Deal

Ning Fengzhi's eyes brightened slightly as he reached out and picked up the Repeating Crossbow. It felt unusually light in his hand; the metal was cold and smooth, yet the bends were finely polished and didn't feel rough to the touch.

He examined it several times, turning it over and over, and even pulled the plectrum to wind it. The sound was crisp and clear, without any hesitation.

"You built this?" Ning Fengzhi looked at Jiang Lan.

Jiang Lan nodded, then took out three short arrows from behind her and placed them on the table.

The short arrow was much shorter than a regular arrow. The shaft was made of hardwood, and the arrowhead was made of iron sheet polished into a triangular shape. The edges were coated with a dark blue liquid that gleamed with a Youyou light in the afternoon sun.

"What's smeared on this?" Bone Douluo asked, squinting.

Jiang Lan replied, "It's a paralyzing drug. It takes effect within two seconds of being injected, causing ordinary people and low-level Soul Master to experience temporary limb stiffness. Its effect is much weaker on high-level Soul Master; we'll need a stronger one."

"Try shooting it at me," Bone Douluo suddenly spoke, pointing to his withered arm. "Shoot it here."

"Grandpa Bone, forget it. If Master finds out I gave medicine to Titled Douluo, he'll beat me up." Jiang Lan waved his hands repeatedly, hiding the short arrow behind his back.

Ning Fengzhi chuckled, picked up the Repeating Crossbow, aimed it at an old wooden barrel in the corner of the yard, and pulled the trigger.

With a soft click, a short arrow shot out like lightning, striking the very center of the wooden barrel with pinpoint accuracy, its tail humming and vibrating.

Ning Fengzhi turned the dial twice more, switching to three-round burst mode, and then pulled the trigger.

Three short arrows flew out almost end to end, making three sharp, thudding sounds, and all of them embedded themselves in the same piece of wood, no more than half an inch apart.

"Excellent crossbow," Ning Fengzhi exclaimed sincerely, placing the Repeating Crossbow back on the table. "We'll provide all the materials. How about a thousand per crossbow?"

Jiang Lan thought for a moment and said, "Okay."

The profit margin at this price is enormous, and more importantly, the materials are supplied by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Uncle Ning, there's something else I'd like to ask you for help with," Jiang Lan suddenly said, her face unusually serious.

Ning Fengzhi put down the Repeating Crossbow and looked at him. "You speak."

"I need a piece of land in a while. It doesn't need to be too big, but the location needs to be good, preferably outside the city, so that transportation and expansion are convenient." Jiang Lan said, gesturing a rough area on the wooden table with her small hand. "I want to build a Workshop specifically for producing robots and weapons. The shops in the city are too small, and they can't hold all the stuff. The clanging and banging also disturbs the neighbors."

Ning Fengzhi his teacup, his gaze falling on Jiang Lan's small hands, which were covered in rust and wood chips. He gave a thoughtful "hmm."

After a moment, Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect happens to have an unused estate in the north of the city. It's close to the main road, the land is flat, and the area is large enough for you to manage. If you want it, you can take it and use it directly."

Jiang Lan's eyes lit up. "Give it to me or rent it to me?"

"It's fine to give it to you," Ning Fengzhi a smile, "But I have one small condition."

"What are the conditions?"

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will have priority in purchasing any new gadgets you create in the future, whether weapons or machinery," Ning Fengzhi said slowly, holding up one finger. "Sell them to us first at the same price. How about that?"

Jiang Lan's eyes darted around; this condition wasn't unreasonable.

It's just a right of first refusal, not an exclusive purchase. If others want to buy his stuff in the future, as long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doesn't raise or lower the price, it doesn't matter who gets sold to first.

Besides, Ning Fengzhi didn't acquire the land for nothing. He could easily justify exchanging a piece of land for a long-term, stable priority supply channel.

"Okay, I agree." Jiang Lan nodded seriously. "However, since Uncle Ning wants priority in purchasing, I can lower the price of the weapons a bit more."

"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi became interested. "How much can you give up?"

"I'll give you an extra 20% off each of these common Repeating Crossbow," Jiang Lan said, then added, "But you'll still have to provide the materials, and I'll cover the labor costs."

Ning Fengzhi smiled. This little guy was quite shrewd when it came to business, offering concessions beautifully while firmly upholding his bottom line.

"Deal." Ning Fengzhi stood up. "I'll have someone deliver the deed and land title tomorrow. You just need to put your fingerprint on them."

Jiang Lan stood on tiptoe, stretched out her short hand and shook hands with Ning Fengzhi, her expression as serious as if she had just signed a cross-border trade deal.

Jiang Lan saw Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo off; the setting sun had already dipped below the city wall.

He stood by the courtyard gate, watching Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo lead Ning Rongrong away.

Ning Rongrong was led by Bone Douluo. After taking a few steps, she would turn around and wave to him, shouting, "Save me three cups of pearl milk tea next time!"

"Doro, we're rich!" Jiang Lan said to Doro with immense joy.

Doro emerged from under the counter, a piece of vegetable leaf that had somehow gotten on its head, and its big purple eyes shone like two little stars.

Doro ran up to Jiang Lan, tilted his head back, and excitedly gestured with his little hands. "Can we buy the whole Ju Zi grove now?"

"Buy! Buy as many as you want!" Jiang Lan put his hands on his hips, the brim of his Penguin Suit casting a warm shadow in the setting sun, making him look like a Little Penguin general who had just won a battle.

"Then I want a special Ju Zi warehouse, filled with Ju Zi, where I can lie every day!" Doro became more and more excited as he spoke, his short legs bouncing twice on the spot, the ribbon in his bun bobbing up and down.

"I'll build you a super big one! And I'll give you ten robots specifically for peeling Ju Zi!" Jiang Lan waved his hand, his generosity soaring.

Four Guga Robot had somehow appeared and stood in a row behind Jiang Lan and Doro, their eyelights flashing and emitting a synchronized electronic voice. "Congratulations, boss! Congratulations, boss!"

Jiang Lan glanced back at them and nodded in satisfaction. "Special treatment tonight, I'll use the best engine oil on you."

"The engine oil is fully replenished; no need to top it up," Number One said seriously.

"Then add a touch of rust flavor," Jiang Lan said.

"Rust is inedible, boss." Number One's eyelight flashed.

Doro laughed so hard he fell to the ground, rolled twice, belly up, kicking his little legs wildly, and making a series of indistinct "doro~" sounds.

As the sun set, only a dark red afterglow remained on the horizon.

Jiang Lan squatted down, picked Doro up from the ground, patted the dust off its belly, waved to the four robots, and led them back to the yard.

"Doro, in the future, we're going to open stores in the Star Luo Empire, in Spirit City, and on Sea God Island." Jiang Lan rested his chin on his hand, his eyes fixed on the last glimmer of light on the horizon.

Doro sat beside him, holding a freshly peeled Ju Zi in his short hands, and nodded solemnly. "Let's drive to the moon."

"There are no Ju Zi on the moon," Jiang Lan said seriously.