Chapter 141: Big Client Fang Ping
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Logistics department.
Fang Ping was not in a hurry. After he collected his credits, he walked over to the Exchange Office.
The Exchange Office was as usual. The same Teacher Li was there. He smiled when he saw Fang Ping and said, “The big client is here. You earned plenty this time, didn’t you?”
Among the new students, Fang Ping was indeed a big client.
He had spent over two hundred credits by now, and his credits had just increased again.
When it was all recorded down, Fang Ping—a new student—had accumulated more than 400 credits before the semester was over!
Based on the exchange rate to cash, that meant Fang Ping had earned more than 12 million, which was extraordinarily high for a Rank-1 martial artist.
This was also the power of a martial arts university!
To be accurate, it was more of MCMAU’s power.
If he was not at MCMAU, Fang Ping would have the same mission opportunities. However, even if he did the same missions in other martial arts universities, he would be awarded far fewer credits.
Fang Ping cracked a smile and said, “Teacher Li, I come by so often, can’t the school give me a discount?”
“You think this is a bazaar?”
Teacher Li laughed. He looked Fang Ping up and down before nodding slightly. “You’re improving very fast. Not bad. What do you want to exchange for this time?”
“Teacher, I would like to change to a weapon that suits me.”
Fang Ping thought for a moment before saying, “My Vitality is very high, and it’ll only become higher. It’ll be much higher than those in the same rank. Do you have any suggestions?”
Despite not knowing exactly what rank the instructor in front of him was, as the man responsible for the logistics department’s Exchange Office, he could not be weak.
Old Man Li smiled. “Why don’t you ask your instructor? Though it’s true that Lu Fengrou teaches her students by asking them to keep popping pills...
“She wouldn’t have any good suggestions!”
“Hark hark hark...”
Fang Ping coughed dryly, not sure whether to laugh or cry.
Still, how should he say it... It seemed fairly accurate.
Lu Fengrou did indeed have this attitude. Only after he got more credits, exchanged them for more medicinal pills, ate more medicinal pills, and increased his cultivation base, would they talk about other matters.
This was by no means a bad method since the cultivation base was most important for martial artists below Rank-3.
Old Man Li cracked the joke and thought for a moment before asking, “Do you have any particular weapon combat technique mastered?”
“No.”
Fang Ping shook his head. He had practiced with many weapons but only the basic combat techniques. He had not yet learned any specialized combat techniques.
After thinking for a while, Fang Ping spoke again. “I want a stronger weapon and something easy to carry around.”
“It depends on how you use the weapon. Every weapon can be wielded with strength.”
Old Man Li smiled and paused briefly before saying, “Actually, for newbies, sabers are still the best choice.
“There are eighteen different weapons, among which there are sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, tomahawks, hook swords, military forks...
“Sabers are ranked first and not just because they’re conveniently on the top of the list.
“Of course, I know what you’re implying, that sabers aren’t strong enough. This is because you have not cultivated any saber techniques yet and also because there are different types of sabers.”
As he spoke Old Man Li paused again before continuing. “Among the various sabers, there are two that are more fitting for you. One of them is the Han dynasty’s zhanmadao—a saber that can chop horses. You get the picture. When you’re dashing on the battlefield, the cavalry would have a stronger impact.
“When you have a saber that can chop down a horse, the zhanmadao’s strength is obvious.
“The other type is the huan shou dao. The huan shou dao’s origins date further back, coming from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. The heng dao among Tang daos known today is actually based on the huan shou dao’s design...”
“Should I keep using a saber?”
Fang Ping thought for a while and felt this was also plausible. He had been using a saber all this while, and it was arguably quite convenient.
“Teacher, is there a sample I can see?”
“There is.”
Old Man Li smiled and instructed someone to retrieve the sabers from the storage room.
Very quickly, the staff came back holding a few sabers.
Old Man Li pointed to one of them and said, “This is the zhanmadao, but it’s not the same as the ancient design. The sabers and swords nowadays have all been modified to better suit us.
