Chapter 222: Future Market (5)

Tuopa said that somewhere in the lower city district there is a massive armaments factory. It houses so many weapons that they could crush an entire legion's vanguard.

That factory is Tuopa's bargaining chip in the negotiations above, but she currently needs a guide to tell her its exact location.

Shi Wa Luo acknowledges the long‑term benefits Tuopa mentions, yet he wonders what plan she has for the humans presently living here.

In response, Tuopa bluntly says, "Their future has already been bought out; I can only do my best to make them accept that fact… with a relatively peaceful approach."

"……"

After a brief silence, Shi Wa Luo surprisingly approves Tuopa's idea and says he will assist her.

"… Oh? So easy‑going? I thought you were, as the rumors say, a stubborn type." Tuopa was genuinely surprised.

"The future you speak of exceeds my calculation range. Yet my emotional readout tells me you are indeed weighing ways to keep this world alive." Shi Wa Luo paused, then continued, "Furthermore, the data shows that if I refuse cooperation, there is a 96.4% chance you will force me to obey."

——

Dragon Clan.

"Wait, what does 'future being bought out' mean?" Kaisa hesitated, suddenly recalling a less‑glorious early period of American history.

"… Probably the meaning you're thinking of." Chu Zihang said expressionlessly.

Tuopa isn't planning to ship Beloberg's people via the Company to remote planets as slaves, right? Like sending them off the shore with a fifty‑draw lottery?

"Your idea is too extreme; it wouldn't be that cruel." Chu Zihang recalled what happened to San Yue Qi and the others at the Great Mine, "Probably they intend to use credit points to buy out all the mineral rights on a planet, turning every resident into a miner."

"That's not bad— the weak surrender their future for survival, the strong use capital to aid the Star God in 'preservation'; in a way it's a win‑win," Kaisa nodded.

"Not at all; the Interstellar Peace Company merely hijacked Beloberg civilization's choices with contracts, forcing the people to leap from a snow‑storm cage into the Company's capital cage."

Chu Zihang shrugged, "The former's environment is harsh, but at least there's a choice. The latter will probably be more comfortable… yet as part of the Company's assets, there will inevitably be a day when its value is drained and it's abandoned."

"From your tone, you know capitalists well?" Kaisa laughed.

"Human nature hasn't changed for millennia; I don't need to understand capitalists." Chu Zihang adopted a more relaxed expression, "I only need to know your history."

——

In the mining zone, Xing saw Tuopa's pet Zhangzhang, a small platinum‑colored piggy bank.

Hearing the word "pet," Xi Er's eyes widened with a "swish": "What? That thing… isn't it a creature from the Rift? And you can keep it as a pet?!"

San Yue Qi wasn't surprised; seeing Zhangzhang about to leave, the group decided to follow the little creature, hoping to find clues about Tuopa.

Along the way, Zhangzhang seemed to deliberately lead them through a sparsely guarded Company path, smoothly reaching the heart of the Great Mine, where a hulking giant mech stood, arranging people for calculations.

When Xing came to his senses, Zhangzhang had vanished.

"Forget it, deal with that big block first," Xi Er strode forward, greeting the mech with a friendly salutation from the Lower District; her brazen tone surprised the mech, and she swung the massive cannon on her arm.

"Haven't you seen the power of Company weapons?"

"I want to see your Director!" Xing said, hands on hips.

"You know Director Tuopa? Your status must be substantial… Wait, why do I care who you are? Employees of the Strategic Investment Department have no obligation to explain project details to unrelated parties."

"If a debtor fails to repay within the execution deadline, the Company may skip the negotiation phase and directly seize its assets. That's the rule; what do you object to?"

——

Fu Lian's funeral.

"These Company guys are outrageously arrogant," Xiu Taerk said angrily, clenching his fist. "The Company makes its own rules and forces others to obey—what kind of logic is that? And they act as if it's completely natural?!"

Along the way, Xing has fought the Doomsday Beast, battered Kokolia, and even clashed with Illusion… Who are these Company mechs trying to intimidate?

"… I don't get it, they're all Company people, yet the quality gap between leaders and staff is huge!"

Si Ke Te, earlier as well, was overbearing and barked like a mad dog; compared with Director Tuopa, the difference was night and day. Everyone leaned on the Company, and clearly Tuopa's authority was even greater, yet her manner toward others was remarkably pleasant.

"Probably respect," Fu Lian said lightly. "To the Company, Yalilo‑VI is just a remote, barren, harsh little planet, and its inhabitants are very backward… It's inevitable that some look down on the natives, believing sheer force can suppress and intimidate."

Tuopa's attitude is the opposite— I feel she truly understands the mindset of natives on these backward planets; she can both empathize and, from a company executive's perspective, gauge precisely. She grants dignity while applying pressure… *tch*.

"Lord Fu Lian, you mean you like her?"

If Tuopa were our ally, I'd of course like her, but if she's an opponent… such a person is the most troublesome! Tens of times more troublesome than monsters! They don't fight you with swords, they fight with 'words.' When I met such people before, I simply handed them over to Xin Meier to handle.

Dealing with Tuopa, I was probably sold into the Company and still counting money for her…

"Lord Fu Lian, Miss Tuopa would never do such a thing!"

——

"It sounds plausible, but aren't all these assorted rules made by you? This world barely survived, and it can't endure your reckless meddling!" San Yue Qi retorted on the spot.

"Uh, this is… this is a decision from the leadership! We only execute; telling us that won't help." The big‑shot, unable to argue, immediately invoked the leaders to shield himself.

Xi Er had long lost patience with him; seeing his stubbornness, she promptly brandished her scythe.

"I didn't expect we'd have to tear off the façade; I should've applied for overtime earlier… *cough* Never mind, you heard nothing! Since you insist on fighting, be ready to face my laser heavy cannon!"