The East Domain's main camp was vast, and the East Domain King's residence was particularly situated on the mountainside. Thus, Wu Shenyong drove away from his own home, taking his adjutant with him, heading straight for the most magnificent and imposing palace on the mountainside.
Half an hour later, Wu Shenyong arrived at the East Domain King's mansion, only to be informed by the guards that the East Domain King was not receiving visitors.
"Not receiving visitors? I'm no mere guest. Open your eyes and see clearly. I am Fourth Commander Wu Shenyong. I have something of utmost importance to discuss with the East Domain King. Report it immediately!" Wu Shenyong said, suppressing the anger in his chest.
The eight guards remained firmly stationed at the vermilion gates of the mansion, shouting, "The East Domain King has decreed that he will be in seclusion for the foreseeable future, refining elixirs in pursuit of eternal life. All visits are declined, absolutely anyone. Therefore, Commander Wu, please do not make things difficult for us!"
"The East Domain King is in seclusion refining elixirs? Then how long will he be in seclusion, and how will the affairs of the East Domain's main camp be handled?" Wu Shenyong asked, frowning.
"The East Domain King announced his seclusion last night. As for how long he will remain in seclusion, His Highness did not specify, and we naturally dare not ask. Regarding the camp's affairs, the East Domain King has stated that everything is fully delegated to the Grand Commander!" The eight guards at the mansion gates stood unmoving, clearly indicating they were all masters.
"Everything is fully delegated to the Grand Commander again. If this continues, the entire East Domain's main camp will likely fall into chaos. Refining elixirs, refining elixirs, all day long they only know how to refine elixirs and seek longevity. I think the more they refine, the more muddled they become!" Wu Shenyong stomped his foot in exasperation.
"Commander Wu, please speak with caution!" his adjutant quickly interjected. "Since His Highness the East Domain King has fully delegated matters to the Grand Commander, we should go and find the Grand Commander."
"Let's go, to the Grand Commander's mansion!" Although Wu Shenyong was frustrated and angry, he ultimately dared not force his way in, as this was, after all, the East Domain King's mansion.
The car roared away and soon stopped before another mansion on a lower part of the mountainside. Of course, this was merely the Grand Commander's usual office, not his family residence.
Although the Grand Commander Wang Kezheng was already over fifty years old, ever since he took on the role of Chief Grand Commander of the East Domain's main camp, he had been diligent and hardworking. Especially in recent years, as the East Domain King became increasingly engrossed in the pursuit of longevity through elixirs and neglected camp affairs, the Grand Commander had shouldered the entire burden of the camp.
Therefore, Grand Commander Wang Kezheng held immense prestige throughout the East Domain's main camp, even subtly overshadowing the East Domain King. After all, the East Domain King had rarely appeared in public for the past two to three years, and the younger soldiers had almost forgotten his existence.
Although it was very late into the night, the Grand Commander was still in his study handling official business, truly diligent and uncomplaining. Despite being only in his early fifties, Grand Commander Wang Kezheng's hair was almost entirely white, and his face was filled with fatigue from long hours of reviewing documents.
Upon learning of the Fourth Commander's request to see him, Wang Kezheng removed his glasses and looked up from his official documents, rubbing his tired eyes.
"Commander Wu's late-night visit must be for something urgent. Please bring him in quickly!" Grand Commander Wang Kezheng waved his hand.
After receiving permission, Wu Shenyong soon entered the study. However, his adjutant was left outside the door.
"Grand Commander, my son, Wu Ziming, has been murdered. Murdered at the East Domain's main camp mess hall. Do you know about this?" Wu Shenyong, without any preamble, demanded with anger as soon as he entered.
"What did you say? Ziming has been murdered? How is that possible? Who would dare to kill someone in the East Domain's main camp? Are they tired of living!" Grand Commander Wang Kezheng appeared extremely surprised.
Wu Shenyong couldn't help but feel suspicious, wondering if such a major incident in the East Domain's main camp wouldn't have been reported to the Grand Commander by his subordinates. However, Wu Shenyong naturally wouldn't voice such thoughts directly. He could only patiently recount the events at the mess hall, along with his own deductions, to Wang Kezheng.
Grand Commander Wang Kezheng fell into thought, his tired and slightly aged face solemn. After a long pause, he said, "According to you, the villainous scoundrel who killed Ziming is the same group that killed Deputy Commander Murong Bai and the Yin and Ming Elders under my command?"
