Chapter 16: Junior Commander
Chapter 16: Junior Commander
September 25, 2017
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After obtaining 'Junior Commander', Lu HaiKong returned to the Bandit Barracks and noticed a change. The foolish Bandits, when facing Zhao Lun, would shout their usual silly lines, but now they added, 'Boss, let's join you!'
At this moment, Lu HaiKong saw a price list pop up before his eyes. It was clear that to recruit followers, one needed money. Fortunately, the price for a Bandit's services was only around 300 to 500 copper coins, an amount Lu HaiKong could easily afford.
He had over 2,000 copper coins left from his own task earnings, and together with the nearly 4,000 copper coins he had after the FBI's disruption, he also had two gold coins. When recruiting Bandits, he found that one gold coin was roughly equivalent to 10,000 copper coins in purchasing power. This meant Lu HaiKong had the equivalent of 24,000 copper coins, making him quite wealthy!
With money in his pocket, Lu HaiKong felt more confident. He calmly inspected all the Bandits in the Bandit Barracks, hoping to find some exceptional followers.
It was afternoon, and there weren't many Bandits in the barracks at this time, only about twenty or so. At first glance, they all seemed identical.
The only differences were in their mastery of either 'Basic Blade Technique' or 'Basic Gun Technique', while the rest of their attributes and prices were almost indistinguishable to Lu HaiKong.
After much deliberation, Lu HaiKong couldn't find any exceptional followers. Finally, he decided to focus on their eyes; he would choose the Bandit with the most spirited eyes. After all, a smart follower was preferable, but sadly, after examining over twenty Bandits, he only selected two.
Both Bandits were recruited for the same price of 500 copper coins, which Lu HaiKong generously paid with a wave of his hand. Thus, Lu HaiKong officially gained two more Bandits, but it was quite embarrassing for a Boss to have his followers go by names like Bandit A and Bandit B. No, he must give them proper names!
For Lu HaiKong, naming was simple; he could just pick any name from China's five thousand years of history. After all, no one would come forward claiming copyright infringement.
Lu HaiKong tapped his head and named them 'Dynasty' and 'Horseman'. He also kept the names 'Dragon Zhang' and 'Tiger Zhao' in reserve for when the main Bandit force returned in the evening, so he could recruit more followers.
Lu HaiKong's new followers had attributes similar to ordinary Bandits. Dynasty practiced 'Basic Gun Technique', while Horseman studied 'Basic Blade Technique'. Lu HaiKong decided to recruit only those proficient in these two basic skills, as he had witnessed the effectiveness of this combination in combat.
The first thing Lu HaiKong did after recruiting them was to take them to their neighbor, Old Man Wang, to show off his new recruits.
Lu HaiKong intentionally had his followers walk ahead of him, blocking his path as they approached Old Man Wang. The sudden appearance of two burly men startled Old Man Wang, but Lu HaiKong confidently waved them off, saying, "Move aside." Dynasty and Horseman obediently stepped aside, allowing Lu HaiKong to pass.
This simple act required Lu HaiKong to practice several times on his way there, as these two dimwits could barely follow his instructions.
Lu HaiKong returned to the camp with the air of a triumphant hero. "Old man, it's been a while! How have you been?" he greeted.
Wang LaoTou, however, wasn't in the mood to indulge Lu HaiKong's boasting. "We met just this morning, and you've already forgotten? The axe in your hand, didn't you buy it from me? How could you forget so quickly?" he teased.
Lu HaiKong's thick skin was not so easily deterred. He was determined to maintain his facade, no matter what Wang LaoTou said.
"Ah, has it only been a day since we parted ways? Time flies! Just yesterday, I was merely a small-time mountain bandit, and you were still that old man staring at archery targets. But now, I've become a bandit chief with two capable subordinates, while you're still the same old man watching targets." Lu HaiKong spoke with his head held high.
Wang LaoTou couldn't bear to see Zhao Lun's arrogance. "Young man, you must remain level-headed and composed. You can't let a little success go to your head. If you continue like this, you'll surely face trouble, and your fate will be sealed..."
Before Wang LaoTou could finish his lecture, a large bag of money landed on the table in front of him, silencing him. With years of experience, Wang LaoTou could sense that the copper coins were not the main attraction; it was the hint of gold within that caught his attention.
"There are two gold coins and three thousand copper coins in there. I was planning to buy some..." Lu HaiKong started.
"Excellent! Truly, heroes are born young. I knew it! Who are you? You're the great Lu HaiKong! Don't be fooled by your current position as a bandit chief. I say you're like a dragon trapped in shallow waters. Soon enough, you'll soar to the heavens and become the lord of men! Lu HaiKong, what do you need today?" The old man's greed was evident as he eyed the money.
Lu HaiKong was pleased with the flattery and, since he had come to arm his men, proceeded to purchase five long spears, five long swords, three bows, and several jars of arrows from Wang LaoTou.
These items didn't come cheap. Wang LaoTou calculated the costs: 500 copper coins for each long spear, 300 for each long sword, 1,000 for a bow and arrow set, and 500 for the jars of arrows. The total came to 7,500 copper coins, the largest transaction Wang LaoTou had made in a while. After the calculation, he eagerly reached for the money bag to settle the payment, but someone else was quicker, snatching the bag first.
In the 16th year of the 9th month, the 1st day, the 1st hour, this version is correct!
Wang LaoTou grew anxious. "What's going on? Don't you want the items anymore?"
"Of course, I do! Why wouldn't I? But I recall you buying basic martial skills, right? I have a few basic martial skill manuals here that I'd like to sell to you for cash." Lu HaiKong produced two or three manuals with a smile.
In truth, Wang LaoTou had no interest in those basic martial skill manuals. In this bandit camp, Lu HaiKong was his only customer, and it was unlikely that he could resell the manuals back to him. This meant that the manuals would be a deadweight on his hands.
For a qualified profiteer, this was an unacceptable situation. However, Lu HaiKong seemed adamant about not buying if Wang LaoTou didn't acquire the manuals, so he reluctantly offered to purchase them, setting a price of 500 copper coins per manual, take it or leave it.
Upon hearing this offer, Lu HaiKong happily produced a small bag from behind his back, adding it to the three manuals he already had, making a total of twenty. He stacked them neatly in front of Wang LaoTou, whose face darkened at the sight.
(End of Chapter)
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