Ch 99: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

Half-asleep, Lu Yao stared at the four characters on her phone for a few seconds, her brain sluggishly processing their meaning.

River Crossing… River Crossing? What was that?

Just as she was about to turn off her phone, another message popped up.

[Interdimentional Internet Cafe Jiao niang]: The ghost officers have already arrived at the cafe!

River Crossing… could it mean Wangchuan?

(T/N: Wangchuan, the River of Forgetfulness in the afterlife, is associated with the journey of souls after death, typically a passageway leading to the underworld.)

Lu Yao jolted awake, bolted upright, and grabbed her phone, rushing out without a second thought.

As she entered the hotel lobby, her instincts told her to tread lightly. She quickly but silently crossed the corridor and stepped outside.

The cold night air hit her face, the chill seeping into her skin, and her heated thoughts began to settle.

Whoever had opened the River Crossing Gate had brought this opportunity—and it was an opportunity she couldn’t afford to miss. If she could seize this chance, she might finally complete the mission.

Outside the internet cafe, Zhong Lianjia was pacing anxiously. Spotting Lu Yao emerge from the hot spring inn, he hurried over, clearly distressed. “Boss, Jiao niang said the River Crossing Gate has been opened. The cafe is too dangerous now.”

The eerie coldness of the forgotten river’s energy had seeped in earlier, when Zhong had been watching Jiao niang play a game. Her progress in gaming had been remarkable—though the last to start, she was now comfortably solo-queuing and maintaining a higher win rate than Zhu Ying.

But Jiao Niang’s heightened awareness of impending danger wasn’t limited to games. Moments earlier, she’d sensed the shift in the cafe and immediately flung Zhong Lianjia out the door to safety.

Lu Yao patted his shoulder to calm him. “Go rest at the hot spring inn. I’ll handle this.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned and stepped through the cafe’s doors.

Zhong Lianjia stood frozen, stunned.

As Lu Yao stepped inside, her foot squelched into something wet. Glancing down, she realized the floor was coated in a thick layer of red, viscous liquid dripping from her slippers. It had the stench of blood—likely water from the River of Forgetfulness.

The foul, cloying odor surged up like a swarm of insects, raising the hair on her arms and sending shivers down her spine.

She was still wearing her pajamas, having rushed out in a hurry, and the chilling air of the cafe made her regret it.

The lobby was eerily empty. Behind the counter, Jiao Niang, now in her mermaid form, had coiled her long tail tightly and was clutching Xiong An’an to her chest.

The little panda demon buried his head into Jiao niang’s arms, leaving only his trembling, fluffy rump exposed. His tail was curled tightly against his body as he shivered uncontrollably.

Jiao niang, upon seeing Lu Yao walk in so casually, looked alarmed. “Boss, how can you enter like this? Once the River Crossing Gate opens, its water floods in. You shouldn’t wade through it—it’ll rot your feet!”

Water from the River of Forgetfulness was steeped in the stench of decay and death, feared even by demons and monsters. For a human’s mortal flesh, it was utterly insurmountable.

Lu Yao merely felt the water was cold and uncomfortably sticky but hadn’t noticed any ill effects yet. She quickly walked to the counter, kicked off her drenched slippers, and took out a cleansing talisman, sticking it to her foot. Then, from her spatial storage, she retrieved a pair of high waterproof boots.

Jiaoniang blinked in surprise. “Those boots…”

Lu Yao replied matter-of-factly, “Waterproof.”

As she spoke, she peeled off the used cleansing talisman, slipped on the boots, and stood up.

Jiao niang said nothing more, merely pointed upstairs.

The water from the river had first seeped down from the walls of the second-floor private rooms. Upon touching the ground, it spread rapidly in all directions. Panicked customers had fled in a frenzy, knocking over several tables in the chaos.

The gate was likely still on the second floor. Amid the commotion, a black-clad, black-haired ghost officer had leaned over the second-floor railing, peering down at the scene below.

Lu Yao eyed the blood-red water spreading across the floor. The network cables were all laid along the ground, protected by magical barriers. But how long could they last against the corrosive power of the River of Forgetfulness?

From her spatial storage, Lu Yao pulled out a Qiankun Bag. “I’ll send you and An’an outside first. Then I’ll head upstairs to check it out.”

Jiao niang stared at Lu Yao, wide-eyed and speechless. The boss was far too calm.

…

When the River Crossing Gate opens, ghost officers inevitably arrive to claim souls.

This isn’t just terrifying for humans—even demons and devils fear it.

Although Lu Yao appeared calm and composed, inwardly she was anxious, worried the ghost officers might leave if she didn’t hurry.

Still, leaving Jiao niang and Xiong An’an in the cafe wasn’t safe either. Lu Yao quickly tucked them into her Qiankun Bag, dropped them off at the entrance, and immediately turned back.

