At the conference table.
Qin Luo pressed the contract with one hand and looked kindly at Li Mingyuan sitting across from him, saying, "Isn't Director Li supposed to return to headquarters to report about the competition?"
"What? Has all the combat data been collected already?"
!!!
Li Mingyuan's smile stiffened. He also placed his hand on the contract, trying to pull it back, and laughed, "You're joking, Mr. Qin. I heard the prize lottery database isn't functioning, so I came over immediately to solve the problem!"
"Oh?"
Qin Luo chuckled and pulled the contract a little closer to himself. "Are you here to solve the problem, or to solve the people causing the problem?"
"Of course, to solve the problem," Li Mingyuan pulled the contract back a bit as well.
Although he was smiling on the surface, inwardly he was extremely uneasy.
Does Qin Luo know we've been collecting combat data?
Oh, right. The Qian family has aligned with Jiang City, so they must have leaked some information beforehand.
The Qian family... they've lingered far too long!
If it weren't for Qian Yu being the chosen one, they would have already incorporated the rebellious Qian family long ago.
However, now even Qian Yu can hardly be considered a chosen one anymore.
Never mind, the main issue now is Qin Luo.
He looked at Qin Luo and said, "Mr. Qin predicted all the winners among hundreds of contestants in one go."
"And the amount wagered was several billion. Talk about incredible luck."
Qin Luo smiled, "Thanks. I've always had pretty good luck; otherwise..."
He glanced at Su Muwan, who was happily watching the exchange, and smiled, "I wouldn't have met Miss Su."
"Qin Luo... you really..."
Su Muwan shot him a slight glare.
She was feeling rather pleased.
Why bring that up in this setting?
???
I wasn't here to watch you two flirt!!
Li Mingyuan's eye twitched as he saw Qin Luo refusing to be candid. He explained, "Mr. Qin, using divination to predict match outcomes is actually illegal."
Qin Luo blinked, "I didn't, what divination? I don't know anything about that."
Heh, expected that.
Li Mingyuan retracted his hand and had his subordinate bring in a crystal ball.
He looked at Qin Luo and explained, "There are many things in this world that people cannot see."
"Like... luck."
"Once divination is used, it stirs up the luck, leaving traces behind."
"If Mr. Qin wants to prove himself..."
Li Mingyuan gestured, "Just place your hand and the contract on top of it. If the crystal ball doesn't change, then it means you didn't rely on divination to win this prize."
Upon hearing this, Su Muwan tensed up. She knew whether Qin Luo had used divination or not.
So, she looked at Li Mingyuan and retorted, "We-we-we-we would never use divination!"
"Don't put it on, Qin Luo!"
"It's fine."
Qin Luo shrugged, placing both his hand and the contract on the crystal ball.
Seeing this,
Li Mingyuan pushed his glasses up.
Hmph.
If you didn't use it, I'll eat the evidence.
The answer is quite obvious.
You are... hmm?
The crystal ball didn't change.
Li Mingyuan fell silent.
Su Muwan was a bit stunned. Did the crystal ball break?
Qin Luo withdrew his hand, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Li Mingyuan. "Of course, I didn't use divination."
He then placed the debt agreement on the table, spinning it slightly, and said with a smile, "It's just a coincidence that certain individuals made it to the end."
"And it's just a coincidence that those who ended up with very few points suddenly gained a large number of bracelets at the last moment."
"Everything was a coincidence. You can't blame bad luck on me, can you?"
Upon hearing this, Li Mingyuan's eyes darkened.
Qin Luo had come clean.
He had manipulated things, but they had no evidence.
Heh...
Well played. If it were an ordinary faction, the debt wouldn’t stand.
But...
Li Mingyuan felt a headache coming on. Jiang City happened to be the only unified stronghold in decades.
And given that this era is one of warriors, the leaders have allowed a diversity of forces.
So...
According to the rules, Qin Luo is legal and comply, and they have no way to avoid paying out this lottery money.
However, Qin Luo’s attitude doesn't indicate that nothing can be negotiated.
"With things at this point..."
Li Mingyuan sighed softly and looked toward the door, resigned. "Jing Er, come and discuss this with Mr. Qin and Miss Su."
The words had barely fallen when,
Creak~
The door opened.
"Hmph~"
"I didn't expect the alliance to get played like this~"
A young girl with pink twin tails walked in.
She entered the room with light steps, her twin tails bobbing up and down with each step, lively yet faintly mischievous.
Her pink hair stood out under the light, and she wore a crisp uniform, adorned with a badge symbolizing her status in the alliance.
"I'm Jing Er, the director of the alliance's strategic division," the girl introduced herself, her voice brimming with confidence.
She sat down next to Li Mingyuan, hands clasped under her chin, gazing at Qin Luo. Her golden pupils emitted a faint glow as she said, "The alliance headquarters will not recognize this contract."
