"When the time comes, I'll claim your wretched life with my own hands!" Liu Changyun let out a cold snort and turned to leave.

Wang Yuanchang didn't stop him, and the men behind him parted to clear a path. After Liu Changyun was gone, Gao Feng finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Now that Wang Yuanchang was here, Chen Zheng was no longer in any danger. He knew that the Wolf of the Central Plains must have important matters to discuss with Chen Zheng, so he tactfully took his leave as well.

Once they were alone, a smile finally touched Wang Yuanchang's face. He walked over slowly. "Chen Zheng, it's been a long time."

He casually sat down, his smile never wavering. "Honestly... you arrive in my territory of Jiangnan, and you don't even think to say hello? You should have at least given me the chance to show you some hospitality!"

"You're far too polite, Marshal Wang," Chen Zheng said calmly. "I only returned to Jingzhou to visit home; coming here was incidental. Besides, our relationship isn't close enough for that kind of courtesy." His meaning was clear: he had no intention of showing him any respect.

"General Chen," the deputy commander beside Wang Yuanchang snapped, his eyes wide. "The Marshal came to see you in person. Aren't you going too far? Even if your status is high, isn't this blatant arrogance? The Marshal himself is here, and you show him no respect?"

"Enough," Wang Yuanchang cut in, frowning. "Chen Zheng is a commander in his own right. We were just joking. All of you, withdraw." The deputy commander shot Chen Zheng a dark look before reluctantly backing away with his men.

Only then did Wang Yuanchang turn back to Chen Zheng. "Ah, Chen Zheng... time really does fly. It feels like just yesterday, but years have passed. You mustn't forget, I was your foster father's best friend. He even used to bring you to my camp to play. You remember that, don't you?"

"Of course, I haven't forgotten," Chen Zheng nodded slowly. "But whether you were truly my foster father's friend... that's harder to say now. I've been on countless battlefields and seen it all. I know right from wrong."

Wang Yuanchang was momentarily at a loss for words, understanding perfectly what Chen Zheng was implying.

"Ah, Chen Zheng, I am genuinely sorry about what happened to your foster father," Wang Yuanchang said, letting out a long sigh, his expression full of regret. "But he died in loyal service to Huaxia. You could say it was a worthy death."

"That's hard to say," Chen Zheng's voice was dangerously calm, though his fists slowly clenched as if he was struggling to control his rage. "Whether he truly died serving Huaxia with utmost devotion, or whether he was betrayed by his 'best friend'... that's still unclear. All I know is that his death was a humiliation."

How could he possibly forget the way his foster father died? Several years ago, when the covert war began, the Crimson Flame Army launched a surprise attack on the Central Plains. The commander, his foster father Wang Jicheng, had led his personal guard in a desperate defense that lasted an entire day and night. All the while, the Central Plains command refused to act, simply watching as he was killed on the battlefield, his blood staining the earth. One thing Chen Zheng could never understand was the bond between Wang Yuanchang and his foster father—decades of camaraderie forged in war. How could such a deep connection allow for such cold indifference? To watch him die and do nothing? And now, this man stood before him wearing a gentle mask, a mask Chen Zheng desperately wanted to punch.

The smile on Wang Yuanchang's face began to stiffen. Even the expressions of the men who had withdrawn darkened. No one in the Central Plains command ever dared to mention this incident. By bringing it up so directly, Chen Zheng had just slapped every one of them across the face.

"Chen Zheng, I was merely following orders back then. It had nothing..."

"No need for excuses, Marshal Wang," Chen Zheng cut him off. "As the old saying goes, 'A commander in the field is not bound by his sovereign's orders.' That isn't just empty talk. It only proves my foster father was blind to your true character." His expression was cold, his eyes filled with boundless hatred. "I can let this matter rest for now. But once this covert war is over, I will have a long talk with the person who gave that order," he finished, his voice like ice.

Wang Yuanchang's brow furrowed deeply. "Chen Zheng, while we both command our own forces and possess great power and status, some decisions from on high are beyond our control. The current situation is dire. The military is in turmoil, facing threats both internal and external. I hope you can focus on the bigger picture and set aside personal grievances."

"If I weren't already considering the bigger picture, I would have stormed the capital long ago!" Chen Zheng roared. "Until this covert war is over, I won't do anything rash. But that doesn't mean I'm dropping this matter!"

He wasn't lying. If not for the nation's instability, he would have already marched on the capital to get to the bottom of everything. He wouldn't care if it cost him everything he had, or if rivers of blood were spilled in the process.

Wang Yuanchang didn't try to argue further. His gaze flickered as he considered his next move. He knew Chen Zheng would never let him off the hook; this was merely a temporary reprieve.

Just then, Chen Zheng's gaze shifted. "Marshal Wang... how is your son's injury?"

Hearing this, Wang Yuanchang's fist clenched reflexively, but the warm smile never left his face. "It's nothing serious. He'll recover after a few months of rest. In fact, I should thank you for teaching him a lesson. The boy has always been arrogant and unruly; it's high time he learned some humility."

"Don't mention it," a cold smirk touched Chen Zheng's lips. "As the saying goes, 'A son's misdeeds are the father's fault.' Perhaps you should reflect on your own failings, Marshal Wang." He was deliberately provoking the man, wanting to see just where his limits were.

"Why you—" the nearby adjutant started to say, but Wang Yuanchang cut him off sharply.

"Shut your mouth!" he ordered, before turning back to Chen Zheng without any sign of anger. "You're right. I do need to reflect on my own issues."

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