Published: February 12, 2025
The Corrosive Water Ejector is not a unique skill of Gou Hai, nor is he the best craftsman for creating this equipment. Many artisans can manufacture this item.
So, detecting whether the ejector is of poor quality is not a difficult task.
Now, the six Corrosive Water Ejectors lying on the ground prominently bear Gou Hai's mark. Even if this does not definitively prove that these items were purchased by the Indy team from him, it is sufficient to demonstrate that he sold inferior equipment to others!
Explorers, just like evolvers on Earth, venture out at the cost of their lives. A single mistake could lead to death.
The existence of hunting as a means of survival can be said to support the very foundation of society. Anyone and anything that harms this foundation is destined to be excluded.
Even in peaceful times, counterfeit goods can provoke deep resentment, let alone during an era where lives are at stake due to such items.
Scab City, built upon countless heyma, is inherently a city of combat. Most people in the city are explorers, and they naturally understand what inferior equipment signifies. Those who initially did not believe Ye Zhongming's words saw these Corrosive Water Ejectors, looked at Gou Hai's expression, and began to suspect that what Ye Zhongming said might not be false. Their attitudes quickly shifted, becoming unfriendly, and some, with fiery tempers, even began to curse.
Though craftsman have a high status, this is due to the demand from explorers. In a situation where scarcity equates to value, they are elevated.
However, they will not spare those craftsmen with bad reputations. After all, this involves their lives. Not only explorers but also the city council and nobles with certain powers will not allow anything that undermines the foundation to happen.
"Everyone shut up!"
The leader of the city guard suddenly shouted, silencing the crowd.
This military force responsible for the city's safety and defense is still something that explorers fear and respect.
"If these Corrosive Water Ejectors are indeed of poor quality, then Gou Hai will naturally be punished," the leader said, looking at Ye Zhongming. Then, he changed the topic, "But this does not prove that they were sold to the Indy team this time. Even if they were sold to them, it cannot prove that Gou Hai did not provide them with better ones. Perhaps these are simply extras, and it was already stated that there were quality issues."
Upon hearing the guard leader's words, Gou Hai quickly reacted, repeatedly claiming that he also sold the Indy team other good equipment, and that these were all gifts.
"Nonsense! What level are we? Where would we find money to buy better and more equipment? If our abilities were higher, would we come to a second-rate craftsman like you for supplies? If you had good equipment that could help us successfully hunt fifty Red Scarf Fruits, would it still be your current fame?"
At this moment, Indy had completely calmed down and spoke much more coherently. His accusations struck at the heart of the issue.
It is now clear that neither side has enough evidence to prove their innocence, so using this kind of rhetorical questioning is indeed the most effective method to prove oneself.
Under normal circumstances, everything happens under reasonable and logical conditions, and selling equipment is no exception.
Seeing the situation about to spiral out of control, the leader of the city guard hurriedly ordered his dozen or so subordinates to suppress the crowd.
Initially, the leader already had enough reservations about Ye Zhongming's identity as an outsider. Now, in front of everyone, he was publicly disrespecting him and blocking his financial avenues. Gou Hai was sure to share benefits with him once this was resolved, so naturally, he would not have any good feelings toward Ye Zhongming.
"The outcome is not determined by you. Go back to the guard headquarters and discuss it there!"
After saying this, he waved his hand to have his subordinates take Indy and the others, including Ye Zhongming, away.