The person calling Yan Xing was surnamed Yuan and was responsible for managing the company's marketing department.
In truth, for a small company with just over a dozen people, the entire business department, including the manager, consisted of only four individuals. Nevertheless, Yuan, relying on his familial connection to the boss and some seniority, was exceedingly arrogant at the company.
Yan Xing, new to the company, not only had to complete his own work but also endure his supervisor's constant micromanagement.
He was always launching into grand lectures on various life philosophies.
Yan Xing held the phone away from his ear, waiting for Yuan to finish his rant. Then, he said, "Old Yuan!"
Calling him "Old Yuan" provoked the other party even more.
"What 'Old Yuan'!" he seethed. "Is 'Old Yuan' something you can call me? Even the boss has to call me Fourth Uncle. You young people nowadays have no ambition, no respect for your elders. How can I entrust the company's important responsibilities to you?
"Little Yan, you're new to the company, new to society; there's a lot you need to learn..."
Yan Xing directly switched his phone to silent mode and tucked it into his coat pocket.
Let Old Yuan talk to himself. Yan Xing wondered what workplace frustrations had twisted Yuan into this state.
Anyway, this Lord doesn't have time to listen to his life philosophy right now. The priority is to exchange these two Gold Coins for cash and then figure out that game-like world.
As for work... if Old Yuan really convinces the boss to fire me, then so be it. I can't give up an income of tens of thousands for a monthly salary of a few thousand, can I?
Yan Xing put the two Gold Coins in his coat pocket and then started his electric scooter, driving forward along the alleyway.
Though the city air was far less invigorating than the wilderness of the game world, Yan Xing, feeling like he was about to start a new life, was still in high spirits.
The only thing Yan Xing found slightly dissatisfying was... this electric scooter was really slow.
I really want to go count my money quickly!
As the thought of accelerating entered his mind, that inexplicable voice suddenly sounded in Yan Xing's ear.
[Skill: Charge... Activated]
The electric scooter, which had been moving at a steady speed, suddenly accelerated. He could feel the seat thrusting against his backside as it surged forward.
The wind whistled past his ears... the scenery on both sides flew past swiftly.
Oh my god!
Yan Xing was shocked to find that he could use skills from the game world in the real world.
So, it wasn't just the Gold Coins I brought out; I can use skills too! This is playing for high stakes... But I like it!
The Knight's Charge skill could increase speed by fifty percent for a short period, propelling an electric scooter to new heights of velocity.
Like a galloping warhorse, it carried Yan Xing through streets and alleys, screeching to a halt in front of a gold shop.
Yan Xing pulled out the two Gold Coins. Under the ample light, they were even more dazzling, outshining the gold in the shop by an unknown degree.
[Gold Blessed by the Gods.]
This kind of Gold, containing special powers, cannot be altered in shape by external forces. Moreover, if the patterns and inscriptions on them were to circulate, who knows what trouble it might bring me.
Fortunately, as a Lord, I have the ability to transform divinely bestowed Gold into ordinary gold.
Gold Transformation!
A streak of light brushed across the Gold Coins. The patterns and inscriptions vanished, transforming the coins into smooth, small gold discs.
Their luster returned to that of normal gold.
There shouldn't be any problem selling them like this.
Yan Xing parked his electric scooter and walked into the gold shop. He took out the gold discs, saying he wanted to sell this gold.
For the gold shop, such small, private gold transactions didn't involve complicated procedures.
After verifying the gold's authenticity and weight, and weighing it, it was a simple cash-for-goods transaction.
Before long, Yan Xing's mobile wallet had an additional 18,000 yuan.
The two Gold Coins were heavier than he had imagined.
At the entrance of the gold shop, Yan Xing sat on his little electric scooter, looking up at the surrounding skyscrapers...
He felt extremely fulfilled inside. He found himself missing his two newly recruited peasant subordinates even more.
Two peasants could contribute 18,000 yuan a week in taxes. Twenty peasants would mean 180,000 a week.
Two hundred peasants, 1.8 million.
Two thousand peasants, 18 million.
Any more than that... he dared not even imagine.
In any case, at this moment, Yan Xing made up his mind!
These are all hens that lay golden eggs! I need to return to the game world as soon as possible, recruit more peasants, and become a tycoon of urban golden-egg farming!
