Ch 113: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World II

The day after Lu Yao returned from the Mirror of Serenity, Jiao Niang and the little sparrow demon mentioned the little ginseng demon to her.

That day, after crying bitterly, the ginseng demon left and did not return to the internet café. She likely had no idea about the fake shopkeeper.

Lu Yao still remembered the ginseng demon, who resembled a New Year’s painting doll, but she had been too busy to visit earlier.

The ginseng demon was not originally from Mount Baixian; she had lived near the territory of the Beast Taming Sect.

The Beast Taming Sect had set up a spirit-gathering array in the mountains to train spiritual beasts, making the area rich in spiritual energy. The little ginseng demon had been absorbing this energy for centuries and made many friends among the spiritual beasts.

Later, she heard passing demon mention the internet café on Mount Baixian. Out of curiosity, she packed a small bundle and came to explore.

Although Mount Baixian had thin spiritual energy, it was home to many demons and devils. The café run by a human shopkeeper was intriguing, so the ginseng demon decided to stay.

Lu Yao inquired about her temporary residence on Mount Baixian and followed the winding mountain path into the forest.

Unfortunately, under a damp crevice in the rocks, there was only a handful of spirit-rich soil left.

Nearby demons told Lu Yao that the ginseng demon had left, her eyes red from crying, saying she was going back to the Beast Taming Sect to find her old friends.

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Yao returned to the internet café and used a teleportation scroll to reach the city of Ni.

In Ni City, she purchased a stack of teleportation scrolls to various locations from a magic artifact shop and then used one to teleport to Dragon Prison City.

Dragon Prison City, located in the northeast of the Floating World Continent, is the territory of the Beast Taming Sect.

The name “Dragon Prison City” has a story behind it. It’s said that a black dragon once rampaged after getting drunk, destroying a city. The Beast Taming Sect later subdued the dragon and imprisoned it in a well within the city. The ruined city was rebuilt and renamed “Dragon Prison City.”

However, the city itself resembled a bustling flower and bird market. Streets were lined with shops selling spiritual pets, and small, unintelligent animals with big, round, glistening eyes wagged their tails and made adorable sounds, entirely at odds with the menacing name “Dragon Prison.”

Dragon Prison City’s climate was also conducive to the growth of spiritual plants, and its abundant spiritual energy attracted many alchemists and artifact refiners. Stalls selling rare materials and spiritual plants were everywhere.

Lu Yao, tempted to buy materials, decided to prioritize her task. She inquired about the Beast Taming Sect’s location and planned to visit the ginseng demon in the mountains.

The young man Lu Yao asked for directions wore a yellow daoist robe and, after pointing her the way, continued to follow her.

Lu Yao turned back several times.

The man did not evade her gaze, his expression calm and composed.

Lu Yao stopped and waited for the young man to approach. “Daoist friend, is there something you wish to say?”

The young man in the yellow robe looked slightly surprised. “I didn’t think anyone in Dragon Prison City wouldn’t know about the Beast Taming Sect.”

Lu Yao: “… I came from Ni City. This is my first visit to your esteemed land.”

“My apologies.” The man bowed slightly. “I am Jin Huaichen, a disciple of the Hundred Beasts Peak of the Beast Taming Sect. May I ask what business brings you to our sect?”

A disciple of the Beast Taming Sect! Lu Yao was delighted.

However, it didn’t seem appropriate to say she was looking for a ginseng demon in their back mountain, so she claimed she wanted to buy a spiritual pet cub.

The Beast Taming Sect’s spiritual pets were highly sought after, akin to premium pedigree cats from renowned breeders in the modern world: attractive, well-behaved, and exceptionally capable.

After asking around in the city, Lu Yao learned that the Beast Taming Sect had an excellent reputation, though their prices were notoriously steep.

Many visitors came to Dragon Prison City just to admire the spiritual pets. Those who couldn’t afford the Beast Taming Sect’s offerings often searched the nearby markets for alternatives, occasionally finding good ones.

Lu Yao, who had saved some spirit stones over the past few months, couldn’t afford an adult spiritual pet and didn’t need one. She planned to buy the cheapest cub she could find, even one without intelligence, as a companion for the little bear demon.

Jin Huaichen glanced skeptically at Lu Yao. The young woman dressed plainly, with no impressive magic artifacts on her, and had a soft, unassuming demeanor. Yet her cultivation was not low.

Though suspicious, Jin Huaichen maintained his composure and politely guided Lu Yao to the Beast Taming Sect.

The sect was built at the foot of the mountain, with nine surrounding peaks dedicated to raising spiritual pets.

Lu Yao had spoken with the little ginseng demon a few times before. The ginseng demon had once complained that adult spiritual pets tend to be arrogant and dislike the presence of other spirits or creatures in their territory. Because of this, the ginseng demon often roamed the two mountain peaks where the Beast Taming Sect raised free-range spiritual pet cubs.