…

On the Second Floor

A heavy, rusted black door loomed within the private room, eerily open like a window facing inward. Dark red river water occasionally lapped over its threshold, trickling down the walls in a quiet, sinister stream.

Through the door, the crimson river twisted and merged with desolate blackened lands—mundane, lifeless scenery typical of the boundless hells.

Two pitch-black halberds leaned against the walls, and a black-clad ghost officer sat casually in one of the cafe’s chairs, curiously toying with a computer.

The second floor was part of an alternate dimension Lu Yao had created using her abilities. Suspended mid-air, its structure and wiring were buried within the floors, keeping them unaffected by the River of Forgetfulness’s water. The computer was still running without issue.

Hearing footsteps, Xie Yi glanced toward the door.

Lu Yao, taking in the scene inside, calmly asked, “Esteemed ghost officers, have you seen the guest who was in this room earlier?”

Xie Yi raised an eyebrow, surprised by her composure, and casually pointed toward the wide-open rusted black door on the wall. “She jumped into the river. Probably looking for someone’s lingering soul.”

As ghost officers stationed at the River of Forgetfulness, such occurrences were routine for them. Every few centuries, there would be one or two reckless individuals attempting the impossible.

“About two hundred years ago,” Xie Yi continued, “the new emperor of the demon clan also came to this river looking for an immortal’s soul fragment. That incident caused such a stir that the upper realms tightened their control over the ghost gates. It’s only been two centuries of peace, and now some demon’s gone and opened the gate again.”

Xie Yi and Fan Song were already dreading the penalties they would face after their shift. Tonight, after their duties were done, they’d have to report to the Underworld Court for punishment. Their mood couldn’t be worse.

Lu Yao crouched near the door, peering inside, but there was no sign of Li Shijun.

“She’ll come back when her body rots, and her soul has nowhere else to go,” Xie Yi said dismissively.

Lu Yao turned to them. “You’re not worried?”

Fan Song, lifting his head from the computer screen, replied nonchalantly, “The gate is already open. No matter what, we’ll be punished. Might as well enjoy the human world while we wait for her to finish her futile rescue attempt.”

Their carefree attitude was all too familiar to Lu Yao. Before the snack shop opened, many of the residents were just like them—masters of procrastination.

Suppressing the amusement threatening to surface, Lu Yao lowered her gaze and suggested evenly, “Instead of waiting idly, why not play a game? This internet cafe is all the rage among demons and devils these days.”

Fan Song released the mouse, tilted his head, and looked her over. His gaze drifted down to her feet. “For a mortal without cultivation, you’re quite bold.”

Lu Yao had waded through the river water several times on her way upstairs. Her boots were corroded, the soles and shafts partially dissolved, leaving her bare skin exposed. Yet, her feet remained unharmed, not a single mark marring her flawless skin.

This was the first time Lu Yao realized her body was so resilient. Normally, even a light scratch from a twig would leave her bleeding. She didn’t have time to dwell on the mystery now and replied simply, “My name is Lu Yao, the owner of this cafe. One of my guests opened the River Crossing Gate without cause, flooding the floors below and scaring away the customers. If you two remain here, no one will dare return. Since the gate can’t be closed for now, and it’s rare for you to visit the human realm, why not have some fun?”

Xie Yi sat with one leg crossed over the other, looking unimpressed. “What’s so fun about this? If I weren’t stuck guarding this gate, I’d rather be at a human tavern having a drink.”

Fan Song stared at Lu Yao for a moment, then asked, “What kind of game?”

Lu Yao quickly moved to his side and showed him how to exit the web novel platform he was browsing, opening a beginner’s guide instead.

While Fan Song started reading the tutorial, Lu Yao hurried downstairs to grab a tray of snacks and an assortment of drinks, bringing them back to the private room.

When she returned, she found Xie Yi now leaning over to watch the beginner’s guide as well.

Spotting her, he pointed to the computer in front of him. “I want to play too.”

Lu Yao hesitated. “The floors below are flooded with the River of Forgetfulness’s water, causing disruptions to the wiring.”

Though the circuits were still functioning, the magical barriers protecting them were near their breaking point. If the barriers failed, the cafe would truly be flooded beyond repair.

Xie Yi stood abruptly, walked to the hallway, and glanced downstairs. Turning back, he asked, “If the water is cleared, will the equipment work fine?”

Lu Yao: “It might work.”

Xie Yi took a black token from his waist and chanted an incantation.

A crack suddenly split open in the center of the token, transforming into a mouth that swiftly swallowed up all the blood-red water flooding the internet cafe.

In the private room, Fan Song stood and placed his halberd horizontally across the doorway, blocking any further water from spilling over the threshold.

