novelsite Chapter 110 Only the dead don't need profit
Chapter 110 Only the dead don't need profit
Chapter 110 Only the dead don't need profit
"Killing the chicken will indeed allow you to extract the eggs."
Jiang Ming took out another item from the storage card at his waist.
"Smack."
It was a mirror.
A modern glass mirror, only the size of a palm, with 100% clarity—something these alien natives had never seen before.
The mirror clearly reflected Gareth's sinister face, down to the finest details of the wrinkles around his eyes and the stubble on his beard.
A series of suppressed gasps filled the hall.
In an era when blurry bronze mirrors were still in use, this mirror, so clear it seemed to capture one's soul, was nothing short of a miracle.
"If you kill the chicken, you'll lose the eggs."
Jiang Ming casually tossed the mirror onto the table, making a crisp sound.
"But what if you raise chickens?"
"These eggs are produced in an endless supply."
Gareth stared intently at the mirror.
Greed burned in his eyes, but reason was quickly taking over.
He was a warlord.
He's also a businessman.
He killed to establish his authority, and also to rob.
But if the profits from robbery are far less than those from cooperation, then murder becomes a losing proposition.
"Never-ending?"
Gareth finally spoke, the murderous intent in his voice largely dissipated, replaced by a businessman's shrewdness.
"How many treasures of this caliber do you have?"
"That depends on how much you can eat."
Jiang Ming leaned back, his tone indifferent.
"The workshop behind me has a very stable output."
"But I need an agent at the border, a partner who can keep things under control and prevent those flies from bothering me."
"That kind of trash, Rogge, is no good."
"But you, you look alright."
Gareth remained silent for three seconds.
Sudden.
He laughed loudly, looking up at the sky.
His laughter was hoarse and unpleasant, like the hooting of an owl.
"Okay! Not bad at all!"
Gareth suddenly waved his hand.
"All of you, stand back!"
With a whoosh.
Hundreds of guards neatly put away their heavy crossbows and retreated from the hall like a tide, leaving only a few trusted men to guard the door.
The suffocating sense of oppression vanished instantly.
The fat manager crawled out from under the counter, wiping away cold sweat, and with great tact, served the finest wine.
Gareth strode to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down opposite Jiang Ming.
He carefully placed the five-colored Holy Grail and the mirror together.
"This cup is worth Rogge's life, and I'll still pay you two thousand gold coins."
Gareth made his offer.
"This mirror, one thousand gold coins."
"That clear crystal glass, five hundred gold coins."
"Also, I'll take all the animal hides and tattered weapons you brought; I'll give you five hundred gold coins for it."
A total of four thousand gold coins.
This is an astronomical figure.
At Blacklight Outpost, a strong orc slave costs only 10 gold coins, and a fine weapon from the capital costs no more than 30 gold coins.
Four thousand gold coins are enough to equip an elite army of five hundred men.
Wang Yang and Li Bin were stunned.
A few glass bottles, a two-dollar store mirror, and that "holy grail" glued together with super glue.
They actually got a mountain of gold in return?
Is this what they call a dimensional reduction attack?
"make a deal."
Jiang Ming didn't waste any words.
He knew there was room for a premium on the price, but he didn't have time to haggle here.
time is life.
Things could change at any time at the school base.
Gareth was clearly pleased with Jiang Ming's straightforwardness.
He clapped his hands.
The fat steward immediately led several servants and brought over four heavy metal boxes.
The box was opened.
The golden light almost blinded everyone.
Those were neat rows of gold coins, each bearing the griffin emblem of the Kingdom of Grimm.
Jiang Ming didn't count.
With a wave of his hand, he directly stored the four large boxes into a [Portable Storage Card] right in front of Gareth.
in.
This "spatial magic" once again caused Gareth's pupils to shrink slightly.
Space equipment.
This is a rare item that even the most noble families might not possess.
This confirms the speculation that Jiang Ming has a powerful backer.
"It's a pleasure working with you."
Jiang Ming stood up, his blood-stained silver armor gleaming coldly in the candlelight.
"Next time, I'll bring something even better."
Hopefully, you'll still have enough gold coins by then.
Gareth stood up and, for the first time, gave Jiang Ming a salute of equal chivalry.
"The gates of Blacklight Outpost are always open to you."
"in addition."
Gareth pointed to Rogge's body on the ground.
"Since we are going to cooperate, I will also give you a small gift."
"The Bloodhand Gang had a slave camp in the west of the city, which was Rogge's private property. Now that he's dead, that camp is yours."
"There are some good items inside; you might find them useful."
Jiang Ming's lips, hidden beneath his mask, curled slightly upwards.
