Armor-Piercing Munition: Face Me, Carbon-Based Monster!
Chapter 108 - 20 The Treasure of Mountain City

Chapter 108: Chapter 20 The Treasure of Mountain City

The inheritance of civilization must include two parts.

One part is ideology, the other part is technology.

Chen Jian had two questions to ask Wang Lizhi. The first question was to confirm whether they held the same ideology as him, and the second question was to confirm their true level of technology.

If the other party could answer the first question, regardless of the result of the second question, it would prove that they were likely cooperative and perhaps even compatible allies.

However, if the other party could only answer the second question, it would prove that the transmission of their ideology had been severed. No matter how advanced their technology was, they could only cooperate cautiously and use it with control.

Unfortunately, Wang Lizhi did not know the answer to the first question.

He merely looked calmly at Chen Jian and said:

"Who are you? You are the Huaxia Army, the masters of Yellow Stone City, the legendary chosen ones, and the ’ghosts of the old era’ in some people’s words."

"Of course, you were once labeled as ’Mimic Heretics,’ but we know you are not."

"Is there another answer to this question?"

Chen Jian sighed.

"Of course there is, but now, I see no need to tell you."

"Prepare to answer the second question."

Wang Lizhi’s eyes showed a hint of confusion, seemingly not understanding what Chen Jian wanted to ask.

What flag? What identity?

He was sure the leader never mentioned these things, and if they were so important, the leader would have told him in advance...

He looked at Chen Jian, who then opened his mouth to ask:

"If one were to conduct a science experiment for the purpose of research to determine a specific function of an element, what are the two most important steps?"

Wang Lizhi was taken aback.

He tentatively answered:

"Using experience and extensive trials?"

"...Alright, I understand."

Chen Jian turned and looked at the other team members, and from the reactions of Lei Jie and the others, Chen Jian confirmed his judgment.

The Ring Chamber of Commerce was not as "advanced" as he had imagined.

They might possess some advanced technology, but these technologies did not originate from them, but from certain "inheritances."

They might have the concept of "control groups" and "control variables," but if this "concept" is not expressed in specific, precise language, it would prove that their inheritance of the scientific system is actually fragmented and broken.

This was also largely consistent with the findings Shen Yue obtained through interrogation earlier.

To this point, the position of the Ring Chamber of Commerce was made entirely clear to Chen Jian.

They were not an advanced organization transcending this world; they were merely "temporarily ahead" on the basis of certain inheritances.

These inheritances will eventually be depleted, and the reason they do not intervene in disputes or expand their influence is likely related to this.

Chen Jian’s expression was one of disappointment, while Wang Lizhi opposite him was completely in the dark.

He could sense Chen Jian’s emotions, and what he didn’t understand was, what did these two questions represent?

Why was the other party so disappointed after he gave his answers?

Wang Lizhi wanted to ask, but Chen Jian had already raised his hand and then said:

"Let’s continue our trade."

"What do you want, and what can you bring to us?"

Upon hearing the question, Wang Lizhi could only temporarily set aside his doubts and responded:

"Naturally, what we want is your information, which Qin Yuan has mentioned long ago."

"Additionally, we would like to leverage your abilities."

"There is a place that is very dangerous."

"But I think you can go there and come back safely."

"Go there, and bring back the information for us."

"As for the reward... I can only say we will do our utmost."

"Do your utmost?"

Chen Jian was slightly surprised and then asked:

"Is it the ’do your utmost’ as I understand it? Whatever we ask for, you’ll give us?"

"Yes."

Wang Lizhi nodded slowly, then added:

"However, you need to make thorough preparations—according to our leader, with your current strength, you are not yet capable of challenging that ’forbidden area.’

"So, even though our ultimate goal is the information on that forbidden area, in the short term, under our assistance, you need to expand your strength as much as possible in the form of ’trade.’

"When the time is right, we will propose a new trade and provide the necessary resources to support your actions."

"Understood."

Chen Jian nodded in agreement and then asked:

"Where do we need to go? Mountain City?"

