Chapter 261: Tricking Money

Chapter 261: Fraudulent Money

This Huangliang dreamscape, resembling a common living room, was constructed by Zhao Qingxia. The entire environment was starkly primitive, with some walls even appearing distorted.

As for other functions such as imprisoning the consciousness of the linker, it was even more impossible.

Otherwise, Mo Jin would not have dared to accept the invitation and link in so easily.

However, although there was no danger here, Mo Jin had no authority either, not even to conjure a chair. He could only watch Zhao Qingxia sit comfortably while he stood foolishly.

"Zhao Qingxia, do you think making some boring noise will secure your victory?"

The malice in Mo Jin's eyes grew thicker.

Zhao Qingxia blew the debris off his fingernails and spoke calmly: "This is just the beginning. The more exciting parts are yet to come. I didn't expect you father and son to have so many enemies. The ruthless attacks have left me shaken."

Mo Jin let out a cold laugh, "Rumors will always remain rumors, no matter how many times they are repeated, they won't become the truth!"

"So confident?"

Zhao Qingxia switched the hand gripping the sword and continued filing his nails, "I know you father and son have shut down your company in the four coastal guards, but you don't really think that would destroy all evidence, do you?"

"So many military arms, they couldn't have fallen from the sky, could they? Mining, smelting, manufacturing, transportation—could you really kill everyone along the entire counterfeit chain?"

Mo Jin clenched his teeth and growled angrily, "You brought me in here today just to listen to your nonsense?!"

"Of course not."

Zhao Qingxia's voice suddenly stopped. He glared at his own hands, muttering, "Damn it, I filed my nails too quickly. How am I supposed to pretend to be a gentleman next? Should I use my toenails?"

Perhaps fearing that removing his shoes would provoke Mo Jin, Zhao Qingxia abandoned the idea.

"The person who tied the bell must untie it. I'm here to tell you that only I can resolve this public outcry and clear your family's name."

Mo Jin frowned, "What do you mean by that?"

Zhao Qingxia waved his hand, constructing a chair behind Mo Jin. His tone shifted abruptly from arrogant to gentle.

"I'm here to negotiate."

"Negotiate?"

Mo Jin's eyes narrowed in suspicion. He always felt Zhao Qingxia's expression was strange, but couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.

"Exactly. Actually, we don't have any deep grudges. The whole incident started because Ju Zitang inexplicably gave me a spot in the Tianzhi Society."

"To be honest, I never had much interest in Ju Zitang, nor did I ever actively compete for the qualification to enter the hall for deeper study. You and I became enemies purely by accident."

"If you had no interest in Ju Zitang, why did you refuse my offer to buy your research achievements and spot?"

Zhao Qingxia sighed, "Sometimes when an opportunity falls into your lap, you instinctively don't want to let it go easily."

Mo Jin finally sat in the chair and asked coldly, "Then why have you suddenly come to your senses?"

"You can't twist your arm. I, Zhao Qingxia, am just a obsessed with martial arts and not pursuing a proper career. Even if I graduate smoothly from Ju Zitang in the future, the best I could become is Mo Xu Qi. With better luck, maybe Mo Xu Liu. But even then, I'm no match for your family."

Zhao Qingxia shrugged and spread his hands, "Instead of letting everyone perish, why not each take what they need? Isn't that better?"

Mo Jin stared at the grinning man before him and said after a moment's thought, "If you want to negotiate with me, why spread the dirty water in the Huangliang dreamscape?"

"If we're negotiating, I have to show my strength, right? Otherwise, how would I set a price?"

The rumors that had kept him restless were merely the other party's way of setting the stage for negotiation.

Mo Jin's chest burned with rage, wishing he could kill Zhao Qingxia on the spot.

You bastard, if you want to negotiate, just say so! Why go through all this trouble?

Now covered in filth, he was smiling and saying he could clean it up for a fee. What kind of operation was this?

But Mo Jin also knew that without the current public outcry shaking the morale of his Mo Attack Forces, he probably wouldn't be negotiating with Zhao Qingxia at all.

Killing someone was easy, but washing away the tarnished reputation was hard.

"Speak up, what conditions do you want?"

