Chapter 00179: Let's Get Some International Aid
# Let's Get Some International Aid
Chapter 179
Novel: AFK Game: Portal to Another World
Chapter 179 Let's Get Some International Aid
Originally, Li Chengxi had learned from the demons that none of them recognized the Sky-Upholding Stone, making him think that its value was unknown outside of Peach Blossom Valley.
At that time, he figured as long as he kept an eye out, it shouldn't be too hard to find.
After all, from its appearance, the Sky-Upholding Stone was just a piece of rock similar to jade, with a status equivalent to currency.
He thought that once he found the Sky-Upholding Stone, he could just push Yang Yiyi to a level of invincibility and be done with it.
All in all, the Wuxia script seemed much simpler than Viola's fantasy script, which required the restoration of a kingdom.
But now it seemed he had oversimplified things.
He would have to be much more careful in his future actions.
Speaking of which, the Sky-Upholding Stone probably didn't grant the function of Marrow Cleansing just by holding it.
The two pieces he had obtained so far were both fixed within the Sumeru Realm and couldn't be taken out at will like other items.
This setup made Li Chengxi think that to use the Sky-Upholding Stone, the player's 'avatar' in the game was needed, which was the Sky-Upholding Book in the form of a jade tablet.
Perhaps there were several of these Sky-Upholding Books?
Li Chengxi considered that in the fantasy script, the player wasn't the only god; there were many other deities vying for followers.
Following this line of thought, it was possible that there was more than one Sky-Upholding Book.
As for more specific details, those were unknown for now.
The current intelligence only allowed him to speculate this far.
In any case, there was no harm in being cautious.
After repeatedly warning Yang Yiyi to never speak of the Sky-Upholding Stone, Li Chengxi went back to bed with a head full of questions.
The next day, he opened the shop as usual.
Since it was the weekend, unlike on school days when many students came to buy bread and milk in the morning, Li Chengxi had a relatively quiet time.
As soon as he opened the door, he sat down behind the cash register, preparing to turn on his computer and check on the game.
Just as his computer was starting up, a person hurried into the convenience store.
Li Chengxi took a closer look and saw that it was Qian Sen.
"What brings you here today? Are you not busy anymore?"
Qian Sen still had a bandage wrapped around his arm, but it seemed to have mostly healed and didn't appear to affect his movements.
Since his injury was almost healed, his cushy administrative work was over.
Now, Qian Sen had to be out on site every day, busy as a bee.
Every time Li Chengxi called him, he could hear different background noises.
"How could I not be busy? We never have a quiet day."
Qian Sen didn't treat himself as an outsider.
He pulled over a plastic stool and sat down opposite Li Chengxi, then pointed to the cigarette rack behind him and said, "Give me a pack of Yuxi."
"The number of transmigrators has surged recently. We were already short-staffed, and now it's even worse."
"I saw some people discussing it on the forum. Is something big about to happen?"
According to a few of the old hands in the chatroom, this forum, which was exclusive to insiders, originally had less than a hundred thousand registered users.
By the time Li Chengxi joined this circle, the number of users had soared to over one hundred thousand, and this was the growth in just over a month.
"What big thing could happen? Don't overthink it. It's actually just a matter of probability."
Qian Sen said as he unwrapped the pack:
"The arrival of transmigrators isn't seasonal. There are times when only a few come all year round, and there are times when hundreds come in a single day."
"It's that random?"
"Yeah, that's why we have to have someone on duty 24 hours a day."
As he spoke, Qian Sen gestured to ask if he could smoke.
Li Chengxi waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind.
He lit the cigarette, took a drag that consumed half of it, and blew out a smoke ring.
"I just dealt with an emergency. I was passing by, so I came to ask, has Miss Audel said when she might be coming again?"
Li Chengxi was wondering what emergency Qian Sen was talking about, but upon hearing the latter half of the sentence, he shook his head and said:
"She didn't give a specific date. Do you need something?"
"I have some matters related to magic that I'd like to consult someone about."
"Is there no one else on our Earth?"
"There are, but you see, we're not very familiar with magic over here. Our country has more cultivators, while Europe has more mages. If we want to consult a professional on magical matters, not only do we have to call in favors, but the other party might also propose some troublesome conditions."
This was the first time Li Chengxi had heard of such a setup.
On the forum, the people discussing magic and immortal cultivation were split pretty much fifty-fifty, with no particular emphasis on either.
"What specifically do you want to ask?"
"You can contact Miss Audel?"
"I can hear her voice occasionally, but I can't actively contact her."
This was a complete bluff.
If Li Chengxi wanted to, he could 'send a divine oracle' to Audel right now.
He had to make it sound a little more troublesome; that way, he'd be in a better position to bargain.
Qian Sen was very straightforward and said directly:
"The Head Office is currently researching a new instrument and needs someone skilled in creating magical artifacts to offer some advice. Since Miss Audel has given you potions, it shows she should be very knowledgeable in alchemy."
She was more than just knowledgeable; she could even use magical means to produce nylon from petroleum, and it only took her a few days.
"I'll mention it next time she contacts me, but..."
"You want a favor in return, right? Fine. With my authority, I can exempt you from the transaction fee for one deal. How does that sound?"
The platform run by Section Nine for selling items took a 10% commission.
The Potion of Remove Disease that Li Chengxi sold previously had a commission of over two hundred thousand.
Waiving the commission for one transaction was already a very generous reward.
However, Li Chengxi shook his head:
"I'm fine with it. I'll just consider it a contribution to the country. I don't really care about the reward. But we can't let Audel work for free, can we?"
"That's true. What do you have in mind?"
"I heard Audel is in the middle of a war over there..."
Hearing this, Qian Sen's brows immediately furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"How about we get her some international aid?"
"What are you thinking? Is this something I can decide?"
"No airplanes or cannons, but what about some Type 56 assault rifles?"
"Are you kidding me? You think light weapons are easy to get a hold of!"
If it was just about money, or providing some governmental administrative conveniences, it wouldn't be a big problem for Section Nine, especially the latter, which was just a matter of making a phone call.
But international aid, that involved arms sales.
Section Nine couldn't make that call.
"Even for our own use, we have to account for every single bullet. I can't help you with this condition."
Section Nine didn't care what problems transmigrators might cause in their home worlds with weapons from Earth.
What they cared about was if the weapons went astray and ended up in the hands of civilians here, which would be extremely troublesome.
"Can't you talk to the higher-ups, bend the rules a little? I'm not asking for much, just say you're applying for two 155mm artilleries to exorcise some ghosts..."
Viola couldn't just stay cooped up in the Leon Territory forever.
Equipping everyone with light weapons was unlikely, so Li Chengxi thought having two big cannons would be pretty awesome.
"155? Even 5.56 is out of the question!"
"A truckload of grenades?"
"Stop bargaining with me. I told you, I can't make the decision."
Seeing how firm Qian Sen was, Li Chengxi thought for a moment:
"Then how about buying some civilian items to use for military purposes? That shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Huh? What are you planning? Getting some gas canisters from Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory? Should I also get you some ammonia fertilizer without the passivator added?"
"Not necessarily gas canisters, and not necessarily fertilizer, but that's the general idea. What do you think?"
"I don't think it's a good idea, but... it doesn't violate our regulations."
"See? If I try to get them myself, it's time-consuming and troublesome, and I might get arrested by the police. If you guys handle it, it would save a lot of trouble, wouldn't it?"
Qian Sen stubbed out his cigarette and stood up:
"I need to report this to my superiors. I'll let you know when I have news."
Oh ho, sounds like there's a chance.