Chapter 101 Reaping Profits from Both Sides (2/2)
For the glory of the empire?
Yang Ling let out a cold laugh, finally understanding the Pig Leader's intentions. Like Renaya, Steve was hoping that Yang Ling would mobilize his troops to aid him in battle. Unfortunately, this empire was the one that had imposed their rule on the Wissen people. None of the citizens would fight for them, and Yang Ling was even less inclined to make himself cannon fodder for their benefit.
Looking at the wide-eyed Steve, Yang Ling came up with an idea after a moment's deliberation.
”Yes, the Rossi soldiers definitely deserve death. I would defeat all of them if I had three thousand Steel Armor Guards!” Steve appeared to be elated after hearing this, and Yang Ling immediately went the other direction. ”Unfortunately, on the orders of my family, I have to leave Wissen Town immediately. I couldn't help even if I wanted to!”
Leave Wissen Town immediately?
Steve was nearly petrified. He had thought that Yang Ling would bargain with him and extort him. But in all his calculations, he had never thought that Yang Ling might be leaving Wissen Town immediately.
Could this be just an excuse?
After his shock, Steve forced himself to calm down quickly. ”Brother Yang Ling, might I ask why your family has summoned you back so anxiously?”
”A failure, I'm afraid. I am too embarrassed to say this!” Yang Ling sighed and shook his head. ”Others in my family greatly boosted their cultivation level or gained control of large tracts of land. Even the worst of them earned a fortune; only I failed to accomplish anything. I can only return to receive my punishment. What a failure!”
Since everyone thought of him as a noble that was born into a rich family, Yang Ling had decided to go with it, continuing the pretense. Others might choose to adopt a low profile and play dumb to take advantage of someone, but Yang Ling had decided to take the risk, pretending to be the aggressor to obtain an advantage. In the past, this method had shocked those with impure intentions, and it often had unexpected effects at critical moments.
In the Tailun Continent, any member from a family with a long history would have to train outside when they came of age, thus Steve would find Yang Ling's claim believable. In fact, even Goode, Harribell, and the rest were vulnerable to this lie. They all believed that Yang Ling was a member of a large family who had journeyed out into the world to train. The only difference was that while Steve was a little suspicious about whether Yang Ling was really leaving, the others knew that Yang Ling was only speaking nonsense.
When Steve first arrived at Wissen Town, he would have been more than happy if Yang Ling had immediately left. After all, Steve would have been able to procure the majestic Wissen Castle without any effort. But if Yang Ling left now, it would definitely make the situation worse. The Rossi forces might attack even more viciously. Who knew if Steve would be able to last until his reinforcements arrived?
”Brother Yang Ling, I'll give you a piece of land with a thousand-mile radius in the northwestern area, and I'll name you my Guardian Knight. Then you'll stay and help me deal with the detestable Rossi soldiers. How about that?” After a moment's hesitation, Steve made the huge offer so that he could complete the mission of occupying Wissen Town, and even more importantly, so that he could save his own life.
Yang Ling had a great deal of influence. With his help, Steve would be able to last until his reinforcements arrived, then defeat the Rossi army in one fell swoop. Of course, he was giving Yang Ling the advantage for the time being. After he defeated the Rossi forces and established his control over Wissen Town, he had plenty of ways to get Yang Ling to hand back what he had been given.
A territory with a thousand-mile radius?
Even the leader of the barbarians Jarlock shook his head in disdain, thinking that Steve was dumber than a Sharo Boar. Yang Ling could become the Leader of Wissen himself after defeating the Banto soldiers by attacking alongside the Rossi. Even a fool would not accede to Steve's conditions, obtaining only a small section of land after all that effort.
”No problem. It is my honor to serve Sir Leader and to fight for the empire!”
The crowd was shaking their heads in disdain, but surprisingly, Yang Ling accepted the offer after a moment's deliberation. In that instant, Steve and his group were incredibly excited, while Casey, Jarlock, and the rest were dumbfounded, their mouths opened so wide that an egg could have been stuffed into them. Only Goode and Harribell were silent, having guessed Yang Ling's intentions.