2 Billion in Compensation

Wang Ji said, "War God Zhuge has arrived."

"That's good!" Zhuge Tao let out a long sigh of relief.

After confirming the identity of the newcomer, Wang Ji descended from the air. Zhuge Shan said, "This is War God Ling Changkong. Actually, this is all a misunderstanding. Even if I hadn't come today, War God Ling wouldn't have done anything to you. You'll realize later that while the name Ling Changkong might not carry much weight in terms of strength, his character is beyond reproach!"

War God Ling Changkong said amiably, "You, Zhuge, you start belittling me the moment you arrive! My strength may indeed be mediocre, but it's not inferior to yours, is it?"

"Haha! Then let's spar another day!"

"Let's spar!" Both men burst into laughter.

War God Ling Changkong said, "I've gathered the gist of this matter. Gao Qiang took 200 million from someone else, then attacked Wang Ji, intending to kill him. Is that correct?"

Both Wang Ji and Gao Qiang nodded.

"This is indeed Gao Qiang's fault! As for those who joined in the attack, they deserved to be killed in self-defense. Regarding Gao Qiang, if this goes to the Martial Artist Tribunal, he won't escape at least 10 years of imprisonment," Ling Changkong said. "I will ensure Gao Qiang never attacks you again, nor is he allowed to hold a grudge. He will also compensate you with 2 billion. What do you say? Shall we end it here?"

Zhuge Shan nodded. "2 billion—that's several years of savings for a mid-to-high-level Warlord! That's quite reasonable!"

Wang Ji looked at the expressions of Ling Changkong and Zhuge Shan and could only nod. "That's acceptable!"

Gao Qiang said, "I... I don't have enough cash..."

Ling Changkong and Zhuge Shan both glared at him, and Gao Qiang quickly added, "I only have 200 million in cash! The rest of my money was just spent on several pieces of Grade 8 equipment! I hold equity in Zhongdian Chinese Network worth 1 billion, and I own a cultural publishing group worth 1.5 billion. Give me a month to sell the equity and the company, and I will definitely be able to scrape together 2 billion..."

Wang Ji's heart stirred, and he said, "Equity and the company are fine too!"

Zhuge Shan hammered the final decision. "Then it's the equity and the company! Old Ling, no problem, right?"

Ling Changkong nodded amiably but firmly. "No problem! And there won't be any problems."

Indeed, there wouldn't be. If anything went wrong with an agreement made by two War Gods, it would only be a blow to their prestige. Gao Qiang didn't dare risk that.

Only half a day after returning to the base city, someone came to coordinate with Wang Ji. It was a woman with a cold demeanor, looking to be in her twenties, carrying an air of scholarly refinement, with a quiet temperament and clear, bright eyes.

Beside Wang Ji was a supervisor from the Limit Martial Hall's business department, who had come to assist him. It was merely a matter of a single word from Zhuge Tao; the influence of one of the three giants of Jiangnan Base City was more than enough.

The supervisor whispered into Wang Ji's ear, "This is Luo Xinlan, the actual manager of Roland Culture Publishing Group. She is also... er... Gao Qiang's mistress. This company was founded and managed entirely by her."

As he spoke, he handed several investigation reports to Wang Ji. The introduction to Roland Culture Publishing Group, including information on Luo Xinlan, was all there.

"Hiss... even such private information is available?" Wang Ji was surprised as he looked at the details. It included the dates and the methods Gao Qiang used to coerce her into getting the money to found the company, and so on.

The supervisor nodded. "The influence of the Limit Martial Hall is beyond question."

"Alright! Impressive!" Wang Ji turned to Luo Xinlan and asked, "It is said that you built Roland Culture single-handedly? You took only 200 million in startup capital from Gao Qiang and grew it to its current scale of 1.5 billion in just three years?"

Luo Xinlan showed a look of reluctance, hesitated for a moment, and nodded.

"Is it true that you were coerced by Gao Qiang?" Wang Ji asked suddenly.

