Take Him for All He Is Worth

Muzhi Yi sneered, "Given the Bai family's strength, who do you think could possibly force them into anything?"

Liao Kun's expression paused slightly. Indeed, how could the Bai family be coerced so easily?

"I know a little about the Zerg inside Xuan Guo's body, but what about that mecha?" Liao Kun asked.

Muzhi Yi glanced at Xuan Xuan, and seeing her remain silent, he explained, "Didn't you realize during your trial runs that the mecha is controlled entirely by spiritual power?"

Liao Kun's eyes widened in shock, realizing only then that he had still underestimated Xuan Xuan and the Muzhi family. But recalling the reaction speeds of Muzhi Weihao and the others while piloting the mecha during the competition, he sighed inwardly, "I will immediately step up the investigation."

Muzhi Yi and Xuan Xuan understood that the Federal First Military Academy hadn't even considered this possibility. Furthermore, when Xuan Xuan modified the mecha, she hadn't removed the manual controls, so even during their tests, they had only tested the standard attributes and completely missed this crucial aspect.

The corners of Muzhi Yi's lips curled upward slightly, intentionally making the situation sound as grave as possible to Liao Kun. Otherwise, wouldn't he be letting him off far too easily? Hmph.

"Of course an investigation is necessary, but wouldn't that be letting you off too cheaply?"

Liao Kun's mouth twitched. Having lost the modification method for such a mecha, what on earth could he offer to satisfy Muzhi Yi?

Liao Kun suddenly felt he was wearing far too little today; he might just end up walking back from the Muzhi estate empty-handed—or rather, stripped of everything.

Reluctant as he was to ask, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, "What do you want?"

Owing people favors was simply not his style, especially owing Muzhi Yi.

Muzhi Yi chuckled inwardly. Whatever Liao Kun and his people had lost were things his side didn't even want anyway. This was essentially acquiring something for nothing using empty-handed tactics. With a smug grin, he pondered how best to fleece him.

Such a golden opportunity came perhaps once in a lifetime.

The longer Muzhi Yi deliberated, the more anxious Liao Kun became. The gaze Muzhi Yi cast upon him felt like a sharpened blade, poised to strike at any moment.

"Just spit it out," Liao Kun finally snapped, unable to bear the suspense any longer. Whether facing the blade head-on or ducking, the cut was inevitable.

"Would it be too much to ask for your academy's top instructors to come and train my troops for a period every year?" Muzhi Yi proposed. Of course, such conditions were open to negotiation. The Federal First Military Academy was brimming with talent, something he had been eyeing enviously for a long time.

Liao Kun thought it over. Raising the overall caliber of the Federation's soldiers wasn't an unreasonable request, so he nodded.

Seeing Liao Kun nod, Muzhi Yi continued, "And every year, students graduating from the Federal First Military Academy should be given priority for recruitment into our affiliated troops. Sound fair?"

Recruits had to go somewhere anyway. The Muzhi family wasn't going to commit treason; joining any military unit amounted to much the same thing, and exceptional talent required a discerning eye to spot them. The people from the Muzhi family were, more or less, capable of that.

Liao Kun nodded again. This condition was also acceptable.

"After the remaining mecha department instructors at your school undergo screening and inspection, can they join forces with the Muzhi family's researchers to study mechas together?" Muzhi Yi asked.

Liao Kun's face was plastered with unconcealed disdain. If he wanted people, he should just ask for them outright; why phrase it as 'studying together'?

Muzhi Yi let out a cold hum. "Kuang Hongyi is already involved. Do you really expect to lock yourself away and conduct research in isolation?"

Liao Kun glanced sideways at the expressionless Xuan Xuan, then thought of the mechas modified under her guidance. In truth, it wasn't just the Muzhi family that stood to benefit; the Federal First Military Academy would gain immensely as well.

For too long, the Federal First Military Academy had been overly insular. Without external exchanges, it wouldn't be long before they were eliminated by the times.

Thus, after a brief hesitation, he effectively sold out his subordinates with a nod.

