1289 F**k, It’s a Bunch of Hooligans!
Wang Teng waited. Three days passed until someone went to retrieve Swait and the others.
The person arrived along with General Cameron.
Once notified of their visit, he received them in the Tiger Strike Force's reception hall.
The place was neither huge nor luxurious. It was simple, in line with the military style.
Everyone took a seat, and Wang Teng asked someone to serve them water.
The Third Prince's representative this time was also a man who seemed to be barely twenty-seven years old. However, it wasn't difficult for those present to see that his real age was far more than that.
In any case, a hundred years old was considered as very young when considering martial warriors above the planetary stage.
Considering some special races, even their five hundred or thousand year old members were still in their infancy.
Just then, the man looked at the glass of water and frowned. He didn't move, and there was a trace of disdain in his eyes.
No one had ever served him plain water. This Wang Teng is really uncultured.
"I'm sorry. I'm too poor to serve you anything good," Wang Teng said.
General Cameron's mouth twitched.
He would have believed that if someone else said it, but not Wang Teng.
He knew that the latter would share a lot of his master level and grandmaster level force dishes with his team members.
If that was poor, wouldn't others be beggars?
Peggy stood next to Wang Teng. She was expressionless, but her heart was calm.
This is normal.
I just need to get used to it.
"You don't have to be polite, commander Wang Teng," the man said.
"Colonel Wang Teng, allow me to introduce. This is Baron Lu Qing, who is under the command of the Third Prince," said the General.
"Colonel." Lu Qing was a little surprised as he looked at the host, not knowing he had already been promoted.
"Baron!" Wang Teng was equally surprised, not expecting the visitor to be the same as him, a Baron of the Empire.
"Commander Wang Teng is really young and promising. He is already a colonel, after barely joining the military." There was a flash in Lu Qing's eyes.
He was already paying more attention to our hero. It was noticeable, since those who had spent time with the Third Prince had encountered many people of high status and had gotten used to it.
"You flatter me. The generals' love made it possible." Wang Teng smiled.
General Cameron was speechless.
This fellow is talking nonsense again.
He already knew what had transpired in the past few days. This Wang Teng talked too much, even involving all the generals in the mix.
Still, no one thought that his actions were over the top. The Third Prince was the one who was pushing too far, going to the military and causing trouble, which was akin to slapping them in the face.
If they didn't protect Wang Teng, it would be even more embarrassing.
"Baron Lu, why don't you drink the water? Does it not suit your taste?" Wang Teng said.
Lu Qing: …
What do you mean by that!
How could a glass of water suit one's appetite?
"You don't have to be so polite. I'm not thirsty," Lu Qing said.
"Is Baron Lu looking down on me?" Wang Teng's face turned cold. "I'm entertaining you kindly, but you're not giving me face."
Lu Qing's face froze as he answered the latter with a cold stare of his own.
No one had dared to speak to him like that.
This Wang Teng, how impudent.
The atmosphere tensed up in the reception hall.
"Cough." General Cameron cleared his throat and broke the silence.
Lu Qing's cold gaze faded. He said, "Commander Wang Teng, let us cut to the chase. I'm here under the Third Prince's orders to take Swait back."
"Baron Lu, how can I talk if you don't give me face? I'm sorry, but I won't be keeping you company." Wang Teng stood up and was about to leave.
Bastard!
Lu Qing's face turned dark. He initially thought that mentioning his liege would intimidate the young commander. However, he didn't expect him to simply leave after a minor disagreement; he wasn't playing his cards according to common sense.
"Please stay!" Lu Qing said hurriedly. It would be hard to see him again if he really left. The former took a deep breath and said with an aggrieved tone, "This water… I'll drink it!"
"That's right." Wang Teng saw the guest drink and smiled. He then sat down again. "All right, we can now talk about the matter of releasing him."
Lu Qing set the glass down and regained his composure. He spoke with a confident look. "I will be taking Swait back. Tell me if you have any conditions."
"At first I wouldn't have dared to detain the Third Prince's subordinate," Wang Teng replied.
Lu Qing: …
Bulls**t!
You didn't dare to? You even dared to threaten the Third Prince himself, there's nothing you didn't dare to do.
General Cameron took a sip of water and almost spat it out. How shameless.
"However, that Swait was making trouble for the Tiger Strike Force and damaged our reputation. If I didn't act, our reputation would have been affected. It truly was a last resort move," said Wang Teng, playing the innocent card while ignoring their expressions.
"…" Lu Qing said, "Commander Wang Teng, just state your conditions."
