Ch 68: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

At dawn, as the sky began to lighten with a pale shimmer, a flock of sparrows flew into Baixian Mountain. They fluttered and landed intermittently, carrying a large sack of spirit stones into the hollow of a withered bodhi tree.

The sparrow spirits, absent for a few days, landed on the bar counter and chirped incessantly upon spotting Lu Yao sitting behind it.

Lu Yao and Liusheng had spent the entire night working on the new keyboard. They made five different switch types and three sets of keycaps with varying heights. After repeated testing and adjustments, the first prototype of the demon-specific keyboard was finally ready.

Demon scripts include numerous secret and auxiliary characters with intricate structures. After analysis and deconstruction by Alfred, the demon characters were categorized into 72 distinct types.

The keyboard featured 72 keys for characters, along with basic number and function keys. Since the small numeric keypad was of limited use, Lu Yao decided to eliminate it entirely. Even so, the first demon-specific keyboard was significantly larger than a regular keyboard.

By midnight, Cheng Ye had sent Lu Yao the initial version of the demon-specific input plugin. Once installed on a computer, paired with the new keyboard, it enabled seamless typing and browsing.

Lu Yao rigorously tested it on her computer. After confirming its functionality, she asked Liusheng to try it out.

Zhong Lianjia connected the new keyboard to Liusheng’s station. The keyboard was wireless, with a built-in Bluetooth receiver that could connect directly to the computer.

Liusheng logged into the wuxia-themed game he played the previous night and tried sending a message in the public chat.

[Liusheng: Floating World Continent, Baixian Mountain.]

At dawn, nearby demon cultivators finished their nightly practice and habitually stopped by the internet café for breakfast.

Usually, by this time, most of the café’s machines would be occupied. However, today, half the seats were still empty, while a crowd gathered around a single station in the corner.

“What kind of keyboard is this? It has demon secret scripts and auxiliary characters on it.”

“It works for typing, and it’s different from the regular keyboards!”

“Why don’t other stations use this keyboard?”

“I want this keyboard too! I can type, chat, curse out noobs, and even leave comments!”

In just a few days, the little demons had picked up quite a bit of internet slang.

Surrounded by so many demons, Liusheng was so nervous he couldn’t speak.

Zhong Lianjia struggled through the crowd of demons and explained, “This is a demon-specific keyboard jointly designed and developed by the internet café and Liusheng. It’s still in the testing phase. Please be patient—once it’s fully optimized, the entire café will switch to this keyboard.”

Lu Yao, who had visited Liuxian City the day before, set up a magical barrier in the afternoon, and stayed up all night working on the keyboard, looked visibly exhausted.

She perked up slightly as she saw Zhong Lianjia return with the keyboard. “How was it?”

Liusheng replied, “For demons, it’s definitely more convenient than the regular keyboards in the café. But the material seems a bit fragile—it won’t last long.”

The regular keyboards in the café had the same issue. The demons often got too engrossed in gaming, slamming the keys aggressively and breaking them within a few hits.

The peripherals had already been replaced once during this period.

Lu Yao frowned. “We need to finalize the model and structure first. Once its practicality is ensured, we can look for sturdier replacement materials.”

Liusheng lowered his gaze, nervously fiddling with the hem of his clothing. In a small voice, he said, “Could I try?”

Lu Yao raised an eyebrow. “You want to forge the keyboard?”

Liusheng nodded. “I think I understand why the artifacts I made before were always so inflexible and prone to mechanical failures. After reviewing the keyboard’s joints and functions last night, I feel like I understand their roles and purposes completely. Forging a general-use keyboard shouldn’t be too challenging.”

Lu Yao nodded. “What about the materials?”

Liusheng replied, “I’ve been a craftsman for many years and have privately accumulated a decent stock of materials. Plenty of them should work.”

Lu Yao nodded. “Great. Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Following the business customs of Liuxian City, Lu Yao signed a commission contract with Liusheng, agreeing on a three-day delivery period.

Despite working tirelessly through the night, Liusheng showed no signs of fatigue. He took the contract and prepared to return to Liuxian City. Before he left, Lu Yao handed him a stack of teleportation scrolls.

With everything sorted, Lu Yao immediately reclined on the rocking chair behind the bar counter, pulled a blanket over herself, closed her eyes, and fell asleep instantly.

The sparrow spirits flew in, chirping loudly to boast about their exploits, but received no acknowledgment from the shopkeeper. Seeing her about to sleep, they began tugging at the blanket covering her.

After some fussing, Lu Yao remained unresponsive. The sparrows eventually settled down, perching in her hair, on her shoulders, and across her chest. Like little chicks cuddling with their mother, they gradually closed their eyes and dozed off.

…

In the Wasteland Region, deep in the Demon Domain…

A pitch-black sky enveloped a land as dark as ink, resembling a lifeless city under the grim gaze of death.

A palace attendant, clutching a droopy little black creature, sprinted up to the city wall. “Your Excellency, something’s wrong with the Demon Treasure.”

The Demon Lord lounged on the city wall, holding a black demonic flower between his teeth, his crimson gaze fixed on the dark sun peeking over the horizon. Without a word, he extended his hand.

The demon treasure landed in his palm, eagerly extending its tiny claws to hug his wrist and rubbing against him affectionately.

The Demon Lord glanced at it briefly, then returned it to the attendant. “Seems fine to me.”

Back in the attendant’s arms, the demon treasure let out pitiful whines, its blood-red eyes brimming with tears as it looked back pleadingly.

The Demon Lord remained unmoved.

The demon treasure sulked silently. “…”

The attendant couldn’t help but speak. “Your Excellency, the Demon Treasure might have been beaten.”

It was only a guess. That morning, they found the demon treasure lying outside its nest like a wilted vegetable, barely clinging to life. However, as the Demon Lord’s companion pet, no one in the Demon Palace dared, let alone could, hurt it so badly.

The Demon Lord turned his head, his blood-red pupils indifferent. With just a glance, the attendant and the demon treasure felt a bone-chilling fear.

“Speak. Where did you cause trouble?” His tone was calm.

The Demon Lord was often like this—languid, emotionless, and seemingly uninterested in everything.

He seemed like a very dull person.

Yet everyone in the Demon Palace feared, revered, and respected him.

The demon treasure jumped from the attendant’s hands and scrambled onto the city wall, cautiously rubbing against the Demon Lord’s shoes, whining and groaning as if to lodge a complaint.

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