Chapter 107
Chapter 107
Darkness fell. Once training ended, the Yanshan chiliarchy shed its clamor. The private soldiers returned to the barracks, and Lin Zhuo, wearing a triumphant expression, drank alone. It had been some time since he had become the prospective son-in-law of the Count of Jing'an's Estate, yet he still felt as if he were floating on a cloud, disconnected from reality. Drinking, Lin Zhuo muttered to himself.
"Shen Lang, you have one day left! If you don't bow your head and apologize to me tomorrow, I will make my move against the cavalry of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, and against Jin Jianniang as well. Don't you dare blame me for being heartless when the time comes."
"Shen Lang, don't resent me for crushing you. Your reputation is great, so how else can I make a name for myself but by stepping on your head to rise?"
What was the fastest way to become famous? It was, of course, to step on the head of someone already famous. Whether in the world of entertainment or literature, such strategies were common. Lin Zhuo, brimming with self-satisfaction, continued to drink.
Everyone thought he would be miserable for marrying a three-hundred-pound woman, but that wasn't the case at all. Lin Zhuo naturally liked peerless beauties, but a conventionally pretty woman was less interesting than a three-hundred-pound one. Tastes varied, and you never knew what you truly liked until you tried.
Since they hadn't held the wedding ceremony yet, he hadn't truly experienced the pleasures of his wife, but when he first saw his future bride, he realized he was genuinely interested in her. Humans were insignificant creatures, often lacking a deep understanding of themselves, and thus often unaware of what they truly desired.
Even in *Game of Thrones*, didn't the universally feared Roose Bolton marry a woman of two or three hundred pounds and have a son with her? Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside.
Lin Zhuo asked in a cold voice.
"What is it? Who's there? Do you have a death wish, causing a ruckus in the barracks?"
"Someone claiming to be the Chiliarch's close friend is trying to force his way in. We're in the middle of beating him and throwing him out."
Then, the person outside shouted loudly.
"Brother Lin Zhuo, it's me, Wang Lian! Wang Lian!"
*'Wang Lian?'*
Lin Zhuo was overjoyed, feeling an indescribable sense of elation.
*'Brother Wang Lian, you've finally shown up? Is my glorious return finally complete? Is my moment of triumph finally perfect?'*
Lin Zhuo was so delighted he was about to go out to greet him personally, but after a moment's thought, he waved his hand dismissively at his subordinate.
"Let him in."
After Wang Lian entered, he immediately prostrated himself on the floor and wept.
"Brother Lin Zhuo, save me, please save me!"
*'Ah! How satisfying.'*
The man who used to metaphorically step on his head and act high-and-mighty every day was now kneeling before him. In the past, whenever they gathered, Lin Zhuo's old classmates and friends would praise him, but Wang Lian, seemingly exercising restraint, never responded to their flattery with any real enthusiasm, which left Lin Zhuo and the others feeling a sense of emptiness in their actions. But now, that very same Wang Lian was on the floor, kowtowing to him.
*'This... this is truly satisfying.'*
Lin Zhuo stepped forward to help Wang Lian up, saying.
"Brother Wang Lian, why are you doing this? We are friends, are we not? Why act so distant? How can I possibly accept such a grand gesture?"
Wang Lian pressed his head to the floor.
"Brother Lin, save me, please save me. This little brother of yours has been driven into a corner."
"What happened? Who is trying to harm you, Brother Wang?"
"It's Lord Liu Chengyan, of course. I... I had an affair with his concubine, and in a moment of passion, I did something I shouldn't have. Liu Chengyan had her drowned in the river."
"S-so, Liu Chengyan hasn't taken his revenge on you yet, Brother Wang?"
A flicker of suspicion remained in Lin Zhuo's mind.
*'Wang Lian, I heard you were killed by Liu Chengyan. Why have you suddenly appeared here?'*
Wang Lian stood up, his face a mask of utter pain and humiliation, and said in a trembling voice.
"Liu Chengyan sent men to capture me, and then he let me go."
"Why would he let you go so easily, Brother Wang?"
