Chapter 461 - Leaving Battle Royale Zone (1/2)
Chapter 461 – Leaving Battle Royale Zone
July 15th, 194 AD.
Zhangye County, west of Wuwei County
Danxia Landform, a series of rainbow hills and mountains, was a part of Zhangye County. The scenery of this province was one of the heritages that the world recognized as a natural wonder. Aside from merchants who traveled through here to the west land, this place was a tourist spot that many scholars came here to broaden their horizon.
On the Silkroad, a group of wagons, carrying 2,000 men and their supplies, journeyed through the colorful valley of Danxia Landform.
Pu Jing, Chen Gong, Zhang Miao, and their entourage continued traveling west, passing through the northwest territory of Liu Bei undetected. Because of their former wealth, they managed to amass their food supply and trade with the local merchants for profit.
Now, they had more wares, pottery, gold, and resources to trade with the westerners. Chen Gong was positive that once they reached the Kushan Empire, they would be able to hire more mercenaries and formed a new noble house in the foreign land. Then, they could start over by taking over weak countries in the west.
However, Pu Jing opposed the idea as he had another plan.
”My lord, what is this Roman Empire that you're talking about?”
Chen Gong still did not understand Pu Jing's goal.
”It's an empire that is currently a powerhouse, stronger than Kushan or Parthian at the moment, but they are currently in declination. We'll fish in troubled waters, but the risk will be worth it. If we play our card right, the entire European countries will fall to our hands.”
”Yu-lo-pian? What's that?”
”Kuku, it's a region. Let's say it's a name of western barbarian land.”
”Oh!”
Pu Jing's vision was not limited to just a single country. He aimed for world domination as he was not satisfied risking his life for a small territory of China.
The odds were against him in the previous political war between him, Cao Cao, and Tong. Since he could not win, Pu Jing did not want to waste his time struggling for a small piece of meat against elite players.
China possessed too many otherworlders and historical figures that regained their memories.
However, Pu Jing believed he held more chances in the west since there was not any strong competitor like Li Feihong, Tong, or Te Langpu. Without otherworlders, he could use his modern knowledge at his best advantage.
Pu Jing had many backup plans in his sleeves. He could enter Rome as a merchant convoy, mercenary band, or slave traders. Although it was impossible for an Asian to rise in Roman's central government, he could always force his way in their court by expanding his wealth and military power. Then, the desired political influence would follow naturally.
Or better, he could use his system skills to abuse the locals.
Gods and religions in this period were still vague as they came from different sources. A random madman could establish his religion easily if he had a bit of magic trick knowledge and skills.
Pu Jing, who could use system skills to either summon ice or bears, would be idolized as a prophet in an instant!
As Pu Jing and his caravan crossed Zhangye County, a system notification arrived.
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Pu Jing scoffed, 'What if I don't plan to return?'
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Reading the penalty warning, Pu Jing frowned. He operated his system menu and texted a message to Lilim.
”Is there a way for me to leave China without getting my skills deleted?”
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Lilim responded to his inquiry.
[I want a tribute of a hundred million lifespan. Then, I'll pull you off from this battle royale game.]
Pu Jing had the urge to scold Lilim that it was impossible. However, his negotiation experience and the past discipline stopped the former premier's action.
Negotiation was a form of agreement. If Pu Jing wanted to bargain with Lilim, the former had to give latter that the idea came from herself, and she profited from it. On the other hand, Pu Jing had to exploit this psychological thinking and get the best advantage out of it.
”I'll send tributes to you, but I can't at the moment. Do you think you can make an arrangement or adjust a few terms? I don't mind if my clan is disbanded in the process, but I want to keep my skills. I even paid my precious lifespans to buy them from you, remember?”
[… Right. Well, if you only want to keep your skills, I can reduce the total payment a bit. How about 80 million?]
”Can't it be lowered? 40 Million.”
[Nope. 80, no less, or no deal.]
The terms were still not fair to Pu Jing, but he knew that he could always scam Lilim.
”Can I pay by installment?”
[Installment? Sure. I'll charge you with interests, though.]
”I don't mind. At the moment, I'm a 4-wing angel, and I can only cultivate 800,000 YLS (Years of Lifespans) a year max. Or, I can do 400,000 if I only cultivate during my sleeping time. I'll pay you 200,000 YLS a year. How's that sound?”
[That will take you at least 400 years to pay me all of that, and I haven't added the interest rate yet.]
”What's your price tag, then?”
[10% interest rate a year!]
”Don't be silly. Can you lower the total amount of lifespan fee and exempt the interest rate for the first 200 years? If you charge me a 10% rate a year, I'll have to pay you 8 million YLS of interest. That's a bit unfair to your customer, no?”
[… You're right. But 200 years are too long. I don't think I can give you too much time for that.]
”Try to put yourself in my shoes. 200 Years are 40 million YLS. Then, I still have another 40 million to pay off the debt, and the interest rate is still the expensive 4 million a year. Even if it's my term, I'm still in trouble, no?”
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Meanwhile, on Mt. Tai, Lilim was sitting in her floating island, staring at a semi-transparent monitor before her, using a system calculator to check if this deal was profitable to her or not.
”200 Years … Then, he will pay me 40 million years, and he will have 40 million LS in debt … The interest will be 4 million a year … yikes!”