Chapter 129: Transfer of Command

Just as Chen Hao was about to leave the border of Jibei, he suddenly received a system notification. It informed him that the item he had listed on the trading platform via contract had been sold and instructed him to fulfill the terms of the agreement immediately.

After checking into an inn, Chen Hao logged into the game’s trading platform. The system indicated that player No. 1592701 had purchased his headquarters blueprint for 36 million.

Since he wasn't selling the physical blueprint directly, the terms required him to build the headquarters at a specified time and location and then transfer ownership to the buyer before the system would release the funds into his account.

Chen Hao could only see the buyer's platform ID, not their name; similarly, the buyer only knew him by his ID. Opening the contract, he saw the buyer required the headquarters to be built in Gubu Town, near Qinan City, within twenty-four hours.

Chen Hao clicked "Agree," and the contract was finalized. Failure to complete the task on time would not only cancel the transaction but also damage his reputation on the trading platform. Three such failures would result in a permanent ban from using contract-based sales and higher transaction taxes on future auctions.

Since he was already near the Qilu border, reaching Qinan within a day on his steed, Tixue Wuzhui, was easy.

Choosing Qinan for a headquarters was hardly a wise move. Qilu was the stronghold of Yuan Shikai; how could he allow others to stake a claim there? With a boss like Yuan Shikai in the mix, even if a player had official status, their operations in Qilu would be limited to minor skirmishes.

The person who spent 36 million RMB on a blueprint clearly wasn't aiming for a small-scale operation, so those millions were destined to be wasted. Chen Hao didn't feel obligated to warn the buyer. Besides, the combination of such a massive investment and the specific choice of Qinan reminded him of the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry.

Qinan was the home base of the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry. Given Guan Ning’s penchant for grandstanding, it was highly likely he would spend millions to establish the game’s first base.

Back in the game, Chen Hao rode Tixue Wuzhui toward Qinan, planning to finish the trade before heading to Penglai. Upon arrival, he added the buyer, No. 1592701, and sent a message: "Hello, I am the seller of the headquarters blueprint. Please specify your requirements for the construction."

The game featured a contract-transaction friend list that allowed communication only during the fulfillment phase. During the transaction, both parties could choose to alter their appearances, reverting to normal once the deal was complete.

After the contract was set, Chen Hao needed to clarify the details.

The buyer was indeed Guan Ning. He had been determined to win the blueprint the moment it appeared on the platform. He had planned to first annihilate the twelve riders led by Chen Baxian and then, while the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry was in the spotlight, establish the first base in the game on the outskirts of Qinan. Instead, his men had been wiped out.

Guan Ning had cursed his subordinates, Laughing Maitreya and Long Dahai, for their incompetence. Desperate to restore the reputation of the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry, he was eager to establish the first base in the Huaxia region. He had impulsively bid 5 million over the asking price to scare off rivals and successfully secured the blueprint.

Guan Ning paced anxiously, longing to build the headquarters and bask in the glory. Having received no word for two hours after the contract took effect, he was frantic. Seeing Chen Hao’s message, he immediately replied: "I am in Gubu Town, west of Qinan. Come find me at Xingyuan Restaurant."

Chen Hao spurred his horse forward. Once inside Gubu Town, he entered the trading mode to alter his appearance. After storing Tixue Wuzhui at an inn, he strode toward Xingyuan Restaurant.

He messaged the buyer, and soon, a handsome player walked out. Scanning Chen Hao, he asked, "You’re the seller of the headquarters blueprint?"

Guan Ning never hid his identity; he looked the same in the game as he did in reality. Chen Hao recognized him instantly from photos on the forums. Despite being enemies, Chen Hao had no grudge against RMB. He nodded expressionlessly. "I am. Where exactly do you want the headquarters built? What about the orientation? Have you prepared the necessary craftsmen and materials? I'm in a hurry."

Guan Ning was annoyed; as "Young Master Guan," he wasn't used to such bluntness. However, he didn't have time to bicker. He silently led Chen Hao to an estate outside the town.

At the entrance stood twenty players in blue military uniforms with peaked caps, standing perfectly still. After deciding to build the base, Guan Ning had standardized his subordinates' attire; these twenty were his hand-picked honor guard, intended for the grand opening ceremony.

