https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-132-Gargoyle-Stone-Armor-Version-1-0/12850211/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-134-Biological-Weapon-Technology/12850215/
Chapter 133: Flower Wallet Sponsorship, Big Shot Leads the Charge
Chapter 133: Flower Wallet Sponsorship, Big Shot Leads the Charge
"Is the information confirmed?" Qin Muye's expression changed, his excitement evident.
"It has been confirmed. The True Dragon Emperor has decided to wipe out the Fertile Ocean first, while Jiang Tianjun has chosen the Extreme Cold Ice Land." The Black Hand's tone remained rather calm.
"Good, how did the previous negotiations with the True Dragon Emperor go?" Qin Muye asked again.
Three days ago, he had completed the testing of the Gargoyle-class armor and then had the goblins work overtime to produce ten thousand units. This was not a difficult task for the goblins, as the assembly line allowed the mechanical, repetitive tasks to be handled by the skeleton soldiers, while the technical positions were filled by the goblins.
In fact, they managed to produce them in just one day. With their large numbers and strong teamwork, this was not surprising.
"The True Dragon Emperor has agreed, but he requires us to provide one hundred thousand Gargoyle-class armors for dragon use within a month as a condition," the Black Hand said.
This Gargoyle-class armor was not the initial version created by Qin Muye, but rather a knockoff with only 100 points of magic shield and 100 points of defense.
The quality had also dropped to intermediate level, but it was still useful for protecting against environmental radiation and zombie viruses. Moreover, due to the reduced materials, it was quite form-fitting, allowing for additional treasure equipment to be worn over it, unlike the 1.0 version of Qin Muye's Gargoyle-class armor, which was thick and provided strong defense, albeit at a higher cost.
"Dragons? That's no small task. What about the material costs? Will the True Dragon Emperor cover them?" Qin Muye furrowed his brows. Even for ordinary human figures, this would be a significant undertaking, let alone for dragons, which could be as large as houses or palaces. Ten thousand units were no small matter.
Of course, if it were a subcontracting job, Qin Muye could accept it. He could improve the assembly line to let the skeleton soldiers handle the work, but the real issue was who would pay. If he had to foot the bill, the cost of one hundred thousand Gargoyle-class armors for dragons would not be cheap.
The resources gained from the battles might not even cover the costs.
"If you are willing to make the deal, the True Dragon Emperor will cover all expenses and pay you a substantial processing fee. However, he has a requirement: in the future, these Gargoyle-class armors can only be provided to him, and he will purchase them at the regular price," the Black Hand explained immediately.
Qin Muye understood instantly. The True Dragon Emperor wanted a monopoly. Other server lords would have to endure harsh environments to enter the Wasteland City and Zombie Nation, but if the True Dragon Emperor was immune, he could monopolize the resources of these two servers.
"Agreed, but the terms need to be adjusted. All 4th-tier and below lord forces in the Wasteland City, Zombie Nation, and Fertile Ocean will belong to us. The number of troops he provides for escort should be ten times the original, and the material costs should be at cost price."
"If he refuses, reveal that I am developing a new type of armor that can adapt to marine conditions, which is even more robust and better suited to harsh environments."
In business, one often starts with an exorbitant price and then haggles down. One-time deals are rare.
If conceding some profit could lead to greater gains, Qin Muye was not opposed. He could enhance the knockoff Gargoyle-class armor, such as adding underwater breathing capabilities, which essentially involved extracting oxygen from water. Boosting the magic shield and defense to 300 points was also feasible.
Initially, he had planned to eliminate a 4th-tier territory, but the True Dragon Emperor's ambition for a monopoly was significant. Qin Muye was willing to play along.
Monopoly was fine, but he needed to cover his losses.
"By the way, if we only charge the cost price for materials, how much profit can we make?" Qin Muye suddenly thought of this.
The Black Hand made a quick estimate: "Without labor costs, the profit is roughly 30%."
"Too low. We need at least 80% profit, otherwise, it will be hard to break even," Qin Muye confirmed.
Cost price, materials aside, labor costs must be considered. Although skeleton soldiers do not need to eat, drink, or sleep and can work 24 hours a day, Qin Muye's research and development still required funding.
He was short on money. He was a big spender, but the True Dragon Emperor was a true tycoon. Not raising the cost price would be a waste of such a good opportunity.
For the True Dragon Emperor, the material costs Qin Muye would earn were a mere fraction of his wealth.
