Chapter 420.1: The First Item Up For Auction Is From... Teng Tengs Hut!
"Damn it!?"
Exoframe?!
Battlefield Cheerleader was dumbfounded when he stared at his computer screen. He almost wanted to stick his nose into it.
He had just submitted his report and wanted to check for any new missions. Before he could look at the details of the task, he saw that a shining gold tag had been added to the task reward.
After completing the entire undercover mission chain, he could receive an exoframe without any level restrictions!
It might be the highest reward for a server-wide task so far, right?
A benefit from Light...
Battlefield Cheerleader's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he clenched his fists, muttering to himself. "Got it!"
"Digging up more intelligence could lead to further increases in the task reward."
It sounded a bit like some TV show challenge. The more levels passed, the higher the accumulated prize money. If the challenge failed, the accumulated prize money would be forfeited. Currently, his own prize pool has reached that of an exoframe!
In the New Alliance's NPC store, the cheapest exoframe would cost a million silver coins.
And an exoframe without level restrictions...
Just the 'no level restrictions' tag was awesome enough!
Good thing he didn't give up back then. If he had, he would have lost a fortune!
Moved by his own perseverance, Battlefield Cheerleader took out paper and pen from the drawer and began to seriously ponder and perfect his plan based on the current intelligence.
While Battlefield Cheerleader was fervently writing, in another part of the wasteland, Chu Guang met Prince Kariman in the reception room of Dawn City.
"Respected administrator, may I ask why you have summoned me so late?" Performing a standard salute, Kariman spoke respectfully.
Looking at the man with curly hair and an exotic looking face, Chu Guang gestured towards the sofa. "We don't have so many formalities here, please sit."
Kariman nodded. As he sat down, he carefully tried to read the expression on the face of the administrator, attempting to pick up some clues.
However, before he could study in detail, the administrator sitting began speaking. "I have to tell you some unfortunate news. According to reliable intelligence, a supply line is currently entering from Bugra Free State into the River Valley Province, passing through the territory of the Golden Lizard Kingdom and reaching the positions of the Falcon Kingdom and the Army..."
Chu Guang hadn't finished speaking when Kariman stood up from the sofa with wide eyes while yelling, "This is impossible!"
Seeing Chu Guang looking at him, Kariman quickly realized his mistake. WIth his face flushed red with anger and embarrassment, he sat back down, calming his emotions before he continued, "The Golden Lizard Kingdom is allied with us by marriage... My father's fourth wife is the sister of the current king of the Golden Lizard Kingdom."
The fourth wife, huh...
With so many wives... Wouldn't that mean that he wouldn't have time to do anything else everyday?
Chu Guang thought he was already too busy without even being married.
"How many wives can you marry over there?" Out of curiosity, he couldn't help but ask.
Kariman was slightly stunned, probably not expecting the administrator to be curious about something like that, but he answered truthfully.
"The Spirit of the Desert didn't tell us how to form a family, only that many children bring blessings, and the capable should do more... Theoretically, men and women can marry many partners, as long as both sides are willing."
"Of course, different countries interpret the doctrine differently, such as the Falcon Kingdom where the general populace can marry up to 2, soldiers up to 4, and those with official positions or who have made military achievements can marry more. The Honey Badger Kingdom they annexed practice monogamy, believing that a healthy family can receive the blessings of the Spirit of the Desert, but other kingdoms don't really fuss about this. At least in my view, the duty of the royalty is to feed their subjects, not to control how they live... Are we getting off topic?"
Chu Guang cleared his throat once. "Not really... This helps increase my shelter residents' understanding of your people."
Kariman's expression turned slightly strange before nodding slowly and returning to his original topic.
"Anyway, you don't have to worry, the Golden Lizard Kingdom and Camel Kingdom are our strongest backers. When I left, their reinforcements had already set off! Now they should be at Oasis No.9, fighting alongside our people and the resistance army of the Honey Badger Kingdom!"
Looking at Kariman's confident expression, Chu Guang was unsure whether the guy was truly naive or just had extraordinary psychological quality. He was able to talk so much and remain so optimistic when the situation was dire.
"Did you leave two months ago?"
"Exactly!"
"Then I have some very unfortunate news for you, it's been two months since, and I don't know about the Camel Kingdom, but the reinforcements from the Golden Lizard Kingdom are still sitting at the border," Chu Guang watched him with interest, "Is this what you call your strongest backers?"
