Above Destiny

Chapter 416 Remuneration and Contract

In just a few days, the news of the feud between Xinquan and the Blood Washing Fleet, as well as Ji Jue's actions, had spread like wildfire, throughout the wilderness and almost all the settlements.

Although it sounds funny that a pirate with a bounty can still offer a bounty to others, Huangji is willing to make an order as long as the advance payment and your ability to pay are confirmed. And with a bounty amount that is enough to make everyone think about life, the future and their own actions, almost everyone began to think, is this their only chance in this life?
Do you want to seize the opportunity and vote for it? !

Those who have the courage to accept the order are secretly sharpening their knives and rubbing their hands, but those who really don't have the ability and level should carefully consider whether they want to wait for death on this sinking ship.

All kinds of rumors had spread among the people in the market in the blink of an eye, not to mention that there were some people behind the scenes fanning the flames - from Ji Jue's willful behavior of playing with the lives of all the people in Xinquan, to the dissatisfaction expressed by some bigwigs in Qiandao, to the cruel words released by the water ghosts who came from nowhere...

What? Ji Jue is seeking his own death, all the pirates have set their sights on Xinquan, Ji Jue has offended everyone, Huang Ji has issued an order to kill people in the underworld, Akatsuki has accepted the order, the Ten Espada of Hueco Mundo have all appeared, and the Four Emperors of the New World are coming to kill us!
After Ji Jue hadn't shown up for a few days, the rumors changed again - that bastard had left Quancheng and quietly ran away, that Ji Jue knelt outside the Governor's Mansion and asked for help but Xu Chaoxian didn't even look at him, that the Tong family had already drawn a clear line and relationship with Ji Jue, and so on...

There is even a more logical one: Ji Jue actually doesn't want to care about Xinquan's mess at all. The reason he did so much is just a sinister plot. He wants to sacrifice all the people of Xinquan and all the pirates who came to kill him, turn them all into evil, and join the evil cult...

The details were so realistic and concise that Ji Jue felt it was very feasible and seemed like something he could do.

As a result, amid the chaos and war, people became restless.

Even before they saw a single hair of the pirates, some people were already thinking of running away.

There were even more people who were stirring up trouble in Xinquan, even calling on everyone to take up arms. You are unkind and I am unjust. You started it first. Everyone, follow me, knife in hand, to kill Ji Gou.

Without thinking, we all know where the rumor came from and who is behind it.

When they encounter a weaker enemy, they swarm up to rob and burn everything. When they encounter a stronger enemy, they bribe spies to create internal strife, and then join forces with the enemy from outside.

These are the usual paths and procedures of the Qiandao gang. They have not changed for so many years.

But it’s really useful.

To the extent that, even now, the Bloodwashing Fleet and many fleets have not even left the port, and Xinquan is already in a precarious situation.

Countless people fled, and those who stayed were also worried. Some people even wanted to encourage their acquaintances in the management team to sneak into the warehouse and get something, so that they could rob the vault and then run away...

Too many idiots.

Sparks flew from the electric baton that Lu Feng swung, but he couldn't suppress it.

Ji Jue never cared about those who wanted to leave. Xinquan was not a devil's den, and people could come and go freely. But he was not so friendly to those who signed contracts and sold their bodies.

After you have enjoyed your benefits and treatment, you want to wipe your mouth and leave like you wipe your butt? What are you thinking!

There are many such guys among those who have been making trouble these days, and some have even caused a lot of damage directly on the production line.

In response, Ji Jue simply gently opened the door of the underground workshop.

Just think of it as recruiting talents.

Anyway, as long as the person is not dead, the money can always be earned back.

At this point, the number of people left in Xinquan is less than half of what it used to be. Those who remain either have signed contracts and cannot leave, or have nowhere to go so they just lie down and enjoy a few days waiting to die.

I'm afraid there aren't even one in ten people who truly hope Ji Jue can win.

Ji Jue didn't care about this, and didn't feel sad at all - he was just recruiting workers, not raising dead soldiers. He did some of the treatment just to make himself feel better. It was too naive to expect to win people's hearts with these things.

