"I can't sense any energy fluctuations, so it must be dead. Hehe, it's easy to find out if it's dead or not." Hao Jiu said, then brought up the quest interface. The progress of the novice quest had reached five-sixths, which meant that only the black dragon in the sixth plane was left.
"Congratulations, God of Wine, on your successful dragon slaying! Do we still need to go back and collect the black dragon's remains?" Xiang Yu asked.
“There’s no rush. I suspect the real treasures of the Black Dragon are all here. The earlier the parts are cut off, the less valuable they become.” Hao Jiu said, then took a throwing knife and carefully began to skin and dissect the dragon.
Soon after, the main body of the drum transformed into three large, golden modules, which then merged into Hao Jiu's body with a flash of golden light.
Immediately afterwards, Hao Jiu, who was originally only wearing a vest and shorts, underwent a complete transformation. Not only was he covered in a magnificent set of golden armor, but his hair had also grown a bit longer, and he had a pair of large wings. He looked extremely heroic and extraordinary, just like Saint Seiya wearing the Sagittarius Gold Cloth!
Hao Jiu discovered that he could reshape himself during the fusion process after the module was integrated into his body, and he could finally get a cooler look.
As for why it's the Sagittarius Gold Cloth, it's because that's the only one Hao Jiu could think of for a moment. Even though the anime later released many more impressive Cloths, he doesn't remember them much now.
The reason for this may be related to Hao Jiu's frequent use of the hero Hou Yi in the game "Honor of Kings".
However, Hao Jiu overestimated the size of this module. The Sagittarius Gold Cloth was made, but it was obviously much thinner than the original and it was missing a golden bow.
Whether the shape changes or not is secondary; the key is whether the modules integrated into the body are easy to use and what amazing functions they have.
The answer is, of course it's easy to use. If it weren't easy to use, it wouldn't be able to be integrated. However, we'll need to analyze the specific functions for a while to find out.
"So, by exhausting the energy of a system, you can obtain a complete module! Hahaha..." Hao Jiu couldn't help but burst into wild laughter, just like a major villain.
With this experience, will I still need to buy modules in the future?
However, Hao Jiu's smile quickly faded. If killing the system really could seize the module, then the world of systems would be far too dangerous. There might be many systems that could be compatible with and carry any module.
He is still just a novice system, and if he were to encounter a powerful system combination, he and Xiang Yu might not be able to win.
Therefore, the best strategy for him right now can be summed up in one sentence: play it safe and don't be reckless!
Big fish eat little fish, little fish eat shrimp. If you're weak, just stay in a lower plane for a while and develop your strength before heading to a middle plane.
"Huh? What's this?" Hao Jiu suddenly noticed that besides the module that had just been fused, there was also a golden sphere with spots, but the red dragon ball that was always included in the loot was nowhere to be found.
"Forget it, let's put it away for now. We'll see if it's useful later. Xiang Yu, let's go back and look for the remaining pieces of the dragon corpse along the way. See if there's anything good there." Hao Jiu said, then picked up the throwing knife and began to skin and dissect the tail that had been torn off earlier.
Xiang Yu responded and rode his black horse back, searching for fragments of the dragon's corpse along the way.
Soon after, the analysis of the three newly integrated modules of Haojiu was completed, and their specific functions were revealed.
Hao Jiu's lips twitched violently. It seemed unlikely that this new function could be used on Xiang Yu. What a rip-off!
Chapter 165 The Pitfall Module
The three modules that Hao Jiugang integrated are all very powerful. Two of them can be used by the host, and they are called the pill module and the Qi Luck module.
The pill module's specific function is to create several magical pills, such as the yellow mind-control pill that can temporarily bewitch others, the red power pill that can temporarily stimulate one's own potential and enhance combat power, and the blue endurance pill that can restore the virility of male creatures!
The Luck module has a relatively simple function: it can enhance the host's luck. If a person has incredible good fortune, then the fulfillment of their wishes is more than just a blessing.
The third module of Haojiu Fusion is for the system's own use and is called the modification module. It can make simple modifications to existing functional modules, so that their functions can be changed in the long term, and there is a certain probability that the functions of the modules can be enhanced.
Hao Jiu was initially very excited to receive these three powerful modules, but after trying them out, he felt an urge to curse.
I don’t know if it’s because these three functional modules all come from Black Dragon, but they all have to meet a similar condition to start up, which is that they all need a special thing as ‘auxiliary fuel’, and can’t be used just by having system energy.
