After finishing the day's opening, Li Rong collapsed onto his recliner, staring at the ceiling with a complicated expression. Only now did he truly realize that running a shop was nowhere near as easy as he had imagined.
In his original world, the process had been simple and mechanical—stock the shelves, scan the goods, collect the money. Customers chose what they wanted, paid at the counter, and left. Money and goods exchanged hands cleanly, without emotion, without entanglement.
But here?
Gifts and invitations were one thing; those he could simply refuse. People offering themselves as slaves or concubines were already outrageous enough. Yet what truly drove him mad were those who knelt on the ground, crying and begging.
They all followed the same script.
An elder in the family had been injured by a poison-type spirit beast older than fifty thousand years. The poison had penetrated the bones. Every healing Spirit Master that could be invited had already come, and all had reached the same conclusion—life could be prolonged for a short time, but recovery was impossible. Then they would speak of how they had heard that Boss Li's shop possessed a supreme divine pill, the Taiyi Dustfall Pill, capable of cleansing all poisons. Finally came the plea: this junior begs Boss to show mercy. The entire family will remember this kindness for generations.
If Li Rong had still been his original self, he might have secretly helped them.
But he wasn't.
Now that the shop had quieted down and all the blessings had faded, the image of that person breaking down in tears after being refused still lingered in his mind, leaving behind a faint sense of guilt. Even so, he knew that kindness could not be dispensed casually. Once that line was crossed, the shop would never be able to operate normally again.
If I can't be the one to show kindness, then let others do it instead.
But it can't be forced… and it can't be traced back to me…
Suddenly, Li Rong's eyes lit up. A memory from a novel he had once read surfaced, and a bold idea took shape.
…
The next morning, the moment Li Rong opened the door, he was nearly startled backward.
Even with mental preparation, the sight before him was overwhelming. The street was packed to the brim with people, shoulder to shoulder, stretching as far as the eye could see. The instant he appeared, greetings erupted from every direction, chaotic and deafening.
Frowning, Li Rong swept his gaze around—and quickly noticed something unusual. The surrounding shops had all been acquired overnight. Their signboards were gone, leaving only bare storefronts.
The shop directly opposite his was even more striking. What had once been a modest two-story tavern had gained an extra floor overnight. Judging by the pace of construction, it wouldn't be long before it became a grand restaurant. A brand-new plaque now hung at the entrance:
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School — Liaison Office.
Hearing the commotion, Li Rong immediately understood. Ning Fengzhi, accompanied by Gu Rong, had already arrived.
Not wanting a repeat of yesterday's exhausting chaos, Li Rong didn't hesitate. He activated the shop's pressure formation. A vast, invisible force descended instantly, suppressing the entire area and silencing everyone present. Only then did he activate the amplification formation.
"First," Li Rong said calmly, his voice echoing clearly, "starting today, customers without intent to purchase should leave promptly. Do not linger inside the shop or block the surrounding area. You will not disrupt my business."
"Second, our shop has added new restrictions for inquiries. Both new and returning customers, take note."
"Third, this shop operates on integrity. No credit. No bargaining. Those unwilling to transact may leave freely."
He paused briefly.
"Any questions?"
The crowd fell into an eerie silence. Those who had been present yesterday feared they had angered him and dared not speak. Those who were new were intimidated by his effortless suppression and remained equally quiet.
Ning Fengzhi was the first to step forward. Having roughly grasped Li Rong's temperament already, he took out his crystal card and asked, "Boss Li, my crystal card glowed last night. It displayed a notice saying your shop has issued a long-term bounty to collect Fortune Qi. What does this mean?"
"Recently," Li Rong replied evenly, "the disciples of the Sacrificial Dao Lord need to refine a secret treasure to transcend tribulation. Fortune Qi is urgently required."
As he spoke, he tapped the crystal card lightly. A faint aura leapt from his fingertip and merged into it. Instantly, a line of text appeared:
Current Fortune Amount: 0
"After accepting the long-term bounty," Li Rong continued, "the crystal card will quantify the Fortune carried by its holder. When this number reaches ten thousand, it will condense into a strand of extremely subtle Fortune Qi, which can be exchanged for rewards at my shop."
"This mission can be repeatedly completed before it is revoked. The only requirement is possession of our crystal card. Each completion grants ten thousand sacrificial coins."
The crowd stirred. Sacrificial coins were notoriously difficult to obtain—but Li Rong wasn't finished.
"The first person to complete the bounty will receive an additional reward," he said. "A free reservation for any item of Sixth Grade or below. This reservation may be transferred."
Free reservation.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes sharpened instantly. Reserving a high-value Sixth Grade item would save millions. Even reselling it would yield enormous returns.
"How is Fortune obtained?" he asked.
"Do good deeds," Li Rong replied simply. "Be a good person. Fortune will accumulate naturally."
Realization dawned. Charity.
Ning Fengzhi felt a surge of excitement. This task was practically tailor-made for him.
Li Rong added calmly, "Conversely, malicious acts will cause Fortune to dissipate."
Some brows furrowed immediately. Sustained goodness was far harder than short-term effort.
Ning Fengzhi, however, remained unfazed. "Before reaching ten thousand, can accumulated Fortune be exchanged?"
"Every one thousand can be cashed out once."
The atmosphere reignited instantly. Short-term profit-driven goodness? Many could do that.
Ning Fengzhi lowered his head in thought. Ten thousand sacrificial coins weren't the real prize. With Dugu Bo's cooperation, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School already had two steady sources of income. But the first-place reward…
It was irresistible.
Moreover, God Craftsman City needed manpower—trustworthy manpower. This bounty provided a perfect pretext.
Yes.
God Craftsman City was already a settled matter.
Just yesterday, Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo had struck Gengxin City before Spirit Hall could react, reaching an agreement with Lou Gao of the Blacksmiths' Association. Long oppressed by Spirit Hall, the craftsmen eagerly accepted the chance to leave.
Ning Fengzhi moved decisively. With Poison Douluo as witness, fair trade guarantees, shared governance, and three million gold coins in relocation funds, Lou Gao had been moved to tears.
Gripping Ning Fengzhi's hand, he swore, "God Craftsman City's name will resound across the continent."
And it would.
Not merely as a city of craftsmen—
But as the foundation of something far greater.
_____________________
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