I Want to Smoke a Cigarette

How expensive are Mech Warriors?

Even Xu Jiang, who got it for free, was terrified when he saw the price list.

He followed Qi Yao to the research lab, where the equipment was all newer, high-end weaponry.

Things like heavy mechs, chainsaw swords, sniper rifles, and laser cannons. Xu Jiang's level wasn't high enough to requisition them.

His purpose for coming here was to get a new outfit custom-made for Sparkles back home.

"I need this blueprint processed," he said, handing the cowhide blueprint obtained from Pace to Qi Yao. Qi Yao then passed it to the research team.

The team leader responsible for technical development took the blueprint and examined it. He frowned slightly and asked, "Are you sure this EMP device needs to be made?"

Judging by his tone, was there trouble?

"What? Is this device difficult to make?"

"No, it's just extremely cost-ineffective. Its electromagnetic pulse strength isn't high, and the range isn't large. It's likely that even a fifth-generation computer could withstand its attack."

So weak? This was a blue-quality blueprint! It shouldn't be this trashy.

The research team leader seemed to guess their thoughts and explained, "All the technology for this device is concentrated in its outer layer."

"Outer layer?"

"Yes, that's the only way to describe it. The surface of this EMP device is made from the hide of a Wild Beast, which is different from an ordinary EMP."

"Will it be stronger?"

"No, it will be more expensive."

Just as Pace described it, it was truly trash.

That layer of hide was processed from high-grade Wild Beast soft leather. The process was extremely complicated and required professional analysis and research. The research fees plus production costs made the price quite high.

"What's the estimated cost?"

"2 million Credit Points."

Xu Jiang's eyes widened when he heard the figure.

"You're not kidding me, are you? A small, blue-quality EMP device costs 2 million? Such a precise number, are you sure you're not just making it up?"

"Alright, let's start the research then," Qi Yao agreed to the quote without hesitation.

The research department was full of research fanatics. They were relatively neutral within Nine Rivers Corporation, showing no favoritism to anyone. They required every cent owed, and the cost was charged to Qi Yao.

As for haggling, forget it. After all, they were professionals, and he didn't understand anything, so he was destined to be ripped off.

Turning around, Qi Yao said calmly, "Don't worry, this is my first phase of investment in you. Since you need this equipment, there must be a reason."

Yeah!

The reason was that my Sparkles wanted a new outfit. 2 million for one, tsk, it sounded extravagant.

After leaving the research department, the group headed towards the material warehouse.

At this time, rumors of the Third Miss personally accompanying a new recruit and spending millions were starting to spread throughout the company.

As one of the three major directors and a beautiful woman, Qi Yao's every move attracted attention.

Everyone was guessing what kind of influential figure Xu Jiang was, to be so handsome that even the Third Miss favored him so much.

Of course, Xu Jiang also understood that this was definitely not a couple out shopping, but a way to build momentum, to build momentum for Xu Jiang, and also to build momentum for herself by buying a horse with a thousand pieces of gold.

Xu Jiang's talent could no longer be hidden, so why not be more high-profile.

As long as Xu Jiang's subsequent performance could meet expectations, today's actions would become a significant highlight of Qi Yao's discerning eye.

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

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

"Third Miss, why have you come in person? What materials do you need? Just make a phone call, and I'll deliver them directly to you."

Qi Yao nodded without further explanation and looked at Xu Jiang.

"You said earlier that you wanted to pick out some medicinal herbs yourself? Then go in and take a look. But there's a lot of stuff here, are you sure you can find what you're looking for?"

"Hmm, I should be able to." Xu Jiang himself wasn't very confident with that reply.

Walking into the warehouse, all sorts of medicinal herbs were displayed on the counters, and countless automatic robots were busy organizing the shelves.

From five-meter-long old tree roots to mushroom grass as fine as hair, all kinds of medicinal herbs were available here.

However, generally speaking, few professional players came here. Most of the visitors were doctors and pharmacists. It was more practical to earn money and buy finished potions directly than to study herbs as a side job.

The main reason Xu Jiang came here was to replenish the ammunition for his cigarette case.

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

"Reporting, General, of course not. How could ordinary tobacco leaves achieve the burning degree of Fire's Delight."

Well, that's what you said, but still.

Could there really be medicinal herbs that could turn a single cigarette into a super-incendiary grenade?

'Then what kind of medicinal herbs are you talking about?'

"I don't know, that's why I need to come and see."

Xu Jiang seriously suspected that the cigarette pack was just messing with him. It didn't even know the formula itself, and it expected him to find it just by looking at it for a while?

Wait, this guy isn't going to fill the cigarettes with gasoline, is he? That would make smoking quite… flavorful.

"General, please trust my professional knowledge. When it comes to medicinal herbs for making cigarettes, there's a lot of learning involved."

'How so?'

"Medicinal herbs are divided into five elements, and medicinal guides are divided into yin and yang. The heat, technique, and proportions are all crucial. They must be refined with rootless water to create high-grade cigarettes."

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

"Of course, I'm making cigarettes, but it's all the same path. General, please rest assured. I've discussed it with Grenade for a long time and found many advanced tobacco formulas left by our predecessors."

Honestly, he couldn't be reassured at all.

Even Grenade wasn't exactly a normal entity. What kind of results could the two of you possibly come up with?

Xu Jiang rubbed his temples. Listening to the cigarette pack babble on, he just wanted to roll a cigarette. Was it really that difficult?

'Alright, alright, hold on a second. Just tell me the result directly. What's the formula?'

"As the saying goes: Chrysanthemums fall, wounds abound, your smile has turned yellow, flowers fall, hearts break."

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

"Of course. Bodies litter the ground, faces turn yellow, hearts break—isn't that the effect of a high-grade poison smoke?"

'I'll poison your brother-in-law's thigh! Do you understand metaphors? Metaphors!!'

Xu Jiang was despairing. It would be better to get something real than to wait for Grenade and the cigarette pack to conduct research based on song lyrics.

He walked over to the administrator, casually pointing to a shelf with at least a hundred types of medicinal herbs.

"This shelf, do you see it?"

"I see it."

"Pack me half a pound of each."

This was the only option left. He'd pack them all home and let the cigarette pack try them one by one. Surely, one or two would work.

Xu Jiang's commanding presence stunned the administrator.

He glanced at Third Miss, who didn't object. The administrator could only begin packing with a look of astonishment.

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

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

"We definitely have chrysanthemums. Do you want to make tea?"

"I'm going to roll them up and smoke them."