Wang Ji said, "War God Zhuge has arrived."
"That's good!" Zhuge Tao let out a long breath.
After confirming who had arrived, Wang Ji descended from the sky. Zhuge Shan said, "This is War God Ling Changkong. It was really just a misunderstanding. Even if I hadn't come today, War God Ling wouldn't have done anything to you. You'll understand someday: Ling Changkong may not be much to speak of in terms of strength, but his character is beyond reproach!"
War God Ling Changkong said amiably, "You're putting me down the moment you get here, Zhuge! My strength may not be much to speak of, but I'm still not worse than you, am I?"
"Haha! Then let's spar sometime!"
"Let's do it!" They both burst out laughing.
War God Ling Changkong said, "I've gotten the gist of what happened. Gao Qiang took 200 million from someone else, then attacked Wang Ji and tried to kill him. Is that right?"
Wang Ji and Gao Qiang both nodded.
"This was definitely Gao Qiang's fault! Those who attacked alongside him got what they deserved when they were killed in retaliation. As for Gao Qiang, if this goes before the Martial Artists' Tribunal, he'll get at least ten years in prison!" Ling Changkong said. "I'll make Gao Qiang promise never to attack you again or hold a grudge against you. He'll also compensate you with 2 billion. How about we leave it at that?"
Zhuge Shan nodded. "Two billion—that's several years' savings for a mid- or high-level War General! That sounds reasonable."
Seeing the expressions on Ling Changkong and Zhuge Shan's faces, Wang Ji could only nod. "All right."
Gao Qiang said, "I... I don't have enough money..."
Ling Changkong and Zhuge Shan both glared at him. Gao Qiang quickly added, "I only have 200 million in cash! I just spent the rest on several Series 8 pieces of equipment! I own shares in Qidian Chinese Web worth 1 billion, and I also have a publishing group worth 1.5 billion. Give me a month to sell the shares and the company, and I'll definitely be able to put together 2 billion..."
Wang Ji's thoughts stirred. "The shares and the company will do."
Zhuge Shan made the decision. "Then it's the shares and the company! Old Ling, no problem, right?"
Ling Changkong nodded amiably but firmly. "No problem. There won't be any problems."
There really wouldn't be. If anyone dared to make trouble over an agreement made by two War Gods, they would only disgrace the War Gods. Gao Qiang wouldn't dare.
It had been only half a day since they returned to the Base City when someone came to meet with Wang Ji. She was a woman with a cool expression, apparently in her twenties, with a scholarly air, a serene demeanor, and clear eyes.
Beside Wang Ji stood a supervisor from the Limit Martial Hall's business department, there to help him. It had only taken one word from Zhuge Tao. As one of the three major powers in Jiangnan Base City, his influence was more than enough.
The supervisor quietly told Wang Ji, "This is Luo Xinlan, the actual manager of the Roland Culture Publishing Group. She's also... uh... Gao Qiang's mistress. She founded and runs the company herself."
As he spoke, he handed Wang Ji several investigative reports. They contained information about the Roland Culture Publishing Group, including Luo Xinlan's background.
"Good grief... They even have information this private?" Wang Ji said in surprise as he looked over some of the details. There was even information about when and how Gao Qiang had coerced Luo Xinlan into becoming his mistress, then given her money to start the company. And so on.
The supervisor nodded. "The Limit Martial Hall's influence is beyond question."
"All right. Impressive!" Wang Ji turned to Luo Xinlan and asked, "I heard you built Roland Culture from the ground up? You used only Gao Qiang's 200 million in startup funds and grew it into a 1.5-billion-yuan company in three years?"
Luo Xinlan looked reluctant. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded.
"I also heard Gao Qiang forced you into it?" Wang Ji suddenly asked.
Luo Xinlan's expression changed at once. Her pretty face flushed crimson, and she glared at Wang Ji in fury. Who could accept such private, shameful history being dragged into the light without warning? It was as if she had suddenly been stripped naked.
Wang Ji waved a hand. "If I wanted to take you away from Gao Qiang and have you keep managing Roland Culture Group for me, would you be willing?"
Luo Xinlan broke down and cried out, "What do you take me for? What do all of you take me for? You... You and Gao Qiang are both bastards! No way! I'd rather die!"
It seemed there was a lot more to the story. Wang Ji sighed inwardly.
Then he waved his hand and said, "I'm not Gao Qiang. I'm not trying to do anything to you. I just value your talent. Roland Culture is worth 1.5 billion, and it's thriving. That's great! I believe in you!"
As he spoke, Wang Ji called Gao Qiang.
"..." Wang Ji explained what he wanted in just a few sentences.
"Absolutely not! You're going too far!" Gao Qiang panted heavily over the phone. What man could accept a demand like that? It was outrageous!
Wang Ji calmly replied, "There's nothing impossible about it. We can turn enemies into friends. You wouldn't want another enemy down the line, would you? I can quickly forget that you tried to kill me today."
The unspoken implication was that if Gao Qiang refused, Wang Ji wouldn't forget.
"You..." Gao Qiang said furiously. "I've already given you companies worth 2.5 billion. What more do you want?"
Wang Ji said, "This woman doesn't mean much to you, does she? Besides, if you want to get technical, I'm legally rescuing someone who was coerced. You're the one who broke the law, aren't you?"
"You... You're just going too far!" Gao Qiang smashed the cup in his hand.
"So, is that it?"
"You... You..."
"I understand! You agree, you're just too embarrassed to say so. Goodbye!" Wang Ji hung up.
"Get lost! I never want to see you again!" Gao Qiang panted furiously and smashed his phone too.
Wang Ji nodded to Luo Xinlan. "Gao Qiang agreed."
"Waaah..." All the humiliation Luo Xinlan had kept bottled up came pouring out. She covered her face and sobbed.
"You're bullying her, aren't you?" Wang Yan glared at Wang Ji.
Wang Ji said, "Not really. I looked at the investigative reports from the Limit Martial Hall. Gao Qiang coerced Luo Xinlan, and because of her family situation and other reasons, she had no choice but to give in to him. She put all her energy into the Roland Culture Publishing Group, which is why it's done so well. I just value her talent. Besides, you can't help me run this company. You and Xiao Ning still have school."
Wang Yan pinched Wang Ji's ear. "You're not just doing this because she's pretty, are you?"
"Sis, you're overthinking it!"
"You're the one overthinking it!" Wang Yan glared.
"I'm innocent! I swear!"
After taking care of the odds and ends, Wang Ji went back to training at the Extreme Pavilion. Although the Tiger Fang Squad had interrupted his fight with the Silver Moon Fierce Wolf last time, he had still gained valuable insights. After returning, he quickly found the feel for it. Four or five days later, he mastered the second stage of 36-Fold Waves!
Force output: 2x!
Wang Ji slowly began working on the third stage, but made little progress.
"What? You've mastered the second stage of 36-Fold Waves? A force-amplification factor of 2x?" Zhuge Tao asked excitedly.
Wang Ji nodded. "That's right! I just mastered it!"
"Come on, let's go! I'll apply for the Elite Training Camp for you again!" Zhuge Tao said excitedly.
Wang Ji asked curiously, "Supervisor, didn't you say last time that I'd need a force output close to 3x to have a decent chance?"
Zhuge Tao said, "This is an advanced force-amplification technique from a relic! It can boost both speed and defense! What's more, the Chinese Military only released it just over a month ago. You mastered the second stage in barely over a month, which shows your talent. We still have a very good chance this time! I'll apply again!"
Before you continue