Anyway, as long as I have cattle and horses to work for me, it's fine.

He doesn't care about the rest.

At least, if they really wanted to engage in a knife-fight with those sea ghosts, those workers were still far from being capable.

Fortunately, the experts are here.

Two rumbling trucks drove into Xinquan, covered in mud, and finally came to a halt after a long journey. Then, a group of burly men, each more than two meters tall, jumped off the trucks.

They lined up and almost blocked the street.

Unlike the Federation people, his skin was slightly pale and his eyes were green, but his hair was black with strands of natural curls.

The spiritual essence of each of them was tinged with a hint of scarlet. When the spiritual essences of so many people gathered together, the fluctuations produced were like an endless scarlet flame.

At the front, a man holding a knife stood out from the crowd and walked straight towards Ji Jue.

Then, bend down and salute respectfully.

Show loyalty to your boss.

"Mr. Ji Jue, the Homecoming Knights, Knight Commander Si Lan is at your service!"

Yes, that's right. Ji Jue simply took this team of returning knights from the Lou family. Anyway, these tools didn't mind doing odd jobs and earning some extra money in between long-term contracts.

What's more, we have already dealt with each other countless times, in various senses, and now we have become quite proficient in cooperating with each other.

However, what was different from the past was that this group of knights were almost all unarmed, carrying no other weapons except guns and ammunition.

There were only pairs of eyes filled with anticipation and desire looking at Ji Jue, hoping for another free ride.

On his flattering smile, he was just about to write a sentence: "Dad, send me a sniper rifle!"

There's no way, Ji Jue smells so good.

Whoever uses it knows it, and the same goes for those who are used...

Apart from this, if there is any other change, it is only the armor they wear.

Unlike the previous costumes, everyone who came here this time wore full armor. The gray-black armor on the chest was covered with blood and dark red stains, which had seeped into the metal and could not be wiped off. It looked like it had been used for who knows how many years and passed down for how many generations.

In the Homecoming Knights, the saying that the father dies and the son inherits is not a lie. This set of armor may have been passed down from the ancestors to the descendants, and it can be called a holy object. Even if you come out to earn foreign exchange, you cannot bring it out without permission.

Moreover, on the chest of each piece of armor, there is a strange emblem engraved—a totem extending radially in all directions. It looks like raindrops, but if you look closely, it seems to be some kind of mold, winding silently...

Evidence of bacterial flora!

Only the inheritance that is bound to the Lord Fungus is eligible to obtain such armor, and only then can one receive the blessing from the Lord Fungus when the Knight Commander performs the inheritance burnt sacrifice.

The flames of war are endless like fungi, and wherever blood falls, the fungi of death and struggle sprout!

The so-called [Fungus] are the most prominent ones among the countless large groups of priests. However, unlike the [Shrike] who loves to slaughter people, He is more inclined to bless and bestow gifts on the group.

Although he had the idea and intention of getting it for free, now Silan was able to move out all the equipment and had brought his family fortune to help Ji Jue.

At this moment, seeing Si Lan coming over, Ji Jue also took the initiative to step forward and shook hands: "You came so early, it's thoughtful."

However, unexpectedly, Slan was accompanied by a middle-aged man who looked a bit old. He was not wearing any armor or weapons, and he was thin and hunched. He was wearing the traditional costumes of Middle-earth, which were gaudy.

At this moment, after Si Lan, he also stepped forward and took the initiative to extend his hand: "Mr. Ji Jue, it's our first meeting."

Ji Jue hesitated to shake hands and asked curiously:

"Who is this?"

Silan immediately lowered his head and tried to speak respectfully, but the middle-aged man interrupted him and answered first: "Accountant! I am the accountant of the Knights, responsible for auditing accounts and transactions. This time, because the amount of the contract is a bit large, I was specially sent to contact Mr. Ji Jue."

Ah, yes, yes, accounting, accounting!
Silan nodded immediately without hesitation.

Accounting?

Ji Jue glanced at the visitor in confusion, but didn't ask any more questions.

If you say it's accounting, then it's accounting.