The cubs were lively, trusting, and very clingy, frequently seeking out the ginseng demon to play.

When Jin Huaichen heard Lu Yao mention wanting to buy a cub, he bluntly informed her that cubs were even more expensive than adult spiritual pets.

Lu Yao put on a conflicted expression, thought for a moment, and said she still wanted to see the cubs first.

Jin Huaichen didn’t doubt her, and in good spirits, led her up the mountain.

The back mountains of the Beast Taming Sect were practically a mythical zoo. There were musk deer, stream beasts, porcupines—relatively common cubs among the spiritual beasts.

As they walked, Jin Huaichen introduced the cubs, occasionally glancing at Lu Yao.

It seemed he assumed Lu Yao couldn’t afford the pricier breeds, so he kept her at the base of the mountain to view more common small beasts.

Lu Yao had already given up hope upon entering the mountain. The area was massive, and finding a single ginseng demon roaming the mountains for spiritual energy was practically impossible.

With a Beast Taming Sect disciple by her side, she also couldn’t take any alternative actions.

As they passed a patch of shallow grassland, Lu Yao and Jin Huaichen heard pitiful cries.

They approached and parted the grass to find a limping cub surrounded by several other cubs bullying it.

The bullying cubs had gathered thorny leaves, covering the limping cub with them.

The injured cub cried miserably as it dragged its useless leg to crawl out, only to be buried under more leaves.

Jin Huaichen immediately ran over, picking up the cubs with the thorny leaves and placing them aside. He pried the fuzzy leaves from their mouths. “Little ancestors, where did you find these thorn sugar leaves? What if you hurt yourselves on the thorns?”

Lu Yao approached and gently pulled the ignored limping cub out from under the pile of thorn sugar leaves.

The poor little creature was indeed fragile, its soft pink skin covered in scratches, crying pitifully.

Jin Huaichen turned back to see Lu Yao holding the limping cub in her arms. He frowned slightly. “It’s naturally frail. It won’t live long.”

Beast tamers encountered a few such cubs every year. No matter how much medicine or spiritual energy was used, these frail creatures inevitably withered and died.

Jin Huaichen had his first encounter with such a cub when he was six years old, only half a year into joining the sect.

As a child, he naturally loved small animals. Under his master’s guidance, he incubated his first green peacock.

The green peacock was a common spiritual beast on the Floating World Continent, easily obtainable and of low value.

Even novice disciples could practice with them.

Perhaps due to his inexperience, he failed to notice issues during the incubation process.

His master immediately recognized the peacock as flawed at first glance, saying it wouldn’t grow properly.

But it was Jin Huaichen’s first spiritual beast, one he had hatched with his own hands.

Despite knowing the outcome, he couldn’t bring himself to abandon it, clinging to a sliver of hope.

He poured all his affection into the little peacock, hoping for a miracle.

In less than half a month, the green peacock died.

Jin Huaichen had cried for a long time, holding the limp body of the little creature.

Now, like all Beast Taming Sect disciples, Jin Huaichen no longer invested feelings into naturally frail cubs, leaving them to fend for themselves.

Lu Yao held the pink cub by its armpits, carefully examining its hooves and features. “Is this a piglet?”

Jin Huaichen: “…This is a Tangkang.”

Lu Yao was surprised. “The legendary auspicious beast that brings wealth?”

Jin Huaichen: “…You still need to work hard yourself.”

Lu Yao carefully cradled the little piglet back into her arms. “Brother Jin, I want to buy this Tangkang. Name your price.”

Jin Huaichen: “…It’s naturally frail and won’t live long enough to bring you any fortune.”

Lu Yao couldn’t help but say, “Actually, I have some money. I just feel that its life is already short and miserable; I can’t bear it.”

Jin Huaichen suddenly felt a bit flustered. “This little Tangkang is practically at death’s door. If you like it, take it; no charge.”

Lu Yao shook her head. “I can’t accept that.”

Resolute, she paid ten high-grade spirit stones and took the limping Tangkang cub with her.

Before leaving, she gifted Jin Huaichen a bundle of teleportation scrolls from the internet café, some discount coupons, and a recording talisman. She warmly invited him to visit Mount Baixian whenever he had the chance.

Holding the items, Jin Huaichen felt increasingly guilty.

Shortly after they left the Beast Mountain, several spiritual beast cubs trotted up the path with a pouch in their mouths, crying softly as they approached a stone crevice.

After a moment, a plump ginseng sprout emerged from the crack.

The little ginseng demon had returned to the Beast Mountain but had spent the past few days sulking underground.

The cubs, puzzled by the pouch’s scent, threw it to her. Recognizing the familiar aura, the ginseng demon felt a pang of sadness and discarded it.

The cubs, confused, retrieved the pouch and handed it back to her.

After this back-and-forth several times, the little ginseng demon finally relented. Reluctantly, she opened the pouch.

Inside was a miniature storage bag, just large enough to hold a three-tiered lunchbox and a letter.

