Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 149

“Grandmaster Jiang, please, tell me!”

Guo Lili, seeing a glimmer of hope, instantly became as excited as a drowning person clutching at a life raft.

“Alright. My father is currently attracting business and investment and needs some achievements to his name. Have the Guo family from Nanyang invest ten billion here,” Jiang Tian said calmly.

“Okay, no problem!” After a brief moment of consideration, Guo Lili agreed.

It would be somewhat difficult for her to leverage a ten-billion investment from the Guo family, but it wasn’t impossible if she tried hard enough.

“Additionally, you, Guo Lili, owe me another ten billion. Have it ready; I’ll come to collect it whenever I wish,” Jiang Tian said with an air of casual ease.

“What? Ten billion? Jiang Tian, do you have any idea what ten billion means?” Guo Lili immediately became frantic. It was true the Guo family was wealthy, but most of their assets were tied up in hotels, real estate properties, ships, minerals, and other fixed assets. Their liquid funds barely exceeded ten billion.

“This is the price for two lives. Yours, and your grandfather’s,” Jiang Tian said with a faint smile, pulling out a pill. “If you agree, this pill can extend your grandfather’s life by ten years.”

“Really?” Guo Lili couldn’t believe it.

If that were true, it would actually be quite a cost-effective deal.

After all, their previous attempt to seek medicine for her grandfather from Shennong Sect had ended with an astronomical price of five billion.

However, the other party demanded rare medicinal ingredients and ancient treasures, not cash, so the deal hadn’t been finalized.

She took a deep breath. “If this pill is effective, I can agree. But I don’t have that much cash on hand. I can write you an IOU for now.” A hint of cunning flashed in her eyes as she spoke.

“Fine. Take the pill. Have the contract and documents ready tomorrow. Also, ensure the investment is finalized as soon as possible,” Jiang Tian said, tossing a condensed Essence Pill to Guo Lili as if it were garbage.

He then casually threw out a fireball talisman, reducing Meng Kong’s corpse and the bloodstains to ashes.

“Yes! I will prepare everything!” Guo Lili stood up and, accompanied by Fantian, began walking down the mountain.

“Young Mistress, isn’t ten billion a bit expensive? And do we really have to go through with the investment?” Only after they had gone far and gotten into their business van did Fantian snap out of his shock and fear, frowning as he asked.

“The investment isn’t a problem. Investing in mainland China was already part of the family’s established strategy,” Guo Lili said, a trace of sly mockery in her smile as she snorted coldly. “But as for that ten billion… does he really have what it takes to collect it? It’s just an empty promise. With Wang Chongyan guarding Singapore, I doubt he’d even dare to show up and demand it!”

Unbeknownst to them, Jiang Tian stood atop the mountain, watching the departing business van, and let out a cold snort.

“Think you can welch? How ridiculous. No one in this world has ever managed to renege on a debt to me, Jiang Taichu!”

“These people always think having one or two powerful backers makes them invincible, letting them act without restraint. They simply don’t realize I’ve already reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining. I can even kill veteran grandmasters at the peak of the Transforming State!”

“When the time comes, I’ll kill that meddlesome Wang Chongyan and take control of the entire Guo family, along with the vast region of Singapore!”

…

“Aren’t you two leaving yet?”

Turning his gaze back, Jiang Tian saw Zhao Wuji and Tang Jialin walking towards him, trembling with fear.

“Jiang Tian, I… I apologize. I was just trying to play a joke on you. Please, don’t kill me!” Zhao Wuji shivered, his legs as weak as noodles, practically ready to kneel before Jiang Tian.

“Alright, Wuji. We grew up together, after all. Don’t worry about it,” Jiang Tian said with a light laugh.

Since his return, Jiang Tian’s temperament had mellowed considerably. He distinguished clearly between gratitude and grievance and wasn’t as quick to kill indiscriminately.

Zhao Wuji wasn’t a good person, but he wasn’t utterly evil either, and there was no life-or-death enmity between him and Jiang Tian.

As long as he didn’t buzz around Jiang Tian like an annoying fly, letting him off was fine.

What was the point in killing such an insignificant ant?

“Jiang Tian, I keep my promises. You saved me, and now I’m willing to be your woman!” Tang Jialin declared resolutely.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake…” Zhao Wuji felt the top of his head turn green, but after a moment’s thought, it seemed justified. He quickly added, “That’s right, Jiang Tian. If you’re interested, you can have Jialin.”

His expression was timid, and he offered an ingratiating smile. “And please don’t look down on her. Actually, nothing really happened between us. We haven’t even held hands!”

“Yes, Jiang Tian, I’m still pure. I’ve saved myself for you!” Tang Jialin immediately clung to Jiang Tian’s arm, pressing her full chest against him, her face pleading. “Jiang Tian, you were the one who took my first kiss all those years ago. You can’t just ignore our past feelings!”

She gazed at Jiang Tian with admiration. “Jiang Tian, I know you’re no ordinary man. I don’t ask for any status. I can be your concubine, or even a maid who warms your bed!”

“Please, don’t be like this!” Jiang Tian leaped back in alarm. Seeing Zhao Xueqing watching him teasingly from the car, his head began to throb. “Tang Jialin, I’m begging you, stay away from me. I have no feelings for you!”

“Jiang Tian, how can you reject a girl’s deep affection for you! I truly like you!” Tang Jialin clung to his arm, stomping her foot coquettishly. “Are you trying to make me die? I’ll kill myself right here and now!” With that, she moved towards the cliff edge.

