Chapter 38: Do you have a grudge against Jiang Jin?

"If that is what you enjoy, sir, I have no objections."

Liu Sanhai did not even hesitate.

"Oh my, don't say it like that, you're making me blush." Xue Ting lowered her head, feigning shyness. She was a woman who would stop at nothing to climb the social ladder; if submitting to another man could save her life and reputation, what did it matter?

Jiang Jin’s tone was icy, devoid of any warmth. "I’m truly defeated by you two scoundrels."

"Enough talk. I’m here today for one thing."

Liu Sanhai bowed and scraped, rushing to reply, "Please, sir, speak your mind!"

Jiang Jin’s gaze was like a torch as he stared them down. "You were the ones who hired the internet trolls to smear Jiang Jin, weren't you?"

Liu Sanhai felt a chill in his heart and probed cautiously, "Sir, are you here on his behalf?"

Jiang Jin nodded heavily, his expression solemn. "That’s right. Mr. Jiang is a man of great righteousness, deeply admired by those of us in the martial arts community. Dragging his name through the mud is an affront to us all."

Jiang Jin was not afraid of retaliation. On one hand, he had Wu Qingya protecting him; on the other, he was a powerhouse himself, possessing internal energy and a combat rating of 200. Unless Liu Sanhai resorted to firearms, attempting an assassination would be nothing more than a pipe dream. And in the Dragon Kingdom, using firearms was a line even a man as foolish as Liu Sanhai wouldn't dare cross.

"S-sir, honestly, I didn't intend to smear Mr. Jiang at first. It was only because he insisted on backing the official account’s editor that I..." Liu Sanhai knelt before Jiang Jin, begging for mercy. "I’m a bastard, I was wrong, I was possessed by greed. I shouldn't have slandered Mr. Jiang. Tell me what you want me to do!"

Had he known Jiang Jin was backed by such a formidable figure, he wouldn't have dared to touch him for all the money in the world. Now, he only hoped to make amends and escape with his life.

"How did you get hooked up with Laqiu?" Jiang Jin asked. He and Laqiu had bad blood, but the timing of Laqiu's post had been too suspicious.

"S-sir, I heard Laqiu had a grudge against the Supernova official account editor, so I reached out to him, offered him 100,000 yuan, and told him to find a way to smear Supernova," Liu Sanhai confessed, holding nothing back.

Jiang Jin stared at him sharply. "Do you still have the chat logs?"

"Yes, and the bank transfer records, too."

Jiang Jin narrowed his eyes. "The netizen who leaked the rumor that Liu Sisi was being kept by Jiang Jin—is that your person?"

Liu Sanhai hurriedly waved his hands in denial. "The leaker isn't, but the big influencer who posted the claim did take my money."

Jiang Jin crossed his arms and pondered for a moment. "Can you find out the real-world identity of the leaker?"

"I can, I can, but I need a little time," Liu Sanhai promised. He had done this kind of off-line tracking often. To be blunt, privacy for the modern internet user was a myth; as long as the money was right, one could dig up names, addresses, and even past histories.

Jiang Jin nodded, satisfied. "Good. Get the chat logs and transfer records; I need to record a video."

Liu Sanhai didn't dare dawdle. He scrambled for his phone, muttering, "Yes, yes, sir, just a moment, I’ll pull it up for you right away." His fingers flew across the screen as he complied. He briefly considered calling the police during the process, but ultimately dismissed the thought. Given the masked man’s ghostly methods, he might be killed the instant he picked up the phone. It was better to play it safe.

Jiang Jin captured the evidence on his own device. "After I leave, take screenshots of these records and send the leaker’s identity to the Supernova official account."

"Yes, sir, I’ll send them immediately," Liu Sanhai replied breathlessly. "And the trolls attacking Mr. Jiang? I’ll have them stop at once."

Liu Sanhai was overjoyed, thinking he had saved his own skin.

"Who told you to stop?" Jiang Jin said coldly. "Keep the pressure on. Smear him as hard as you can."

Liu Sanhai was stunned, his mouth hanging open. "Wait, what? Isn't the whole reason you came here to make us stop attacking him? If you don't want us to stop, and you're telling us to go even harder... do you have a vendetta against him?"