*'That doesn't make sense.'*
Without another word, Wang Lian lifted his long robe and pulled down his trousers.
"Brother Wang, w-what are you doing?"
And when he saw Wang Lian's hidden secret, Lin Zhuo was completely stunned. Just imagining the pain Wang Lian must have endured made his scalp tingle.
"Lord Liu Chengyan did this?"
Wang Lian gritted his teeth.
"Who else could it have been?"
In that instant, everything made sense. The reason Liu Chengyan had released him was because he had already inflicted the cruelest punishment. Wang Lian then dropped to his knees again, sobbing.
"Lord Lin, this humble one has been pushed to a dead end. Please, save me just this once! Lord Lin, I've been stripped of my office and titles because of Shen Lang. I have nowhere to go now. I beg you to take me in. I will serve you as faithfully as a horse or ox to repay your grace."
Wang Lian kowtowed ceaselessly. He was acting for his life. He had entered a state of extreme focus. Even without Shen Lang's prompting, he would have done everything in his power to destroy Lin Zhuo.
"But I don't have a suitable position for you around here, Brother Wang."
"Having come to this, how could I dare hope for an official post? As long as I have food to eat and a roof over my head, that is more than enough."
"W-well, if you don't mind, Brother Wang, how about you manage documents for me and help me organize my manuscripts?"
"Yes, my lord."
Wang Lian bowed joyfully. Lin Zhuo was even more delighted. What in the world could be more satisfying than having someone who once stood so high above you become your servant?
"Men, bring wine! I shall host a banquet to help Brother Wang recover from his journey."
***
The two men drank and ate with great cheer. Wang Lian was relentless with his flattery, his sycophantic words knowing no bounds. Every single word was cunning and shameless. It was so cloying that it felt like his pores were opening up, but Lin Zhuo was thoroughly satisfied. All the flattery and pandering he had done in the past was now coming back to him tenfold. Who said what goes around doesn't come around? This just proved that people needed to go through hardship.
Look at Brother Wang Lian. Back when he was arrogant and full of himself, one wanted to just beat him to death. But now, what remarkable talent he displayed, putting one so at ease.
Under Wang Lian's dazzling display of words, Lin Zhuo found himself drinking more and more without realizing it. But for some reason, he started to see a seductive charm in Wang Lian's eyes and expression. This... this...?
Were humans truly such insignificant creatures? Did they really not know themselves that well? Were they just waiting for the door to a new world to open every day?
"Brother Wang Lian, don't you worry. I will definitely get revenge for you. In my eyes, Shen Lang is nothing but a clown running rampant. Just you watch how I'll step on his head and utterly humiliate him. The Count of Xuanwu's Estate? They're as good as dead. And as for Jin Mulan, she may act all high and mighty now, but when the Count of Xuanwu's Estate falls, her only destination will be the Palace Music Bureau—where the daughters of disgraced families are sent, treated no better than official courtesans. By then, her martial arts will be crippled, and she'll be reduced to a lowly wench, defiled by countless men."
The more Lin Zhuo drank, the more excited he became. Just then, Wang Lian shouted.
"Everyone, listen up. Do not approach this room before dawn, so as not to disturb our drinking."
Lin Zhuo was momentarily startled by Wang Lian's sudden action, but he soon nodded and, with a thick smile, yelled.
"Did you hear that? Do not disturb our drinking."
"Yes, sir."
All the soldiers outside answered in unison. Then, Wang Lian carefully and secretly poured the white powder Shen Lang had prepared—the world's most potent hallucinogen—into the wine pitcher. He then filled both their cups. The two drank together, their spirits high. Wang Lian had experienced it before, but for Lin Zhuo, after drinking the drugged wine, the door to a new world was thrown wide open for the first time.
The alcohol hit him with a sudden, intense force, and the entire world transformed. Everything around him became incredibly beautiful, and vibrant shadows of all shapes spun around him. His entire body felt like it was floating. At that moment, Wang Lian's eyes and expression grew even more seductive as he brought a wine cup to Lin Zhuo's lips.
"Darling, time to take your medicine."
