Chapter 254: Desolate World Group (Part 1)

Chapter 254: Huangshi Group (Part One)

The night stretched on endlessly.

In the Lingshanwei Nan District, a five-story luxury tavern stood facing the sea.

Its name was Zhenhai, the most extravagant entertainment venue in all of Lingshanwei.

Though its exterior displayed an ancient Ming-style charm, within it concealed countless novel contraptions from every corner of the world.

Kunlun slaves, Xinluo maids, Bodhi enchantresses—there were not only half-human, half-mechanical warrior maidens, but even Siamese fox spirits who had transformed from men to women.

If silver dollars were sufficient, customers could even experience Mohist ingenious inventions: passionate forges, meticulous lathes, armor that understood its wearer's needs.

Fine delicacies here were merely inadequate appetizers; what truly captivated visitors was the endless variety of people or tools for indulging desires.

After all, in this port town of Lingshanwei, the most frequent visitors were sailors from various ocean-going fleets.

These men, having sailed the empty, lonely seas for months, had long been pent-up with hunger and wildness, like wolves and tigers. Upon docking, they typically did only two things.

First, they had to satisfy themselves completely, then eat their fill.

"Master Jin, this business opportunity is truly thanks to you. I represent the Huangshi Group in offering you a toast."

In the largest private room on the top floor of Dinghai Building, Jinnan-born Genben Sanlang, wearing a Ming-style silk robe, held a cup of wine in both hands and spoke with utmost respect: "There will be many more opportunities for us to work together in the future. I hope you will continue to take care of us."

"Since we've already reached an agreement, we are now allies. There's no need for such formal courtesy."

"It is our Huangshi Group's honor to have earned your trust." Genben Sanlang's attitude was extremely humble, even somewhat servile.

The handsome Mo Jin smiled slightly, lifting his cup to gently clink against his counterpart's, "Pleasure doing business with you."

"Peace and safety assured."

Genben Sanlang drank the wine in his cup with great gusto, then turned his wrist to show the empty cup to Mo Jin before retreating to his seat.

"I had heard before, when I was in the Japanese district, that the Mohist manufacturing capabilities were unmatched throughout the empire, that no sequence could rival them. Now that I've seen it with my own eyes, indeed reputation precedes reality! If I hadn't known beforehand that this batch of weapons came from your Tianzhi Society, I would have thought it was genuine merchandise from the Shenji Military Industry Group."

This Genben Sanlang was truly of Japanese descent, but his accent was pure authentic Ming official speech, and he understood Ming customs well. His flattery made Mo Jin quite comfortable.

"As for genuine versus counterfeit, in the eyes of the Mohist order, the difference is merely whether the goods bear the identifying mark or not."

Mo Jin spoke with pride, "After we finish this meal, I'll have someone send you a box of Shenji Military Industry marks. Once applied, they become genuine goods. Even if placed in a Shenji Military Industry shop, they could never be distinguished."

Upon hearing these words, Genben Sanlang's eyes immediately gleamed, and the buttocks he had just settled back onto the chair lifted once more. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a wooden box of fine texture, pushing it toward Mo Jin.

"What do you mean by this?"

Mo Jin's fingers traced the cup's rim as he glanced at the contents of the box from the corner of his eye.

Inside the velvet-lined box lay a mineral specimen gleaming with metallic cold light.

Genben Sanlang laughed, "This is a mineral from Kyushu County in the Japanese district. It wasn't specifically mined—it was something I casually picked up."

Mo Jin raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise appearing on his face, "Exposed in the open? How large a scale?"

"Within a hundred acres, visible everywhere."

Genben Sanlang continued speaking, "Master Jin, you know that our Huangshi Group's main business doesn't include mining at all. So a mine of this grade falling into our hands is truly a waste of heavenly gifts. Only when it's placed in your hands can it be considered fully utilized."

"After all, the finest mines can only belong to the most skillful artisans. In our Japanese hearts, this is the natural destination for nature's finest gifts!"

"So you're saying you want to give this mine to me?"

"Not give, but recognize ownership. All things have spirits; we merely helped it find its true master."

"All things have spirits. Well spoken! I didn't expect you to even understand our Mohist philosophy."

Genben Sanlang lowered his brows and averted his gaze, his expression reverent, "Mohist philosophy is the ultimate truth of the world. One cannot help but learn it, cannot help but understand it."

"Brother Genben, since you have such insight, then I, Mo Jin, cannot decline further. I'll accept this gift on behalf of the Tianzhi Society."

Mo Jin smiled with a hint of amusement, "But since we're speaking of Mohist philosophy, Brother Genben, your understanding of the Mohist order isn't quite complete yet. We're all friends, and I should point this out to you, lest you encounter other Mohist members from different sequences and cause misunderstandings—that would be unfortunate."

"Wonderful!"

Genben Sanlang assumed an expression of tearful gratitude, "Speaking openly won't embarrass you, Master Jin. Though I walk the warrior path, I've always yearned for the Mohist order. To receive your personal guidance is truly a great blessing for me!"

"The history of the Mohist order can be traced back thousands of years. Since that era began, the Mohist order has always played the role of fair and just arbiters. The reason the Mohists excel in crafting is because we need to wield the sharpest weapons in our hands!"

"Only then can the Mohist order, when facing those vicious and ignorant tyrants, stop violence with violence, evil with evil!"

Mo Jin spoke fluently, "Therefore, within the Mohist order, there are not only artisans, but also knights-errant!"

"So that's what the true Mohist order is like!"

These historical accounts that were commonplace in the mundane dream realm, Genben Sanlang listened to as if each word were a pearl of great price, as if he had discovered treasures.

He bowed once more to Mo Jin with solemn expression, "My ignorance has led me to find only a mine for the Mohist artisans, neglecting to procure weapons befitting the Mohist knights-errant. Thank you, Master Jin, for enlightening me!"

"You may rest assured. Upon my return, I will immediately dispatch people to search throughout the Japanese district. Even if we must dig three feet deep, I will surely find weapons worthy of the Mohist knights-errant status!"

"Truly worthy of the Huangshi Group—this sincerity is as clear as the sun and moon!"

Throughout the banquet, Mo Jin took the initiative to toast for the first time, "I offer this toast to you on behalf of the Mohist knights-errant!"

"Not at all, not at all."

Genben Sanlang was deeply moved and respectful, efficiently pouring wine for Mo Jin first, just as he was about to pour for himself, he heard Mo Jin's words carrying a smile.

"With such sincerity, the Tianzhi Society cannot disappoint a friend."

Mo Jin said with a smile, "Tell your Huangshi Group's head when you return that this batch of military supplies is merely an appetizer. The true capabilities of the Tianzhi Society go far beyond this. To speak boldly, throughout the Great Ming Empire, apart from the agricultural genetic elixirs, we can basically replicate products from all other sequences."

"As long as silver dollars suffice, whatever you desire, we possess!"

Genben Sanlang's face suddenly flushed red. The previous trace of dissatisfaction with Mo Jin's insatiable greed instantly vanished, scattered by his excited emotions.

This merchant representative from the Huangshi Group abandoned the wine cup on the table, seized the wine bottle in his hand, and drank it all in one gulp.

"From this day forward, Master Jin, you are forever our best friend! Wealth shall only circulate among friends. This is the Huangshi Group's motto, and our eternal creed to uphold!"

Hearing Genben Sanlang's passionate declaration, Mo Jin smiled with satisfaction, drinking the wine in his cup in one swallow.

Just as the banquet atmosphere reached its peak, the heavy red wooden door of the private room was suddenly pushed open.

A sharp-eyed Mohist warrior strode in quickly.