This is exactly what he needs.
Thank you.
Jiang Ming turned around and, leading the still-stunned Wang Yang and the others, strode out of the Golden Fleece Trading Company.
Behind.
Gareth watched Jiang Ming's retreating figure, a complex light flickering in his single eye.
"Sir, should we send someone to follow them?"
The trusted guard asked in a low voice.
"Follow my ass!"
Gareth slapped the guard's helmet.
"With this kind of person, you either befriend them or eliminate them completely."
"If you're not confident you can wipe them out, then don't make any unnecessary moves."
He picked up the five-colored Holy Grail, his eyes glazed over.
"With this—maybe I can get in touch with that person in the capital—"
They left the oppressive Golden Fleece Trading Company.
Although the air outside was still murky, Wang Yang and Li Bin felt incredibly refreshed.
"Ming—Brother Ming, have we struck it rich?"
Wang Yang swallowed hard, his voice still trembling.
The visual impact of those four boxes of gold coins was too great.
"This is just the beginning."
Jiang Ming's voice was very calm.
Gold coins, if not spent, are just a heavy pile of metal.
Only when converted into resources can it become power.
"Go to the Bloodhand Gang's slave camp."
Jiang Ming did not choose to leave the city immediately, but headed straight for the west side of the city.
I'll take this gift from Gareth; it's a waste not to accept it.
Moreover, the school base's current defensive fortifications urgently need manpower.
Relying on just a few dozen students is too inefficient, and their physical strength is too poor.
In this world, slaves are the best labor force.
The Blood Hands' camp is located deep in the slums west of the city.
Because news of the leader Rogge's death had not yet spread, the guards here were unaware of what had happened.
When Jiang Ming, clad in silver armor and exuding a murderous aura, appeared at the camp entrance.
Before the remaining thugs could even call for backup, Jiang Ming slashed them down one by one with his sword.
"Rogge is dead."
Jiang Ming stepped over the corpses of the guards and coldly declared to the dozen or so thugs remaining in the camp.
"This place is now mine."
The overwhelming force, coupled with the news of Roger's death, caused these cowardly thugs to scatter like birds and beasts.
Jiang Ming entered the camp.
This place is more like a livestock shed than a camp.
Dozens of poorly clothed slaves were locked in an open-air wooden fence, the air thick with the stench of excrement, urine, and decay.
Most of the slaves had blank stares and were so thin they were just skin and bones.
Jiang Ming opened the [Data Panel] and quickly scanned the crowd.
[Skinny Human Laborer (Lv.1)], [Orc Laborer (Lv.2)] ————
Most of it is garbage.
But Jiang Ming did not find it offensive.
As long as it can move bricks and dig soil, it's a good consumable.
Sudden.
Jiang Ming's gaze fell on an iron cage in the corner.
There's a big guy locked up there.
【Black Rock Ogre (Lv.12 - Elite)】
[Status: Severely injured, hungry, weak]
[Abilities: Great Strength, Regeneration, Gluttony]
This is an ogre that is nearly three meters tall, with skin that is a rock-like gray-black.
Its body was bound with thick iron chains, its collarbone was pierced by iron hooks, and its body was covered with whip marks and burns.
Even in its weakened state, its ferocious aura kept the surrounding slaves at bay.
"nice one."
Jiang Ming's eyes lit up.
This type of meat shield creature, once fed, becomes the best battering ram and guard dog.
Besides the cannibal, Jiang Ming also discovered several "special talents" among the slaves.
[Human Blacksmith - Bronzebeard (Lv.5): Has mastered basic forging skills.]
[Human Herbalist Ayla (Lv.3): Knows how to identify herbs and perform simple healing.]
[Dwarf Miner (Lv.6): Skilled in finding and mining ore veins.]
"Take them all."
Jiang Ming waved his hand.
He didn't have time to check each item carefully, so he used the change he had just earned to buy a large amount of dark bread and low-quality jerky from a nearby grocery store.
"If you want to live, eat something and come with me."
"Those who don't want to leave, stay here and wait to die."
The aroma of the food instantly drove these numb slaves mad.
Driven by the instinct for survival, dozens of slaves wolfed down their food and obediently lined up in a long queue.
Jiang Ming walked up to the cannibal cage.
He drew his sword and cleaved the chains in two.
The cannibal suddenly opened its eyes, its murky, yellowish-brown pupils filled with savagery.
It roared and tried to attack Jiang Ming.
"Bang!"
Jiang Ming dropped his sword and delivered a powerful punch to the ogre's stomach.
A power of up to 20 points, plus the hardness of the metal gloves.