The ginseng demon unpacked everything. The white floral lunch bag contained a thermal lunchbox.

One tier was filled with an assortment of cookies, another with fragrant roasted beef cubes, and the last with fresh strawberries topped with cream—all foods the ginseng demon had seen online and longed for. The shopkeeper had remembered.

She couldn’t resist trying a beef cube. It was tender, juicy, and rich with a delightful milky aroma—better than she had imagined.

The cubs, intrigued by the unfamiliar yet enticing aroma, blinked their big eyes and started nudging her roots, begging for a taste.

The plump ginseng demon reluctantly shared a tiny portion before tightly closing the lunchbox and opening the letter.

Lu Yao had written the letter in the demon language, explaining the recent events at the internet café, apologizing, and inviting her to return to the café to play.

Halfway through the letter, the ginseng demon began to weep softly.

Her tears, infused with spiritual energy, were potent supplements.

The cubs pretended to comfort her with low whines while sneaking licks of the tears from the stone crevice.

This was better than eating spirit grass.

Regaining her composure, the plump ginseng demon noticed the cubs secretly licking her tears. She turned away, rummaged through the crevice, and emerged with a tiny bundle the size of a human fist.

She was going back to Mount Baixian!

Meanwhile, Lu Yao had scattered dozens of identical pouches across the Beast Mountain, hoping at least one or two would reach the ginseng demon.

If not, she planned to confess the situation to Jin Huaichen next time and see if he could help.

Leaving the Beast Taming Sect, Lu Yao didn’t return immediately. Instead, she carried the frail little Tangkang around the city for a while.

Everyone who saw the Tangkang said it wouldn’t live long. They advised her not to waste spirit stones or elixirs on it and suggested she find another spiritual pet instead.

But Lu Yao hadn’t intended to raise a spiritual pet in the first place. She already had too many little ones at home, each with its unique personality and appearance.

She truly just pitied this poor creature and wanted to care for it until its natural end.

The Beast Taming Sect’s assessment of its condition was authoritative. If they said it wouldn’t grow, it wouldn’t.

After seeking medical help in vain, Lu Yao turned to a shop selling materials and spiritual plants, purchasing a large haul.

In the spiritual plant shop, she unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance—Ling Shan, who had previously agreed to help her craft slimming and beauty-enhancing elixirs.

Ling Shan initially had no intention of speaking, but Lu Yao called out to her.

Ling Shan appeared slightly surprised.

Lu Yao: “Don’t remember me? Any progress on the elixirs we discussed last time?”

Ling Shan: “…I already delivered a batch of pills to you once. Don’t you remember?”

Lu Yao paused, quickly recalling.

To be honest, the celestial maiden had indeed caused her a lot of trouble in her absence.

But now that the culprit was confined in the deepest, eighteenth layer of the Dark Prison in the Demon Realm, enduring eighteen rounds of soul-wrenching whips daily—described as “a fate worse than death”—Lu Yao felt little need to dwell on it.

She briefly explained the situation at the internet café to Ling Shan. Translated on hololonovels.

Ling Shan was shocked. “Something like this happened? I didn’t sense a thing.”

Lu Yao: “We only met once. How could I blame you?”

Ling Shan: “…And yet you recognized me at a glance.”

Lu Yao smiled. “A businessperson without sharp eyes wouldn’t last long.”

Ling Shan chuckled. “That elixir has been selling like hotcakes, just as you said. Not only do mortals love it, but even some cultivators secretly buy from me.”

Lu Yao thought to herself that skincare and slimming products always had broad appeal. The “pursuit of beauty” was a fundamental human instinct. Products that were both effective and safe were naturally in high demand.

Especially in the cultivation world, such products, if introduced to places like the commercial districts of the Internet Café, Eden Sea, or Sanhua City, could undoubtedly become bestsellers. Their popularity might rival modern hair-growth tonics and serums.

Inspired by the thought, Lu Yao couldn’t help but ask Ling Shan, “Do you think it’s possible to develop hair-growth elixirs?”

Ling Shan: “…Would people buy that?”

Looking at Ling Shan’s thick, flowing hair, Lu Yao understood why she couldn’t relate. “Trust me, there’s definitely a market.”

Ling Shan promised that once she developed such an elixir, the internet café would be the first to receive it.

Ever ambitious, Lu Yao also struck a deal with Ling Shan, buying 20 bottles of slimming elixirs and 20 bottles of beauty-enhancing elixirs in bulk.

By the time Lu Yao returned to the internet café with the limping Tangkang in tow, it was already afternoon.

As she pushed the door open, Zhu Ying immediately rushed over, her face glowing with excitement. “Boss, come quick! My first draft is done!”

Not only Zhu Ying, but also her fellow sect brothers and sisters from the Six Realms Sect were gathered behind the counter. Bai Lu, seated at a computer, was carefully proofreading subtitles.

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