You're Way Too Ruthless

Qing Mang's corpse lay there in silence.

Some sect missions required evidence to be brought back to prove they had been completed.

Take Qing Mang, for instance. He appeared and vanished like a ghost and was difficult to find. Without any evidence brought back, the sect would have trouble determining whether the mission had truly been completed.

Gao Dazhuang loathed Qing Mang. "This fellow practiced evil arts and slaughtered plenty of the sect's people. We should take his corpse back to the sect."

"Mm, Dazhuang's right," Yin Xiaotian said.

Wang Shufeng and his two companions exchanged looks. They had also accepted a mission from their Lineage. Now Qing Mang was dead, but he hadn't died at their hands. If they didn't take something back, they would have trouble turning in their mission too.

Lin Fan bandaged himself up a little. He was fine anyway. The sword thrust Liu Feng had delivered earlier had indeed been serious, but after his own modifications, this particular sword wound really wasn't much of anything. He had merely cut himself open at the front and back to create the illusion of being run through. In truth, there wasn't a damn thing wrong with him.

Although he hadn't made it very convincing because time had been short, it was enough to fool Senior Brother Lü and the others.

"Brothers, could I discuss something with you?" At the urging of Wang Ziyan and their other companion, Wang Shufeng finally stepped forward, ready to discuss having them hand over the corpse so they could go back and report success.

"What is it?" Lü Qiming asked in confusion.

"Brothers of the sect, our Wang Lineage has close ties with the Flame Magnificence Sect. We came out this time after accepting a mission from our Lineage as well. Now that Qing Mang has been executed, you can take his identifying token back to turn in your mission. Could you let us have the corpse so we can turn in ours too?"

"To tell you the truth, this mission is incredibly important to the three of us, because it affects whether we can advance our standing within our Lineage. That's why we'd like to discuss this with you. We will certainly reward you generously in the future."

Wang Shufeng spoke very pleasantly, calling them brothers with practiced ease.

Lü Qiming and the others didn't think much of it. The corpse really was of no use to them; they only needed to bring back evidence. Since the other party had asked, they naturally didn't mind.

"In that case, this..."

Wang Shufeng and his two companions rejoiced inwardly. They hadn't expected such good luck this time. Not only had they escaped with their lives, but they could also complete their mission. It had practically fallen into their laps without any effort. Just then, however, a rather discordant voice rang out.

"Wait..." Lin Fan stepped forward. He felt something was wrong here.

Especially with those three exchanging meaningful looks. One glance told him something was up.

No need to think to know these three bastards want to snap up a bargain. But is taking advantage of me really that easy?

"Junior Brother, what's wrong?" Lü Qiming asked.

"Senior Brother, we need to sit down and discuss this properly. Come, come, let's sit down first. Let me say a few words." Lin Fan was the first to sit down, followed by Lü Qiming and the others. Wang Shufeng and his companions exchanged looks, feeling that things weren't looking good.

At that moment, Lin Fan nodded in satisfaction. Everyone seemed very cooperative, so they could begin talking.

"First, we saved your lives. Second, I killed Qing Mang. So whether you can take this corpse away is something you'll have to ask me. Of course you can take it, but you'll have to give us a little of this." Lin Fan rubbed his fingers together, making his meaning perfectly clear: hand over some benefits.

Beside him, Lü Qiming said, "Junior Brother Lin, we've already completed our mission. Since Brother Wang and the others need it, we can..."

Lin Fan cut him off directly. "Senior Brother, don't talk. Listen to me."

He was now wondering why Lü Qiming was so accommodating. How could they do business at a loss like this?

We fought for our lives, and we're supposed to let someone else make money on the side?

Wang Shufeng knew that many disciples of the Flame Magnificence Sect hadn't ventured out for long stretches of time. They were relatively easy to talk to and wouldn't think too much about things. Lü Qiming had already agreed just now, only for this fellow to charge out of nowhere. It left him somewhat speechless, but to obtain the corpse without giving anything in return, he was prepared to go all out.

