Chapter 218: A Heart Aching Discount Sale
Hun Tong pondered on it, first activating the Gold Eye to investigate who the most valuable bombardment target on and around the new island was.
The result was that the most important target was the dragonman youngster’s delegation!
The second target was his city government building.
“My government treasury has a gold level treasure to cover and protect my property.”
“The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps bringing so much money must mean they want to trade with me!”
Hun Tong guessed the dragonman youngster’s group’s objective.
He immediately flew down.
If the Golden Flash was in better condition, perhaps he could bring the magic ship down, inviting the dragonman youngster and the others to watch, a silent deterrence and flaunting.
But after the battle, the Golden Flash’s deck was covered in holes, only half of the main light cannon was left, and there was only one of the five light cannon turrets remaining.
With it in this state, wanting to ostentatiously fly down with it would undoubtably embarrass him.
Hun Tong also didn’t want to entertain the dragonman youngster and the others at the city government building.
Because the city government building’s gate was blocked with a group of troublesome merchants.
Letting them see this would be too awkward and really harm his majestic presence.
Since this group wants to trade with me, I cannot let those merchants see the coin I receive.” Hun Tong still had a layer of apprehension.
Due to the aforementioned things, he had to go to them and meet the group halfway.
Thus, just as the dragonman youngster and his companions left the port, they saw Hun Tong flying down to them.
“Feudal Lord.” The dragonman youngster and the rest bowed.
Hun Tong held both hands behind his back, he slightly raised his head and adopted a prestigious noble bearing.
But in the eyes of the dragonman youngster and the others, his eyes were very red and dejected, his complexion was pale, and his forehead was soaked in a fine layer of sweat.
“He knows the seafloor treasures have disappeared without a trace.” The dragonman youngster thought.
Hun Tong’s movement had been detected by the Deep Sea Monster Fish, and Zi Di had informed them in real time.
Seeing Hun Tong, the dragonman youngster couldn’t help but think of the first time they saw each other.
Then, Hun Tong had been easy going and looked down with noble grace. Now that he was strong in appearance but weak in reality, it formed a stark contrast.
Zong Ge’s eyes concealed vigilance.
If Hun Tong knew the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had been the ones that took away the seafloor treasures, then he would tear himself apart.
Hun Tong ran his eyes across the group of people, did his best to maintain his noble air, and asked the dragonman youngster, “I saw that you are going to the city government building, are you looking for me?”
“Correct.” The dragonman youngster seized the opportunity to candidly state that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps wanted to leave Two Eyes Island, they had come to pay their respects to the feudal lord to both say goodbye and to make a transaction.
“You will be departing Two Eyes Island?” Hun Tong sighed quite reluctantly.
He still wanted to recruit these people, especially Shi Qi.
His gaze stopped at Shi Qi, but the latter didn’t show a trace of being reluctant to part.
Hun Tong’s heart chilled.
He felt short of breath.
If he had gained the seafloor treasures, he would have thrown a large sum out and do his best to hire Shi Qi, and even the entire Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
But now…he was poor.
No confidence.
The group of talents before him were something he couldn’t reach for.
He was even somewhat vexed, why had he been so extravagant yesterday with the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps rewards?
“Honestly, the battle just ended. Your corps has taken massive losses, it would be better to rest and reorganize on the new island for a few days. Before setting out to sea, it would better to be a bit more stable.” Stated Hun Tong.
But the dragonman youngster had a perfect excuse ready.
He slightly stood aside, suddenly revealing the dwarf Men Shi behind him.
He explained to Hun Tong, “Feudal Lord, during the battle, we got to know a group of true comrades.”
“Now, Men Shi has joined my corps. But his clansmen were kidnapped by that mysterious necromancer.”
“Therefore, we must leave the island as soon as possible and use all of our strength to save his clansmen, our comrades-in-arms.
Hun Tong was amazed for a bit, then slightly perked up his brows.
To him it seemed that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps were a mixed group, now they were bringing in dwarfs. For one silver level military power, this transaction had unknown risks, and the merits and drawbacks were still yet to be seen.
Men Shi looked at the dragonman youngster from behind, his heart brimming with appreciation.
