An old man hobbled out of the shop, brandishing a titanium feather duster. “I’m going to kill you, you ungrateful bastard!”
Han Wu observed him and noticed that the old man’s legs weren’t flesh and blood. chanical limbs had replaced them, and each step ca with a creak and clatter.
Ji Zhongyi hid behind Han Wu and shouted, “Fine, beat ! If you don’t beat to death today, I will make sure to pull the oxygen tube out of your mouth on your deathbed!”
The old man was so angry that the titanium feather duster started cracking in his grip. “I swear I will kill you today!”
The old man and Ji Zhongyi ran around Han Wu in circles until even Han Wu felt a bit disorientated. At last, exhaustion slowed Ji Zhongyi. The old man caught him, bound him securely, and tossed him into a back room.
After dealing with his son, the old man approached them and apologised, “Dear custors, I’m sorry for letting you witness that embarrassing bastard of a son. I’m the owner of this shop. My na is Ji Dezhu. How may I help you?”
Kerry laid out all the Energy Parts that they had been carrying. “We want to sell all of these.”
At the sight of so many Energy Parts, Ji Dezhu’s eyes lit up. Energy Parts were remarkable items, extrely durable and considered top-tier products sought after by most chanics. He didn’t need to worry about not being able to sell them. The more Energy Parts the group was willing to part with, the more money Ji Dezhu would be able to earn.
“Dear custors, please wait for a mont while I appraise everything,” Ji Dezhu said, bowing politely. He even instructed a shop assistant to serve them tea and dried fruits.
Ji Dezhu also placed the shop’s product catalogue on their table. Kerry moved closer to assist him with appraising the Energy Parts, while Han Wu flipped through the catalogue out of boredom, idly snacking as he read.
The catalogue listed every item the shop owned. Notably, there was a certain chanical mouse that the shop had in large supply.
Before he could even ask about it, the shop assistant explained eagerly, “This must be your first ti in Mayfort. The chanical mouse is essential for exploring the Lightless Sewers. The restricted zone is subterranean, and there’s no light at all. The sewers are like a maze.
“It’s easy to get lost down there. Having a chanical mouse drastically reduces that risk. We are also having a promotion. Buy three and get one free. Buy five and get two free. Buy ten and get four free. You definitely won’t regret purchasing from us.”
The assistant kept talking at length, enthusiastically promoting the shop’s services.
Han Wu, however, remained stoic and gave no indication of his thoughts, no matter how hard the assistant tried.
Even though Han Wu was a beginner in chanical engineering, he could tell how simple the chanical mouse’s components were. He only needed the materials, and Kerry could make tens of them. Why would he waste money on sothing like this? Enercoins didn’t fall from the sky.
When the assistant realized that Han Wu had no intention of purchasing anything, his mood soured. He backed away and abandoned his pitch. On the other hand, Han Wu continued flipping through the catalogue to see what else they offered.
Other than chanical devices, they also sold chips. Chips were integral for most automatons, since a powerful and compatible chip would change an automaton’s directives.
Han Wu looked at his left arm, or rather, the Machine God’s left arm. It was rated EX, and he had no idea what it ant. Was it higher or lower than an X rating? He wanted to find out, so he waved at the assistant as he read the catalogue.
The assistant smiled and hurried over. “Dear custor, is there anything you need?”
Han Wu chuckled at the speed of the attitude change. “I want so powerful chips. Do you have any recomndations?”
“You have an excellent eye. All of our chips co from a master, so their functionality is second to none. We have the Level 6 Lightning Fist chip, which converts energy into powerful Electric and Kinetic Energy. It’s a popular chip to install in chanical beasts.
“Then there’s the Level 7 Railgun chip. It converts energy into powerful electricity and magnetic force. Its projectiles can punch through twenty-centiter-thick steel plates with ease. However, you will need a cannon barrel with a twenty-centiter diater to use this chip.
“Then there’s...” The assistant was only introducing the very expensive chips. None of them cost less than five digits.
Han Wu didn’t want to deflate his enthusiasm, so he chose the Level 3 Piston Punch chip, which cost 3,000 Enercoins. “Give this one.”
The assistant felt crestfallen. After all that effort, Han Wu only wanted a chip worth 3,000 Enercoins. All that work had gone to waste. Nonetheless, he couldn’t reveal his frustration and rely said in a cold tone, “Let get it.”
He soon retrieved the chip. Han Wu took it and waved him off to attend to other matters. The assistant frowned and pouted slightly. He didn’t want to serve a custor as poor as Han Wu.
After chasing the assistant away, Han Wu touched the chip with his left arm. A chanical voice whirred to life in his mind.
[Appraising chip...]
[Appraisal complete. Level 3 chip, Piston Punch, has a compatibility rating of 12% with the current chip sets. Not recomnded to equip it. Do you want to replace the chip sets?]
An interface appeared in front of him, showing that the Level 10 Cable Form chip was still equipped. It was asking if he wanted to replace it with his Level 3 Piston Punch chip. Only an idiot would do that. He would never exchange a Level 10 chip for a Level 3. He declined the option, and the Level 3 chip reappeared in his left hand.
His interest in his left arm deepened. He wanted to know how powerful it could beco if he gathered a full set of compatible chips. He waved to summon the assistant again.
The assistant hesitated. He still assud that Han Wu was poor, but his employer stood nearby, and he didn’t want to make it too obvious. He forced a smile and approached Han Wu. “Dear custor, is there anything you need?”
Han Wu showed him the catalogue and pointed to a page filled with chips. “Give everything on this page.”
The assistant was stunned. In all his years working there, he had never heard of such an absurd request. There were hundreds of chips listed on that page alone, with a total value easily reaching tens of millions.
In an instant, his assumption collapsed, and he thought that Han Wu wasn’t a poor bastard but a hidden billionaire.
“What? Didn’t you hear ? I want this page,” Han Wu urged the assistant.
“Yes, sir. Please wait, sir. I will get them now!” The assistant dashed into the storeroom faster than an automaton with jet boots.
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