Ke Loong, who initially thought that Boss Jin achieving the Cosmetic Inscriptions on the rings was already an understatement achievement of the year, became nearly insane when he saw the Cosmetic Inscription being utilised as a full costume.
That was because he thought of reverse engineering Jin’s concept by paying a few veteran cultivators to play the dungeon and get that particular Cosmetic Inscription for research. That way, he might discover a way of creating a clothing based cosmetic inscription before Boss Jin did and perhaps sell it country wide.
Yet, this young guy in this store packed with incredible inventions had once again beaten him and his company to it. Ke Loong could not take it anymore and decided to push Jin about it even though Mr Know-It-All advised him not to.
“Jin, I would like to have a sample of that Cosmetic Inscription. Just tell me the price.” Ke Loong went straight to the point and Jin furrowed his eyebrows at him.
“Not interested,” Jin said as his attention went back to the Pandawan’s dungeon instance.
“How about just lending it to me for a while? I just want to see how it feels (and maybe figure out how this works). After that, I will return it to you. Promise!” Ke Loong begged as he was desperate to experience this one of a kind item. As he had seen their own failed cosmetic inscriptions before, Ke Loong was very intrigued with how Jin’s inscriptions differed from theirs.
Jin sort of implied that the cosmetic inscriptions, he created did not need a constant input of chi. That was also evident when he saw the footage of Bin Yong and the rest using their rings, especially when they took their rings off while the cosmetic inscriptions stayed intact.
He came up with two deductions. One was that the inscription consumed very little chi to be activated and maintained, hence it might last for a fixed amount of time before it needed to be charged with chi again. Another possibility, which was far more intriguing, was that no chi was ever required aside from the activation phase though perhaps, there should also be a kind of switch to remove the cosmetic appearance of the inscription.
“Not interested. It’s a Trade Secret. If you want it, you will have to attempt the dungeon just like any other customer.” Jin replied with an indifferent expression but deep inside, he was hoping he wasn’t going too far.
Jin knew that Ke Loong could be pushed around if he wanted something desperately enough though the opposite was true too. If Ke Loong despised something, he would do his best to make sure the process or item to be fixed or scraped away. Jin did not want Ke Loong to become a business rival nor did he want Ke Loong to see that he was easy pickings allured by the greed of affluence. All he wanted was Ke Loong to respect him and see him equally as possible lifetime business partners.
That was seen during the negotiation of the Portal Device when Ke Loong was willing to take uncalculated risks to obtain something that he wants. While his advisors warned him otherwise, Ke Loong would not budge because he believed that the portal device would make the company prosper. So far, as a practical visionary, he had been right on the spot, especially when his company stocks were still soaring high up to this day.
“C’mon, just name your price. I’m sure I can make it worthwhile for you, Boss Jin!” Ke Loong was sounding absolutely desperate. Just when Jin was about to give way for Ke Loong, he decided to remain staunch in his stance the moment he saw Mr Know-It-All coming to aid his old buddy.
“Please don’t push him anymore, Boss. I am sure, you two can work something out. He has already bent his back over for you in the portal device deal. You won’t regret giving your business partner some leeway.” Mr Know-It-All tried to be the mediator and Ke Loong went all puppy eyes for over his buddy aiding him so much. Jin pretended to sigh and asked Ke Loong to follow him into the meeting room, which once housed the ‘Tiger Princess’ Yang Ling’s guests when they were participating in the demonstration of the Gearbox device.
Jin then closed the door shut and called Kraft to enter about a minute later in case Ke Loong had some other tricks under his sleeves. After all, Jin knew his limits when it came to negotiations. (But bargaining? Jin believed that he could win over Ke Loong with his pants down!)
After a short explanation, Jin took out a sample ring and the same pendant that was awarded to the Pandawans the Escape City Dungeon Instance. Ke Loong hastily picked up the ring up and inserted some chi. As expected, the ring turned into a fashionable storage ring with a Hawk insignia on it. Ke Loong was extremely delighted but noticed that there was neither a shining light nor a weapons insignia on it.
