Chapter 1681 - 864: I Refuse

Here they come!

In the reception room, Caruso and Satria, who had been sitting idly, exchanged glances with slightly quivering eye corners. Their smiles remained sincere and bright, yet there was a fleeting sigh when they exhaled.

They had been stretching their necks, waiting for this moment like the blade was finally coming down.

Instinctively, they raised their heads and slightly stood up. But as they looked toward the door, they realized that the person entering wasn't Ji Jue at all.

Ling Shuo.

With a smile on his face, Chairman Ling strode in confidently like a dragon and gestured for them to sit down. He then sat unceremoniously on the sofa opposite them.

He picked up the tea that had just been served and took a sip before speaking slowly, "Apologies, Mr. Ji had a sudden commitment. The matters of the Desert Market will be handled by me."

He paused for a moment, and then unexpectedly asked, "Surely you two aren't feeling resentful or disappointed because of this?"

"Not at all. Mr. Ji is always extremely busy, and it's normal he cannot attend this meeting personally. As uninvited guests, we have no reason to feel resentful,"

Compared to Satria's slightly stiff expression, Caruso's smile remained, seemingly unconcerned. He swallowed another portion of contemptuous insult and responded in slightly awkward Federation tongue, "However, concerning the Association's affairs, I am uncertain if Mr. Ling..."

"Mr. Ji has already authorized me; there's no need to worry."

Ling Shuo snapped his fingers, and naturally, a subordinate stepped forward, placing a thin sheet of paper on the table. It was the very same appraisal document that felt like a noose tied around their necks, binding them for nearly a week!

For a fleeting moment, Caruso's eye corner twitched with uncontrollable impulse.

But soon, he realized it was merely a piece of paper.

It bore no imprint or signature from Ji Jue.

An appraisal without a signature and seal is akin to a document without a Federation stamp; utterly worthless!

A beast!

Is this for drumming up a dog and pony show?

"Rest assured, once we reach an agreement today, the paper you receive will be a genuine Association appraisal," Ling Shuo reclined on the sofa, grinned, and said, "The delay was long indeed, but it has surely tested your patience greatly."

"No, no, it's just a matter of time." Caruso reflexively expressed humility but noticed Ling Shuo's smile suddenly fading. "Since there's no rush, let's wait a bit longer. It makes no difference to me, and you need not waste your time..."

In the instant of silence, he sneered without masking his disdain, "Fine, let's drop the pretenses. Since we're here, let's talk more properly."

Ling Shuo asked directly, "When exactly will the balance payment arrive?"

Satria remained silent for a moment, then took out a check folder from his coat and placed it on the table.

A check from Yongji Bank had already been signed, redeemable in the present world, bearing the bank's spiritual watermark, making forgery impossible. And the numbers on it were twice the original balance amount.

"Huh..."

Ling Shuo glanced down slightly, sighed contemptuously, "Why didn't you do this earlier? Why create unnecessary trouble... Oh, I should actually thank you all.

If it weren't for the opportunity you provided, how could I possibly step forward?"

"Chairman Ling is naturally talented. Even without us, you'd eventually shine through."

Caruso politely remarked, but his eye corner twitched at Ling Shuo's expression, ultimately defying his pain to say, "Besides, to make amends for Mr. Ji's losses, we prepared a compensatory gift, hoping Mr. Ji will show graciousness and forgive us."

He sighed, taking out an envelope from his coat, with his hand holding it trembling slightly.

The envelope was placed on the table and opened.

Once again, it was a check.

He said, "Just a small token, not worth consideration."

Ling Shuo gave a disdainful laugh, about to speak when suddenly he paused. He finally saw it—the amount... a tremendous figure with zeroes and precise numbers.

In the flick of a finger, he calculated clearly.

If this check were genuine, the two parties indeed put in their blood and sweat, equivalent to all the profits made from selling Disaster Beast materials this time!

It equated to doing everything in vain this harm season!

No, considering interest, costs, and market price fluctuations, they might even be putting unknown amounts into it!

In that moment of surprise, Ling Shuo's gaze towards the two became unavoidable.

He hadn't yet opened his mouth to make huge demands, and they offered up their savings voluntarily? The sun must have risen in the east.

But soon, the other's words made his smile disappear.

Caruso suddenly asked, "With this sincerity, surely it can get Mr. Ji to spare some time for a meeting?"

"I've already said, Mr. Ji is overwhelmed with affairs and can't spare any time!" Ling Shuo's expression turned somber, warning, "My patience is limited. I suggest you don't conduct any additional probing."

"I have no such thoughts or interests. Just one thing, hoping Chairman Ling understands..."

Satria reached out, pressing on the check slowly. "To this point, we have nothing left to say, simply that we are at others' mercy, vulnerable and exposed.

Yet we must express our heart's grievances!

There's a question we wish to address with Mr. Ji face-to-face, no matter what!"

He paused, fury replacing the faded smile, squeezing the words through his teeth, "If we don't receive an answer, consider us wasting time in the Seven Cities and pretend we never came here!"

Ling Shuo said nothing.

He stared directly at them.

Smiled.

Angrily smiled, almost unable to suppress the burning fury.