CHAPTER 410: CHAPTER 173: PAPER MONEY, TEAM ANNIHILATION (5K)_2

"You have to spend money to get it circulating. Otherwise, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, which inevitably leads to disaster. Once it’s spent, someone else earns that money, and we just get to enjoy the process for free. Compared to most people, simply having enjoyed something is a gain in itself. I like playing games, but I’m not into those Krypton Gold types where you pay to be number one on the server; I find that meaningless. At most, I’ll buy some figures I like. Over the years, that’s only added up to a thousand or two. That amount, in comparison, isn’t even a drop in the bucket compared to the money wasted on a failed startup. For long-term expenses that don’t involve starting a business but still allow others to profit, I figured it really just comes down to the essentials: food, clothing, housing, and transportation. My family told me not to buy too many houses; enough for personal use is fine. I’m not too fussy about food either; how much can I really eat? As for transportation, I don’t even like driving. I bought a car, left it in the garage to gather dust, and my dad even scolded me for it. So, in the end, all that’s left is to buy more clothes. With four distinct seasons, it’s a good excuse to refresh my wardrobe often. Plus, the clothes I buy can be donated under some pretext, so at least people who genuinely need them can wear them. That’s better than donating cash. My family doesn’t scold me for it either; they even say I’ve started to use my brain a little."

"Stop talking..."

Wen Yan couldn’t empathize with the troubles of the rich; he just thought being wealthy must be extremely enjoyable. Forget it. It’s not easy to find a living person to talk to, so I might as well treat him as a conversation partner. Days without the internet are really tough to endure.

"My name is Su Yue. There are guest rooms here; you can stay for now. These servants will tell you where you can’t go."

"Okay, thank you, brother." Lin Jue sighed in relief and quickly expressed his thanks.

Then, he saw the information hidden above Wen Yan’s head. Watching Wen Yan go off to play with a Crossbow, he knew that giving a gift had been the right move. It’s a good thing I met this NPC; otherwise, I’d definitely be dead. Too bad I don’t have anything on me. If I did, dealing with someone greedy for money or treasures would be simple.

Lin Jue was led by a paper servant to a guest room. Along the way, he noticed the layout and many things here; he had some discernment and could tell it was an expensive setup. I wonder what the origin of that NPC is. It seems it’s not that the Netherworld game lacks content, but rather that the map is too big, and I just haven’t encountered much yet.

I did want to ask about the situation here, but right now, I just want to rest and relax for a while.

No sooner had Lin Jue lain down than he felt something falling onto his head. He picked it up: a stack of banknotes, standard edition from the World Bank, complete with the Jade Emperor’s portrait. The banknotes were thick with Yin Qi, with a hint of incense smoke and a trace of Yang Energy.

Then he saw stacks of banknotes continuously falling, landing on him. The sensation strongly reminded him of his childhood during New Year’s, when his grandfather would stuff a wad of cash into his arms. The banknotes falling into his lap from thin air stopped completely after about fifteen minutes.

Lin Jue picked up the banknotes and placed them on the table. There were roughly forty or fifty stacks, all large denominations, but in his perception, the Power within each banknote seemed about the same.

He couldn’t help but worry. Oh no, I haven’t actually died and my parents are burning Paper Money for me, have I?

With this thought, Lin Jue quickly gathered the pile of banknotes and went to find an NPC. The paper servants here ignored him, only telling him where he couldn’t go when he approached certain areas.

He found the Coachman NPC, but the Grave Walker knew his place; aware that in this place, he could only rely on Wen Yan, and afraid of saying the wrong thing, he completely ignored Lin Jue. Although I covet the Paper Money Lin Jue is holding—it contains a unique power, a very gentle form of Yin Qi, mixed with incense smoke and Yang Energy, which Ghosts love the most. Lord Zhu once bestowed some on me; it’s reputed to be valuable. It has to be offered in a temple for a year, subjected to daily incense smoke, plus the Chanting Scriptures and Blessings for over a year before it attains this effect. It’s one of the rare items that can traverse the boundary between the living and the dead. Nether Souls can directly consume this Paper Money to enhance themselves with no side effects. But compared to my current predicament, Paper Money isn’t important.

Since the Grave Walker ignored him, Lin Jue figured he just hadn’t triggered the NPC’s dialogue, which seemed normal enough.

Lin Jue took the pile of Paper Money to Wen Yan and handed it all over to him. "It’s a small token, hardly a gesture of respect, but please accept it."

Wen Yan looked pensive and lit a cigarette. Damn this rich bastard! How can he still get money even in a place like this?

"Where did you get this?"

"I don’t know. It just fell from the sky into my hand. I guess my family must have burned it for me."

"You’re aware of your current situation?"

"I know. If I can’t get back, I’m as good as dead."

Wen Yan reached out and picked up a stack of Paper Money. Surprisingly, when he held it, it didn’t turn to ash. He pulled out one note; the Yang Energy emanating from his body stirred the Power within the banknote, and instantly, the note in his hand turned to ash.

Well, I’ll be. Burning Paper Money actually works?

"I know what you want to ask. Don’t ask me; I don’t know how to get you back either. I can only keep you from dying, that’s all. This place is too boring. Just keep me company and chat for a while."

"Brother, what do you want to chat about?"

Wen Yan sized up Lin Jue, feeling deflated. Forget it. I have nothing in common with this Brother Fu; I can’t relate to him.

"Never mind, it’s nothing..."