Tian Ling looked at Miles with a bleached face. He was trying to hide his anger and fear. But in the end, he could only crimp his face.
Miles knew too much, and even though he could still evade any accusation, he wouldn’t want to be suspected of any crime in the first place. Otherwise, the number of people following his wishes would decrease tremendously.
What Tian Ling feared was the thought of Miles having any evidence of what had happened at the riverside or in the cave. He had ordered people to die for his causes, and if Miles was somehow able to prove it, it would be his end. He didn’t intend to let any of them return from the start, so he wasn’t too concerned about the aftermath, but now that one of them had returned, he didn’t know what to do.
“Isn’t that person the one who fought with Princess Lemaze?” One of the people crowded around Tian Ling and Miles said.
“Yes, that is him! I remember he had fought with Tian Ling’s men before, and now he is here.”
“He said he had completed the task Tian Ling asked and asked for his payment. I wonder what that is about.”
Miles didn’t move from where he was standing and looked at Tian Ling and his goons calmly with a smug look on his face. He noticed one of them was looking at him menacingly and noticed that the person had one missing arm. He also had some scars over his face that made it harder for Miles to recognize him.
It was Reynold, the one Tian Ling sent to check when he fainted and then threw into the air to bait the monster in the cave. Miles was surprised to see him alive.
“Ah, the task I had sent you to perform, now I remember.” Tian Ling couldn’t help but accept it. There were many people around, and if Miles were to show any proof, he would be screwed. But he couldn’t let Miles walk out with full profit, not after he caused him so much damage. “But as we spoke earlier, since I didn’t get the item in contract, you cannot have the full payment, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Of course, you are right to say that. But since you were also at the scene, and saw the dangers of the mission. The hazards mentioned in the contract don't match with the real situation. Thus, the situation has changed.” Miles said calmly and smiled, “If you don’t think so, we can ask the public and have their opinions, what do you think?”
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‘Bastard!’ Tian Ling cursed in his heart and looked at the people standing in the crowd. He could influence most of them, but there were some from other factions and the military as well. There was no way for him to evade it if Miles were to prove his actions. And he couldn’t counter his words.
“Now that you have mentioned it, I guess you are correct.” Tian Ling rose and acted all high and mighty, “Since you worked so hard for my cause and even braved into the danger, how can I let your efforts go to waste just because I have failed.”
“I will thank you for your generosity then.” Miles smiled happily and showed his wristwatch. Tian Ling brought over his, and the transaction was completed.
Miles then looked at the screen and saw the new 5 millions sent to his bank account and couldn’t help but get excited. He turned back to walk away when he felt a hand over his shoulder.
“Just a second, brother Miles.” Tian Ling looked at him and smiled victoriously. “Since the quest is over, you should return the weapon you borrowed from me, right?”
“Oh, the weapon you lent me to poke the monster?” Miles went into detail without getting flustered. He had the advantage from the start and wouldn’t lose to Tian Ling. It did not matter what he had come up with.
“As you know, I fell into the water while I was fighting with the monster, and the weapon got lost at the time.”
“Oh, I see, I see.” Tian Ling was glad to hear that, after all, the price of the weapon was much more valuable than the money he just paid. “But as you know, the rented weapon was your responsibility, thus you have to compensate me with a weapon of equal value or with money, don’t you think?”
“Of course you are right. It is only right for me to compensate for it.” Miles nodded righteously. Tian Ling snickered and looked at Miles triumphantly. Miles took a step closer to Tian Ling and whispered to his ear, “As soon as you pay back every person you sent to their death, I will return the weapon to you.”
Miles took a step back and watched as Tian Ling’s face changed color. “So what do you think, Brother Ling? Do you agree with my conditions?”
Miles wouldn’t get swindled so easily. Tian Ling tried to get the people’s support by declaring Miles took a weapon from him. Miles could deny it, but the public would still believe Tian Ling more and condemn Miles. And Miles couldn’t push Tian Ling to the corner, or he would receive backlash. But he didn’t have to.
His leverage hadn't disappeared when he extorted money from Tian Ling. It was Tian Ling’s short-sightedness to agree to his conditions without presenting anything in return. With that, Miles could threaten the other party by exposing them.
At that moment, Quinn and Lucy appeared outside of the crowd and called for Miles. “Miles, we need to talk. Follow me.”
“Sure, I am done here anyway.” Miles shrugged his shoulders and walked to the duo. When he was about to reach them, he turned back and looked at Tian Ling who was looking back hatefully.
“Oh, and Brother Ling. If you want to find me, my room has changed. I am now staying on the top floor.” Miles said before turning back and walking towards the two women waiting for him with surprised looks on their faces.