Chapter 85: Borrowed Chances

Borrow?

Staring blankly at Yenir, Chen Yong assumed he was just still half-asleep.

When a top-tier third-stage fighter asked to borrow money for equipment, Chen Yong couldn’t tell if Yenir was insulting him or ridiculing him.

His expression was serious.

Yenir looked over calmly:

“Two sword-type weapons, ideally blue-grade and equipped with skills.”

“The skills should either have short cooldowns or consume spirit energy.”

“For a maximum of one month. I’ll return both the equipment and the Credit Points.”

Determined to tackle high-level instances, Yenir was clear he intended to pose as a third-stage fighter to avoid complications—at least his conventional combat power needed to suffice.

He couldn’t afford to purchase the equipment himself, and it would take too much time, so borrowing from Chen Yong seemed like the smarter move.

After all, the guy was eager to get close; he wasn’t about to let a free opportunity go to waste.

After a few seconds, Chen Yong noticed the sincerity in Yenir’s gaze and finally realized he wasn’t joking around.

“You…”

“Don’t you have any equipment?!”

He gasped in disbelief, his eyes wide with wonder.

In his eyes, Yenir’s previous use of White Equipment in battle was merely an act of modesty. It was simple—a third-stage fighter bearing a zero-stage mark. That he could pull off such an unusual move meant he naturally avoided drawing attention.

The world is vast—there’s no shortage of third-stage fighters.

“It’s a matter of simply borrowing or not.”

With a faint frown, Yenir didn’t bother with excuses; the less he said, the more Chen Yong’s overactive imagination would fill in the gaps.

Sure enough, moments later Chen Yong’s eyes lit up.

He had learned from the soldiers about what Yenir had done at the gathering point—erecting monuments, donating money, and offering remembrances at the homes of soldiers from sixty years ago…

Although its meaning eluded him, he sensed that this mysterious third-stage fighter was deeply sentimental. Would such a powerful fighter ever deceive him over equipment?

Taking a deep breath, Chen Yong hardened his resolve and replied quickly:

“Borrow!”

“Lord Ye Lin, I’ll borrow!”

“It’s just that the equipment you requested…”

He chuckled wryly.

Two blue-grade weapons weren’t cheap. Even though he’d previously told Chen Yao that he would spare no expense to win over Yenir, two blue ones… would easily run over a hundred thousand points, not to mention Yenir’s demand for skill-equipped weapons.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Yong seemed to have made up his mind:

“Lord Ye Lin, please wait a moment. I’ll contact my father’s subordinates first!”

Dashing off private messages through the system, he didn’t care about the hour and immediately began asking around.

“Old Chen! Does the Military Supply Department have any sword-type weapons?!”

“Commander Fang, didn’t you say last time that you had collected a few prize weapons from competitions?”

“Uncle Zhang! Can our Military Region get hold of two blue-grade weapons?!”

….

Seeing Chen Yong’s utmost dedication, Yenir nodded slightly and patiently waited.

High-quality gear rarely gets out, which is why the equipment he’d sold earlier was in such demand.

Likewise, if one wanted to quickly secure weapons to boost combat power, one would have to rely on the Military Department or major power blocs.

If he were to acquire them on his own, either he’d pay a high price or waste a great deal of time searching.

After half an hour, Chen Yong’s expression softened; he exhaled as if a weight had been lifted from him:

“Found them!”

“Lord Ye Lin, I managed to find one high-quality white weapon and one blue weapon.”

“The white gear is a razor-sharp thrusting sword, endowed with the Swift Thrust skill. It has no cooldown, only consuming stamina and spirit energy.”

“The blue one is a Flame Blade whose skill belongs to Enchantment. Consuming spirit energy boosts its damage.”

“Both pieces of equipment should meet your requirements.”

With a raised eyebrow, Yenir’s eyes flashed with a barely noticeable hint of delight.

Not bad at all.

No wonder he’s the general’s son—his resourcefulness was remarkable. Finding equipment that met his demands in half an hour spoke volumes about his efficiency.

