Chapter 127: Lin Dongyun’s Hidden Power

“Lord Albert, I’m more than happy to cultivate a long-lasting friendship with you and the Gran Empire. However, I’m curious what kind of support you would offer, and what would be expected in return. I presume the support and the cost should be proportionate, wouldn’t you agree?” Lin Dongyun chuckled.

Albert nodded with a smile. He wasn’t worried about Lin Dongyun being greedy, only about hidden agendas.

Albert laughed, “Rest assured, the Gran Empire has dominated the cosmos for years, remaining the world’s leading power with an excellent reputation. This is because we believe in the principle of equal exchange.”

Lin Dongyun and Lin Yanyun subconsciously nodded in agreement. Albert’s words weren’t false; when comparing the reputations of the world’s major powers, the Gran Empire, the world’s number one power, truly had the best reputation.

“However, the foundation of our cooperation requires mutual understanding. I want to know, General Lin, who are your backers, or your supporting force?” Albert asked, intently watching Lin Dongyun.

Lin Dongyun’s mind raced, immediately understanding why Albert posed this question. He didn’t believe Albert hadn’t investigated him. However, he knew that the system, his true benefactor, couldn’t be revealed through any investigation.

Therefore, Albert would absolutely not believe his rise to this position was due to luck and coincidences. No one would believe such a series of coincidences.

Wouldn’t you agree? To become a Major and Town Guard Commander upon enlistment could be attributed to ancestral legacy. The Qinglin Empire, with its emperor, nobility, titles, fiefdoms, and hereditary privileges, easily provided enough resources to elevate an ordinary youth to ruler of tens of thousands. That part wasn’t strange. However, what followed was incredibly strange, too coincidental.

The neighboring Tangqiao Guard Zone attacked, but not only did he survive, he conquered them, assuming command of both zones.

Then, a monster outbreak in the Zhanxia Guard Zone was swiftly resolved by him, resulting in the Qinglin Empire’s first achievement in destroying Angeli Empire weapons. This directly led to his promotion to Brigadier General and Inspector of the three cities.

Could this still be considered good luck? After that, the Governor, obsequiously, took the remnants of Angeli’s weapons to the Imperial Capital to claim merit, only for rebel forces to suddenly raise their flag and seize the Governor’s Mansion.

This abruptly severed communication between the Guangwu Governorate’s local authorities and the central government, effectively creating fertile ground for warlords to emerge.

Then, Lin Dongyun easily secured control of the last remaining Guard Zone in his jurisdiction, becoming the concurrent Commander of the Balin Guard Zone. Would anyone believe the original Balin Commander, also a Transcendent, degenerated into an ordinary person? Easily arrested by military police?

Would anyone believe that a youth, only half a year into his enlistment, had effortlessly acquired control of three Guard Zones, while the other Commanders and Patrol Inspectors were busy fending off monsters within their jurisdictions?

He was poised and ready to quell the rebellion! If the other Commanders and Patrol Inspectors hadn’t refused to cooperate, he would have already launched a punitive expedition!

Moreover, the news spread throughout the Guangwu Governorate, forcing the rebel army to send people to issue warnings. In an instant, he became the only shining new star in the Guangwu Governorate.

To say all this was due to luck? No one would believe that! To say there was no manipulation or support behind the scenes? To claim he effortlessly achieved this solely through luck? That’s a joke! Treating everyone as fools is not the way to do things.

Therefore, Lin Dongyun knew that if he dared claim it was all luck, Albert might immediately turn hostile. His rise couldn’t be explained by luck alone.

Lin Dongyun pondered for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Lord Albert, have you ever heard of the organization ‘Victorious Alliance’? My sister is a member." After speaking, Lin Dongyun secretly felt smug; he hadn’t lied, nor had he admitted to anything.

Lin Yanyun was startled, but quickly composed herself. She didn’t know why her brother would claim the ‘Victorious Alliance’ as his backing. Her brother had only recently learned about the organization’s existence. He was blaming his success on his sister and their organization?

Lin Yanyun wouldn’t object. Would she betray her own family at this moment? Absolutely not.

Therefore, she simply nodded along, confirming the claim.

Albert paused, glancing at his secretary Degen. Degen, after a moment of thought, whispered, “A loosely organized group with influence across all industries in the Guangwu Governorate. Due to its lack of cohesion and numerous factions operating independently, it appears more like a trade association, so we haven’t paid much attention to it.”

Albert was slightly enlightened. A force spanning all industries—loosely organized, factionalized—but with a strong enough incentive, such an organization could certainly make a move.

Of course, Lin Dongyun’s rise to his current position must also be due to his own efforts. If he didn’t have the ability, even with opportunity presented, he couldn’t have seized it.

Albert understood. After Lin Dongyun became a Major and Town Guard Commander, the so-called ‘Victorious Alliance,’ seeing the opportunity and recognizing the potential for advancement of its members’ families, naturally invested resources. This was far better than investing in outsiders.

Lin Dongyun, using his own capabilities and the support and maneuvering of the Victorious Alliance, had easily risen to his current position.

Albert didn’t believe Lin Dongyun would deceive him, as this could easily be verified. Look, even without Albert explicitly stating it, his thoughtful secretary was already secretly sending orders for an investigation.

"Since General Lin is so candid, let me be straightforward. Currently, I hope our merchants obtain free prospecting and mining rights in the territories under your command. Rest assured, we won’t resort to coercion or underhanded tactics. Everything will be done at market prices,” Albert proposed, smiling.

Lin Dongyun immediately thought of the Xicang Minefield. He couldn’t understand why the Gran Empire, as the world’s leading power, would need more minefields. Why was their first request to open up prospecting and mining rights in his territory?

With the Gran Empire’s status, it should be a simple matter for them to petition the court for prospecting and mining rights across the entire empire.

Nevertheless, Lin Dongyun didn’t hesitate and nodded. "No problem. However, taxes will still be levied, correct?"

Albert’s face lit up. "Haha, of course, taxes will be levied. Our merchants are all law-abiding."

No wonder Albert was so pleased. Being the world’s leading power, the Gran Empire inevitably attracted the attention of everyone, especially the second and third-ranking powers.

Yesterday’s debt is paid! Today’s update will be a bit later.