Chapter 783 - 784 Sowing Discord
Gao Wude led the men of the Gao Family to the military district at the earliest opportunity. Upon seeing the vast military district before him, greed shone in his eyes.
"From now on, this place will be taken over by our Gao Family!" Gao Wude sneered and then led his people straight inside.
The guards had long received news from above, so they naturally did not stop Gao Wude and his group. Gao Wude led his men directly to the military district’s office building. Meanwhile, more than a dozen of Old Master Lin’s former subordinates, each holding a significant position, stood behind Gao Wude.
Looking at the people behind him, Gao Wude’s spirits soared. This is the foundation of the Lin Family, but this time, all of it will belong to our Gao Family! he thought, feeling exceptionally cheerful.
"Let’s go. We’re heading upstairs to see Lin Guodong... Brother Lin," Gao Wude said with a smile, his laugh filled with the smugness of a petty man who had finally turned the tables.
Hearing Gao Wude’s words, Old Master Lin’s former subordinates felt rather awkward. After all, Old Master Lin had just passed away, and they had already betrayed the Lin Family. Now, they had to confront Lin Guodong as adversaries. How could they not feel ashamed? However, ashamed or not, they had to proceed, as there was no turning back. With that, the group followed Gao Wude upstairs to Lin Guodong’s office.
Gao Wude knocked on the door. "Brother Lin, still busy?" he said with a hearty laugh tinged with triumph and mockery.
The door opened to reveal Lin Kuang. His expression was cold, his dark eyes devoid of any emotion—filled only with an endless chill.
Seeing Lin Kuang’s gaze, Gao Wude scoffed. "Well, if it isn’t Nephew Lin. You don’t look so good, do you?"
Lin Kuang paid him no mind, simply turning back into the office to stand by his father’s side.
Seeing Lin Kuang’s dismissive attitude, Gao Wude grew irritated. I’ll definitely deal with him later, he thought.
"Brother Lin, it’s been a few days. You seem a bit haggard," Gao Wude said mockingly to the silent Lin Guodong.
Lin Guodong didn’t even glance at Gao Wude. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the generals who had come upstairs with him.
"My father treated you all well. Now he has just passed away—your old commander has just died—and here you stand on the side of his enemies, confronting the Lin Family.
"You’re all truly superb, incredibly so. Should I call you heartless and ungrateful, or should I say you’re worse than pigs and dogs?" Lin Guodong said coldly, his gaze sweeping over the group of generals behind Gao Wude.
Hearing his words, the men’s faces turned beet red. They were speechless, knowing they had wronged the Lin Family.
"Haha, Lin Guodong, a wise bird chooses the best branch to perch on. Everyone makes their own choices," Gao Wude scoffed disdainfully. "Besides, what does the Lin Family have left? For the sake of their futures, they naturally chose our Gao Family. What can your Lin Family give them now?"
Indeed, the Lin Family truly could not offer those men anything or make any promises now, nor was there any need to. What value did men who would abandon their commander of several decades for personal gain possibly have? Even if he could retain them with promises or a higher price, what would be the use? It would be utterly pointless. Such people were inherently treacherous. Their departure was actually for the best.
"Did you come here just to spout this nonsense? Or do you think gaining a few traitors allows you to swagger around in front of me?" Lin Guodong sneered. "Gao Wude, use that pig brain of yours and think. These men betrayed a commander they were loyal to for decades, all for personal gain. Is there anything they wouldn’t do? Even if you managed to win them over at no small cost, they’ll just abandon you for greater benefits. They might even stab you in the back.
"So, don’t think you’ve won just by having them on your side. They’re nothing but time bombs lurking by your side, ready to explode at any moment."
At these words, Gao Wude’s expression changed, and the faces of the generals behind him turned ugly as well.
"Lin... Lin Guodong, stop spouting nonsense! We’re not that kind of people! Stop trying to drive a wedge between us!" one of the generals, unable to hold back, shouted.
Lin Guodong let out a cold laugh. "Am I wrong? You left the Lin Family for your own interests, so of course you could leave the Gao Family for the same reason.
"And don’t get smug. I’m sure you all know exactly what kind of people Gao Wude and his father are. When you followed my father, he never harmed you. But think about it. Now that you’re with the Gao Family, given their ruthless methods, how long do you think you can hold on to your positions? A month? Two months? Half a year?
"Heh, I imagine you know better than I do. Once the Gao Family decides to turn on you... tsk, tsk... that will certainly be an interesting sight. Don’t you think?"
Hearing Lin Guodong’s remarks, the generals’ expressions grew even uglier. He’s right. The Gao Family is ruthless and reckless. If they really turn on us, what will the consequences be? A chill ran down their spines at the thought, and their gazes flickered with uncertainty as they looked at Gao Wude.
Gao Wude’s expression turned foul. Of course he knew Lin Guodong was deliberately sowing discord, and the realization infuriated him.
"Don’t listen to him! He’s just a petty man trying to stir up trouble," Gao Wude said, trying to reassure them. "Rest assured, as long as you don’t betray the Gao Family, we will not lay a hand on you."
His words eased the generals’ tension slightly, but Lin Guodong’s warning had planted a seed of doubt in their hearts that would not be disappearing anytime soon.
"A guarantee from the Gao Family?" Lin Guodong said mockingly. "Heh. If a guarantee from the Gao Family is trustworthy, then there’s nothing in this world that can’t be believed."
"Hmph, Lin Guodong, stop spouting rubbish. You’re just a defeated foe," Gao Wude sneered. "Now that the Lin Family has lost these core forces, I’d like to see how you plan to make a comeback!"
"Whether the Lin Family can make a comeback is none of your business, Gao Wude. Who the hell do you think you are, posturing in here?!" a sharp voice rebuked from outside the door.