Strongest Lord by Opening Blind Boxes

Chapter 108: We Are All Mortals

KACHUNK, KACHUNK, KACHUNK...

In Eggshell Village, the little train set off once more. It followed the main road paved by the Road Repair Snails, circled the village, and entered the Jade River at Eggshell Pier.

Inside the first car, Pei Zhi sat cautiously on a soft leather seat. He sized up the interior, then looked out the window, utterly shocked.

"This is truly a Divine Artifact. With its help, there’s no way the trading team won’t prosper..."

Pei Zhi remarked with deep emotion.

Wang Yi was in the car as well, not in his Mecha but a simple robe, looking just like an ordinary traveler.

"For now, the little train will only be running in a circuit between the three Shanhai Passes. We’ll head to Mengbai Island first, then Black Stone Mountain. And once we’re at Black Stone Mountain, it’ll be your time to shine..."

Wang Yi spoke calmly, but inwardly he was wondering, ’I wonder if Nangong Jin and Wadu have made any new discoveries on Mengbai Island.’

"Don’t worry, my Lord. I’m confident I can make the trading team thrive and acquire the resources you need."

Pei Zhi cupped his hands, making a grand show of his loyalty.

Before their departure, Wang Yi had already announced the formation of the "Fire Dragon Trading Team," with Pei Zhi as its temporary captain. Pei Zhi had scouted 16 members, all of whom were given official positions by Wang Yi under the Foreign Affairs Department and would now receive a salary.

The reason it was called the Fire Dragon Trading Team was because Wang Yi had heard many passersby calling the little train a "Fire Dragon Vehicle." He found it amusing and decided to name the team using the words "Fire Dragon."

Pei Zhi was now heading out to Black Stone Mountain to oversee the construction of a shipyard, the expansion of the pier, and the creation of a marketplace.

Wang Yi gave him 1,000 Gold Coins in startup capital and also temporarily assigned Man Datou, Zhang Mazha, and Yang Dazhuang to serve as his guards.

To ensure the trading team’s success, Pei Zhi had made extensive preparations for this trip. He brought a large amount of supplies—or, more accurately, specialty products from Eggshell Village.

Of course, he was only able to bring these items because he had received Wang Yi’s approval.

The little train was extremely fast, arriving at Mengbai Island from Eggshell Pier in less than an hour.

The gates of Shanhai Pass opened automatically, and the fiery train rolled through, heading directly to the center of Mengbai Island.

Wang Yi disembarked from the little train, and soon, Nangong Jin, Wadu, and the others came to meet him, bringing a batch of supplies with them.

The supplies consisted mainly of Spirit Stones, Cyan Spirit Grass, bronze, and Wooden Ox Spirit Talismans.

Wadu, meanwhile, had discovered another hidden Treasure Chest. Inside, he found a [Free Market Pass Token], 56 Gold Coins, and one Blue Chaos Blind Box.

"Getting a blind box is always great! And this Free Market Pass Token is an excellent find, too!"

Wang Yi was overjoyed and did not hold back his praise for Wadu and Nangong Jin.

Basking in the praise, Wadu was walking on air. He made no attempt to hide his delight and added, "My Lord, I have a feeling there are still more places to explore on this island. There might be more hidden Treasure Chests! I want to keep searching here for another three days!"

"You may. In three days, your Power Bureau in Eggshell Village should be finished. You can return to the village to check on it, or you can take the little train and go sightseeing in places like Black Stone Mountain. This is Pei Zhi, the head of the Foreign Affairs Department’s Fire Dragon Trading Team. You should all get acquainted."

Wang Yi then introduced Pei Zhi to Nangong Jin and Wadu.

"I know him."

Nangong Jin nodded. He was a calm man who rarely showed his emotions. Cupping his hands toward Wang Yi, he said, "My Lord, we’ve located basically all the monster encampments on this island. I believe we can leave Leonidas Squad and Taisen Squad here. For one, it’s good training for them. For another, they are more efficient at monster hunting when they work together. As for Feng Yuxiu Squad and Boyka Squad, I think they can be assigned to other tasks."

Wang Yi nodded. "Good. I was just about to discuss with you the matter of placing the Octagonal Cage Soldiers and their future recruitment..."

An hour later, the little train departed again. Nangong Jin, Boyka Squad, and Feng Yuxiu Squad were on board, while Leonidas Squad and Taisen Squad remained on Mengbai Island to continue hunting monsters.

