Section 128 (Part 2): Lin Qiye, the Extra-Cash Specialist

Lin Qiye smiled and patted the little girl's head.

"Too little. Expand your appetite a bit more."

"Too little?"

Qi Baishi's large, bright eyes were filled with confusion.

"Then how much would be considered appropriate?"

"That's too much. Will they be willing?"

Lin Qiye smiled faintly.

"This isn't a matter of whether they are willing or not; it's a matter of whether I am willing."

"Follow me."

As he spoke, Lin Qiye led Qi Baishi to the storage room and stopped in front of a weapon crate.

"What do you think of this grade of weaponry?"

Lin Qiye uncovered the gift sent by the Technology Association.

The brilliant radiance of the weapons flashed within Qi Baishi's eyes.

"Th-These are all platinum-grade weapons!"

Seeing the fifty platinum-grade weapons neatly stored in the armory, Qi Baishi's jaw dropped so wide she could practically fit an egg inside.

"They're wonderful! These are all wonderful!"

Stars twinkled in Qi Baishi's eyes as she touched the weapons before her, completely captivated.

Lin Qiye pointed at the weapon crates.

"How many weapons of this quality do you need? Would three hundred be enough?"

"Three hundred?!"

Qi Baishi shivered, nearly dropping the weapon in her hands onto the floor in fright.

"Not enough?"

Lin Qiye offered a faint smile.

"Enough, enough! Brother Ye, won't three hundred be a bit too ruthless? Actually, one hundred would probably still work..."

Qi Baishi let out a deep breath.

In her mind, the Technology Association was an absolute titan. If Lin Qiye squeezed them too hard on her account and offended the association, she would feel terribly guilty.

Regarding this, Lin Qiye remained completely indifferent.

"Then three hundred it is. It can't be helped; right now, only I can help them. When you're asking someone for a favor, you need to show the proper attitude of a petitioner."

Qi Baishi's heart pounded wildly.

"But using three hundred weapons as compensation—isn't that a bit too exorbitant? Will the people from the Technology Association agree to that?"

Lin Qiye smiled calmly.

"I've already said, this isn't about whether they agree or not."

"The power of decision lies with me. Even if they offer them, I might not necessarily accept. If they give too little, I won't help. Won't they still have to come begging to me?"

Lin Qiye appeared supremely arrogant, a confident, faint smile gracing his face.

"Brother Ye is truly amazing!"

"My master came to see me twice, and both times he treated me with the utmost respect. I could never enjoy such treatment in the past."

"I thought that was already the limit, but I never expected Brother Ye to make such a powerful Technology Association humble themselves and beg you..."

Qi Baishi's eyes sparkled with unadulterated worship for Lin Qiye.

Lin Qiye nodded slightly.

"Shortly, the Chief Executive of the Technology Association should be coming to negotiate with me. When the time comes, just watch from the side and back me up like this... Every chance we get to fleece them, we take it."

Hearing Lin Qiye's plan, Qi Baishi's innocent eyes were wide with shock, as if her young and tender worldview had just been thoroughly impacted.

"You're so bad, Brother Ye."

Lin Qiye merely smiled without answering.

***

Meanwhile, the Technology Association had already received Lin Qiye's notice.

Inside the conference hall, the expression of the Chief Executive shifted dramatically before turning into sheer ecstasy.

"Let's move out! Go negotiate with Lin Qiye. We must have him root out all the evil fiends before today is over!"

The Chief Executive leaped to his feet and led a group of powerhouses toward Ideal Island.

Although the meeting was scheduled for an hour later, the group preferred to wait quietly outside Ideal Island for half an hour just to show sufficient respect.

"Let them in."

Lin Qiye instructed a Golden Walker to summon the visitors.

Moments later:

"Mr. Lin, hello, hello! My name is Zheng Ding, Chief Executive of the Technology Association. I've long heard of Mr. Lin's great name."

The Chief Executive wore a warm, beaming smile and bowed respectfully.

Lin Qiye shared a brief handshake with the Chief Executive of the Technology Association and gestured for him to take a seat.

"Chief Zheng, what brings you here to see me? I was planning on taking a rest today; I'm quite exhausted."

Lin Qiye rubbed the bridge of his nose, putting on a thoroughly weary expression.

