Chapter 442 Asking for Money
Paradise Island seemed no different from other days, likely because Tian Xun was deliberately trying to lull the Night Ghost Tribe into complacency.
Lin Shen didn't know what Tian Xun had arranged in secret. He planned to stick to the original plan, either going to An 117 who managed the land, or Chi 118 who managed the ocean.
After analyzing various possibilities, Lin Shen decided to visit Chi 118 first.
Lin Shen took Kong Chuan with him but asked Wei Wufu to stay behind to protect his elder sister. In case the Night Ghost Tribe launched a sudden attack to rescue Ye Xing, with Wei Wufu there to protect his sister, he wouldn't have to worry too much.
Tian Xin knew that Lin Shen was going to Chi 118 and insisted on joining him.
"You're Tian Xun's nephew; isn't it inappropriate for you to be involved in this matter with me?" Lin Shen hesitated.
"What's inappropriate about it? I've long been displeased with them. You just handle your business; I'll be there to enjoy the show," Tian Xin insisted on accompanying him.
Lin Shen considered it, finding it advantageous to have Tian Xin along; perhaps he could be of some use during the negotiation with Chi 118.
The three of them headed towards Chi 118's location at Wanghai Cliff. Upon reaching the castle, they were stopped by the Chi Family's guards.
"Who goes there?" asked the Celestial Guard at the gate, looking at them coldly.
"Celestial Master Institute, by the Heavenly Emperor's decree to inspect Giant Ring Star. Where is Chi 118?" Kong Chuan confidently presented his identity card.
"What Celestial Master Institute? Never heard of it, wait here while I send word," the Celestial Guard showed no courtesy, speaking with a cold expression.
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"The Celestial Master Institute acts on behalf of the Heavenly Emperor, and does not tolerate your negligence," said Kong Chuan, his face darkening as he realized that the Chi Family was deliberately giving them a hard time and was about to teach the Celestial Guard a lesson. But he was stopped by a soft cough from Lin Shen.
"Let's wait," Lin Shen said indifferently.
Kong Chuan immediately stepped aside, not daring to say anything more.
The three waited outside the gate for quite a while, but no one came out from the castle.
Inside the highest tower of the castle, Chi 118 was watching the images of the gate with another Celestial.
"That new Dean is not simple. Even someone as proud as Kong Chuan obeys him. This man is not easy to deal with," said Chi 96, watching the images.
"Just a pretty boy raised by Tian Xun. He's only relying on Tian Xun's and Tian Jue's connections. The Heavenly Emperor is keen on his status, that's why he sent him here to Giant Ring Star to collect money," Chi 118 said disdainfully.
"If Tian Xun gives in, will you?" asked Chi 96.
"If she gives in, it's her paying for her little lover's life. Why should I?" Chi 118 scoffed. "If I give this money, how can I stand in this circle in the future? Whoever wants to give it can; as for me, I won't pay a dime. If the Heavenly Emperor wants money, he can send someone to loot my house," he said.
"If the Heavenly Emperor could just loot houses, he wouldn't create all this fuss," laughed Chi 96. "Stop with the tough talk; after all, they represent the Heavenly Emperor. Go and meet him; let's see what he has to say."
Chi 118 nodded slightly, "Wait here for me; I'll be right back."
Though Chi 118 spoke tough, when he came to the gate, his demeanor completely changed; he greeted Lin Shen with a broad smile, offering a Celestial Race chest-touching salute before speaking, "Please forgive my rudeness, Chief of the Heavenly Institute. There was an urgent matter that I had to attend to; I couldn't come to meet you sooner, which was quite disrespectful.
When I first met the Celestial Master, I felt that you had a noble temperament unlike the ordinary, destined for greatness. Now it seems I was right; in such a short time, you have been entrusted by the Lord Heavenly Emperor and have become the head of an Institute…"
"Lord Chi has such insight; you are certainly no ordinary person," Lin Shen responded with a smile, seemingly unbothered by the long wait outside.
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"Haha, the Chief of the Heavenly Institute is truly extraordinary. Please, come inside," said Chi 118, initially taken aback, then bursting into laughter upon hearing Lin Shen's response.