Wang Lizhi’s expression shifted slightly, but it seemed he wasn’t overly surprised by Chen Jian’s response.

He merely exhaled lightly and then replied:

"Yes, Mountain City."

"Since memory, no one has ever been able to enter that forbidden area."

"We still don’t know what is there."

"But everyone shares a common guess: it surely holds the most reliable information related to the apocalypse, and it surely conceals the richest inheritances from before the cataclysm."

"It’s a... treasure."

"The one who opens this treasure may have the chance to truly end this apocalypse."

"To be honest, we’ve also made some attempts before, but without exception, they all failed."

"Thus, this will be our new round of attempts."

"How about it, are you willing to join us in trying to open the treasure?"

"Yes."

Chen Jian answered decisively, then asked without hesitation:

"What preparations do we need to make?"

"No one knows."

Wang Lizhi shrugged and answered:

"But we do have a... preliminary standard."

"If you believe you have the ability to take down a Level 1 Monster head-on, then your preparations are sufficient."

"Level 1 Monster?"

Chen Jian shook his head and asked:

"Is there any organization in this world with that capability?"

"No."

Wang Lizhi answered honestly:

"So, no one has been able to open the treasure of Mountain City."

"I see."

Chen Jian finally lowered the barrel of the 191 he was holding, and then he said:

"This trade can be completed."

"Now, show your sincerity."

"You’re not going to tell me that the box of useless missiles and the dozen cheap rocket shells you brought are all your bargaining chips, are you?"

"Of course not."

Wang Lizhi’s face finally showed some smiles.

The smooth negotiation made him feel happy and almost made him forget about the two questions Chen Jian had previously put to him.

Although he still hadn’t figured out the deeper meaning of those two questions.

After a small cough, he said:

"We brought a new contract."

"I hope you understand that we are businessmen, so we do not do loss-making business."

"Naturally, we can’t provide unlimited support before you are prepared to enter Mountain City."

"Thus, all support will be accomplished in the form of trade."

"But we can guarantee that the trade with you will be more favorable than our trades with others."

"And much more favorable at that."

"Reasonable."

Chen Jian did not refute, and Wang Lizhi clapped his hands in satisfaction, then asked:

"So, I can assume we can discuss the specifics of the contract now?"

"Yes."

"No problem—the contents of the contract are quite simple. We need you to clear all obstacles on the trade route from Yellow Stone City to Jinling City, ensuring its smoothness."

"No matter if the enemies are monsters, bandits, Blood Skulls, or those... scoundrels from Huadu."

"In any case, you need to ensure that our caravans are not disturbed on their journey."

"We have already delineated some targets, and all you need to do is refer to these targets and clear them one by one."

"How about it? Simple, right?"

"What’s better is that this contract is also beneficial to you."

"By ensuring the smooth operation of the trade route, Yellow Stone City is guaranteed to receive more support. This is... a win-win contract."

"As for your reward... after each successful battle, we will provide you with a detailed list."

"You can select the reward you want from the list."

"I have already brought the first list."

"So, this is actually a bounty mission?"

Chen Jian frowned and asked.

"Similar to a bounty mission, just broader in scope."

Wang Lizhi nodded in response as he handed over the list to Chen Jian.

Chen Jian looked down and directly skipped the sections with the most entries, such as supplies, gold, and common weapons.

His attention was only on the last line.

[One Level 3 Managed technology; one Level 3 Managed equipment (quantity to be determined)]

"What exactly is it?"

Chen Jian asked.

"Upon completing the first round of missions, we will open the full list of Level 3 Managed technology and equipment to you."

"At that point, you can choose as you please."

"Reasonable."

Chen Jian nodded once more.

"So, our trade is concluded?"

Wang Lizhi probed and asked.

"It’s concluded."

Chen Jian reached out his hand, and Wang Lizhi did the same to shake hands.

He then said:

"May our endeavor become ever more magnificent, may our wisdom grow ever deeper. Eureka!"