"Can you allocate a few of your pharmacy department instructors to us as well?" Muzhi Yi pressed.

After Xuan Xuan's "teacher" left, under Elder Ji's leadership, the cooperation between the Muzhi, Kuang, and Zhan families had been proceeding orderly. However, relying solely on Elder Ji at the helm was certainly not enough to drive long-term development. If one were to ask who else excelled in pharmacy besides Elder Ji, it would undoubtedly be the pool of researchers at the Federal First Military Academy.

Liao Kun grew furious. Did he want everyone? Handing over mecha experts was one thing, but if he surrendered the bottom-line pillars of his pharmacy department to the Muzhi family, what would he have left?

"Stop stretching your demands to the heavens!" While that mecha was undeniably precious, handing over all the pharmacy talent to the Muzhi family was entirely out of the question.

Muzhi Yi wore a look of feigned indifference. "Do you really think we hold your pharmacy instructors in such high regard?"

Liao Kun's expression darkened further. "If you don't hold them in high regard, why are you asking for them?"

"If I weren't doing this with your best interests in mind, do you think I'd bother asking for your people?" Muzhi Yi retorted.

Instead of getting angry, Liao Kun laughed out loud. "Oh, so you're actually doing this for the good of our academy now?"

"Elder Ji is currently working at the Muzhi estate," Muzhi Yi reminded him.

Liao Kun felt a slight flicker of doubt. It turned out the rumors were true; not only was Shizi Mountain associated with the Muzhi family, but Elder Ji was actually here as well.

Still, Liao Kun sneered. A single Elder Ji didn't carry the same seismic impact as Kuang Hongyi and Xuan Xuan combined. "So what if he is?"

Muzhi Yi sighed. "You old fogeys really are deaf, blind, and completely out of touch with the world."

Liao Kun gritted his teeth. Just because he owed him a favor, Muzhi Yi really thought he could walk all over him. The nickname 'Muzhi the Unyielding Rogue' was truly well-deserved.

Seeing Liao Kun's unconvinced expression, Muzhi Yi felt an immense sense of satisfaction. How many years had it been? Finally, the day had come when he could put Liao Kun in his place.

Growingly triumphant, Muzhi Yi glanced at Muzhi Lianhao, signaling him to explain. In truth, he was simply too kind-hearted, fearing Liao Kun might lose face.

Muzhi Lianhao gave a dry cough. Today, his father was the quintessential portrait of a petty man drunk on success; he couldn't even restrain himself in front of Xuan Xuan and the others, risking teaching the younger generation bad habits.

Of course, Muzhi Lianhao wouldn't dare criticize his own father out loud, so he obediently stepped in to explain to Liao Kun, "Uncle Liao, I wonder if you've heard of the various pharmaceutical formulas recently released jointly by the Muzhi, Zhan, and Kuang families on the market?"

Liao Kun frowned. Of course he had heard of the matter, but when he asked the pharmacy department's experts to investigate, those people had dismissed it with a wave of hand and a few cynical remarks.

The claimed efficacy of those pharmaceuticals sounded far too fantastical, so Liao Kun hadn't pursued the matter further. Since the three families hadn't heavily publicized them either, and the few families who had already acquired the drugs kept quiet, the news had gradually devolved into an unrealistic rumor.

Judging by the Muzhi family's attitude, however, those pharmaceuticals were real.

Silently cursing the stubborn old men in his own school, Liao Kun awkwardly asked, "What about those pharmaceuticals?"

"If Uncle Liao hasn't tried them, you wouldn't understand. These potions come in great variety, and their speed in enhancing individual strength is astonishing. In battle, even the slightest advantage can determine victory or defeat," Muzhi Lianhao explained concisely.

Liao Kun weighed the situation. "I need to see these pharmaceuticals myself and review the inspection reports before I can make a decision."

Seeing Liao Kun compromise, Muzhi Yi became even more smug. Once those inspection reports were in hand, the researchers at the Federal First Military Academy would likely come begging to join them.

