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Chapter 95: Chapter 87: The Shocking Mall Product_1
Yes, the entire System Shop only sells one type of item — weapons. They’re sourced from various countries. Tang Qing isn’t very familiar with firearms, and the product descriptions didn’t indicate which country they were from. Each weapon only had a model number and bullet quantity listed, along with a selection of complementary parts.
Of course, these are just ordinary firearms and their corresponding bayonets, silencers, mounts, and other similar items. The system didn’t offer anything like planes, cannons, aircraft carriers, or even grenade launchers and hand grenades. However, based on the system’s way of doing things, Tang Qing was certain that these types of items would become available later on.
For example, when the system reached Level 2, it provided the option to trade with U.S. dollars. At Level 3, Euros were added to the mix. Tang Qing was certain that more weapon options would be unlocked at Level 4.
Before the system could answer, Tang Qing opened his eyes and took a deep breath, staring at the ceiling in the darkness as he fell into deep thought.
The system seemed to understand and didn’t give an immediate response.
While many men enjoy military matters, guns, war, and violent, blood-filled films and TV shows, waking up suddenly one day to find a gun in your nightstand drawer is not an exciting experience. It’s more like... you may have gotten yourself into major trouble.
This is precisely what Tang Qing was feeling now - fear, trepidation, uncertainty, and definitely not excitement or joy.
The opening of the weapon exchange.
What did that mean? It probably meant that he was going to have to deal with danger quite a bit for the rest of his life. It indicated that his path towards becoming a banker, as he had initially planned, was going to be riddled with obstacles. The System Shop wasn’t just providing these weapons for him to watch, the system wasn’t that idle. These weapons must have a purpose, and one that would greatly impact his life in a way that he could not quite understand yet.
And the potential price? His very life and... much more.
He had wanted to live a good, stable and happy life with Lin Jiaxue, to spend their lives together.
However, seeing all the items in the store, he felt a bit lost. It was like bringing his whole family into a dangerous situation. And there wasn’t any choice in it, he simply had to keep moving forward. One false move, and it could all be over.
The idea of rebelling against the system? Tang Qing knew with absolute certainty that that would end horribly. The system wasn’t his father who would tolerate his tantrums. It couldn’t even replicate human behavior, what else could he expect from it?
As for suicide to escape it all?
Well, even if ants value their lives, to take his own life after being given this second chance would be beyond foolish.
After plenty of thought, Tang Qing decided to take it one step at a time. As long as he didn’t do anything irrational, like starting fights, killing people or attracting the hatred of others, he would have more than enough to ensure the safety of his loved ones.
It seemed that he would need to seriously consider hiring some powerful bodyguards to protect his family. Not now, of course, that was something to worry about in the future. Right now, he didn’t have any deadly enemies.
Having decided on his course of action, Tang Qing began to question the system again. Why was it only selling weapons? Although he wasn’t asking for any miraculous pills, martial arts techniques or skills, he would be satisfied with sausages, instant noodles or even toilet paper.
"System, I want a proper explanation about this shop. Why are there only weapons? Are you trying to screw me over?" Tang Qing closed his eyes and asked in his mind.
"Hello, host. I can answer this question. According to the standard explanation left by the designer, after translation, it can be paraphrased by a quote from your planet Earth: ’War is the continuation of politics; politics is the continuation of economy; and all of it is controlled by capital. Under the rule of capital, both the tangible supreme power — military strength, and the intangible supreme power — currency, collectively safeguard the supreme power of a banker.’"
After listening to the system’s explanation, Tang Qing fell silent.
The system had made it very clear, the most simple explanation was a combination of the carrot and stick policy.
For a true banker, what else would be needed besides these two things?
Clearly, nothing else was necessary.
Military power safeguards the security of the capital, and the capital strengthens the limit of military power; they complement each other and it’s a foolproof strategy.
Look at the true bankers abroad. Aren’t they using capital to control politics, control the military, and even directly participate in wars to seize national property and earn huge profits?
Don’t they control the operation of this world through the simple method of a carrot and a stick?
Fine, Tang Qing could accept the system’s explanation. There was no way to refute it — the fact was the fact.
He was just a bit disappointed that there weren’t any martial arts skills or magical potions to fulfill his martial arts dream.
He would just have to accept the weapons, and hope the system would eventually offer some futuristic military equipment or even a starship. Right now, the store only had firearms. But even if they did have an aircraft carrier, he wouldn’t be able to buy one; if he did somehow manage it, he wouldn’t dare to show it off, as it would mean certain death.
