Ch 90: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Lu Yao initially thought lighting up the demon entry in her task log would be the easiest. She hadn’t expected it to be such a trap.

The task deadline was only two months. Even if Zeyuan got married tomorrow, he couldn’t produce a Demon Prince for her within the timeframe.

The requirements for lighting up the human entry were “a female human guest over sixty,” and for the demon entry, “a half-demon guest under one hundred.” Compared to true demons, it seemed more feasible to make progress on humans and half-demons.

(T/N: it’s getting confusing to use demons and demon cultivators to distinguish between the two. So, I’ll start using demons as devils).

Back when Lu Yao met Xie Zili at the Sea of Tears, she had considered luring both him and his grandmother to her shop to complete two minor tasks at once.

In the end, she found the pair unsuitable and decided against “luring” Xie Zili. Instead, she brought Jiao Niang back.

Although the tasks had seen no progress in the days since, Lu Yao didn’t regret her decision.

The two-month deadline, which seemed long at first glance, actually made the task extremely challenging. She would need to devise more ways to push it forward.

…

After the meeting, Zhong Lianjia began actively promoting coaching services. During work hours, he refrained from playing on his phone or reading novels, focusing instead on rigorously guiding customers.

He even created a study group aimed at quickly improving their skills. The group currently had three members: Zhong Lianjia, Wen Rong the leopard spirit, and Guanzhong.

Zhong Lianjia drew upon his professional esports training days to develop a comprehensive learning plan for the demon and the spirit. It covered everything from basic mechanics like last-hitting, item classification, damage calculations, and skill cooldowns to advanced concepts like map awareness, farming efficiency, and team fights. The material was thorough and highly technical.

The demon and devil in the study group treated the lessons like treasures. Even colleagues in the shopping street network, upon hearing of these “training materials,” started calling Zhong Lianjia “King Zhong” again, one title after another.

Zhong Lianjia found it amusing and awkward but secretly felt a bit smug.

After retiring, Zhong Lianjia had often felt lost and uncertain.

At sixteen, he entered the professional esports scene, rising from the youth academy to become a full-fledged player.

At his peak, he was the MVP of an entire season, the undisputed star of his team. At that time, he’d had a bit of an ego, believing himself to be the king of the gaming world.

But in just a few short years, younger, more talented players emerged like mushrooms after the rain. Meanwhile, Zhong Lianjia, worn down by overuse, began faltering—unable to adapt to the competitive pace or make the right decisions, becoming a weak link on the team.

By the next season, his time on the field dwindled until he couldn’t endure the endless benching and chose to retire.

When he first joined the shopping street’s staff network, he often felt like an outsider.

His colleagues’ credentials were impressive. Even among humans, there was Cheng Ye, a graduate of a prestigious university and a former employee at a well-known domestic company. His role as a network administrator was just one of his many skills—he even helped Lu Yao with programming.

The human staff at the hot spring inn were similarly extraordinary, either with outstanding resumes or multiple talents.

Zhong Lianjia often thought that he had wasted his youth on gaming, leaving behind nothing of value.

This led to a sense of inferiority.

Yet, since starting his coaching efforts with Wen Rong and Guanzhong, the way they looked at him—with admiration and a touch of flattery as they called him “Brother Zhong”—gave him a sense of fulfillment.

…

After joining the group, Guanzhong began visiting the Internet Cafe regularly. Occasionally, Danxi would accompany him.

Danxi, uninterested in gaming, had grown close to Zhu Ying and would sometimes complain about Guanzhong’s obsession with games.

Zhu Ying, sharp as ever, listened carefully and, after hearing similar complaints a few times, approached Lu Yao at the counter.

Lu Yao didn’t hide anything. Zhu Ying’s eyes lit up as she asked, “So you can earn money by being good at games? And that money can be used for online shopping?”

Lu Yao nodded. “But neither of you likes gaming.”

Zhu Ying grabbed Lu Yao’s hand, her eyes shining. “No, I’ll learn! For the sake of new lipstick, I’m in!”

Danxi didn’t quite understand but, after Zhu Ying explained, also expressed her desire to learn gaming.

“For online shopping, I’ll learn no matter how hard it is!”

Soon, the three-person study group gained two more members: another demon and a devil.

Lu Yao even dusted off her long-unused university account and joined the group as an administrator.

…

After Zhu Ying and Danxi left, Jiao Niang approached Lu Yao.

“Shopkeeper, I want to learn to game too.”

Lu Yao was surprised. “Why? Do you have something you want to buy as well?”

Jiao Niang nodded. “There are so many things online that are rare in the Floating World Continent. I can’t cook, but I saw those air fryers and microwaves—they look really convenient. I want to try them.”

