Chapter 280: Wholehearted Devotion

Can't use it yourself? Does such a thing even exist?

Cheng Shuili raised her eyebrows lightly and hurriedly asked 001 to elaborate.

001 replied that the system doesn't sell the "selling a cliffhanger" program; upon hearing the master's question, it immediately said: "It's like this, big boss! This item is indeed not for player use. In the detailed description there is a very clear rule: the crafted leather armor can only be equipped on servants, or given to NPCs to gain their favor. The player who outsourced the production deliberately concealed this information, and only after earning a lot of Game Coin did the matter come to light."

Equip a servant?

Cheng Shuili thought seriously for a moment.

The servants in the manor are even safer than she is, clearly they don't need this.

The only one who would need it is, of course, Su Rui.

Cheng Shuili glanced toward the cockpit and recalled the wolf‑tribe orcs of the third patrol unit. However, they all wear tactical vests, so she wasn't sure if they need this…

Besides, they aren't her servants.

If Cheng Shuili actually bought these items, she could probably only give them to those orcs as gifts to raise favor, right?

For NPCs already absolutely loyal, gifting to raise favor is obviously redundant.

Cheng Shuili shook her head, looked at the sky outside the window—night was falling again, and tomorrow… is the team Instance.

She averted her gaze, opened private chats with the two, and commissioned a fine crossbow and a piece of leather armor.

Hao Hao was quite conscientious; the crossbow came with twenty free bolts.

Cheng Shuili held it in her hand for a moment, and also received the leather armor that Ba Tie Lu Fei had crafted.

She had seen crossbows in a past life, but leather armor she had only ever seen in the game.

Cheng Shuili lifted the shoulder strap of the leather armor.

Just as described, it was indeed a set: a vest, a pair of arm guards, and greaves.

Overall it displayed a deep brown‑gray hue; the surface had a special treatment, giving it a subtle oily sheen. It felt tough yet slightly springy to the touch, suggesting decent protection.

"It does look pretty much like that."

Cheng Shuili murmured a brief appraisal, casually set the leather armor set on the nearby seat, and picked up the fine crossbow.

The crossbow body was mainly made of hardwood and metal mechanisms; its lines were smooth, its structure compact, exuding a precise cold‑weapon feel.

She tried pulling the string, attempting to engage the mechanism.

If Cheng Shuili had just entered this world, she definitely couldn't pull it, but for the current Cheng Shuili, it was a breeze.

She weighed the handheld crossbow and found it heavier than it looked, confirming solid materials.

The twenty bundled bolts that came with it glimmered with a cold shine, looking quite sharp.

Cheng Shuili wanted to find a target to test, but it wasn't fully dark yet and no monsters had appeared, so she settled for asking 001 to analyze it.

"001, how powerful is this thing?"

Cheng Shuili lifted the crossbow, assumed an aiming stance, gestured at the carriage wall, of course not daring to actually pull the trigger.

"Effective range is about fifty meters; within thirty meters it can pierce ordinary leather armor or a one‑inch thick wooden board. Against unprotected creatures it deals considerable damage. However, reload speed is slow and it requires some arm strength."

001 reported the analysis point by point.

Cheng Shuili was impressed; she had just given a casual command, but didn't expect 001 to explain so coherently.

It seems this system is more useful than she imagined.

Cheng Shuili lowered her gaze, bringing her thoughts back to the crossbow bolts.

"It's indeed rather useless. Against humans we have firearms, so this is unnecessary. Against monsters, we have night hunts, and even if we needed ranged attacks…"

Cheng Shuili set the crossbow down and decided to put the matter of buying an RPG from Rat King on her schedule.

She has a slight fear of insufficient firepower; the sooner she gets a weapon in hand, the more at ease she feels.

Thinking of that, Cheng Shuili even wanted to pull out a parchment and a quill to write a letter to Rat King.

But she thought this could be done eventually, whereas the wax seal can only be used three times; wasting one on this…

It is indeed a bit of a waste.

Cheng Shuili's gaze fell again on the leather armor set, "What a pity, I can't use it."

She murmured for a moment, already formulating a plan.

First she sent a message to Ba Tie Lu Fei: "Leather armor received, craftsmanship good. Final payment sent, pleasant cooperation."

Almost immediately, Ba Tie Lu Fei replied with a goofy smile emoji and a line: "Big boss, generous! If you need anything next time, come find me! Guaranteed discount!"

Cheng Shuili smiled, didn't reply further, and opened Hao Hao's chat: "Just tried it, pretty good. Thanks."

Hao Hao responded quickly: "As long as it works! When the big boss's arrows run out, you can come to me for refills, bulk orders welcome!"

Cheng Shuili felt a lot of emotion reading their replies.

Her reputation had its pros and cons; previously the negatives outweighed, but now that her name is stable, the positives show.

How could traders before her be so courteous?

Cheng Shuili shook her head, casually shoved the crossbow bolts into the Abyssal Ring, grabbed the leather armor set and kicked the cockpit door with her foot.

Su Rui heard the sound and knew what Cheng Shuili had used to knock on the door.

But her rudeness wasn't new, and Su Rui had already said something; she silently sighed, stopped the vehicle, resignedly opened the door for Cheng Shuili.

When the door swung open, she noticed Cheng Shuili cradling something in her arms.

Cheng Shuili had never seen leather armor, but Su Rui had; she works in this field, having seen real leather armor and even chainmail.

Given the situation, this person was clearly bringing the item to give it to her.

Su Rui had seen leather armor before, but those pieces were like antiques, displayed in glass cases; she only glanced at them through the glass.

Receiving it as a gift was truly her first time.

And moreover…

Does Cheng Shuili really not fear her rebelling?

That spear adds a full ten points to attributes! Su Rui didn't know at first; she only learned about it while chatting with the guide.

Such a weapon, if one wanted to trade it away...

It must be something valuable but unsalable.

Cheng Shuili just took it over and gave it to her like handing over a bottle of mineral water.

Now this set of leather armor is the same.

Cheng Shuili herself hasn't even worn it, right?

Just give it to her like that?

Although Su Rui raised her hand to receive this set of equipment, her brain had actually crashed.

If she weren't holding back, her eyes would probably be full of tears.

Her Lao Da may have many flaws, but in being good to her subordinates, there's really no fault to be found.

That's why so many people are willing to follow her wholeheartedly, right?