Ten Thousand Ways To Eliminate Players
Chapter 29 - 029 Open 24 Hours

Chapter 29: 029 Open 24 Hours

It was proven that as long as you dared to make an effort, you would always receive more information than others.

If he had just followed Luo Congwen’s steps, Lin Bai would still be in the Luo Mansion, listening to stories like "The Enchanting Phantom." He would never have accessed the world’s insider information so quickly.

Seven years later, the Spiritual World Gap will open, either as an instance or a new map. It seems the game company has a deep storyline!

Lin Bai subconsciously glanced at Dumbelldore next to him. If only I could extract the general direction of the storyline from a player. However, judging by how bewildered the players are about this game, they probably don’t even know what will happen next. Seven years? That’s too long! I wonder if I can get in early and take a look. If I could get in early, I would undeniably gain a huge advantage in the game and could even make plans in advance. Even if I can’t get in early, perhaps I could use the instance to achieve something else. To me, what’s inside the Spiritual Realm doesn’t matter; the players and the System are my true wealth. Waiting seven years for an instance isn’t worth it at all. Cashing in early is the way to go.

「...」

Nearby, the expressions on the faces of Jimmy Navada’s family were grim. Spiritual cultivation? As expected, it’s a scam! We’re just free gatekeepers. Although we weren’t refined into Soul Devices or brewed into wine, which would have been a tragic fate, this is still rather sad for us. In ten years, when the Spiritual Realm opens, we’ll probably be discarded like worn-out shoes or casually eliminated by the Taoists from Return to Dragon View. After all, Daoist Master Li said that in ten years, our resentment will be depleted, and we’ll naturally dissipate. By then, who will seek justice for three ordinary wandering spirits like us? What a truly pitiful fate! No. Actually, there is one person...

Jimmy Navada’s gaze shifted to Lin Bai.

Evil is countered by evil. Lin Bai appears unscrupulous and thick-skinned, yet he always leaves some leeway. Perhaps our family’s survival depends on this young man...

「...」

"Lin, the Storekeeper, now that you know about the Spiritual World Gap, do you still think making this shop widely known is a good idea? Mere Silver Coins can’t compare to the future Spiritual World Gap."

Seeing Lin Bai suddenly fall silent, Daoist Priest Qingfeng’s eyes flashed with a hint of smugness; he felt he had finally regained the upper hand.

"Does it matter?" Lin Bai looked at Daoist Priest Qingfeng as if he were a fool. "The Spiritual World Gap won’t open for another seven years. What’s wrong with us earning some pocket money before then?"

"You’ve made the shop so well-known. What if an expert passes by one day, sees through the shop’s arrangements, and it attracts disaster?" Daoist Priest Qingfeng shook his head.

"Daoist Priest, you own a ten percent share of the shop. Why do you keep saying such discouraging things?" Lin Bai frowned, displeased. "You also said that Daoist Master Li concealed information about the spiritual node to reserve some benefits for the Disciples of his Sect. When the Spiritual Realm opens, many people will be eyeing this place. Remember, whatever is in the Spiritual Realm belongs to the Sect, but every coin earned in this shop is yours! Even if the shop can only operate for seven years, that’s enough to double your assets."

"..." Daoist Priest Qingfeng was stunned.

"Daoist Priest, you’re clearly not valued within your Sect; otherwise, you wouldn’t only have a mere Shield Armor Talisman for protection." Lin Bai chuckled, twisting the knife further. "As the saying goes, ’A wise bird chooses the right tree to nest in.’ You could fully cooperate with me. Our Sect treats every Disciple equally. With seven years, if we dedicate ourselves to managing this, coordinating from both inside and out, we can definitely wrest control of this spiritual node from Return to Dragon View. By then, Daoist Priest, your earnings won’t be just a paltry sum of Silver Coins."

"..." Daoist Priest Qingfeng held his wine bowl, frozen in place.

"I’ve told Little Deng that to make it in the Jianghu, one’s Technomancy must be sharp." Lin Bai gently tapped the table. "Daoist Priest, you must be able to calculate clearly to live well in this world!"

