogant soldier" really was.
Seeing that Lin Ce didn't even bother to speak, Su Mingwu grew even more displeased.
"Brother, I heard you used to serve in the military as well. How come you don't even understand the most basic etiquette?"
"I don't know which theater command you're from, or who your instructor is. Maybe I even know them—looks like I'll have to teach you a proper lesson on behalf of your instructor."
Qili's delicate brows knitted together. This Su Mingwu was nothing more than a petty instructor, yet he dared to put on airs in front of the Dragon Head, buzzing around as noisily as a fly.
"We are from the Northern Territory!" Qili said impatiently.
Hearing the words "Northern Territory," Su Mingwu was taken aback, and his previous arrogance instantly reined itself in a bit.
"So the two of you are from the Northern Territory. No wonder you're a bit arrogant; I've long heard that Northern Territory soldiers are always overbearing."
"Still, no matter how overbearing you are, if you lack manners, aren't you simply humiliating the dignity of the Northern Dragon Head?"
As an instructor, Su Mingwu guessed at a glance that the two of them were only around twenty-four or twenty-five. In the military, seniority was everything, and at their age, they were probably just ordinary soldiers, which was why he hadn't paid them much mind.
Qili let out a mocking laugh and said coldly, "The dignity of the Dragon Head is not something for you to casually judge. I'm afraid you don't even have the qualifications to say such words."
Not qualified?
Su Mingwu was visibly stunned. He had seen arrogant people before, but never anyone this arrogant.
With an instructor standing right in front of them, how dare they still spout such wild nonsense? It was completely outrageous!
Just as he was about to continue, he heard Qili say:
"Besides, what status do you think you have, daring to meddle in Northern Territory affairs right in front of the Dragon Head? You'd better leave before the Lord loses his temper."
As soon as these words fell, the entire living room plunged into dead silence.
This young girl had a breathtaking amount of audacity.
A Southern Theater Command instructor carrying four stars, a person of that status, and she dismissed him with utter contempt—where on earth did she get the courage?
Su Mingwu was so angry he almost laughed. In the military, every single soldier under his command treated him with the utmost respect.
Yet these two military thugs before him were repeatedly running their mouths with insolence!
"Impudent! Even if I'm from the Southern Territory, so what? Do I not even have the right to discipline you?"
Watching this scene unfold, Wang Lang smiled secretly to himself. He had thought Lin Ce possessed at least a shred of common sense, but he never imagined he would actually dare to butt heads with Su Mingwu.
Seeing this, Xu Huaishan hurriedly stepped forward and said:
"Instructor Su, they're just young and ignorant, please don't take offense."
Then, turning around with a stern face, he said, "Xiao Ce, what are you doing? Hurry up and apologize to Instructor Su with your friend, and let's put this matter behind us."
Before Lin Ce could say anything, Qili piped up with obvious displeasure:
"Make the Lord apologize to him? Does he even deserve it?"
Su Mingwu felt as if smoke was about to pour out of his nostrils.
"You... What did you say? You actually dare say I don't deserve it?"
Enraged, Su Mingwu reached toward his waist, but he caught himself almost immediately.
If he hadn't misheard, this woman had just used the word "Lord"!
One had to know that the title of "Lord" was infinitely noble; only the lords of the four major territories were qualified to be addressed as such.
Could it be that the man sitting right here was...
At the very thought of this possibility, Su Mingwu froze on the spot.
Meanwhile, Wang Lang was still chiming in to fan the flames:
"Are you out of your mind? This is Instructor Su! You're just a tiny grunt, yet you dare speak disrespectfully to him—do you even know what kind of crime that is?"
"Dad, look at how these two are behaving! Not only do they come to our house to freeload meals, but they've even gone and offended Instructor Su!"
Xu Huaishan also looked at Lin Ce with deep disappointment. He never would have thought that the sensible boy from back then would turn out like this today. It seemed people really did change.
After lightning-fast calculations in his mind, Su Mingwu decided it was still unlikely—these two must be putting on a front!
The Northern Dragon Head was a figure second only to one and above ten thousand; two people this young could never be someone of that magnitude.
Thinking of this, he once again spoke in a cold voice:
"I don't care what background you have, and I don't care which theater command you belong to, you can't escape the crime of insubordination. I'm going to teach you two a lesson right now!"
Qili cast a cold glance at Su Mingwu, not bothering to waste words with him, and unbuttoned her trench coat.
Beneath it was a blood-red combat uniform, and pinned right on her chest was a golden flying dragon badge.
"Insubordination? Are you talking about committing insubordination against me?"
Boom!
Su Mingwu's head roared with thunder as he stared fixedly at that golden flying dragon badge, a turbulent storm raging in his heart.
This... Wasn't this the Northern Territory's Flying Dragon Badge?
Only the Ten Divine Generals of the Northern Territory were qualified to wear this kind of badge.
Could this woman actually be one of the Ten Divine Generals of the Northern Territory?!
If that was true, then a mere minor instructor like him wasn't even worth a fart in front of her.
Upon seeing that badge, Xu Huaishan was so shocked that he slumped back heavily into his chair, utterly unable to calm his churning emotions.
Wang Lang was completely petrified. He even slapped himself across the face, as if refusing to believe that what was happening before his eyes was real.
This was entirely too surreal.
He had just been having a meal at his father-in-law's house—how on earth did he run into one of the Ten Divine Generals of the Northern Territory?
As for Xu Lan, although she didn't have the discernment of her father and husband, seeing their deeply shocked expressions allowed her to guess eight or nine tenths of the truth.
