I Want a Smoke

How expensive was it to be a Mech Warrior?

Even someone freeloading like Xu Jiang was left stunned by the prices.

Following Qi Yao into the research lab, he found it stocked with relatively new high-tier weapons.

Things like heavy mechs, Chainsaw Swords, Sniper Rifles, Laser Cannons, and so on were beyond Xu Jiang's level, so he could not requisition them.

He had come here to tailor a new outfit for Sparkles at home.

"I need this blueprint manufactured." He handed the cowhide blueprint he had gotten from Pess to Qi Yao, who then passed it on to the research team.

The team leader in charge of technical R&D took the blueprint and examined it. His brow furrowed slightly as he asked, "Are you sure you want this EMP Device made?"

From the sound of it, there was a problem?

"What? Is this device difficult to make?"

"No. It's just extremely cost-ineffective. Its EMP intensity is not very high, and its range is limited. I'm afraid even a fifth-generation computer could withstand its attack."

That weak? This was a blue-quality blueprint! It could not possibly be that trash, could it?

The research team leader seemed to have guessed what they were thinking and explained, "All the technology in this device is concentrated in its outer layer."

"Its outer layer?"

"Yes, that's the only way I can describe it. The surface of this EMP Device is made from the leather of a Wild Beast, unlike ordinary EMP devices."

"Would it be stronger?"

"No. It would be more expensive."

No wonder Pess had called it trash. It really was complete garbage.

That layer of leather was processed from exceptionally high-grade Wild Beast soft hide. The process was extremely complicated and required professionals to analyze and study it. Between the research costs and manufacturing costs, it would not be cheap.

"How much are we looking at?"

"Two million Credit Points."

Xu Jiang's eyes widened when he heard that.

You were not bluffing me, were you? A small blue-quality EMP Device cost two million? That suspiciously round number—were you sure you had not just made it up?

"Fine, then start developing it." Qi Yao agreed to the quote without hesitation.

The research department was full of research maniacs. They were relatively neutral within Nine Rivers Corporation and showed no one any special consideration. Whatever money was due had to be paid in full, and it was charged to Qi Yao.

As for bargaining, forget it. They were the professionals, after all. If you did not understand anything, you were destined to get fleeced.

Turning back, Qi Yao said calmly, "Don't worry. This is the first stage of my investment in you. Since you need this equipment, you must have your reasons."

Yeah!

The reason was that Sparkles wanted a new outfit. Two million for one piece—damn, that sounded extravagant.

After leaving the research department, they headed toward the materials warehouse.

By then, rumors that Third Miss had spent millions accompanying a new hire had begun spreading throughout the company.

As one of the three directors and a beautiful woman besides, Qi Yao drew attention with every move she made.

Everyone was guessing what kind of big shot Xu Jiang was, to be so handsome that even Third Miss favored him so greatly.

Of course, Xu Jiang understood that this was definitely not lovers going shopping. It was a way to build momentum—for him, and also for her own image as someone willing to pay dearly for talent.

Xu Jiang's talent could no longer be hidden, so they might as well make it more public.

As long as Xu Jiang's subsequent performance achieved the expected results, everything she did today would become a brilliant stroke proving Qi Yao's eye for talent.

At the warehouse entrance, the administrator had already hurried over eagerly to greet them.

Compared to the haughty research department, the materials warehouse administrator's tone was full of fawning.

"Third Miss, why did you come here personally? Whatever materials you need, just give me a call and I'll deliver them directly to you."

Qi Yao nodded without explaining further, instead looking toward Xu Jiang.

"You said earlier that you wanted to personally select some medicinal herbs? Then go take a look. There are a lot of things here, though. Are you sure you can find what you need?"

"Mm, probably." Xu Jiang himself did not have much confidence in that reply.

Once they entered the warehouse, all kinds of medicinal herbs filled the counters in dazzling array, while countless automated robots busily organized the shelves.

From five-meter-long old tree roots to mushroom grass as thin as hair, this place had every medicinal herb imaginable.

Generally speaking, few professionals came here. Most of its customers were doctors and pharmacists. Rather than study herbs as a side job, it was more practical to earn money and directly buy finished potions.

The main reason Xu Jiang had come was to replenish the ammunition for his cigarette case.

Little Smoke, are you sure cigarettes aren't made with tobacco?

"Reporting to the General, of course not. How could ordinary tobacco achieve the burning intensity of Fire's Delight?"

Well, that made sense when it put it that way.

But could medicinal herbs really make a single cigarette hit with the force of a super Molotov cocktail?

Then what medicinal herbs are you talking about?

"I don't know either, so we need to come take a look."

Xu Jiang seriously suspected that the cigarette case was messing with him. It did not even know the formula itself, yet it thought it could find it just by looking around?

Wait, it was not going to pour petroleum into the cigarettes, was it? That flavor would be something else.

"General, please trust my professional knowledge. There is a great deal to learn about the medicinal herbs used to make cigarettes."

How so?

"Medicinal herbs are divided into the five elements, while the catalyst is divided into yin and yang. Heat, technique, and proportions are all crucial. They must be refined with rootless water before superior cigarettes can be made."

...Are you sure we're talking about the same thing? Are you making cigarettes or refining pills?

"Of course I'm making cigarettes, but different paths lead to the same destination. Rest assured, General, I discussed this with Grenade for a long time and found quite a few advanced tobacco formulas left behind by our predecessors."

Honestly, he could not feel reassured at all.

Even that Grenade was not anything normal. What kind of conclusion could the two of them possibly come up with?

Xu Jiang rubbed his brow as he listened to the cigarette case babble on. I just want to roll a cigarette. Does it have to be this hard?

All right, all right, stop for now. Just tell me the result directly. What's the formula?

"As the saying goes: Chrysanthemums wither, wounds cover the ground; your smile has yellowed, flowers fall and hearts break."

Wait, why does that sound so familiar? Are you sure that's a formula???

"Of course. Bodies all over the ground, yellow faces, ruptured intestines—isn't that the effect of high-grade poisonous smoke?"

Poisonous smoke my brother-in-law's thigh! It's a metaphor, understand? A metaphor!!

Xu Jiang was already in despair. Waiting for Grenade and the cigarette case to conduct research based on song lyrics was less reliable than doing something real.

He walked over to the administrator and casually pointed at a shelf holding at least a hundred varieties of medicinal herbs.

"See that shelf?"

"I see it."

"Pack me half a pound of every kind."

It was the only solution he had. He would take them all home and let the cigarette case try them one by one. It should manage to make one or two successful cigarettes eventually, right?

Xu Jiang's domineering attitude stunned the administrator.

He glanced at Third Miss and saw that she did not object, so he could only begin packing with a bewildered expression.

"Are you a pharmacist?" the administrator asked curiously.

"I don't know anything about herbs. Oh, right, do you have chrysanthemums? Pack me a pound of those too."

"Of course we have chrysanthemums. Do you want to make tea?"

"I'll roll them up and smoke them."