Jiang Jin’s face remained as still as water. "Do as I say, and don't ask questions you shouldn't." He was hoping to clear his poverty and reach a comfortable life through this mission; why would he stop now? The more people who misunderstood him, the better!

Though filled with doubt, Liu Sanhai sensed the finality in Jiang Jin's attitude and bowed his head. "Yes, yes, we won't ask."

"Also," Jiang Jin sneered, "Xue Ting is done in the entertainment industry."

Xue Ting’s face drained of color. She trembled and begged, "Sir, please, don't... I..."

Jiang Jin smiled, a look of mockery and cruelty in his eyes. "Or would you rather I release this video?"

"No, please, anything but that. Sir, I’m very good at serving people. Can I stay by your side and serve you for a while? Please spare me," she pleaded pathetically.

Jiang Jin’s gaze swept over her like an icy wind. "You aren't qualified." If he had just transmigrated, he might have agreed, but with beauties like Wu Qingya and Liu Sisi by his side, Xue Ting held no appeal.

"Sir, I..." Before she could finish, Jiang Jin struck with lightning speed.

*Slap!*

Liu Sanhai stood there, dazed, clutching his cheek.

"I don't like hitting women," Jiang Jin said impatiently. "If you keep yapping, I’ll hit him again."

Liu Sanhai seethed with frustration. *I didn't do anything wrong, why are you hitting me?!*

Xue Ting’s expression shifted. "S..."

"Are you trying to get me killed? If you're not going to be an artist, then don't! Do you think I can't afford to keep you?" Liu Sanhai turned and slapped Xue Ting, leaving her face bright red. The masked man didn't like hitting women, but Liu Sanhai certainly did—he even liked using whips!

Xue Ting hung her head in despair. Liu Sanhai only spent money on her because of her youth and her status as a star. Once she aged and lost that halo, he would surely discard her like trash.

Jiang Jin suddenly raised his hand and slapped Liu Sanhai again.

"Sir, why are you hitting—"

*Slap! Slap! Slap!*

Jiang Jin delivered ten rapid-fire slaps, swelling Liu Sanhai’s face into that of a pig. Liu Sanhai had been the cause of so much public vitriol against him; he’d be remiss not to vent his anger!

Liu Sanhai was on the verge of tears. A man worth ten billion, beaten like a child, and he didn't even know why. The humiliation!

"You seem displeased?" Jiang Jin shook his hand out once his frustration had subsided.

"No, no, no! You hit me well, sir, I am humbled!" Liu Sanhai rushed to deny it.

"It doesn't matter. You can choose not to follow my instructions, or try to retaliate. But the consequences..." Jiang Jin smiled slightly and, right before their eyes, activated his Invisibility.

Liu Sanhai and Xue Ting collapsed onto the bed, paralyzed with terror. A living person vanishing into thin air? That was the power of a god!

Minutes later, they regained a shred of composure. Xue Ting clung to Liu Sanhai, her voice trembling. "Honey, that man is terrifying. We... we should call the police."

*Slap! Slap!*

Liu Sanhai struck her twice.

"Honey, why did you hit me again?" Xue Ting asked, aggrieved.

Liu Sanhai’s face was ashen, his eyes filled with fear and rage. "I want to kill you! If you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"

He had wanted to call the police, or at least uncover the man's identity to seek revenge. But the man had vanished right in front of him! With such supernatural, untraceable methods, what use was the police? He didn't just dare not retaliate; he had to follow the masked man’s orders to the letter!

Not far away, the invisible Jiang Jin smiled playfully and walked through the wall. As he stepped out of the villa, the excitement he had been suppressing finally broke through. This was his first time using the wall-phasing and invisibility skills, and they were as powerful as the system had described. Entering a heavily guarded villa was like walking through an empty room, and he remained undetected even at arm's length.

These were truly divine skills, allowing him to go anywhere without fear of discovery. If Jiang Jin hadn't possessed a strong moral compass, he could have committed countless crimes with such abilities.

Though the skills were mighty, the drain on his system points was equally terrifying.