I Don't Agree to the Terms

Chapter 936 494: Too Many Small Fry in a Shallow Pond

The Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cannon is a player item, not part of their transcendent item system, with extremely powerful capabilities, easily flattening an entire base from afar as if it were nothing.

It is one of the items given by players to the Player Management Bureau.

Compared to the transcendent item system, the true trump card of the Player Management Bureau is the equipment, items, and mystical objects gifted by advanced players.

Qin Ji is naturally aware of this, but he does not inform Gu Shanhai, as he does not consider Gu Shanhai one of his own. Having only joined a month, there's no way he'd share such information.

Unlike transcendent items which cannot affect ordinary people, player items and equipment can indeed affect them.

However, there are quite a few shortcomings—for instance, although they are gifted, they only possess usage rights, not ownership rights. The owner is still the player. Thus, if the player dies, the corresponding player equipment and items will also become ineffective. The principle behind this is currently unclear, but it can be ascertained that they are bound to the player.

Thus, the families of players who have lost them only retain some power. The Player Management Bureau treats them indifferently, usually raising them like pigs and slowly dismembering these families through various soft tactics.

If these families stay quiet and out of trouble, the Player Management Bureau would not target them.

"It's still necessary, of course, with the premise of confirming the existence of the base." Dong Luo is still not completely certain of the base's existence.

At present, satellites cannot accurately survey from space.

After all, the level of technology has not reached that condition, and they're mostly used for communication relay.

"You don't even know if it exists, yet you're considering using the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cannon." Liu Ze, having heard this, felt a bit speechless.

"Stability first, right?" Dong Luo flashes a slight smile.

"But if we truly use the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cannon, this matter will surely not escape Qin Ji's notice." Liu Ze reminds.

Using player equipment and items requires the voting of three deputy directors, and only upon receiving two votes can they be used. One must also inform of the usage, timing, and personnel involved, etc.

Thus, it is simply impossible to keep Qin Ji in the dark.

Player items and equipment within the Player Management Bureau are actually not many, as not all players would gift them.

Most players choose to keep them for personal use because "Path of Civilization" is not a character development game but rather a strategy game. Thus, the best method is to distribute them to one's civilization.

Only those advanced players would consider donating some unused equipment and items for a stable living environment.

For instance, the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cannon is already one of the top items in the Player Management Bureau, but to the advanced player who gifted it, it is of little use.

"If it can't be kept secret from him, no matter; it will be a good way to test him, to see if he votes against or supports it." Dong Luo is indifferent.

Under normal circumstances, when there's no conflict of interest, Qin Ji would surely vote in favor. Anyway, it's not his base, so he wouldn't feel bad if it's gone.

If he votes against, it would indicate connected interests.

"He's not stupid; even if he knows, he would just hold back and vote in favor." Liu Ze understands that Qin Ji can endure a lot; from the time he joined the Player Management Bureau, he has tolerated enough to become a deputy director.

"That would be even better, for if the base is truly his, destroying it in front of him would surely make him lose composure." Dong Luo has already thought it out; unless the base isn't Qin Ji's, he'd surely feel grief, as building a base isn't cheap.

As for collateral damage, it doesn't matter; this base, located in a no-man's land, hasn't been reported to the kingdom and is an illegal base, with a ninety percent chance of being built by anti-player forces. Blowing it up isn't a big deal.

Dong Luo and Liu Ze didn't even consider gathering evidence; just destroy it. Otherwise, if acted upon on a large scale, the news would be leaked immediately, and it'd be fruitless.

A small-scale operation would be possible, but thoroughly eliminating it wouldn't be, as the opponent is a large base with armed forces, and player items and equipment cannot be provided to special ops teams, making failure quite likely.

Having a deputy director act with player items and equipment is even more impossible as they hold positions where every move is observed; leaving silently is impossible, which instead increases exposure risk.

Besides, having an executive of the Player Management Bureau personally destroy a base is absurd, akin to having the Emperor attack an enemy village with ten guards; it risks trapping oneself and causing bigger issues.

Mob up front honestly instead; evidence is needed, but there's no urgency.

As long as the anti-player forces do not act directly but instead do small covert moves, we'll play hide and seek with them.

"Your approach is really devious." Liu Ze praised, as Qin Ji has never been on their side; suppressing him is ideal, even if he's not anti-player aligned.

They're not of the same faction; scheming against each other is normal.

The two continued discussing, focusing on the security and construction progress plans of the civilization stability device, before dispersing.

...

"Civilization Stability Device?" Qin Ji's expression was grim as he looked at the document on the table.

"A gift from some ancient player, under construction for nearly a month. Liu Ze and Dong Luo have pulled something big, even keeping me in the dark."

"Hmph, seems they're resolved to take action against me."

Qin Ji reviewed the cost of this so-called civilization stability device and found the required resources astronomical, estimating at least ten times that of a large annihilation energy array.

"A pity; had I learned of the civilization stability device's construction plan earlier, I could get involved and grab a share."

"Now it's firmly in Liu Ze and Dong Luo's control, making infiltrating the project nearly impossible."

Qin Ji's expression soured, as their greed is so great they wouldn't even share a drop with him.

"They'll surely profit plenty this time. If I were in charge, I could at least scoop half while also constructing a large annihilation array with surplus." Qin Ji was jealous yet rational, knowing it's settled and he couldn't obtain a piece even if he wanted to.

He's just one person, unable to compete against Liu Ze and Dong Luo; he's a weaker force in both power and influence, while their allies permeate the Bureau.

Conflict with them typically ends in losses, which is why he's greedy; his resources fall far short compared to theirs.

Qin Ji once considered joining forces with them for joint management of the Player Management Bureau.

But Liu Ze and Dong Luo never considered admitting him, as sharing among two meant more than among three.

If Qin Ji is suppressed but not destroyed, they can claim 95% of resources, each taking 47.5%, while splitting among three means each only gets 33%.

With interests at stake, why include Qin Ji?

Importantly, without player support, Qin Ji can't resist or have background assistance.

Liu Ze and Dong Luo lean towards players because they've gained substantial benefits, thus steadfastly providing a stable environment and conveniences for players.