"Brother Lin, we're all people of the Flame Magnificence Sect. We ought to help one another, right? Besides, fate brought us together. I believe you're all men who value the code of brotherhood, worthy of lasting friendship. When you come to Cloudfall City in the future, I, Wang Shufeng, will personally host you..."

He rattled on at length, but ultimately, his point was that he wanted the corpse for free.

Without another word, Lin Fan stood up and dusted off his backside. "Senior Brothers, carry the corpse back to the sect."

Huang Fugui now admired Lin Fan immensely. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately shouldered the corpse to head home. He had now decided that he would definitely follow Junior Brother Lin from now on.

Because Junior Brother Lin's figure had thoroughly stirred his tranquil heart.

"Wait!" Wang Shufeng called out. He damn well had to have it. He just hadn't expected this fellow to be so ruthless.

Wang Ziyan felt somewhat angry. Why was this fellow so stingy?

Lin Fan looked at Wang Shufeng. "Do you want it or not?"

"Yes," Wang Shufeng said through gritted teeth. He felt he was probably going to be fleeced today.

"Good. Now we can discuss the price. How much are you offering?" Lin Fan asked.

Lü Qiming froze. He hadn't expected Junior Brother Lin to be so blunt. Wasn't this a little inappropriate?

Wang Shufeng considered for a moment before finally naming a price. "Ten thousand."

Hearing that, Lin Fan couldn't even be bothered to talk. "Senior Brother Huang, take the corpse and let's go. Are you tossing scraps to a beggar? If I'd known, I wouldn't have saved you. You haven't shown the slightest sincerity. I met a Lineage disciple last time, and he was truly generous. Ah, there's no comparison. None at all."

"Brother Lin, name your price," Wang Shufeng said anxiously. This mission truly was important to him; he had to secure it.

Lin Fan smiled, revealing a row of snow-white teeth. He knew these Lineage disciples were relatively wealthy, because they all had Lineage businesses.

"You seem straightforward, so I won't throw out some wild price. A hundred thousand, and it's yours." Lin Fan felt this price was very fair and very cheap, not remotely ruthless.

Hearing this, Lü Qiming and the others were all dumbfounded. Asking a hundred thousand for a corpse-wasn't that way too damn ruthless?

Lin Fan saw that the other party was thinking, clearly considering it, but he didn't have time to waste here.

"Are you buying or not? If not, we're leaving."

Wang Shufeng and his two companions conferred quietly before finally gritting their teeth. Fine, you're ruthless. If we didn't really need it, we definitely wouldn't buy it.

"We'll buy it," Wang Shufeng said.

At that moment, Lin Fan beamed. "Senior Brother Huang, hurry and deliver the corpse. Money in one hand, goods in the other."

Hearing this, Huang Fugui felt thoroughly pleased too. "All right."

"Wait," Lin Fan called out, immediately stepping forward. "Almost forgot."

Wang Shufeng didn't know what this fellow was going to do now, but a moment later, he was utterly overwhelmed by his shamelessness. This fellow actually stripped Qing Mang's body of everything.

He no longer wanted to speak. How could such a crafty person exist in this world?

The transaction was complete.

Lin Fan didn't keep them any longer.

Wang Shufeng and his two companions were in a foul mood and didn't want to waste any more words. They simply shouldered the corpse and left.

"Senior Brother Lü, not to criticize, but you mustn't be so naive in the future. See, didn't we just make some money? Here, I'll take fifty thousand, and you each get ten thousand," Lin Fan said, then distributed the money.

Looking at the wealth in his hands, Zhang Long couldn't help falling silent, seemingly pondering Junior Brother Lin's words.

"That makes sense." Before long, Zhang Long nodded, as though he had grasped some profound truth of life.

Yin Xiaotian and the others were delighted. They hadn't expected to make a tidy sum before even turning in their mission.

"Junior Brother Lin, you're really too clever. From now on, I, Dazhuang, will follow you," Gao Dazhuang said admiringly.

Lin Fan waved his hand modestly. "Not at all, not at all."