Chapter 596

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Protagonist:

Chen Yi

Several hundred tons of heavy metals — for a former empire spanning the European continent — was simplicity itself. Maxim agreed to Zhou Zhixue's transaction, and the application secured 400 tons of copper, lead, cadmium, nickel, and other metals, half of which he split with Zhou. The two shook hands in delight and rode a single transport beast together toward the Water Dragon Temple's Grand Altar.

As the temple headquarters hosting the most ceremonies on the grandest scale, any city-state road leading to it ought to be the finest. In fact, the West Continent's original impetus for building public transportation came from this very need; the Xima Highway was once a temple road.

However, a "finest road" by West Continent standards could only be so good — merely lacking hard obstacles and pitfalls.

Two diplomats accustomed to metropolises and expressways had just left the Xima Highway's range when they instantly felt as if they had sunk into a mud pit. Knee-deep sludge was not the problem; the lack of supplies on the road was fatal. They had to calculate and ration food and water with extreme precision and push themselves relentlessly to secure rations that would keep them from starving and shelter from wind and rain; otherwise they could only chew grass roots in the darkness, fearing every sound.

Fortunately they had brought two squads of soldiers for protection, so when sudden small monsters appeared they could defend themselves. Even so, by the time they neared the temple headquarters and once more set foot on dry land, three soldiers had fallen and two were wounded.

"Magnificent architecture." After walking a full week-plus, Zhou Zhixue's feet were swollen from sitting; the sight of the hundred-meter-plus altar instantly cleared his mind and lifted his spirits — he was as happy as if he had taken a second wife.

Maxim was equally moved. He called back over his shoulder and laughed: "This is the Water Dragon Temple's largest city, right? Let's have a good hot bath first, then go see the priests. That person you mentioned earlier — when can we make contact?"

Knowing a certain priest was one of the chips Zhou Zhixue used to obtain 20 tons of heavy metals. To transport these heavy metals to the West Continent required baskets of pretexts, let alone shipping them out of West River City-State.

Zhou Zhixue was certain Maxim had spent tens of millions or more on this. He reciprocated without hesitation: "I'll go see the priest now. Once you've rested, we'll try to request an audience with the High Priest."

With several hundred tons of heavy metals, unsophisticated natives would certainly come forward to "pay respects." At least that was Zhou Zhixue's conviction.

Maxim could only trust Zhou Zhixue. He found a large inn near the altar, took the transport beast and soldiers inside, and only after washing the entire afternoon did they barely scrub away the grime. When he emerged and stood before another soldier, Maxim frowned again.

Too foul.

The journey was like a crash course in becoming wild boars. Everyone walked dripping sweat, emitting every imaginable body odor, occasionally falling into the mud, drying under the scorching sun coated head to toe, then falling into mud again for another layer of mud-board. If there were a Wild Boar Kingdom, they would all be undefeated Boar Kings after a hundred battles. Of course, wild boars don't care about stench.

"Did you lot actually bathe?" Maxim couldn't help saying. "We're going to meet priests — don't smoke them out."

"You're one to talk…" The soldier on the right wrinkled his nose. "The stench on you is more than double ours."

"Really?" Maxim involuntarily buried his nose in his armpit, staggered twice, then strode off nonchalantly with his back turned: "I remember there's vodka left in my pack."

The soldiers let out excited howls like apes spotting food. Maxim hurried back to his room and hastily doused himself in copious perfume.

When he came out, the hairy men covered their noses and left. Before Maxim could speak, Zhou Zhixue walked in with his head held high.

"How did it go?"

"Done." Zhou Zhixue grinned back to his molars, nodding simultaneously — looking like a rodent gnawing at something.

"When do we meet?"

"We can go now. Priest Muse was once a Knight; he now serves the High Priest. We'll see him first, then present some heavy metals, and we'll likely get an audience with the High Priest." Zhou Zhixue took great pride in his networking ability, thinking: Who says government experience is useless? Even on another continent, the silver-bullet offensive remains beneficial in every direction.

Muse was precisely the West River Knight who had once contacted Chen Yi and the others. Due to West River City-State's connection, he had been absorbed into the Water Dragon Temple's main hall — a figure of considerable real authority.

For the sake of the heavy metals Zhou Zhixue delivered, he spared ten minutes to speak glowingly of the Water Dragon Temple's brilliant prospects.

Zhou Zhixue accompanied him with a smile; Maxim listened impatiently and asked: "When can we see the High Priest?"

Muse, interrupted at his most enthusiastic, glared: "What do you want with the High Priest?"

"Your Excellency Muse, you've forgotten — we just want a title or two."

"A title or two?" Muse laughed. "Do you think titles are yours for the asking? They demand immense hardship and dedication, earning unanimous praise from the locality…"

"We also brought quite a lot of heavy metals!" Zhou Zhixue explained quietly.