But what exactly is this auxiliary fuel?
After analyzing and trying out these three modules, Hao Jiu was shocked to discover that a large amount of resentment points were required to use these three functions!
What is resentment value?
A special kind of psychic energy that is extremely complex, formed by a person who has a bond with the host and is betrayed by the host, resulting in a strong sense of reluctance to let go, resentment, anger, regret, revenge, and many other emotions.
The method to gain resentment points is very simple: the more the host's relatives, friends and subordinates regard the host as a close friend and respectful person, the more resentment points they will generate from the host's betrayal.
This is outrageous!
This system's functions are a perfect match for someone like Liu Ji, who can deceive and brainwash others for his own benefit, and then ruthlessly discard them after using them, even if they are his own flesh and blood or his closest loved ones.
Skilled at masquerading as a wise ruler, and ruthless after achieving success, with the motto "I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me," this is the true nature of a treacherous hero. Choosing such a treacherous hero as a host would surely lead to a host of resentment.
Since ancient times, the imperial family has been the most ruthless. Choosing an emperor as a host means that the resentment provided by the three palaces and six courtyards alone will be considerable.
But Hao Jiu's host is Xiang Yu!
They were completely opposite to Liu Ji. Xiang Yu was too loyal and righteous, making it almost impossible for him to betray his loved ones and friends. On the contrary, Xiang Yu was betrayed quite a bit by his friends and family along the way.
There's a saying that 'kind people are always hurt,' and Xiang Yu was indeed hurt far too much. Even after his death, he was smeared by people with ulterior motives, and the always-hurt Xiang Yu was also labeled as fierce and cunning, a massacre of cities and a tomb robber.
This truly proves the saying, "The victor is king, the loser is villain; even if you weren't a villain, you'd still be one."
Although Xiang Yu made a comeback in the Chu-Han Contention timeline under Hao Jiu's intervention, killing almost all those who betrayed him, this does not mean that Xiang Yu can turn around and betray his beloved relatives, friends, and subordinates.
More importantly, Xiang Yu was not interested in women; his only true love was Yu Ji. What could be done?
"This is so hard..." Hao Jiu's joy at getting three modules vanished. Where could she find any resentment to express?
"God of Wine, what troubles you?" Xiang Yu asked with concern.
"It's not... Never mind, no need to go back to look for the dragon corpse. I doubt there'll be anything good there. Let's find a place to rest." Hao Jiu thought it best not to tell Xiang Yu about the resentment for the time being.
"Alright then." Xiang Yu didn't think much of it; Hao Jiu probably just thought the harvest wasn't good.
Hao Jiu temporarily put aside the three unusable functions and decisively focused her attention on the little tail.
After removing the last impurity, Hao Jiu's eyes lit up again. He hadn't expected that this tail, though small, contained so much valuable information that he had obtained two more complete modules!
One of them was the remote-controlled throwing knife module that he had fused with before. Because it had already been fused once, this module could not be fused again. But for some reason, the throwing knife in this module was still in the form of a poisonous insect and did not seem to be turning into a throwing knife.
After carefully analyzing the differences between this time and the previous times, Hao Jiu roughly understood the key point. It seemed that the previous times were because the red instant-kill item had shattered all the modules, so the poisonous insect lost its mother and thus actively connected to Hao Jiu's module.
Since the parent module was still in use, the venomous insects did not actively connect to Hao Jiu's existing modules.
Of course, this isn't a big problem. The simplest solution is to destroy the newly acquired mother module, but Hao Jiu thinks it's wasteful.
Anyway, there's not much difference between five knives and six knives, so let's just leave them for now.
Another module could be integrated, but its function left Hao Jiu completely bewildered; it was actually the free trade market module.
Since we already have the God's Shop, why do we need this Free Trade Market module?
However, since it can be integrated, it means it is different from the God's Shop. But in terms of function, there is really not much difference. Both can be used to search for and buy and sell goods.
However, if you open the Free Shop and look at the products sold there, you will immediately notice the difference. The two shops sell completely different items, and it seems that the products sold in the God Shop are more expensive and higher-end.
It gives the impression that the God's Mall is the CBD of a big city, while this free market is just an open-air morning or night market.
Hao Jiu looked more closely and found that the goods in this free market had an extra line of description compared to the God's Mall. It listed the shop owner's nickname, such as "Immortal Medicine Pavilion Shop" or "Dan Shen Sect Shop" for those selling elixirs.
