Chapter Thirteen: Is This How You Ask for Help?

Inside the room.

Jiang Taichu held a pair of tweezers, extracting three bullets.

Fortunately, they had only torn through flesh and not struck bone. His defensive strength was still remarkable.

He took out a jade-green pill—produced by the Nuwa Empress Institute of Life Sciences, known as “Life Formula No. 1,” the most effective basic healing elixir.

After swallowing the medicine, its gentle energy spread through his body, and his wounds healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, leaving not a trace of a scar.

“Lu Fang isn’t bold enough to dare this,” Jiang Taichu muttered with a frown.

If he were truly so audacious, he’d have either made a fortune long ago or ended up in prison.

To even attempt stealing a Heavenly Dao Shielding Device—if he had such nerve, why not steal something else and sell it for profit?

Knock, knock.

A rough voice called out from outside: “Xiao Jiang, may I come in?”

“Come in,” Jiang Taichu replied, his brows arching slightly.

A dark, stocky figure entered—it was Tao Zhong.

“Uncle Zhong, what brings you here?” Jiang Taichu greeted him politely.

Tao Zhong glanced at his injuries and then at the bullets on the table, concern in his eyes. “I came to check on you. Are you recovering well?”

“Thank you for your concern, Uncle Zhong. The elixirs Supervisor Yang gave me are quite effective. I’m almost fully healed,” Jiang Taichu replied.

“That’s good.” Tao Zhong’s expression softened. “I’ve heard about what happened. This time, Lu Fang was in the wrong—he deserved punishment. What are your plans for handling him?”

Jiang Taichu responded indifferently, “I’ve handed him over to Supervisor Yang, who will send him to the Justice Bureau. How he’s dealt with is up to them.”

Tao Zhong’s expression shifted, his tone lowering. “Xiao Jiang, this matter does concern the company. If it blows up, it won’t reflect well on Supervisor Yang.”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Taichu narrowed his eyes, sensing that Tao Zhong’s visit was not out of genuine concern.

“I’m thinking of you and Supervisor Yang. If this gets out of hand, it’ll look like he failed in his duties, letting something as important as the Heavenly Dao Shielding Device slip by.

If word spreads, it’ll damage the company’s reputation. It won’t be easy for you going forward either,” Tao Zhong said earnestly. “You’re still young, with a bright future ahead of you.”

“My future is indeed bright,” Jiang Taichu replied coldly, his eyes glinting with an icy light. “And what do you propose?”

“As long as you don’t pursue the matter, we can blame everything on a subterranean beast—just an unfortunate workplace accident.”

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Tao Zhong pressed on, “And you’ll receive a generous compensation. It’s best for everyone.”

“You speak for the company?” Jiang Taichu’s voice was frosty.

“Don’t bother with whom I represent—the proposal benefits all,” Tao Zhong answered without emotion.

“And if I refuse?” Jiang Taichu’s tone grew even colder.

“Supervisor Yang will have to take the fall. If you push this, he’ll lose his job. Can you bear to see that happen?” Tao Zhong continued. “And your younger brother is a promising student, destined for a top university. That’s no small expense.”

Jiang Taichu regarded him as if he were looking at his uncle, Jiang Yaoxing.

Always talking about affection and looking out for others, yet every word and deed left a bitter taste.

Still, Tao Zhong’s words revealed that there was indeed someone pulling strings behind the scenes.

“I nearly lost my life—three bullets, I took three bullets,” Jiang Taichu said in a voice as cold as winter.

Tao Zhong, unconcerned, replied, “But you’re unharmed, aren’t you? Lu Fang’s finished, and one man even died.”

Jiang Taichu fell silent for a moment, then sighed, “If you’re going to negotiate like this, there’s no point. I call you Uncle Zhong; you should know your place. At your age, is this how you ask for a favor?”

Tao Zhong froze, anger flickering in his eyes, but in the next instant, a smile broke out.

“Alright, alright, how much do you want?” he asked, recognizing the shift.

“Thirty Five-Mystery Qi-Nourishing Pills. You have one hour,” Jiang Taichu replied icily. “Miss the deadline, and the offer’s gone.”

“Deal,” Tao Zhong agreed immediately. “Once you accept the elixirs, contact Supervisor Yang.”

