Chapter 138: The Creditor

Chapter 138: The Creditor

The genetic verification at the Civil Affairs Department was very successful. Lei Yaotian controlled the genes of Baront Leipengte within the crystal on his forehead, allowing them to flow into the metal needle that was injected. So he easily passed the genetic verification stage.

Since it was proven that the genes completely matched, the Civil Affairs Department did not give Lei Yaotian any more trouble. They quickly confirmed Lei Yaotian as a legal citizen of the Divine Glory Empire, making him the lowest rank of minor noble in the empire.

However, Baront Leipengte did not own much property within the empire; he had essentially squandered his inheritance to a certain extent. Otherwise, he would not have piloted a warship alone to the other side of the universe.

Moreover, through the officials at the Civil Affairs Department, Lei Yaotian, who inherited Baront Leipengte’s title, learned that before Baront Leipengte left the Divine Glory Empire, he had accumulated a large amount of debt.

Now, without a doubt, all of that debt had to be shouldered by Lei Yaotian, this ‘descendant’.

“Damn it!”

When Lei Yaotian found out about this matter, he could not help but curse heavily in his heart.

Because that old fellow Leipengte had left behind far too much debt for him. And right after Lei Yaotian inherited Baront Leipengte’s title and was confirmed as Baront Leipengte’s descendant, creditors came knocking at his door immediately.

Sure enough, before Lei Yaotian even left the Civil Affairs Department, one such creditor appeared before him.

Lei Yaotian and his companions were blocked by an old man wearing a black military uniform.

This old man had a smile on his face, looking at Lei Yaotian as if he saw a little lamb.

“Aha~ The Star God truly blesses me. I thought Baront Leipengte’s debts would end up as a bad debt. I never expected that after all these years since he left, his descendant would actually return.”

This old man, who called himself Arex, stood with over a dozen burly men, blocking Lei Yaotian and the others at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Department.

Pedestrians and those who had come to the Civil Affairs Department for business crowded around in multiple layers to see the commotion. It made it impossible for Lei Yaotian to leave, and he felt utterly frustrated.

“That damn Leipengte, who knows how many people he owed debts to. No wonder that Civil Affairs Department worker had such a sneaky smile right after I received my proof and citizen documents.”

At this moment, Lei Yaotian kept cursing the deceased Baront Leipengte in his heart.

But now, since he could not leave, he had no choice but to brace himself and meet the creditor’s gaze.

Lei Yaotian lifted his head and pretended to look confused as he stared at Arex. He said, “Sir, may I ask why you are blocking my way? If my memory serves me correctly, I don’t believe we have ever crossed paths before.”

“What an adorable child. Who would have thought that pauper Leipengte could have such a cute son.” The old man teasingly said a few words to those beside him, then looked down at Lei Yaotian. “Mm~ little one of the Leipengte family, your memory is correct. You and I have indeed never crossed paths. However, your father Leipengte and I were quite familiar with each other.”

Lei Yaotian could only pretend to be very happy and asked excitedly, “So, sir, are you a friend of my father?”

Arex smiled and said, “You could say we were friends, though our relationship was a bit complicated. To put it simply, I am your father’s creditor.”

“Creditor?” At this point, Lei Yaotian had no choice but to act cute and play innocent.

Unfortunately, this tactic was completely useless against an old fox like Arex.

“Hey, little one, don’t look at me with such pitiful eyes. I, Arex, am an honest man through and through. Do you really think I would lie to you?”

Whoosh~

A document filled with Divine Glory script unfurled before Lei Yaotian.

“See clearly, little one. This is your father’s IOU. It bears your father’s personal signature and his genetic imprint. These cannot be forged.”

Lei Yaotian shook his head and pretended to look very troubled as he said to Arex, “Sorry, sir, but I can’t read Divine Glory script at all. I’m only fifteen this year and haven’t even started school yet.”

In order to leave this place quickly and avoid being stared at like animals in a circus, Lei Yaotian decided to deny any connection as soon as possible and get away.

Huh!

Only fifteen? He was still just a child.

Arex was stunned for a moment. But even if he was a child, he was still Leipengte’s descendant. Besides, repaying debts was only right and proper, and a son repaying his father’s debts was reasonable and justified.

Arex did not let Lei Yaotian off just because he was a child.

Moreover, Arex was pressing for the debt here because he was being pressured by a powerful noble. The other party had sent him, a former creditor of the baronet, to demand repayment from Leipengte’s descendant.

Arex did not dare refuse that noble.

For these reasons, Arex could only suppress what little sympathy he had.

