Chapter 124: Gu Feng's Conditions

"Hmph, I asked you to invite Master Lin, not to coerce and humiliate him. Get out of here immediately! I have urgent matters to discuss with Master Lin in private."

Tang Yulin let out a thunderous roar. Yao Jianghe’s flabby body trembled, and not daring to delay any longer, he hurriedly led the group of company executives out of the conference room. Only Yao Qianqian lingered, looking toward Lin Feng with reluctance in her heart.

So, Lin Feng’s status really is extraordinary! If even the Second Master Tang is so deferential to him, then I absolutely cannot go through with the divorce! Yes, I must use Lin Feng’s power to become a true member of the upper class!

With these schemes churning in her mind, Yao Qianqian finally retreated. Once everyone had cleared the room, Tang Yulin immediately knelt on one knee, cupped his hands in a salute, and bowing his head, he looked up at Lin Feng with reverence.

"Congratulations to Master Lin for seizing the championship at the Five-Province Martial Arts Tournament and becoming the strongest martial artist in the five coastal provinces, as well as the leader of the underground world!"

"Tang Yulin, surely you didn't come all this way just to congratulate me. Get to the point," Lin Feng said.

"Yes, Master Lin. This time, the Old Master specifically ordered me to invite you to the Tang family mansion to meet someone."

"Meet someone? Who is it?"

"Gu Feng. He is the highest-ranking martial artist in the Binhai military and a commander of the special forces under the 'Military God' Yun Qianshang. He came to Binhai today to invite you to serve as an instructor for the Soaring Dragon Unit," Tang Yulin said slowly as he stood up.

"An instructor for the Soaring Dragon Unit? Why would he come specifically to find me for such a role out of the blue? Is the military truly so devoid of talent?"

"Master Lin, there are likely two reasons. First, the Soaring Dragon Unit recently suffered a major disaster with heavy losses, and their instructor was killed in action, leaving no one to train the new recruits. Second, they must have learned of your performance at the Five-Province Martial Arts Tournament and are highly impressed by your strength."

Tang Yulin shared his analysis without reservation. Upon hearing this, Lin Feng frowned slightly. It was clear that the Chinese military had likely been monitoring the tournament, which explained why his every move had been so quickly discovered. Furthermore, if he refused, would the military use his killing of opponents at the tournament as a pretext for legal action? Although he no longer feared ordinary underground forces, facing the colossal entity that was the Chinese military was a situation Lin Feng still had to approach with caution.

In his previous life, having cultivated for a hundred thousand years, Lin Feng had never once acted against his own will. A true man cultivates for the sake of freedom and lack of restraint; why should he be subject to such constraints? In his heart, Lin Feng was inclined to refuse.

"Old Master Tang specifically sent you to find me. There must be a deeper meaning behind this," Lin Feng sat down slowly, hitting the nail on the head.

"Master Lin, you are truly a brilliant strategist. The Old Master’s intention is that he hopes you will consider this carefully before making a decision and not easily refuse."

Tang Yulin phrased this very tactfully. In reality, the Old Master feared that Lin Feng’s unyielding and rebellious nature would lead him to reject Gu Feng on the spot, offending the military. If that happened, not only would Lin Feng be affected, but the Tang family might also be implicated.

"I understand. Let’s go there now, then." Lin Feng glanced at Tang Yulin. Having lived two lifetimes, he saw through the hidden meaning behind the words instantly. It was nothing more than a gesture to show the military some face and avoid being overly arrogant.

"Very well, right this way, Master Lin!"

...

Half an hour later, Lin Feng and Tang Yulin arrived at the Tang family mansion.

"Master Lin, you’ve finally arrived! Let me introduce you—this is Major General Gu Feng, under the command of the Military God, Yun Qianshang. Gu Feng, this is the Master Lin I told you about! A young hero indeed!"

Seeing Lin Feng walk in with a dignified and imposing air, the Old Master hurried over with Gu Feng to welcome him.

