162: Chapter 162 Demanding Compensation

The underground core level of the Military Academy of Sciences was even deeper than Lin Fan had imagined.

The weightlessness from the elevator's rapid descent lasted for a full two minutes. When the heavy alloy doors slowly slid open, a scent mixed with the heat radiating from precision electronic instruments wafted toward him.

There were no magnificent decorations here, only endless silver-white metal walls and countless holographic projection screens flashing red and blue lights.

Researchers in white coats walked hurriedly, their faces etched with seriousness and fatigue, as if the fate of the entire Dragon Kingdom rested on the data reports in their hands.

"Follow me."

The one leading the way was a cold-faced female officer; she didn't even give Lin Fan a second glance, turning to walk deep into the corridor.

Lin Fan had his hands in his pockets, seemingly looking around nonchalantly, but in reality, he had already activated the Eye of True Sight.

However, to his surprise, the walls and floors here seemed to be infused with a special metal capable of blocking detection, and his vision could not penetrate them in the slightest.

"Interesting."

The corners of Lin Fan's mouth curled up slightly, but his vigilance was raised to the highest level.

A place where the General Ye Canglan resided and where the defense level was so strict must surely hide the most core secrets of the Dragon Kingdom.

After passing through three biological iris verification doors, the female officer stopped in front of a black door without any markings, made a gesture for Lin Fan to enter, and then turned to leave.

Lin Fan took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The room was large, but the furnishings were extremely simple.

A huge mahogany desk, a giant electronic map occupying an entire wall, and... two old acquaintances sitting on the sofa drinking tea.

One was the chief instructor, Lei Zhan. At this moment, he had removed his murderous combat mecha and changed into a crisp service uniform, sitting upright like an elementary school student waiting for a lecture.

And sitting opposite him was the legendary Dragon Kingdom General Ye Canglan, General Ye Canglan.

There wasn't the terrifying, world-shaking pressure he had imagined.

The General Ye Canglan before him was wearing a somewhat faded Zhongshan suit and holding an enamel mug printed with "Serve the People," looking just like a retired old man one might see anywhere in a park.

But Lin Fan knew very well that beneath this seemingly aged shell lay a terrifying power capable of changing the very landscape.

"You're here?"

But he did not shrink back; instead, he grinned and walked over openly, plopping down on the sofa next to Lei Zhan.

"Greetings, Chief. Greetings, Instructor Lei."

"This tea is nice. Da Hong Pao?"

Lin Fan took an empty cup from the coffee table and poured himself a cup, not acting like a stranger at all.

Lei Zhan's eye twitched. He wanted to say something, but after looking at the General Ye Canglan opposite him, he swallowed his words.

General Ye Canglan looked at Lin Fan's familiar manner, and the smile in his eyes grew deeper.

"Quite bold."

"You're the first little fellow in these twenty years who can be so relaxed in front of this old man."

Lin Fan gulped down the tea and smacked his lips.

"Well, when doing business, the focus is on harmony bringing wealth."

"You're my big client. If I were afraid of you, how could we talk business?"

"Hahaha!"

General Ye Canglan laughed heartily, his laughter causing the documents on the desk to tremble slightly.

"A good 'harmony brings wealth'!"

"However, before we talk business, there are some accounts we need to settle first."

General Ye Canglan put down his mug, picked up a remote control on the desk, and pressed a button toward the large screen on the wall.

"Take a look. This is the recording of the Military Department's highest expanded meeting from three days ago."

The screen lit up.

In the picture was a round conference table.

Over a dozen big shots with stars on their shoulders were sitting together. The atmosphere was tense, and they seemed to be in the middle of a heated argument.

"I object! This is playing with the students' lives!"

A white-haired old general slammed the table and roared.

"We noticed Wei Changkong's problem long ago. Why didn't we just arrest him? Why insist on some 'fishing plan'? What if something happened to Lin Fan? He is an S-rank strategic talent, the future of the country!"

"Old Li, calm down!"

Another middle-aged general with a hook nose retorted coldly.

"Wei Changkong is just an agent. The Abyss Faction behind him is deeply rooted. If we can't get him to proactively reveal the location of the altar and the network behind it, what's the use of catching him?"

"You can't catch the wolf cub without sacrificing the child."

"Lin Fan is indeed a genius, but if he can't even withstand this bit of wind and waves, then he isn't worthy of becoming a true powerhouse."

"Besides, we already arranged for Lei Zhan to protect him in secret. As soon as Wei Changkong makes a move, we'll immediately close the net."