After ushering Lin Shen and his two companions into the conference hall, Chi 118 seemed both intentional and casual as he took the seat of honor himself and arranged for the three guests to sit at the adjacent guest seats.
According to protocol, as a representative of the Celestial Master Institute inspecting the four quarters on behalf of the Heavenly Emperor, Lin Shen should have been the one to sit in the seat of honor, not Chi 118, a mere subject.
By taking the seat of honor himself, he wanted to convey to Lin Shen that the authority of the Celestial Master Institute and the Heavenly Emperor held no sway in his domain and that Lin Shen should not harbor any ulterior motives.
Kong Chuan's expression turned unsightly, but Lin Shen was unbothered and simply took his seat; Kong Chuan had no choice but to follow suit and sit down as well.
"Since the Chief of the Heavenly Institute has come to my place, consider it like your own home. There's no need for formalities. I'll make arrangements later to let you experience the hospitality of the Chi Family," said Chi 118 with a casual air.
"Since Lord Chi has put it that way, I won't stand on ceremony. The Celestial Master Institute is short of funds recently, so the resources you submit here will double from now on. This little bit of money shouldn't be a problem for you, right, Lord Chi?" Lin Shen asked, looking directly into Chi 118's eyes.
Chi 118 did not expect Lin Shen to be so forthright. Their gazes met, and the smile disappeared from his face.
"Dean, are you speaking on behalf of the Lord Heavenly Emperor or on behalf of the Celestial Master Institute?" Chi 118 asked with a stern face.
"I'm the Dean of the Celestial Master Institute, so naturally, I represent the Institute," Lin Shen replied, as he obviously couldn't claim to represent the Heavenly Emperor.
The Heavenly Emperor needing money was not something that could be openly discussed. Manager An had already repeatedly hinted to him that, having taken this position, he must be prepared to take the blame for certain matters.
Chi 118 laughed coldly after hearing this: "Dean, my Giant Ring Star has neither a superior-subordinate relationship with your Celestial Master Institute nor are we in the same department. Your Institute is short of money; why should you ask me for it? If it were the Lord Heavenly Emperor asking for this money, I would naturally have to oblige, even if I had to sell my belongings to do so.
But you, what gives you the right?"
Chi 118 was also clear in his mind that the Heavenly Emperor would never ask for money using his own name, which is why he dared to speak so boldly.
"Then let's say it's the will of the Heavenly Emperor," Lin Shen responded, not backing down an inch as he locked eyes with Chi 118, uttering this phrase ever so lightly.
Chi 118 never expected Lin Shen to dare say such a thing and was immediately at a loss for words. By saying this, Lin Shen was essentially being completely unreasonable.
Kong Chuan and Tian Xin were also shocked by Lin Shen's words. If his statement were to spread, he wouldn't need to wait for others to deal with him; the Heavenly Emperor would be the first to discipline him.
The Heavenly Emperor loved wealth, but he also cared greatly about his reputation. Certain things could be done, but the blame could never be cast upon the face of the Heavenly Emperor.
Whoever tried to smear the Heavenly Emperor would have to pay with their life.
Chi 118 was momentarily at a loss for words, as Lin Shen's move was completely outside the norm.
Now that Lin Shen had spoken, if he refused, he would be slapping the face of the Heavenly Emperor.
Even if the Heavenly Emperor chose to deal with Lin Shen later on, he would definitely be implicated as well.
If he complied, others would not know that Lin Shen had claimed the money was requested by the Heavenly Emperor. Other Star Lords would only think he had shown weakness, aligning himself with the Heavenly Emperor by giving him money.
The Heavenly Emperor might even use him as an example to demand money from other Star Lords. How then could Chi 118 deal with such a situation?
If Lin Shen later denied it, then Chi 118 would be finished, his mouth full of words but unable to clear himself.
"Poisonous… truly poisonous…" Chi 118 realized that this man was more difficult to deal with than he had anticipated. Regardless of his abilities, this person was ruthless and venomous enough.
He was harsh not only on others but on himself as well – it was utterly self-destructive!