The Machines' Needs

The bag was only the size of a shoulder bag.

But the largest item poured out of it was over two meters long.

There were dozens of weapons—sabers, guns, clubs, and more—in purple and pink, and even an orange-quality bra.

Huh? Bras counted as equipment too? What stats could an orange-quality one add when worn?

Xu Jiang glanced over them and found nothing suitable for summoning a general, so he looked at the bag in Pes's hand instead.

No matter how good the equipment was, it could not compare to a subordinate after being summoned. If Xu Jiang took it, he could only sell it for money.

This bag, on the other hand, was extraordinary. It could hold so many things. If he got it, he could stuff ammunition, loot, heavy weapons, and everything else inside. It would be incredibly convenient for future trips.

Xu Jiang looked at the bag and asked, "Is this a spatial bag? Where can I get one?"

"This? It was given away for free."

"Really? Can I claim one too?"

"Of course. I'm heading back to the Home Star in the next couple of days. Why not come back with me? Once you acknowledge your ancestors and complete the family registry, you can receive armor and a spatial bag for free."

Fine. So it had all been wishful thinking.

No wonder he had never seen anyone else use a spatial bag. It turned out to be a treasure exclusive to those big-headed blue-skinned people.

Pretending while wearing a mech suit was one thing, but if he actually went to the Godlamp Clan's Home Star, nobody would mistake him for their grandson.

"General, General, could you give the cutest Sparkles a gift? Boohoohoo~~"

Sparkles, who loved staying in his arms, suddenly acted cute toward him. A Stun Baton calling itself cute? That was really something.

Still, since she was asking for a gift, Xu Jiang would not refuse.

What do you want?

"I want that clothing schematic. Sparkles wants to change into beautiful new clothes, boohoohoo~"

Could Xu Jiang refuse when his girlfriend wanted to buy clothes? Of course not. He crouched down and picked up a sheet of parchment.

EMP Schematic (Blue Quality): Can create a powerful electromagnetic pulse device.

This was an equipment crafting blueprint. Its attributes should be decent if made by a professional technician, and it could instantly disable certain high-tech devices.

But this is a blueprint for a device. Are you sure you can wear it as clothes once it's made?

"Of course, of course. It has to be pink, too, boohoohoo."

Xu Jiang nodded and could not be bothered to ask further. He gestured to Pes. "I'll take this one."

Out of a pile of excellent equipment, he had picked a blue blueprint with extremely low value? Pes found himself in a difficult position.

"Are you sure this is all you want? Where I come from, this is the most useless kind of trash blueprint."

"It's fine. I just picked something at random. We've been comrades through life and death, after all. This is enough to show the sentiment."

What did it mean to be old, crafty, and cunning? Xu Jiang was taking shamelessness to the absolute extreme right now.

If he chose other equipment, he could basically only sell it for money. In Xu Jiang's eyes, money was just money. Spend it, and he would earn more.

But the friendship of a Godlamp Clan member was extremely valuable.

Sure enough, seeing how loyal and righteous Xu Jiang was, Pes was deeply moved.

"I'll remember this friendship forever. When I return, I'll personally pick out some treasures for you. When we meet again, you absolutely must not refuse!"

Look at that, what a good kid. He might have been rather ugly, but his personality could be summed up in one word: gullible.

"Alright. Be careful on the way back. Getting targeted by the Faceless Ones is no good thing."

After seeing off the adorable big-headed kid, Xu Jiang walked out of the cabin as well.

Outside, the members of Team 17 had already geared up. Sha Tu handed Xu Jiang a metal case, which presumably contained their gains.

As for Baozi, that fool had really rescued Lan Tie. While arranging for medical staff to treat him, Baozi kept nagging.

"Give him the strongest tranquilizer you have. This guy has Calamity Infection and keeps trying to kill himself. I had to knock him out to bring him back."

Poor Lan Tie. Let's observe a second of silence for him.

The group returned to Team 17. After taking a nice bath, Xu Jiang felt completely relaxed.

This trip into the Void Rifts had been dangerous, but they had gained quite a lot.

The loot Sha Tu had packed for him consisted of materials, but they were highly valuable. They were unique to the Void Rifts and could fetch a good price.

The most valuable item, however, was a palm-sized crystal.

Its outer layer was white, but its core was black. Its exact composition was unknown, but it contained an enormous amount of power.

It had been found in the remains of a Bonefiend. Based on Sha Tu's experience, its price might even exceed the combined value of all the other materials.

After putting away the loot, Xu Jiang lay comfortably on the bed.

Nothing was more comfortable than holding a female companion in bed and sleeping after a victorious return loaded with spoils. It was truly...

"Wait, where did I get a female companion? And why is she so icy?" Xu Jiang jolted awake again.

He quickly switched on the bedside lamp and swept his gaze around the room.

Qianji had just returned from sneaking into Baozi's room, Grenade and Cigarette Box were discussing herbalism, Desert Eagle had entered meditation, and Sparkles was twisting around on the table, seemingly practicing a dance.

As for beside him, a curvaceous body was lying beneath the blanket.

"Guanyin, what are you doing?" Xu Jiang asked with a blank look.

Was the room's air conditioner too cold? Why was a massive Gatling gun hiding under his blanket?

"General, seeing my colleagues working so hard and training late into the night, this humble lady was overcome with fear and unease."

"So?"

"This humble lady has neither virtue nor talent. Fearing that the General may despise me, only this broken body remains somewhat pleasing to the eye."

"Speak normally."

"I came to serve you in bed."

Xu Jiang: ...

Being able to hear the words "serve you in bed" directed at him in this life should have made Xu Jiang feel satisfied.

But hearing them from the mouth of a Gatling gun made things feel rather off.

Look at that full gun body, look at those six long, slender, beautiful legs. Truly...

"Guanyin, have you really forgotten what happened during the day?" Xu Jiang could not help asking.

"During the day? What happened during the day? Sparkles and I hid in the back and fell asleep without realizing it. When we woke up, we had already left the battlefield."

Was this a split personality? She had no memory at all of that brutal daytime demeanor.

Unable to figure it out, Xu Jiang sat on the bed and vigorously rubbed his face. His drowsiness faded somewhat as well.

Looking at the machines training diligently, he asked, "Someone should be coming to negotiate with me tomorrow. Does anyone need anything? Just say it."

He still had some attachment to Grandpa Lei and Team 17, so naturally, he would not switch sides.

But he still needed benefits. He wanted to secure a large investment to improve the weapons' combat power.

Qianji said, "General, I need a training ground where I can properly stretch my limbs."

"Don't worry. I'll definitely solve that problem."

Sparkles said, "General, I want more beautiful clothes."

"Sure. Tomorrow, I'll make a trip to the armory. Just tell me if you see anything you like."

Cigarette Box said, "General, I need more materials to make cigarettes."

"Of course. Make a list of the materials, and I'll handle the procurement."

After hearing the first three requests, Xu Jiang nodded in satisfaction.

Not bad. His subordinates were all motivated and ambitious. He would certainly fulfill these requests. What about the rest?

Grenade said, "General, I want to retire and live out my old age."

"Heh, dream on. Next."

Desert Eagle said, "General, I want to fall in love."

"Get lost! I don't even have a girlfriend yet, and you want to fall in love?"

Guanyin said, "General, I want to serve you in bed."

"...Sigh, you really are impossible to deal with."