Facing Qu Jianlei's question, the other side responded without hesitation.

"We took an order from the Military, conducting celestial observation, everyone knows..."

"This is our supply point, we do some sales incidentally, but it's not our main business, just to earn some pocket money."

Regarding this answer, Qu Jianlei truly couldn't be sure, but Xiaohu indicated, "These people are indeed from Sea of Thought Creation."

Sea of Thought Creation had previously taken orders here too, although computing units orders were rare, mostly for celestial observations.

But these orders are seldom negotiated point to point, celestial observation tests fall under service industry.

Here in Lanyun Market, they do quite well, mainly because of Pudding Mining's support.

This minor stuff in space, who doesn't know? There's no virtual transaction, it's all real interest exchange.

Sea of Thought Creation had noticed someone procuring computing units, but didn't take it seriously, they all felt it wasn't reliable.

Until they heard that family had purchased an old weapon system, realizing the other party had purchasing power, they came to seek them out.

In any case, things cannot be transported for free, a deposit must be paid, Sea of Thought invited the market's manager to guarantee.

Regarding the guarantee fee, they indicated it need not trouble Qu Jianlei, their side will handle it.

They candidly stated that the guarantee fee wouldn't be too high, otherwise at ten percent about seven million, they'd feel the pinch.

Because such transactions fundamentally can't go online, computing units are truly too specialized.

Even if Pudding Mining wants to intervene, they won't inspect goods nor understand installation, how to earn this management fee?

Once the deposit was settled, it's time to discuss the delivery times for two computing units.

The twenty-million computing units, Sea of Thought Creation has them in stock, sent from Celestial Handle Star, takes only five or six days.

But the fifty-million computing units, entire Celestial Handle Star has no stock, must be manufactured and assembled temporarily.

No choice, professional equipment is like this, usually not much demand, often requiring customization.

Thus, the latter's delivery time should be after half a month; considering debugging and testing, a month is safer.

In the end, these aren't bulk goods, a fifty-million order isn't small; such hassle is common.

Qu Jianlei didn't feel surprised, he just asked.

"After delivery of the twenty-million units, pay sixteen hundred and fifty thousand first, can the fifty-million unit be cash on delivery?"

Already purchased the first set, does the second set still require a deposit?

However, Sea of Thought Creation's people indicated not possible, the first set's profit isn't enough to offset the second set's loss.

"There's risk in transporting goods in space, plus we handled the guarantee fee for you, let's be mutually understanding."

Qu Jianlei wasn't difficult to speak with, thus he paid three hundred and fifty thousand as a deposit.

Both parties agreed, second set on delivery pay nineteen million, third set on delivery pay the remaining forty-seven million five hundred thousand.

The second set's delivery time is relatively quick; in the market's ten-day cycle, Qu Jianlei simply stated, I'll wait here for delivery.

Besides, raw materials he wanted to purchase had been ordered by some merchants, expected within this cycle.

However, some materials for modifying the Spirit Gathering Array were quite niche, yet haven't found a seller.

Qu Jianlei simply entrusted Sea of Thought Creation people for procurement, to be sent with the first unit set.

Sea of Thought's people consider it no issue, total less than a million in materials, advancing the cost is acceptable.

But this request passed to Celestial Handle Star, headquarters complained a lot during procurement, but that's another story.

Besides that, Sea of Thought Creation people subtly inquired: Do you need weapon systems?

They have dealings with the Military, could find some connections, tried to purchase "old" weapon systems cheap.

Sea of Thought people hadn't done this business before, so not very sure, just probing for intention.

As this was mentioned, Qu Jianlei again thought of Hoyel and Hertman, as well as Guard Captain's wife Gradi.

His Baofeng Terminal was initially procured from Gradi, the "obsolete goods."

Thus the Military having such affairs isn't surprising.

Then he stated, "If you can ensure the goods aren't too bad, yet cheap enough, inquire about interest, I'll list the items for you."

The warship modification list he had already memorized; besides the necessary armaments, he listed some spare weapons.

Xiaohu couldn't resist muttering, "Boss, destroy two more Armed Merchant Ships, then you'll have everything."

"Won't cost much," Qu Jianlei casually replied, "now we rely on each other for survival, can't skimp on saving money."

By this point, his market expenditure, including unpaid segments, had reached nearly eighty million.

Silver Notes again shrank to just over two hundred million, but the good news is, the procurement supply chain is basically established.

Previously he pondered how to re-integrate into Imperial society, now it seems, there's a way.

After another five days, the various materials he procured began arriving.

The next day, another cargo ship docked, and finally, on the cycle's last day, Sea of Thought Creation's computing unit set was delivered.