“This zhanmadao has a meter-long blade and a 40-centimeter hilt. Its total length is 1.4 meters, and the widest part of the blade is 8 centimeters...”
Fang Ping glanced at it before looking at the other sabers and pointed out, “They all look pretty much the same...”
Old Man Li smiled. “That’s normal. No matter if it’s a Han dao, a Tang dao, or other modified sabers from other dynasties, they’ve all been made with suitability as the goal.
“There’s actually not much difference between famous sabers...”
“Also, this is a little long. 1.4 meters isn’t easy to carry around, is it?”
Fang Ping scratched his head, causing Old Man Li to laugh and say, “You want it to be strong, yet you want it to be convenient to carry... Sabers aren’t that easily distinguishable.
“It’s no problem though. I have one more weapon suitable for you!”
This time, Old Man Li personally went to the storage room at the back and quickly produced a weapon.
The moment Fang Ping saw it, he was stupefied. Half a beat passed before he said, “Guan Yu’s Green Dragon Crescent Blade?”
“Ignorant!”
Old Man Li said scornfully, his tone impatient. “This is a fengzuidao. Don’t just assume it’s Guan Yu’s weapon just because it’s a large blade with a long hilt. Moreover, it was from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms—it’s obviously not real. The yanyuedao came from the Song dynasty.
“The fengzuidao was also popularized during the Song dynasty. Dueling was frowned upon in the Song dynasty, but their weapons manufacturing still had special features.
“An advantage of this fengzuidao is that it can be disassembled.
“The blade can be taken out, and the hilt can be used as a staff.
“The hilt is 1.2 meters long, and the blade is 60 centimeters long. The hilt itself can also be disassembled into two pieces, so there are three parts in total, and its length can be adjusted.
“You can use one part of the hilt and connect it to the blade, which is a total length of 1.2 meters, and use it as a regular saber.
“You can also assemble them all, which is a total of 1.8 meters, and use it as a changdao.
“Or you can use it as a staff...
“Don’t worry. The assembling joints are very strong. It won’t break off just from using too much force.
“If you want to, I can give you another part of the hilt, so the total length can reach 2.4 meters. You can assemble just the three parts of the hilt and use it as a 1.8 meters-long staff.
“You can also use it with a spearhead...”
Old Man Li smiled broadly, his eyes forming little crescents. “This is definitely a good choice. It won’t limit whatever weapon you want to use.
“Of course, this is made out of pure D-grade alloy and isn’t mixed with any liquid.
“If you don’t add another part of the hilt, taking it just as it is now, it weighs 16 thousand grams...”
“32 catty 1?”
The corner of Fang Ping’s mouth twitched. D-grade alloy was 20 credits per kilogram, which meant this fengzuidao was 320 credits!
This was without including the cost of manufacture. Old Man Li smiled. “32 catty isn’t considered too heavy for martial artists. Your Vitality is high too, so you shouldn’t have a problem using it.
“Moreover, think about it. If you use D-grade alloy to make it, using it as a changdao, you can slice your opponent’s weapons into pieces with a few strokes.
“You can even chop the person into ribbons while you’re at it. It’s so convenient!
“It’s not the least bit expensive. Before you reach the middle-ranks, you won’t need to change it at all.
“If you don’t want it, I can help you decide. I won’t charge you for the manufacturing, so just 320 credits will do!”
“Cough cough...”
Fang Ping chuckled dryly, frantically shaking his head.
What a joke, 300 plus credits meant its market price was probably up to ten million!
‘I’m just a Rank-1 martial artist. Do I need such a luxury?’
Still, Fang Ping felt this saber was really decent. He could break them up into three pieces normally. Carrying around 60 centimeters was simple enough.
He could use it as a staff. He could use a staff to deal with the martial artists he had to capture alive and without worrying he would accidentally chop them up.
He could also use it as a changdao. With 32 catty, along with a full-strength Vitality outburst, he probably could have sliced Yao Jincheng’s longsword in half with just one blow.
The only problem was the price!
It did not matter that he did not have enough credits. Even if he did, Fang Ping would have to consider long and hard.
