A Hint of Regret

Next up is Cho’Gath, the Void Terror, also known as the Big Bug.

Ma Qiao didn't have much to say about it.

Ma Qiao didn't even have the slightest interest in petting this spiky void creature.

Unlike Tahm Kench.

Although Tahm Kench was ugly, his smooth, bald, blue forehead felt surprisingly soft and comfortable to the touch.

Ma Qiao summoned the giant insect mainly because he was inspired by the Germa giant Den Den Mushi, as well as Zunesha and Zou, thinking it was time to start planning his own mobile kingdom.

After years of struggling in the world of One Piece, Ma Qiao has accumulated a considerable fortune.

If something happens in the future, one can make a living, but one's family cannot. This is a huge risk.

If a capitalist can't make a profit, can he still be called a capitalist?

Enraged!

In short, giant Den Den Mushi are fine for running merchant ships, but Ma Qiao really wouldn't consider them as a base of operations.

After much thought, only a giant insect like this could carry Mr. Ma Qiao's dream.

Of course, raising a giant insect to become a behemoth comparable to Germa Den Den Mushi, or even comparable to Zunesha, is definitely a long and costly process.

This is still too extravagant for Ma Qiao at this point.

However, Ma Qiao happened to have something to deal with right now, so he summoned it while Cho’Gath was at it.

Ma Qiao invested an additional 50 million Beli to upgrade Cho’Gath to level 6, and then gave him a task:

First, find a small Sea Beast that can be considered a wild monster and eat it to increase your size, then drag that slave ship to the bottom of the sea.

A monster lurking in the deep sea is also very useful to Ma Qiao's gang; it's a good backup plan and makes it easier to shift blame.

While Ma Qiao was giving instructions to his three Retainers, the great inventor Heimerdinger had long been unable to contain himself.

Using his Heimerdinger as a fulcrum, he spun around in circles, repeatedly calling out, "Master, what am I here for?"

If Ma Qiao hadn't known how amazing this scientific Poppy was, he would never have associated such a thing with Valoran's number one genius scientist.

Teemo, who had been acting like a senior and had remained silent and pretentious, immediately dropped his airs when facing Professor Heimerdinger, a highly respected Yordle.

Without Ma Qiao having to speak, he proactively introduced the bottlenecks encountered by the Den Den Mushi Giantization Research Institute.

"Professor Heimerdinger, do you actually have any research experience in biology?"

Ma Qiao asked, somewhat uneasy.

If Heimerdinger really only knows mechanics, then we'll probably have to waste money hiring Dr. Mundo to help out.

Fortunately, Heimerdinger patted his chest confidently and said, "Master, I am very skilled in biology, but..."

Heimerdinger paused, then rubbed two very short fingers together. "No scientific research can proceed without funding. Without funding, science will stagnate!"

Ma Qiao's eye twitched.

He felt a pang of heartache whenever he heard the word "money".

Ma Qiao doesn't love money; he's not interested in it...

But money is something that concerns his sense of justice!

After calming down, Ma Qiao realized that Heimerdinger was right.

Throughout history and across the world, there has never been a scientific research endeavor that doesn't cost money.

"Tell me, what equipment are you planning to buy? I'll ask a friend in the Navy to see if they have any secondhand stock..."

Ma Qiao was helpless; four heroes, plus the upgrade cost for Cho’Gath, had cost a total of 320 million Beli.

There are only 70 million Beli left in the account now.

Of course, Ryze also has three or four hundred million in savings, but that money is used to build a factory in East Blue and to advance workers' wages. Ma Qiao doesn't want to use it unless absolutely necessary.

So, every little bit helps. Ma Qiao planned to try and get in touch with Smoker or Garp to see if he could subtly procure some secondhand goods from Punk Hazard.

However, Heimerdinger shook his head:

"My esteemed master, only third-rate scientists would purchase equipment from others! My invention is based on wisdom that transcends its time; no instrument in this era can support it!"

Teemo quickly explained:

"Captain Ma Qiao, Professor Heimerdinger is praised as the most innovative and respected inventor Piltover has ever seen. He is obsessed with scientific research and has extremely strict requirements for experimental equipment."

Whether it's the size of a screw or the speed of a gear, the professor demands absolute precision.

So all the equipment in his Piltover lab was made by himself!

"You mean, Heimerdinger can hand-construct scientific instruments?"

Ma Qiao's eyes widened; this could save him a lot of money!

"Hands-on skills are also part of science... but..."

Heimerdinger nodded proudly, then changed the subject, "The requirements for biological laboratories are extremely stringent, and I need special support... Please allow me to apply for 69 million in research funding!"

"69 million? What are you going to do with it?"

It wasn't that Ma Qiao was stingy with the money, but rather that the amount was so precisely in whole or in small increments, right at the lower end of the 70 million mark.

Could this kid be spying on my account?

Ma Qiao couldn't help but look suspicious.

Well...

Heimerdinger wore a fawning smile. "I have an exclusive skin called [Biochemist Heimerdinger], which costs 6900 points. Master, what do you think..." (as shown in the picture)

"As an ambitious inventor, one must explore and develop all kinds of energy and materials."

Driven by cost considerations, Heimerdinger set his sights on Zaun's scrap dumps.

The biochemical waste there is almost unattended, comes in large quantities, and is free. The only thing you need to do is ensure that you are not harmed by the harmful substances in the waste.

After a period of secret research and development, Heimerdinger has finally completed his new bio-combat device, ready to let the heroes from Zaun taste 'home' on Summoner's Rift!

--The above is an introduction to the [Biochemist Heimerdinger] skin.

This introduction is exactly what Ma Qiao wanted!

The overall theme of this skincare routine is conservation, environmental protection, and saving money!

That would be perfect.

Thus, Heimerdinger didn't waste much breath and secured $69 million in venture capital from angel investor Ma Qiao, becoming the only handsome guy among the 11 Retainers with a skin.

Donning a hazmat suit and holding a small green vial, Heimerdinger happily rolled around on the ground again.

After handing him a warehouse with ventilation shafts to use as a laboratory, Ma Qiao used Teleport to return to the Twitch.

It was already late at night.

Ma Qiao glanced around and saw that both girls were already asleep.

In Vivi's room, her shrine maiden outfit had been removed and neatly folded, placed on the bedside table.

Vivi lay quietly on her side on the bed, her head resting on her hand, a faint smile on her face, seemingly lost in a dream.

As for Nami, her sleeping posture is less than flattering.

She lay sprawled on the bed, the blanket kicked aside.

Ma Qiao gently pushed open the door and covered her with the blanket, just like an old father taking care of his daughter.

Whether it was his imagination or not, Ma Qiao noticed that the small mound on Nami's chest seemed to be growing at a visible rate day by day.

Perhaps the long-term hardship led to malnutrition, and now that they're eating and drinking well, they've experienced a retaliatory growth spurt?

This was the only reason Ma Qiao could think of.

Suddenly, he noticed that, peeking out from under the blanket, a mosquito was perched on Nami's fair and delicate ankle, greedily sucking her blood.

I'll lick it!

Ma Qiao is starting to regret not learning the [Tongue Lash].

You can't swat mosquitoes with your hand.

That's simply impossible.

Even someone as powerful as Saitama couldn't do that!

Just as Ma Qiao chased away the mosquitoes and turned to leave, he suddenly shivered.

Looking down, I saw Nami suddenly lift her leg and rub the bitten part against Ma Qiao's body.

Then she turned over and fell fast asleep.

Ma Qiao shook his head and Flash back to his room.

Under the cover of night, "Good Guy Twitch" drifted quietly on the waves, making creaking and groaning sounds.