Compared to the God's Shop, the prices of similar products with the same effects vary greatly. Some are more expensive in the open market, while others are more expensive in the God's Shop. However, overall, the prices in the God's Shop are still higher.
Moreover, the biggest difference between this free market and the God's Mall is the addition of a Saintly Intermediary function. After some research, Hao Jiu discovered that this Saintly Intermediary is somewhat similar to a guarantor or intermediary.
Using this feature, both buyers and sellers have to pay an extra amount of energy as a brokerage fee, so the price of the goods is relatively high.
Most of the items sold in the free market that are more expensive than those in the God's Shop have the Saint Seiya label, while the cheaper items usually do not support Saint Seiya.
In addition, the fee for this Saint is fixed at 1000 energy points per transaction, which is incredibly greedy, and both the buyer and seller make a profit.
Even if the unit price of this product is 1 point, you still need to pay 1000 energy to use the Shengjie function, so you need to spend 1001 energy to buy one product.
Of course, the seller won't just sell one; they'll sell 1,000 at a time, which is equivalent to selling them at 2 each. The more the buyer buys, the more cost-effective it is.
In this way, even if some items are priced very cheaply, Hao Jiu loses interest in buying them. Using the Sheng Jie function, it is only worthwhile to buy items worth more than 2000 energy or even more.
As for not using the Saint Seiya function, Hao Jiu wouldn't dare to try it lightly. It might be cheap, but there must be some rip-offs involved. Otherwise, who would waste money on Saint Seiya?
Hao Jiu sensed that the sellers in this free market were probably just ordinary systems like him, and not beings like the God of Systems.
Suddenly, Hao Jiu noticed a rather inconspicuous button in the corner of the free market interface, with the words "My Shop" written on it.
Could this be Heilong's shop?
Hao Jiu was instantly excited, wondering what good things were being sold inside. But when he clicked the button, a message popped up immediately.
"Dear customer, would you like to spend 10,000 energy to open your business?"
What the hell is this?!
Is this some kind of black market?
This is absolutely outrageous!
Chapter 166 A Head Falls from the Sky
Southwest of Wuzhong, in the Han army's main camp, in the central command tent.
"Report! To the Great General! Prince Zang Tu of Yan has personally led an army of 200,000 to request an audience with His Majesty!"
"What? Zang Tu has some nerve! Instead of defending the fortified city, he has sent out his entire force to attack our army first!" Lü Ze said angrily.
"This humble general is willing to lead the army to meet the enemy!" Guan Ying said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
Lu Ze sneered, "The Prince of Yan requests an audience; how can His Majesty refuse to see him? General Guan, you shall immediately lead the cavalry out of the west gate, circle around to the rear of the Yan army, and wait for the sounds of battle or the raising of smoke signals before leading your troops to surround them. Do not fail to do so!"
"Yes, sir!" Guan Ying bowed and accepted the order, then strode out of the central command tent.
“Fan Kuai!” Lü Ze called out.
"Your subordinate is here!" Fan Kuai stepped forward, clasping his hands in greeting.
"Immediately muster the troops and march out to confront the Yan army, preparing for a decisive battle!" Lü Ze was confident that dealing with Zang Tu would be a piece of cake, and that the battle would be the end of the matter!
"Yes!" Fan Kuai responded and turned to leave the tent.
Lu Ze scanned the crowd, finally fixing his gaze on one person, "Lieutenant Chen Ping of the Imperial Guard!"
"What are your orders, General?" Chen Ping asked with a slight smile.
Lu Ze clasped his hands in a fist salute. “I’m grateful that Lord Chen has made this trip in person to ask His Majesty to meet Zang Tu at the front lines. If we can persuade Zang Tu to surrender with his army, that would be the best outcome. I will take the generals ahead first, and please urge His Majesty to hurry.”
"Yes, sir." Chen Ping replied and then left the central command tent, feeling utterly helpless. His Majesty's fondness for women was truly unprecedented, and it was quite a predicament for Guo Meng.
At this moment, Guo Meng was standing outside Liu Ji's bedchamber, hesitating. His Majesty had gotten up so late today. Should he wake him or not?
Guo Meng had encountered a similar situation before. His Majesty had worked too hard at night and slept until the afternoon of the next day. Guo Meng kindly called him to eat, but instead, he was scolded by Liu Ji.
"General Guo, has His Majesty risen yet?" Chen Ping asked, bowing.