“Well, you caught me. Truth be told, we prepare the inscriptions for the cultivators beforehand. The shining light is only to make it look more spectacular and giving the illusion that there was some magic involved. Through the Pandamonium App data, our specialists pulled their info and create the inscription for the rings.” Jin had prepared such a story for his cultivators since he could not explicitly revealed the true identity of the maker for these rings, the System.
“This is the fastest we can create, hence there were no weapon designs on it. Besides, you’ve yet to participate in any of my dungeons, so my employees do not have sufficient data on you.” Jin explained and Ke Loong realised that was the possible reason why Jin had acted so disinterested!
He needed to stall for time for his inscribing specialists to create Ke Loong’s cosmetic item in advance. Ke Loong was happy to learn that Jin had no such intentions to refuse him from the beginning, while at the same time being a bit embarrassed thinking back on how he had acted.
“Oh, Boss, you are too nice and cool. Making a cosmetic inscription on the fly for me. If possible, I’d be interested in meeting your inscribing specialists. You know get to know them and personally thank them.” Ke Loong said as he examined the new Hawk insignia ring, checking the edges and admiring the fine details on it. Although he reinforced in no manner that he wants to steal his employees right under Jin’s nose.
After which he tried the pendant and, in an instant, his original clothes were overwritten by the Black Suit. It was extremely comfortable and not to mention it fit perfectly. As a CEO, Ke Loong needed decent suits to impress his clients and other investors. When he wore the Black Suit Cosmetic Inscription that was on the pendant, he immediately realised that the quality was top notch and the dimensions were perfect, seemingly as if it had been custom made for him.
“This is simply unbelievable. Well, a little scary too. You seem to have more than just my three sizes. As I am in this information gathering field too, I know that superior data collection is damningly vital, but it is also all about implementation too. In my opinion, your secret employees have done more than a wonderful job. Now I might take my words back for I am so tempted to find and poach them away from you.” Ke Loong spoke honestly since he knew, that Jin more than just a one time business partner.
If there were no significant problems between the two of them, he could foresee them creating the next big thing in the next five to ten years. Jin would not only revolutionise the dungeon supplier industry but many other fields too. Then he and Ke Loong could possibly be the ones leading the industry. All Jin needed now was just proper funding and exposure which Ke Loong could both provide. Thanks to that particular advantage, he was going to make Jin shine properly. (Well, and ultimately his company too.)
“Hahah, too bad for you. Even if you find them, I already signed them on to a contract of slavery which they can never break. Hahaha! At least, I provide them with sufficient entertainment, decent housing and food.” Jin joking said in his current situation, filled with half truths and Ke Loong laughed along heartily.
“Boss Jin, you sure know how to crack jokes! Entertainment, housing and food? I bet you are simply housing them in some dungeon instance! Hahahah!” Ke Loong replied.
“Even if that were the case, I am sure you saw how nice my dungeon instances can be. Hahaha. But you can be assured that I pay them well enough, in fact so much so that I could go bankrupt anytime if I do not manage my finances properly. That was why the absurd contract for the portal device.” Jin mixed his lies with some truth to the point that Ke Loong bought it.
“I must say, that’s a daring move. Youngsters these days will never do something like you did. They are too protected by their little bubble. I truly respect that about you.” Ke Loong commented as he took off the pendant and noticed he returned back to the original clothes. After which, he experimented by putting the pendant back on and off. It was slightly hilarious for Jin because he had done the exact same thing when he obtained that technology from the System.
Aye, the System had decided to assist Jin to boost his sales by unlocking this Cosmetic Inscription option after he reached Grade 8. It was a reward that Jin did not expect and even starting to wonder if the System had changed its ways.
Though his praising thoughts did not last long after the System explained that it was part of the rewards for the completion of the secondary objective for his Goblin War Mission. The System also stated that there were more pending rewards that would be unlocked once Jin required them. “Delayed gratification is always better than instant gratification”, or that’s how the System replied when Jin asked about those rewards.