*What the hell?*

*Brother, please don't rest.*

*Every extra day you rest is another day we spend on tenterhooks!*

Chief Zheng quickly spoke up:

"You've worked hard, Mr. Lin. I've come this time to earnestly request your assistance. Could you help our Technology Association root out the evil fiends right now?"

"Rest assured, the compensation is completely negotiable. As long as you are willing to step in, everything can be discussed!"

Holding his teacup, Lin Qiye put on airs and took a slow sip.

Behind him, little Baishi immediately stepped up to massage Lin Qiye's temples.

"Brother Ye, are you feeling especially tired? You were completely worn out when you came back last night."

"If you really can't manage, you should just rest for a few days! Even when saving Star City for the country and the people, you still have to take care of your health!"

Qi Baishi said with an expression of heartbreaking distress.

Chief Zheng: "..."

"Is Mr. Lin feeling unwell?"

"Indeed. Every time I hunt down an evil fiend, it consumes a massive amount of mental energy."

Chief Zheng's eyes rolled as a thought struck him. He retrieved a spiritual herb from his storage space.

"Mr. Lin, I happen to have a top-grade heavenly treasure here, sourced from the depths of a karst cave. It can soothe and even temper mental energy. Have a look..."

Lin Qiye glanced at the spiritual herb.

It was a lump of substance resembling Tai Sui, radiating extraordinary spiritual fluctuations that caused Lin Qiye's [Immortal Sense and Divine Soul] to experience a tremor of sublime comfort.

Lin Qiye raised an eyebrow and accepted the Tai Sui.

Then, he gave two light coughs.

"Thanks, Chief Zheng. Tonight, I might finally be able to get a good night's sleep. How about this: I'll help your Technology Association hunt down the fiends the day after tomorrow, how does that sound?"

"After all, I've already made a promise to the seven City Association Militias."

"A person without credibility cannot stand; once you promise someone something, you must follow through, right?"

Lin Qiye projected the image of an honest and trustworthy young gentleman.

"Chief Zheng, you wouldn't want me to become a person who breaks his word, would you?"

Chief Zheng: "..."

*As if I don't know what you're getting at!*

*We're all seasoned veterans here; we can understand subtext loud and clear.*

*Isn't this just a textbook case of extortion and demanding benefits?*

Though cursing inwardly, Chief Zheng maintained an exceptionally sincere expression on the surface.

"Mr. Lin, I am willing to offer fifty platinum-quality weapons as compensation if you are willing to act ahead of schedule."

Chief Zheng held up five fingers.

Lin Qiye cast a sideways glance at him.

*Fifty?*

*Are you trying to dismiss a beggar?*

Lin Qiye wore an expression of complete disinterest.

"I've said it before: I value integrity above all else. When I promise someone something, I must follow the rules."

Chief Zheng: "..."

*I'll believe your ghost stories.*

*You promised the seven City Association Militias that you'd hunt down their fiends for seventy million roaming points.*
*And the result?*
*You squeezed Alliance Leader Wang for an extra ten million.*
*You shook down the other families for another five million and collected a mountain of gifts besides.*
*You don't have an ounce of credibility.*
*You just want more money!*

Chief Zheng fell into a momentary speechlessness.

The expressions of the other powerhouses from the Technology Association also flickered with shades of dark and light.

Yet, they had no temper to vent.

After all, they were the ones begging for a favor right now.

Taking a deep, heavy breath, Chief Zheng gritted his teeth and probed, "Then... what about one hundred platinum-quality weapons? How's that? Can Mr. Lin agree to this?"

One hundred platinum-quality weapons were already worth one hundred million.

If this still wasn't enough, it meant treating the Technology Association like a fattened pig ready for slaughter!

In response, Lin Qiye shook his head with utter indifference.

"Chief Zheng, this isn't a question of more or less; it's a matter of reputation being paramount!"

"I, Lin, am honest, trustworthy, true to my word, worth a thousand gold, and value rules above all else. The only reason I agreed to meet with you today is entirely for the sake of little Baishi."

"To be frank, I really didn't want to rashly accept your Technology Association's request because the fiends within your ranks are the most troublesome of all. I must rest for a few days and build up my energy before I can possibly make a move."

Lin Qiye shook his head, portraying an image of someone whose strength was barely sufficient.

Chief Zheng was startled.