Along with the delivery, there was also the last batch of materials, making everything complete.

Sea of Thought's people didn't forget to complain, "Your procurement requirements are really strange; it took some connections to get certain materials."

Qu Jianlei was well aware of this. Among these materials, he hadn't been able to purchase some back on the Celestial Hook Star.

At that time, he was with Supreme Qinghu and Yuanyuan, and those two had decent connections too.

Mainly, there were two Supremes watching at that time. He worried about attracting their attention and thus didn't insist on buying.

So he straightforwardly said, "An additional twenty percent, as your hard work fee."

Sea of Thought's people didn't hesitate and accepted it without any fuss.

The calculating unit was no small thing; after unpacking, it occupied nearly half of the main control room.

Qu Jianlei sighed helplessly, "Have to keep modifying the cabin. Anyway, let's check the goods first."

Checking the goods took another half a day, appearing overdue, but Sea of Thought's people had enough face, and the market manager allowed an extension.

After a rough inspection found no issues, Qu Jianlei rewrapped the package and paid the remaining balance.

The second set of calculating units would arrive in twenty days; he didn't want to wait, indicating he wanted to make a trip back.

Sea of Thought's people stated that they were still in talks with the military, but the problem wouldn't be too great.

"By the next time you come, there might be definite news."

Finally, four hours overdue, the shabby merchant ship rose to the sky and rushed into space.

Seeing him depart, two Sea of Thought employees whispered, "I feel someone has their eyes on him."

Another employee dismissively replied, "Someone who can spend thirty million cash, maybe carrying another fifty million, and being a new face."

"This market always feels murky, especially people like the one-eyed and the kitchen maid..."

"The kitchen maid's people have already left; it's probably them. Good thing you reserved the deposit for the second set."

"Heh," up in the air, Qu Jianlei sneered, the armed merchant ship hadn't left the atmosphere, while Qinghu still maintained surveillance capabilities.

He had already advanced to Supreme, and despite the harsh conditions on Lanyun, with most people residing in their ships, he wasn't entirely ignorant.

During his days on the ground, he sensed an overwhelming amount of greed, hostility, and murderous intent.

Initially, he wondered how he could provoke so much hatred.

But soon, he realized even among the market managers, there were those who harbored some malice towards him.

Qu Jianlei fully realized that near the Asteroid Belt, there were few good people.

Even a white lotus staying in such an environment for too long would turn dark.

Lurking in space for ages, besides the boredom and loneliness, danger accompanies at all times. If not for making big money, who would do this?

Later as people came and went, Qu Jianlei wasn't sure if he was being watched.

Regardless, it didn't matter. He spent huge resources and time modifying the warship, not for others to treat him as a soft target.

"Kitchen maid?" He dismissively pursed his lips, "Let's see who really bullies the weak in the end."

Qinghu muttered, "See, I told you, there's no need to buy so many weapons."

Qu Jianlei shook his head helplessly, "Just bought a set, okay?"

"And ammunition," Qinghu quietly muttered, "Not a bit of thriftiness."

Qu Jianlei was speechless about this penny-pincher, "What if we're not robbed? Ammunition is consumable!"

"Do you think I modified the merchant ship for no reason?" Qinghu proudly answered, "Oops, slipped out."

Qu Jianlei shook his head with a wry smile, "Didn't expect you'd learn the baiting technique too."

In fact, he had suspected it early on and encouraged such thinking; otherwise, why let Qinghu mess around?

While they talked, a piece of information was transmitted from the market into the vast space, "The prey has set off."

After the 8384 merchant ship ascended into space, the chosen route wasn't directly back to the abandoned star body but towards another direction.

Then Qinghu had a sudden idea, "If we jump, wouldn't they cry their hearts out?"

Qu Jianlei lazily responded, "Why do I feel the first to cry would be you?"

"No way, I'm peace-loving," Qinghu unhesitatingly replied.

However, the next moment, its voice carried excitement, "Haha, two merchant ships are silent twenty thousand kilometers away."

"Don't speed up too much," Qu Jianlei commanded in a deep voice, "Didn't switch for Energy Blocks, must save usage."

After the armed merchant ship traveled ten thousand kilometers, the two covert merchant ships also started moving, but the acceleration wasn't fast.

Qu Jianlei sighed lightly, "Seems like these guys are determined not to let us retreat to Lanyun Market."

Qinghu, however, rationally analyzed, "Similarly, they can't return either."

After a while, it voiced again, "Hmm, that larger merchant ship has a somewhat peculiar structure."

(Update to summon moon tickets, subscriptions, and recommendation votes.)