Old Man Li sighed. “Look at you. You want it but can’t bring yourself to buy it. In that case, your inquiries were for naught.
“A good weapon’s price is always expensive.
“You want a stronger one. ‘Stronger’ implies a reasonably hefty weight.
“This saber is already considered light. It’s only 32 catty. There are heavy ones that can go up to more than a hundred catty!
“You can use F-grade alloy to make it, as all martial artists below Rank-3 now are using F-grade alloy. However, you won’t have any advantage. How can it compare to the sharpness of D-grade?
“Think about it. Is it better to slice through someone else’s weapon in one blow and even split the person in two while you’re at it, or do you want to exhaust yourself, hacking away for half a day and chipping away the edge of your blade too?”
Fang Ping smiled bitterly. “D-grade can’t slice through F-grade alloy, can it?”
“As long as you have the advantage in Vitality and learn some weapon combat techniques, it’s not a mere dream to slice through it in one blow!”
“It’s too expensive...”
“This old man here likes the look of you. Let me make the decision. 300 credits and I’ll sponsor the rest myself!”
Old Man Li’s expression was calm. “A gifted student like you should have a grand weapon like this. It’s alright if you don’t have enough credits; you can pawn your belongings. I’ll handle it and agree on the school’s behalf!”
Fang Ping watched him suspiciously for a while, speaking a moment later. “Teacher, am I your long-lost grandson?”
“Hark hark...
“What are you playing at!” Old Man Li was at a loss for words.
“Then you’re scamming me?”
“Stop joking around. What would I scam you for? Are you going to exchange it or not? If you’re not, forget it...”
Fang Ping thought a bit more and brought out the F-grade normal dadao, two daggers and the D-grade brass knuckles he had on him.
“Teacher, I just exchanged 40 credits for this dadao a few days ago, and I spent 10 credits on the brass knuckles. These two daggers would be at least 40 credits here too.
“That’s a total of 90 credits. I’ll give another 60 credits. See if you...”
“Scram!”
Vitality erupted from Old Man Li, the pressure so high that Fang Ping hastily stepped back.
The old man was infuriated. Good lord, what moronic joke was this!
He was offering 60 credits for a weapon worth more than 300 credits?
He really thought this was some marketplace!
Fang Ping protested as he backtracked, “Teacher, I really don’t have that many credits. 60 credits are what I’ve saved from being thrifty.
“If that’s not okay then 62...”
“Are you scramming or not?” Old Man Li was furious!
The two of them were making quite the commotion and attracted a fair amount of attention.
Fang Ping smiled flatteringly. “Teacher, don’t get angry. How’s this—I’ll add on another 20 credits, so that’s 81 credits. With the stuff I have worth 90 credits, that’s 171 credits!
“Think about it. Aside from me, how many others would exchange for this toy?
“Rank-1 and 2 students can’t afford it. Rank-3 would think they’re close to Rank-4 and wouldn’t need this.
“If I’m not mistaken, this toy has been gathering dust for a long time in the storeroom.
“The school is going to enter the championship very soon. If I don’t have a suitable weapon, what if the school loses?
“Moreover, it’s not like I’m asking you to give to me for free...”
Old Man Li glared at him before suppressing his Vitality. He huffed, “How could these recycled weapons of yours be worth so much? Giving you 50 credits for these secondhand goods is already good enough!
“Throw in another 200 credits. I’ll take some loss and help you make up for it...”
Fang Ping’s head drooped and he walked away. He could not afford it, so he just won’t buy it!
“180 credits!” called out Old Man Li.
“Yo, you still won’t give in? 160 credits. Take it or leave it. If you let this opportunity pass, you’re not getting a second chance.
“Go ahead and ask around. A D-grade alloy weapon at any weapons shop is at least 300 thousand a catty without the manufacturing cost!”
Fang Ping’s footsteps halted. He considered something before turning his head back to ask, “Teacher, if I don’t use credits, how about 4.5 million in cash?”
“Huh?”
Old Man Li was staring at him, astonished. This brat wanted to use money to buy it instead of credits?
4.5 million in cash was only worth 150 credits.