"So you are Lin Feng. A pleasure to meet you. I am Gu Feng, acting commander of the Soaring Dragon Unit." Gu Feng enthusiastically extended a hand to shake Lin Feng’s.

Lin Feng did not refuse, instead asking softly, "Greetings, Officer Gu. May I ask what specific matter brings you to seek me out today?"

Lin Feng feigned ignorance and asked naturally.

"It is like this. I ask that you watch this video, Mr. Lin."

Gu Feng pulled out his phone and played a clip—it was exactly the footage of Lin Feng slaying the Blood Mage.

"This person is a wanted criminal from the Southern Border, the Blood Mage. He belongs to the Molo Society and has been running wild, acting lawlessly in the Southern Border. Some time ago, the Molo Society suddenly gathered, and the military suspected they were plotting to undermine the rule of the Southern Border, so we dispatched the Soaring Dragon Unit to suppress them."

"The result was a crushing defeat for the Soaring Dragon Unit. We suffered heavy losses, over half the unit was lost, and our instructor was killed. Therefore, I am here on behalf of the military to specifically invite you to the Soaring Dragon base to serve as an acting instructor, with the special rank of Senior Colonel."

Gu Feng’s request was sincere and heartfelt, showing nothing but total honesty. A Senior Colonel rank—this was only one grade below a Major General. To receive such a high rank upon joining the military was the lifelong dream of countless passionate men in the service.

This, however, put Lin Feng in a difficult position. As a descendant of China, standing up for the nation in times of crisis was a moral duty, but Lin Feng already had plans: to head to Jinling City to seek revenge and settle old scores.

This was something Lin Feng had to accomplish regardless of the cost; it could not be delayed.

"I am sorry, Officer Gu, but I decline."

"What!"

Gu Feng was stunned. Was even the rank of Senior Colonel not enough? Did this man have other concerns?

"Mr. Lin, you must realize that the country is facing difficulties, which is why we are seeking help from individuals in the private sector. If you have any conditions, feel free to state them, and I will do my utmost to secure them for you!"

Gu Feng hurried to persuade him; he dared not go back and tell the Military God that he had failed his mission, for he would surely face severe punishment.

"Conditions?" Lin Feng pondered for a moment and said, "I am going to Jinling next, so the training base must be near Jinling—that is the first condition. Second, I require the military to protect my family so that the Lin family in Jinling is not persecuted or threatened. Additionally, I want the rank of Major General; Senior Colonel is too low."

Lin Feng spoke with ease. The first two conditions were easy to satisfy, requiring only a bit of manpower and resources. But the third—demanding the rank of Major General right out of the gate—was simply too much.

Gu Feng and the Old Master were both dumbfounded. Gu Feng paused, thinking to himself, "This Lin Feng is truly asking for the moon. He demands the rank of Major General immediately. I had to fight through life-and-death battles for twenty years in the military to reach my current rank, and here he is, wanting to be my equal right from the start."

"The first two conditions are easy to manage, but for the third, I need to consult with my superiors."

Gu Feng left to make a phone call. Lin Feng appeared quite relaxed, picking up a cup of green tea and taking a sip, his expression as calm as a mirror.

Before long, Gu Feng returned and sighed, "Mr. Lin, your conditions can all be met. However, the rank of Major General can only be an honorary one. Can you accept that?"

Lin Feng had originally thought that by demanding the rank of Major General, he would make them give up, but who would have expected them to agree just like that!

"Sigh, very well. I suppose I have no choice but to accept."

Watching Lin Feng’s reluctant expression, Tang Yulin was almost dumbfounded. This was the rank of Major General, and he was acting as if he had been wronged—it was something countless people dreamed of!

The Old Master, however, had his brows tightly locked, staring at Lin Feng with a faint sense of shock in his heart. The "superiors" Gu Feng referred to were none other than the Military God, Yun Qianshang. For the Military God to spare no effort, even granting a Major General slot to recruit Lin Feng—just how terrifying must Lin Feng’s strength and potential be?