Chapter 57: Your Sincerity Isn't Enough

After paying the exorbitant ransom, Zhao Tianji and the other two were released.

Of course, this ransom meant nothing to them, but it severely damaged their reputation—how could they lead their subordinates in the future?

"That bastard! Just you wait. One day, I'll get my revenge for this arm!"

Lei Zhongshan cursed and ranted. For a Martial Artist who focused on body cultivation, having his right arm crippled meant his combat power dropped by at least thirty percent.

Meanwhile, a glint flashed through Li Ruyue's eyes.

"Still, through this encounter, we've figured out this new Special Envoy's temperament. He's ruthless, but he cares a lot about regulations—otherwise we'd have been killed at the hotel."

At least until they had evidence of their crimes, this Special Envoy Jiang wouldn't make a move against them.

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Zhao Tianji pushed his glasses up as well, agreeing with her view.

"Well said. And the fact that he demanded ransom from us shows he needs resources too. As long as there's a weakness, we can work on him."

This was their usual tactic.

The three previous Special Envoys had all been won over by the three great families this way.

There was nothing in the world that resources couldn't solve. If there was, it just meant they hadn't offered enough.

The three exchanged glances and came up with a plan.

"I'll go approach that woman surnamed Su."

"I'll handle that man."

"You two certainly know how to pick." Li Ruyue gave the two a sidelong glance, but didn't mind. She nodded and said, "Then I'll find a chance to approach this Jiang Qin. As for the resources spent, we'll follow the rules and split it three ways among the families."

"Good!"

"It's decided then."

…

As a Town Guardian Special Envoy, naturally he wouldn't stay in the same quarters as ordinary Investigators.

In a two-hundred-square-meter suite that included a cultivation room.

Jiang Qin walked in and looked around.

This had originally been Zhou Cang's dormitory, but now it was his.

Butler Jiang had already cleaned the place in advance, thrown out the old things, and stocked plenty of daily necessities. The environment could be called quite comfortable.

"Young Master, the medicinal bath is ready."

The butler's voice came from the bathroom.

Jiang Qin responded and walked in.

A tub of green liquid sat in the middle of the bathroom, just big enough to fit one person.

But soaking in this medicinal bath did no good for the human body. The entire tub of liquid was a product refined from irritating spirit herbs—an ordinary person soaking in it would at minimum have all their meridians burst, and at worst die on the spot.

And even this level was only the entry point of the Ninefold Golden Body.

Stripping off his clothes down to a single pair of underpants, Jiang Qin climbed in.

At first there was nothing special, just a warm, cozy feeling.

But soon that warmth turned to scorching heat, and the longer he soaked, the more severe that burning sensation inside his body became.

This was the medicinal power stimulating the meridians within his body.

The human body has a total of twenty meridians, divided into primary and secondary.

The twelve primary meridians connect the five viscera and six bowels, serving as the main channels for qi, blood, and Spirit Power circulation. The higher a Martial Artist's realm, the more resilient these twelve primary meridians become, able to withstand more Spirit Power.

And what the medicinal power was currently stimulating were the other eight secondary meridians—the core of body cultivators.

The most famous among them were the Ren Du Meridians; once opened, it is called "establishing the circulation of qi throughout the body."

As the medicinal power stimulated, the originally emerald-green liquid gradually turned red from blood seeping through his skin. The process was unbearably painful, but Jiang Qin didn't make a sound.

Compared to being pinned to the ground and rubbed against by a divine being from another world manifesting a Dharma Image, this pain could already be called "easy."

While Jiang Qin was cultivating.

Su Lingwei and Chen Xiaohu were wandering all over the streets.

One couldn't stomach the Zhenling Bureau's food and was searching all over for a good restaurant.

The other was purchasing medicinal ingredients for body cultivation, and along the way gathering intelligence on those three great groups.

And this gave Lei Zhongshan and Zhao Tianji the perfect opportunity.

…

Su Lingwei was invited to the best restaurant in Hanyue City.

As she approached, Zhao Tianji, who had been waiting there, stood up and smiled:

"Miss Su, I apologize for the suddenness of this invitation. We had a little conflict with Special Envoy Jiang today, so after I went back I immediately prepared a small greeting gift for you. I hope you can put in a few good words for me by Special Envoy Jiang's ear."

Su Lingwei took the greeting gift he handed over.

She opened it and glanced inside, finding it was actually a Storage Bag.

Zhao Tianji said, "Our Hanyue City lacks everything except Hanyue Ore. This Storage Bag contains 100 top-grade Hanyue Ore. I hope Miss Su will like it."

Hanyue Ore, as one of the main materials for body cultivation, also came in different grades.

Low-quality Hanyue Ore wouldn't cost more than three digits, while a single top-grade Hanyue Ore could sell for 300,000. In other words, this greeting gift alone was worth 30 million.

"Mm, I'll take the gift. If there's anything else, just say it straight."

Su Lingwei pocketed the Storage Bag, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

Seeing her action, Zhao Tianji's smile deepened, but he didn't bring up the main business. Instead, he chatted casually about the situation in Hanyue City.

Before long, plate after plate of fine dishes was brought to the table.

Su Lingwei had no patience for this guy's nonsense. She picked up a piece of cooked Fierce Beast steak and began devouring it heartily.

Zhao Tianji closed his mouth at the right moment and also began to eat.

Since the other party had already accepted the meeting gift, there was no need to be in too much of a rush.

Finally, after Su Lingwei had eaten and drunk her fill, Zhao Tianji continued, speaking:

"Miss Su, there's actually one more thing I asked you here for."

"Given Special Envoy Jiang's strength, he presumably won't stay stationed in Hanyue City forever. Our three great families would be very glad to cooperate — as long as Special Envoy Jiang is in his post, we guarantee our full cooperation. However, in exchange, we also hope Special Envoy Jiang can focus on his cultivation."

Focus on cultivation — in other words, don't meddle in the affairs of the three great groups.

"No way!" Su Lingwei immediately knit her brows.

"You… the price you've offered isn't enough. You want to pull off something this big with just this little bit of ore? Do you think I'm stupid?"

Hearing those first two words, Zhao Tianji knit his brows.

But after hearing Su Lingwei finish, his brows smoothed out again, and he once more took out a Storage Bag.

"This is a small token of our regard — inside are a thousand top-grade Hanyue Ore."

"Of course, this is only the deposit. As long as Miss Su can help us see this matter through, the remaining four thousand will be delivered with both hands."

Su Lingwei frowned and shook her head. "Your sincerity isn't quite enough — do you understand the rules? Five thousand ore in total, the deposit should be two thousand five hundred. You're at least the head of a group; do I need to teach you something this basic?"

Zhao Tianji was stunned — a mere student actually knew all this?

Looks like she's a repeat offender too!

The two exchanged a few more words, and in the end both Su Lingwei and Zhao Tianji left the restaurant fully satisfied.

When Su Lingwei returned to the Zhenling Bureau.

She happened to run into Chen Xiaohu at the door, who had also just come back from outside.

Chen Xiaohu stared at the three Storage Bags hanging at Su Lingwei's waist, frozen in place. "Y-you got invited too? And you even took their stuff!"

"Is there a problem?" Su Lingwei asked back, puzzled.

Chen Xiaohu wore an expression of disbelief. "Isn't this betraying the boss?"

Su Lingwei was even more puzzled.

"How is this betrayal? Who says that once you take something you have to do the job? Resources that come knocking on your door — it'd be a waste not to take them. Besides, I swindled this fair and square with my own ability. If they'd given it to you, would you have refused?"

Chen Xiaohu fell silent, at a loss for a reply.

Seems… she's got a point!