42: Grand opening and an unwelcome guest at the door

Inner District, Yard No. 88, Ding Block.

Today was an auspicious day, suitable for opening a shop, attracting wealth, and breaking ground (meaning moving other people's money into his own pocket).

Early in the morning, Zhou Wannian changed into a brand new, soy-colored silk robe. The robe was well-tailored and the fabric was decent; the only drawback was that the color was too dark, making him look rather old-fashioned. Combined with the goatee he had deliberately grown and his smiling-at-everyone demeanor, he was the spitting image of a middle-aged shopkeeper who had spent years in the marketplace, his edges smoothed out by life.

"Crack-crack-boom—!"

A series of crisp but not deafening firecracker sounds rang out on the street.

These weren't expensive spirit Talisman firecrackers, but just a string of ordinary red firecrackers from the mortal world, ten copper coins a string, just for the festive sound.

As the smoke cleared, a brand new wooden plaque was hung above the door.

【Wannian Talisman Shop】

The handwriting was neat but mediocre, possessing neither the grace of a master nor the sharp Daoist charm of a sword; just like the shop's name, it exuded the simple wish of "hoping to scrape by for ten thousand years."

"Congratulations on your grand opening, Shopkeeper Zhou!"

Although Granny Wang, who sold spirit tea next door, thought the firecrackers were a bit shabby, she still warmly brought over a basket of red eggs.

"The joy is shared, the joy is shared. You're too kind, Granny. I'll have to rely on your care in the future."

Zhou Wannian smiled until his eyes were mere slits. He took the eggs with both hands and returned the favor with two "Cleaning Talismans." "Just some small trinkets. Take them back to wash your grandson's diapers; they're very effective."

After seeing off Granny Wang, Zhou Wannian brought out a lounge chair, brewed a pot of tea, and prepared to start business.

However, while ideals are full, reality is thin.

For a whole hour after opening, let alone business, not even a single person came in to watch the excitement.

Most Cultivators in the Inner District were haughty. They usually went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion or those luxuriously decorated old brands to buy Talismans. A small shop like Zhou Wannian's, with only one storefront, simple decoration, and a shopkeeper who looked like he hadn't woken up yet, simply couldn't enter their Dharma Eye.

"It seems I need to use some tactics."

Zhou Wannian was in no hurry. He slowly took out a wooden sign from under the counter and hung it in the most conspicuous spot at the door.

A line of large characters was written on it:

【Grand Opening Sale: Buy Ten Medium Grade Talismans, Get One Free! Also featuring a 'Special Offer Area', flawed ugly talismans at 50% off! Bulk discounts available!】

In the cultivation world, the word "discount" had an impact on Loose Cultivators no less than an "Epiphany."

Sure enough, not long after the sign was hung, several low-level Cultivators dressed simply poked their heads in.

"Shopkeeper, is this 50% off written here... for real?"

A sallow-faced Loose Cultivator pointed to the pile of misshapen Talismans in the corner of the counter and asked.

"Honest prices for all."

Zhou Wannian put down the teapot and introduced them with a smile, "These Talismans, you see, were drawn when my hand 'slipped' while trying a new drawing method. Although they look a bit ugly—some look like earthworms, some look like... well—the power is absolutely fine! If you don't believe me, you can take one and try it. If it doesn't work, no charge!"

The Loose Cultivator picked up an "Earthworm Version Cleaning Talisman," hesitated for a moment, but still took out a Spirit Stone to buy one.

Moments later, looking at his spotless boots, his eyes lit up.

"Good stuff! It's ugly, but it's got a lot of kick! Give me a dozen!"

With the first person to try it out, the shop's popularity finally began to grow.

After all, even in the Inner District, not everyone was a wealthy heir like Chen Zhaozu. Most low-level Cultivators still had to live on a budget. Zhou Wannian's "high cost-performance" ugly talismans hit their pain point exactly.

Just as Zhou Wannian was busy collecting money.

A shadow suddenly blocked the sunlight at the door.

"Yo, isn't this the new Shopkeeper Zhou? Business is quite booming."