When that time came, they could negotiate terms properly. The people he demanded versus the people who came seeking refuge on their own would certainly be treated differently.

Xuan Xuan watched with amusement. People grew more childlike the older they got; Muzhi Yi was genuinely regressing with age.

Muzhi Weihao and Muzhi Weihan nearby were also suppressing their laughter. Tong Wan, on the other hand, looked at Liao Kun with a sympathetic gaze, as if watching a man willingly walk into a slaughterhouse to be fleeced.

And after being thoroughly fleeced, the man would still have to express gratitude to Muzhi Yi.

With this single stroke, Muzhi Yi had secured a massive haul: existing talent, future talent, top-tier figures from the mecha design department, and even rarer researchers from the pharmacy department. Which of those senior researchers didn't have a dozen disciples under their wing? Drag any single one of them out, and they were authorities in their own right. Once the masters arrived, would the disciples be far behind?

Just the thought of it made Muzhi Yi's mouth water.

Executing such an empty-handed coup and netting so much loot—it was simply exhilarating beyond words.

Liao Kun felt an urge to march forward and wipe that smug grin right off Muzhi Yi's face, but considering his current disadvantageous position, he decided that a gentleman takes his revenge ten years later; for now, he would simply swallow his pride.

"Send the pharmaceuticals to the research lab. Hmph, I'm going back to continue my investigation." Liao Kun left in a hurry, terrified that Muzhi Yi might bring up yet another outrageous demand.

Muzhi Yi wasn't that greedy, after all. He had managed to secure the absolute best the Federal First Military Academy had to offer; what more could he possibly want?

He cheerfully called out to Liao Kun, "Safe journey! Do remember to visit again sometime!"

Liao Kun stumbled near the doorway, nearly taking a tumble. After a single visit, he had nearly handed over the entire Federal First Military Academy to the Muzhi family—and he wanted him to come *again*?

Liao Kun cast a baleful glare back at Muzhi Yi and quickened his pace even further.

Muzhi Lianhao and Muzhi Lianjun escorted him out, but they could barely keep up with his hurried stride.

Ignoring the two men completely, Liao Kun boarded his hover-car, slammed the door shut with tremendous force, and sped away.

Muzhi Lianhao stood in place, rubbing his nose. It wasn't even like he was the one doing the fleecing.

Exchanging a glance with Muzhi Lianjun, the corners of both their mouths twitched. Their grandfather's methods today had truly been merciless.

Back inside the house, Muzhi Yi was still grinning broadly. "That'll teach him to act so high and mighty on ordinary days. Let's see him look smug now."

Xuan Xuan couldn't bear to watch any longer, fearing that Muzhi Yi's dignified image would be completely shattered in their minds.

Oblivious to this, Muzhi Yi huffed, "Just for a few mechas, they sent two wolves right to Xuan Xuan's doorstep. If I wasn't merciful for the sake of our past friendship, I would've skinned them far worse."

Xuan Xuan had no idea who "two wolves" referred to.

Muzhi Lianhao, however, knew precisely who his grandfather meant. His face darkened. Plotting against his own daughter—and people still said their grandfather's fleecing methods were ruthless?

Not ruthless at all. In fact, it wasn't nearly ruthless enough.

Just let them dare to beg their way in later; he'd show them, Muzhi Lianhao thought, his expression grim.

Only then did Muzhi Yi turn back to Xuan Xuan and ask, "You can still track down Xuan Guo and his accomplices, right?"

Xuan Xuan nodded. Letting them know they had successfully escaped was actually better—it made them much easier to hunt down.

Reassured, Muzhi Yi asked another question, "How high is the certainty that your mecha cannot be replicated?"

Xuan Xuan smiled. Even if she taught them every detail, they wouldn't necessarily be able to pull it off. "They definitely cannot replicate it."

"That's all I needed to hear. Wan, let's have a proper feast tonight to celebrate!"

Tong Wan glanced at him, though for once she didn't object, and turned to head toward the kitchen. It was rare for the whole family to gather together like this; only Muzhi Lianchen was missing.