Zhao Qingxia chuckled, "I won't be ashamed to tell you, I come from a poor background and have never seen much money in my life."

"After my promotion to Mo Rank, all my family assets were used to upgrade my armor and research my hobbies. Now I'm broke. That's why I went to the Chengdu Mansion to seek autumn wind, robbing the Confucian clan's money. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side. I was chased around like a chicken and dog, nearly losing my life."

Mo Jin said impatiently, "Stop the nonsense, how much do you want?"

Zhao Qingxia slowly extended two fingers, "This amount."

"Two million?"

"Haha, you're joking, Master Mo. How could a spot in Ju Zitang be worth only two million?"

Zhao Qingxia squinted and smiled, "Twenty million!"

Mo Jin suddenly stood up, glaring fiercely at Zhao Qingxia, "Do you want to slaughter me like a pig? You'd better take two hundred thousand taels of silver and buy yourself a Huangliang host to hide in forever! I don't believe that martial artist will protect you forever!"

Damn, he's turning hostile now? You bastard, at least haggle!

Zhao Qingxia's expression stiffened. Seeing Mo Jin's body flickering, about to disconnect the link, he quickly called out, "We can still negotiate!"

"Five million! That's the highest price I can offer."

Mo Jin's body also abruptly solidified, clearly his previous actions were just to intimidate Zhao Qingxia.

He now understood where that strange feeling had come from.

In two words, it was awkwardness!

Zhao Qingxia was a fool, not knowing how to negotiate, nor having any complicated thoughts.

First splash dirty water, then use the momentum to negotiate prices—this series of actions must have been orchestrated by that Jinyiwei martial artist behind the scenes!

The other side was afraid.

In the end, they didn't dare to continue fighting, so they played these tricks to get more money.

Looking at Zhao Qingxia, who was now in his palm, Mo Jin's agitated heart finally calmed down.

"If five million can solve these troubles, we won't need those sinners to get involved. Naturally, I won't risk my rank to use my Ming Gui Mo Armor either."

With his mind made up, Mo Jin said coldly, "I'll give you five million taels of silver. You must immediately clarify all rumors and never appear on the empire's mainland again! Otherwise, even if Li Jun is backing you, I'll take your life!"

"No problem! As long as the money is in place, I'll do it right away."

Zhao Qingxia's decisiveness made Mo Jin frown slightly, "I've been recording everything since I entered this dreamscape. If you take the money and don't do the job, you know the consequences!"

What consequences? Ruining my reputation or taking my life?

Zhao Qingxia thought to himself, you never intended to let me go anyway. We'll eventually have to draw our swords.

Afraid of my pursuit? Nonsense!

As for reputation, I'm a poor man who survives by robbing Confucian companies. What do I care about reputation?

"Master Mo, rest assured. If I were greedy, I wouldn't have let you drive the price down so low."

Though still somewhat doubtful, Mo Jin found the opportunity to prove his ability to solve problems and gain a spot in Ju Zitang too tempting.

Moreover, from his previous investigation into Zhao Qingxia's background, this country bumpkin, though of low birth, had no record of any despicable deeds except his obsession with studying that mysterious mimicry martial art.

An opportunity like this was rare. He had to try it no matter what!

With that in mind, Mo Jin no longer hesitated. He extended his right index finger and traced a complex pattern in the air.

This is his transfer key.

A moment later.

A bank card shimmering with dazzling golden light materialized out of thin air, floating before Zhao Qingxia.

Zhao Qingxia's hand moved like lightning, snatching the card into his grasp and crushing it to pieces.

Hearing the rustling of substantial banknotes beside his ear, Zhao Qingxia suddenly smiled with eyebrows raised, bowing deeply to the proud Mo Jin, expressing heartfelt gratitude.

"That's enough for now, thank you!"

"Once you've taken the money, hurry off."

Before Mo Jin could finish speaking, Zhao Qingxia's figure had vanished on the spot.

As the builder's link was severed, the entire Huangliang dream realm began to collapse.

Mo Jin watched the world before him slowly crumbling, recalling Zhao Qingxia's contented smile, and for a moment stood frozen in place.

An inexplicable unease lingered in his heart.