Luo Xinlan's expression changed instantly; her pretty face flushed bright red, and she glared at Wang Ji with fury. What woman could accept such private, shameful past events being suddenly dragged into the light? It felt as if she had been stripped naked in public.

Wang Ji waved his hand. "If I were to take you away from Gao Qiang and have you continue managing the Roland Culture Group for me, would you be willing?"

Luo Xinlan broke down, crying out, "What do you take me for! What do you all take me for? You... you and Gao Qiang are both bastards! Impossible! I'd rather die!"

It seems there is quite a story here, after all. Wang Ji sighed inwardly.

Immediately, Wang Ji waved his hand and said, "I am not Gao Qiang. I don't intend to do anything to you. I simply value your talent. The Roland Group is worth 1.5 billion and is thriving—that's excellent! I have high hopes for you!"

With that, Wang Ji dialed Gao Qiang's number.

"..." Wang Ji stated his demands in just a few sentences.

"Impossible! You are pushing me too far!" Gao Qiang was breathing heavily on the other end of the line. What man could accept such a demand? It was simply outrageous!

Wang Ji said calmly and slowly, "Nothing is impossible! We are turning enemies into friends; Brother Qiang wouldn't want to have an extra enemy in the future, would he? I can forget about your attempt to kill me today very quickly."

Wasn't the implication clear? If he didn't agree, he wouldn't be able to forget it.

"You..." Gao Qiang said angrily, "I've already given you a company worth 2.5 billion, what more do you want?"

Wang Ji said, "This woman doesn't mean much to you, does she! Besides, if we really want to talk about it, I am legally rescuing someone who was coerced; you are the one who is actually breaking the law!"

"You... you are simply pushing me 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 it. Goodbye then!" Wang Ji hung up the phone.

"Get lost! Never see you again!" Gao Qiang panted, smashing his phone as well.

Wang Ji nodded to Luo Xinlan. "Gao Qiang has agreed!"

"Wuu wuu..." The utter humiliation in Luo Xinlan's heart erupted, and she covered her face and wept.

"You're really bullying people, aren't you!" Wang Yan glared at Wang Ji.

Wang Ji said, "Not exactly. I read the investigation report provided by the Limit Martial Hall. Luo Xinlan was coerced by Gao Qiang; due to family and other reasons, she had no choice but to submit. Because of these reasons, she poured all her energy into the Roland Culture Group, which is why it developed so well. I just value her talent. After all, you can't help me manage this company. You and Xiao Ning still have school!"

Wang Yan pinched Wang Ji's ear. "Are you sure you aren't just looking at her because she's pretty?"

"Sis, you're overthinking it!"

"You're overthinking it!" Wang Yan glared.

"I'm wronged! Truly wronged!"

After finishing his chores, Wang Ji hid away in the Extreme Pavilion to train once more. Although his last battle against the Silver Moon Fierce Wolf had been interrupted by the Tiger Fang Squad, the insights he gained remained. Upon returning, he had smoothly grasped the feeling, and after four or five days, the second stage of the 36-Fold Waves reached Great Completion!

Force output, 2x!

Wang Ji slowly began to ponder the training for the third stage, but the results were minimal.

"What? You've mastered the second stage of the 36-Fold Waves? A 2x amplitude?" Zhuge Tao asked, pleasantly surprised.

Wang Ji nodded: "Yes! I just mastered it!"

"Come, come, come! I'll go apply for the Elite Training Camp for you again!" Zhuge Tao said excitedly.

Wang Ji was curious: "Supervisor, didn't you say last time that one needs nearly 3x force output to have a decent chance?"

Zhuge Tao replied: "This is a high-level force-exertion technique from the ruins! A secret manual that boosts both speed and defense simultaneously! Furthermore, the Chinese military only released it a little over a month ago. The fact that you could master the second stage in just over a month shows your aptitude. There is still a great hope for this application! I will apply one more time!"