212: Do you answer or not?

Lin Yuan suddenly stood up.

A powerful aura erupted from his body, transforming into a tangible storm that swept through the entire council hall.

The air seemed to solidify, and the cups on the table trembled softly, buzzing.

"My Starlight Legion's soldiers can bleed, they can sacrifice, but their merits, no one can snatch away!"

"What they earned with their lives, no one can touch!"

His voice was like rolling thunder, making everyone's eardrums ache.

"When did it become a central army junior's turn to dictate the affairs of my Southern Border War Zone!"

That aura, like a raging tide, surged directly towards Wei Yun.

Wei Yun felt an invisible mountain pressing down on his head.

His bones groaned, his face turned ashen, his legs weakened, and his body involuntarily sagged.

The few generals beside him were startled and quickly stepped forward, jointly forming an energy shield, barely preventing him from kneeling down in public.

The entire council hall was silent.

Everyone was awed by Lin Yuan's merciless outburst.

This Southern Border War Zone Commander, always known for his composure, was so fierce and overbearing when angered.

The rumors of the Southern Border War Zone being 'protective of its own' were only truly understood today.

"Enough, Lin Yuan."

From the main seat, General Qin Wu finally spoke.

His voice was not loud, but it possessed a strange power.

With a casual remark, he quelled the almost boiling killing intent within the council hall.

"Today is an commendation ceremony, not a tribunal."

Lin Yuan gave a heavy snort, and the mountain-shattering, sea-swallowing pressure slowly receded.

But his gaze at Wei Yun still looked like he was looking at a dead man.

Only then did the atmosphere in the council hall loosen slightly.

Everyone looked towards General Qin Wu in the main seat, waiting for this stabilizing force of the alliance to put an end to this farce.

General Qin Wu's gaze calmly swept over the pale-faced Wei Yun.

Then, it landed on the young man on the central platform, who had remained calm from beginning to end.

He slowly opened his mouth, his voice resounding throughout the hall.

"The honor of the alliance is measured by merit."

"'eternal star beacon' is the cornerstone of Infinite City, and also the reliance of Lord Su Jin in turning the tide of the Southern Border War Zone."

"Its ownership, at the very beginning of the 'Lighthouse' project's launch, was jointly confirmed by me and the command headquarters, beyond doubt."

"Today, in the name of the highest commander of the alliance's Molten Heart, I declare once more."

General Qin Wu leaned forward slightly, and in his deep eyes, stars seemed to appear and disappear.

"Infinite City enjoys complete autonomy, free from any external interference."

"This is the respect due to the 'foremost Gonggong', and it is also a rule of the alliance."

"Who has any objection?"

He spoke the last four words very softly, yet they made people's hearts colder than Lin Yuan's thunderous rage.

Silence.

Dead silence.

Wei Yun's body swayed, then he collapsed directly.

General Qin Wu's words seemed to be stating facts.

In reality, they were a resounding slap, fiercely striking him and the forces behind him.

This was a direct drawing of a red line.

Anyone who dared to covet the 'eternal star beacon' again would be an enemy of him, General Qin Wu, and an enemy of the Supreme Command Headquarters.

Xiang Tian grinned, laughing silently, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, which was immensely satisfying.

He nudged his colleague beside him with his elbow, his eyes full of the triumphant expression, "See, the old marshal is still on our side."

However, just when everyone thought the matter would be settled.

Su Jin on the stage moved.

He took steps, one by one, walking in front of the disheartened Wei Yun.

Everyone's hearts once again rose to their throats.

What was this young man going to do?

General Qin Wu and Lin Yuan Commander had already stood up for him and reclaimed the situation, was he still trying to stir up trouble?

Su Jin stopped in front of Wei Yun.

He reached out and straightened the collar of Wei Yun's general's uniform, which was a bit askew due to his stiff body.

His movements were gentle, as if brushing dust off a friend.

"General Wei," Su Jin's voice was very gentle, even with a hint of a smile, "You've worked hard."

Wei Yun trembled all over, looking at him in confusion.

"To be so dedicated to the future of the alliance and the safety of a national strategic asset is truly admirable."

Su Jin continued, his smile becoming even more sincere, "I can understand your concerns."

