173: Chapter 173 Death List

This was simply the logic of a bandit—killing for loot and taking the wallet along with it...

However, he liked it!

"It seems attacking lords yields more profit than I imagined."

Lin Tian rubbed his chin, his mind quickly calculating.

Points were hard currency, exchangeable for those treasures that made people green with envy.

And while these bonus basic resources weren't particularly precious, the sheer volume was satisfying, perfectly filling the massive consumption caused by the territory's frantic construction and troop production.

Even mosquito legs are meat; small amounts add up.

While he was pondering over the points and resources, Qian Duoduo had already directed his surviving subordinates to begin clearing the battlefield with trembling hands.

He himself rubbed his hands together, his face plastered with a smile of extreme gratitude and a hint of trepidation, as he approached Lin Tian's horse once more.

"Big Boss Lin! Divine Might! Truly, your Divine Might is peerless!"

Qian Duoduo gave a thumbs up, his flattery booming, but the slight heartache and nervousness in his eyes couldn't be hidden.

"You are simply a Heavenly God descended to earth, saving this Qian from fire and water! The reward... look, one hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Crystals, plus those Materials in my warehouse—take your pick! A small token of my appreciation, please accept it!"

"One hundred thousand Spirit Crystals?"

Hearing this, the smile on Lin Tian's face faded slightly. He tapped his finger lightly on Chi Yan's neck scales and didn't agree immediately.

One hundred thousand Spirit Crystals was definitely a huge sum for an ordinary lord.

But for Lin Tian...

Thinking of the two million Low-grade Spirit Crystals seized from the Minotaur tribe yesterday, and thinking of his own consumption of hundreds of thousands to millions every time he duplicated Materials...

This small amount of Spirit Crystals seemed only enough to improve Chi Yan's meals for a few days, or to give the soldiers some extra rewards.

"Boss Qian,"

Lin Tian spoke, his tone still calm but carrying an unquestionable weight.

"One hundred thousand Spirit Crystals shows sincerity. However..."

He paused deliberately, looking at Qian Duoduo with a calm gaze.

The fat on Qian Duoduo's face immediately quivered, his heart leapt into his throat, and cold sweat instantly drenched his back.

What he feared most was this 'however'!

Big Boss Lin Tian's strength was unfathomable. If he really opened his mouth wide like a lion and emptied the family fortune he had worked so hard to save for many years, he'd have nowhere to cry, yet he was completely powerless to resist.

Just as Qian Duoduo's mind was frantically thinking about how to bargain—and he was even prepared for a massive financial hemorrhage—Lin Tian's next words left him stunned.

"The Spirit Crystals will be the amount you said. But I have an additional condition."

Lin Tian leaned forward slightly, looked at Qian Duoduo's instantly tensed face, smiled, and slowed his tone.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not asking for your resources."

"Ah? Then, then Big Boss Lin, you mean..."

Qian Duoduo blinked his small eyes, momentarily failing to react.

"I want you to use your channels and connections to investigate some people for me and draw up a few lists."

Lin Tian held up three fingers and listed them one by one, his gaze becoming sharp.

"First, back in the Regional Chat Channel, when Long Ao jumped out and named me as someone he wanted to destroy, find the guys who followed along, cheered, fanned the flames, or even spoke insolently. Get as clear a picture of their activity as possible."

"Second, in the Regional Chat Channel, those lords who are loose-lipped, arrogant, frequently show off their military power, or are clearly prone to looting with terrible reputations. Organize their troop information and their likely range of activity."

"Third,"

Lin Tian glanced at Qian Duoduo.

"Those who have old grudges with you, or lords you feel are potential threats who might be disadvantageous to you—compile a list of them as well. The more detailed the better, especially their troop types, approximate quality, and Rank evaluations."

After speaking, Lin Tian withdrew his hand and leaned back into the saddle, his tone becoming casual again.

"That's all. Give me the lists as soon as possible. Once this is done, the favor between us this time will be considered settled, and our cooperation will continue as usual."

Listening to Lin Tian finish point by point, Qian Duoduo's heart, which had been hanging in his throat, finally fell back with a 'thump,' followed immediately by being overwhelmed by a huge wave of surprise and realization!

It wasn't money! It wasn't resources! It was intelligence! It was a list!

How was this Big Boss Lin Tian a ferocious predator?

He clearly had his sights set on the points in the hands of other lords and wanted to engage in precision 'hunting'!

That list of his was Lin Tian's 'hunting roster'!

And having Qian Duoduo handle this matter couldn't be more appropriate.

He was originally in the business of intelligence and trading; he knew people from all walks of life and was well-informed!

"I understand! I completely understand!"

Qian Duoduo's mind instantly cleared, the trepidation on his face vanished, replaced by the shrewdness and warmth unique to a businessman as he thumped his chest.

"Big Boss Lin! Don't you worry! Leave this to me! I can't speak for other things, but gathering news and organizing intelligence is my specialty!"

"I have a rough idea of the types of people you mentioned. Tomorrow—no! Tonight, I'll stay up all night to organize the list for you, marking all the information I know, and send it to you as soon as possible!"

After thumping his chest, he leaned in closer and lowered his voice with a hint of fawning.

"Big Boss, you're planning to... hehe, I understand, I understand! This list, I'll definitely make it crystal clear for you, I guarantee they'll all be 'high-quality targets'!"

Lin Tian gave a non-committal smile, didn't pick up on his hint, and just nodded.

"Fine, then be as quick as possible. Clean up here yourself; my people are heading back."

"Alright! Take care, Big Boss! I'm truly indebted to you this time! If you need anything in the future, just give the word!"

Qian Duoduo bowed and scraped, his face full of smiles, as he personally escorted Lin Tian and the Golden Armored Spearmans to the remaining glow of the blue teleportation array they had arrived from.

Lin Tian said no more and nodded to the Golden Armored Commander.

The two thousand Golden Armored Spearmans turned silently and stepped into the re-illuminated, stable azure teleportation light.

Lin Tian took one last look at this territory that had just experienced a brief bloodbath, and at the fat man with a fawning smile constantly waving his hand, then lightly nudged the horse's flanks.

Chi Yan understood, let out a low dragon roar, and carrying him, stepped into the glow.

Light flashed, and space shifted.

In the next moment, the fresh night wind mixed with the scent of grass and earth blew against his face, and the rhythmic footsteps of the night patrol soldiers of Lintian City sounded in his ears.

The silhouette of the towering city walls was clearly visible under the starlight.

He was back.

Riding on Chi Yan's back through the quiet streets returning to the inner city's Lords Mansion, Lin Tian thought back to those 12 points and the list Qian Duoduo promised to provide, feeling in a good mood.

"One list in exchange for one rescue, plus getting intelligence on potential prey... this deal isn't a loss."

He muttered to himself, a calculating light flashing in his eyes.