Chapter 64: Encounter of The Third Kind

Chapter 64: Encounter of The Third Kind

Without a second thought, Yang Qiu closed the webpage. He didn't even bother to reply.

The sugar coating was thick, and the bombs wrapped within were huge. Although Yang Qiu was extremely tempted by the candy shell outside the bombs, he couldn't handle this firepower right now!

Cement and fertilizer production lines were one thing, but even the smallest ten-thousand-kilowatt thermal power generator unit easily cost millions of RMB. This candy-coated temptation would easily suffocate Yang Qiu!

Most frustrating were "Director Lu's" undisguised intentions—the cement and fertilizer production lines were still manageable. An African worker trained for a couple of months could get up to speed, and even an average person from this other world could be transformed into an industrial worker with some teaching.

But could someone from this other world, who didn't even have an elementary school diploma, operate a thermal power generator unit?

If Yang Qiu took the cement and fertilizer production lines, he couldn't possibly ignore the power generator units. Would he then need to arrange operators for the thermal power generator units?

Would he need to plan the logistics supply route for the coal used for power generation?

What about arranging for personnel to lay electrical circuits and maintaining high-voltage electrical boxes?Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com

Yang Qiu could imagine that if he dared to take this bait, the shortfall of hundreds of "Tool Player Exclusive" helmets would come crashing down on him—otherwise, was he to let all that complementary machinery sit in his yard gathering dust? Furthermore, his yard might not even be large enough to accommodate it all!

Taking a step back, even if Yang Qiu could fulfill the demand for these several hundred "Tool Player Exclusive" helmets, he still wouldn't agree to it. After all, if he did so, the development of the territory would be entirely at the mercy of others.

I can't provide so many helmets right now, and even if I could, I wouldn't be foolish enough to hand over the initiative to someone else. Has this person lost their mind? This approach is drastically different from the previous behavior... Wait!

Yang Qiu frowned as he realized things weren't as simple as they seemed.

The original identity of "Director Lu" was just a scientist.

Although Yang Qiu didn't know who was using the ID "Director Lu" to communicate with him over the Internet, he was certain it was related to the organization connected to the original "Director Lu."

Would a typical governmental organization casually allocate tens of millions in resources just to impress?

That was impossible—even in cases where local governments colluded with external parties to embezzle central funds, there would be projects created that appeared decent on the surface. Preparations were made, and even results that looked somewhat plausible in order to pass muster would be produced. But even if they managed to get away with it initially, they would inevitably face questioning and investigation later on, followed by a series of resignations.

An organization related to neuroscience research, being so lavish as to allocate resources worth several tens of millions just to gain favor though...

Yang Qiu came to a realization: "..."

As someone from Earth himself, Yang Qiu thought about it from the perspective of his pre-transmigration self and could roughly guess what the person behind the "Director Lu" account and their associated organization were thinking.

They weren't really after helmets or other superficial needs. Their curiosity lay in an "encounter with the third kind," a pressing need to understand something beyond humanity, something extraterrestrial!

This other world, wasn't it just an alien planet!

The few "informants," Ji Tang, Master Liu, and Old Geng, had personally interacted with living individuals beyond Exile Town and learned that there were other human forces aside from Exile Town and Taranthan. It was impossible that "Director Lu" wasn't curious about the world where Taranthan was situated.

In other words, "Director Lu" was no longer content with engaging in uneventful and trivial "backdoor transactions." They now wished to forcefully open the door to the other world and forcibly subdue the "gatekeeper," Yang Qiu.

What did millions of dollars worth of equipment matter? If Yang Qiu dared to give in, he had no doubt that "Director Lu" would be even more enthusiastically supportive of his pursuit of supremacy. After all, manipulating proxies was a play that the Chinese were well adept at; they just disdained active participation.

Once Yang Qiu understood the intricacies behind this, he became more composed instead. He could empathize with "Director Lu's" curiosity and thirst for knowledge, but... there was absolutely no "encounter of the third kind." All there was, was a game.

No matter how you people interpret it, as far as I'm concerned, "OtherWorld" is just a game!