Lu Yao said, “Both air fryers and microwaves need electricity. They probably won’t work on the Floating World Continent.”

Jiao Niang’s eyes sparkled. “That’s fine. I actually know a bit about artifact crafting. Aren’t the machines in the shop all powered by electricity? I’ve looked into it over the past few days. It’s not hard to create an energy device using spirit stones as a power source.”

Energy devices, power sources…

Lu Yao sighed. “…It seems you’ve been spending quite a bit of time online.”

Jiao Niang smiled softly. “Smartphones are even more convenient than computers. People online are generous with tips and tricks. I read a little every day when I rest—it’s been very helpful.”

Lu Yao relented. “…Alright, I’ll add you to the group. But remember, there are also plenty of fake accounts and misinformation online. Don’t believe everything.”

Once Jiao Niang joined, the study group expanded to seven members.

Lu Yao rarely spoke in the gaming study group, only checking in each night to see everyone’s progress.

Compared to humans, demons and devils seemed naturally gifted in combat. With Zhong Lianjia’s guidance, their skills improved at an astonishing pace.

After just three days, Zhong Lianjia reported to Lu Yao that he was planning to take on a few free coaching jobs for practice. These would be low-ranked games with no fees, purely for training.

Lu Yao, whose understanding of esports couldn’t compare to Zhong Lianjia’s, had no intention of micromanaging and fully trusted his abilities.

Zhong Lianjia suggested, “It’d be better to create a dedicated account for taking orders. I can handle promotions and set up a payment account.”

Lu Yao prepared a blank bank card specifically for transactions. As for the account for taking orders, she thought for a while before renaming the study group.

…

That afternoon, when Guanzhong and Danxi logged into the group after arriving at the Internet Cafe, they immediately noticed the change.

[Devil Danxi]: Why did the name change?

[Devil Guanzhong]: It looks like a sect from the human world.

By evening, Wen Rong the leopard spirit and Zhu Ying the spider spirit also arrived. Their growing addiction to the Internet Cafe had them coming even late at night, often leaving only at midnight.

[Demon Wen Rong]: What’s ‘The Six Realms of Floating Life’?

[Demon Zhu Ying]: Are we starting a sect like human cultivators?

[Demon Jiao Niang]: ‘Six Realms of Floating Life’—what a nice name.

[Net Manager Zhong Lianjia]: …Do you all really think it’s good?

Zhong Lianjia had protested, but Lu Yao wouldn’t budge.

[Demon Zhu Ying]: ‘Six Realms’ must refer to the six kinds of beings in the Floating World Continent, right? I think it’s great.

[Demon Wen Rong]: If we’re founding a sect, Brother Zhong should be the sect leader. Let’s update his title.

[Net Manager Zhong Lianjia]: …

..

The group buzzed with excitement as they collectively pressured Zhong Lianjia to change his group nickname. By the time Lu Yao logged in, “Net Manager” had already been replaced with “Master,” and her own title had shifted from “Shopkeeper” to “Elder.”

Scrolling through the chat logs, Lu Yao realized what had happened.

Following this, the group assigned seniority based on their order of joining: Wen Rong became the senior disciple, Guanzhong the second disciple, Zhu Ying the third, Danxi the fourth, and the last to join, Jiao Niang, was the youngest disciple.

This was likely the first-ever virtual sect in the Floating World Continent and, perhaps, even across the entire cultivation world. Its existence was nothing short of revolutionary.

Zhong Lianjia mentioned in the group that he had some trial games lined up for them, and the junior disciples were thrilled. They reacted like young sect disciples finally receiving their master’s permission to descend the mountain for their first training mission, causing a lively commotion.

Meanwhile, a black sedan pulled into the shopping street. As promised, Yu Shu had brought her daughter, Zheng Ran.

Lu Yao stepped out of the Internet Cafe just in time to see the mother and daughter walking hand-in-hand toward the hot spring inn.

Zheng Ran was thin, her head shaved due to treatment, and she wore a white hat. At the sight of a stranger, she shyly hid behind Yu Shu.

Yu Shu, spotting Lu Yao, gently pulled Zheng Ran forward and greeted her, “Ranran, don’t be scared. This is Auntie Yao.”

When her mother told her they were going out for a fun day, Zheng Ran had been excited. She thought they might be going to an amusement park or a zoo.

The doctor had said she couldn’t go anywhere too noisy, so she’d adjusted her expectations—maybe a shopping mall or a movie would suffice. But she hadn’t expected her mother to bring her to such a strange and quiet place.

Because of her illness, Zheng Ran had taken a break from school and spent a long time living in the hospital. Her parents often argued just outside her hospital room, thinking she couldn’t hear. But she had heard everything.

Now she was sensitive and wary of strangers. She nervously mumbled “Auntie” and quickly lowered her head, unwilling to say more.

