Stuck in a Chinese novel - Chapter 353

Chapter 353: Getting money
Chapter 353

“So monster cores are a form of currency here?” The general asked. To his question, Wei Jun shook his head and replied, “No, they’re more like a resource that only those at the top can afford to have.”

“So like diamonds?” The general clarified to which Wei Jun nodded and replied, “It would seem so but it doesn’t seem like that’s all there is to it. Just as a diamond is used to cut metals into different types, maybe the monster cores are a resource that can help with something like that as well. We’ll have to dig into it though.”

“Why?” A soldier interjected before he asked, “Why does it have to be our concern?”

“Everyone tries to steal a diamond and is even willing to kill for it. If what we have is similar to one, what do you think will happen?” Wei Jun asked, not least bit offended. They couldn’t just flaunt their wealth out on the streets, especially to those at the top in case someone at the top held the power to take it from them.

The general nodded and so did the rest of the team. The general asked, “What should we do now?” “For now let’s visit the district plaza and try to cash in the E rank core.” Wei Jun replied.

The general nodded and after asking a passerby the directions to the district plaza, they arrived in front of a ten-story building that seemed to be during rush hour. Wei Jun didn’t say anything and got in line. They were resolute in waiting when a woman, similar to the blue-skinned woman they encountered as soon as they came, approached them and said, “Hello, Sirs and Ma’am’s. How can I be of service to you?”

She was also without a shirt, showing her chest to the world but she had different eyes compared to the other one they saw before. Hers resembled that of a dog. Wei Jun ignored everything like his fellow men and asked, “We wish to exchange some of our treasures for cash. We need some.”

The woman was a little skeptical so she asked, “What is it would you like to exchange?”

Wei Jun looked around and said, “Is there somewhere private we can chat?”

The woman looked at him and said, “I shall guide you to my manager. You can speak comfortably with him.”

Wei Jun nodded and along with the rest of the team, they followed the blue-skinned woman inside the building, ignoring the lines of people.

None of the people complained as if it was normal and remained in their places. Wei Jun and his team were guided inside until they arrived at a door made of metal with no apparent design on it. It was like a sheet of metal was placed as is on the door.

Wei Jun entered the building followed by the rest of his team once the woman knocked on the door and received permission to enter. Inside, they encountered a man, a human, sitting on the couch comfortably. As he saw so many people entering, especially humans, he was a little puzzled but there was no other reaction from him.

“You may leave us.” The man said before he looked at Wei Jun. The man before Wei Jun was probably in his mid-thirties, Caucasian, with dirty blonde hair and a nice trimmed beard that was barely an inch long. He had cat-blue eyes and his voice was a little on the heavy side. He pointed at the seat in front of him which was the sole seat other than the couch he was sitting on and said, “Take a seat.”

Wei Jun glanced at the general who simply nodded. The case was still supposed to be in Wei Jun’s hands so he was given all control over it. Including all sorts of negotiations.

Wei Jun took the seat in front and the man said, “I am Jack Brier. And you are?”

“James Castle.” Wei Jun simply replied.

“Very well, Mister Castle. How can I help you?” The man asked, his language pure English. While he was a little puzzled why Wei Jun, an Asian had an English name, he knew there was a lot of interracial breeding among humans so that could have been the cause.

Wei Jun nodded and replied, “I intend to sell a treasure of mine. If you are willing to lend me some amount by holding it collateral, then that is fine with me as well.”

“…” Jack looked at Wei Jun silently for a few moments before he asked, “And what is it that you wish to sell?”

Wei Jun put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the E rank miasma core. As he placed it on the table between them, Jack looked at Wei Jun before looking back at the crystal. His reaction wasn’t as extreme as the red-skinned woman’s but there was still some reaction.

“And might I ask where you obtained it from?” Jack asked.

“No, you may not,” Wei Jun simply replied.

“I see.” Jack said before he looked at Wei Jun and asked, “And what do you intend to do with the money?”

“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that as well.” Wei Jun once again straightforwardly replied.

Jack nodded and said, “Well, those are personal questions so you obviously don’t have to answer them. But I can’t just take it off your hands. You will have to provide me with some identification.”

“I can’t do that as well.” Wei Jun replied. While it might have been a regulation, Wei Jun wasn’t convinced. Other than the fact that he didn’t even have any sort of identification, even if he did, he wouldn’t show it since it wasn’t just a regulation.

“Then I’m afraid I can’t buy it.” Jack simply replied.

Wei Jun nodded and picked up the crystal while saying, “I see. Then we’ll take our leave.”

Jack was a little taken aback. He thought that if he pressed them a little, he might be able to get something out of them. He didn’t want their identification, he didn’t care about that at all. But by knowing their names, he could find out with his connections who they were and track their movements. If he could somehow get ahold of the information about how they managed to obtain the crystal, then he could obtain some for himself as well.

But, the other party was well versed in matters like these. The man at the forefront didn’t even consider negotiating and didn’t try to convince Jack.

“Haa…” Jack sighed, not appearing desperate in the least, he said, “Well, in that case, I have no choice. What is it that you require?”

He thought that if he said it like this and did not appear flustered at all, the other party might reveal something but the man heading towards the door simply looked at him. Jack thought his trick worked and he managed to find some desperation but the next words he heard were…

“No thanks. We’ll take our business elsewhere.” Wei Jun simply replied and went for the door handle.

“Eh?” Jack was confused for a moment before reality began to set in. He was really leaving. There was no hesitation, no desperation. It really was a business deal in Wei Jun’s favor, not in Jack’s.

However, it wasn’t too late. Dropping all pretense, Jack stood up and said, “Wait!”

Wei Jun stopped just before he was out of the door and turned to look at him, “I said I’m not interested any longer.”

“I apologize. I was a little hasty in my decision. Please tell me how you want me to make it up to you but I would appreciate it if you could sell that to me.” Jack said.

The desperation in his voice was like music to a man like Wei Jun. He always knew that the more desperate party in a business was always the vulnerable one. Vulnerability meant they could be extorted that much more.

“Four million Zeniths.” Wei Jun said. The price was double the one the red-skinned woman had mentioned and it froze Jack in his place. The money was outrageous and almost two times the market price. It could have been sold at that price at an auction but this wasn’t an auction but an exchange.

Jack pulled himself out of his shocked state and said, “The most I can do is three.”

It wasn’t about money. It was about getting the crystal. He could do more with that crystal than he could do with the money. After all, it was the only way to increase his power. There was no way he was going to give it up.

“…” Wei Jun simply kept looking at him, no words on his lips. Seeing him like that, Jack sighed and said, “Three ten. That’s the most I can do. Please understand.”

Wei Jun could tell that really was the final price. He nodded and said, “Very well. Three ten it is. But…” Wei Jun pointed at the gun on Jack’s waist and said, “Throw that in as well.”