Translator: AnubisTL
Chen Mang glanced at the iron ore units displayed on the Train Panel. He still had 61,000 units left.
These 110,000 units of iron ore had proven quite durable.
Without hesitation, he immediately consumed 4,400 units of iron ore to upgrade the Vehicle Audio System accessory to Tier 10, gaining two corresponding overpowered effects.
This was a white-grade accessory, so upgrading it didn't require many resources.
Vehicle Audio System Tier 5 Overpowered Effect: If the train is equipped with the "Headlight" and "Train Auxiliary AI" accessories, the headlights will automatically change their light and color while music is playing, creating a stage lighting show that synchronizes with the rhythm of the song through visual light effects.
Vehicle Audio System Tier 10 Overpowered Effect: Can emit ultrasonic noise exceeding 20,000 Hertz. If the energy stone consumed is of a sufficiently high tier, it can generate even higher-frequency ultrasonic noise.
The first overpowered effect needs no explanation.
Normal humans can hear sounds ranging from approximately 20 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz. This range evolved naturally. If humans could hear even lower frequencies, such as the internal sounds of their own organs, they would be overwhelmed by constant noise.
Sounds above 20,000 Hertz are already beyond human hearing.
"Hmm..."
Chen Mang pondered for a long time but couldn't think of any practical applications for this overpowered effect. Perhaps it could be used to create noise attacks against monsters that could hear extremely high-frequency sounds?
Never mind.
Having it is better than not having it.
Next, he turned his attention to the "Built-in Security System" accessory. This was currently the only train component on the Stellaris with its muzzle facing inward. It was expensive to craft, requiring a full 1,000 Units of iron ore, making it one of the most costly green-grade train components.
The upgrade cost was also steep.
He hadn't been willing to upgrade it before, but now that he had plenty of iron ore, he decided to upgrade everything he'd previously hesitated to.
In truth, upgrading this accessory seemed rather pointless.
After all, this accessory was designed to fire inward. Humans aren't monsters. For a human, whether they're hit by a Tier 1 heavy machine gun bullet or a Tier 10 one, it's essentially a one-shot kill.
This accessory was a combination of several miniature Heavy Machine Guns, each embedded in the ceiling at the rear of each carriage.
Like the Heavy Machine Gun itself, upgrading this accessory didn't increase its power. Instead, it enhanced its rate of fire, range, and other effects. The actual power of the bullets fired depended on the Tier of ammunition loaded.
Lower-Tier Heavy Machine Guns couldn't use higher-Tier bullets. To use Tier 3 bullets, the Heavy Machine Gun had to be upgraded to Tier 3.
Logically, this accessory would have been perfectly adequate at Tier 1. The reason for upgrading it to Tier 10 was simply to see its overpowered effects, ensuring no absurdly overpowered ones were missed.
After consuming 45,000 Units of iron ore, the green-grade accessory, the Built-in Security System, was also upgraded to Tier 10, revealing two new overpowered effects.
[Built-in Security System Tier 5 Overpowered Effect]: Can fire blank rounds. Consumes 1 Unit of iron ore for every 10 blank rounds fired.
[Built-in Security System Tier 10 Overpowered Effect]: Can fire nerve bullets. These bullets are non-lethal but inflict excruciating pain.
"Huh?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Chen Mang's eyes. It wasn't that these overpowered effects were too powerful, but rather...
He had assumed that upgrading the Built-in Security System, like the Third-Rate Heavy Machine Gun, would only increase its rate of fire and range. He hadn't expected that upgrading the Built-in Security System would also increase the number of heavy machine guns mounted on the ceiling of each carriage.
Originally, the Stellaris train consisted of 10 carriages and 1 locomotive. Each carriage and the locomotive's ceiling were equipped with a single heavy machine gun. Now, however, each carriage ceiling boasted a staggering 10 heavy machine guns.
"...!"
Inside the locomotive cabin, Chen Mang, seated at the control panel, stared up at the 10 heavy machine guns embedded in the locomotive's ceiling. Their black, gaping muzzles were aimed directly at the cabin door, creating an overwhelming sense of intimidation.
Rebellion?
He no longer needed to worry about any slave rebellion.
What a joke.
The Stellaris train currently has only four Third-Rate Heavy Machine Guns mounted on the carriages, their muzzles facing outward. However, there are a staggering 110 miniature versions of these heavy machine guns mounted upside down on the ceiling, their muzzles facing inward.