Lu Yao went downstairs to check. The floor was dry, the bloodstains gone, and the walls showed no trace of being soaked. The machines were untouched and still functioning perfectly.

She quickly activated the computers in the private room.

Xie Yi and Fan Song, both first-time visitors, spent a while watching beginner tutorial videos but struggled to grasp the more complex games. Eventually, they both settled on playing simple mini-games, starting with Bomberman.

Having been mortals in life, both ghost officers could read human text, so communication posed no issue.

Lu Yao managed to glean some information from their idle chatter: both had served as wardens of the Underworld for over a thousand years, making their ghostly ages well over a millennium.

After a few rounds, the two ghost officers gradually found themselves enjoying the games. They nibbled on snacks from the human realm and immersed themselves in these addictive, simple games, passing the time effortlessly.

At some point, Fan Song called out to Lu Yao, “This machine isn’t working.”

Lu Yao had been keeping an eye on the River Crossing Gate but stood up to check, only to respond with mild regret: “Time’s up.”

Fan Song: “Time?”

Lu Yao explained, “Playing games at this internet cafe is no different than visiting a human tavern; it’s all about paying for the experience. This computer belonged to the previous guest, who only paid for two hours of game time. When the time is up, the machine automatically shuts down.”

She glanced at Xie Yi’s machine. She hadn’t charged him earlier, considering it a complimentary two hours.

Fan Song: “…How much does it cost to play?”

Both ghost officers extended their game time and were soon back to indulging in 6399’s mini-games.

Lu Yao, however, directed them to open the folder labeled Six Realms within the beginner tutorials.

The training material for Six Realms had grown considerably. Xiao Zhong had compiled comprehensive spreadsheets for basic training and uploaded recorded gameplay sessions of junior disciples practicing different techniques, complete with strategic analysis.

Initially, Fan Song and Xie Yi weren’t interested in watching the gameplay videos. However, Xiao Zhong’s coaching videos for new players caught their attention. They were intrigued by how players following Xiao Zhong’s instructions executed actions with precision, never missing their marks.

With some curiosity, the ghost officers decided to try the game using two spare accounts Lu Yao provided. Skipping the tutorial, they jumped straight into AI matches.

The early rounds were disastrous. Fan Song ventured into the jungle only to be slain by a blue monster. Xie Yi stayed in the lane but failed to watch his positioning, drawing minion aggro and getting pummeled to death.

Unlike the simpler mini-games they had played before, this game had a competitive edge. The thrill of earning a kill was immensely satisfying, and they found themselves increasingly hooked after just a few rounds.

…

At Dawn

The stillness of the River Crossing was disrupted by the sound of rippling water.

Li Shijun emerged from the gate, dragging her mangled legs behind her as she crawled out in a daze. Her face was pale, her expression vacant.

Lu Yao, who had stayed up all night, immediately stepped forward to help her.

The dullness in Li Shijun’s eyes flickered slightly as she opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

Regret flashed across Xie Yi and Fan Song’s faces, but their actions were swift and decisive. Without hesitation, they seized Li Shijun from Lu Yao’s grasp.

Xie Yi stated, “This fox demon opened the River Crossing Gate without authorization. We’re taking her back to face trial.”

Li Shijun offered no resistance, and Lu Yao naturally released her hold.

Every realm has its own rules. Completing her task through sheer luck was fortunate enough—there was no need for her to meddle further.

Li Shijun’s legs were severely damaged, the flesh eroded to the point where the bones were visible. Only a few scraps of tattered skin hung from them like shredded fabric.

Lu Yao frowned at the sight and retrieved a bottle of healing pills from her Qiankun Bag, offering it to her.

Li Shijun turned her face away, refusing to accept it.

Xie Yi remarked, “Ordinary pills won’t heal injuries caused by the River Crossing waters. Besides, she doesn’t appreciate your kindness—there’s no need to bother.”

Lu Yao handed the bottle to Xie Yi instead. “She might not want it now, but she could need it later. Please take it for her.”

Xie Yi: “…”

Before leaving, Fan Song stood at the edge of the River Crossing Gate, reluctantly glancing back.

After a thousand years, the mortal realm had developed such entertaining places. A pity he no longer belonged to this world.

Lu Yao quickly gathered the leftover snacks and drinks on the tray and handed them over. “Take these back with you, esteemed sirs. Come again when you have the chance!”

Xie Yi and Fan Song didn’t refuse. The snacks here were indeed exceptional, unlike anything they had seen when they were alive.

However, the next time they encountered this mortal shopkeeper, it would likely be within the gates of the underworld. Mortal lives, after all, were fleeting.

With the departure of the two ghost officers, the River Crossing Gate sealed itself, and the walls of the internet cafe returned to their original state. Lu Yao immediately opened the system interface to confirm—sure enough, the spirit icon was now illuminated.

