Chapter 57: Chapter 56: Federal Security and Logistics Management Bureau
Translator: 549690339
The next day.
Bai Qi arrived at the Beast Master Association on time, and after inquiring with the front desk receptionist, he headed for the meeting room. President Qin and a well-dressed tall man were already in the room by the time Bai Qi arrived.
For some reason, the two were not conversing, and simply sat quietly in the room. Seeing this made Bai Qi feel somewhat guilty as he initially thought he was lucky not to be late.
“Bai Qi, you’re here. Let me introduce you. Yi Yu, special representative of the Federal Security and Logistics Management Bureau,” President Qin gestured to the man, “And this is Bai Qi.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Yi Yu.”
Yi Yu stood up, smiling as he extended his hand, “The name of the Federal Security and Logistics Management Bureau is a bit long, so we usually just call it the Thirteenth Bureau.”
This brought to mind a certain comic book character, their bureau chief wasn’t a one-eyed bald guy by any chance, was he?
“Hello.”
Bai Qi shook Yi Yu’s hand and took his seat at President Qin’s prompting.
“I’ve already briefed Bai Qi about the general situation. Now it’s time for the two of you to negotiate the specifics of the trade.”
President Qin clearly had no intention of beating around the bush, and he got straight to the point before leaning back and falling silent.
Are you not going to help me bargain, Old Qin?
Even if you told me to name my price, you could at least give me an idea, couldn’t you?
At least tell me what this Federal Security and Logistics Management Bureau is about.
Seeing this, Bai Qi quickly shot President Qin a look, but Qin didn’t seem to notice. No matter how hard Bai Qi strained and twitched his eyes, Qin remained impassive.
“Um, I hope you don’t mind me addressing you directly as Bai Qi,” Seeing Bai Qi’s state, Yi Yu smiled warmly, “Relax, Bai Qi. I’m just here on behalf of the Thirteenth Bureau to negotiate a trade with you, not the Federation. So you can just take it easy.”
Can I say the very existence of this Thirteenth Bureau is what makes me a bit timid?
Seeing Bai Qi standing there silently, Yi Yu began, “Before I came here, I got to know a bit about you, Bai Qi. You’re a first-year student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Star Mechanics Academy. At 534 p.m. on May 6th of this year, you awakened your talent and contracted an undead department beast, a Mutant Skeleton Soldier, in the Elf House.”
Do these guys specialize in prying into personal information? They even checked when I awakened my talent?
Bai Qi nodded, “That’s correct.”
Having finished, Yi Yu gave a small smile, “I’m sorry for overstepping. It’s a professional habit to be thorough. This is just to make our trade easier. I hope you don’t mind.”
Do I have a choice in the matter?
Bai Qi shook his head in response, and Yi Yu continued, “Considering your current developmental path, I’ve prepared two trade proposals for you.”
“The first one: the Thirteenth Bureau can provide you with a Mythical Material and access to all Mechanical Engineering blueprints up to the Legendary Level. But the key to the Lamentation Tower and the right to explore it must belong entirely to the Thirteenth Bureau. Neither you nor anyone in your association will be allowed to enter for exploration before the Thirteenth Bureau opens the Lamentation Tower again.”
The old man Qin was right. This federal institution really was wealthy. They begin negotiations by offering a Mythical Material and the entirety of the Mechanical blueprints. They truly were arrogant in their wealth.
Without mentioning the value of the Mythical Material, access to all blueprints of the Mechanical Engineering Department up to the Legendary Level was already a considerable asset.
In simple terms, with these materials, provided Bai Qi secured sufficient funds, he could manufacture any mechanical armament except the Federation’s core weapons.
It seemed he wouldn’t be at a loss to exchange the key to the Secret Realm Tower of uncertain value for a Mythical Material and access to the entire Mechanical Engineering blueprints.
After contemplating for a while, Bai Qi turned his gaze back to Yi Yu, “And the second option?”