“Will you stop being so annoying?” Jiang Tian, utterly exasperated and unable to bear it any longer, waved his hand and used his spiritual sense to erase this particular memory from Tang Jialin’s mind.

This girl had a big mouth – why else would that ridiculous story about him taking her virginity have spread back then? It was better to erase the memory to prevent her from gossiping.

Tang Jialin’s expression went blank, her eyes losing focus for a moment.

The next instant, she was looking at Jiang Tian with fear, trembling as she said to Zhao Wuji, “Wuji, let’s get out of here quickly!”

Even though her memory had been erased, a subconscious fear of Jiang Tian remained.

“Hurry up and leave. She doesn’t remember anything. Don’t anyone breathe a word about what happened today…” Jiang Tian waved a dismissive hand at the bewildered Zhao Wuji.

“Don’t worry, Jiang Tian,” Zhao Wuji said, his servility reaching new heights as he bowed and scraped with an obsequious smile. “From now on, you’re my own grandfather. Would a grandson dare to gossip about his grandfather?”

Jiang Tian could only shake his head and smile wryly in response.

By the time this matter was settled, it was already 2 a.m.

Eager to move on, Jiang Tian had Shen Mange check into a nearby hotel. He and Zhao Xueqing immediately set off for his hometown without delay.

…

The county government residential compound, built in the 1990s, had red tiles pasted on its brick-and-concrete walls that were now tacky and peeling. Poorly maintained for years, with dim streetlights, it presented a rather dilapidated picture.

In fact, many of the county’s leading cadres had bought large apartments in upscale developments outside.

But Jiang Zhixing cherished his reputation, adhered to a hardworking and plain lifestyle, and still lived in this small apartment of less than eighty square meters.

Now, the small pendant lamp in the living room cast a warm yellow light over the old furniture like the tea table and sofa, creating a very cozy and pleasant atmosphere.

Jiang Zhixing, usually a man who knew his fate and was content, wore a worried expression and sighed. “Wanqing, this time it’s serious. I received news that the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission suspects there were issues with the seedling procurement for the landscaping project. They’re saying the collaboration I led with the Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences is problematic. They might investigate me…”

“Let them investigate!” Zhang Wanqing said angrily. “Academician Yan from the Provincial Academy originally thought the soil quality here was unsuitable and wasn’t willing to establish the experimental base here. It was only because of your old classmate connection that you managed to talk him into it.”

Her face was cold and stern. “The project was approved by the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee at the time. Secretary Junlin praised you endlessly, calling you a hero. Now that there’s a problem, they blame you and push all the responsibility onto you alone, while he washes his hands of the matter!”

Jiang Zhixing sighed and remained silent for a long time before asking, “What about the situation at your factory?”

“The first trial verdict is already out…” Zhang Wanqing, usually so strong, finally couldn’t hold back anymore. Crystal tears rolled down her cheeks. “Those people are absolutely vicious, devouring people without spitting out the bones! They’re determined to wipe us out completely! That factory is our life’s work!”

Her heart aching and filled with self-reproach, she covered her face, suppressing her sobs. “It’s all my fault. I was too careless. I didn’t investigate properly and didn’t realize that Tanduan Pharmaceutical was actually a company connected to the Sun family. It was clearly a trap, and I walked right into it!”

“Wanqing, you have to be strong. Don’t blame yourself!” Jiang Zhixing pulled his wife into his arms, patting her shoulder gently. “You signed that contract for the sake of Medicine King Group’s development!”

“Besides, this attack isn’t aimed at you alone. It’s targeting the entire Jiang family!” Jiang Zhixing’s face showed determination. “But I believe that truth and justice exist. We will definitely overcome this difficulty and recover!”

“Husband, thank you. Thank you for supporting my work!” Zhang Wanqing said, deeply moved.

“What’s there to thank? We’re an old married couple. Don’t say such childish things!” Jiang Zhixing gave a gentle smile and lightly tapped her nose.

“You’re not old at all. In my eyes, you’ll always be so handsome!” Zhang Wanqing laughed softly, suddenly remembering their beautiful days studying together at Yanjing University, her heart filled with tenderness and warmth.

“By the way, I have an idea,” Jiang Zhixing said, holding his beloved wife’s shoulder and comforting her for a while before suddenly speaking seriously. “Since Jiang Tian is back this time, try to persuade him. Let him and Qing’er go abroad.”

“How could that work? If they go abroad, we might not see them for years. Wouldn’t I miss them terribly?” Zhang Wanqing immediately objected.

“Wanqing, I have a feeling the situation isn’t right. It feels like a storm is brewing,” Jiang Zhixing said with a long sigh, his gaze profound. “If we overcome this crisis, fine. But if we don’t… we can’t drag Tian’er down with us.”

Hearing this, Zhang Wanqing calmed down, but sorrow welled up in her heart again. Her eyes filled with tears, she nodded, her voice trembling. “I understand.”

“Be careful with your words. That kid is as stubborn as a mule. If he finds out the Jiang family is in deep trouble, he probably won’t want to leave,” Jiang Zhixing reminded her gently.

…

By the time Jiang Tian arrived back at his hometown home, Jiang Zhixing and his wife had already composed themselves, hiding their emotions well.

Jiang Zhixing was sitting on the old sofa, reading a book by Yang Xiaokai titled “Development Economics,” while Zhang Wanqing was watching the TV drama “Golden Marriage” beside him.

“Mom! Dad! Your son is unfilial!”

Seeing his father’s graying temples, thin face, and the trace of worry between his brows, Jiang Tian could no longer control the surging emotions inside him. He fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.