Chapter 11: Lin Ming Submits
After finishing the ten kowtows, Lin Ming felt dizzy.
He stood up, swaying, and it was Hu Ye who came over to support him.
When his head cleared a bit, Lin Ming gritted his teeth and said, "Is that enough?!"
"Of course, you can leave now!"
Wang Haoran was in a great mood. Every time Lin Ming kowtowed, his system gave a "ding."
Twenty, twenty, twenty per kowtow.
Lin Ming's Protagonist Halo was reduced by a total of 200, while Wang Haoran's Fate Points increased by 200, and Skill Points by 20.
If he had known it would be this beneficial, he would have made him kowtow a few more times.
Seeing Wang Haoran's smug expression, Lin Ming angrily followed Hu Ye out.
However, before leaving, he couldn't help but look back at Wang Haoran, unwilling to accept his defeat.
His eyes were defiant, and his words were forceful.
"Wang Haoran, don't get too cocky. Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west, don't bully a poor youth!" (tln : mean karma can befall on you soon)
"I, Lin Ming, am not inferior to you!"
"One day, I will repay this a hundredfold!"
Hearing Lin Ming's bold declaration, Wang Haoran hadn't yet responded when Hu Ye hurriedly pulled him away.
So damn embarrassing!
Lin Ming must have read too many web novels. How could he spout such cringy lines?
Moreover, such lines were usually used by protagonists in fantasy worlds, which didn't fit the scene here at all.
Forcing such a line was really awkward!
After Lin Ming left, Wang Haoran sneered.
Your Protagonist Halo is down to 420, not even half left. How can you fight me?
I've killed you five times before, not to mention now that I have a system!
Wang Haoran checked his panel.
Wang Haoran: "Villain's Counterattack System" Host
Fate Points: 480
Ability Points: 38
Martial Strength: 70
Physique: 100
Mental Strength: 200
Charm: 100
Skills: Appraisal; Seize; Ability Shielding;
Items: None
"System, allocate all points to 'Martial Strength'!"
[Ding! Points successfully allocated! Host's current Martial Strength: 108]
With everything in place, Wang Haoran left the gambling venue.
***
By evening, in an office at City Hall.
Wang Haoran sat upright, his face serious.
Opposite him, a man who exuded authority looked curiously at his old friend's son.
"Haoran, why did you specifically seek me out?"
"Uncle Xu, you must help our Wang Corporation! We've been diligent, paying taxes, and providing countless jobs for S City. But just because we have money, we're being targeted by the Fierce Tiger Gang!"
Wang Haoran angrily handed over the evidence his subordinates had collected and the recording of Li Hu threatening him that morning.
"Li Hu said if we don't submit to the Fierce Tiger Gang, they'd disrupt our project in the southern part of the city!"
Looking at the evidence Wang Haoran handed over, Director Xu glanced at it. Based on his accumulated information and years of experience, he judged it to be genuine.
However, he was puzzled. He didn't truly believe that the mighty Wang Corporation couldn't handle a gang like the Fierce Tiger Gang.
On the surface, it seemed like the Wang family was just a business, easily bullied by a gang. But he knew that if it came to a showdown, ten Fierce Tiger Gangs wouldn't be enough for the Wang family to handle.
Just like the evidence in his hands, it covered almost all key members of the Fierce Tiger Gang. Once they acted, the gang could be wiped out immediately.
Wang Haoran continued.
"The Wang Corporation has an important project in the southern part of the city tomorrow. If disrupted by the Fierce Tiger Gang, it could result in losses amounting to billions!"
"So, I hope Uncle Xu can send people to curb the arrogance of the Fierce Tiger Gang!"
Hearing the underlying meaning in Wang Haoran's words, Director Xu frowned.
"With this evidence, arresting people is no problem. But with the number of gang members, we have limited manpower. It would take at least a week!"
"Uncle Xu, without the Fierce Tiger Gang, this project's net profit could reach three billion!"
"At that time, the Wang Corporation will announce to the media that half of the project's profits will be donated to the municipal department for staff welfare and equipment upgrades!"
"Half?!"
Director Xu knew the project was just an excuse.
He was even more puzzled as to why Wang Haoran insisted on wiping out the Fierce Tiger Gang before tomorrow morning, even at the cost of such a large sum of money.
After some hesitation, Director Xu agreed.
He had his difficulties too. With such a large amount of funding offered, he couldn't resist.
"Alright! We will act tonight!"
"Thank you, Uncle Xu!"
After the discussion, Wang Haoran drove back to his villa.
He casually threw his jacket aside and lazily leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes in thought.
Standing beside him was the butler.
Xu Fu, who had been the Wang family's butler since before the original Wang Haoran was born, had been loyal for over thirty years, older than Wang Haoran's father.
Wang Haoran's father treated him like a brother, making him someone Wang Haoran could absolutely trust.
And through the system, Wang Haoran saw that Xu Fu's Trust level was at 92, and his strength was at the peak of Ming Jin.
If it weren't for the fear of Lin Ming's master, Wang Haoran could have directly sent Xu Fu to kill Lin Ming.
"Uncle Fu."
"Master."
Originally, Xu Fu referred to Wang Haoran as Young Master, but after Wang Haoran inherited the family, he insisted on calling him Master, which Wang Haoran reluctantly accepted.
"Where's Old Mo?"
"He's already near the target."
Old Mo, Mo Yidao, at the late stage of Ming Jin, was Xu Fu's adopted son, and served as Wang Haoran's father's sharp sword during his conquests, equally loyal.
In the original plot, Old Mo and Xu Fu fought against Lin Ming and the third female lead Yun Ning'er to protect Wang Haoran but died at the hands of the couple.
After losing these two, Wang Haoran was completely at Lin Ming's mercy, losing all his power to resist.
In the five lifetimes Wang Haoran had experienced, these two were always his crucial assistants.
Currently, Old Mo was sent by Wang Haoran to investigate the Fierce Tiger Gang.
"The authorities will act at ten tonight."
"Revenge doesn't wait till morning. Have him collect a debt on my behalf from Hu Ye!"
Wang Haoran opened his eyes, his voice cold.
"Tell Old Mo, I feel like eating fish!"
Translator note : here's explanation of Ming Jin, everyone must be curious what is ming jin
"Ming Jin" (明劲) is a term used in Chinese martial arts to describe a specific stage of internal martial arts training and development. In the context of martial arts, progression is often categorized into levels or stages, each representing a deeper understanding and mastery of both physical techniques and internal energy (often referred to as "Qi" or "Chi").