Yi Yu let out a small grin, “For the second option: the Thirteenth Bureau will still provide you with a Mythical Material, but we won’t be able to provide the Mechanical Engineering related blueprints. The key to the Lamentation Tower will belong to the Thirteenth Bureau, but Mr. Bai Qi, you will still retain the right to explore the tower. However, we request that the Thirteenth Bureau be allowed to explore it three days prior.”
“Exchanging the right to the Secret Realm Tower for a Mythical Material and access to the Mechanical Engineering blueprints, I personally suggest that you choose the first option, Bai Qi.”
“After all, even the Beast Master Association doesn’t have access to certain Mechanical Engineering blueprints.”
Upon hearing this, President Qin remained silent. The Meeh Department was crucial to mankind’s ability to resist the Ferocious Beast Tribe, so each piece of core knowledge was, understandably, held by the Federation. Yi Yu wasn’t speaking out of turn.
Seeing President Qin’s reaction confirmed the truth of Yi Yu’s words for Bai Qi. After contemplating for a moment, Bai Qi made his decision.
“I choose the second one.”
“But, I would like to modify one condition.”
Actually, had it been earlier, Bai Qi would’ve undoubtedly chosen the first one.
However, when he thought about Luo Xiang’s specific advice to him to learn about rune knowledge and to study hard, Bai Qi felt the value of the Lamentation Tower must’ve greatly exceeded his expectations.
The attitude of the Thirteenth Bureau was the best proof of this.
Yi Yu nodded in understanding, “You can. After all, negotiations are underway, and we can discuss any ideas.”
“I need a Mythical Material belonging to either the Undead or Space Department, but I can’t give up the right to explore three days in advance.”
The Thirteenth Bureau was subordinate to the Federation and was specifically responsible for handling such matters. If they were given three days to explore first, wouldn’t there be nothing left afterwards?
With this, Yi Yu immediately shook his head, “Mythic Space Materials are far too scarce, and with my authority, I can’t guarantee that to you. However, I can try to apply for Undead ones. As for the three days of exploration rights, I apologize, but this is the bottom line for the Thirteenth Bureau, and I cannot compromise on it.”
Seeing how adamant he was, Bai Qi fell silent.
“Ahem…”
Seeing both fall silent, President Qin finally intervened, “How about this: keep the three-day priority exploration right for the federation while they will provide some Mechanical Engineering blueprints as well?”
Yi Yu pondered for a moment and then lifted his head, “Let’s follow President Qin’s suggestion then. However, when it comes to the Mechanical blueprints, I can only provide material up to the fourth stage. Would that be acceptable?”
At this, Bai Qi nodded repeatedly, trusting President Qin completely. Given his long years of life and experience, he surely must have had a more profound understanding of the matter.
As for what would be left after three days, that would be a matter of destiny.
Even though he couldn’t attain all the Mechanical Engineering blueprints up to the Legendary Level, having access to the ones up to the fourth stage was enough for now.
He couldn’t be too demanding after all.
“This storage card contains all the Mechanical Engineering blueprints up to the fourth stage. As for the Mythical Undead material, I’ll apply for it later, so it might take some time.”
Seeing Bai Qi’s agreement, Yi Yu took out a storage card and handed it to Bai Qi, and Bai Qi gave Yi Yu the key he had prepared beforehand.
“With this, we have a deal.”
Yi Yu, with a grin, put the key away, “In six days, President Qin, please clear the vicinity of the Lamentation Tower. The Thirteenth Bureau will then come and take over on time.”
“Fine, safe travels.”
President Qin responded coolly, before asking his secretary to see Yi Yu out.
“Mr. President, why do I get the feeling you’re not too fond of this guy?”
Waited until Yi Yu left, Bai Qi finally voiced his doubts.
“Not exactly, I just don’t want to have too much contact with this madman.”
“A madman? He seems pretty sane to me.”
Bai Qi expressed his doubt, and President Qin said seriously, “That’s because those who have seen him in his insane state have all been sent to Federation Prison.”
“If you don’t want him to keep an eye on you every day, it’s better to keep your distance.”
Well, if he’s a stalker, then Bai Qi better be more cautious..