[Lu Yao’s Interdimensional Internet Cafe’s popularity has skyrocketed, upgrading to a three-star shop. Reward: Popularity Points +3000, Exclusive Mustard Seed Realm +1. Keep up the great work, shopkeeper!]

With task progress advancing and the shop upgrading, Lu Yao was in high spirits.

Despite pulling an all-nighter, she felt no exhaustion.

Outside the internet cafe, a few demons lingered. Frightened by the opening of the ghost gate the previous night, they had fled to their caves, cultivating in terror through the night. But as daylight broke, curiosity drew them back, though they hesitated at the entrance.

Lu Yao sent messages to her staff resting at the hot spring inn and used her transmission jade to notify Jiao Niang. Then, she opened the cafe’s doors.

The demon patrons peeked at Lu Yao and then into the shop, astonished to find everything intact.

Lu Yao stepped aside. “I sincerely apologize for last night’s scare. As a token of apology, today everyone may claim a free sausage at the snack bar.”

Ordinarily, sausages were the most sought-after treat, but at the moment, they seemed to have lost their allure. The little demons stood hesitantly at the doorway, unsure whether to enter.

The leopard demon Wen Rong pushed through the group, stopping in front of Lu Yao. “Elder, last night the ghost gate opened. The shop is really okay?”

Lu Yao replied, “The situation has been resolved. Naturally, there’s no issue.”

Spider demon Zhu Ying also squeezed forward. “I saw ghost officers upstairs. Are you sure it’s fine?”

Lu Yao answered calmly, “If there were truly an issue, do you think I’d still be standing here talking to you?”

The demons considered this logic and found it sound. Still, whatever scenarios they imagined privately, their gazes toward the shopkeeper grew increasingly reverent.

Cautiously, the patrons tiptoed into the internet cafe. The River Crossing water had been entirely removed, and the ghost gate was firmly shut.

…

Later, Ji Feiming arrived with breakfast, and Ji Feichen came for his shift. The familiar aroma of food wafted throughout the shop.

Wen Rong and Zhu Ying had piled their tables with food, claiming it was to “reward themselves for surviving the fright of the night.”

Wen Rong bit into a fist-sized charsiu bun, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction. “This is the flavor. If I ever couldn’t eat this again, I’d go mad.”

Zhu Ying gnawed on a red bean bun while holding a mouse, checking her account balance.

Last night’s hasty escape had filled her with despair. She had been mere days away from buying the coveted Fate Purple lipstick and the newly released cyberpunk eyeshadow, only for the ghost gate to throw everything into chaos.

While fleeing, she and Wen Rong had instinctively thought to help Brother Zhong, but they were a step behind Jiao Niang. After escaping into the forest, they searched for Brother Zhong but couldn’t find him anywhere.

The shopkeeper’s connections must be extraordinary—not afraid of demons or ghosts and even able to handle ghost officers from the underworld. Could it be that the shopkeeper was a disguised immortal undergoing tribulation?

Zhu Ying froze mid-thought and turned to Wen Rong, despair etched on her face. “The shopkeeper is human, right?”

Wen Rong: “Is your brain broken?”

Zhu Ying: “She doesn’t cultivate. Her lifespan is, at most, a hundred years. After a century, will the internet cafe still exist?”

The charsiu bun in Wen Rong’s hand dropped to the ground. “…”

…

Lu Yao instructed Xiao Zhong to rest at the hot spring inn for the day. He could head home if he wished but should return for work in the afternoon.

She also notified Jiao Niang via the transmission jade.

Sitting in the reclining chair behind the counter, Lu Yao held a tiny golden seed the size of a grain of rice in her palm—the Mustard Seed Realm, her reward for the internet cafe upgrade.

The so-called Mustard Seed Realm was said to be a world within a seed. Broadly speaking, it was like an entire realm contained within this minuscule seed.

However, the reward came with no instructions. Lu Yao didn’t know how to enter the Mustard Seed Realm or what kind of world it contained.

It seemed like she had received a powerful tool but had no idea how to use it.

…

“Did the ghost gate open last night?”

A familiar voice came from ahead. Lu Yao looked up.

Zeyuan had appeared from somewhere, his black robe in disarray, ink-like hair hanging loose behind him and dripping water onto the floor.

Lu Yao sat up. “Did you just get out of the bath?”

Zeyuan frowned, grabbing her hands and turning them over to inspect. “The waters of Wangchuan River flooded the shop, and you’re unharmed?”

Lu Yao shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Zeyuan’s tense expression eased. He sat beside her, forming a quick incantation with his fingers. Golden light streamed from his fingertips, and in an instant, the disheveled demon lord’s attire transformed into a fresh robe. His hair, while dry, remained unbound.

Lu Yao offered, “Should I help you tie your hair?”

Zeyuan lowered his gaze. “That would be fine.”

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