This time, the journey was familiar, and the little train reached Black Stone Mountain in under an hour.

Wang Yi felt that his Eggshell Village, Black Stone Mountain, and Mengbai Island were positioned almost like the three points of an equilateral triangle, each about three hundred miles apart in a straight line.

Stepping off the little train, Wang Yi found the pier bustling with activity.

The west bank, which was part of Kaiyuan County below Black Cliff, had soldiers standing guard. Numerous herbal tea stalls had been set up, apparently offering free refreshments.

The east bank was within Qinghe County’s borders. The shore was crowded with black-robed Monks and soldiers holding up signs and shouting loudly. It was a lively scene, and this time, they didn’t seem as frightened by the "Fire Dragon Vehicle" as they had been before.

"What are they up to?"

Wang Yi muttered to himself. He looked closely at the east bank and saw large characters on the signs held by the Monks and soldiers. They read: "Poison Dragon Escort Agency - Your Protection Guaranteed," "Our Escort Agency Has Connections," "Jinbo Gambling House - Bet on Your Dreams," "Golden Wave Tower - A Modern, Five-Star Brothel," "For Business Karaoke, Come to Golden Wave Tower," "Qinghe Relay Station - Now Under Construction," "Free Tea Served Here," and so on.

"Holy shit!"

Wang Yi understood immediately. There had to be a Player Lord on the other side. This whole damn setup was just like touts soliciting customers at a train station, all modern tactics.

Then it hit him. ’Isn’t this place basically a train station?’

"A little interesting!"

Wang Yi’s eyes narrowed. He was no longer in a hurry to enter Black Stone Mountain. He maneuvered the little train, bringing it closer to the east bank for a better look. It was clear that the black-robed Monks and the soldiers belonged to two different factions.

The Monks were mostly acting as pimps, all of them highly active and spouting strings of vulgarities. The soldiers, in contrast, seemed rather stiff. They had simply set up some tea sheds, eateries, and liquor stalls, calling out to patrons to earn some quick cash.

’Jinbo Temple, Poison Dragon Escort Agency... Zhao Jinlong!’ Wang Yi remembered Zhao Jinlong, whom he had met previously in the Free Market. ’So this is his turf,’ he thought. ’It must be close to Black Stone Mountain.’

’This guy really knows how to play the game. He’s running his own stronghold and an escort agency, making money from both ends. He’s even got business karaoke set up? And a gambling house? Tsk, tsk, look what they’ve trained these Monks to be. It’s a post-modern cultural invasion. This Zhao Jinlong guy... he’s got a promising future!’

Wang Yi found this all quite amusing. When Nangong Jin and his men disembarked, the black-robed Monks grew even more animated. They swarmed forward enthusiastically—one grabbed Taisen to pitch the brothels, another pulled on Boyka, offering massages...

Nangong Jin let out a cold snort. With a flurry of smacks and cracks, his Soldiers beat the crowd of Monk Soldiers so badly they scrambled away, pissing themselves and howling in pain.

Just then, Lu Aqi, the Commander of the Red Tiger Camp, hurriedly arrived by boat. He cupped his hands to Wang Yi in apology. "I am at fault for allowing these bald-headed ruffians to disturb the Divine Being’s peace," he said. "I will have my men arrest them all immediately."

Wang Yi quickly replied, "It’s no problem. This is just the way of the world. One must adapt! If anything, we were the ones who were a bit rough. We did strike first, after all."

"No problem at all!"

A loud shout rang out as Zhao Jinlong arrived on a large horse. His face was wreathed in smiles as he looked at Wang Yi. "Hey, you look familiar... Ah, now I remember, haha!"

He swung himself off his horse and strode forward enthusiastically. With Lu Aqi and the others present, he couldn’t reveal his Player identity, so instead, he thumped his chest and declared, "A Divine Being has graced us! You must allow me to properly play the host. Come, come have some fun with me! As it happens, my Golden Wave Tower is running a promotion!"

"What promotion? First day free, second day half price!"

Lu Aqi cut in, "You bald-headed scoundrel, do you think we don’t understand what you mean? How dare you speak of your sordid flesh trade? Are you trying to offend the Divine Being?"

Wang Yi said, "It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s just the way of the world. In truth, we are all merely Mortals."

"Hmm? Merely Mortals?" Lu Aqi’s mind raced as he came to a sudden understanding. He quickly added, "In that case, it is I who should play the host! Divine Being, and all of you, please, eat, drink, and be merry. All expenses are on my account!"