Ji Jue had no business intervening in the affairs of the Homecoming Knights. As long as he could pick up a knife and go into battle at the critical moment, he would not care about accounting or even the hot weapons accompanying the army.

After a tiring journey, Ji Jue first took them to the base that had been prepared long ago, and then treated everyone to a meal in the cafeteria of Coast Industries before taking Si Lan and... the accountant into his office.

Then, the accountant sat down on the only chair opposite the desk without any concern.

Slan stood behind.

As if it were natural.

"I apologize if this is offensive."

The accountant got straight to the point and said, "Regarding the contents of the contract, we actually have some other ideas..."

"Well?"

Ji Jue glanced at Si Lan, then looked at the accountant and got into work mode: "Okay, if you have any opinions, please speak up in advance, it's better than having disagreements and causing unpleasantness afterwards.

Please speak up.”

"..."

The accountant was surprised to see him being so frank. After hesitating for a moment, he sighed and took off his headscarf, revealing his dry and sparse hair.

"To be honest, we hope to get some room for an increase in employment prices." "Of course."

Ji Jue nodded without thinking: "How much do you think the increase would be better?"

Although I feel disappointed and unhappy, I don't need to show it on my face. Buying high and selling low is a normal business operation. People come here to risk their lives. At critical moments, they have to fight to the death. It is reasonable to want to raise prices when encountering trouble.

However, the price had already been negotiated before, and now that we have arrived in Xinquan and the contract is about to be signed, he still wants to speak again... It seems a bit like he can't distinguish between the big and small kings, and he is shameless.

"You may have misunderstood."

The accountant smiled warmly: "To avoid your misunderstanding, please let me tell you our ideas all at once - in terms of price, we want to increase it by one-fifth. No, please wait a minute. As for the settlement method, we do not plan to use gold and precious metals, and we do not need federal currency either.

Just settle the bill with your products."

After these words were spoken, Ji Jue fell silent.

He glanced at Slan in confusion.

Silan was as steady as a rock, unshakable, standing behind the accountant as if he had no brains, without any opinion.

In other words, he had received the news a long time ago, and even agreed with it. In addition, the identity of this accountant was really outrageous.

But the other party's words with hidden meaning made him vaguely understand something.

After a moment's silence, Ji Jue knocked on the table, and the spiritual circuit spread, covering and blocking the entire office. Then, a layer of electric sparks emerged from the void, and a rough scan shut down all the equipment and facilities.

Finally, under Isis' surveillance, this place has become a completely secret room.

"I think you are not interested in hydropower and wind turbines, right?" Ji Jue asked with a smile.

"Do not."

The accountant shook his head and answered flatly: "I am actually interested in this."

“Hongbang is windy, and your wind turbines are cheap and easy to maintain. Before this visit, we had already decided on a trial purchase plan.

Including tricycles on the coast, the newly announced large-scale grain handling equipment, and a batch of armored off-road vehicles..."

The accountant said slowly, "Si Lan told me that Mr. Ji Jue is a very easy-to-talk and reasonable person when it does not involve principles. He suggested that I should not keep it a secret or test it, but should state my needs directly.

I think I don't need to hide anything.

You should know what the main mission of the Homecoming Knight is when he is out there. "

Ji Jue asked: "Foreign exchange?"

"It's not just foreign exchange, it's also supplies."

The accountant laughed at himself and said, "The way we cooperate with Lou's is to settle accounts with the products and processing of Lou's spiritual industry.

Apart from the fuel in the land that did not belong to them, the Red State had scarce resources and its people had a hard time surviving. Even the annual food had to be bought back by the knights working hard outside. Even so, many people still starved to death.

Apart from this, there is no need to mention the frequent disasters and wars.

But in fact, we also want to maintain stability, but..."

He said this and no more.

The road is untouchable because of the empire.

The proxy war between the Empire and the Federation has never stopped in Middle-earth for so many years. Not to mention the various terrorist organizations and all kinds of messy things that have spawned from the unrest.

Having said that, Ji Jue naturally did not play it safe and asked directly:
"What do you want?"