As the saying goes, better you die than me…

“Let me put it this way~” Arex paused for a moment, then said to Lei Yaotian. “Leipengte was your father, wasn’t he?”

Lei Yaotian obediently nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Arex was very satisfied with Lei Yaotian’s answer. He continued asking, “Then, is Baront Leipengte deceased now?”

A sorrowful expression appeared on Lei Yaotian’s face, his young features showing great pain.

“Yes, sir.”

“Then, as Baront Leipengte’s descendant, shouldn’t you settle your father’s debts? This will prevent your father’s reputation from being tarnished even after his death.”

Arex urged him step by step.

“Am I bullying a child?” Seeing Lei Yaotian acting like such a well-behaved child, even Arex felt he was being somewhat excessive.

But thinking about how his money didn’t come from thin air, he gritted his teeth and continued, “No matter what, Baront Leipengte owed me a large sum of Empire Coins. Even though he has passed away, as his heir, I believe you should take on this debt, shouldn’t you?”

Lei Yaotian turned to look at his steward, Comrade Wangcai, beside him.

Clearly, Lei Yaotian did not want to answer this question.

Wangcai stepped forward, gave a slight bow to Arex, and said, “Mr. Arex, our Young Master has just become a citizen of Divine Glory and inherited Master Leipengte’s title. At the same time, we haven’t even taken stock of Master Leipengte’s property yet, so we aren’t very clear about these matters at the moment. So, aren’t you approaching us a bit too quickly?”

“You are??”

Arex looked at the chubby young man who came before him and spoke confidently, feeling quite puzzled.

Wangcai straightened his posture, raised his right hand, placed his palm flat on his chest, and bowed slightly to Arex. “I am Young Master Lei’s steward. I am responsible for managing all affairs, including the Young Master’s finances and property.”

The old man glanced at Wangcai, then looked back at Lei Yaotian. From Arex’s gaze, Lei Yaotian could tell he was asking whether what this steward Wangcai said was true or not.

Lei Yaotian, of course, had to nod in acknowledgment. Let Wangcai deal with this old fellow.

Having received Lei Yaotian’s confirmation, alright then, Arex shifted his attention to Wangcai.

“Very well then, young steward. So, are you prepared to repay the money?”

Faced with Arex’s aggressiveness, Wangcai spread his hands.

“There is some logic to a son repaying his father’s debts. However, we currently have no cash on us. Moreover, we don’t know exactly how much debt the Master incurred. Was it in Empire Coins or Universal Currency? And what is your interest rate? We are not very clear about any of these details.”

“Especially since we have doubts about the authenticity of these debts. Please understand this point.”

Arex frowned, anger rising to the top of his head.

He looked sternly at Wangcai and said, “I, Arex, am also a man with a title. Do you think I would make empty claims? You should know that this IOU had many witnesses back then, and the signatures and imprints of those witnesses are also here.” After saying this, he flipped through the document, found the witnesses’ signatures and imprints, and showed them to Wangcai.

Wangcai glanced at it, then smiled at Arex and said, “Respected Noble sir, please don’t get agitated. In that case, we acknowledge this debt. So, I would like to know exactly how much money needs to be repaid?”

At that moment, a man in a black uniform standing behind Arex walked up to him, leaned close to his ear, and whispered a few words.

“Prince Barbarossa hopes you can make good use of this IOU. Of course, charge the highest interest possible. It would be best to pressure them until they can’t repay. Afterwards, Prince Barbarossa will thank you properly, Baron.”

Baron Arex nodded heavily. Comparing a prince to a little kid who just inherited a title and became a Divine Glory citizen, our Baron knew who he should and shouldn’t offend.

“Who knows how this little guy managed to provoke Prince Barbarossa, making the prince treat you like this. But that’s your problem, not mine. You can only blame your own bad luck. Even though I pity you…” A flicker of compassion passed through Baron Arex’s eyes. But he thought that if he didn’t follow the Prince’s orders, he would be the one ending up in trouble.

So Baron Arex quickly made a decision.

Swish!

Shaking the IOU in his hand, Baron Arex said to Wangcai, “Five years ago, Baront Leipengte borrowed three million Empire Coins from me, with a daily interest rate of 10%. Due to some unavoidable circumstances, five years have passed. So this debt has now become an astronomical figure. But even so, you still have to repay it.”

Before Baron Arex’s words even finished landing, Wangcai waved his hand.

The members of the Ginyu Task Force rushed forward. One of them slapped Baron Arex, sending him flying to the side.

Lei Yaotian softly uttered, “Might as well go rob someone! Did you really think I’m an easy target?”