Nearby, Dumbelldore glanced at Lin Bai, sighing inwardly. Shopkeeper, your every word and action make it very difficult for me to maintain my gentlemanly composure!

"I’ve said all I need to. Why don’t you go back and consider it carefully, Daoist Priest?" Lin Bai suggested with a smile, picking up his cracked bowl again and gently tapping it against Qing Feng’s. "Seven years is enough time for many things to happen. We must seize the present moment!"

"..." Daoist Priest Qingfeng looked at Lin Bai, his expression somewhat complicated. "Lin, the Storekeeper, please allow me some time to consider this carefully."

"There’s no rush, Daoist Priest. It’s not too late to make a decision after you’ve thought it through clearly," Lin Bai replied with a calm smile. "Before then, Chef’s Restaurant will still need your help liaising with Return to Dragon View. You have influence there; this small matter shouldn’t be too difficult for you, I imagine."

"I will." Daoist Priest Qingfeng took another look at Lin Bai, drained the wine from his bowl, then stood up and saluted Lin Bai. "In that case, this old Taoist will take his leave."

"Safe travels, Daoist Priest." Lin Bai returned the salute, observing all due proprieties.

「...」

After Daoist Priest Qingfeng left, Dumbelldore, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, "Shopkeeper, what’s inside the Spiritual World Gap?"

"Don’t ask what you shouldn’t." Lin Bai glanced at him. "Knowing too much about matters of the Jianghu isn’t good for you."

Nonsense! I want to know too! But in front of Daoist Priest Qingfeng, I’d already established the persona of an expert. Prying further would expose me. Even if I’m dying of curiosity, I can’t ask. The more I ask, the greater the chance of exposing myself. I’ll just have to find a chance to investigate slowly. Besides, I need to hurry up with the quests. Given the different situations one encounters at different levels, and the commotion I’ve caused, my opponents are no longer just players struggling on the poverty line.

"Oh!" Dumbelldore responded sheepishly and fell silent.

"Tidy up. You’ll sleep in the shop tonight," Lin Bai said. "The promotional efforts will continue to build momentum, so business will definitely be good for the next few days. Stop thinking about useless things and focus on taking good care of our customers."

"No problem!" Dumbelldore replied excitedly. I’d love to stay in the shop! This place is a major instance entrance! What if I discover a way to get inside and explore?

Lin Bai then looked at Jimmy Navada and his family. "Old Song, tonight, you’re still in charge of the shop’s security. If you encounter any petty thieves, don’t hold back—just throw them out. And don’t say anything you shouldn’t."

"Understood, Shopkeeper," Jimmy Navada replied. He looked at Lin Bai and asked hesitantly, "Shopkeeper, what will happen to us after seven years?"

Lin Bai paused for a moment. "Transition to spiritual cultivation. I’ll help you figure something out."

Qing Feng said the Spiritual World Gap needs their ghostly aura for concealment. If I want to avoid trouble, I really can’t do without them.

"Thank you so much, Shopkeeper!" Jimmy Navada was overjoyed. He quickly pulled Sera Wade and Song Ling to their knees, kowtowing to Lin Bai. THUD! THUD! THUD!

"Get up. We don’t go in for such empty gestures," Lin Bai chuckled. "There are still seven years. Who knows what might happen in that time? You should learn our shop’s business philosophy from Dumbelldore. We’re aiming to open a night slot..."

Jimmy Navada hesitated. "Shopkeeper, isn’t that... inappropriate? After all, we’re already dead..."

"What’s inappropriate about it? As long as you’re bold enough, even a ghost can take maternity leave!" Lin Bai laughed. "Jiamucheng is huge; there are always people looking for a thrill. Let the people of Jiamucheng gradually get used to your presence. Build up the shop’s reputation, and yours. In the future, if Return to Dragon View wants to cause trouble for you, they’ll have to consider public opinion."

Growth. I must grow rapidly. The appearance of Return to Dragon View has made me realize the crisis. The income from daytime operations is no longer enough. After all, I have this resource; the shop should operate twenty-four hours a day. Let everyone in Jiamucheng start grinding!

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