Although Xu Feng displayed zero change in his expression, Jessica was positive that he was definitely pondering or in shock due to the silence.
"I'm not overcharging you or anything." Jessica cleared her throat and said, "We currently lack the necessary manpower to send a batch of high-quality workers. To do so, we need to scout from other sources. Also, Twilight Glades is a neutral map with mid-level difficult terrain to construct. The place isn't suitable to be built, so a high-level mage must be hired to ensure the process."
After saying that, she would continue on and on about the reason for the high price. Since Twilight Glades was not under any jurisdiction, anyone could technically construct a building there as long as they had the Town Certificate or even the City Certificate.
However, from the management to the defenses, everything would be up to the owner of that town to govern.
There would be no help from any established city or town after the protection period was over.
The protection period was basically the Adventure Association sending people to defend the town for 10 days or 15 days, depending on the structure and payment. During that time, the player must ensure all accommodating fees for the defenders.
To summarize, constructing a town wasn't as easy as saying you wanted to build one and you could have it. There were numerous processes behind the scenes that were required.
"So do you understand and accept the charges? It's also a one-time payment only." Jessica inquired, warning Xu Feng that he must hand over all the fees in one transaction.
She made it clear that she would not accept any delay or installment payment plan.
Her expression was rather stern and solemn as well, capable of stumping 99.9% of players.
He was that 0.01% exception.
"Hmm, that fee sure is pricey, but I'm definitely positive you would lower that to a more reasonable price." Xu Feng mused, much to the annoyance of Jessica.
After all, if interpreted in a malicious way, Xu Feng was essentially calling her unreasonable and wicked. This was despite her clarified explanation regarding how the fee came to be, which she normally wouldn't even bother explaining to others.
Why must she clarify the fee to them?
She only did it out of goodwill for Xu Feng, but what she got in return was doubt and even an indirect insult to her integrity.
Luckily, before she could show him the door, Xu Feng reacted at the perfect time.
He retrieved a blueprint and placed it down on the table.
"Please take a look before you explode in anger." He suggested.
Jessica suppressed her anger momentarily and decided to glance at the blueprint, only to end up standing up for real this time.
"Impossible!" She uttered in shock. If the Town Certificate was enough to shock her, then this new blueprint was enough to electrocute her into charcoal.
The anger and frustration that had built up earlier seemed to vanish in a snap of a finger. Replacing them was exhilaration and greed.
Aside from joy, she wanted to have this kind of blueprint immediately.
"Heh, this is the blueprint for a mini-version of an Oppressive Pillars." Xu Feng smiled brightly.
"It has three slots and I don't mind wasting one of them for Star Falls City. Just one pillar would be enough to avert the crisis with the city's current manpower. Not to mention, it would also be a permanent defensive tool for the future. Isn't that just an amazing thing?" He added.
However, his words seemed to have fallen on deaf ears as Jessica was distracted by the blueprint.
Her current demeanor was a sharp contrast to her previous behavior, and Xu Feng knew concealing the blueprint until the last second was the best choice ever.
Nothing was more crucial in a negotiation than to bring out something the opposing party needed at the right time.
And sure enough, the timing was extremely effective, given Jessica now held Xu Feng in a new light. She sat back and faked a few coughs, clearly trying to compose herself.
While she reluctantly placed the blueprint back down on the table, her eyes easily exposed her.
She can't possibly deceive the keen perception of Xu Feng, who knew it was a checkmate.
Without a doubt, Jessica already knew that with the construction of the Oppressive Pillar, the lack of manpower problem would automatically be eliminated. Additionally, to have such a pillar of defense in their city would only boost their standing amongst other cities.
"Anyway, about the fee…" Xu Feng decided to raise his voice once he realized Jessica still seemed to be in a daze.
"Baron Lin Feng is of noble status, so of course, there would be a discount." Jessica clasped her hands, shamelessly changing her tone and behavior without hesitation.
"Aside from your status, you also greatly contributed to Star Falls City. So 56,000 gold coins shall be cut down to 30,000 gold coins." She continued, subtracting 26,000 gold coins right from the start.
Meanwhile, Xu Feng frowned at the new price. It wasn't that he was dissatisfied with the cut, but rather he wondered if he underestimated the value of the Oppressive Pillar.
Truth be told, it appeared that his value seemed to be affected by the past timeline. After all, a defensive building was extremely common in the past timeline, with only some of them being superior to others.
'Hmmm, could I have sold it for a higher price to the capital city instead?' He furrowed his brows, seemingly pondering if he should have waited for a while before coming here.
Xu Feng was busy thinking about his mistake and somehow caused Jessica to believe that her cut was too low.
She clenched her fist, her teeth gnashed tightly, and shouted, "Alright fine, 23,000 gold coins. I really cannot lower the price any further."
Startled, Xu Feng was dumbfounded that she would suddenly offer another lower bargain price. 'Damn, I should have frowned harder then.'