After glancing at the information Chen Yong presented, Yenir nodded slightly.

One weapon added +1 strength and the other +3; the Flame Blade was ideal for the main hand while the thrust sword suited the off-hand. With his Spiked Thunder Boots, masquerading as an ordinary third-stage fighter for a short while wouldn’t be a problem.

In the instance, he just needed to appear as a third-stage fighter to get by in routine combat.

And if anyone doubted him at the last minute, he’d simply blast them with three SSS-level skills, leaving no choice but to regard him as an elite third-stage fighter!

“What’s the price? I’ll pay you back after one month with 10% interest.”

“Shall we sign a contract?”

His words hung in the air.

Seeing Yenir’s satisfaction, Chen Yong couldn’t help but smile.

As long as Yenir was pleased, all the effort was worthwhile. Having been called both uncle and his father’s aide—scrambling to check the military inventory—winning Yenir’s favor made it all worthwhile.

With a grand gesture, Chen Yong ran a hand over his bald head and said sincerely:

“Just take them and use them!”

“There’s no need for any contract! I trust your character!”

“As for the interest, you’re too kind; if the equipment suits you later, just purchase it at—no, at a discounted price!”

He never once mentioned money.

Yet after those words, Chen Yong felt a subtle ache in his heart.

Both pieces were minor masterpieces—the white one costing at least 40–50K and the blue one starting at 70K. These prices were set by the Military Department. Since he had taken them on his own, he’d have to smooth things over with various departments, offering favors and extra cash to seal the deal.

Despite his impressive background, in the North China Battle Zone there were four others on the same level as his Grandfather! After all, they were deputies, more about honor than authority.

Naturally, this explained why he valued Yenir so highly—he could never forget Yenir’s awe-inspiring swordsmanship!

“Alright, I’ll remember you.”

What a sucker…

Yenir replied calmly, his steady demeanor exuding a superior air as he looked at Chen Yong with quiet admiration.

Chen Yong was taken aback.

Looking into Yenir’s inscrutable eyes and noticing a manner reminiscent of his Grandfather’s with subordinates, Chen Yong suddenly felt that Yenir wasn’t merely asking to borrow equipment—it felt like an opportunity was being offered.

With a jolt, his mind raced with wild suppositions.

Could this be a test?

Was Lord Ye Lin not borrowing them for himself but for someone else? Borrow… and return them in a month.

Lost in his wild musings, he suddenly heard Yenir stand up.

“Alright, that’s it.”

“I’m off for now. It’d be best if the deal is completed before tomorrow.”

With that, Yenir turned and walked away, his expression as calm as if it were nothing significant.

He suddenly came back to his senses.

Witnessing Yenir’s carefree departure, Chen Yong became even more certain of his suspicions. He quickly mustered a smile, rose, and offered to see him off:

“Take care—I’ll walk with you!”

“Rest assured! No matter what, I’ll have them in your hands by tomorrow!”

……

Half a minute later, Chen Yong watched Yenir’s retreating figure with a beaming smile, feeling rather pleased.

He was sure that his judgment was spot on!

“Brother!?”

“Why are you up in the middle of the night? What on earth are you doing?”

From the adjacent room, Chen Yao pushed open the door and chided her brother. In her eyes, Chen Yong appeared frozen, lost in thought.

“Huh?”

Shaking off his daze, Chen Yong suddenly grinned as if he’d remembered something:

“It’s nothing, little sister.”

“Your brother just pulled off a big deal! Maybe when Father finds out, he’ll praise how capable I am!”

Recalling the admiring look Yenir had given him, Chen Yong’s smile widened as a warm glow filled his heart.

Although he’d felt a pang earlier, he now realized he hadn’t really been shortchanged.

After all, Lord Ye Lin promised to return the equipment in a month—roughly speaking, that meant he’d net a free favor.

A favor from a third-stage fighter, huh…

Tsk, what a genius he is! With such clever tactics and a knack for befriending the powerful, even his Grandfather would be amazed!