novelraw Chapter 109: The Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker Has Been Found
Chapter 109: The Spiritual Artifact Rice Cooker Has Been Found
Wang Yi had never once had a moment to relax since he transmigrated to this world.
He felt that it wouldn’t hurt to occasionally experience the pleasures of the mortal world.
For example, listening to some tunes at a brothel.
After all, being a Player didn’t mean he had become a Saint.
However, Wang Yi was too busy to relax for long. He went to the Golden Wave Tower, enjoyed the first day for free, and that was enough for him.
The Soldiers from the Octagonal Cage, on the other hand, had no such needs whatsoever.
When he returned to Black Stone Mountain, Wang Yi was accompanied by not only his own subordinates but also several other people: Lu Aqi, Yue Gang, Qiao Meng, Xu Liang’an, Zhao Jinlong, as well as Qinghe County’s Magistrate Hu Dachun and his Master Lin Maoju.
Wang Yi had them accompany him for matters concerning the trading team. These men were powerful, well-connected locals. Regardless of their character, getting on their good side would create many conveniences for the Fire Dragon Trading Team in the future.
Of course, Wang Yi also formally introduced Pei Zhi to everyone, paving the way for him.
Pei Zhi appeared upright and incorruptible, but that was just a facade. In reality, he was remarkably shrewd and adept at social maneuvering. He quickly seized the opportunity to strike up conversations with Lu Aqi and the others, and the results were remarkable.
To give an example, the task of building the shipyard and expanding the docks—from recruiting labor to sourcing materials—was completely arranged for them, down to the last detail. They didn’t even have to pay a single cent.
’What a bunch of good people,’ Wang Yi sighed inwardly. He was, however, particularly intrigued by Qiao Meng. ’That guy is the sneakiest player of them all. His disguise as one of the Indigenous People is just too convincing!’
At that moment, Qiao Meng was bragging to Zhao Jinlong, "I have three wives. They’re all beautiful and have great personalities. My favorite is my youngest wife. Being with her feels like we’re still dating!"
Zhao Jinlong replied with disdain, "Damn it, we’ve transmigrated and become Lords! Who has time for dating? All that lovey-dovey stuff is so boring. A real man, a true, iron-blooded Player, shouldn’t he be focused on building his legacy and conquering the world?"
"So you opened a casino and a brothel?"
"That’s just a means to make money! Once I’ve saved up enough, I’m going to start pumping out troops. When that time comes, even the Emperor of the Golden Sparrow Country will have to call me ’big bro’!"
"Shh, keep your voice down! You have to admit, that guy over there is the truly powerful one. He’s already being mythologized by the natives."
"Yeah, and I have no idea how he created that Floating Mountain and the giant train. We’ll probably have to rely on him a lot more from now on."
"There’s one thing I’m really confused about. The Player Lord of the river valley is clearly Yang Wanli. Could this guy be in the same group as him? I can’t see his character info at all."
"Let’s not worry about that for now. We don’t have it as cushy as he does, but that might be for the best. He’s the one in the spotlight, so let him take the heat! I refuse to believe the indigenous Court isn’t making plans for him."
"Enough talk. Look, the limping guy up ahead seems to be setting up a stall. Let’s go see what he’s peddling."
Qiao Meng and Zhao Jinlong hurried forward. At that moment, Pei Zhi was preparing to show everyone the specialty products from Eggshell Village—or, one could say, the goods the Fire Dragon Trading Team planned to use to break into the market.
"My lords, if I could have your attention!"
Pei Zhi called out to the crowd. "I have been tasked with establishing a trading company. To run trade routes, a company needs goods to open the way. I came in a hurry and only brought a few specialties from the river valley for you gentlemen to see. First up is the Spiritual Spring Water!"
One of the trading team’s attendants stepped forward with a waterskin and several cups.
"Spiritual Spring Water contains Spiritual Power! Use it to cook rice, and you get Spirit Porridge! Brew tea with it, and it becomes Spirit Tea! Ferment it, and you have Spirit Wine! Even if you drink it raw, it can strengthen your body, ward off all illnesses, and prolong your life! This is the water of Immortals, a rare and precious treasure! Please, my lords, have a taste!"
Pei Zhi gave a salute, and the attendant, understanding the cue, poured cups of Spiritual Spring Water and respectfully presented them to Lu Aqi and the others.