A slightly caustic voice rang out.

Zhou Wannian looked up and saw a middle-aged fat man standing at the door, wearing a coin-patterned dharma robe and rolling two iron balls in his hand. Two shop assistants followed behind him, looking at the shop with scrutinizing and unfriendly gazes.

Information about this person instantly surfaced in Zhou Wannian's mind.

Wang Defa, the shopkeeper of the "Spirit Talisman Pavilion" across the street, with a Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivation. It was said that this man had been operating in the Inner District for twenty years and was a well-known smiling tiger who loved to suppress his peers.

"So it's Shopkeeper Wang! A rare guest indeed!"

Zhou Wannian quickly put down the Spirit Stones, came out from behind the counter, and cupped his hands with a humble expression. "The shop has just opened, and I don't know the rules. If there's anything I've done wrong, please give me some pointers, Shopkeeper Wang."

"I wouldn't call it 'pointers'."

Wang Defa walked into the shop with a fake smile, casually picked up an "ugly talisman" from the special offer area, held it with two fingers, and said with a look of disgust, "Shopkeeper Zhou, this Talisman of yours... is drawn quite uniquely, isn't it? These lines are shaking like someone having a seizure. You have the nerve to sell this?"

"Ahem, my skills are poor, my skills are poor." Zhou Wannian smiled along. "Just trying to make a living."

"You can't break the rules even if you're just making a living."

Wang Defa threw the Talisman onto the table, his tone suddenly turning cold. "It's one thing to sell your Medium Grade Talismans for three Spirit Stones each, but you dare to sell them for one and a half in this special offer area? Do you know that the market price in our Inner District is four? If you do this, how are we old shops supposed to do business?"

He was here to cause trouble.

The surrounding customers went quiet, and some of the more timid ones even quietly slipped out, fearing they would get caught in the crossfire.

The smile on Zhou Wannian's Face stiffened for a moment, then he revealed a miserable expression.

"Shopkeeper Wang, you are a big boss with a large business. Mine is just a small-time operation."

He sighed and pointed at his old robe. "Look at my age; I'm only at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. There's no hope for Foundation Establishment in this life. I just thought that while my hands can still move, I'd draw a few more Talismans to save up some coffin money. My Talismans look terrible; if I don't sell them cheaply, who would want them?"

"Besides, what I sell here are all flawed items, which can't be compared to the high-quality goods in your shop. People buy your Talismans for status and for Face; those who come to me are all poor wretches. We can each mind our own business, don't you think?"

These words were so pitiful that they would make anyone who heard them sad. He debased himself to the dust while flattering Wang Defa at the same time.

Hearing this, the anger in Wang Defa's heart dissipated by half, replaced by a sense of superiority.

Looking at Zhou Wannian's submissive appearance, he sneered in his heart: As expected, he's just a useless piece of Trash. Does such a person even deserve to open a shop in the Inner District?

"Humph, at least you're sensible."

Wang Defa resumed rolling his iron balls and said with his head held high, "But I'll put the ugly words first: you can have special offers, but the regular-priced Talismans must absolutely not be lower than three and a half! Otherwise, don't blame me for not showing neighborly consideration!"

"Yes, yes, yes, certainly, certainly." Zhou Wannian nodded like a chick pecking grain.

Just as Wang Defa felt he had successfully established his authority and was preparing to put on airs and leave.

"Oh! Isn't this Fat Wang?"

An extremely arrogant voice, full of the aura of a nouveau riche, suddenly came from outside the door.

Immediately after, a colorful figure swept in like a whirlwind.

"Young... Young Master Chen?"

As soon as Wang Defa saw the newcomer, his previously haughty Face instantly collapsed, replaced by a smile ten times more humble than Zhou Wannian's. "What brings you here? Are you here to buy Talismans? Come to my place! A batch of top-quality Fireball Talismans just arrived..."

"Go away! Who cares about your crappy Fireball Talismans!"

