Chapter 1721: 575. When I say there’s a big deal, you should know that I’m up to no good – additional update [17/30]_3
You can see the environment of Hunger Mountain; it’s mostly suitable for basic industry, and I don’t have an advanced lab to make breakthroughs in cutting-edge technology.
It’s not my area of expertise either.
But why do you ask?”
The halfling warlord, somewhat unconventional, neurotic, and exceedingly suspicious, squinted at Murphy and said,
“You still want more Core Beads? Aren’t you afraid of provoking the Steam Lord Council?
Let me tell you, smuggling a few general-purpose beads is something those old guys can still turn a blind eye to. After all, this stuff is already widespread in Charldo Harbor. External forces like the Goldenrod Kingdom even have dedicated suppliers providing them with these beads in the grey area there.
But Core Beads are another story entirely.”
“I mainly find this thing very user-friendly. I want to equip each of my key subordinates with one. Its functionality is far superior to those general-purpose beads, with more than ten times the computing power.”
Murphy said,
“Commanders need to take on more responsibilities. In my absence from the core, delegating authority to them can keep the whole system from collapsing in a short time.
Decentralization…
Do you understand this word?”
“Nonsense, do you think I’m just a meat-eating cannibal demon? Of course I understand!”
Sulk Flywheel snorted, touched his peculiar curved goatee, and after a few seconds of thought, said:
“I really can’t get more Core Beads; these things are cutting-edge technology in Charldo Harbor. But I know that idiot Minkus has done a lot of experiments trying to make Core Beads, and those unfinished products are supposed to be destroyed according to procedure.
But I can pull some strings to help you get those ‘unfinished’ products.
Functionality-wise, they definitely can’t compare to authentic fourth-generation Core Beads, barely a three and a half generation, but definitely better than general-purpose Calculating Pearls.
I can also help you rewrite a set of Spiritual Energy Factor sorting, making them as close as possible to the functions of your own bead.
But the price…
I see you’re an honest person, and we’ve had a nice chat. It’s rare to meet a vampire with some understanding of the future of engineering, so I won’t make any profit on this deal; let’s consider it as making a friend.
Each three and a half generation bead will cost you 100,000 gold coins, not expensive, right?
How many do you want?”
“As many as possible, money is not an issue!”
Murphy patted his chest and said.
His bold demeanor at this moment appeared to Sulk Flywheel like a prince wearing a turban and robe, dazzling as gold!
Such a perfect fat sheep is hard to come by these days!
So Sulk Flywheel’s eyes twinkled, and he enthusiastically stood on the chair, saying:
“I know the situation in Transylvania, and I can roughly guess what you’re doing here. I can sell you all the weapons currently stocked in my factory at a friendship price! I mean, sell them all to you.
Armor, cold weapons, and some halfling firearms I’ve designed myself, which are definitely better than those outdated dwarf muskets, along with explosives and bombs, I have plenty here.
Originally, they were for self-defense in war, but if you’re interested, we can talk.
Even my cannibal demon and bear goblin army… You know, with the chaos in the world now, it’s becoming difficult for me to keep them, and these guys are about to become my negative assets.”
“I’ll take them all, all of them!”
Murphy waved his hand and said:
“Your inventory, your mercenaries, even your raw materials and those few production lines in the factory, I want them all! I know you must have complete firearm production lines; I want those too, prices are negotiable.”
As Murphy uttered these words, Sulk’s expression grew more subtle.
From the intelligence he gathered from the Thieves Guild, Murphy is the governor of Transylvania and a core member of the Blood Vulture Clan, suspected of having an improper relationship with the Blood Vulture Duke, meaning that the young vampire in front of him indeed had access to numerous resources.
But Transylvania is a poor place; even the real governor couldn’t spend money so extravagantly. Murphy’s behavior was beyond what could be described by calling him a “tycoon.”
Sulk Flywheel even felt that Murphy seemed to be here to cause trouble.
He felt uneasy inside, so after a few seconds, he tentatively asked:
“So, my generous governor, you see, we’ve sealed our big deal, but you still haven’t told me how you plan to pay? Gold? Or with tax exemptions from your territory?”
“Ah, the taxes from my territory have to go towards repaying the loan the Wolf Queen Majesty gave Transylvania.”
Murphy waved a hand and said:
“As for the Blood Vulture Clan’s gold, I’ve already used it to buy various tools in the half-person factories on the Ligurian Peninsula. I don’t have much money on hand; I’m practically becoming a pauper.
I don’t plan to pay for this transaction!
Moreover, I’m sure you’ll happily sign our agreement and transfer your industrial assets and production lines to me at a very fair price…”
“Damn it, dealing with a crazy vampire, really bad luck today! Jasmine! See the guest out!”
Upon hearing this, Sulk Flywheel’s face turned cold immediately.
He shouted, asking his magic puppet bodyguard to quickly escort this daydreaming vampire lord out; this was simply a waste of his time.
However, just as that peculiar magic puppet bodyguard was entering the laboratory, Murphy coughed, stood up, took something out from his psychic package, and tossed it to Sulk Flywheel.
He said:
“I’m using this for payment! An engineering master such as yourself surely knows what it is, right?”
“?”
Sulk received the small black bag, cautiously using tweezers to extract its contents. Upon seeing the peculiar stone with crystal clusters, Sulk Flywheel’s scarred eye widened suddenly.
“Burning Gold Ore?”
He looked up at Murphy, who was displaying a flawlessly fake smile, saying:
“Transylvania has just discovered a vein of Burning Gold. I can hand it over to the Hoffman Family for mining, or I can use it to acquire what Transylvania most needs.
Want to make a fortune?
What I’m saying, Flywheel, is that I came today to discuss a truly ‘big business’ with you!”