Kariman's face showed surprise, then anger. "How can this be, even if not for the sake of blood relations, what reason do they have to support the Army's puppets? Don't they know that once we lose, they will become the next target of the Falcon Kingdom?"
Chu Guang spoke bluntly, "That's because your understanding of interests is too shallow. Interests exist in many forms, and different forms of interests have countless components. The final choice is a product of a gamble. Perhaps in their view, there are better options. Discussing the possibilities of something that has already happened is meaningless, I advise you to face reality as soon as possible."
Kariman fell silent, his eyes struggling for a while before he cast a doubtful glance at Chu Guang. "Wait, why would you know about the military deployment within the Golden Lizard Kingdom? Isn't it at least 500 to 600 kilometers away in Oasis No.8?"
That doubtful look was like the last hope he was clinging on to. Chu Guang could feel he was already convinced but unable to accept the fact of being betrayed by an ally. He was grasping at strawns, hoping to convince himself it wasn't real.
"I have my ways. We are used to making meticulous plans before taking action, and intelligence is an important part of that." After a pause, Chu Guang looked at the contemplative Kariman and continued, "We will march immediately after the supply line is completed, at the latest by mid-August, but I'm worried about your current situation, I doubt you can hold out until then."
"You'd better think of something to do. You can't always rely on us."
Kariman was silent for a long time, took a deep breath, and stood up before bowing slightly. "Thank you for the intelligence... I will report truthfully to my father, and we will do our best"
Chu Guang raised an eyebrow in interest. "Now the question is... How are you going to send the message back? By foot?"
Kariman smiled at his question. "Don't worry, we brought many pigeons with us. They can quickly deliver the message back to the kingdom... It's not easy to expect a bunch of cowards to step up to the front lines, but if we let our queen write a letter to the Golden Lizard Kingdom, her family should do something."
Even if they couldn't cut off that supply line, even causing it a little trouble would be much better for those on the front lines.
Thinking about it, Kariman couldn't help feeling annoyed. Such important intelligence and they had no clue about it, instead hearing it from foreigners outside the desert.
These shameful traitors...
Watching the anger flicker in Kariman's eyes, the successfully agitated Chu Guang nodded satisfactorily. "That would be for the best."
Pigeon post?
Those cooing little fellows are indeed quite reliable, at least more so than using one's legs.
Using the influence of the Lion Kingdom to pressure the Golden Lizard Kingdom was just one part of it.
His plan was not just to harass the supply line but to cut off the source of this supply line, the Bugra Free State!
As a vassal of the Great Rift Valley, those little bastards were secretly flirting with the Army. Could the Great Rift Valley tolerate this cuckoldry?
Of course, this required sufficient evidence to prove that this was not just a transaction or a merchant's personal action, but support at the national level.
Watching Kariman leave, Chu Guang's mouth curved into a pleased smile.
Whether he could get the relevant evidence depended on whether Battlefield Cheerleader was capable enough...
...
In a nondescript inn on the edge of Oasis No.8, near the desert, Battlefield Cheerleader, who had awakened from his sleep, yawned as he went downstairs to fetch some water to wash up. He was just about to return to his room via the staircase when he heard a soft conversation coming from around the corner of the hallway.
"Bad news, the palace's informant sent a message. This morning, a command left the palace, it's said to be requesting all border posts and patrols to strictly check merchants entering from the east and exiting to the west."
That voice seemed to be that of the merchant named Adan.
Just about to turn the corner, Battlefield Cheerleader stopped in his tracks when he heard what was said.
Damn?
Was the effect this immediate?
He had just reported the intelligence in the morning, and by evening the follow-up plot in the game was already unfolding, catching him somewhat off-guard.
Normally, wouldn't it take at least a dozen days to hear any rumors?
Curious, Battlefield Cheerleader hid at the corner of the hallway and continued listening.
Standing in front of Adan, Cowley frowned, his expression slightly serious. "Is your information reliable?"
Adan nodded, speaking with certainty. "I don't doubt the source, although I can't reveal his identity to you, I can assure you that the one we're cooperating with in the Golden Lizard Kingdom holds a significant position."
Cowley nodded, a frown appearing on his face.
Strictly checking merchants entering from the east...
That meant that Adan's merchant caravan would be subject to stricter inspections within Oasis No.8, and his own identity would obviously be more dangerous.
No matter for the Army or for himself, this was undoubtedly bad news.