Yu Shu gently patted her head and explained to Lu Yao, “She’s a bit shy.”

Lu Yao replied, “It’s okay. Let’s head inside.”

As a temporary guest at the shop, Zheng Ran’s visit had already been arranged under Yu Shu’s VIP account, and a confidentiality agreement was signed beforehand.

Lu Yao intentionally hung back by a few steps to let the guests enter first.

Before stepping inside, Yu Shu leaned down and whispered to Zheng Ran, “This is the cutest little shop. You’re going to love it.”

Zheng Ran looked puzzled.

But as soon as she crossed the threshold, vibrant and bright colors filled her view. Startled, she instinctively lowered her gaze, only to spot tiny thumb-sized people bustling through a transparent passageway in the corner.

Zheng Ran froze, staring at the scene.

Inside the transparent tunnel, one of the little people noticed her gaze. Looking up, the tiny figure realized it was a young human child and waved cheerfully.

!!!

Zheng Ran rubbed her eyes and looked again. Sure enough, tiny people were running around in what looked like a cylindrical hamster tunnel.

“Mom!” Zheng Ran couldn’t help but tug on Yu Shu’s hand, wanting to show her the little people on the floor. But when she raised her head, she froze again.

It wasn’t just the floor. The windowsills, tables, and even floating bridges in midair were bustling with little people.

They had tiny rooms, dining in Barbie-doll-like restaurants, sharing a giant shrimp dumpling.

On the ceiling was a rotating teacup cafe. The windowsill had a miniature theater built out of toy blocks and an old phone. Some of the little people were even driving around in tiny block cars.

A spark of light appeared in Zheng Ran’s previously dull and lifeless eyes. Perched on a tall stool by the windowsill, she leaned forward, utterly captivated by the adorable miniature world and its busy little inhabitants.

The Nitean little people had a fondness for children, even if they were human children, and displayed extra patience with them.

Yu Shu sat nearby, silently watching her daughter’s joyful expression. She let out a slow, deep breath of relief.

This trip had been the right choice.

Yu Shu booked a guest room and planned to take Ranran to enjoy the hot springs after she had her fill of fun. They would then return to their room for dinner.

Once Ranran fell asleep, Yu Shu intended to meet Lu Yao to collect the Marrow Cleansing Pill.

Xiao Zheng prepared dinner and clocked out for the day. The on-duty human staff member this week was Bai Lu.

After her two colleagues left, Bai Lu approached Lu Yao. “Shopkeeper, I heard from Qingyan that the Internet Cafe is starting a game project and looking for artists?”

Lu Yao replied, “Yes. Do you have someone to recommend?”

Bai Lu shook her head. “No, I’d like to give it a try.”

It wasn’t that she was unhappy with her current job, but as a professional art student, she couldn’t resist the idea of such an opportunity.

Lu Yao said, “I don’t doubt your skills, but I’ve done a bit of research, and making a game is far from simple. Balancing the reception duties at the inn and being an artist for the project would be exhausting.”

Bai Lu responded confidently, “I’m not afraid of that. Look at Qingyan, Cheng Ye, and Brother Zhixin from the Little Pet Cafe—aren’t they all handling multiple roles? Even Xiao Zheng has started assisting Brother Zhixin with tasks, and King Zhong is learning to be a coach. If they can do it, so can I.”

Lu Yao covered her face.

The Internet was full of talk about people slacking off at work, yet her staff seemed to brim with enthusiasm.

Bai Lu persisted, “Shopkeeper—”

Lu Yao waved her hand. “No rush. Let me think it over.”

For now, finding an artist wasn’t the most pressing issue for the project.

At that moment, the sound of a bell rang out—new guests had arrived.

…

A group of little people from the BlackRock Tribe had come to stay. Bai Lu and the tiny staff members busied themselves welcoming them.

Yu Shu came downstairs, and Lu Yao retrieved a small celadon porcelain bottle from her storage space, handing it over.

Yu Shu accepted the bottle but didn’t leave immediately. “I have a few acquaintances in the gaming industry. If you need, I can introduce you.”

The guest rooms were outfitted with soundproofing magic, so guests upstairs shouldn’t have heard the conversation downstairs.

This could only mean that Yu Shu had been lingering on the staircase earlier.

Lu Yao asked, “Why would you help?”

Yu Shu replied with a light smile, “Being in a good mood—is that a good enough reason?”

Lu Yao chuckled. “Then I’ll trouble you, Sister.”

Yu Shu wasn’t just making polite conversation. She went upstairs, retrieved her phone, and returned with several contacts to share.

Lu Yao scrolled through the list of unfamiliar names when her finger suddenly froze.

Amid the unfamiliar contacts, she recognized one familiar name.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️