Chapter Thirty-Six: Finding a Scapegoat (Fourth Update)

Tiantang Corporation owns numerous subsidiaries spanning various industries, and Tiantang Logistics is one such subsidiary. In addition, the Imperial Glory Circus, where the Big Tiger is imprisoned, is also controlled by Tiantang Corporation.

Thinking of Big Tiger, Qin Tian had yet to find an opportunity to rescue it, and this, too, remained a knotty issue. For now, however, he had to deal with Jiang Tianxiang’s predicament. Big Tiger was at the Imperial Glory Circus and wouldn’t be in immediate danger—at worst, it might suffer a few lashes, but its thick skin and robust flesh would withstand it.

Of course, if the circus folk truly abused Big Tiger, Qin Tian would not show them any mercy in the future.

“Tell me, why did you deliberately hit someone? Was Tang Yiliu behind this?” Qin Tian asked.

He suddenly felt his fate was somehow intertwined with Tiantang Corporation; most of the troubles he’d encountered in recent days were linked to them. From Big Tiger’s capture, the high-end scam with his car, to now Jiang Tianxiang’s leg being crippled by someone from Tiantang Corporation.

“I…I didn’t,” the driver stammered.

“What do you mean you didn’t?” Qin Tian knew the driver’s psychological defenses had long since collapsed; he was merely holding on by sheer force of will.

The driver had kept his head down, silent, afraid he would break under pressure.

“I didn’t drive into anyone,” the driver insisted.

“If it wasn’t you, was it a ghost?” Qin Tian rolled his eyes.

“No, I mean…I…” The driver faltered.

“Enough, no more ‘I, I, I.’ Just answer me—did Tang Yiliu instruct you?” Qin Tian barked, startling the driver so much he shuddered.

“Just nod or shake your head!” Qin Tian pressed.

Clenching his teeth, the driver nodded, admitting the truth.

“So it was Tang Yiliu’s orders, just as expected.”

Qin Tian narrowed his eyes. It seemed the lesson from last time—trying to steal the chicken and losing the rice—hadn’t been deep enough; now Tang Yiliu was back courting disaster.

Qin Tian surmised that Tang Yiliu’s repeated risk-taking was likely connected to his own recent appearance. His performance at the Imperial Horse Club had probably reached Tang Yiliu’s ears, making him uncertain of victory in the upcoming horse race.

Therefore, Tang Yiliu wanted to strike early, to eliminate Jiang Tianxiang.

And indeed, that was the case. After hearing of Qin Tian’s incredible feats at the Imperial Horse Club, Tang Yiliu could not remain calm, deciding to take another risk to see if he could resolve the Jiang Tianxiang problem.

Jiang Tianxiang’s Tianying Group depended entirely on him; if the group lost its backbone, bringing it down would be a matter of moments.

“How much did you get paid?” Qin Tian asked.

“I…I’m sorry. I really needed the money! There are people at home waiting for it!” the driver replied.

“Cut the nonsense. Answer what I ask!” Qin Tian shot him a glare.

Poverty is no excuse for crime!

There are countless poor people in the world—must they all become criminals? How would society survive?

“Two hundred thousand,” the driver said.

“Two hundred thousand? Do you realize how many years you could spend in prison if your actions had resulted in death?”

“You were driving drunk; if someone had died, you’d face three years in prison!”

“Two hundred thousand? For three years behind bars and a criminal record—do you think it’s worth it? Your life is ruined!” Qin Tian scolded.

“I…I really had nowhere else to turn. I needed the money!” The driver’s face was full of regret, yet his resolve was clear—he simply needed the money.

Qin Tian found himself at a loss. The pitiful often have their own faults—even if you’re in dire need, you can’t cross into crime.

“How did Tang Yiliu approach you?” Qin Tian asked.

“He said he’d give me two hundred thousand, told me to wait outside Tianying Group, and when I saw the target, to run him down with the car.”

“He also said he’d modify the vehicle to make it look like the brakes had failed,” the driver added.

“And the drinking?” Qin Tian was exasperated.

“I…I was scared, so I drank a little to steady my nerves, to give myself courage,” the driver answered sheepishly.

Qin Tian covered his face—so it was true, liquor emboldens the cowardly.

“Did you not consider the consequences before acting?” Qin Tian pressed.

“My family was falling apart; what consequences could I think of? If I hadn’t been driven to desperation, who would do such a thing?” The driver sighed, tears of grievance slipping down his cheeks.

“Enough with the crying. You’ll explain everything to the police later,” Qin Tian waved him off, then stood and left.

He hadn’t expected to uncover the mastermind so easily. The rest would be left to the authorities.

“He’s confessed. You just need to interrogate him again. I’m leaving,” Qin Tian told the waiting officers outside.

“He confessed? Incredible!” The officer’s eyes widened in amazement, giving Qin Tian a thumbs-up.

He thought to himself—Captain Lin sure found a remarkable man; it only took moments to force out the truth.

He didn’t realize, of course, that the driver’s weak nerves made him easy to intimidate.

Meanwhile, in the top executive suite of Paradise Group, in the president’s office.

Tang Yiliu gazed at the man in the black robe sitting on the sofa, his face shadowed with gloom.

“Didn’t I tell you not to act recklessly? Tianying Group is but a grain of sand; there are countless ways to deal with them in the future. Why won’t you listen?” The black-robed man’s voice was low and stern.

“I can’t swallow this, and what if I lose the horse race? That young man is too strange,” Tang Yiliu replied.

“That young man is our primary target this time! If we capture him, we can force the old man out,” the black-robed man said.

Tang Yiliu was stunned. This was the first time the black-robed man had revealed their true objective—it was that peculiar young man, Qin Tian?

He instantly understood. The black-robed man’s organization was highly unusual, full of all sorts of eccentric people. Their interest in Qin Tian was only natural.

But Tang Yiliu only grasped half the truth. The organization had long been focused on Qin Tian. This incident, coinciding with Qin Tian’s involvement in Jiang Tianxiang’s horse race, gave the black-robed man the opportunity to seek Tang Yiliu’s cooperation.

Tang Yiliu’s company had benefited from the black-robed man’s assistance in the shadows, so he was only too happy to oblige.

“Handle this yourself, find someone to take the fall.”

“Remember! Don’t act rashly again! Otherwise—you know the consequences!” the black-robed man threatened.

Then, with a sudden move, he leapt straight out the window.

Tang Yiliu was shocked—this was the forty-third floor! He rushed to the window, only to discover the black-robed man was already gone without a trace.