Otherworld Bone Dragon Operation Guide

Chapter 109 The Girl and the Fighter Doll

Although the mastermind Yeshia has been defeated, there are still three remaining zombie sea monsters in the Central Ocean. In addition, pirates have been particularly active recently, so cargo ships heading to the Western Continent dare not take the risk.

"How will the compensation be calculated?" Su Ming asked.

“Based on the ship’s total tonnage, it’s 0.3 gold coins per ton,” Beanie replied. “That’s one-fifth of the normal price.”

Su Ming looked at Bei Anqi with confusion, "Why is the price so low?"

“That’s just how business is!” The girl covered her mouth and chuckled. “Just kidding. The truth is you won’t lose out: because this is an unprecedented fleet of over a hundred ships. There are also other auxiliary vessels escorting it, so you don’t need to worry about the miscellaneous matters.”

"Auxiliary ships, what do you mean?" Zijin asked.

“Several small and medium-sized escort ships,” Beanie said. “They are specifically designed to handle various situations at sea; combat is only one aspect of their naval operations. Their combat capabilities pose no threat whatsoever to the White Triangle.”

"In other words, we only need to deal with the tough nuts to crack," Su Ming asked, "and we can obtain—" He estimated, "eighty thousand gold coins?"

“It’s 100,000 gold coins!” Beanie replied. “That’s a very high price. This cargo convoy is too important, and the Chamber of Commerce is afraid of any further accidents, especially considering your recent reputation on the seas.”

To some extent, it also implies paying "real protection money" to the White Triangle.

“Maritime trade between the East and West was interrupted for three months, and commodity prices soared,” Zijin said calmly. “The profits from this shipment must be astonishing.”

Beau Angie nodded. "That's why the Chamber of Commerce can afford it and is willing to pay such a high price."

"In other words, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Su Ming said, glancing at Zi Jin, who nodded.

"Okay, we'll take this commission."

"Wait a minute, aren't you all going to lower the price?!" Beianqi exclaimed in surprise. "It's obvious that only you guys can take this job!"

Although the secrets of the zombies have been cracked, the only vessel currently capable of effectively searching for and killing sea monsters is the White Triangle.

“Neither of us looks like we’d be good at negotiating business,” the scholar said slowly and deliberately.

“Why don’t you hire an agent?” Beanie sighed, rubbing her forehead. “When you offered 30,000 gold coins to rescue the Five Tooth, we would have accepted it, but you agreed to it right away.”

“Actually, we’d go even if you offered us 10,000 gold,” Su Ming said. “It’s just working on a ship with skeletons anyway, and we’re just sitting around doing nothing. If we think it’s worth it, we’ll do it.”

"Hey, I've been working hard to maintain this spell all day, I haven't even had a chance to sleep!" Violet protested. "You should charge at least 15,000!"

"Why do I regret this even more than you do!" Beianqi covered her face, admitting defeat. "Fine, I'll talk to the Chamber of Commerce for you. Just don't let this get out."

"How about we share some of the money from the price increase with you?" Su Ming suggested.

"No way, I wouldn't be able to face anyone if I did that," Angie Beilke refused.

Su Ming and Zi Jin exchanged a glance and chuckled to themselves.

Using Su Ming's identity, the girl negotiated with the Dwarf Merchant Guild, raising the total price of the escort to 120,000 gold coins. They also agreed on the start and end points, as well as the compensation of 3,000 gold coins per day if there were delays due to weather or other factors.

At the same time, the liability for losses to the cargo ship in the safety betting clause was reduced from 65% to 55%. This speed of making money almost caused Su Ming to misunderstand the purchasing power of the otherworldly currency.

Until Violet asked Beanie to issue a notice on her behalf, during the escort mission, the White Triangle was open to buying intact sailors' corpses for 10 gold coins each.

This large fleet has a total crew of over ten thousand. Considering the harsh conditions at sea, the loss of a dozen or even several dozen is normal. Even for a high-income profession like sailor, 10 gold coins is almost a year's income.

People willing to sell their own corpses flocked to the scene. An accidental death providing extra income to support one's family was considered a tremendous blessing.

****
The merchant fleet is assembling, and Su Ming and his group are also preparing to depart.

Violet transferred the fuel collected by the zombies on the island to the ship, and Su Ming began inspecting the equipment. As for Beianqi, she brought a large amount of luggage from the Five Teeth.

There was a lot of stuff; the entire crew of the Ale came to help, and it took them ages to finally finish moving everything, filling the entire flight deck of the White Triangle. In comparison, the personal belongings the Ale brought her amounted to only one small box.

"What is this?!" Su Ming discovered the anomaly from the waterline sensor—the entire ship had been tilted two degrees backward!
“It’s my weapon,” Beanie explained. “My combat class is a Spirit Mechanic, and I fight using mechanical puppets.”

The girl moved her wrist; after the swelling subsided, her injury had largely healed thanks to healing magic. She put on two metal bracelets, her eyes brimming with spiritual energy. Four uniquely designed automatons disarmed.

"Then what's left?" Su Ming pointed to the even larger pile of items behind the puppet.

“Maintaining the equipment and parts for the machines,” Beanie said helplessly. “My job is very troublesome. I have a family to support, and if I leave the logistics department, I’ll be at the mercy of others.”

The four mechs were activated and stood up on the deck. They were made of metal and were quite large, standing three to five meters tall. All of the mechs were covered in scratches and were badly damaged, with one being particularly badly damaged, most of its body broken apart.

"How devastating." Su Ming looked at the Iraqi battle damage above.

“We had a tough fight with the orc Yesia a few days ago.” Beanie’s eyes dimmed as she stopped controlling the machines. “All the mechs need repair now. Can I get the crew from the Blue Ark to come and help?”

“Okay,” Su Ming replied.

“I also need to borrow tools from the ship, such as an angle grinder, a hand drill, and a pneumatic wrench,” Beanie continued.

"That's fine, but no one else is allowed in the cabin."

"well, thanks!"

Beianqi skipped off to call for backup. Su Ming walked up to the most badly damaged mecha. This one looked like a high-speed assault type, equipped with four long swords, but all the swords had been broken, and the body was covered with deep cuts.

The puppet is inscribed with the name of a praying mantis in dwarven script, which seems to be its name.

“Yesia’s blade is extremely sharp and hard,” Bianchi explained after returning from signaling. “The mantis’s weapon is made of the best alloy that dwarves can make, but the gap is still too large to fight against it.”

Violet flew over; she was testing the newly replenished broom. "Was Bing Shu's left leg injured by you?" she asked Beianqi.

The mechanic nodded. "I only managed to hit her once, but unfortunately I was just a little short of cutting her off."

Su Ming sighed inwardly, wondering how much courage he must have had to think he could beat Bei Anqi. It turned out that his combat strength had always been the lowest on this ship.

(End of this chapter)