Entering the inner chamber, Chu Tian surveyed the furnishings.
It was entirely a place for sleeping.
There was a simple table.
The messy bed was not even made, with the covers unkempt.
The entire room also emitted a sour, musty odor.
"Young man, I live alone, so please bear with the simplicity..."
Master Roger, seeing the expression on Chu Tian's face,
Seemed somewhat embarrassed, tugging at the blanket by the bedside.
Chu Tian gave him a strange look.
The AI intelligence provided by the system for this Master Roger was perhaps too advanced.
It felt remarkably similar to when he had first encountered Luo Guo, Lord Luo, possessed by Xiaolongnü.
Could this fellow also be possessed by some spirit?
Yet, it didn't quite feel like it.
Chu Tian, with a suspicious gaze, carefully examined the old man.
After tidying up the bed, Master Roger,
Looked at Chu Tian, rubbing his hands.
"That young man... can you really eat all my Baobao Black Powder?"
He squinted his small eyes,
Sporting a greedy expression.
"That depends on Master Roger's inventory of Black Powder!
However, regardless of Master Roger's Black Powder stock,
I can sign an agreement with you, Master.
From now on, all high-explosive Black Powder you produce, I will purchase at market price!"
Upon Chu Tian's words, Master Roger displayed a hint of disappointment.
His previously enthusiastic demeanor also shifted slightly.
"Then how much do you need this time?"
Seeing the change in the old man's expression, Chu Tian's lips curved into a smile.
So this fellow was indeed just a money-grubber.
Hearing that he could sign an agreement with him,
He genuinely believed Chu Tian wouldn't be able to take much stock this time, hence the cautious inquiry.
"Not much, I've prepared a mere 100,000 gold coins. Will that suffice for Master's consideration?"
Chu Tian kept a close watch on the other party's expression as he spoke.
Master Roger's eyes flickered upon hearing Chu Tian's statement.
But he quickly regained his composure.
However, this subtle reaction was fully captured by Chu Tian.
This old man was trying to play hardball!
"100,000 gold coins... Hmm, acceptable!"
Indeed, the old man was bluffing; the fleeting excitement in his eyes had not escaped Chu Tian!
"Since it's possible, Master, let me see the goods first!"
Since this old fellow was trying to bluff him, Chu Tian decided to play along and coax him into revealing the goods.
"Heh heh! That money..."
This old man was not going to show his hand without seeing the reward.
Chu Tian wanted to see the goods first, while the old man wanted to confirm Chu Tian had the money.
Chu Tian considered that NPCs like this should be governed by the Heavenly Dao system, so there should be no issue of being cheated. If there were, he would be eliminated by the system.
He then took out a money bag from his pack. This bag of money was originally intended for the Magician. Last time, when the blueprints were appraised, the fellow had spilled the money all over the ground.
It was considered payment for the blueprints.
At that time, Chu Tian feared being identified by the system as a transaction because the magic stones were brought in as arbitration.
Therefore, the money the Magician received later was drawn from the Reverse God Alliance guild.
This 200,000 remained in his pack.
Now, he took out 100,000 to let Master Roger have a look.
The other party took it, opened the bag, and upon seeing it,
His small, squinted eyes narrowed even further.
"Come, come, young man... This way, please!"
Master Roger sealed the bag and casually stuffed it into his pocket.
Chu Tian paid it no mind. As the old man tucked the money away, he kicked beneath the bed.
*Click-clack-clack.*
The sound of mechanisms rolling.
The messy, foul-smelling bed,
Split in the middle, slowly extending to both sides.
A descending staircase appeared before Chu Tian.
Master Roger gestured to Chu Tian and walked ahead.
After walking for a long time, Chu Tian felt as though he had descended for quite a while.
The distance was at least 1 kilometer.
Suddenly, the path ahead opened up, and a cave resembling a warehouse was within sight.
"We're here..." Master Roger announced.
He quickened his pace and walked forward.
Chu Tian followed closely behind him, stunned.
Within the vast cavern below, crate after crate of Black Powder.
It filled the entire cave.
No wonder he had said earlier, "100,000 gold, is that acceptable!"
It turned out the old man wasn't bluffing.
His supply was truly abundant.
"Little friend, let me tell you, if you weren't the guild leader of the Reverse God King, I wouldn't have brought you here for 100,000, let alone 200,000!
However, I am indeed eager to move this batch of high-explosive Black Powder.
Keeping it down here makes me uneasy!
If it were to explode one day,
The entire Plague Land would vanish into thin air!"
Upon reaching this location, Master Roger's usual shifty, squinting expression had completely changed.
The two sentences he spoke to Chu Tian felt as if he were pouring out his heart.
Hearing this, Chu Tian re-examined the man.
He felt as if he had become a different person.
The rapid transformation made him a bit unaccustomed.
"Then this 100,000 gold..." Chu Tian felt a little daunted by the massive inventory.
He had previously thought he was rich and fearless.
He had initially believed that carrying 200,000 in his pocket was enough to walk with his head held high.
But upon seeing this immense stock, he feared that 200,000 was merely a drop in the bucket.
"100,000 gold, you can take this pile away!"
Chu Tian followed the direction of his finger and saw a large pile of Black Powder crates stacked there.
He walked up and opened one. The entire box was filled with a dark substance.
In terms of quality, it appeared whiter than the Black Powder sold outside.
Chu Tian knew this was Black Powder synthesized using his self-created distillation technique.
The quality of the product was not an issue,
But Chu Tian frowned and asked,
"Master Roger, if I'm not mistaken, you should have ready-made detonators here, shouldn't you?"
"Hmm...? You want the finished product? It seems you need it urgently!
I do have them, but the price will certainly be higher than just the powder!"
Chu Tian glanced at the quantity of high-explosive Black Powder powder before him.
The old man hadn't cheated him.
He nodded and said,
"Yes, no problem. I have great faith in Master Roger's professionalism and integrity!
However..." Chu Tian paused here, changing his tone.
"However, what?" Master Roger followed up, asking.
Chu Tian was waiting for him to prompt him; if he didn't, how could he draw him in?
"But with my large-scale demand, can we perhaps get a discount?
As you mentioned, my Reverse God Alliance guild is powerful, currently the world's first Level 9 guild.
And the first guild to possess a fortress.
I believe you are aware of my strength.
Perhaps it may not catch Master's eye, but in terms of funds!
There should be no issues. If Master ever faces financial difficulties in the future, I can also offer more support!"
Chu Tian spoke eloquently,
And even made a grand promise.
His intention was simple: to tie Master Roger to the Reverse God Alliance's ship.
Last time, this NPC had remained independent and neutral; as long as he had goods, and you paid, he would sell to you.
In this life, Chu Tian also wanted to try and win him over.
Whether it succeeded or not, he would try to persuade him first.
He hadn't held much hope for this matter; Chu Tian's primary goal was just to get a discount.
However, to his surprise, after he finished speaking,
Master Roger paused and stared at him.