Chen Zhaozu impatiently pushed Wang Defa aside and walked straight to Zhou Wannian, putting his arm around Zhou Wannian's shoulder as affectionately as if they were long-lost brothers.

"Old Zhou! Your business is doing quite well!"

Chen Zhaozu slapped Zhou Wannian's shoulder carelessly, almost knocking him over. "That tranquility talisman from last time worked like a charm! My old man was scolding me again last night, so I slapped one on. Hey! I slept so soundly! I didn't even hear what he was yelling!"

Zhou Wannian: "..."

Surrounding customers: "..."

Is that how a tranquility talisman is used? That's not making someone tranquil; that's making them deaf, isn't it?

"As long as it's useful, as long as it's useful," Zhou Wannian said with a dry laugh.

"Give me another fifty today! I want to give them to my brothers!"

Chen Zhaozu grandly slapped a large bag of Spirit Stones onto the counter, then turned his head and squinted at Wang Defa nearby. "Fat Wang, what were you shouting about here just now? Were you bullying my old neighbor?"

"No... No! Absolutely not!"

Cold sweat began to roll down Wang Defa's forehead.

Although Chen Zhaozu was a profligate, his uncle was Chen Fuqiang, the Deacon of the General Affairs Hall! He managed the shop leases for the entire Inner District. If he offended him, he would not only be given a hard time in the future but might even lose his shop.

"I... I came to congratulate Shopkeeper Zhou on his grand opening!"

Wang Defa had a sudden brainwave and quickly took out a red envelope from his robe, stuffing it into Zhou Wannian's hand. "That... Shopkeeper Zhou, a small token of my regard! Let's keep in touch in the future!"

After saying that, he didn't dare stay any longer and scurried away with his shop assistants.

"Tsk, coward."

Chen Zhaozu curled his lip in disdain, then turned to Zhou Wannian and said, "Old Zhou, if this guy dares to come back and look for trouble, just give him my name! In this neck of the woods, I, Young Master Chen, still have some Face!"

"Thank you, Young Master Chen! You are truly righteous, Young Master Chen!"

Zhou Wannian looked grateful, but in his heart, he was calculating: This wave of borrowing prestige has completely solidified my foothold. With Chen Zhaozu, this "lucky charm" guarding the place, those small-time ghosts who want to extort me will have to think twice... After seeing off the big spender Chen Zhaozu, the atmosphere in the shop became even more enthusiastic.

If even the Young Master of the Chen family approved of this Talisman shop, could it be bad?

"Shopkeeper! Give me ten tranquility talismans! I want the kind that can make people 'deaf' too!"

"I want that fire Talisman that looks like cow dung! I heard it's on special offer?"

Zhou Wannian was busy until sunset before he finally hung up the "Closed" sign.

He closed the shop door, activated the defense Formation, and then slumped into the armchair behind the counter, rubbing his stiff cheeks from all the smiling.

"Acting is really exhausting."

He poured today's income onto the table.

Clatter.

About three hundred Spirit Stones.

After deducting costs, a net profit of over two hundred.

"Still alright."

Zhou Wannian looked at the pile of Spirit Stones with a calm gaze.

Although compared to the turnover in the black market, which often reached thousands, this amount was just pocket change. But this money was earned steadily and legitimately.

This was his "protective umbrella," his legal cloak for walking in the sunlight.

"A submissive little shopkeeper by day, and a heavy-hitting Lei Gong by night."

Zhou Wannian put away the Spirit Stones, a playful curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"This double life is quite interesting."

He stood up and walked into the backyard.

Moonlight spilled into the quiet courtyard.

The chimney of the Pill Refining Room next door was still emitting faint black smoke; that was Tang Ruyan staying up late and exploding her furnace again. From the other side came the noisy sounds of Chen Zhaozu and his rowdy friends playing drinking games.

That was life.

Full of the bustle of the mundane world, yet hiding murderous intent.

Zhou Wannian entered the secret room and took out the "Second-Tier Poison Thunder Drill" he had just successfully developed.

"The shop is open, and the reputation is established."

"Next, it's time to serve some new dishes to those old friends in the black market."