The group of powerhouses behind him felt their scalps tingle just as much.

"What did you say, Mr. Lin?"

"The fiends within our Technology Association are the most troublesome?"

"Could it be... fiends capable of possessing peak Diamond-grade powerhouses?!"

Upon hearing this, Chief Zheng's heart leaped into his throat.

"Is this true, Mr. Lin?"

Lin Qiye nodded.

"Yes."

"They are extremely tricky! Let me rest for a while first, and we'll talk later."

Chief Zheng hurriedly spoke up:

"Mr. Lin, how about two hundred platinum-quality weapons, plus one piece of Diamond-quality armor? I know you're lacking in armor!"

"A piece of Diamond-quality armor is worth tens of millions. If it weren't for our Technology Association, we couldn't just casually pull one out!"

Lin Qiye remained expressionless.

Behind him, however, little Baishi was utterly dumbfounded, her mind practically blown.

"Chief Zheng, please don't force a man against his will. Hunting down these fiends isn't an easy task for me."

Seeing that Lin Qiye could turn down even an offer of two hundred platinum weapons plus one Diamond-quality weapon, Chief Zheng felt his heart sink.

He knew he had run into a Pixiu—a mythical beast that swallows wealth but never lets any out.

What a massive appetite!

Yet under the current circumstances, no matter how greedy Lin Qiye's appetite was, Chief Zheng had no way to deal with him.

Chief Zheng glanced back at his companions.

"Shall we discuss this amongst ourselves?"

Lin Qiye waved a hand, gesturing for them to do as they pleased.

Thus, the group walked outside the villa.

Chief Zheng produced a glowing sphere and activated an anti-eavesdropping barrier, plunging into a fierce debate with his subordinates.

"Should we raise the stakes further?"

"No more. In any case, it's only a difference of two days. Saving a few hundred million roaming points over two days—why wouldn't we?"

"But what if Lin Qiye feels our gift isn't enough and drags it out for another ten days?"

"This kid is fully capable of pulling such a scummy stunt!"

"Right, right! This kid is too detestable, showing zero regard for martial honor; he's simply a miser obsessed with money."

"So we just let him fleece us?"

"What other choice do we have?"

"The seven City Association Militias have thousands of lurking fiends, and today another peak Diamond-grade fiend was uncovered. The situation is far too critical; we cannot afford to drag our feet!"

"Several hundred platinum weapons plus one or two Diamond-quality items—though immensely valuable, for the sake of the association's safety, this bit of wealth is nothing!"

"Agreed. If a forging genius in our Technology Association were to be possessed by a fiend, the loss would be catastrophic! We cannot let the infection spread any further!"

"Well said. Though the price we pay today looks steep, in the long run, it is undoubtedly to our advantage."

"You must preserve the people to preserve the land! If we sacrifice long-term interests over a trivial amount of wealth, that would be a foolish move!"

"We might as well just offer a price that satisfies Lin Qiye and completely cleanse the entire Technology Association!"

"Seconded."

"Seconded!"

Soon, after deliberating among themselves, the high-ranking members of the Technology Association decided to accept the deal.

However, at this moment, Chief Zheng raised another lingering concern.

"Cleansing the fiends this time will certainly secure internal stability for the association for a while, but are you gentlemen overlooking one thing? What happens if more fiends infiltrate invisibly in the future?"

"This..."

Mentioning this problem, everyone present exchanged glances.

Indeed, fiend invasions were impossible to guard against entirely. If they could invade once, they could naturally invade ten or a hundred times.

If they were invaded by fiends again in the future, would they have to pay such an astronomical price to find Lin Qiye once more?

"Why don't we establish a long-term trading relationship with Lin Qiye?"

Qi Baishi's master suggested.

The eyes of everyone present lit up.

"That actually makes sense."

"But that would be another massive expenditure."

"Our Technology Association is not short on money! Right now, let's not talk about money!"

Chief Zheng's gaze turned cold and resolute.

"We only care about one thing: safety, safety, and motherfucking safety!"

Having made up his mind, Chief Zheng declared:

"This time, we will finalize future cooperation as well—offer him one hundred platinum weapons per year and let Lin Qiye conduct an annual review for us. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Hearing this, the powerful figures of the Technology Association nodded in succession.