“Of course,” Jiang Taichu replied with a faint smile.

Tao Zhong left, but Jiang Taichu’s brows furrowed deeply. He summoned his mecha and contacted Fatty Tang, “I can’t go out right now. You and Zhang Jing keep an eye on Tao Zhong and see where he goes.”

He’d made an exorbitant demand, never expecting Tao Zhong to agree.

But since he had, it was worth seeing who was really behind all this.

Time passed. A quarter-hour later, Tang Yu’s voice came through, “He didn’t go anywhere. Some employees from the other rest stations came to give him the elixirs. He’s coming your way now.”

Jiang Taichu kept his expression calm as he put away his mecha.

Where did these employees get so many elixirs?

They were usually paid a meager salary, couldn’t find treasures, and certainly wouldn’t splurge on elixirs.

And if they did buy any, it was for their own children.

Tao Zhong entered, unzipped his backpack, and took out thirty Five-Mystery Qi-Nourishing Pills. “Count them.”

“They’re all here,” Jiang Taichu said with a small smile, pocketing the pills.

“Then contact Supervisor Yang,” Tao Zhong said, watching him closely.

Jiang Taichu summoned his mecha and called out, “Supervisor Yang, are you there?”

During work hours, the mecha’s communication channel was the best way to reach someone.

Normally, the psychic wristwatch would do, but his own was stored in the company locker—watches weren’t allowed during working hours.

No response.

He put away his mecha and shrugged. “Supervisor Yang isn’t answering.”

“No matter, he’s probably busy. I’ll come by this evening,” Tao Zhong said with a forced laugh, then took his leave.

Jiang Taichu closed the door and summoned Tang Yu and Zhang Jing.

“Are you alright?” Both entered, carrying food.

“I’m fine. Since you two are so concerned, here’s a little something for you.” Jiang Taichu smiled and produced ten pills. “Five each.”

After all, the elixirs were a windfall, and he wanted to thank them for speaking up for him and standing by his side.

“You took elixirs from Tao Zhong?” Tang Yu’s face changed.

Zhang Jing scowled, “How could you stomach that? Worst case, we quit. There are plenty of lousy jobs out there.”

“Exactly. We’ll stick together. If it comes to it, we walk away—what can they really do on Blue Star?” Tang Yu said firmly.

“Enough. Free medicine shouldn’t go to waste.” Jiang Taichu’s tone was detached. “As for my business, I intend to see it through. Who says accepting their medicine means I’ll do as they ask?”

The other two exchanged glances, then grinned.

“Then we’ll gladly accept.” They pocketed the pills. “From now on, the three of us stick together—or better yet, have Supervisor Yang transfer us elsewhere.”

“Alright, get to your cultivation. I need to eat,” Jiang Taichu said.

“Sure thing—call if you need us.” The two left.

After dinner, Jiang Taichu took his dishes out—they had a professional dishwasher, so there was no need for him to wash up.

Returning to his room, he used Earth’s Essence to cultivate, keeping the Five-Mystery Qi-Nourishing Pills for later since they could be taken away and there was no rush to use them.

With each drop refined, his internal cultivation value increased by another 3.1%.

His mecha chimed, and Yang Xianzhi’s voice came through: “Taichu, how’s your recovery? Did you need me for the Lu Fang incident?”

“I’m fully healed. Here’s the thing—Tao Zhong just brought me thirty elixirs, hoping I’d drop the matter and not implicate you…”

He was cut off by Yang Xianzhi: “Let me correct you—those were my private compensation to you. Tao Zhong has nothing to do with them!”

Jiang Taichu paused, then smiled. “Of course, Supervisor Yang’s compensation.”

Thirty elixirs, laundered clean in an instant.

“Lu Fang has already been handed over to the Justice Bureau. Don’t worry about the rest. As for me, if you drop it, my troubles will only get worse,” Yang Xianzhi said sternly. “Someone wants me moved from my position. If you don’t pursue this, it’ll look like I’m guilty. Earth Company values justice above all. Lock your door and get a good night’s rest. I’ll be back in the morning.”

“Understood,” Jiang Taichu replied, locking his door and entering mecha training. He told Tang Yu and Zhang Jing to lock up as well and rest well.

That night, Tao Zhong stood outside his door the entire night, but never saw it open…