This punch sent the ogre tumbling into a shrimp-like shape, vomiting up its stomach acid.
"Surrender, or die."
Jiang Ming stepped on the ogre's head and threw a huge piece of dried leg meat in front of it.
Big stick and carrot.
Simple, brutal, but most effective against single-celled organisms like ogres.
The ogre looked at the meat on the ground, then at the "little guy" who could punch it hard.
Its instincts told it that if it followed this "stronger" person, it would get to eat meat.
It grabbed the meat, swallowed it in a few bites, then lay down on the ground and lowered its head to Jiang Ming.
For now, we can consider it subdued.
After dealing with the slaves, Jiang Ming did not rush to leave.
He led his team to the largest "magical materials shop" at Blacklight Outpost.
With a huge sum of four thousand gold coins in his hand, Jiang Ming embarked on a shopping spree.
"I need as much of this blue powder as you want." (Mithril powder)
"Wrap up that black stone." (Obsidian)
"What is this? The blood of a second-tier magical beast, a fire lizard? I want it all."
Jiang Ming frantically purchased raw materials, referring to the lit icons in the [Synthesis of All Things] system.
Materials for [High-Efficiency Acid Mine], Materials for [Thermite Incendiary Bomb] —
There were even some items that he didn't need for the time being, but the system indicated they were "rare materials".
In just half an hour.
Two thousand gold coins were spent in one go.
In return, they received three large bags of precious magical materials and more than a dozen basic skill scrolls.
What pleased Jiang Ming the most was a synthesis formula that appeared out of nowhere: [Primary Construct: Self-Destructing Spider].
With enough iron and gunpowder, this tireless suicide weapon can be mass-produced.
"That's about it."
Looking at the storage cards that were already overflowing, and the vast procession of slaves behind him.
Jiang Ming glanced at the sky.
The two crimson moons had already risen into the sky.
"Return journey."
Jiang Ming mounted his horse, and the cannibal, which had been fed and then beaten, followed behind him carrying a huge bundle, like a moving mountain.
Wang Yang, Li Bin, and others rode warhorses they had captured from the goblins, driving the slave caravan.
The group left Blacklight Outpost in a grand procession.
On the city wall.
Gareth watched the strange group disappear into the distance, his gaze lingering for a moment on the ogre.
"Even those rabid dogs can be tamed—"
"This outsider is more dangerous than I imagined."
He turned his head and gave an order to his adjutant.
"Pass down the order: from now on, when you see this team, grant them the highest level of clearance."
"Also, send someone to check if any large organizations have been active in the area recently."
On the wilderness.
Jiang Ming rode on his horse, feeling the coolness of the night breeze.
His mood did not relax despite suddenly becoming rich.
in contrast.
His senses were issuing frantic warnings.
That feeling of being watched had been looming ever since I left Blacklight Outpost.
He's not one of Gareth's men.
That was a colder, more greedy gaze.
Like some kind of predator lurking in the shadows.
"Looks like someone doesn't want us to go back with the money."
Jiang Ming touched the [Potential Acidic Mine] hanging beside the saddle, a bloodthirsty smirk curling at the corner of his mouth.
Just right.
The newly purchased materials were used to synthesize some new consumables, which required some experimental samples.
The night was as thick as ink that couldn't be dissolved.
Two scarlet moons hung above the treetops, turning the dimly lit woodland into a dark, blood-red hue.
The group proceeded along a winding forest path.
An unsettling stillness permeated the air; even the usual chirping of insects had vanished, leaving only the heavy footsteps and the muffled thud of wheels rolling over decaying leaves.
Jiang Ming rode on his warhorse, his body swaying slightly with the rise and fall of the horse's back.
But all the muscles in his body were in a tense, ready-to-go state.
The alarm from the [Perception] attribute grew increasingly shrill, like countless needles pricking the back of his head.
"Stop! There's something going on nearby!"
Jiang Ming pulled on the reins and raised his right fist.
The line behind them came to an instant.
Wang Yang and Li Bin immediately drew their weapons and stood back to back, warily watching the dark bushes around them.
The newly purchased slaves and members of the Baron caravan trembled with fear and instinctively squeezed into the middle of the procession.
"Sir--sir?"
Baron, his voice trembling, was about to ask a question.
"collapse--!"
A deep, muffled thud of a bowstring ripped through the night sky.
Immediately following were dozens of rapid, piercing whistles.
"Enemy attack!"
'
Jiang Ming shouted sharply.
But he didn't move.
Because the first wave of arrows wasn't aimed at him, but at the most conspicuous behemoth in the group—the Blackrock Ogre.