"No," Wei Hongbin said indifferently.
"Then, may I ask Deputy General Lin, you say I fear battle and death, where does this come from?" Sun Yingkui looked at Lin Shiguo and spoke in a deep voice.
Sun Yingkui usually has a good temper and rarely argues with others, but today he was provoked by Lin Shiguo's words and refused to back down.
Lin Shiguo showed no fear and sneered, "Who knows if you have colluded with those martial artists?"
"You...!" Sun Yingkui was furious and was about to retort.
Wei Hongbin suddenly interjected, "Enough, both of you say less."
Although filled with grief and anger, since the Commander spoke, Sun Yingkui had to bow and step back.
Wei Hongbin continued, "Yingkui, Shiguo, you both are my right-hand men. I know you are all loyal and excellent generals for the nation, so why argue over trivial matters?"
"Lord Commander's teaching is correct,"
Lin Shiguo and Sun Yingkui bowed their heads simultaneously.
"As for those martial artists in the city..." A look of disdain appeared on Wei Hongbin's face.
"They are nothing more than minor nuisances. Once the opportunity arises and the Celestial Soldiers launch their attack, they will crumble entirely and are not worth mentioning."
The captains and assisting generals present all stood up.
"Mighty Lord Commander."
Sun Yingkui lowered his head, a trace of doubt and unease crossing his mind.
Could the martial artists in the Commandery really be as vulnerable as Wei Hongbin claimed?
However, at this moment, even filled with doubts, he dared not utter another word.
After following Wei Hongbin for so many years, he understood well the temperament of this Lord Commander.
Not only did he love to boast and achieve greatness, but he also could not tolerate dissent.
Especially at times like this, if he dared to voice his doubts, regardless of past merits, he would not have a good outcome.
Being reprimanded would be the least of it; in severe cases, he might even lose his life.
So he obediently kept silent, displaying a very compliant demeanor.
Wei Hongbin seemed very satisfied with everyone's attitude, a smile appearing on his face, then he clapped his hands gently.
"Alright, let's not talk about this now. These past few days, many exquisite wines have been presented by the various noble clans' shops in the city, so today we shall have a taste and not leave until we're drunk."
"Thank you, Lord Commander!"
Everyone shouted in unison, and Wei Hongbin couldn't help but laugh proudly, feeling exceedingly pleased.
This is much better than suffering in that God-forsaken place in Boling Valley; at least here, there are fine wines and beauties aplenty. Although not as prosperous as the Capital City, it's not bad at all.
Especially since Wei Hongbin thought that he, in his early forties, already held the power of an entire commandery, and if given time, he could certainly dominate the court. At that time, his branch might surpass the main branch and become the true direct lineage of the Wei Family.
Thinking of this, Wei Hongbin couldn't help but become increasingly spirited.
Meanwhile, while Wei Hongbin was banquetting with the commanders in the mansion, in the Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall about three townships away from Lion Street, Yuan Chenfeng was listening to someone report today's events.
Although Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall's reputation in the martial arts world had plummeted, and many former friends severed ties with Yuan Chenfeng, even many disciples who still valued honor and integrity left the hall, leaving him truly isolated.
Yet, in the Commandery, the influence of Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall had actually increased.
Especially after Wei Hongbin handed over some of the city's defenses to Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall, the name Yuan Chenfeng suddenly became very influential.
Many who coveted power flocked to Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall, and soon Yuan Chenfeng was surrounded by many such people.
They may have lacked other skills, but their flattery and catering abilities were unmatched.
With their deliberate fawning, Yuan Chenfeng had seemingly become the leading figure in martial arts in the Commandery.
Over time, Yuan Chenfeng couldn't help but feel elated, even losing the last bit of shame he once held in his heart.
In his view, his move to deceive and open the city's gates to welcome the Iron Cavalry was the right step; otherwise, how could he have his current status?
As for the ostracism from the martial arts world...
What a joke, in a few days, there might not even be a martial arts world left, so what's there to talk about ostracism or not?
"You say Sun Yingkui tried to win over Zhao Ya, wanting him to meet with Commander Wei, but that Zhao boy refused?" Yuan Chenfeng said.
"That's right, this information I gathered from within the cavalry, there's no doubt," the man said with a flattering expression.
Yuan Chenfeng's face turned grave.
What he feared most indeed happened.
At first, he risked universal condemnation, colluding with Wei Hongbin, to take over the Commandery, all to overthrow Dingtai Martial Arts Hall.
After all, Yuan Chenfeng knew well that as long as Lu Dingtai was alive, he could never rise above.
Especially when a new talent like Zhao Ya emerged, with extraordinary talent and rapidly progressing skills, even his long-trained senior disciple was no match for him; given time, he would surely become a major threat.
Considering all factors, he took this risky move.
Now it seems this step was correct, but he never expected anyone would attempt to win over Dingtai Martial Arts Hall, or even try to have Zhao Ya connect with Commander Wei.
If this endeavor succeeded, what would become of him and Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall?
Thinking of this, Yuan Chenfeng broke out in cold sweat.
Fortunately,
that Zhao Ya is still young and a bit impulsive, directly refusing. Otherwise, all his efforts would have been for naught, resulting in no more than delivering benefits to others.