True enough, if a long-term cooperative relationship were established, even if fiends appeared in the future, hiring Lin Qiye to act wouldn't require paying such a staggering price as they did today, right?

"The Chief is wise!"

Flattery echoed from all sides.

"Alright, since no one has any objections, we will pay a high price to have Lin Qiye make a move this time, and then lock down a long-term partnership. Although it consumes a lot, looking at the big picture, it's a massive blood-profit!"

With that, Chief Zheng deactivated the anti-eavesdropping barrier.

Leading his group, he re-entered the villa's spacious hall.

"Mr. Lin, we've discussed it. We are willing to offer three hundred platinum weapons, plus two pieces of Diamond-quality armor. How does that sound?"

Lin Qiye wore a troubled expression.

"I'm a man who values integrity above all..."

Qi Baishi: "..."

*Wait, didn't Brother Ye say three hundred would be enough?*
*Why does this sound like he wants to raise the price even higher?*

Chief Zheng felt as though he had swallowed a mouthful of excrement.

Yet, standing under someone else's eaves, one had no choice but to lower their head.

"Three hundred and fifty platinum weapons, plus two pieces of Diamond armor—not a single item more, Mr. Lin. We already gave you fifty platinum weapons earlier."

Hearing this, Lin Qiye finally nodded.

"To be honest, I truly hold the people close to my heart. I also feel deeply for your Technology Association being invaded by fiends. Therefore, I will reluctantly agree to your request."

"I suppose I'll just have to endure a little bit of trouble."

Lin Qiye put on the expression of someone making a supreme sacrifice.

Chief Zheng hurriedly nodded, finally breaking into a smile.

"However, Mr. Lin, we have one more request..."

Hearing this, Lin Qiye's expression shifted abruptly.

His tone turned ice-cold.

"However? There are additional conditions? You're trying to haggle with me?"

"Little Baishi, see our guests out!"

Before Chief Zheng could finish his sentence, Lin Qiye acted impatient and waved his hand to dismiss them.

Chief Zheng panicked instantly and rushed to explain:

"No, no, no, Mr. Lin, you've misunderstood my intention."

"I meant to say that we will give you every single piece of the agreed compensation for clearing out the fiends this time."

"It's just that, apart from that, our Technology Association also wishes to establish a long-term cooperative relationship with you. We'd like to invite you to conduct internal fiend inspections at our association every year, and each time, we will additionally pay you one hundred and fifty platinum-quality weapons as compensation! What do you think?"

Hearing this, Lin Qiye raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Once a year?"

This was a windfall of free benefits.

It would be foolish not to take it!

Standing nearby, Qi Baishi was left completely dumbstruck upon hearing Zheng Ding's promise.

*Can you actually negotiate business like this with someone?*

Not only did it start at three hundred and fifty weapons without dropping a single piece after coming full circle, but they even added another one hundred and fifty per year?

What kind of logic was this?

Qi Baishi's heart thudded wildly, leaving her feeling dizzy and disoriented.

Yet Lin Qiye furrowed his brows slightly, wearing a hesitant expression.

"As for me..."

"Don't! Please don't say anything else! How about two hundred per year? Does that work for you? This is already the absolute limit of our association!"

Seeing that Lin Qiye still wanted to raise the stakes, Chief Zheng felt his legs turn somewhat weak.

What a living ancestor!

With such generous rewards already on the table, he still wanted to fleece them further.

How was this any different from robbery?

Hearing Chief Zheng raise the offer once more, Lin Qiye finally broke into a knowing smile.

"Very well. Seeing that Chief Zheng is full of sincerity, I will put in a bit more effort and help you cleanse the fiends today!"

"However, the goods must be delivered first, and next year's weapons should be paid in advance as well."

"That makes a total of five hundred and fifty platinum-quality weapons, plus two pieces of Diamond-quality armor."

"Deliver them over, and I'll get to work."

"No problem! Please wait a moment, Mr. Lin; it won't take long at all!"

Chief Zheng gave a sweeping wave of his hand and led his group away...

Leaving only Lin Qiye calmly watching them off.

As for Qi Baishi, she clutched her pounding chest and hurried to Lin Qiye's side.

"Brother Ye, five hundred and fifty platinum-quality weapons, plus two pieces of Diamond-quality armor... di-did they really agree to all of that?"