The Machines' Needs

The bag was about the size of a satchel.

But the items poured out were over 2 meters long at their largest.

There were dozens of weapons like swords, spears, clubs, and staffs, in purple and pink, and even an orange-quality bra.

Huh? A bra counts as equipment? What kind of stats would an orange-quality one boost if worn?

Xu Jiang scanned the items, finding none he could use to summon subordinates, so he turned his attention to the bag in Pace's hand.

Even the best equipment couldn't compare to summoned subordinates. If Xu Jiang took them, he could only sell them for credits.

This bag, however, was extraordinary. Being able to hold so many things, if he could get it, he could load all his ammunition, loot, and heavy weapons into it, making future excursions incredibly convenient.

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

"This? It was a free gift."

"Really! Can I get one?"

"Of course. I'm returning to my home planet in a couple of days. Why don't you come with me? After you complete the ancestral recognition and register in the family tree, you can get armor and a spatial bag for free."

Well, that was a wasted hope.

No wonder he'd never seen anyone else use a spatial bag; it turned out to be a treasure exclusive to the big-headed blue-skinned people.

He could impersonate one wearing his mecha, but if he actually went to the Godlamp Clan's home planet, no one would likely treat him with any respect.

"General, General, can you give the cutest Sparkles a gift? Ying ying ying~~"

Sparkles, who liked to stay in his arms, suddenly acted cute. A stun baton calling itself cute? You've really gone too far.

However, since she wanted a gift, Xu Jiang wouldn't refuse.

'What do you want?'

"I want that clothing schematic. Sparkles wants a new pretty dress, ying ying ying~"

If his girlfriend wants to buy clothes, can Xu Jiang refuse? Of course not. He crouched down and picked up a piece of parchment.

[EMP Schematic (Blue Quality): Can be used to craft a powerful electromagnetic pulse device.]

This was an equipment crafting schematic. If made by a professional technician, its attributes should be good, capable of instantly disabling some high-tech equipment.

'But this is a schematic for a device. Are you sure it can be worn as clothing when made?'

"Of course, of course! The color must be pink, ying ying ying."

Xu Jiang nodded, too lazy to ask further, and gestured to Pace, "I'll just take this item."

With a pile of good equipment, he only chose a blue schematic of extremely low value? This made Pace hesitant.

"Are you sure you only want this? This thing is the most useless trash schematic where I come from."

"It's fine, I'm just picking one casually. We've been through life and death together, so a token of appreciation is enough."

If you want to know what cunning looks like, Xu Jiang was now pushing shamelessness to its absolute limit.

Choosing other equipment would basically just be selling it for money. In Xu Jiang's opinion, money was a fickle thing; he could always earn more.

However, the friendship of a Djinn was very precious.

As expected, seeing Xu Jiang's loyalty and righteousness, Pace was deeply moved.

"I will always remember this friendship. When I return this time, I will personally pick out some treasures for you. Please don't refuse them when we meet next time!"

See, what a good kid. Although he was a bit ugly, his personality could be described with one word: gullible.

"Alright, be careful on your way back. Getting targeted by the Faceless Ones is no good."

After sending off the cute, big-headed child, Xu Jiang also walked out of the small cabin.

Outside, Team 17 was already fully prepared. Sha Tu handed a metal box to Xu Jiang, which should contain their spoils.

As for Baozi, the simple-minded guy actually saved Lan Tie. He was arranging for medical personnel to treat him while still chattering.

"Give him the strongest sedative needle. This guy was infected with the Madness Affliction and kept trying to kill himself. I had to knock him out before bringing him back."

Poor Lan Tie, Xu Jiang offered him a moment of silence.

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

This trip to the Void, though dangerous, had yielded quite a bit.

The spoils Sha Tu had packed for him were all materials, but these materials were valuable, unique to the Void, and could be sold for a good price.

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

It had a white outer layer but a black core. Its exact composition was unknown, but it contained an immense amount of power.

It was found in the remains of a Bonefiend. Based on Sha Tu's experience, the price of this thing might even exceed the combined price of all the other materials.

After storing the spoils, Xu Jiang comfortably lay down on the bed.

There was nothing more comfortable than sleeping with a companion in a big bed after a victorious return, truly making one...

"Wait, where did I get a female companion? And she's so cold," Xu Jiang startled awake again.

He quickly turned on the bedside lamp and scanned his surroundings.

Qianji had just returned stealthily from Baozi's room, Grenade and Cigarette Case were discussing herbalism, Desert Eagle was in meditation, and Sparkles was wriggling on the table, seemingly practicing a dance.

As for beside him, a shapely body lay under the covers.

"Guanyin, what are you doing?" Xu Jiang asked blankly.

Was the room's air conditioning too cold? Why would a giant Gatling gun hide under his covers?

"General, seeing all my colleagues training so diligently late at night, I felt a bit overwhelmed and anxious."

"So?"

"I am without virtue or talent, and I fear the General might look down on me. Only this broken body is still presentable."

"Speak plainly."

"I am here to serve you in bed."

Xu Jiang: ...

He should feel content to hear the words 'serve you in bed' directed at him in this lifetime.

But when it came from the mouth of a Gatling gun, the feeling was just not right.

Look at this voluptuous gun body, look at these six long, slender, delicate legs, truly...

"Guanyin, did you really forget what happened during the day?" Xu Jiang couldn't help but ask.

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

Was this a split personality? She had no recollection of her brutal demeanor during the day.

Unable to figure it out, Xu Jiang sat on the bed and rubbed his face vigorously, his sleepiness significantly reduced.

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

He still had some affection for Grandpa Lei and Team 17, and naturally wouldn't switch allegiances.

However, he still wanted benefits. He needed to secure a large amount of investment to improve his weapons' combat power.

Qianji: "General, I need a training ground where I can practice my moves."

"Don't worry, I will definitely solve this problem."

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

"Alright, I'll go to the armory tomorrow. Just tell me what you like."

Cigarette Case: "General, I need more materials to make cigarettes."

"Of course, list out the materials you need, and I'll be responsible for procuring them."

After hearing the first three's requests, Xu Jiang nodded with satisfaction.

Good, his subordinates were all proactive and positive. He would naturally fulfill these requests. What about the rest?

Grenade: "General, I want to retire."

"Heh, you wish. Next."

Desert Eagle: "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: "General, I want to serve you in bed."

"...Sigh, I really can't do anything about you."