"Alright, you big lunk. I paid good money for your services and I expect results." The current arc's antagonist poked Jason's chest.
"A job is a job but disrespect wasn't included in our contract." Jason glared at the fat midget who misunderstood their partnership.
"I... You... I apologize." Young Master Shen could feel the dangerousness radiating off of this mercenary.
This maniac didn't care about his family's status or power at all! A faint thought popped up in the back of Shen's head. Maybe he shouldn't have put himself in a room alone with an unknown mercenary known for his brutality and unbroken streak of completed contracts. But it was a little too late for regrets. After he's finished with this tool, he'll hire someone to take care of him for daring to talk back to the only heir of the multi-billion company, Shenguard.
"I don't like that look in your eyes, Young Master Shen. Let me remind you of our current relationship. We are in an equal partnership. I am not your servant, slave, or minion. You pay me money and I do what you say unless the terms of our contract are broken. The contract can be broken at my whim, not yours. I'm sure the organization told you the rules before allowing you to hire a mercenary, correct?"
"R-Right..."
"Then act with some dignity and respect befitting to your status. I won't remind you again, Young Master Shen." Jason said as he brought in his fighting aura. "Now, tell me about the job. Do not leave out any information about the targets if you want me to go after someone."
"Understood..." Shen wanted to clutch his fist, grit his teeth, and show this commoner his place.
But reality dictated that the strong ruled over the weak. He was the weak in this current situation. Once he's in the comfort of his own home, got his use out of this giant, he'll be free to plan his revenge and act how he wants again. For now, he should control himself lest the Shenguard company loses their only heir.
"I want you to take care of a group of people. Here are their names and photos." Shen purposely neglected to include the reason why he wanted the mercenary to target these people.
Jason looked at the photos of four teenagers. Two guys and two girls. There was only one that caught his eye as he recognized their family name: Liu. The Liu Family had a business that was nearly on par with the Shen Family but just slightly below. A mercenary like him wasn't able to put his hands on a high-value target like this without significant compensation and protection afterwards.
"To what extent do you want me to "take care" of them?" Jason asked.
"I want you to hurt them to the point where they feel that death is a better alternative to living!" Shen roared as he thought of the humiliation he suffered because of them.
"I see." Jason stared into Young Master Shen's eyes. "You neglected to include that the Liu Family's daughter would be a target in the contract."
"Will that be a problem for a mercenary as powerful as you?" Shen snarked.
"Not for myself, but the trouble it would bring to my organization is a different matter. For me to take on this job and target the Liu Family's only daughter, there will be an additional payment required to the organization. If the payment is not sent, I will exclude her from the job."
"Fine! I'll pay however you need!" Shen slammed his card on the table.
"Before we conclude this, is there any specific information about the targets I need to know? Their fighting styles, habits, contacts, secret abilities, addresses? The more you know, the easier it'll help me accomplish the job you paid for."
"..." Shen frowned.
That trash Zhao Yun suddenly turned into a genius overnight somehow. In the past, he was nothing more than just a 3rd rate martial artist but now he was swiftly rising in cultivation and learning powerful martial arts that was comparable to the Shen's Family martial arts. Even that useless pig he calls his best friend drastically showed improved physical results lately. Zhao must have encountered some legendary artifact! But Shen had no idea what it could be...
"He might have acquired a divine artifact that improved his talent or comprehension significantly. The pig only has knowledge of common martial arts. The beautiful red-head has some talent and impressive sword techniques but should be nothing for someone like yourself. The same goes for Liu Shan. There's also a possibility that whatever divine artifact he's obtained he's sharing with the other three to improve their strengths or talents. If you can, I'd like you to obtain that artifact for me. I'll pay however much it takes for you to give me the item." Shen honestly stated.
"Just send it to the organization along with the payment for Liu Shan. Send it in two different payments that clearly distinguishes between the two. I'll contact you if anything new arises. The contract can no longer be altered after this meeting. Is there anything else, you'd like to add?" Jason stood up.
"..." Shen took a moment to think. "Do you think I should- Never mind." He was about to ask if he should let them know who hired the mercenary to hurt them.
But it would be better to know that they have suffered for humiliating him and he could laugh and taunt all he wants without letting them know it was him directly. Didn't the academy have some stupid rule about no unauthorized fighting outside the school or expulsion? If they can't find any proof it was him, he can't be punished. Shen's revenge would be successful and if they ever try to hold their heads up again, he can just hire Jaguar again.
"I'll be leaving now Young Master Shen. Proof of completion of the contract will be sent to you as it develops."
"F-Farewell." Shen finally realized how terrifying it was to be alone in a room with a powerful assassin.
If there was one thing for sure after this contract, he was never going to personally meet up with an mercenary again. The words of Shen's father rang through his head. Think before you act. Shen was definitely going to start doing that more after today. It was the first time in his life that he ever felt that his life was not in his control. He could've died today and only the underground organization would know it. An organization known for keeping a tight lid on any information. Even for Shenguard, it'd cost an arm and a leg to get useful advantageous info. Info on their missing heir? They'd need to pay billions on billions.
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"Today was pretty fun." Zhao Yun smiled with his 3 friends.
"It was even better because that jerk Shen at school today." Fatty Bao chuckled.
"I wouldn't show up to school after being publicly embarrassed like that either." Miaomiao shrugged with a smile.
"Face is everything for those in high society." Liu Shan informed as a limo stood out in front of the school gates. "I'll be going now. See you tomorrow... friends..." A faint blush appeared on her icy cold face as she got into the black car quickly.
"It was his own fault! Who told him to be so domineering and arrogant? Just because he was born with a diamond spoon, every other spoon deserves to be belittled and abused?! I think he wasn't humiliated enough, honestly." Fatty Bao spoke righteously.
"That's enough. As long as Shen doesn't try to find trouble with us again, I say we should just let it go." Zhao Yun tried to calm his best friend.
"Let it go?! After so many years of bullying?!"
"This is his final chance. After this, he'll get what he deserves. Sounds fair?"
"You're too kind." Fatty Bao snorted.
"I agree." Miaomiao nodded. "If I went through what you went through for so many years, I wouldn't be able to control myself."
At this, Yun just laughed as he walked home with his friends. Eventually, the three split apart as they went their own way home. Unknown to the three of them, a figure was following behind them from a far distance. For the next 4 days, he followed them. He learned of their addresses, families, and publicly known strength.
Then on the 5th day, he introduced himself to the group of friends. They decided to go out into the city to have fun. As normal teenagers do. Karaoke, ice cream, and shopping. When they had their day of fun, Jason blocked their path out of the shopping mall.
When a 7-foot-5 man wearing a jaguar mask stands in front of you, it's a bit difficult to simply say, "Excuse me," and walk past him. It's even more difficult when that man suddenly strikes you across the neck with his leg and everything goes black. Zhao Yun was this poor person. Of course, with his recent progress in martial arts, he could see this attack coming but reacting was another thing entirely. The last thing he heard was the sound of his friends yelling and some screaming in the background. How come even with his gold finger, he was still one-shot by some random person!?