This woman's background must be unimaginably vast.
Su Mingwu's mouth twitched for a moment before he managed to regain his composure.
No matter what, Jiangnan Province belonged to the Southern Territory's turf; he still had some backing to rely on.
"Ah, haha, so it's a Divine General from the Northern Territory. A misunderstanding, a total misunderstanding! I hope you won't take offense, General."
Wang Lang also gave an awkward laugh and echoed, "Right, a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding."
"Hmph, a misunderstanding? A moment ago, both of you were shouting at the top of your lungs demanding that we apologize."
Su Mingwu faltered for a second, then spoke in a deep voice:
"It was indeed my misjudgment that disturbed the Divine General. However, since this is the Southern Territory, why not grant me a little face? Let's turn a big issue into a small one, and a small one into nothing at all. How about it?"
Su Mingwu's words were needles hidden in silk; while putting on a low profile on the surface, he deliberately emphasized that this was the Southern Territory.
There was no mistaking the underlying hint: this wasn't your territory, so don't go throwing your weight around too much.
Lin Ce calmly set down his teacup, turned his head, and looked straight at Su Mingwu.
If Su Mingwu had offered a sincere apology, this matter would have ended there.
Yet right in front of him, this man still dared to play such games—did he really take Lin Ce for someone molded out of clay?
"If you want me to give you face, you need to have the qualifications for it! If you want face from me, go tell Black Phoenix to come find me herself!"
***
A single sentence instantly suppressed the entire room, leaving everyone utterly dumbfounded.
Wang Lang and Xu Huaishan stared in blank dismay, while Xu Lan looked at her childhood friend in utter astonishment.
Su Mingwu had already had his suspicions earlier, but he simply hadn't been willing to believe it.
To be safe, he asked cautiously:
"May I ask... exactly who are you, sir?"
Qili said coldly:
"The Northern Dragon Head is right here before you. A mere Southern Territory instructor, yet you dare act so audacious—why haven't you paid your respects to the Lord yet?"
What?!
The Dragon Head?
Su Mingwu cried out in shock, "You... Could you be the Northern Dragon Head, Lin Ce?!"
"Impudent! Is the Lord's name something you are permitted to shout? For this alone, the crime of gross disrespect is more than enough to deal with you!"
Hearing this, Su Mingwu trembled from head to toe. Gone was any pretense of his so-called instructor's airs as he stammered in absolute terror:
"This subordinate deserves to die! I didn't know the Dragon Head had arrived in person—I have gravely offended you, and I beg the Dragon Head for punishment!"
When even a dignified Divine General addressed him as "Lord," one could only imagine—who else besides the Dragon Head could command such treatment?
Thinking back to his posturing and showboating in front of the Dragon Head just moments ago, a cold sweat broke out all over his body.
Lin Ce slowly stood up, having no intention of pursuing the matter further.
"Enough. Ignorance is no excuse. Go back and report to Black Phoenix; dock a year's salary."
"Thank you, Lord Dragon Head, for your boundless mercy!"
Su Mingwu hastily bowed and expressed his gratitude to Lin Ce. Losing a year's salary was definitely getting off lightly.
He knew that within the military ranks, absolute obedience to superiors was mandatory, and the slightest disrespect was strictly forbidden.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew stagnant.
Standing before a figure of Lin Ce's stature, none of them knew what to say.
Seeing Su Mingwu standing there at a loss, Lin Ce waved his hand impatiently.
"If there's nothing else, you may leave first. I still have matters to discuss with Uncle Xu."
"Yes, yes! This subordinate will take his leave."
With those words, Su Mingwu bowed deeply in gratitude, then hurried out of the Xu residence, not daring to linger for even a second.
As for Wang Lang, panic gripped his heart.
He had originally thought Lin Ce was just a common grunt, never dreaming that the other man's status was so terrifyingly high.
Recalling his petty little tricks from earlier, he found them utterly laughable. No wonder Lin Ce hadn't bothered to acknowledge him.
It wasn't that Lin Ce feared him; rather, in Lin Ce's eyes, Wang Lang was nothing more than a grasshopper jumping around for a moment.
"Dad, um... there's some business at the company, so Xu Lan and I will head out first. You two enjoy your meal."
"D-Dragon Head, perhaps... I should take my leave now as well. Please forgive me."
Terrified that Lin Ce might settle scores with him, Wang Lang was eager to slip away.
Lin Ce gave him a faint, indifferent glance and said nothing.
Xu Huaishan could see that Wang Lang was sitting on pins and needles staying here anyway.
"Fine, if you have business, go handle it."
Granted his reprieve as if receiving an imperial pardon, Wang Lang grabbed Xu Lan and fled.
Only after the two of them had left did Lin Ce finally speak:
"Uncle Xu, I'd like to ask you about some details regarding my adoptive father taking me in back then. While he was alive, he never spoke of it."
"This time, with the Lin Family facing such a catastrophe, my investigations have vaguely hinted that it might be connected to my true lineage. Therefore, I must ask you to tell me everything you know without holding anything back."
Hearing this, Xu Huaishan nodded heavily, sighing with deep emotion:
"Xiao Ce, in my wildest dreams, I never imagined you would amount to something so extraordinary. Back then, your father and I shared a very close friendship, and I promised him I would take these secrets to my grave."
"But now that you've achieved such greatness, even if I speak of it, I don't think he'd blame me."
Lin Ce had already anticipated that there must be some unknown, hidden truths behind his adoption all those years ago.