Chapter 100: Zhiqi
Chapter 100: Zhiqi
Just as Gao Jing had guessed, Zhiqi’s true self was hidden inside the Spirit Energy Puppet.
This mysterious Ancient Remnant Clan sat in a wheelchair, with wooden levers neatly arranged on both sides.
They looked like control levers for the puppet.
A bent speaker hung down from above, blocking the controller’s face.
It felt very strange.
Creek! Creek!
Amid the constant sounds of grinding gears and moving parts, a folding wooden ladder popped out below the puppet’s cabin.
It slowly unfolded and landed on the table below.
Then Zhiqi, still in his wheelchair, slid down the ladder.
After reaching the table, the wheelchair kept sliding a short distance before finally stopping in front of Gao Jing.
Only now did Gao Jing get a clear look at the other’s true appearance.
A fat man.
A super-fat, enormous man!
Life conditions in the Primary World were becoming more and more comfortable. Modern technology brought about enormous material abundance, and the number of overweight people in cities kept growing every day.
Gao Jing knew several fat guys himself.
But Zhiqi’s level of obesity completely surpassed Gao Jing’s common understanding of fat.
Round head, rounded arms and legs, plus a rotund belly.
He was practically a big ball!
Gao Jing felt that without the wheelchair, this man couldn’t possibly walk on his own legs.
He was just too fat!
This enormous man wore a robe like silk brocade. A shiny golden necklace hung around his neck. All ten fingers sported colorful gemstone rings. And on his head, he actually wore a golden crown.
A real new-rich vibe hit Gao Jing!
“Your Honor Gao Jing.”
Zhiqi said with a smile, “Very glad to meet you. I am Zhiqi, from Wuzhi Abyss City.”
As he spoke, he lowered his head slightly towards Gao Jing.
It seemed like a form of salute.
“Hello.”
Gao Jing returned the gesture. “Your Honor Zhiqi.”
Gao Jing had already introduced himself earlier, so there was no need to repeat it.
“I didn’t expect to meet Your Honor here today.”
Zhiqi said very seriously, “This is my greatest gain today.”
His smiley face made Gao Jing think of another fat man — Niu Jinxing.
They actually bore a thirty to forty percent resemblance!
Though Zhiqi was far heavier than Niu Jinxing.
If the latter could see this fellow, he’d probably be very happy.
In comparison, one finds contentment!
Gao Jing smiled and said, “It’s an honor to meet Your Honor too.”
He was genuinely quite interested in this individual.
An Ancient Remnant Clan from the Abyss, serving as the leader of a Great Wilderness tribe’s merchant caravan, commanding over a hundred Giants ten times his own size.
Including Totem Warriors.
Plus that Spirit Energy Puppet behind him — it was unimaginable without some major capabilities!
Gao Jing didn’t underestimate him in the slightest.
And he remained secretly alert.
Clap! Clap!
Zhiqi clapped his hands.
Just as Gao Jing felt puzzled, two lovely girls walked out from the cabin of the Spirit Energy Puppet.
They wore simple, elegant dresses of identical style, like a pair of twin sisters.
Together, they carried down a small table.
The inside of the Spirit Energy Puppet was clearly much bigger than it looked.
The table was placed between Gao Jing and Zhiqi. The girls then brought down a clay stove, a teapot, and teacups.
Time to light the stove and brew tea!
Their movements were so practiced, it seemed they had done this many times before.
Gao Jing found them quite pleasant to watch.
Both their faces and figures matched Gao Jing’s aesthetic rather well.
Or rather, the typical modern taste from the Primary World.
Like watching cute maidens in a historical drama.
Completely different from the Great Wilderness Giants.
“They are both my handmaidens.”
Zhiqi said with a chuckle, “They’ve been with me for a long time.”
“Your Honor Gao Jing, if you like either of them, feel free to pick one. Consider it my welcoming gift.”
Oh, I couldn’t possibly! But could he have both?
“Thank you for your generosity, Your Honor.”
Gao Jing shook his head, “As the saying goes, being unworthy of an undeserved gift. I must respectfully decline.”
“Being unworthy of an undeserved gift?”
Zhiqi’s eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands. “Well said, Your Honor Gao Jing! Then I shall not insist.”
Though you could try a little insisting…
Gao Jing smiled.
Seeing that the tea water would take a little longer to boil, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket.
Flipping open the pack, he took out a cigarette and asked, “Your Honor Zhiqi, do you smoke?”
“Smoke?”
Zhiqi, who had been observing Gao Jing closely, was puzzled. “You call that ‘smoke’?”
The cigarette in Gao Jing’s hand was white and slender, completely different from the tobacco he knew, making him suspect Gao Jing had misnamed it.
“Yes.”
Gao Jing expertly held the cigarette between his lips, flicking the lighter on with a snap to light it for himself.
He took a deep drag, then blew out a perfect smoke ring.
He then set the lighter down, sliding it and the cigarette box across to Zhiqi opposite him. “Try?”
Zhiqi looked stunned.
As the leader of the Qinghe Merchant Caravan, he had traveled far and wide and seen many things.
But he had never encountered a clan member like Gao Jing.
China is named Xia for its grand rituals; Hua for its splendid attire.
We Hua people are from Great Xia!
Recalling Gao Jing’s earlier introduction, Zhiqi felt an inexplicable sense of awe.
“Thank you.”
He signaled his maidservant to fetch the cigarette box and lighter for him.
He attempted to copy Gao Jing’s earlier actions.
But Zhiqi’s palm was too broad, his fingers too thick, and he nearly crushed the entire box of cigarettes.
Luckily, the maidservant was quick-witted. She swiftly retrieved a cigarette for him and lit it.
She even thoughtfully placed it right at his lips for him.
Gao Jing watched with a touch of envy – this guy really knew how to live!
“Cough! Cough!”
Zhiqi tried to take a draw, but choked because he was unfamiliar with smoking.
He coughed until tears streamed down his cheeks.
“Master!”
The two maidservants panicked.
One patted his chest, another hurried to fetch water, creating a flurry of activity.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
Zhiqi waved his hand, indicating they shouldn’t worry.
Carefully pinching the cigarette’s filter between his thumb and index finger, he took another couple of draws.
This time, he succeeded.
Soon mastering the puffing technique, Zhiqi joined Gao Jing in blowing smoke rings.
“Good smoke!”
After finishing half the cigarette, the big, wealthy fellow couldn’t help but praise: “I’ve never smoked anything like this before.”
Of course it was good smoke!
Learning that tobacco had a strong market in the Great World, Gao Jing had not only brought back 20 tons of tobacco leaves for the Elder Shaman on this trip, but also ten cartons of top-tier cigarettes.
Precisely prepared for this “clansman,” Zhiqi.
One box cost over a hundred!
Naturally, Gao Jing had prepared more than just this card up his sleeve.
The rest were stashed in his backpack and Storage Space beside him!
If the other person didn’t smoke or didn’t like cigarettes, Gao Jing would have offered something else.
Like champagne or red wine.
Or Moutai!
It seemed now that the “ammo” he’d just pulled out was very effective.
Liking it was perfect!!
Gao Jing hadn’t been a salesman for four years for nothing.
Looking across at Zhiqi, Gao Jing showed a knowing smile.
What a big…
What a big new customer!
Just then, Zhiqi also looked towards Gao Jing.
Their eyes met, and both men grinned broadly with happiness!
Extremely, extremely happy.