99: Chapter 99: The Feast at Hongmen? A Large-Scale Dungeon!

The once lifeless Demon Suppression Division was now as hyper-competitive as an Asura field.

When the Demon Slayers met, their greeting had changed from "Have you eaten?" to "How many did you catch today?"

As the instigator of all this, Lin Feng himself was living a life of bliss.

His daily work consisted of sitting in the courtyard, sipping tea, and watching a group of "wage slaves" scrambling to deliver neatly packaged "experience packs" to him.

Then, with a flick of his finger, a single slash of his blade would harvest them, and critical hit points and multipliers would roll in.

"Sigh, the life of a wicked capitalist is just so unpretentious and boring."

Lin Feng looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, letting out a Versailles-style sigh.

However, this peaceful life was destined not to last.

That day, a troop of fierce-looking royal guards in golden armor escorted an eight-bearer sedan chair, arriving in a grand procession at the entrance of the Demon Suppression Division.

A beardless eunuch with a complexion as pale as paper and an orchid-fingered gesture so pronounced it could hang an oil bottle, held a gold-stamped imperial decree and announced in a shrill voice: "Gold Rank Commander of the Nanzhou Demon Suppression Division, Lin Feng, receive the decree!"

The entire Demon Suppression Division instantly erupted into chaos.

"Damn! People from the Prince's estate are here! With this kind of setup, they're definitely here to settle scores!"

"It's over, it's over! Lord Lin slaughtered three thousand of the Prince of Runan's personal guards; now the real master has come knocking!"

Amidst the worried and awe-filled gazes of the Demon Slayers, Lin Feng walked out leisurely, looking completely unbothered, even letting out a yawn.

"By the order of the Prince of Runan."

The eunuch unfurled the edict and read in a condescending tone.

"It has come to my attention that the new Gold Rank Commander, Lin Feng, is young, promising, and decisive. With his own strength, he has wiped out the banditry in Nanzhou, restoring peace and clarity to the people. He is truly a pillar of our Great Xia. I am deeply gratified and will host a banquet at the Prince's estate in three days to welcome Commander Lin."

Once these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.

Settling scores?

Not likely.

They're actually here to...

Present a commendation banner?

This vibe is all wrong!

Even Lin Feng raised an eyebrow slightly.

Good fellow, the Prince of Runan has finally arrived.

What kind of medicine is this old guy selling in his gourd? A Hongmen Banquet?

He sneered inwardly, but his face showed an expression of being flattered as he respectfully accepted the edict.

"Many thanks for the Prince's high regard! This subordinate will definitely attend the banquet on time!"

As the news spread, the entire Demon Suppression Division was in a state of panic.

"Commander! You absolutely must not go!"

The two newly promoted Deputy Commanders, none other than "Xu Xian" and "Ning Caichen" who had performed exceptionally well in Nanzhou, were earnestly advising him at this moment.

"This is clearly a Hongmen Banquet! That Prince of Runan is hiding a knife in his smile; he is definitely not a good person! If you go, aren't you just throwing yourself into the net?"

"That's right, Commander!"

Ning Caichen chimed in, "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall! In my opinion, we should just claim illness and not go. I reckon even a Prince cannot do anything to our Demon Suppression Division!"

Lin Feng looked at these two loyal "Wolong and Fengchu" and chuckled inwardly.

Not go?

Are you kidding me!

Such a huge BOSS dungeon, they've opened the door for me themselves and even laid out a red carpet—how could I not go?

Wouldn't that be a massive loss?

"No worries."

Lin Feng waved his hand, his face assuming a righteous expression. "As the Nanzhou Commander, I eat the monarch's salary and share the monarch's worries. Since the Prince has such good intentions, if I don't go, wouldn't it make our Demon Suppression Division look petty?"

He paused, his eyes turning sharp.

"Besides, I also want to see for myself whether this Nanzhou Prince's estate is truly a dragon's pool or a tiger's den."

"If it really is a dragon's pool, I will slaughter the dragon!"

"If it really is a tiger's den, I will skin the tiger!"

These words were spoken with such dominance, so resonant and powerful!

The two Deputy Commanders were so fired up that they immediately pledged to follow him to the death, serving him loyally.

But Lin Feng's internal monologue was:

It's good to go and see. What if the Prince's estate is raising a few fifth-order Yao Beasts for protection, or hiding a few experts at the Gathered Crown Realm?

This trip, even if it's just a business trip for sightseeing, will at least get my travel expenses reimbursed.

Three days later, at the Prince of Runan's estate.

With carved beams and painted rafters, it was magnificent and resplendent, its luxury even surpassing that of the inner imperial palace.

Lin Feng, dressed in black and with the Life-Slaying Blade at his waist, walked alone into this residence at the core of Nanzhou's power, led by the orchid-fingered eunuch.

The banquet was set in the central courtyard of the estate, where flowers bloomed in competition and ethereal music drifted through the air.

The Prince of Runan, a man who looked to be over sixty, with a kind face and a somewhat portly figure in brocade robes, had been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing Lin Feng, he immediately welcomed him warmly, taking Lin Feng's hand and smiling like a kind grandfather next door.

"Oh my, Commander Lin, hearing about you a hundred times is not as good as seeing you once! Young and promising, a true talent of your generation!"

"The Prince is too kind."

Lin Feng calmly withdrew his hand.

Old fox, his smile is even faker than Fugui's.

At the banquet, the Prince of Runan raised his glass frequently, inquiring about Lin Feng's well-being with great concern.

First, he expressed deep regret, stating that he had failed to discipline his son properly and that the Blood Wolf Guards were poorly managed, which led to the misunderstanding in Qingzhou. He even immediately rewarded Lin Feng with ten thousand taels of gold and one hundred beauties as compensation for his mental distress.

Immediately after, he highly praised Lin Feng's swift and decisive crackdown in Nanzhou, believing that Lin Feng had truly brought the gospel to the people of Nanzhou and was a once-in-a-century upright official.

Finally, he changed the subject and asked casually:

"Commander Lin, you work so hard to slay demons; surely it is for merit and a higher position, right? I truly admire young people like you. As long as you are willing to work for me, I guarantee that within a year, I can ensure you sit in the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Demon Suppression Division! At that time, you will be below one person but above ten thousand; wouldn't that be wonderful?"

These words—sugar-coated bullets, threats, and inducements—were truly masterful.

In his view, Lin Feng was just a reckless, albeit powerful, man with great ambition.

As long as he promised heavy rewards, he would surely take the bait.

However, Lin Feng just smiled and gave a non-sequitur answer.

"Prince, this song and dance... seems a bit dull."

A trace of imperceptible coldness flashed in the Prince of Runan's eyes, but he immediately burst into laughter.

"Oh? Since Commander Lin finds it dull, then I will change it to a more exciting program for you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the music and dance in the center of the courtyard came to an abrupt halt.

The stunning dancers who had been dancing gracefully instantly turned cold in their eyes. With a shake of their sleeves, dozens of sharp, poison-coated daggers slid out!

The musicians playing the ethereal music also put down their instruments and pulled out large black nets shimmering with eerie runes from beneath their seats!

Dozens of powerful auras erupted instantly!

Every single one of them was an expert!

They formed a battle formation, rushing toward Lin Feng from all directions, sealing off all his escape routes!

A meticulously planned Hongmen Banquet had finally revealed its most ferocious fangs!