He did not mind Qin Muye making a profit. Despite his domineering ways, he had a broader perspective. Seizing profits from a munitions supplier like Qin Muye could delay critical operations, leading to greater losses.
Moreover, although Qin Muye's reputation was poor, the quality of his weapons was genuine.
In battles against other servers, the True Dragon Emperor preferred to use the Crimson series of weapons, especially the thermal weapons. With a bit of training, the long-range damage increased exponentially.
Even if the Crimson Hell Bomb is dropped, the enemy's 6th-tier forces might be able to withstand it, but if we target their sub-territories, it will be a piece of cake. By the time we arrive, there will only be a pile of radiating ruby villages left.
Of course, the Crimson series was chosen for its affordability. If we purchased magic scrolls from the locals, they would be weaker and more expensive. The Point Exchange Shop would be an even less appealing option.
That is why Qin Muye's Crimson series of armaments are so popular. The Black Hand returned quickly, and from his expression, it seemed that the negotiations had been successful.
"Master, the deal is done. The True Dragon Emperor has agreed, but he has new conditions. If the Gargoyle-class armor is improved again, it can only be sold to him, not to the natives or other lords. I have already agreed to this on your behalf," the Black Hand said.
Qin Muye nodded: "No problem, that's a minor issue."
"He really is a tycoon. Tsk, tsk. Well, you go ahead and make the arrangements. I'll give you the blueprints for the Gargoyle-class armor that the True Dragon Emperor wants, and have Moxie and the others prepare accordingly."
Since the deal was finalized, Qin Muye naturally needed to have his people prepare.
"Killing is secondary; the main focus is on various biological samples, knowledge from books, and so on. These are the priorities. If possible, try to preserve a ship; I want to see how it differs from our territory."
This expedition to the Fertile Ocean, Qin Muye was more interested in the region's marine divine authority system.
From the recent intelligence, he found some familiar deities, such as Mazu, Poseidon, Dagon, and various other faiths. However, the issue is that these faiths do not have actual deities like in the Magic Continent; they are more like running programs. He has only seen their effects, not any miracles or manifestations, as if they were rules.
So, Qin Muye was puzzled: if it is a divine authority system, but there are no deities, it can't just be a faith in nothingness.
"Yes, Master," the Black Hand replied, paying close attention.
He knew how to expand the territory. His management was one thing, but the true reliance was on Qin Muye's clever operations. Otherwise, how could the territory develop so rapidly?
"Any new news recently?" Qin Muye asked.
The Black Hand thought for a moment and then said: "Yes, Jiang Tianjun's talent has been exposed; it is said to be called 'Tenfold Amplification.'"
Qin Muye was speechless, feeling quite astonished.
"Everything he gains, be it treasures, units, rewards, or resources, is amplified tenfold. Recruiting one skeleton soldier will yield ten thousand skeleton soldiers, but at the cost of just one skeleton."
"Additionally, the Sea Dragon King's talent has also been exposed, called 'Marine Survival.' He gains survival points daily, which can be used to continuously evolve ships, treasures, and so on."
"As for more specific details, there are none."
The Black Hand said.
"So, Jiang Tianjun has his eye on the Sea Dragon King's ghost ship, and the Sea Dragon King suffered a loss, which led to this exposure, and then Jiang Tianjun retaliated?" Qin Muye asked, as it couldn't be a coincidence.
"Yes, Master, that's how it is. These two have become bitter enemies, so this time, Jiang Tianjun is also involved in the Fertile Ocean, but he only targets the Sea Dragon King," the Black Hand explained.
"I understand. You can go now," Qin Muye said, lost in thought.
"Yes, Master," the Black Hand said, and then left without saying more.
Qin Muye's thoughts wandered. So, he really is just a minor character.
But thinking about it, it was quite normal. If he were an ordinary person without Qin Muye's methods to break the deadlock, he would have died in the first monster siege event.
"So, what is the True Dragon Emperor's talent? Is it even stronger, or else how could he suppress these overpowered talents?"
To be honest, investigating these lords' talents and attributes is not an easy task. They generally have treasures to conceal their attributes, and unless there is a real falling out, it is impossible to pry into them.
As for Jiang Tianjun and the Sea Dragon King, they had a falling out, but it seems the concealment treasures were powerful, so only their basic talents were exposed.
As for Qin Muye, he was not afraid of exposure. The talents he had, such as learning ability and academic research, had a unique synergy. Other talents were essentially derivatives of these two. Even the talents of the Crimson Ancestor and the Hell Lord could not match his two core talents.
(End of Chapter)
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