"Spiritual Spring Water? Does it really work like that?"
"I have lived for over forty years, and I’ve never heard of such a thing," one official remarked.
"Mad, he’s just selling mineral water!"
"It’s not mineral water, it’s Spiritual Spring Water?"
"You believe that?"
"Maybe it’s real..."
Lu Aqi and the others had varied reactions, but they were all undeniably captivated by the Spiritual Spring Water. After drinking the water served by the attendant, they experienced a jolt of energy. The feeling of being instantly refreshed and clear-minded, as if they had become several years younger, left every one of them marveling in amazement.
"This Spiritual Spring Water... is your esteemed company truly planning to sell it? If so, could you tell us the price?"
Lu Aqi asked Pei Zhi, his face full of eagerness.
Pei Zhi saluted and said, "Sir, the Spiritual Spring Water is not for sale at the moment, and its price has not yet been determined. Once the Black Stone Mountain market is established, it will likely only be supplied in small quantities. However, our boss has instructed me today to offer each of you gentlemen a gift of one hundred jin of Spiritual Spring Water, free of charge. I will have it prepared for all of you shortly."
Upon hearing this, Lu Aqi and the others quickly bowed to Wang Yi, exclaiming at his generosity.
Wang Yi waved his hand in acknowledgment, feeling quite pleased. He sat to the side, quietly watching Pei Zhi’s performance.
"Next, I will show you gentlemen the Hemostatic Pill! Someone, bring me a knife!"
At Pei Zhi’s call, an attendant immediately stepped forward and handed him a small knife.
"Watch closely, my lords!"
Pei Zhi was a ruthless man. With a swing of the knife in his right hand, he sliced open his left arm. Blood splattered, revealing a wound so deep the bone was visible.
The sight startled Lu Aqi and the others, but Pei Zhi remained unhurried. He took out two Hemostatic Pills to show the crowd, then swallowed one and crushed the other, smearing the powder on his left arm’s wound.
A miraculous scene immediately followed: the bone-deep wound began to heal with astonishing speed, visible to the naked eye.
Naturally, this scene drew another round of gasps from the crowd.
Watching from the side, Wang Yi nodded in approval.
The Hemostatic Pill was a potent healing medicine. However, its production was limited by the output of the Hemostatic Grass resource point, so the supply was low. Normally, it shouldn’t be for sale at all.
However, the Hemostatic Pills produced in his own territory had an expiration date, and they rarely used them themselves, so Wang Yi had allowed Pei Zhi to take some to help open up trade routes.
Next, Pei Zhi went on to showcase other products like Crispy Fried Small Fish, Spicy Crab Sticks, and Fasting Pills. All were for demonstration only and not for sale, and without fail, each one drew gasps of amazement.
Finally, Pei Zhi had his attendants lead two Wooden Ox Puppets out from the small train.
"And now for the main event!"
Pei Zhi announced, "I would now like to solemnly introduce this spiritual creation of the Immortals to you, my lords. It eats no grass, no meat—it eats nothing at all. Yet, its strength is far greater than that of a common ox. It moves at your command, and it can even carry cargo inside its belly. It is called... the Divine Wood Spirit Ox!"
"What kind of Spirit Ox?"
"You mean like the Wooden Oxen and Gliding Horses?"
"Is that thing a perpetual motion machine?"
Zhao Jinlong and the others chattered excitedly, their interest in the Wooden Ox Puppet greatly piqued.
At that very moment, six forty-meter-long warships were approaching Black Stone Mountain. The banners flying above them read "King Dongsheng’s Prince Mansion." These were the very ships that the Prince Mansion had dispatched several days prior.
Tailing the warships were three merchant vessels, all flying the banner of the "Jinyuan Zhao Family."
At this same time, a soldier from the Red Tiger Camp arrived at the foot of Black Stone Mountain, accompanied by a Cyan-robed Swordsman.
The Cyan-robed Swordsman was holding a notice in one hand and cradling a dingy, battered old pot—made of something that looked like a mix of copper and iron—in his arms.
The Red Tiger Camp soldier led the way, a look of urgency on his face. He pushed forward, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Urgent report! The Spiritual Artifact rice cooker has been found! Everyone, clear the way! Don’t block the path! Urgent report! The Spiritual Artifact rice cooker has been found..."