Enlightenment: Attaining the Dao at Age 8

The hired trolls’ offensive was fierce. They attacked relentlessly from every angle. Besides trying to suppress the topic’s popularity, their main goal was to muddy the waters—ideally, to ruin Night City’s reputation so that he couldn’t sell a single order.

In response, Li Chang’an just sneered.

Because not only did the trolls’ attacks fail to cool down the post, they actually fanned the flames of its popularity. After all, without contrarians and trolls, how could you generate more buzz?

Of course, to say these trolls had no effect at all wouldn’t be entirely true.

After all, most of the Reincarnators who came to the forums to watch the drama were just casual observers. Some lacked the ability to think for themselves; they were easily swayed by whatever they heard. When the trolls claimed Night City’s products were faulty, they believed the products were faulty. When the trolls said Deng Ankang’s post was photoshopped because he’d taken a promotion fee from Night City, they were quick to believe that too.

But then again, with the massive exposure this post was getting, Li Chang’an and the Night City Military Technology Group were definitely profiting—and profiting handsomely.

Thinking of this, Li Chang’an couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

He had been worrying about how to open up sales channels for the weapons produced by Night City.

Traditional channels were no longer a viable option. The Gu Family had already coordinated with their upstream and downstream industry partners to issue a sales ban against Li Chang’an and Cangxuan City. It would be difficult for Night City to create an opening in their rival’s home territory.

But then, just when he needed it most, a solution appeared out of nowhere. Deng Ankang’s post had once again thrust Li Chang’an into the spotlight, making him quite the hot topic.

After a moment of thought, Li Chang’an suppressed his smile and quickly made a call to Deng Ankang. ”Elder Deng,” he began gratefully, ”you’ve really done me a huge favor this time!”

Hearing Li Chang’an’s call, Deng Ankang was clearly in a great mood as well. He praised, ”What’s this? I just made a post, that’s all. The most important thing is that the products you manufacture are of excellent quality, isn’t it? If anyone should be thanking anyone, it’s me thanking you. Two shots to kill a Tier Five Special Mutant Creature! If it weren’t for the Super Electromagnetic Cannon and the Energy Particle Beam Cannon you sold me, I’m afraid it would’ve taken a great deal of effort just to kill or drive it away. I might have even suffered heavy casualties!”

It had to be said, as a well-known ”big brother” figure in Linjiang and the recognized leader in the local chat groups, Deng Ankang was impeccable in both his character and his actions. He really knew how to make people feel at ease.

Li Chang’an didn’t waste any time and got straight to the point. ”How about this, Elder Deng? You’ve helped me out so much, and I don’t have much to thank you with. Let me start by sending you five Energy Particle Beam Cannons and five Super Electromagnetic Cannons. From now on, whenever the Night City Military Technology Group produces any new advanced equipment, you’ll be the first to know. And as the president of the Night City Technology Group, I’ll give you a twenty-percent discount on all weapons!”

As the old saying goes: One good turn deserves another.

By a very conservative estimate, Deng Ankang’s single forum post would save Li Chang’an millions, if not tens of millions, of Rebirth Points in marketing costs.

Compared to such selfless help, Li Chang’an’s offer to send a few cannons was truly just a small gesture.

The real point of the offer was the future sales channel for Night City’s advanced military technology products.

If Deng Ankang could acquire the goods at a twenty-percent discount, he could resell them and make a profit of around twenty percent. That was where the real money was.

However, Deng Ankang just waved his hand, politely refusing. ”Brother Chang’an, I know how you operate, but there’s no need for the gifts. I really just made a post, nothing more. The real reason you’re back in the spotlight is because of the advanced, high-quality products you manufacture...”

He paused, then suddenly added with a chuckle, ”Besides, if I actually accepted, wouldn’t I become exactly what those trolls are calling me—a product-pushing streamer who took a promotion fee to run an ad? I can’t afford that kind of embarrassment!”

Since Deng Ankang had put it that way, Li Chang’an couldn’t very well insist. However, he made a mental note of the matter. It was Deng Ankang’s choice not to seek anything in return, but Li Chang’an couldn’t just pretend it never happened.

He decided he would find an opportunity in the future to repay the kindness and support shown to him today.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries.

Just as they were about to end the call, Deng Ankang suddenly sighed, speaking with a great deal of emotion. ”Chang’an, our Linjiang has always been a remote backwater. We have no real say even within Xiangnan Province, let alone on a national scale. We’re completely obscure!”

”The big cities devour all the top talent from small places like ours, then they have the nerve to turn around and blame us, saying we’re not as good as them because we aren’t hardworking or smart enough... Now, Linjiang has finally produced a Demon like you. You have to keep pushing forward. Win some glory for yourself and for all of us in Linjiang City!”

Deng Ankang’s words struck a chord with Li Chang’an. He nodded at once and said, ”Rest assured, Elder Deng. Linjiang’s future development will not disappoint.”

After hanging up, Li Chang’an opened the forum again.

Using his own account, he posted a message at the bottom of the thread, telling any Reincarnators interested in purchasing or inquiring about the advanced weapons from the Night City Military Technology Group to contact him directly.