Qin Siyang gave Tang Wanjing the crimson crystals in installments, but for Zhang Yingrui he paid the full amount in advance.
Because he believed that their joint plan to swindle Xiao Zhigang was a win–win.
Since Zhang Yingrui had already sold out Xiao Zhigang once, there was no reason he wouldn't accept his proposal.
But now Zhang Yingrui had refused.
This abnormal behavior, Qin Siyang quickly figured out the reason.
Zhang Yingrui was eating from both sides.
Most likely he had also revealed their plan to Xiao Zhigang, and squeezed some benefits out of him too.
Qin Siyang chuckled twice.
"Seeking riches in danger, Zhang Yingrui does have guts. Pity he's underestimating me a little."
"Brazenly playing me for a fool… looks like Hua Weicai's brainpower still isn't enough."
"Then let's add some weight to the scales."
Qin Siyang took out his phone and opened the text editor.
Then he set up a mass message.
The recipient list was very long.
President Zhao Longfei of South Glory University, President Liu Yingrong of Easy Glory University, President Yan Mohui of West Glory University, President Han Shuo of Central Glory University, Director Chu Zhongxiong of Heavenly Research Institute, Director Wang Bozhong of Earthly Research Institute, Director Gu Weihong of Human Research Institute, Commander Qin Yingguang of the Qin Legion, Commander Chu Xiao'ang of the Chu Legion, Commander Yan Budong of the Yan Legion, Minister Tang Wanjing of the Administration Department, Son of the Zephyr Church Hu Chan, Red–robed Protector Chris, Blue–robed Protector Jin Shengyu.
Everyone who had ever cooperated with him, or expressed willingness to cooperate, was on the list.
[Greetings to all Presidents, Directors, Commanders, Ministers, and friends from the Church.]
[This is Qin Siyang.]
[Zhang Yingrui, Yellow–robed Protector of the Zephyr Church, swindled me out of about 50g of crimson crystals.]
[But I am weak, insignificant, and have no way to reclaim these crystals.]
[If anyone can help me take back these crimson crystals, I am willing to give half of them away.]
[Thank you for your help.]
Between the lines, it was just eight words, "When heroes contend, the capable take the prize."
After sending it, Qin Siyang turned off his phone, washed up, and went to bed.
Ready to rest.
Looking at the empty pillow beside him, he still felt a little unaccustomed.
Li Tianming had left.
"Two pillows, but only one person sleeping, it feels kind of weird."
It wasn't that he missed Li Tianming.
It just felt a bit cramped.
Qin Siyang tossed the other pillow under the bed, then sprawled out in the middle of the wide mattress in a "×" character pose, smiling in satisfaction.
"Now this is the proper enjoyment. Sleep!"
After the exhaustion of the past few days, that night Qin Siyang slept very comfortably.
Not the slightest effect on his sleep quality from Zhang Yingrui's affair.
When Qin Siyang woke up, it was already noon the next day.
He stretched, washed, and got out of bed, preparing to go out for breakfast.
But the moment he opened the door, he saw a tall figure standing there, and he jumped back in fright.
Looking closely, it was Qin Yingguang, commander of the Qin Legion, whom he had met once at the Zhao Chamber of Commerce ceremony.
"You're awake? Let's talk inside."
Qin Yingguang's voice was deep and heavy, carrying a commanding aura that made it impossible for Qin Siyang to say no.
"Uh… alright."
Once inside, Qin Yingguang sat straight down on the sofa, then pulled a storage box from his chest and placed it on the coffee table.
Qin Siyang didn't know why Qin Yingguang was here, but he hurried to pour him some water anyway.
"Commander Qin, you've been waiting long, right? Blame me for sleeping too deeply. If President Zhao knew, he'd definitely be here to host you himself."
Qin Yingguang accepted the cup, "No need to test me. If I can come here, then I've definitely cleared it with Zhao Er."
'Zhao Longfei knows?'
'That is good. Since Zhao Longfei permitted it, then Qin Yingguang isn't here to give me trouble.'
"Then, Commander Qin, what brings you here?"
Qin Yingguang pushed the storage box forward.
"Brought you a gift."
"A gift?"
Qin Siyang was puzzled. He had no ties with Qin Yingguang, what kind of gift could this be?
He opened the box, and his eyes froze instantly.
Inside was a bloody severed head.
But Qin Siyang didn't recognize the man.
He frowned and looked at Qin Yingguang, "Commander Qin, this is…?"
Qin Yingguang met his gaze and slowly nodded, "Not flinching at the sight of a head, you're a man used to blood. Not just some coward who relies only on scheming and piggybacking. At least you haven't shamed the Qin family."
"Uh…"
"This was someone preparing to kill you. I discovered him and dealt with it."
Qin Siyang paused, "Commander Qin… you came to protect me?"
"Didn't you mass–send that text?"
"Our legion is naturally participating too."
"But, to trade crimson crystals with you, we first have to ensure you're alive, right?"
"So I came to see if anything happened."
'So that's how it is.'
No wonder Zhao Longfei let Qin Yingguang into the guesthouse.
"Commander Qin, you arrived last night?"
"Pretty much. I ran a bit faster, so I got here first. The others should still be making a scene with Zhang Yingrui in District 8."
Qin Yingguang downed the water in one gulp.
Qin Siyang carefully poured him another glass.
"Then Commander Qin, as for retrieving the crimson crystals from Protector Zhang, you left that to others?"
"Mm. I can't be in two places at once. Since I'm here protecting you, naturally I had to let others go to District 8."
"Then you're not worried… that others will seize the crimson crystals first?"
Qin Yingguang gave him a glance, "No matter who gets the crystals. I saved your life here. Shouldn't you show some gratitude?"
Then he pointed at the head inside the box, "This guy was a Sequence Level 5 [Stealth Assassin] for at least two years. Who knows how many sequence potions he consumed to build up strength. A wanted criminal, the Snake Card, Hearts 7. He once killed two governors in public. If he ambushed you from the shadows, could you fight him?"
"Two years stuck at Sequence Level 5?"
Qin Siyang stared at the pale, unfamiliar face in the box.
This person hadn't walked the path of faith, but had kept taking sequence potions to strengthen his body?
How strong must he have been?
Qin Yingguang looked slightly puzzled, "You don't recognize him? What, you've never played cards?"
"No…"
"No wonder. Reaching your level but not even recognizing the people on the cards, that's rare."
"Kid, when you've got time, buy a few decks from the Warren Chamber of Commerce. Get to know the faces."
Qin Siyang had already heard the term "cards" more than once.
Earlier, Lu Daoxing had mentioned it, saying that by "playing cards" you'd know Li Tianming's status.
Li Tianming himself had said that List, the student who impersonated Qin Siyang and tried to assassinate him outside the safe zone, was also someone on the cards.
It seemed the Warren Chamber of Commerce's cards contained info on key figures inside the safe zones.
"Oh, thank you Commander Qin, I understand."
Qin Yingguang studied him again and said, "Kid, you're cautious enough. My men were blocking you outside the safe zone for over a month, either they had no chance to strike, or they had no idea where you went."
"Only today is really the first time we've formally talked."
Qin Siyang gave an awkward laugh, saying nothing.
But inside he was cursing nonstop.
'These military men are really shameless rogues.'
Talking about kidnapping him as if it were nothing, yet chatting away with laughter.
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