With all 110 heavy machine guns set up, they could easily slaughter not just 1,000 slaves in a rebellion, but twice that number without breaking a sweat.
Efficiency is key.
What the hell?!
Outside the train:
"Uncle Li, have you found anything?"
A young man approached Uncle Li stealthily, whispering his question.
"Yes."
Uncle Li narrowed his eyes, gazing at a middle-aged man nearby. He had found his target. During his observation today, this man had worked diligently while mining, but Uncle Li had noticed him constantly eyeing the train's external accessories.
Though he couldn't guess what the man was plotting, it was clear he was a dangerous element with something brewing in his mind.
Just then, the middle-aged man suddenly broke away from the crowd. He quickly finished his bread and furtively strode toward Goblinslave Car 10, clearly intending to do something nefarious.
"Here's my chance!"
Uncle Li's eyes lit up. He immediately rose and followed the man, also heading toward Goblinslave Car 10. He had finally found the opportunity he had been waiting for to make a name for himself!
If he could catch the middle-aged man in the act of sabotage, he would earn Lord Mang's favor and secure a promotion, wealth, and glory!
"Quick, follow me!"
"Right."
The young man didn't hesitate. He scooped up a stone from the ground, stuffed it into his pocket, and strode after Uncle Li.
After a day of mining, pickaxes had to be turned in and would be issued again the next day.
Just seconds after the middle-aged man had sneaked into Goblin Carriage 10 alone, Uncle Li arrived with his handpicked confidants. His eyes scanned the carriage excitedly, eager to find the middle-aged man causing trouble.
He looked around, but the carriage was empty.
After a closer examination, he found the middle-aged man curled up in his refrigerator, lying on the floor near the door, ready to fall asleep.
"Huh?"
Uncle Li stared at the scene, momentarily stunned. What was going on? The man had acted so suspiciously, as if he were planning something sinister. Had he sneaked back into the carriage alone just to sleep?
In a daze, he seemed to see his dreams of wealth and glory shattering before his eyes. He even muttered unconsciously, his voice tinged with panic, "You're not here to cause trouble, are you?"
"Cause trouble?"
The middle-aged man lying at the entrance of the refrigerator raised his head and glanced at Uncle Li and the young man. Then, he settled back into a comfortable position, his voice heavy with fatigue.
"If you two are planning something, don't drag me into it."
"From the moment I first saw Lord Mang, the word 'loyalty' has been etched in my mind."
"I would never do anything to harm Lord Mang or the Stellaris. I am Lord Mang's man in life and his ghost in death. If you're planning something, stay away from me. I want nothing to do with it. All I want is to mine."
"Hmm?"
Uncle Li frowned, his expression hardening. What the hell kind of nonsense are you spouting? You look like a sneaky, untrustworthy scoundrel, and now you're talking about loyalty?
Just then—
"Um..." The young man standing beside Uncle Li cautiously poked him with a finger, then looked up at the ceiling of Goblinslave Car 10 and said weakly, "Uncle Li, maybe you should look up."
Though he didn't know what was happening, Uncle Li instinctively raised his head and stared at the ceiling, his face blank.
After a long moment, he finally spoke.
He checked Carriages 7, 8, and 9 again. Without saying a word, he jumped down from the carriage and walked to the underground riverbank. Staring at the surging water, his eyes were filled with despair.
Ten.
Ten of them.
Ten fucking heavy machine guns, mounted upside down on the ceiling of each slave car, covering every corner with no blind spots. In just ten seconds, they could completely clear a carriage packed with slaves.
Easier than slaughtering chickens.
He distinctly remembered that this morning, before mining, each carriage ceiling had only one heavy machine gun. How had it become ten upon his return?
Yes.
He understood. With the increase in slaves, it was natural to add more internal deterrent firepower to secure Lord Mang's position. If he were in Mang's shoes, he would have done the same. But wasn't Lord Mang being overly cautious?
Were ten internal heavy machine guns per carriage truly for deterrence?
Or was it just for the day when Lord Mang felt displeased and decided to reset everything in ten seconds, replacing the current batch of slaves?
"Um... um..."
The young man cautiously approached Uncle Li, his voice tinged with embarrassment. "Uncle Li, are we still going ahead with that plan?"
"..."
Uncle Li remained silent for an even longer time this time, finally bursting out in exasperation. "Plan? What the hell plan?!"