"Oh? How much?" Muse recalled the few hundred kilograms of precious metals Zhou had given him and showed a flicker of interest.

"What do you think of this?" Zhou Zhixue handed Muse a slip listing 2,000 kg of copper and 1,000 kg of lead.

Muse chuckled, pocketed the slip, and said: "This much can still get you a face-to-face with the High Priest."

Maxim flared up on the spot. Never mind the metals' intrinsic value — the passage fees and transport costs alone would be enough to choke on, yet it only buys a single meeting?

Even a celebrity's nudes aren't this expensive.

Zhou Zhixue hurriedly restrained Maxim, laughing heartily: "Being able to meet at all is good."

Muse gave them a disdainful glance: "Wait then."

With that, he left.

Before long, a Little Priest came to receive the metals — equally arrogant, even more infuriating.

A full three days passed before Maxim finally met the so-called High Priest.

He was merely on par with Yi Yaer of West River City-State. Zhou Zhixue then requested an audience with the Grand Priest or the Shouzheng Dajisi.

When he mentioned the latter, the temple High Priest laughed aloud, waved his hand, and said: "I know you brought a fair amount of metal, but that's still not enough to see the Shouzheng Dajisi."

"How can that be? I heard Chen Yi didn't give this much metal either." These were all details Zhou Zhixue had secretly gathered; in his excitement he no longer cared about secrecy.

The High Priest snorted: "Chen Yi, a Divine Art Knight — what is his status? Gift-giving is grace. As for you lot, rest two days and go back."

Long after he left, Maxim and Zhou Zhixue finally realized: the tons of metal they had exhaustedly hauled really only bought one meeting.

"No. We must see the Shouzheng Dajisi." The lower the status, the more tenacious Maxim became — this was his final struggle.

While figuring out how to send a letter home to apply for more metal currency, Maxim took the remaining several tens of tons of heavy metals and spent lavishly at the temple.

The effect was not outstanding, but at least it sufficed to keep him there.

A month later, just as they were at their wit's end, Maxim received another 500 tons of metal and 50 million in Gold Vouchers. The deliverer was an acquaintance, who whispered: "Passage fees rose 50%, and heavy metals face an additional 200% tariff. Moscow is at its wits' end — make it happen as soon as possible."

The passage-fee hike drove Moscow's expenditure on Maxim from another angle; under such massive income, Maxim finally got his wish and saw the Shouzheng Dajisi — accurately, he saw the Shouzheng Dajisi through the Shadow Gate.

"The Priest is very busy. State your demand, commoner." The resonant voice belonged to the Young Priest speaking for the Grand Priest.

Maxim hesitated, then answered: "We hope to become Grand Knights. Our devotion to the temple is unwavering."

The gift list had been submitted long ago. The Grand Priest examined it for a long time, then said: "Raw materials are useless. I want finished products."

"Finished products?"

"Here is the list." The priest in the middle handed it to Maxim.

The latter took it habitually, glanced at it, and nearly lost his breath.

Included within were weapon equipment and daily necessities, with luxury goods making up the largest supply; overall, the price was over several billion yuan...

Plus tariffs!

Maxime felt that the Shouzheng Dajisi exuded an intoxicating fragrance.

"Too much. This won't do." He couldn't bear such high expenditures.

The Grand Priest remained unmoved, and the Young Priest replied: "Then go back."

Not a hint of reluctance to see them go.

Zhou Zhixue grabbed him and said softly: "Lord Chen Yi, we are people of status and identity in our homeland. If Your Excellency is willing to grant us the title of Grand Knight, we will certainly actively cooperate with the Water Dragon Temple. Is that not worth more than what's on the list?"

The Grand Priest shook his head and spoke plainly: "No."

"What?"

"Your promises are not worth a physical object."

Zhou Zhixue, furious, shouted: "Then how can you be willing to grant us the title of Grand Knight?"

The Grand Priest tapped his fingers and said: "You have never been Knights. To become Grand Knights, you must convince others wholeheartedly. If the items on the list are gathered, that counts as a dedication."

Maxime could not decide on assets of several tens to over a hundred billion.

Just as the two were about to start cursing, the Grand Priest suddenly shrugged and laughed: "Lord Chen Yi is about to level up again."

"Hmm?" the two diplomats asked in unison.

"The Temple War achieved brilliant results, and the Committee wants to confer a merit upon him." Saying this, the Shouzheng Dajisi laughed: "From now on, you will have to call him Lord Grand Duke."

Zhou Zhixue and Maxime looked at each other.

A Grand Knight requires so many supplies; how much more would a Grand Duke need!

... (Unfinished. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian. com) to cast recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)