“By the way, how is the portal device going? Please tell me it’s doing okay.” Ke Loong asked since he had invested a lot in promoting the prototype, which made his stocks soar so much that he too was scared of the repercussions of not being able to deliver.
“Ah, about that. Could you come back in a few days time? I will send your secretary a text as soon as my employees have done the last few checks for the working prototype. I’m sure you can understand, how we have to make sure that everything is perfect.” Jin offered and Ke Loong shook his head.
“Just call me directly. Sometimes, my secretary does not know the importance of secrecy. Her mouth should be marked as dangerous.” Ke Loong opened a QR code to his MeChat for Jin to scan so that they could exchange details.
“If the portal device works well, I will not hesitate to make you my official dungeon supplier partner.” Ke Loong said as he was about to walk out of the room, only to be stopped by Kraft.
“I appreciate that gesture you are making for my Boss, but please return the ring. I do not recall my Boss Jin ever letting you keep it, just because it has a hawk insignia on it.” Kraft said while wearing a half fox mask as a disguise…which somehow did not bother Ke Loong but rather terrified him a little. (just as the fact, that he had not noticed Kraft ever coming through the door)
“Ahahaha! I am so so sorry!” Ke Loong hastily took out the ring and placed it back on the table next to the pendant. “I really assumed that Boss Jin was giving that to me since it has a hawk insignia on it.”
“No, Ke Loong, just take the ring. I too must apologise that I did not inform my staff to let you have it.” Jin hurried his steps, grabbed the ring and placed it back into his hands.
“Oh no, no. I really cannot keep it. I am content just seeing it, and trying out your pendant. People fought hard for that reward, and I cannot just take it like that. It was my fault for putting you into that situation!” Ke Loong tried to play the typical ‘refusing the gift so I do not owe you, but if you insist. I will take it’ method.
“Okay, I wouldn’t want to burden you. I shall keep it then.” Jin said and Ke Loong was slightly appalled that Jin did not follow the usual protocol in such a situation.
“Ah, must be because he is still young and does not know the ways of business making. But still, I cannot offend him that much. I guess, he is aware that he does have the higher ground in terms of negotiation this time.” Ke Loong thought to himself and decided to let it go for now. But then he realised that would be stupid of him. So he decided to try his luck for a counter offer.
“What about this? You give me the ring when I make you my official business partner? Until then how about I sell those cosmetic inscriptions out for you too?” Ke Loong tried to compromise.
“Hmmm…How about this? Instead of selling, you give me designs of outfits that could be popular to recreate? In return, I give you a 25% profit for the sales of those cosmetic inscriptions. Both you and I know this could be rather big money.” Now Jin was in his element, bargaining for something.
“35%. A trial period of 3 months and if the overall sales are promising, we can go for an extension.” Ke Loong was quick witted enough to reply.
“30%. You can liaise with popular high tier brands to make more money out of it. As long as you can get them to allow it, my team will be able to recreate and refit their designs into it.” Jin suggested and it was Ke Loong’s turn to sigh.
“33%, since it will be on me to procure the rights for the brands. You drive a hard bargain that even I cannot refuse when I think of such a possibility.” Ke Loong remarked as Jin handed the ring as a sign of affirmation.
“Should not be too much of an expense for you since its just three months,” Jin said as he shrugged his shoulders a little.
“True, but my brand name would be affected. People would be like…since when have they gone into clothes designs?!” Ke Loong answered before he smiled a little.
“Still, when I think about it, it is about dungeons too…Maybe I can open a side company to deal with this kind of stuff as an experiment too.” Ke Loong then thought about it as he thanked Jin for the cosmetic ring. As he turned around, to his surprise Kraft had disappeared just as unnoticed as his earlier appearance. One more glance at Jin, who just gave him a mysterious smile, and Ke Loong hurried out.
His heart was pounding fast at the prospect of being able to find out the properties of Jin’s ring. Rumours had it that all his researchers and engineers had worked overtime to figure out this brand new cosmetic inscription. (They were that enthusiastic about it.)