"But..."

"No buts. To completely uproot this tumor, necessary risks must be taken!"

The argument in the recording became increasingly heated.

General Ye Canglan, who had been sitting in the main seat and remained silent, finally tapped on the table.

"Enough."

"That little fellow is smarter than you think."

"Give the choice to him."

"If he chooses to swallow his pride, then initiate Plan B and arrest Wei Changkong directly."

"If he chooses to fight back... then let him cause a scene."

"If the sky falls, I'll hold it up."

The image froze on General Ye Canglan's calm and determined face.

The room fell into a deathly silence.

Lei Zhan scratched his head awkwardly, not daring to look Lin Fan in the eye.

After all, as a protector, his lateness that night was indeed intentional.

Lin Fan watched the screen quietly, his expression not fluctuating much.

There was no anger, nor any hysteria after being betrayed.

He just gently swirled the teacup in his hand, watching the tea leaves rise and fall in the water, a mysterious light flashing in his golden pupils.

"So..."

Lin Fan put down the teacup, raised his head, and looked directly at General Ye Canglan.

"I'm the fishhook?"

"Not only do I have to hook the fish called Wei Changkong, but I also have to help you muddy the waters to see if there are any other bastards lurking at the bottom?"

General Ye Canglan nodded, not denying it.

"Exactly."

"Are you angry? Do you feel like you were used by the country?"

"Angry?"

Lin Fan suddenly laughed.

He laughed very brightly, as if he had heard a funny joke.

"Elder Ye, you underestimate me."

"In this world, there are only two kinds of people."

"Those with utility value, and useless trash."

"Being calculated by someone like you shows that I am very valuable."

"And..."

Lin Fan leaned forward, crossing his hands over his knees, the smile in his eyes gradually turning into the shrewdness of a businessman.

"Since I'm the fishhook, do I also get a share of the fish caught?"

"Also, if this fishhook gets worn down or even nearly breaks, the depreciation fee, maintenance fee, mental distress fee..."

"Don't you think we should calculate them properly?"

Hearing this, Lei Zhan, whose nerves had been tensed, finally couldn't help but roll his eyes.

This kid was indeed someone who won't release the hawk until he sees the rabbit.

Just a moment ago, he was truly afraid that Lin Fan, in his youthful vigor, would flip the table on the spot.

He didn't expect this guy's focus to not be on dignity or trust at all, but... money.

General Ye Canglan was stunned for a moment, then burst into an even louder roar of laughter.

"Hahahaha!"

"Good lad! You really are something!"

"I like this greedy streak of yours!"

"Not hypocritical, not pretentious!"

"If it were those disciples from the great families, they'd probably be weeping and pledging their loyalty by now, or questioning me with a face full of grief and indignation."

General Ye Canglan pointed at Lin Fan, his eyes full of admiration.

"Fine!"

"Since you've laid it all out, let's speak plainly."

"You helped the Military Department remove this scourge and even purified the Dragon Blood Pool. This contribution is immense."

"Tell me, what do you want?"

Hearing this, Lin Fan immediately pulled out a small notebook he had prepared long ago from his pocket, licked the tip of his pen, and put on a businesslike expression.

"Since we're all on the same side, I won't be polite."

"First, there's the equipment wear-and-tear fee for this operation."

"To set up that formation, I really spent a fortune. Those formation flags and plates were my savings from a long time..."

Lei Zhan curled his lip as he listened.

Your formation plates were clearly exchanged on the spot, and you used materials from Wei Changkong's warehouse. You don't have a damn bit of wear-and-tear!

But Lin Fan continued without blushing or his heart skipping a beat:

"Next is the mental distress fee."

"As you know, I'm still a child, and I'm still growing."

"Being intimidated by a Grandmaster Level Expert plus an evil god has caused great trauma to my young soul. There might be psychological shadows in the future, and it might even affect my development..."

"Then, there's the loss of earnings fee."

"To cooperate with your acting, I missed out on several big business deals. The loss is simply immeasurable."

"And..."

Lin Fan rambled on for a full five minutes.

From formation materials to future nutrition fees, from mental trauma to reputational loss.

He had essentially pushed the art of scamming for compensation to the extreme.

When he finally finished reading and closed his notebook, looking at General Ye Canglan expectantly.

Lei Zhan wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

How embarrassing!

This was the number one student from their Tianjiao Camp?

This was clearly a middle-aged woman haggling in a vegetable market!