Inside the council hall, everyone exchanged glances, somewhat at a loss.

This style was not right.

Xiang Tian also frowned, what was this kid up to?

Someone had pointed fingers at him, trying to snatch his things, and he was being polite to them?

Only Bai Xiao, under his lowered eyelids, a smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

He knew that the more "kind" the Lord was, the more miserable the opponent's fate often was.

Wei Yun's mind was a mess, he could only force out a smile that was uglier than crying.

"Lord Su... Lord Su, you flatter me, it's my duty..."

"No, you have a point."

Su Jin interrupted him.

"'eternal star beacon' is so important, the strength of Infinite City indeed needs to be verified."

"Seeing is believing, after all."

Su Jin patted Wei Yun's shoulder, then turned around, facing the entire hall, his voice raised.

"Since General Wei and the colleagues from the Central Starlight Legion have doubts about the defensive capabilities of Infinite City."

"I, Su Jin, am not talented, but I am willing to have an exchange with the colleagues from the Central Starlight Legion, considering it a small 'exercise'."

He looked around, his gaze finally falling back on Wei Yun.

"Let the Central Starlight Legion, where General Wei belongs, be one side of this exercise. And my Infinite City will conduct a simulated battle."

"The time will be three days from now."

"The location, you choose."

"The combat method, you decide."

"If," Su Jin paused, the smile at the corner of his mouth gaining an edge.

"You can inflict more than half casualties on my Infinite City Legion, then I lose."

"If I lose, the 'eternal star beacon' will accept 'joint supervision' as you wish."

"But if..."

Su Jin's tone shifted, his voice growing cold.

"You lose."

"Then you don't need to do anything, just ask the Central Starlight Legion to provide all standard equipment needed for the Southern Border War Zone front line for the next five years, free of charge."

"Additionally, allocate six trillion alliance coins in post-war reconstruction funds, to compensate for the valuable time you wasted of our Southern Border War Zone soldiers today."

"General Wei, what do you think of this 'rule'?"

Hiss—

Gasps of cold air filled the hall.

Ruthless!

Too ruthless!

This was no longer just a slap in the face; this was putting Wei Yun, along with the Central Starlight Legion behind him, on a grill!

Accept? What if they lost?

Five years of standard equipment for the entire legion, that was an astronomical figure!

Six trillion alliance coins in "compensation funds" would make the legion's financial officer hang himself on the spot.

The total annual military budget for all war zones in the entire Molten Heart combined was just over forty trillion!

This stake was so huge that even if the legendary legion commander behind Wei Yun came in person, he would be angered to the point of spitting blood!

Not accept?

That would be admitting, in front of all the high-ranking officials of the alliance, that all his high-sounding words just now were pure nonsense!

Admitting that their Central Starlight Legion didn't even have the guts to "test" Infinite City.

How could the Central Starlight Legion ever hold its head high in the alliance again?

Wei Yun's face instantly went from white to red, then from red to purple, a spectacular display.

He felt all the blood in his body rush to his head, and his throat felt like it was stuffed with fire.

"Hahahaha! Good! Well said!"

Xiang Tian could no longer hold back, slapping his thigh and bursting into hearty laughter.

His bell-like laughter echoed through the Star Dome Council Hall, filled with undisguised mockery.

"Pretty boy, why aren't you talking? Weren't you quite articulate just now? Do you dare to accept or not?"

"If you don't dare, then kneel down and kowtow to your Brother Su, call him Grandpa, and this matter will be over!"

Xiang Tian's words were extremely crude, but they made the generals of the Southern Border War Zone all grin, feeling the surge of anger in their chests release with immense satisfaction.

Wei Yun trembled with rage, pointing at Su Jin, his lips quivering: "You... you're making a huge gamble! You're joking with the alliance's strategic marvel!"

"No."

Su Jin shook his head, his smile receding, his expression becoming indifferent.

"I'm just telling you, and everyone else."

"If you want to touch what's mine, you must be prepared to pay with your life."

"I'm laying it out here today, if you want to set the rules, then first show the strength to set the rules."

He looked at Wei Yun, asking word by word.

"Now, I ask you again."

"General Wei, this gamble, do you accept, or not?"