NOVEL WEB Chapter 127 Soma_1
Yan Xing's words made the Goblin merchant Gaga realize he was dealing with someone who understood the technology.
Watching Hibel deliberately reveal the watch on her wrist, Gaga's heart felt as if it was being scratched by a cat.
Clocks and watches were popular timekeeping tools among the social elite and nobility. Some Alchemists were also keen on miniaturizing timepieces to showcase their superb Alchemy Technology. After all, a timepiece is a very complex mechanical device, and the precision required for its entire mechanism to operate is extremely high. Precisely manufacturing each tiny component, fitting them into a cramped space, and ensuring they all operated accurately was a true test of an Alchemist's comprehensive abilities.
The Goblin merchant Gaga had seen many miniaturized timepieces made by Alchemists and even possessed several such creations he was proud of. But even the smallest timepiece he had seen was many times larger than the watch on Hibel's wrist.
A watch even smaller than a coin! How tiny must the components be? How are they arranged? How do they operate?
Goblin Gaga couldn't imagine what the inside of the watch looked like; he didn't even know how to open such a delicate case. Curiosity about this unknown Alchemy Technology continually fueled Gaga's desire to obtain a watch for research.
Hearing Yan Xing's asking price, he felt he was paying too much. Never mind not making a profit; even earning less than expected would make him feel ill all over.
Such a tiny watch naturally held immense research value for Alchemy Technology. But the cost of crafting a Magic Generator was also very, very high. To exchange or not to exchange?
Actually, Goblin Gaga didn't have much choice. He couldn't let the watch slip away from him. He knew that other Goblin merchants who saw this watch would feel the same way. Some greedy Goblin merchant would surely be willing to make the exchange.
"Alright," the Goblin merchant Gaga didn't hesitate for long. He said to Yan Xing, "I am willing to trade one Magic Generator for your watch. I have some components for building a Magic Generator here. I'm just lacking some non-Alchemy parts, which need to be procured from a Blacksmith Shop and a woodworking workshop. I estimate the entire crafting period will take about a month."
Yan Xing didn't want to wait that long. He thought some parts could be custom-made in the real world, so he said, "If you don't mind, you can give me the schematics for those non-Alchemy parts. Our artisans in Thunderous Swamp should be able to complete the construction of these parts more quickly."
Thunderous Swamp... Goblin Gaga felt his understanding of the world turn upside down. Could such exquisitely crafted Alchemy watches really be made by the Werewolves and Lizardmen in Thunderous Swamp?
"I still find it hard to believe that such superior Alchemy Technology exists in Thunderous Swamp. Of course, I don't really care who actually made this watch. I just hope you're not deceiving me! If I don't see the second watch when it's time for delivery, you'll certainly know the consequences of deceiving the Goblin Alchemy Factory!"
Yan Xing extended his wrist with a chuckle, a shiny gold watch reflecting the magical lamplight, dazzling Goblin Gaga's eyes. "When you deliver the Magic Generator, this watch will be yours. Oh, and don't forget the accompanying 200 Low-Level Magical Puppets. They are a bonus included in this trade agreement."
And two hundred Low-Level Magical Puppets as well... That was another considerable expense! For the parsimonious Goblin merchant, this felt like carving flesh from his own body.
But to obtain the watch, Gaga had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, "Yes, 200 Low-Level Magical Puppets are also included as a complimentary item in this transaction. Let's sign an agreement so this trade is conducted in the spirit of a contract."
Goblin Gaga took out two contract papers from his Alchemy chair. The chair then ejected a writing board, along with ink and a quill pen. Gaga took the quill pen and quickly wrote the terms of the trade on the contract paper, signing his name.
Yan Xing also signed his name on the trade contract paper. There were two copies, one for each party to keep.
The procurement of the Magic Generator and Low-Level Magical Puppets went much more smoothly than Yan Xing had anticipated.
Then Yan Xing asked Gaga about the Demonization issue with his Sweat-Blood Treasure Horse.
Seizing an opportunity to make money, Gaga extended one finger and said, "Consultation fee: ten Gold for one question. For me to go out and look at your horse, one hundred Gold. Please pay upfront."
Goblin Gaga held out his hand, palm open, looking expectantly at Yan Xing, clearly intending to fleece him.
Yan Xing took off the watch on his wrist, dangled it in front of Gaga, and said with a smile, "You help me inspect the horse—unlimited questions, until I'm satisfied. I can leave this watch with you for one day to study… but you mustn't damage it."
Gaga immediately snatched Yan Xing's watch and said, "Agreed! You better not go back on your word."
Olaf, standing at the shop entrance, yelled, "Master Yan Xing, your word is your bond!"
His voice echoed loudly within the shop.
Yan Xing awkwardly touched his nose and said, "It's my family's creed. If I say it, I will do it."
Goblin Gaga carefully placed the watch into a storage compartment that opened in his Alchemy chair, then steered the chair towards the shop's exit. "We'll go and see your horse that has entered a state of Demonization. The time spent inspecting the horse and answering questions will not count towards my study time with the watch."
"No problem," Yan Xing said.
Yan Xing and Hibel followed Goblin Gaga out of the Goblin Alchemy Shop. A Werewolf Warrior then led Yan Xing's Sweat-Blood Treasure Horse over.
The two-legged Alchemy chair carried Goblin Gaga steadily as it circled the Sweat-Blood Treasure Horse. Gaga drew some Magic runes in the air with his hand. The horse's body shimmered in response to the detection Magic Gaga released. Gaga observed attentively, not cutting any corners, embodying the meticulous nature of an Alchemist.
While observing the Sweat-Blood Treasure Horse, Goblin Gaga mumbled to himself, "This is a breed of horse I've never heard of before. It must be very good at running, with excellent stamina. A truly superb warhorse. Now that it's undergoing Demonization with an affinity for Air Magic, it will run even faster and be more agile once it evolves into a Hero-class Magical Beast. Even when it can generate an Air Barrier beneath its hooves, it might be able to run in the sky! If its magical abilities provide enough lift, its speed could surpass that of most flying creatures. Its mane and tail are now rapidly elementalizing. When it completes its Demonization, they will be able to absorb Air Magic Elementals to replenish the magical energy consumed while traveling through the air. I suggest you feed it food rich in Air Magic Elementals. You should also regularly cleanse it with Air Magic Elementals. This will help enhance the final degree of its Demonization."
Yan Xing said, "My Beast Tamer has already told me all this. I hope to hear more of your advice to help my warhorse achieve the best possible Demonization."