Wu Shenyong did not give a direct affirmation, as he lacked concrete evidence, and moreover, the identity of the person surnamed Xiao was truly extraordinary.
"Grand Commander, I am merely speculating, but that is not important. The Grand Commander will investigate the murderers of Murong Bai and the Yin and Ming Elders. I have come tonight to seek the Grand Commander's guidance. Those who killed my son are currently within the East Domain's main camp. What should I do next?" Wu Shenyong finished speaking, his gaze fixed intently on Wang Kezheng.
The Grand Commander once again fell into thought, appearing somewhat troubled. Suddenly, he said leisurely, "Commander Wu, you should be well aware of what it would mean if they are indeed the same person, especially considering the identity of that person surnamed Xiao..."
However, before Wang Kezheng could finish, Wu Shenyong immediately interrupted, "Grand Commander, I do not know the identity or origin of the person surnamed Xiao, nor do I wish to know. I only know that he was brought in by Zhuge Ya, and I only know that he is the murderer of my son!"
Wang Kezheng waved his hand and said, "You wish to avenge your son, and I can understand that. But have you considered what that would entail if you were to act?"
"My only son is dead. How can I think of anything else? I only want revenge now. I absolutely cannot let my son die in vain!" Wu Shenyong slammed his palm onto the desk and said in a deep voice, "Grand Commander, the East Domain King is currently in seclusion refining elixirs and has fully delegated the camp's affairs to you. I only want to ask you now, how do you intend to handle this matter? Can you give my deceased son an explanation?"
Wang Kezheng raised his grayish-white eyebrows. He did not answer immediately but instead asked, "Commander Wu, I ask you, when the person surnamed Xiao acted at the mess hall, did he reveal his identity?"
"This... he did not!" Wu Shenyong replied.
"Since he did not, it means that, up to this point, he is merely a personal friend brought in by Zhuge Ya, and not even considered to be here on official business, as I have not received any formal notification documents!" Grand Commander Wang Kezheng paused here, then continued, "Since the person surnamed Xiao did not reveal his identity and is not here on official invitation, the East Domain's main camp is not in a position to intervene. Do you understand what I mean?"
Wu Shenyong frowned and gritted his teeth, "So, Grand Commander, you are not going to intervene?"
Wang Kezheng gave a wry smile. "Your statement is problematic. It's not that I am unwilling to intervene, but that the East Domain's main camp is not in a position to do so. It does not comply with regulations!"
"Then what am I to do? Am I to let my son die in vain?" Wu Shenyong coldly demanded.
"What you want to do is your own business. Since the person surnamed Xiao is currently just a friend privately invited by Zhuge Ya, you can entirely resolve this in a private capacity. I have said as much as I can, don't you understand?" Wang Kezheng said, then glanced at the other man.
"I understand. I know what to do. Thank you, Grand Commander!" Wu Shenyong immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and took his leave.
"Wait a moment!" Wang Kezheng suddenly called out.
"Does the Grand Commander have any further instructions?" Wu Shenyong stopped immediately.
"Let me ask you, if that person is indeed the one who killed Murong Bai and the Yin and Ming Elders under my command, do you think your subordinates have the confidence to avenge your son?" Wang Kezheng asked, sitting upright and looking at him calmly.
"This..." Wu Shenyong was stunned. In his anger, he hadn't actually considered this question.
Grand Commander Wang Kezheng smiled faintly, picked up a pen, and wrote a few words on a blank piece of paper. He then handed the letter over, saying, "Take this. Go to Kai Ping Wine House in Dongping Town and find the owner. When they see this, they will know what to do. They will assist you!"
"Grand Commander, you are..." Wu Shenyong was taken aback.
Grand Commander Wang Kezheng waved his hand and smiled, "Don't misunderstand. I am helping you purely out of personal sentiment. After all, we have worked together for so many years, and our bond is like that of brothers."
"Thank you, Grand Commander. I, Wu Shenyong, will not forget your kindness!" Wu Shenyong took the letter and then left the study.
Only after Wu Shenyong had completely departed and the study door was closed again did the smile on Grand Commander Wang Kezheng's face gradually disappear, replaced by a cold, mocking chill.
"Xiao Yunlong, Xiao Yunlong. As the saying goes, a tiger fallen to the plains is bullied by dogs. You, a tiger who has lost its power and claws, dare to act ferociously here. For now, let me let you taste my strategy of driving wolves to devour the tiger and using a borrowed knife to kill. Let's see if you have the ability to escape this calamity!"