The bewitching words escaped Wang Lian's lips, words he had seen many times in Shen Lang's book. What followed was a scene too horrifying to watch. Wang Lian naturally guided Lin Zhuo into an intimate act, and the sounds of their vigorous movements filled the air.
The soldiers standing guard outside wore bizarre expressions, a chill running down their spines. One of them couldn't resist and cautiously peeked through a crack in the door, nearly going blind from the sight. It was truly something he couldn't unsee. The world was indeed a frightening place.
***
Several hours passed, and dawn broke. Lin Zhuo awoke with a splitting headache from his hangover.
*'What's going on? I've never had such a bad headache, even when I'm drunk. What happened last night? I can't remember a thing.'*
It felt like a dream. A very terrifying dream.
"Master Lin, are you awake?"
A strange voice whispered in his ear. It was as thin as a woman's, yet it held a deliberately crafted seductiveness that revealed it was a man's voice. Could it be Wang Lian? Lin Zhuo's eyes shot open. And then, he saw a sight so unbearable it nearly blinded him. He was completely dumbfounded.
*'No. This must be a dream. This isn't real!'*
Lin Zhuo squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. The same terrifying, vicious, yet seductive face of Wang Lian was still right in front of him. Perhaps because the dose wasn't too large, fragments of last night's events began to surface in his mind. Lin Zhuo felt as if he had been struck by lightning, on the verge of exploding. His head throbbed, and his limbs and every bone in his body trembled. The Wang Lian before him looked like a demon.
"Ah... Ah... Aaaargh..."
Lin Zhuo felt like he was going completely insane. He let out a wretched scream.
"No, no, no!"
Even if the Lin Clan's son wasn't marrying into his wife's family, the wedding ceremony had to be held at the Count of Jing'an's Estate. Of course, the Lin Clan would also hold a ceremony, but it would be a much smaller affair. The person sent by the Count of Jing'an's Estate to the Lin Clan to discuss the marriage this time was Wu Youyou's uncle, a man named Wu Zhaoyin.
This man's position wasn't high, but he was a senior member of the family. Since his arrival in Xuanwu City, he had been treated as an honored guest. Lin Mo had not only brought Xu Guangyun but had also invited Liu Chengyan. As marriage discussions were a matter for the elders, Zhang Jin and Lin Zhuo were not present. Of course, while they called it a discussion, it was more of a one-sided announcement.
After being lavishly entertained that night, Wu Zhaoyin stayed over at the Lin residence. The next day, before the sun was up, a soldier arrived at the Lin residence to inform them that Lord Lin Zhuo had matters to discuss with Wu Zhaoyin. Being elderly, Wu Zhaoyin was a light sleeper. The drinking party the previous night had gone on late, making it harder than usual for him to fall asleep. Being woken up after less than four hours naturally put him in a foul mood. However, since Lin Zhuo said it was an important matter, he didn't delay and, with a grumpy face, set off for the Yanshan chiliarchy in a carriage. By the time he rushed there and arrived, the sky had already brightened.
"What important matter could Lord Lin Zhuo possibly have to summon me before dawn?"
Wu Zhaoyin said angrily. He noticed that the soldier who had delivered the message had long since disappeared. Growing even more furious, he stormed directly into the Yanshan chiliarchy. And there, he witnessed an utterly shocking scene. Lin Zhuo and Wang Lian were tangled together, completely naked. For a moment, he was completely stunned, unable to believe what he was seeing.
*'Lin Zhuo, have you lost your mind? Dallying with a male lover isn't unheard of, but how dare you do it inside a military barracks? Do you have no regard for our Count of Jing'an's Estate? Does your family's reputation and honor mean nothing to you?'*
For a moment, Wu Zhaoyin could only point at Lin Zhuo, his entire body trembling, unable to speak a word.
"Oh my, I think I'm going blind. I'm still just an innocent child. Why must you make me see such a thing?"
Just then, an exaggerated voice came from the side. The particularly pretentious tone immediately identified the speaker as Shen Lang. Shen Lang had brought Jin Zhong and the others with him, and the scene before them looked just like a wife catching her cheating husband in a hotel.