"Isn't that so?" Su Qing was also puzzled. County Chief Lu came to the Su Family personally. If not for them, then for whom?

Su Qing suddenly recalled County Chief Lu's words. Mr. Lin? Could it be…

"Heh, a mere Su Family is hardly worth my time," County Chief Lu snorted coldly. "Let's not even mention that Lei Chengjun hasn't become the deputy county chief yet. Even if he were, it wouldn't be worth me making this trip, let alone for the death of the Patriarch of your Su Family!"

County Chief Lu's words were like slaps to the faces of the Su Family members.

Indeed, their patriarch died, so why would the county chief personally come to offer condolences? Do they really think the Su Family is that important, or that the county chief is just idle all day?

"The only reason I came today is for Mr. Lin," County Chief Lu said, turning to Lin Mu with a slight, respectful smile.

The County Chief came for Lin Mu? And he addressed him as 'Mr. Lin'? How is that possible? What is going on? At this point, the Su family members no longer believed County Chief Lu was there to arrest Lin Mu. Who addresses someone as 'Mister' when they're about to arrest them?

The expressions of Su Qing and the others turned incredibly ugly. Su Qing, in particular, was completely stunned.

"For him? He's just an ordinary person! How can he compare to my Chengjun? And County Chief Lu, you had to come in person for him?" Su Yumei said defiantly. "County Chief Lu, if you're here to make an arrest, the Su Family can help. This little bastard dared to hit me and even caused a scene at my father's funeral! It's outrageous! County Chief Lu, have your men arrest this little beast right now!"

"Insolent!" County Chief Lu bellowed. "Su Yumei, who do you think you are? Is Mr. Lin someone you can insult as you please? Forget you—even I wouldn't dare speak to him that way!"

"Ah? I..." Su Yumei was stunned. She never expected County Chief Lu to scold her in front of so many people, especially since she had dined with him a few times before.

"County Chief Lu, what exactly is going on..." Su Qing also sensed that something was wrong, his face filled with confusion.

Just as County Chief Lu was about to speak, a voice from outside interrupted them. "Mayor Fei has arrived!"

Mayor Fei? The mayor is here too? This is terrifying. Why would the mayor of Jiangling City possibly come to a small place like Wufeng County?

Although they had never met Mayor Fei in person, they had seen his picture. Lei Chengjun had even seen Fei Xiang once at a citywide meeting, so the moment he laid eyes on him, he felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. Mayor Fei really came!

"I'm sorry I'm late, Mr. Lin. Are you all right?" Fei Xiang asked respectfully as he appeared and walked toward Lin Mu. Behind him, Fei Xiaoyu was also present.

Although Fei Xiang had never met Lin Mu, he had heard his father mention him often recently. His father couldn't praise Lin Mu enough and had repeatedly reminded Fei Xiang to be respectful toward him. This was a young talent whom even a high commander from the Military Department treated as an equal. Fei Xiang dared not be careless and had rushed over the moment he received the message.

Still, the first thing Fei Xiang did upon arrival was apologize to Lin Mu. If it were an ordinary person, Fei Xiang certainly wouldn't be this respectful. But his father, the old master Fei Zhenghai, had personally called him, insisting in an extremely stern tone that he must come in person. The old man was usually so serious and strict, so for him to act this way over a young man meant Fei Xiang couldn't afford to delay. He had rushed straight over.

Luckily, Fei Xiang happened to be inspecting the counties and was passing through Wufeng County. Otherwise, if anything had really happened to Lin Mu, never mind that high commander from the Military Department, his own grandfather wouldn't have let him off the hook.

"I'm fine," Lin Mu nodded slightly, his reaction not particularly warm.

Fei Xiang, however, seemed to know this was Lin Mu's usual demeanor. He didn't mind and even smiled. Compared to how his grandfather was treated by Lin Mu, his own reception was about the same.

With Fei Xiang's arrival, the atmosphere in the Su Family Courtyard instantly became silent and awkward. Lin Mu said nothing, and no one else dared to speak.

At that moment, outside the Su Family Courtyard, a line of olive-drab military trucks roared up and stopped at the entrance. Seeing the license plates, everyone shuddered. Have all the bigwigs from Jiangling come?

Before the Su Family could react, the sound of synchronized footsteps echoed, as if an entire army was marching toward them.

"The Head of the Wufeng County Armed Forces, Jia Jianshe, has arrived!"

A barrel-chested, broad-shouldered man strode into the Su Family Courtyard with the gait of a tiger, his expression naturally imposing. Behind him stood a group of soldiers, armed to the teeth, their faces cold and radiating a grim lethality.

"Captain Jia..." Lei Chengjun's expression shifted, and he called out instinctively.

But Jia Jianshe acted as if he hadn't heard, not even sparing Lei Chengjun a glance.

At the same time, a deep rumble echoed from the sky. Everyone instinctively looked up, shocked to see three helicopters circling above the Su estate, their rotors thundering. Blinding searchlights shot down, sweeping across the faces of every member of the Su Family.

The next moment, ropes descended from the helicopters, and figures began sliding down.

"Jia Jianguo of the Jiangling Military Region's First Combat Team, reporting to the Commander!" a soldier, at least one-hundred and eighty centimeters tall, announced as he landed before Lin Mu, snapped his heels together, and rendered a sharp salute.

Jia Jianguo! A colonel!

"This..."

The Su Family Courtyard fell completely silent. Everyone was stunned by the scene.

Commander? Since when did Lin Mu become Jia Jianguo's commander? Jia Jianguo, a unit commander in the Jiangling Military Region, was calling Lin Mu 'Commander'? No wonder Jia Jianshe, the captain of the Wufeng County Armed Forces, completely ignored Lei Chengjun. Jia Jianguo is Jia Jianshe's older brother!

But it wasn't over yet. The crowd parted to reveal Guan Xinhe approaching slowly. He was dressed in a military uniform, his epaulets bearing a gold olive branch and two stars, an insignia that left no room for doubt about his high rank.

As soon as Guan Xinhe appeared, the scene became deathly still. The Su family members didn't even dare to breathe too loudly.

"Mr. Lin," Guan Xinhe said with a smile.

With a nod, Guan Xinhe handed a document to Lin Mu. Then, he respectfully presented a neatly folded uniform. On its epaulets were four dazzling, eye-catching stars.

"This is..." Lin Mu was also slightly startled.

Guan Xinhe smiled. "You'll understand once you take a look."

Lin Mu opened the document, and his eyebrows shot up.

"Instructor Lin, from now on, we'll be in your care!" Guan Xinhe snapped his heels together and gave Lin Mu a military salute.

"Instructor Lin!" all the military personnel present shouted in unison, saluting as one.

The scene was both shocking and sacred. It was a rare sight.

Lin Mu stood up, his posture ramrod straight. He gave a slight nod. "I will do what little I can to serve the country."

This spectacle left everyone present even more dumbfounded. The members of the Su Family were overwhelmed with fear.

"General, this is..." Su Qing asked, his voice a mixture of three parts confusion and seven parts excitement.

"From now on, Mr. Lin will be the General Instructor of the Southeast Military Academy," Guan Xinhe replied. He seemed unaware of what had transpired, and his attitude toward Su Qing was still polite.

The General Instructor of the Southeast Military Academy?

Su Qing stumbled back several steps, an expression of utter disbelief on his face as he nearly lost his footing.

"General… General Instructor..."

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