Wang Teng said unwillingly, "Baron Lu, you're wrong. You make me seem like I'm blackmailing you."
You are the one doing the blackmailing!
Lu Qing took another deep breath and said, "Swait was the one at fault. It isn't blackmail."
"That's great. Baron Lu is understanding indeed. It must be so for the Third Prince as well, being forthcoming and recognizing my difficulties," Wang Teng said, "Being the case, I won't ask for anything excessive. Just three to five hundred billion will do."
"Pfft!" General Cameron really spat the water this time.
This fellow is really daring!
Three to five hundred billion? Isn't this the same as extortion?
Lu Qing stared at Wang Teng. "Baron Wang Teng, this is too much."
"No way, this is a very fair price. Didn't you see the smashed gate? This was all caused by Swait. A few hundred of my martial warriors were wounded and are still recovering. This is compensation for mental damage, damage to our image, plus medical and repair fees. Were it not for considering our esteemed Third Prince, I would have asked for three to five trillion," Wang Teng exclaimed.
Peggy's lips trembled.
Is that the reason why he asked us to tear down the gate?
As to those wounded warriors. Weren't they injured during the previous battle at the thirteenth frontline? In what way is Swait involved in that?
Lu Qing's face turned dark.
Swait is a real piece of trash. What a failure.
He was only there for a small matter and things escalated to such a degree. He even attacked the Tiger Strike Force. Wasn't this a slap in their faces?
He was at a complete disadvantage.
The urge to kill someone was rising.
"This is daylight robbery." Lu Qing wasn't pleased.
"Nonsense. I have proof. If you don't believe me, take a look at this." Wang Teng took out a long list out of nowhere and waved it at Lu Qing.
"Show me." Lu Qing didn't believe him and took it to check, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
The losses and compensation costs were clearly specified, but all of it was ridiculously expensive. The damaged gate was made of extremely precious metals and stones, which was almost on par with that of the Great Qian Palace's gate.
Who would believe such a thing!
However, the gate had been demolished; there was no evidence, and he had no way to examine the original material.
He couldn't avoid Wang Teng's abuse.
As for the mental and reputation damages, it was impossible to reach a conclusion.
Lu Qing couldn't voice out his thoughts, and felt so aggrieved he almost vomited blood. The only thing he could do was to look at General Cameron.
"General Cameron, is this the way the military does things?"
General Cameron cleared his throat. "Cough, I think that this has nothing to do with our ways. It's each individual to their own."
Lu Qing: …
F**k, what a bunch of hooligans.
"Baron Lu, have you given it some thought? You can let Swait stay with us for a while. We won't treat him badly," Wang Teng offered.
"…There's no need for that. I'll pay the money." Lu Qing gritted his teeth.
The Third Prince's face would be dragged into the mud if this dragged on.
Those unaware might think that they couldn't afford the ransom.
"As expected of the Third Prince's subordinate, truly generous. I thank his highness the Third Prince on behalf of my wounded soldiers," said Wang Teng with admiration and gratitude.
Lu Qing looked at Wang Teng in silence. He then asked for the latter's account number and transferred the money.
Three hundred billion Universe coins!
He went for the lowest amount.
Wang Teng had no objections, as it was already an enormous quantity. It wasn't as simple as asking the fellow to fork out five hundred billion.
Of course, the sum was exorbitant to ordinary martial warriors, while it was peanuts to the Third Prince.
Wang Teng wouldn't have gone that high if it were someone else.
Wang Teng received the money and instructed happily, "Bring Swait over."
The captive was sent to the hall after a while. Most of the injuries on his face had recovered, but Wang Teng's attacks were too vicious, as he still looked bruised and swollen. Lu Qing could barely recognize the fellow.
Swait saw Lu Qing and his eyes lit up as if meeting his savior. He immediately switched back to his arrogant self and yelled, "Brother Lu, are you here to save me…? This Wang Teng went too far. Brother Lu, you must avenge me."
"Shut up, you disgrace." Lu Qing snarled.
Swait was stunned, not expecting the cold and chastising treatment. He felt at a loss.
Lu Qing's status was much higher than his, and would not dare act presumptuously in front of the former.
"Swait, you're free. Be a good person once you head out. Don't ever come back again," Wang Teng said.
Why does this sound so weird?
Swait glared at Wang Teng.
Lu Qing exuded a seemingly dangerous aura and looked at Wang Teng. "Commander Wang Teng, I will remember this. The Third Prince is noble and will not squabble with you, but I will keep an eye on you. The day of reckoning is yet to come."
He left with Swait and the others without even waiting for the host to reply.
