"So, you must take my son?"
Wang Yanwen stared fixedly at Ye Longlin, his expression grave.
Ye Longlin smiled but said nothing, yet at this moment, his silence spoke volumes.
"Wang Shao is already in my hands. All that's left is Wang Hanyuan. If you get involved, by tomorrow's execution, you too will be kneeling at Zhang Yi's grave."
He uttered this statement with utter calm, devoid of any outward malice, yet his tone was thick with lethal intent.
Wang Yanwen felt a chill crawl up his spine. Hearing such words from him sent an inexplicable shiver through him, even him.
"The decision rests with you. You decide."
If Wang Yanwen hadn't intervened, Ye Longlin wouldn't have appeared here, engaging in such lengthy discourse with him.
After all, he was from the highest department, and some respect had to be shown.
Of course, whether that respect was accepted was up to him.
Ye Longlin rose to leave, tossing this choice to Wang Yanwen. What happened next was no longer his concern.
"Disband the team."
Yuan Gang emerged from the shadows, looking perplexed. "Boss, didn't you say we were capturing someone? Why are we disbanding?"
"Wang Yanwen has intervened. I don't know if he'll get involved in this matter."
"Keep an eye on Wang Yanwen. If he doesn't understand that sending Wang Hanwen over means taking him as well, arrest them both!"
Yuan Gang was stunned, a flicker of unease crossing his face. "Boss, he's one of the top figures in the highest department. Arresting him just like that... isn't that going a bit too far?"
How could he not worry? These were people from the highest department. If they were touched, where would that leave the Glory Hall's reputation?
Within the Glory Hall, Ye Longlin was already a controversial figure. If such an incident occurred, many would impeach him, causing immense trouble.
Ye Longlin, by nature, disliked trouble.
"Are you saying the people of the Dragon Pavilion died in vain, and in the end, they will get away with it?"
Ye Longlin stopped in his tracks, his eyes fixed on Yuan Gang.
...Yuan Gang was momentarily speechless and promptly fell silent.
"I will follow your orders."
...
The next day dawned bright and sunny.
Ye Longlin traveled in a black commercial vehicle to the Zhang family residence.
Previously, apart from a couple of close friends and neighbors, no one knew that a small stall vendor who had sold at the city's northern vegetable market for many years held a military rank, and was a general!
Yesterday and even today, numerous screens across Nan Province were broadcasting Zhang Yi's deeds.
This directly resulted in the Zhang family's residence becoming the most heavily trafficked location.
The burning incense wafted straight towards the heavens.
"My son—"
Zhang Lanying cried out, wanting to see her son, who had yet to be buried, but the coffin was still being prepared and awaiting arrival.
However, at this deeply moving occasion, a clownish figure dared to appear, not only adding insult to injury but also rubbing salt into the wound.
"Cry, cry, cry, what are you crying about? So annoying! I just got back from out of town yesterday and saw widespread news of Zhang Yi's death. So what if he died? Is there a need for such a grand spectacle? Could he possibly return from the dead?"
"Truly idle. If you have that much time, you'd be better off thinking about what heinous deeds you committed in your past life, deserving of your lineage to end."
The moment these words were spoken, the entire scene fell into a deathly silence.
Many neighbors suddenly turned their heads, about to curse, but upon seeing it was Zhang Xu speaking, they all tacitly fell silent.
Zhangjia Village, in the past, was just a small village. But now, every household had a small multi-story building, and the credit for this largely went to Zhang Xu.
Zhang Xu was also one of the most accomplished individuals who hailed from Zhangjia. This new rural development was also funded by Zhang Xu, hence they found it difficult to voice their displeasure.
The current Zhang Xu family, with his newfound wealth, acted with impunity in Zhangjia Village, to the point where even the village head, Zhang Tiande, had to show him some deference.
"Zhang Xu, speak with some consideration. After all, Zhang Yi grew up with you, and you were neighbors. Speaking like this is truly hurtful!"
A young man spoke out in anger. The deceased should be respected, and one shouldn't speak in such a manner.
"Heh, what, you're going to teach me how to act? Or perhaps you think my words are unpleasant and you intend to educate me?"
Zhang Xu glanced at the young man disdainfully.
He then surveyed the entire crowd, his eyes radiating arrogance as he spoke from a position of superiority, "Keep your voices down, or I won't mind smashing this mourning hall. I still need to go back and catch up on sleep. If you wake me up again, I truly won't mind smashing this place for you."
But just then, a series of enraged roars erupted from outside the gate, sending shivers down everyone's spines.
"Send our hero home!"
"Send our hero home!"
"Send our hero home!"
At this moment, a voice stumbled in from outside the gate, bursting into tears and kneeling before Zhang Yi's portrait, shouting hoarsely, "Brother, the entire city is seeing you off!"
"They say you didn't disgrace your elders and fellow villagers. You are their pride!"
Zhang Lanying's eyes widened. Supported by her granddaughter, she walked to the gate. On both sides of the path, long-burning lamps cast a steady glow, and in the center, figures holding carnations.
This...
The number of people continued to surge visibly. Zhang Lanying covered her mouth, her heart filled with an inexpressible mix of emotions.
Zhang Xu's mouth hung open. Looking at the scene outside, he felt an increasing sense of dread. What in the world was going on? He was just a dead retired soldier, why would the entire city come to see him off?
"Make way, I'm here to deliver the coffin!"
A path parted through the crowd. Eight people, bare-chested in the winter cold, with solemn expressions, carried the coffin.
"Southern City Coffin Shop, at Mr. [Ye Longlin]'s command, specifically here to deliver two coffins, both crafted from golden nanmu."
"The national flag will cover the coffin, bidding farewell to the General!"
Boom, boom, boom!
Each step fell as if striking the hearts of the onlookers. On the golden nanmu coffin lid, the blood-red national flag fluttered, seeming to proclaim the deceased's extraordinary status.
This... this...
Everyone present was profoundly shaken. In this Great Xia, who dared to cover a coffin with the national flag for burial?
This was... the highest honor!
Zhang Xu's face grew increasingly pale.
"Retired Forces Headquarters, Special Investigation Team, here to pay respects to the General!"
"Director of the Zhenwu Division, Xie Wenzhan, here to pay respects to the General."
"Deputy Director of the Dragon Investigation Bureau, here to pay respects to the General."
"Nan Province Government Representative Delegation, here to pay respects to the General."
"Nan Province Retired Personnel Association, here to pay respects to the General."
"The departed heroes built this land, their loyal bones have watered our Kyushu. The divine land has a new look, awaiting the younger generation to embark on their journey anew."
"We bid farewell to the General!"
Figures who had previously appeared on television were now all present in this humble mourning hall.
"Heh, your Zhang family is truly extravagant, inviting so many 'actors' and making them impersonate important figures. Coincidentally, I have nothing to do today, so I'll take a look and see who exactly orchestrated such a grand funeral."