Of course, when it comes to 'farming' them... I definitely can't let the recruited peasants go hungry or cold. They must be well-fed, warm in winter and cool in summer, living comfortable, healthy lives.
Therefore, this money I've acquired can't be spent on my own enjoyment yet. A shrewd businessman understands investment! One must have long-term vision.
So he rode his little electric scooter to a suburban second-hand market, reluctantly selling his beloved little vehicle for several hundred yuan.
He then turned around and spent a few thousand yuan to buy a second-hand farm tricycle in very good condition.
He also bought pots, pans, ladles, tables, and stools, along with several sets of camping tents.
Next came large bags of flour, rice, cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and a pig's hind leg; vegetables, meatballs, wide noodles, sesame paste, and thinly sliced mutton for hot pot; propane stoves, liquefied gas, nylon ropes... All sorts of odds and ends filled the tricycle to the brim.
Lastly, he downloaded a complete series on wilderness survival onto his smartphone.
Yan Xing decided to go all out in the game world, to see how many treasures he could find and how much money he could make.
I have to at least recoup the more than ten thousand yuan I've invested!
After finishing his shopping, Yan Xing drove his farm tricycle, CHUGGING AND SPUTTERING, out of the suburbs and into the mountainous area. Spotting a deserted small grove, he ducked into it.
「Login!」
The scene instantly transitioned; the small grove became an endless plain.
The sun blazed high in the sky, with layers upon layers of white clouds.
The grassy patches below were filled with small yellow wildflowers, and a faint, sweet scent drifted on the gentle breeze. The air, free from any trace of pollution, was countless times fresher than in the city.
It feels like even selling the air here would be a profitable business. He couldn't help but chuckle.
"Lord, Lord..." The two peasants he had recruited popped out from who-knows-which clump of grass. Seeing the farm tricycle Yan Xing was driving, their expressions turned ecstatic. They rushed forward, kissing the tires and exclaiming, "Great Knight Lord, you've managed to tame a mount even more powerful than your previous one in such a short time!
"It has a body of steel and limbs like wheels... well, three limbs!
"You look so valiant riding it! We believe that with such a powerful mount, you could even challenge the most ferocious dragon at the world's end..."
Hmm? Dragons actually exist in this world?! Looks like this place is quite dangerous; I can't afford to get cocky. Better to lay low if I can.
"Hey, my lads!" Yan Xing adopted the authoritative air of a Lord, calling out to his only two subordinates. "This mount of mine is called a 'farm tricycle.' Not only can it be used for battle, but it can also transport goods. It's an exceptionally rare and valuable mount.
"As long as you work hard, once I, your Lord, get a new mount, I will award this farm tricycle to you.
"Now, look sharp and unload everything from the back. First, let's get the camp set up and the hot pot going. We'll eat while we discuss our grand plans for developing the territory."
Hearing that their Lord would bestow such a superb and valuable mount upon them in the future, the two peasants immediately knelt on the ground and cried out, "The Lord is wise! The Lord is merciful!"
Then they began to unload the cargo with great effort.
The farm tricycle's carrying capacity was, after all, limited, and Yan Xing didn't have the money to buy more things anyway. In no time, the three of them had moved everything onto the ground.
Yan Xing first guided the two peasants in setting up the tents, and then they moved all the goods inside. The tents were made of waterproof fabric, so even if it rained, the goods wouldn't get wet.
After a flurry of activity, a small, rudimentary campsite was established.
Next, Yan Xing set up a table in the center of the camp and placed a propane stove on it. The gas canister was connected to the stove, and a cooking pot filled with water and hot pot base was placed upon it.
Yan Xing turned the knob on the propane stove.
CLICK. A blue flame ignited from the stove.
"Magic!" The two peasants, seeing fire emerge from the stove without any visible fuel, immediately prostrated themselves on the ground. "Great Lord! You are also a magnificent Mage! Your power allows you to effortlessly command the flame spirits, making the noble flame spirits boil water and cook for you!
"We are so proud to be your subjects!
"We believe your territory will soon prosper! A city renowned throughout the world will rise here!
"Your name will be sung by the people living on this land for generations to come...
"Lord, please tell us your family name and your family's guiding principles. As your subjects, these are things we must also uphold and pledge our loyalty to."