books44 Chapter 268 [Empire] Look at your hand, newbie.
Chapter 268 [Empire] Look at your hand, newbie.
I stood before the wall, my eyes scanning the artifacts. Each one appeared remarkably solid and meticulously crafted, though most looked a bit crude. The metallic weapons, the jet-black blades, the gleaming scimitars, all exuded an undeniable sense of power. Their designs were simple and functional, almost devoid of any ornamentation, yet they conveyed a sense of oppression.
Some blades are inlaid with exotic animal bones, their surfaces intricately carved with runes; others are sheathed in metal, rugged yet sturdy. Each one carries a distinctly combat-inspired aura, as if born for life-or-death battles. Deprived of ornate ornamentation, it exudes a simple and straightforward aesthetic of power.
I couldn't help but wonder, is this the world Luo Xun had been exposed to all these years? That cat-like boy, though seemingly harmless, even tinged with innocence and cunning, had long been swallowed up by this world of swords and swords, where money was the only means of life and death. Like these seemingly cold objects, much of their "purity" had long been lost. Money, even life, was a bargaining chip. Here, survival was the only rule.
I continued walking to a corner and saw a shelf filled with several peculiar ornaments—leather wristbands, bone pendants, even braided ropes—they weren't ornate. Each piece was imbued with the spirit of a battle against the wilderness. Perhaps this was the true beauty of this small world: no frills, only practicality and considerations of life and death.
"These things look very sturdy," I whispered, looking up at the young man. My mind had a clearer understanding of the "trading chain" he held. These seemingly simple objects were more than just commodities here; each one carried a symbol of life and death, survival, and power.
"Sturdiness is the most basic requirement." The young man smiled casually after hearing my comments, as if he was accustomed to such things. "We make these things not for beauty, but to save lives in the most difficult moments. You see, most of the repaired weapons have been through countless battles. Every repair is a transformation."
"You just said you could trade these things with me." I looked away from the weapons on the wall and stared at the white fur. "If I give it to you and make it into some kind of prop, what can you give me in exchange?"
He glanced at me, seemed to read my thoughts, and smiled: "What do you want? If you are willing to cooperate, we can give you discounts on some equipment. You are a mercenary, right? Of course, the selection is very wide, you can exchange these for what you want."
Although these items are useful, I know they are not the most important things for me. The most important thing is to get more information from them. I need to understand this.
“I need more time to think about it,” I said. “That doesn’t mean I’m not interested.”
He nodded, seemingly unfazed by my hesitation. Instead, he spoke with a certain ease, "No problem, there's no rush. The best cooperation is when you can make a choice." He turned to look at the finished products and added in a low voice, "If you need any help, feel free to let me know. We can also discuss other things."
"Don't they produce hot weapons here?" I suddenly realized this problem.
He paused at my question, a hint of meaning in his eyes. After a moment, he seemed to decide he didn't need to hide anything anymore. He chuckled and replied, "Firearms? Well, there are some small-scale private production here. But these things don't usually enter the market." He paused, his tone becoming slightly lower. "Because once they do enter the market, it's not just about money; there's often a lot of power involved."
"But I've seen legitimate hot weapon shops on other planets."
He was slightly taken aback when I said this, a hint of surprise in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected me to mention such a thing. He was silent for a few seconds, then chuckled and whispered, "Hot weapons shops do exist on other planets, but you have to understand that the rules vary greatly between stars. On some planets, the circulation of hot weapons is strictly controlled, especially on high-tech planets. Those shops aren't actually accessible to everyone. You see, in places like ours, the casual trading of hot weapons isn't allowed openly, but behind the scenes, everyone understands it. In some places, there's no regulation at all, and some of these things are the core of the underground market."
He paused, a hint of meaning on his lips. "But honestly, if you've seen legitimate firearms stores on those planets, that's not uncommon. After all, most people there are willing to pay for firearms. But it's different here. You know, those of us living on the fringes of the interstellar world don't have that kind of life. Most people don't dare to easily own firearms, for a simple reason—once you own one, you have to bear the consequences."
I tried to digest his words as quickly as possible.
"What do you mean by consequences?" I asked. Although I roughly understood it, I still wanted to hear his explanation.
He curled his lips into a smile, a hint of coldness in it. "Think about it, owning firearms means you have the power to change everything. In places like ours, those who own firearms generally have backgrounds, be they members of underground forces, adventurers, or some extreme individuals. For ordinary people, owning firearms will only make you a target, the focus of others' competition. Therefore, most people would rather buy some low-level cold weapons, or special items like those in your hands."
I understand what he said. In a sense, a useful tool can also constitute a false accusation of possessing a treasure.
I couldn't help but laugh at myself. "It seems I was really naive. I thought it would be so easy to get a firearm."
He shook his head, his tone softening. "It's not naivety, it's just that the world you encounter is different. Every planet and every place has different rules. The key is whether you can survive in this environment. You don't need to rely on firearms. The truly intelligent people can use the resources at hand and find a way that suits them. Look at your hand, newcomer."
Look at your hand, newbie.
I was silent for a moment, feeling somewhat unwilling, but I had to admit that what he said made sense.
"Then what should I do?" I finally asked the question in my heart.