"In your team there are so many cars, we just need one person per car."
One person per car, yet adamantly refuse to mention paying with Crystal Cores.
"Without Crystal Cores, I can’t help you with this. You need to figure it out on your own."
After speaking, Song Chengjun turned and left.
He’s kind, but his kindness isn’t a tool for them to take advantage of.
Expecting help without offering anything in return has never been feasible, not even before the apocalypse; now they are truly bold for thinking it.
"Hey, don’t go! Everything can be negotiated. One Crystal Core per person is too much; can it be any less?"
Song Chengjun ignored it. One Level 1 Zombie Crystal Core per person per day is already the lowest price.
He still needs to find someone willing to open navigation and rent an off-road vehicle to lend them, and they have to pay 50 copper coins per hour to rent the vehicle.
For seven of them, one Level 1 Zombie Crystal Core per person per day, 700 copper coins a day only allows for 14 hours of driving.
Normally, their travel time wouldn’t exceed 12 hours. But if they travel for more than 14 hours, they would end up losing money!
It’s essentially a gamble; they might make money, or they might lose money on this trip; it’s all up to Song Chengjun to convince them.
If no one agrees, he has no other choice. They would have to fend for themselves.
"One Crystal Core it is then. We agree!"
Just as Song Chengjun was about to get back in the car, the leader of the seven gritted his teeth and agreed.
"It’s one Level 1 Crystal Core per person per day, don’t try to play any word games with me."
"Of course, we’re going with the price you mentioned."
The man forced a smile, not expecting Song Chengjun to easily see through his little scheme.
"Wait here, I’ll arrange for a car for you."
After that, Song Chengjun went to the last off-road vehicle in his team and knocked on the door.
People who wander around alone usually kill solitary zombies due to lack of team power, so their gains are never as good as those from a Superpower Team.
If there is a chance to earn some copper coins, Song Chengjun thought they would not refuse.
Indeed, as soon as Song Chengjun explained the situation, a few people’s eyes lit up.
"Captain Song, pick me! I can activate the navigation and use the off-road vehicle right now!"
"Why are you butting in? I have a family to support, do you really want to compete with me?"
"As if none of us has a family to support. Captain Song, pick me!"
Since someone was willing to provide navigation to others, Song Chengjun heaved a sigh of relief.
"Those of you interested, play rock-paper-scissors. The opportunity goes to the winner."
Song Chengjun resorted to the simple and straightforward rock-paper-scissors to decide who would get the chance.
The car was bustling with the commotion of seven people intensely playing rock-paper-scissors.
Soon enough, the final victor emerged, and Song Chengjun quickly took him out of the car and led him to those seeking a ride.
"Here they are." Song Chengjun briefly introduced both sides, then got to the main point, "Hand over the first day’s Crystal Cores."
Song Chengjun didn’t want to lend them the car only to be stiffed on payment afterward.
In the apocalypse, nothing tests human nature more than hardship.
Upon hearing they needed to hand over Crystal Cores now, the seven showed varied expressions.
Obviously, Song Chengjun’s concern was not unfounded.
Although they had verbally agreed to pay Crystal Cores, privately, they were plotting to evade payment.
Song Chengjun wouldn’t let such things happen; he insisted on obtaining the Crystal Cores before letting his team activate navigation.
Afterwards, Song Chengjun believed that whoever provided navigation could manage to collect the Crystal Cores.
If they refused to pay the Crystal Cores, he could simply turn off the navigation. He had a car to travel by regardless.
"We can give the Crystal Cores, but you promised us a car, and we haven’t seen a single vehicle. How can we trust you?"
The counterpart wasn’t foolish; Song Chengjun returned with just one person, without a car in sight. They feared being scammed.
Song Chengjun glanced at Meng Guangchuan: "Show them the car."
Meng Guangchuan nodded, opened his virtual screen, and tapped to activate navigation.
In the next second, a silver-white off-road vehicle, similar to others, appeared right before everyone.
Not a few people were watching this development; when they saw Fang Chengwu’s group watching Meng Guangchuan point at something in the air resulting in a brand-new off-road vehicle, their eyes widened.
"He... is that some kind of superpower?"
The ability to summon cars? How fantastical does that sound?
The people from L City Base couldn’t answer Fang Chengwu’s question, as they were all staring at Meng Guangchuan with eyes brimming with curiosity.
At that moment, several people quickly got out of a military green off-road vehicle from L City Base and ran towards Meng Guangchuan.
"Bro, is your superpower the ability to summon cars? Can you conjure one for us too? We have Crystal Cores!"
It seemed to be a family of three, with the inquiry coming from the man.
Judging by his sturdy build, it was evident he was very into fitness before the apocalypse.
In the apocalyptic world, such a physique truly provided a sense of security.
Meng Guangchuan shook his head: "I have a Gold Ability; this vehicle is rented through my activated navigation feature."
"Once you become a guest of Jianglin Hotel, you can do the same."
Meng Guangchuan was quite honest, not claiming the ability to summon cars as his own.
"After becoming a Jianglin Hotel guest, anyone can do it?"
The robust man’s face showed incredulity, feeling Meng Guangchuan’s claim to be too fantastical.
Could this happen in the real world?
"Yes, you’ll understand once you reach Jianglin Hotel.
If you still want a car, you can ask others who haven’t activated navigation to open one for you.
However, the navigation fee for using an off-road vehicle is hourly, so if you want it, you’ll need to pay the corresponding fee. It’s up to you to decide."
Having said that, Meng Guangchuan turned to the group whose car had no fuel: "Pay me today’s rental fee, and you may board the car."
The transportation tools they rented through navigation would only allow others to board if the one who activated navigation agreed.
Even the most powerful could do nothing if there were disagreements.
The seven hesitantly brought out seven Level 1 Zombie Crystal Cores to hand over to Meng Guangchuan.
After receiving the Crystal Cores, Meng Guangchuan selected one to give to Song Chengjun.
"Thank you, Captain Song, for introducing this business to us. This is a token of appreciation."
Though small, it was still a Crystal Core worth 100 copper coins.
"Could you help me find others? I want a car too."
Sharing a car with others or spending some Crystal Cores to have one to oneself and family, it wasn’t hard to choose.