"Why not? Though it's somewhat noisy, Taranthan undead are indeed the friendliest non-human creatures I've encountered." Inspector Lowell put down his cup and glanced nonchalantly at Yang Qiu.

His demeanor was even more indifferent, and he exuded the air of an affluent master.

Yang Qiu: "..."

Yang Qiu hadn't spared any expense when he invited the Holy Legion cavalry unit to Exile Town. Besides accommodation and food for several days, he had even provided additional supplies and rations for their return journey.

Initially, Yang Qiu had ulterior motives regarding his actions.

However, the one Yang Qiu hoped to persuade to stay with this expenditure was the "young man," Jorge Andres.

Having experienced being just slightly over a century old before, Yang Qiu was well aware of the fervor that noble ideals and lofty aspirations could inspire in young minds. He was confident that by using the bait of a brighter future in Exile Town compared to Carmore, he could ignite Andres's ambition and convince him to stay.

Therefore, he had specially engaged with Andres's superior in a discussion on the "future"—the same words said to Andres by both Yang Qiu and Lowell would weigh differently. If Yang Qiu spoke directly with "young" Andres, who was guarded against him, the latter would definitely be suspicious of any ulterior motives.

Ironically, perhaps Yang Qiu's display had been a tad too convincing, and he watched as Andres led his men away. Instead, it was Lowell, the more seasoned old-timer, who chose to stay...

Yang Qiu was somewhat regretful regarding this outcome. After all, both having lived for so long, surely they would understand each other well enough. Turning Lowell into an ally was clearly out of the question. This fellow obviously believed he was scheming, ambitious, and a top-tier threat. Yang Qiu would be content as long as Lowell didn't tread on any of his sore spots.

But, of course, Yang Qiu was one to be restricted by the apprehensions of others. Regardless of Lowell's watchful gaze on him, he had tasks at hand that couldn't be delayed.

Yang Qiu took off his outer robe and hung it up, then casually poured himself a cup of tea before taking a seat in his usual high-backed chair, facing Lowell.

"The Taranthan undead are different from others because they possess pure, newborn souls, curious about this world," Yang Qiu said with a smile. "I appreciate the purity of these undead, but you must understand, respected inspector, that the nature of this world is not as simple as the undead might perceive."

Lowell, accustomed to Yang Qiu's bold statements, fell into a brief silence...

Lowell wasn't able to refute one bit with regard to Yang Qiu's use of the word "purity" to describe these undead beings. In some sense, these undead treated him with more respect than some of the Camore outcasts did.

Having ventured out himself while Yang Qiu was away, Lowell noticed how the undead would avoid the commoners sweeping the streets, not wanting to disturb them, yet they frequently pestered him.

Not categorizing people based on status and identity, to a certain extent, could still be considered pure.

"From the sound of it, are you planning to teach these summoned undead about the dangers of the world?" Lowell asked sarcastically.

"Exactly. The undead have forgotten the heavy burdens and pain from their past lives. They are innocent, newly born entities in this world," Yang Qiu said, his tone earnest and serious. "They yearn for exploration, for magic and power. They hope to possess greater strength to eliminate the monsters that threaten humanity's living space and protect their homes and people.

"Given our respective roles, we must acknowledge the nobility, sanctity, and loftiness of this goal. As a summoner, I am more than willing to guide these adorable beings with all my might."

Lowell: "..."

The black-robed inspector felt an overwhelming numbness within him as his expression became wooden. Whatever. Apply grand words like "noble" and "sanctified" to undead creatures if it makes you happy...

Suppressing the discomfort, Black-robed Inspector Lowell forcibly inquired, "So, Yang, what exactly do you plan to do with these undead?"

Yang Qiu had a serious look as he said solemnly, "I believe it's time to teach the undead the concept of 'the price of power.' Everything I do from now on is aimed at helping them understand the true nature of this world. I want to make it clear, respected inspector, that my only intention is to avoid any misunderstandings between us. I highly value the Goddess of Prosperity myself and hold a deep respect for ascetics like you. I would be truly disappointed if our friendship were to suffer due to misunderstandings."

Lowell: "..."

When did we even become friends... But that's not important for now. What is it exactly that you want to do with these undead?!