Even after understanding the true nature of the matter, Tang Qing persisted on, not dwelling on it anymore as he couldn’t change the situation. Instead, he started to go through the list of weapons with interest. After all, what man doesn’t love guns? All he wondered was how the system set the prices — all the equipment looked quite cheap. Pistols all had a uniform price of 300 RMB, while other firearms had their unique prices.
Even Barrett rifles of varying models were only priced at 20,000 RMB.
Yes, you didn’t read that wrong, just 20,000 RMB, is the factory price over there in the United States even higher than this amount?
Are you sure this thing is worth the cost, system?
The price of bullets in the shop varies according to the caliber, and all bullets of the same caliber were priced the same. However, the most expensive was only ten dollars, which were armor-piercing incendiary rounds for the Barrett. Is the price of such bullets really this cheap?
Even regular bullets for the Barrett must cost several tens of dollars each, right?
The cost of production must also be higher than this, right?
"System, did you arbitrarily set these prices? They don’t match reality at all," Tang Qing could not help but ask.
"All weapons are priced according to their weight and technological content. There’s no absolute comparison with the outside world. For the system, the store does not need to make money. Money means nothing to the system, it just can’t be given away to the host for nothing. At the same time, the cost of synthesizing firearms of the same weight is basically the same. Based on the principles of simplicity and ease of calculation, firearms of the same class with a weight difference not exceeding thirty percent are priced the same. All ammunition is charged uniformly according to caliber." The system answered.
Tang Qing suddenly understood. No wonder there weren’t many pricing varieties for firearms in the entire mall. Firearms of the same class with similar weights were priced the same. However, such prices were just too cheap!
Products made by the system couldn’t be counterfeit. Tang Qing truly didn’t understand the system’s internal pricing method. It was incredibly cheap! As for synthesis? Could it be 3D printing or some other monstrous synthesis technology?
Well, Tang Qing couldn’t figure out how they were synthesized and he wasn’t interested in thinking about it.
The cheap prices made Tang Qing feel like being an arms dealer. However, this was just a thought. That profession was too dangerous. Real dealers would end up on blacklists in various countries. Being a banker? He could tell his parents and loved ones about it and they would definitely be very happy. But as an arms dealer? Given Lin Jiaxue’s love for peace... he really couldn’t imagine the consequences.
Since he accepted the products from the store, Tang Qing didn’t dwell on it anymore. He wouldn’t use them unless it was absolutely necessary. Furthermore, they were actually quite good for self-defense.
He then flipped through and exchanged for a pistol without bullets. Fortunately, the system had a recycling storage function for his exchanged weapons. This also let him know that the system actually had something similar to a storage space. However, since his level was low, the system only provided storage services for weapons and equipment it produced and didn’t provide recycling services—it only sold, but did not buy back.
Now that he thought about it, why would the system need to recycle weapons?
He switched on the light and held the icy, black gun—M1911. It was a classic pistol that only cost 300 RMB. This made Tang Qing’s heart burn with excitement. All men loved guns, but there was nowhere for him to try it out. He was so itchy that he could only sooth himself by pulling the trigger. Later, he simply threw the gun back into the system. Looking at it made him excited. He thought about going to the back mountain to hunt when he returned to his hometown. He could also test out the power of his favorite Barrett anti-materiel sniper rifle. Just the thought of it was exhilarating.
’At this moment, Tang Qing discovered that a warehouse icon suddenly appeared next to the mall. Well, at least this icon looked clear enough to be a warehouse. When Tang Qing clicked to look, there was only one warehouse containing an M1911 lying quietly inside.
At this time, Tang Qing was filled with inexplicable excitement and concern. Various thoughts occupied his mind until 2 o’clock in the morning when he fell asleep.
Five o’clock.
Tang Qing woke up again.
Having nothing to do, he pulled out the pistol again, locked the door, switched on the light, and tried to learn how to disassemble the gun. However, after tinkering for a while, he couldn’t figure out how to disassemble it. Tang Qing had to painstakingly look up how to disassemble the gun online.
After over two hours of effort and repeated practice, Tang Qing finally learnt how to disassemble and assemble the gun proficiently within a minute and a half. He found that extremely amusing.
If time had permitted, he might have exchanged for a Barrett rifle to try disassembling it. But that would have to wait for another time.
Tang Qing could then hear his aunt moving about. He immediately stored the gun back into the system.
He did not go out straight away, opting to lie on bed, his hands cushioning his head as he stared at the ceiling.
He waited for his aunt to prepare breakfast and call him.
Another busy day was beginning.
PS: Thanks to readers Xing Di Qi, Kang Naik, Book-loving Rogue, Bu Er Xuan Zun, Hickey96, Soul Dragon Roaming Wild, Love-desiring Chao Chao, and Blue Dream Cold Ice for their recommended votes. Thank you.
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