He was very worried about his clansmen, incessantly anxious, but he also knew of the severity of the situation and never spoke up to urge the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps to save his people.
Because he knew that it was very rare that onlookers would risk fighting a necromancer to save his clansmen.
Was he, Men Shi, unable to recognize another’s good intentions and not satisfied with small gains?
Of course not!
Men Shi knew he needed propriety.
But he didn’t expect that the dragonman youngster would inform him that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ simple discussion last night was about saving his clansmen, they would leave the island today and start the pursuit!
The tide of thankfulness drowned Men Shi in an instant.
He decided on the spot to join the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, despite the dragonman youngster’s protests.
Now, when he saw Hun Tong looking at him, Men Shi coldly snorted to himself, “Surely he believes that to save my clansmen, I sold myself into service to the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.”
“Humph, even if this human is a gold level, he cannot compare to Commander Long Fu!”
Men Shi didn’t have a good opinion of Hun Tong.
His people had been auctioned off at Two Eyes Island, treated as slaves to sell.
As Hun Tong scanned Men Shi over, he saw Chi Lai in the crowd.
At the auction, he wasn’t that interested in Chi Lai.
Things are different now.
He only had two silver level subordinates left, unreliable ones at that.
He now thought that although Chi Lai wasn’t a perfect silver level subordinate that didn’t get along with Two Eyes Island and him, if he had become his subordinate, it would greatly help Two Eyes Island over this time of empty!
Unfortunately, he had lost his chance.
Chi Lai now belonged to the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
Hun Tong felt increasing regret when a thought suddenly jumped into his mind, “The battle had caused immense damage to all sides. Yet the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ lineup has instead gotten more powerful. These people…they really are lucky.”
Hun Tong didn’t know that Magician Qing Xin was also on the Iron Lump.
When that came to mind, he felt the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had grown more captivating.
If these people could stay on Two Eyes Island, it would be amazing!
Even if they left one or two silvers, that would be very advantageous.
Despite not having much hope, Hun Tong forced out a laugh and tried one final time, “Last night, I gave my proposal to Shi Qi, have you considered it Commander Long Fu?”
The dragonman youngster deeply sighed, “So sorry, Feudal Lord.”
“Two Eyes Island is certainly a blessed place, and under your governance, it is bound to flourish beyond its past glories.”
“Your Lordship’s sincerity really moved us; it is our regret that circumstances are beyond our control.”
The dragonman youngster tactfully declined.
Hun Tong nodded; this response was expected.
His face was heavy, especially when he saw the treasure chests behind the dragonman youngster, thinking of his “sincerity” last night made his heart ache even more.
The dragonman youngster took out a list of items and handed it to Hun Tong, “These are the goods my corps wishes to purchase from the Feudal Lord.”
Hun Tong scanned it, he saw on the list that there were many coral materials, the Fragrant Gill Tea, ships, and more.
One of Two Eyes Island’s specialties was its various types of coral, because Two Eyes Island was a gigantic coral ball cage tree.
The Fragrant Gill Tea was something Hun Ton had intentionally invested in, and after countless failures, he had made it.
“Your corps has excellent taste.” Hun Tong praised the dragonman youngster, which was actually praising himself.
“Eh, water pigmen?” When Hun Tong saw this towards the end of the list, he paused slightly.
He soon recalled that he had purchased a group of these beastmen slaves at the auction.
Those slaves were water pigmen.
They had come from the upper reaches of Three Color River, a human slave team had captured them and reduced them to slaves.
In the survivors’ original purchase plan, Zong Ge wanted to buy these water pigmen a lot.
At the time, he had listed the many merits of the water pigmen.
“We need these water pigmen, their bloodline is very compatible with the Backwater Battle Qi technique. Not only do I know the cultivation method of the Backwater Battle Qi technique, but I also understand how to establish a Backwater Battle Squad.”
“With these water pigmen, we will have top quality sailors.”
“Water pigmen are easy to provide for and aren’t picky eaters. They can fish for themselves and normally, every adult water pigman is an expert fisher. During famine, they can even use river sand to allay their hunger, their powerful stomachs can let them digest it barely.”