"In this situation, who the hell would dare cause trouble?!"
"Even the most stubborn troublemaker would get weak in the knees seeing those ten heavy machine guns. There are only four heavy machine guns outside the train, yet they've crammed over a hundred inside! Who the hell would dare start a riot?!"
"Mm," the young man nodded in agreement. "I think so too. So, let's change the plan. Uncle Li, do you have any new ideas?"
"New ideas? I have no ideas left!"
Uncle Li turned to face the young man, his voice laced with annoyance. "You keep asking me for plans. What do you think I am? An external hard drive?"
"You..."
Uncle Li took a deep breath, turned back to the river crashing against the rocks, and slowly calmed himself. Then, he spoke deliberately, word by word.
"Don't rush me. Give me some time. I'll definitely come up with a new plan."
"This plan to use the troublemakers to start a rebellion won't work. Let me think of something else."
"Uh, Uncle Li, actually, I have a plan."
"What is it?"
"I think the Stellaris is short-staffed in management, considering how many slaves there are. Why don't you go directly to Lord Mang and tell him you're talented and have management experience?"
"...?"
Uncle Li turned his head, his expressionless gaze fixed on the young man. "What do you think?"
"If the world were that simple, everyone would succeed."
"Wait for my new plan."
Inside Guard Car No. 5 of the Stellaris.
Biaozi, eating dinner while chatting casually with Old Pig, idly glanced out the window at the slaves. Suddenly, his peripheral vision caught something, and his body stiffened slightly.
Seeing Biaozi's reaction, Old Pig followed his gaze. When he saw the nine new heavy machine guns mounted on the ceiling of the Enforcer Car, his lips twitched almost imperceptibly. He then lowered his head and chewed on the steamed bun in his mouth.
Delicious.
He loved it.
I hope there's still some left for tomorrow.
"Thank goodness."
Biaozi suddenly let out a long sigh of relief and turned his head to Ji Chuchu, who was eating at the back of the Enforcer Car, whispering, "Lord Mang touched her last time. That means there probably isn't a problem."
"Indeed."
Old Pig nodded in agreement, this at least proved Lord Mang had normal sexual preferences, just a picky palate.
Otherwise, since Lord Mang didn't play with women or have any other vices, it would be easy to worry if he had some psychological issues.
And for someone with psychological issues...
It wouldn't be impossible for him to snap one day and slaughter everyone on his train.
Time to sleep.
In the Stellar Train Compartment, Chen Mang glanced at the Train Panel, which showed 12,000 units of iron ore remaining. This wasn't quite enough. He decided to sleep first and upgrade the remaining accessories once the mine was exhausted tomorrow.
After that, he could likely upgrade to a Tier 3 train.
That night, he slept soundly and had many dreams.
But...
The thugs and slaves aboard the Stellaris slept restlessly that night. They were unsettled by the nine additional Heavy Machine Guns mounted overhead, and even more so by their inability to fathom Lord Mang's intentions.
A sense of dread hung in the air.
Old Pig and Biaozi, in particular, remained sleepless throughout the night.
Soon, the second evening arrived.
"Hmm?"
Chen Mang glanced at the Train Panel, which displayed 134,000 Units of iron ore. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. The slaves had mined a staggering 120,000 Units of iron ore that day—a full 10,000 Units more than yesterday.
It had only been a single day.
Could the new slaves' mining efficiency have improved so dramatically already?
No.
He turned his gaze to the control panel screen, where a 3D model of the train displayed over a hundred internal Heavy Machine Guns. Could those things be the reason?
It seemed the iron ore he'd spent upgrading the Built-in Security System yesterday hadn't been wasted after all.
Was this an unexpected overpowered effect?
He then turned his attention to the remaining accessories, such as the Crafting Table.
He had previously upgraded the Crafting Table to Tier 2, allowing him to craft Tier 2 Energy Stones at a cost of 5,000 Units of iron ore each.
He hadn't upgraded it further at the time.
After all, Tier 2 Energy Stones fully met his current needs, and he had no use for higher-tier stones.
But he could upgrade it to Tier 10 to see if it had any overpowered effects. He had plenty of iron ore to spare now.
After spending 6,000 Units of iron ore, the Crafting Table accessory finally reached Tier 5.
Crafting Table Tier 5 Overpowered Effect: None.
(End of the Chapter)
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