However, most students had credits and no money, yet they refused to exchange their credits for money because using credits to buy stuff was more worth it.
Did Fang Ping not lack money?
Did he not exchange a lot of medicinal pills and elixirs to sell last time?
Even though he was a little suspicious, Old Man Li said after some thought, “If you want to do it this way, that’s fine too.”
Using money to buy it was expensive. Although Fang Ping had bilked by 300 thousand in cash, 4.5 million was enough to breakeven.
Moreover, Fang Ping would pawn off the weapons he had.
When he crunched the numbers, the Exchange Office would not make a loss and would even earn a tidy profit.
Fang Ping felt some heartache, but he also felt that it was not a loss. Although the expenditure was hefty, D-grade weapons were indeed very expensive if bought from outside.
It was no big deal. When he stopped using it, he could sell it off!
The secondhand price for this toy would not be too low unless it was rendered completely useless.
Fang Ping also found out something new. The Exchange Office could bargain—he would have to make a note of this next time!
Fang Ping acquired the fengzuidao for 4.5 million and exchanging all his weapons with the exception of his alloy combat boots.
Fang Ping caressed it for a while before muttering, “A weapon worth ten million... I’m becoming more and more wasteful!”
He had exchanged 40 credits for a pair of shoes last time, and he already felt that was extremely wasteful.
Now, he had spent close to ten million... Of course, it was not actually that much, but Fang Ping automatically registered the ten million price tag.
Buying this toy outside would have cost about that much.
While he grumbled, so did Old Man Li. “I’ve made a big loss this time. It’s only because I believe you can earn more credits next time. Otherwise, if you think you can get such a bargain for the fengzuidao, keep dreaming!”
Fang Ping ignored his complaints—what a dishonest trader!
Releasing a breath, Fang Ping raised his head and said, “Teacher, help me exchange 50 Normal Vitality Pills...”
Old Man Li choked. Was there something wrong with this brat’s head?
50 Vitality Pills or 150 credits were about the same value as the earlier 4.5 million. If Fang Ping exchanged them and sold them, the most he would get was the price he just paid.
How was that necessary?
“Brat, you...”
“Teacher, I need it for cultivation!”
“You don’t need that many...”
“I throw one every time I eat one. I have money, and I’m stubborn...” Fang Ping pursed his lips.
“You brat!”
Old Man Li was truly speechless, but he nevertheless helped Fang Ping exchange for 50 Vitality Pills.
After he got the medicinal pills, Fang Ping looked at his remaining 11 credits and his phone’s reminder of his 1.5 million cash balance, and he released a long breath.
This money was spent too quickly!
Fortunately, he had given himself 500 thousand more Wealth points by getting the medicinal pills. When he sold the 100 Normal Vitality Pills he had, he would probably be able to earn over 1 million more Wealth points.
By this account, it was not a loss as his Wealth points increased by a lot.
Next time, when he came to the Exchange Office to exchange for things, it was best to use cash to settle it and use the credits he earned to buy medicine.
Once again caressing the fengzuidao in his hand, Fang Ping did not bring it out straight away but disassembled it into three segments instead.
After thinking some more, he turned his head again and asked, “Teacher, I’ve spent so much money, yet it doesn’t even come with a storage box?”
“Brat, your sure are good at holding people accountable...”
Old Man Li was at a loss for words, but he still got someone to bring out a long, wooden box and give it to Fang Ping.
Fang Ping placed his disassembled fengzuidao into the box. He looked at his unarmed self and sighed yet again, leaving with heavy footsteps.
Once he left, Old Man Li said amusedly, “Next time, I’ll recommend more storage room goods to this brat!”
There were not many new students who were as rich as Fang Ping.
Even if it was someone like Fu Changding, who hailed from a wealthy family, it did not mean he would casually spend tens to hundreds of millions to buy a weapon.
“Still, his honing speed is really fast. He’s almost Peak Rank-1. If this brat doesn’t die, he’ll be a regular customer of mine from now on...”
Old Man Li laughed once again, either happy due to the sale he made or the fact that he found someone he could sell storage room goods to.