The accountant smiled shyly, turned around and looked out the window.

In the park outside the window, a team of fully armed security guards were patrolling. Their footsteps were loud and powerful, and the sound of metal friction was endless.

A medium-sized exoskeleton over three meters long moved through the dense rain, holding various copycat armored weapons in its hands, with an iron face and ferocious looks!
Ji Jue was silent for a long time, then shook his head:

"...I think you are mistaken. This is not a power armor."

Although exoskeletons and power armor look similar, they are essentially different - just like the difference between a cucumber tricycle and a real armored off-road vehicle.

No matter how much it is praised, at best it is just a force feedback power system covered with an iron shell.

In response, the accountant just nodded and said calmly: "If it is really a power armor, we dare not take it."

Hongbang buys a bunch of power armors?
are you crazy? !

If that were the case, Ji Jue would have just loaded the cargo onto the ship and then melted into the water along with the state lord and king on the other side...

It is this heavy exoskeleton that is most suitable.

It is far from the best, but more than enough than the worst.

The Federation and the Empire feel relieved, while compatriots and opponents feel worried. It's just right!

"No, I mean..."

Ji Jue paused and said in a low voice: “But it can be.

At least, we can try harder.”

"..."

Then it was the accountant's turn to be speechless.

Stunned, he looked at Ji Jue in disbelief.

On the one hand, I felt that I was hallucinating, and on the other hand, I doubted...

You're not going to sell us out to the FSB, are you?!

Ji Jue was too lazy to say more. He rummaged through the drawer, found a piece of paper and pushed it over: "Take this configuration table and show it to your boss."

Power upgrade, configuration upgrade, outer armor upgrade, weapon equipment module upgrade, phlogiston backpack engine selection, alchemical product selection...

The things on paper were put together piece by piece, and in the end, with the brutal and rough stacking of materials, the weird matching and the cost increased several times, it actually... looks a bit... weird!
Although in terms of performance, it is not a little bit worse; the power is only barely adequate; there is no flight control system at all, and long-distance jumps can only be achieved through a jet pack; in terms of maneuverability, it is as slow as a turtle compared to today's fourth-generation armor; in terms of weapons, it is simply incomparable to orthodox armor. From every angle, it can only be said to be too makeshift.

But if you try harder and show some determination, you will almost be able to obtain the first generation armor that has now been generally eliminated!

And at this price!

The key is the price... Although it has been increased several times, it is only half of the price of similar products in the Empire, or even less!

And it also includes after-sales, maintenance, training, and teaching...

It's a one-time deal! Go back and enjoy yourself, old man!
It’s still not armor, but… but…

The accountant's hands were shaking, unable to stop. After a long while, he let out a long breath and asked solemnly, "The data on this..."

"It's accurate to the decimal point. If it's genuine, we will replace it. If it's fake, we will compensate you ten times. And now we can help you run a buy ten get one free promotion. If you buy ten, we will give you the accessories for one.

And the parts needed for repairs can also be purchased at a friendly price.”

Ji Jue smiled: "If you think I'm just bragging, you can also watch the actual combat this time. After all, no matter how much you say, it's not as reliable as seeing it with your own eyes, right?"

The accountant said nothing more.

He lowered his head, looked at the configuration table and specific data in his hand repeatedly, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.

Don’t be so precise to the decimal point. As long as the actual effect can be 80% of what is on paper, it will be enough to make the mushroom owner laugh in his dreams!
"This matter is of great importance and must be reported first. Please allow me to take my leave."

After the accountant put away the configuration sheet, he slowly stood up, saluted to Ji Jue, and finally patted Si Lan on the shoulder, "The strain will arrive tomorrow.

Remember your duty, Silan, and be sure to fulfill your mission!"

Neither said yes nor no.

Just left.

Ji Jue was slightly stunned.

In the silent office, he looked at Silan, who had a complicated expression, and couldn't understand: "What... does this mean?"

"It means, no matter the consequences, no matter the cost."

Silan looked at him resentfully, sighed, and made up his mind:
"——People can die, but they must win."

(End of this chapter)