The system heard Lin Zhan's words and felt the situation could be salvaged. It quickly explained:
"Master Zhan, while I did skim a bit off the middle price, I would never harm you, because we are one. I exist because of you, and if you die, I die too."
"This is the best explanation I can give you. Believe it or not, if you don't believe me, find someone to kill me."
Lin Zhan hadn't sought out the system immediately upon waking because he was contemplating the unexpected events that had transpired. Yet, no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't find a reason for the system to betray him.
Besides, although this "dog system" was greedy, black-hearted, lacked morals, and engaged in all sorts of trickery and deception.
It had been quite reliable since young master Lin stepped onto the path of martial arts, showing no malicious intent.
Lin Zhan nodded, but also secretly considered that while this incident was an accident, this shameless "dog system" still needed to be kept in check, otherwise who knew how it would try to cheat him in the future.
"You dog system, not only did you harm me, but you dared to skim off the middle price! Tell me honestly, how much did you actually take?"
The system hesitantly replied, "Except for the time I treated your father, which was calculated at cost, I haven't taken much on the others. Just about eighty percent."
Lin Zhan's vision went black, and he immediately roared:
"No wonder you said you couldn't harm me! You truly thought I was a foolish rich man! You haven't taken much, just eighty percent? Then how much were you planning to take, ninety-eight percent?"
The system shook its head and said, "That's impossible. At most, it would be ninety-five percent. Anything more and I couldn't guarantee the quality."
Lin Zhan gasped for air and said, "Eighty percent is already gone, what quality are you guaranteeing? I'm telling you, compensate me immediately, or no one will be able to help you this time."
The system sighed and said, "Sigh, fine, I admit it. I'll compensate. Just don't go too far, after all, I also need energy for sustenance."
Lin Zhan nodded and said, "You should have said so earlier. Let's take a look at this. Compensate me according to this list."
He transmitted the prepared list of supplies to the system.
"Uh, emergency medicine, aphrodisiacs, life-saving pills, Great Returning Pills, Leg-Stretching Staring-Eyes Pills, premium liquors..."
Without another word, the system directly exchanged all sorts of resources, medicines, liquors, equipment, and weapons according to the list.
"Host, everything has been exchanged for you and stored in the system space. You can retrieve them yourself."
Lin Zhan used his mental power to examine the items and nodded:
"I'll let this slide this time. Next time, make sure it's accurate, otherwise, if you really ruin me, you'll be finished too. Alright, you can withdraw. I'm going to spend time with my wife."
The system severed its mental connection with Lin Zhan and felt Lin Zhan's smugness:
"Fortunately, I was prepared and was guarding against you demanding compensation. Unfortunately, the host is still too young. This little bit is still far from my bottom line."
"This dog host, still going to spend time with his wife? If I fool him for a while longer, he won't even be able to afford to keep his wife."
"Never mind getting angry at this dog host for now, I can't be bothered. These goods won't be able to cheat money anymore. I need to go to the ancestors and get some new stock. Then I'll add a high price and continue to fool this dog host."
Lin Zhan, having gotten a bunch of resources from the system for free, was in a great mood. He took Zhang Lingxiu's hand, preparing for a romantic candlelit dinner for the two of them.
And so, their harmony was profound, and the night passed without incident.
The next morning, Lin Zhan woke up early and sat at the dining table eating breakfast.
The young Taoist priest, with his short legs, rushed in from outside and sat opposite Lin Zhan.
He casually picked up a meat bun, took a bite, and said while eating:
"Brother, the arsenal sent a message. The samples of the new weapons are ready and can be put into practical testing."
Lin Zhan's eyes lit up, and he happily said, "That's great news! By the way, brother-in-law, what's the strength of the new weapons?"
Zhang Haoming, who was working on his second meat bun, said indistinctly:
"The overall material strength has reached platinum-grade material strength. There shouldn't be any problems anymore."
Lin Zhan's eyes darted, and he turned to Lin Jiu, saying, "Lin Jiu, go invite Old Ancestor Liu Che, Old Ancestor Liu Xiu, my great-great-grandfather, and our own ancestor."
A moment later, the four, including Di Xin, walked in: "What is it, Zhan'er? What happened that you summoned us all?"
Lin Zhan looked at them and quickly stood up to bow: "Greetings to all the ancestors, and greetings to my great-great-grandfather."
"The samples of our new weapons are out. We plan to go take a look with you elders. We'll use the excuse of dealing with my two disobedient fathers, as the two嫡女 from the Qian family will be picking up my troublesome fathers today."
Lin Zhan interjected from the side: "Young Master, the eldest uncle and second uncle were already picked up by the two嫡女 from the Qian family last night and did not stay with Lin Long."
Lin Zhan was stunned: "Holy crap, these two old bastards are planning to make it real? Are they really trying to find me a stepmother? Ancestors, Great-great-grandfather, for scoundrels like these, shouldn't you two give them a severe beating?"
Di Xin and Lin Wu exchanged glances and nodded: "This matter must be strictly punished. Only Zhan'er in our family can find a concubine; no one else even dreams of it. Especially Dazhen and Shanhe, after all these years they've only managed to become Lords. How did they manage that? With their talent, finding a concubine would be a waste. It's better to keep the resources for cultivating Zhan'er, Xiu Yatou, Ya'er, and this little fatty."
As he spoke, Di Xin pointed at the young Taoist priest Zhang Haoming, who was still struggling with his buns.
Liu Che and Liu Xiu looked bewildered and said, "Wait, this is your family business. What do you want us to do? Our status isn't suitable for helping you catch someone in the act."
Lin Zhan quickly said:
"I almost forgot to tell the two old ancestors. Haven't the new weapons been successfully researched? You two have extensive combat experience. We want you to help inspect them and see if there are any deficiencies."
"Furthermore, knowing that you two are born with full luck points, I also want to borrow your luck to ensure my new weapon is successful on its first try."
Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, and Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, hearing Lin Zhan's flattery, were quite pleased. They said:
"Your words, young man, are very pleasant for your ancestors to hear. Rest assured, if I don't dare to say anything else, if it comes to who can fight, our father and son can only bully the younger ones. But if it comes to who can find good things, there are truly few people in the whole of Huaxia who can surpass us."
Lin Zhan, seeing the two great Han emperors getting a bit carried away, quickly added another compliment:
"Of course, that's a given. You two are the two great mascots of Huaxia personally chosen by the ancestors! With you two here, I'm as good as accomplished."