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
Qin Luo showed no reaction.
Instead, Jing Er was a bit surprised, "You're not mad?"
Qin Luo shrugged, "I already knew it wouldn't happen."
"Then why..."
Qin Luo blinked, "Just scaring you a bit."
Li Mingyuan: "......"
Jing Er's eye twitched, "I wasn't joking. Anyway, do you have any other demands?"
She crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat. "We can compensate you in other ways!"
"Rest assured, I said it, so I’ll definitely keep my word."
Upon hearing this, Qin Luo didn't hesitate, "I want to become the leader of the alliance."
"???"
"Wait! I was just being polite! Are you really taking it seriously?"
Jing Er was shocked.
"What are you, cow pretending to be an ox?"
Qin Luo dropped the act, sneering, "And what are you trying to negotiate here?"
"With those twin tails, pink hair, and a Kitty Cat logo on your clothes, do you really think you’ve become an anime character?"
"Let me tell you, 'anime' isn't as shallow as you think!"
"At the very least, you should shout three times, 'I’m a Kitty Cat’s dog'!"
Jing Er was dumbfounded. Ever since she obtained the Divine Strategic System and became a genius girl,
No one had ever dared to speak to her like this.
But! But!
"You! You actually scolded me!"
Jing Er stood up, her eyes welling with tears as she shouted at Qin Luo, "Do you know who I am? I’m the director of the alliance’s strategic division!"
Qin Luo let out a cold laugh, "You’re a Kitty Cat."
"I’m the most talented girl!"
"You’re a Kitty Cat."
"I could make Jiang City change its name with just one word!!"
"You’re a Kitty Cat."
"I! I! You!"
Li Mingyuan watched with a twitching eye.
That’s why he felt the randomness of the system could be excessive.
The criteria for age is a bit too loose.
"Ahem."
Li Mingyuan tried to calm Jing Er down, urging her to take a deep breath.
Then he looked at Qin Luo, feeling helpless, "Mr. Qin, we are genuinely trying to find a solution."
Speaking up, Li Mingyuan glanced at Su Muwan, "Miss Su, what do you think?"
Suddenly it’s my turn to speak?
Su Muwan was enjoying the drama unfold before her.
In her past life, she knew Li Mingyuan and Kitty... Jing Er well.
Of course, it was the kind of relationship where we hacked each other to death.
Their abilities were unlike ordinary warriors.
So Su Muwan’s impression of them was quite deep.
The alliance’s waters run deep. It could be said that most of the chosen ones converged because of the alliance’s guidance.
So, if possible, Su Muwan, in this life, didn’t want to get too entangled with the Warrior Alliance.
But...
"Money earned through one's own efforts, why shouldn’t one take?"
Su Muwan snorted, "If you can't pay, compensate us in other ways."
"Exactly, my Lady is right."
"If you don’t want to pay, you can also..."
At this point,
Qin Luo began speaking slowly, his gaze shifting between Li Mingyuan and Jing Er.
"What are you saying?"
Li Mingyuan asked.
"Very simple."
Qin Luo extended a finger, smiling amiably at them: "Although the factions in Jiang City are unified, the major and minor decision-making powers still lie with the alliance."
"They usually ask for our opinions, but it’s only for show."
"So…"
Qin Luo’s lips curled into a smirk: "I want to become half of the joint in charge of the Jiang City Alliance branch alongside the young lady."
"Any objections?"
Any objections?
This was a big deal.
Splitting the responsibilities of the Alliance’s head position with family factions?
With Su Muwan's domineering nature.
Wouldn’t Jiang City soon become your one-man show?
But…
Hmm?
Wait.
Allowing them to participate… wouldn’t that be akin to joining the alliance?
Li Mingyuan seemed to have thought of something. He pushed his glasses up and chuckled: "Deal."
Once they tasted the sweetness of power, it might be easier to persuade Su Muwan to join the headquarters!
Of course, it didn’t take long for Li Mingyuan to regret it.
That very night, a new policy was announced in Jiang City.
**[Notice on Implementation of Policies Related to the Full Militarization of Jiang City Citizens]**
**To address unforeseen crises, our city has decided to officially implement policies related to the full militarization of citizens.**
**All citizens will be required to undergo a potential awakening test.**
**The test will take place a week from now, with the locations to be announced at that time.**
**Additionally, regardless of whether one has potential or not, they can choose to join the Imperial Foundation for systematic training.**
**During the awakening period, enterprises and schools will temporarily cease operations.**
**Note: Please bring your ID, as you can receive a high-grade vitality pill sponsored by the Imperial Foundation!**
At the Alliance’s headquarters, in the cafeteria.
Li Mingyuan stared at the related information on his phone, his eye twitching slightly.
Why did he suddenly have a bad feeling?
Jing Er, leaning her face on her hand, muttered to herself: "Do I really have to be a dog…"
Li Mingyuan: .....