Chapter 78 Extorting Money From The Meng Clan
"Ten thousand gold coins? Are you out of your mind?" Meng Jian Hong who was standing on the sidelines shouted at him.
Such an amount might be nothing to people like Lin Xue or Song Yue but for a minor noble clan like the Meng Clan, it is indeed a high amount. After all, they are based on a tiny town of Daqing where an average commoner possessed a wealth of below fifty gold coins.
So, it's natural that Meng Jian Hong erupted in anger, despite the fact that his son's life is at stake.
Meanwhile, the clan head Meng Yi Jun deeply frowned. "Are you serious?"
Mark leaned to the back and crossed his legs with his right ankle on his left knee, letting out a smirk, "I guess this guy lying over here isn't worth that much. I'll change my words, then. Consider it as the compensation for sparing the Meng clan. How about now?"
"You…" Meng Yi Jun was taken aback by his words. He clenched his fist, trying to control his rage.
"You dared to threaten us?" Meng Jian Hong might have hated the clan head and his grandson but he considers it as the internal matter of the clan. His loyalty to the clan is very well known. This is the reason behind his earlier outburst.
Of course, he also wanted to save his son and so, he tried to bluff, "Clan head, give us the order. Forget about Yu Han. We will let this guy walk away."
*Snap*
Mark snapped his fingers in response.
As if Alina understood his thoughts, she raised her hand, activating the skill, Twilight Shackles.
The familiar energy chain with a blade as an edge was manifested in his hands before it pierced Meng Jian Hong in the abdomen.
"Ugh." His eyes widened by the sudden ambush.
As she swung her arm, his entire body was raised in the air before crashing onto the floor, right beside his son.
"You are so annoying. I'm talking to the head of your clan. So, you shut your mouth." Mark said to him before he shifted his eyes towards the old man. "This is just a warning. Don't annoy me further. I'm waiting for your choice. Pay the compensation or face the annihilation."
This was the first time Mark was dealing with the matter this way. In fact, there's no reason for him to make a big deal out of this but because of the Meng clan's notorious reputation within the town, he decided to teach them a lesson that they won't forget.
The chain disappeared soon while the middle-aged man fell unconscious.
Meng Yi Jun glanced at the father and son duo on the floor and then, at the clan elders, then, at Alina, and finally, stared at Mark while thinking deeply about the matter. "Fine, I'll make the arrangement."
"Clan head…" An elder responded with a roar. "How long will you let this guy act preposterous? Don't you care about our clan's pride?"
He didn't stop there. He looked at his fellow elders and spoke, "Why are you silent? We don't need to fear that woman. You can see Elder Jiang Hong was only wounded a little. He was right. If we fight together, then, we can take them down."
As soon as his words ended, a few elders chipped in. They were all loyal to Meng Yu Han. So, they support each other.
"Yes."
"Yes, clan head. If you fear him and give him the money, then, tomorrow, someone else will come and threaten our clan. You will give, then too?"
"The funds belonged to the clan. You cannot give it to every random stranger that dared to humiliate our clan. Ever thought how we would show our faces to the public?"
The three elders who are at peak-4-circle realm, beginner-5-circle realm, and beginner-5-circle realm respectively openly showed their dissatisfaction towards the clan head's cowardly decision. In the group of twelve people standing on the sidelines, there were many 4-circle and a few 5-circle realm experts.
Upon realizing that the girl isn't that strong, to begin with, they grew confident.
And when Mark heard them, he felt the urge to laugh. He commented in response while shaking his head, "I wonder why a majority of the nobles don't use any brain, at all. Well, never matter. I'll cure their stupidity by showing them the reality."
"Alina, kill them." He passed an order. Maybe, it's due to her high strength, Mark really felt secure around her.
Of course, this doesn't change the fact that he is on the edge in his heart, fearing a possible ambush as he was surrounded by higher realm spirit warriors. The holographic screen continued to float before him and he was ready to summon the Battle Tank at any moment.
Upon receiving the order, Alina summoned dark energy daggers. Meng Yi Jun's heart skipped a beat. Just as she was about to make her move, he screamed, "wait. We have already come to an agreement. There's no need for this."
Perhaps, this is a difference between Allen and Alina. If it is the former, the three elders would have been attacked already but Alina didn't do it and just looked at her master as if she wanted to confirm whether she needed to proceed or back off.
Mark motioned his hand. She dismissed the daggers and stood straight once again.
"You have ten minutes," Mark said to the clan head.
Meng Yi Jun nodded and then, ordered one of the elders in a stern manner. "Don't cause trouble. Elder Zan, go and get Elder Shun here, right away."
Meng Shun was the treasurer of the clan and manage the funds. He is also the richest person in the town of Daqing, mainly attributed to corruption. Naturally, he was neutral and stays away from clan politics.
The elder who instigated others earlier was the one ordered to get the treasurer. He left with his face turned red.
Mark was handed the pouch full of ten thousand gold coins within ten minutes as he ordered.
Casually throwing the pouch to Alina, he stood up and started to walk away. The Android followed from behind.
Once they were out of the Mansion, a grin appeared on Mark's face as he took back the pouch from the Android, "never expected extorting is this easy. Until ten minutes ago, I roughly had 2900 gold coins but now, my net worth increased to 12900 gold coins.
Maybe, I should extend my trip to a few more days and visit towns. These minor noble clans didn't have much strength. So, they are a perfect target. The only thing I need to keep in mind is to make sure that they are on the wrong side and I was only returning the favor. Perhaps, the only issue here is that the money earned this way wouldn't help me in completing my missions."
Meanwhile, at Meng mansion;
The elders whose complaints were shut down by the clan heads were seen protesting against the clan head. After all, they were humiliated in their own place. Why wouldn't they be furious?
In response, Meng Yi Jun roared back, "That guy was right. All of you are indeed stupid. Even after watching Elder Rong's death, you wanted to go ahead and meet your demise? Money can be earned again but lives cannot. Moreover, have any of you ever thought how would be able to rule the town once our strength is reduced?"
"But, that man trampled on our pride." An elder argued back.
Meng Yi Jun replied, "We won't let this matter go, either. By extorting us, he also offended the Sui Clan. They will take care of him.
And also, take Yu Han away. He's supposed to be the clan leader who will protect our clan, not bring disasters upon us. What if he had offended an Exalt realm or a Legendary realm expert? By now, Meng Clan would have been wiped off. After he wakes up, tell him that he's house arrested for four weeks."
The old man also took an opportunity to punish Meng Yu Han as he knew the latter always tries to cause trouble to his grandson. Unfortunately, he still doesn't know about the assassination attempt or else, he wouldn't have saved his grand-nephew.
While the clan head is reprimanding the elders for almost pushing their clan to death because of their pride, from the second floor, there was a young man who was secretly watching it through the window. It is Meng Tao and he had a deep frown on his face.
"You are right, Qilin. I did a good thing to stay away from that couple." He mumbled to himself.