Lu Zhen remained silent, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Fang Feixue and Nalan Yuan, standing nearby, also found it inappropriate to say anything.

Gu Feng simply propped his face with his hand, closed his eyes, and quietly rested.

The entire reception hall was so silent that the sound of everyone's breathing could be heard.

Both men were smart and unwilling to speak first to break the deadlock.

At this moment, whoever spoke first would be showing weakness, and the scales of failure would tip towards them.

"Old fox, let's see how long you can endure."

Gu Feng, seeing through the situation, knew that Lu Zhen was playing a psychological game with him. He simply lay back on the Buddhist mat, and before long, faint snores began to emerge...

Seeing this, Fang Feixue was about to explode but was promptly held back by Lu Zhen.

"Adoptive Father... he..."

Facing Fang Feixue's angry gaze, Lu Zhen slowly shook his head and forcibly pressed her back into her seat.

Across from them, Nalan Yuan rolled his eyes and grabbed an Immortal Fruit from the table, taking a bite as if no one else was there.

Taking a deep look at Gu Feng, who was pretending to be drowsy on the main seat, Lu Zhen smiled bitterly in his heart. He hadn't expected that the so-called waste sequence, mocked by everyone, would have such a seasoned mind and wisdom.

Under someone else's roof, one must bow their head. This was Gu Feng's cave dwelling palace. If he just fell asleep without a care, Lu Zhen would feel embarrassed to simply leave.

Dragging this out wouldn't benefit his side.

Having figured this out, Lu Zhen suddenly gathered energy in his Dantian and infused a thick True Core force into his throat, letting out a loud cough!

"Cough!"

This cough, imbued with his True Core force, caused the reception hall to tremble slightly!

"Uh! My apologies, everyone. It seems I dozed off due to exhaustion..."

Feigning a flustered look, Gu Feng adjusted his white robe without a hint of embarrassment and asked, "Old General, have you made a decision?"

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Lu Zhen cupped his hands, stroked his goatee, and slowly said, "It would be a great fortune for Heroic Spirit City if the sequence could ease the Divine King's worries. I think our Chen Long Army's three camps should cooperate, but..."

Secretly rolling his eyes, Gu Feng guessed that this old fox wouldn't agree so easily, and helplessly asked, "Does the Old General have any difficulties? Please feel free to speak!"

"Sigh... I suppose it's due to my lax military discipline..."

Lu Zhen sighed deeply, looking troubled, "In recent years, Heroic Spirit City's finances have been tight, and the soldiers' salaries have often been delayed. The Chen Long Army is mostly made up of unruly soldiers. If I'm around, I can suppress them, but if these men are assigned to the sequence, I'm afraid it would only cause trouble and hinder the sequence's major affairs!"

Hearing this, Gu Feng understood clearly. This old soldier was trying to extort money from him!

When it comes to extortion, Gu Feng is definitely at an ancestral level. He didn't expect the tables to turn, and today it was his turn to be extorted!

In practical terms, if this matter could be resolved with some Spirit Stones, Gu Feng was quite willing.

After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Although the Chen Long Army is the Gu Family's army, he is not the City Lord. Why should they hand over thousands of well-trained soldiers just because he asked?

No contribution, no gain! Equivalent exchange is usually the safest. Things falling from the sky are rare, and if they do, they're often traps!

Rubbing his chin, Gu Feng pretended to think, then slowly took out the "Order of Heroic Spirit" from his Ring Storage and slapped it onto the white jade table with a "bang."

As soon as the Order of Heroic Spirit appeared, its unique glow illuminated the reception hall brilliantly.

The three people below the main seat widened their eyes in shock. Having served in the Chen Long Army for years, how could they not recognize the Order of Heroic Spirit?!

"Nalan Yuan, Governor of Camp C of the Chen Long Army, obeys the order!"

Nalan Yuan, not caring about the Immortal Fruit still in his mouth, scrambled up from the Buddhist mat and knelt down.

His eyes were fixed on the Order of Heroic Spirit in Gu Feng's hand. Even Lu Zhen, who was battle-hardened and usually unflappable, was slightly flustered at this moment.

He had heard from Nalan Yuan that the Order of Heroic Spirit seemed to be in Gu Feng's possession, but without concrete evidence, he was skeptical.

Now, the truth was undeniable, and he had to submit. He immediately bowed and saluted, "Lu Zhen, Governor of Camp A of the Chen Long Army, obeys the order!"

Seeing the two of them bowing, Fang Feixue was furious and ashamed. She glared at Gu Feng, resenting why he didn't take out the Order of Heroic Spirit earlier and instead put on such a show, which she felt was an insult to her and her adoptive father!

"Feixue! Kneel! Are you not listening to your adoptive father?!"

Lu Zhen, bowing on the ground, turned his face and saw Fang Feixue's venomous expression, fearing she might do something foolish.

If Fang Feixue showed any disrespect to Gu Feng at this moment, the nature of the situation would change completely! She wouldn't just be targeting Gu Feng personally but the entire Gu Family! The entire Heroic Spirit City!

If Gu Feng pursued the matter, not only Fang Feixue but even Lu Zhen would find it hard to escape blame!

The Gu Family's dominance in Heroic Spirit City, established over tens of thousands of years, is not something that can be shaken by a few Elders or a peak Spirit Dividing realm City Lord.

The true foundation of the Gu Family has yet to be revealed, and it is a terrifying existence!

Lu Zhen, who has served and worked for the Gu Family for hundreds of years, knows this very well!

The Gu Family's authority and ruling position in Heroic Spirit City are unshakable and cannot be challenged by anyone!

Biting her lip, Fang Feixue's expression gradually turned desolate. She slowly bowed to Gu Feng, letting go of all her pride and dignity, her face expressionless and ashen: "Fang Feixue... obeys the order..."

Gu Feng, satisfied with the trio's performance, let a faint smile play on his lips.

He had brought out the Order of Heroic Spirit to intimidate them. These old soldiers needed a reminder of who he was!

When dealing with arrogant soldiers, Gu Feng could think of over a hundred ways from historical costume dramas in his past life, each different for a month straight.

Trying to show off to me? You'll regret it!

"What are the three generals doing? Please, rise!" Gu Feng said with feigned sincerity.

Lu Zhen kept his head lowered, almost touching the ground, and respectfully said, "We dare not! Seeing the Order of Heroic Spirit is like seeing the City Lord! This is the iron law of Heroic Spirit City!"

With a hint of amusement in his eyes, Gu Feng quickly put on a look of sudden realization and said, "So that's how it is. Oh dear, I was too abrupt! This Order of Heroic Spirit was given to me by my father before he went into seclusion. I only brought it out to prove to the three generals that Gu Feng's establishment of a new army is without personal motives and is entirely for the safety of Heroic Spirit City. I didn't expect it to cause such a misunderstanding!"

Putting away the Order of Heroic Spirit, Gu Feng looked around to see the three still kneeling, not daring to rise, thinking to himself, could these guys be addicted to kneeling?

He rolled his eyes and reluctantly got up to help them up one by one.

When he helped Fang Feixue up, Gu Feng felt her body soft and boneless, and the fragrance was intoxicating. Seeing her expression of utter despair, unwilling to even look him in the eye, Gu Feng couldn't help but feel a bit of pity.

"Did I really need to make you kneel? Was it necessary?"