“During naval battles, we will have an all new route of attack – we can attack enemy ships with the water pigmen.”
“Backwater Battle Qi can let someone operate in water for a long time, and after it is given to the water pigmen, they will redouble its power.”
But because of Qing Xin’s sudden appearance, the survivors had spent a large sum purchasing the blond mother and child, along with the other human slaves, causing them to lose the water pigmen to Hun Tong.
Now, the survivors were swimming in cash, making impressive money from the battle.
Therefore, they wanted to purchase them from Hun Tong.
Hun Tong thought deeply.
He originally bought these water pigmen slaves because the price was decent, for at the end of the auction, everyone had spent most of their money.
In addition, the water pigmen were well suited for the constantly sinking and rising island environment.
But circumstances are different now.
Two Eyes Island had suffered disastrous damage.
Half the silver levels were dead, the city guard had been decimated, and everything needed to be rebuilt.
Under these circumstances, having many of these water pigmen slaves here would instead be a hidden danger.
To Hun Tong, these beastmen needed to be strictly disciplined.
As Two Eyes Island was now, there wasn’t the energy to spare to discipline these beastmen.
Thinking of that, Hun Tong said, “This makes me embarrassed, at the time, when I purchased those water pigmen, I naturally didn’t plan on selling them.”
“Truth be told, if another person asked for them, I would have immediately refused them.”
But…if it your corps, I will sell them as a favor, so long as the price is appropriate.”
This was the patter of a businessman.
Since he didn’t have the seafloor valuables, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps deciding to drop by was a good opportunity that Hun Tong wouldn’t let slip by.
He wanted to negotiate this transaction as best he could, so he could obtain more valuable capital.
Following their plan, the dragonman youngster didn’t reply, instead Zong Ge stepped forth, “Feudal Lord, this transaction is with me.”
“I am somewhat interested in the water pigmen, just a personal interest.”
“The corps put up with it and added it to the transaction list.”
“I can only afford this amount. I won’t be able to buy I can’t buy it at any price above it” Zong Ge raised four fingers.
In a split second, Hun Tong became furious.
“I bought it at a price many times the one you’re offering!”
Zong Ge retracked his fingers, shook his head, and went back into the crowd, “Since I can’t afford it, I won’t buy them.”
“Huh?” Hun Tong stared blankly.
Zong Ge’s unconventional move made him feel at a loss.
Normally, you should push a bit to raise the price.
Why don’t you want to buy it?
The dragonman youngster stepped forward and broker a compromise, “Feudal Lord, please don’t blame Shi Qi. This is his nature, straightforward. That price really is all of his personal savings, it is the limit of his financial resources”
“I understand.” Hun Tong nodded, his gaze back at Zong Ge nevertheless filling with more admiration.
He seized the opportunity to say, “Shi Qi, if you join Two Eyes Island, I will gift these water pigmen to you as a present!”
Zong Ge forced a smile and shook his head.
When the dragonman youngster saw Hun Tong staring at Zong Ge, he took a step forward to obstruct his gaze with his body.
“How about this.” The dragonman youngster said, “I will pay too, and increase Shi Qi’s price.”
Hun Tong’s face sank, “Even if you add to it, it won’t match my purchase price. Commander Long Fu, if you want to keep the hearts of men, a bit of money is not enough to keep them.”
He used Zong Ge to pressure the dragonman youngster into increasing the price.
The dragonman youngster clenched his teeth and increased the price.
As Hun Tong said that Zong Ge interjected, “Commander, forget about it, I have a passing interest in these water pigmen, that’s all.”
“Is that so…” The dragonman youngster sighed.
Seeing that the two people seemed to be giving up, Hun Tong’s eyelids suddenly jumped open.
How is this possible?
This group of water pigmen can be sold for capital.
Hun Tong also deeply sighed, “Enough.”
“We are all friends.”
“Let’s go with the final price! To tell the truth, I have never sold something at such a loss. But you are different Shi Qi, selling it to you will make me happy too.”
As he said that, Hun Tong’s heart ached faintly again.
This was a bargain price.
The dragonman youngster and Zong Ge glanced at each other, thinking the same thing: Zi D’s plan really was effective!