Chapter 3: Drive Down the Price of the F-22!

The atmosphere in the live-streaming room was exceptionally heavy. The assistant, the floor director, and even the brand representatives all sat in stony silence. It was clear that this was a broadcast disaster, and a severe one at that.

Ordinarily, in such a situation, one would simply ignore the hecklers’ comments and continue with the broadcast, while the floor director would promptly ban them to maintain order. However, Wang Yang immediately stopped the floor director from kicking the trolls out. Watching the barrage of negative comments grow, he thought for a few seconds before saying, "Fighter jets? Well, it’s not impossible, but even if you could drive the price down, nobody would want one. Those things are notoriously difficult to fly; an average person couldn't handle one. Plus, the moment you tried to take one up, the military would be at your door to investigate."

"Even if you bought one, it would be useless. You’d be better off taking that money and donating it to build a few primary schools."

[Brother Yang didn't immediately think about how I'm too poor to afford one, but rather that even if I bought one, I couldn't fly it and would get visited by the military. Seriously, Brother Yang, I'm crying.]

[Look, this is what you call the art of conversation. Brother Yang is awesome! If it were me, I’d just cuss those trolls out—they’re a bunch of idiots!]

[Heh, don't talk to me about the "art of conversation." If you can't do it, you can't do it. Seriously, if you’re going to talk big, you have to be prepared for the consequences.]

[You’re pushing your luck, aren't you!]

[Don't worry, don't find it troublesome. As long as you can drive the price down, we'll take as many as you've got!]

[That's right, we'll take as many as you have.]

The corner of Wang Yang’s eye twitched; he knew these trolls wouldn't be easy to deal with. But entangling himself with them was pointless—it not only disrupted his stream but also risked driving away his regular fans. If push came to shove, he would have to ban them.

Just as he was about to give the order to the floor director, an ethereal voice suddenly echoed in his ears.

*Ding!*

[Technology Bargain-Hunting System is binding. Please wait, host...]

[Technology Bargain-Hunting System bound successfully.]

[Technology Bargain-Hunting System: The system will automatically detect technology products for sale globally, including but not limited to combat weapons, tanks, armored vehicles, aircraft carriers, submarines, and other military equipment.]

[Every time the host secures a bargain on a technology product, you will receive the repair blueprints for that item. Once the product is restored, you may sell it. You will receive a random reward for every successful sale.]

After hearing the brief introduction, Wang Yang felt a jolt of electricity. A system... the essential "golden finger" for any transmigrator he had read about in web novels in his past life!

Finally, it was here!

*Ding.*

[The system has automatically scanned network information and discovered that a weapons dealer named Joel Migas in the United States is helping the US military sell two decommissioned F-22 fighter jets. The host may go and purchase them.]

[These decommissioned F-22s are older models that have been retired from service. Currently, all precision parts and accessories have been removed, leaving only the empty shells.]

[The host can purchase them, and the system will provide the repair blueprints. Once the two jets are restored, the host may sell them at a price higher than the market rate.]

Wang Yang’s spirits soared. This was exactly what he needed.

"No wonder they're up for sale; they're just empty shells," Wang Yang thought to himself.

The F-22 is currently the fighter jet with the highest number of active units in the United States. With the F-35 yet to be fully operational, the F-22 remains the primary combat force. Such critical assets would never be sold unless they contained no military research secrets that other nations could exploit. Even so, for Wang Yang, these were treasures.

As long as he bought the two empty F-22 shells, he could use the system's blueprints to repair them, and once finished, he would make a fortune!

He didn't dwell on the system's nature for too long. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the live-stream, leaned back, and said with composure, "You just said that as long as I can drive the price of the F-22 down, you'll take as many as I have?"

[That’s right, I’ll take as many as you’ve got. Of course, I don't want decommissioned shells; I want complete, flight-ready ones capable of military combat.]

[Good grief, Brother Yang, have you lost your mind? Why are you taking these trolls so seriously? Just kick them out.]

[Exactly. With people like these, even if you actually parked an F-22 in front of them, they’d never buy it. They’re just internet keyboard warriors.]

[Who said I can't afford it? Streamer, as long as you dare to get one, I’ll definitely buy it!]

The assistant and the floor director were panicking. They could clearly feel that Wang Yang had changed; if this had happened before, he would have ignored the trolls, muttered a few perfunctory words, and banned them. But this time, they could tell he was being serious.

Jiang Liangliang tugged at Wang Yang’s leg, trying to signal him with subtle movements. But Wang Yang seemed to ignore her completely. "Fine, you said it. As long as I can drive the price down, you'll buy."

[Yes, you've said that twice already. Aren't you annoying?]

[Brother Yang, you're losing it! You don't actually intend to drive the price of an F-22 down, do you?]

[It's over, Brother Yang. You've fallen for their provocation.]

[Heh, if you can't deliver, just stream honestly and stop talking big. Aren't you afraid of biting your tongue?]

"Fine!" Wang Yang slapped the table, startling everyone. He pointed at the camera: "Then I accept your challenge. I will drive the price of the F-22 down."

Jiang Liangliang was completely stunned; she never expected Wang Yang to agree so readily. That was an F-22! Even someone like her, who knew nothing about military affairs, knew it was a primary active-duty fighter for the US. Even if Wang Yang offered a billion, the US military wouldn't sell! Had he gone crazy?

The floor director was equally bewildered, having no idea what to do. The live-stream chat was in a frenzy, rapidly flooding the screen.

[Brother Yang, are you for real?]

[It's over, the streamer has lost his mind. Why would you engage with these trolls?]

[I don't know whether to say the streamer is too serious or the trolls are brain-dead.]

[Brother Yang, just kick those few trolls out and keep streaming. We'll pretend this never happened. Don't take these idiots seriously, it's meaningless.]

Wang Yang sat back in his chair, feeling warmed by the supportive comments, though the interspersed insults from the trolls still disgusted him. Before, when he had no way to acquire an F-22, he wouldn't have dared to be so arrogant. But now it was different; he had his golden finger. If he could truly drive down the price of an F-22, what was wrong with being a little arrogant?

Is there any law in the Great Kyushu that says you can't be arrogant? What’s wrong with taking things seriously?

Wang Yang looked into the camera and chuckled. "But to ensure we all keep our word, those of you who spoke just now, send your personal information or proof of your identity to the assistant via private message."

"That way, when I actually bring the F-22 back, it’ll be easier for me to deliver it to you."