When disaster struck, I became a big shot surviving in the ocean.
Chapter 98: Hot Potato

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Hot Potato

Chen Qing swiftly began to review the materials that Xia Li and Brown had sent over.

Even if she didn’t trade with those Gem Hunters, learning this related knowledge couldn’t hurt.

Moreover, Chen Qing had some ideas for the upcoming gem fishing activities, though she didn’t know if she could finish before the end of the Gemstone Hurricane.

After all, this time she wasn’t just assembling according to the blueprint, but had to start drawing the blueprint from scratch.

After going through the materials once and picking out the useful ones to keep in her workshop, she rearranged her workshop a bit. Only then did Chen Qing glance at the time; it was almost time.

Upon reaching the deck, Chen Qing saw several Gem Hunters waiting below her ship.

The Gem Hunters had heard what Chen Qing had said earlier; they had come here to try their luck.

However, this matter had not been spread around, indicating that the Gem Hunters still possessed some reasoning and sense.

Chen Qing leaned on the railing of the deck and looked down, counting a total of 11 Gem Hunters.

The dock of Jade Island wasn’t as bustling as Sapphire Island, which was more chaotic. The docks of Jade Island did not allow civilian vendors to approach.

The dock was quiet, with only occasional noises coming from the pirate ship.

"Come up,"

Chen Qing’s voice was as cold as the night of Jade Island. Hearing her voice, the faces of the Gem Hunters, who had been squatting at the bottom of the boat for a long while, lit up with joy.

Apart from the first Gem Hunter who had called out to Chen Qing and was invited by her, the others had come on their own initiative.

They were somewhat nervous inside.

Thankfully, Chen Qing agreed to let them aboard.

The Superpower Vine on the ship had already tidied up the rooms and prepared tea and snacks, facilitating the conversation between them.

The invited Gem Hunters were arranged in a line by the Superpower Vine, waiting on the deck first, then entering the room one by one to meet with Chen Qing.

This process was rather time-consuming, but considering that none of the Gem Hunters carried a money pouch or space items,

they were likely to engage in barter trade, which was safer for everyone, trading one by one.

The first to enter the room was the Gem Hunter who had first inquired of Chen Qing.

Chen Qing preferred quick battles, with a simple and clear approach: payment made, goods exchanged, transaction done.

Her terms were laid out openly, with no room for further bargaining.

The Gem Hunters were very perceptive, keeping the conversation minimal throughout. Most of the items they brought out were top-grade gemstones from their own collections,

not limited to Jade from Jade Island, but including others like Blue Sea Crystal, Fish Demon Pearl, and Black Rose Bone Diamond, among others.

The names were all very appealing, and the quality was quite high.

Most of the time, Chen Qing needed to add some goldfish to the deals, though there were also Gem Hunters who brought goldfish.

Among the many Gem Hunters, one nicknamed Sea Urchin offered something special for the trade.

It was a Mechanical Diagram, surprisingly, an A-rated blueprint.

[Light Gold Sword Dance Mantis (A-rated) (Incomplete Failure Version): A battle-type military factory Mechanical Creation, possessing exceptionally rapid attack capabilities, as well as imitation camouflage ability.

Due to the incomplete failure version, the Sword Dance Mantis has some uncontrollable factors, please handle with caution.]

"This is stolen goods, just give whatever feels right; I have an idea of its worth,"

Sea Urchin said nonchalantly, knowing full well it was a hot potato in his hands—as long as he could get rid of it, the exact amount didn’t matter.

"But if someone comes looking for this later, it’s not my problem,"

he said, dangling a cigarette from his mouth, his legs casually thrown over the table in a carefree manner.

Chen Qing gave him a cold glance, and Sea Urchin hurriedly and sulkily put down his legs—she was indeed intimidating.

"Although this blueprint has its problems, it is the first A-rated blueprint produced by the Deep Blue Sea,"

Sea Urchin took a deep drag on his cigarette, a trace of melancholy in his eyes that was not easily noticeable.

If he had known earlier how troublesome this thing was, he would never have agreed to Liv’s request, even if it killed him.

But Liv was still being hunted, her head now worth more than Daliya’s, he needed to quickly sell this blueprint.

Sea Urchin was not a mechanic, although he understood the value of this blueprint, he did not know how truly important it was.

Chen Qing stared at the blueprint, and a guess formed in her mind.

With the ability of mechanics from the Deep Blue Sea, they definitely did not have the capability to create an A-rated mechanical creation, even if it was just a partially failed version.

Even now that Chen Qing was a School Mechanic, she wouldn’t dare claim she could create an A-rated blueprint.

This blueprint was likely based on some mechanical creation they referenced.

Mechanical Relics...

But, based on Chen Qing’s earlier speculation, the Mechanical Association’s attitude towards mechanical relics inclined towards non-interference.

But now a blueprint had leaked... and there might be more than this one.

This blueprint is very troublesome.

Chen Qing remained silent for a long time. For her to take on this blueprint, it was definitely nothing short of a hot potato.

However, from a partially failed mechanical creation blueprint, the things Chen Qing could learn and the experience she could gain were not negligible.

"..."

Since Chen Qing was silent, Sea Urchin didn’t dare to urge her, knowing well that he was not like those gem hunters; he was extremely well-informed.

Sea Urchin knew about Chen Qing’s identity, which was why he had approached her.

Chen Qing was fully capable of taking this blueprint on, it all depended on whether she dared to.

"The original owner of this blueprint wasn’t you, was it?"

Hearing Chen Qing’s words, Sea Urchin curled his lip—the statement was obvious—but Chen Qing’s next sentence almost made him shiver.

"I mean, the person who stole this blueprint."

With steely eyes, Chen Qing nearly made Sea Urchin give up Liv.

Thankfully, he still retained some sense. If he handed Liv over, that deadly woman would hunt him to the ends of the earth, and after knowing her for so many years, Sea Urchin was not capable of such a thing.

"Ten thousand goldfish."

Chen Qing pointed at the blueprint, her face expressionless while the atmosphere in the room grew oppressively tense.

It was mainly Sea Urchin holding the tension. He was just a well-informed broker who occasionally played the thief.

"..."

Ten thousand goldfish, that’s what he gets for dealing with a sea wanderer.

But... clenching his teeth, Sea Urchin was also clear about the current situation, both sides knew this was a suicidal price.

However, there was no choice.

Sea Urchin wanted to get rid of it quickly, and Chen Qing was also taking on a certain risk.

Handling this thing, if not careful, could lead to deadly consequences.

"Fine!"

Sea Urchin steeled his heart and agreed on the spot.

Better to have money and live than be broke and dead.

With ten thousand goldfish in hand, Sea Urchin quickly left Jade Island and hurried to Sapphire Island.

Meanwhile, Chen Qing looked at the blueprint on the table, raised an eyebrow, and then dialed a familiar number.

"Xia Li, I have something here."