Inside the estate, over a dozen tables were laden with fine food and wine, with nearly a hundred players mingling. These were the guests Guan Ning had invited to witness the event. Seeing him return with a short-statured player, they stood up and asked, "Young Master Guan, is it time to build the headquarters? We’d like to watch and learn."

Guan Ning laughed heartily. "Indeed! This is the player who sold the blueprint. I intend to build the headquarters behind the estate and then expand."

Guan Ning led the way to the backyard, which was filled with building materials and twelve NPC craftsmen waiting for orders. He pointed to the open space. "Build it here, facing south."

Chen Hao opened the blueprint for the NPC craftsmen. They began working, and within ten minutes, the outline of the headquarters took shape. Half an hour later, the exterior was complete. All that remained was for Chen Hao to enter the structure and activate the blueprint to finalize the interior and spawn the NPC staff.

As Chen Hao prepared to enter, Guan Ning smiled. "Brother, wait a moment. I’ve prepared fireworks. Please notify me once you’ve activated the blueprint so I can start the celebration."

Chen Hao mentally scoffed at the idiot. The system would announce the first headquarters to the entire server anyway—why would he need to notify him? He nodded coldly, entered the hall, and activated the blueprint. An NPC officer appeared, saluted, and asked, "Respected Commander, welcome to the headquarters. Would you like a detailed explanation of the operations?"

Chen Hao shook his head. "No. Please transfer ownership of this headquarters to player No. 1592701."

The officer looked surprised. "Are you sure you wish to transfer ownership to player 1592701?"

After Chen Hao confirmed, the officer completed the process and said sternly, "Sir, this headquarters no longer belongs to you. Please leave immediately."

Chen Hao turned to leave, but as he stepped out of the gates, twenty players leveled their rifles at him.

Just as Guan Ning was about to order the honor guard to fire, a system announcement echoed across the Huaxia region: "April 18, 1900. Player Chen Baxian has established the first headquarters in the Huaxia region in Qilu Province. The system rewards him with 5 Reputation points. Let us offer him our congratulations."

The smiling Guan Ning looked as though he had swallowed a fly. His smile vanished, and his face turned deathly pale.

The guests whispered among themselves, some with mocking expressions. Many knew that the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry had suffered a crushing defeat in Jibei and that Guan Ning hated Chen Baxian to his core. The irony of spending 36 million to buy his enemy’s headquarters was not lost on them.

Guan Ning quickly regained his composure. He ordered the others to set off the fireworks, while the twenty honor guards kept their rifles trained on the exit. Facing the dark barrels, Chen Hao wore a look of disdain. He said coldly, "Young Master Guan, I am the seller and you are the buyer. I came only to fulfill the contract. Is it not beneath your dignity to aim guns at a guest?"

"Dignity?" Guan Ning sneered. "Those who offend me never have a good ending. Today, as my base is established, you shall be the sacrifice to consecrate my flag."

Chen Hao ignored him. As if the guns didn't exist, he strolled down the steps. Passing Guan Ning, he grinned. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. You must have received the notification about altering your appearance earlier; fulfilling a contract involves more than just changing one's looks. As long as I stay within two kilometers of the transaction site for thirty minutes after completion, I am under system protection."

With that, Chen Hao laughed and walked toward the town. Guan Ning’s face flickered between red and white. He roared, "Fire!"

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

The honor guards pulled their triggers, but Chen Hao remained standing, as if he were a superman. He hadn't lied. To prevent players from sabotaging contract deals, the system provided invincibility protection within a two-kilometer radius of the transaction site.

If the player under protection attacked someone, the invincibility would be revoked. Chen Hao, of course, wouldn't be so foolish. He swaggered toward the inn where his horse was stabled, the sound of the gunfire serving as a parting salute.

Guan Ning had spent a fortune on the blueprint and poured his heart into the ceremony, only to have it ruined. Unable to shoot Chen Hao, he suppressed his rage and told his guests, "Today, the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry establishes its headquarters. Let us celebrate until we are all drunk!"

Many guests snickered, knowing that the scene would soon be all over the forums, and that the Guan Ning Iron Cavalry would once again be a laughingstock.

No matter how displeased he was, Guan Ning had to continue the ceremony to demonstrate his faction's wealth and power, hoping to use the opportunity to recruit more players.