Ten Thousand Ways To Eliminate Players
Chapter 39 - 039 Destiny brings us together

Chapter 39: 039 Destiny brings us together

Players are indeed unreliable! The previous ’big brother’ with a promising future as a Beggar gave it up to become a Hidden Guard in the City Lord’s mansion. This apprentice of mine... I merely gave him a little guidance, and out of nowhere, he’s started to hate me... They all have serious issues. Should I replace him? Lin Bai thought gloomily. But then again, it’s all the same whether I replace him or not. All Players are cut from the same cloth. Where would I find a Player who is 100% obedient? I’d be lucky if they didn’t stab me in the back. Besides, Dumbelldore hasn’t provided negative emotions for a long time now. In this short while, he has already ’watered’ my little sapling three times. He’s truly a treasure! What’s more, I’ve found him quite handy these past few days. It would be too much of a waste to discard him. I have to squeeze every last bit of value out of him to make it worthwhile.

"It’s good that you’re back. Clean up and get ready for your shift," Lin Bai said, pretending nothing was amiss. "The restaurant is starting a late-night service today, so your sleep time might be reduced. Any problems with that?"

He’s really let his guard down around me! Dumbelldore sighed in relief and readily agreed, "No problem."

[Guilt from Dumbelldore; +1]

Heh, this little fellow. His psychological changes are quite complex! First resentment, then guilt... Is he planning to do something that will let me down?

While analyzing Dumbelldore’s mental journey, Lin Bai instructed, "Zhang Bao and Dashan worked hard all day and have gone home. The late-night service will mainly be handled by Old Song’s family. Little Deng, your task is the same as in the daytime: maintain order at the entrance. The shop is small, so don’t let too many people in at once."

"As Master commands, I dare not disobey." Dumbelldore recalled Lin Bai’s earnest teachings and respectfully bowed to him.

Even though Lin Bai had said that the ghost in the shop was tamed by a master from Return to Dragon View, in most people’s minds, a ghost was still a terrifying existence. This fear stemmed from the unknown and from ingrained impressions. It was like how most snakes are not harmful, yet people instinctively fear them on sight.

Therefore, when Chef’s Divine Food Stall launched its "ghost-served meals" project, most ordinary people chose to watch the spectacle from a distance. They watched Lin Bai’s show and also the show of the first person to eat in the Dreadful Mansion.

One’s life is one’s own; what does the reputation of Return to Dragon View matter? To lose one’s life just to experience being served by a ghost—how unworthy! Moreover, the sky had already darkened, and the Qingxu Taoist Chief, who was supposed to be overseeing the restaurant, hadn’t appeared. Without a safety supervisor, who would dare to go inside to eat?

Lin Bai glanced at the crowd holding lanterns and watching from afar, shook his head, and entered the restaurant.

Inside the shop, glimmering candlelight cast a tranquil and serene atmosphere.

Under the candlelight, Jimmy Navada’s family appeared as indistinct figures, floating back and forth nervously, clearly at a loss.

"Boss, do you really think anyone will come?" Jimmy Navada asked.

Humans are social creatures, and this doesn’t change even after becoming ghosts. Having been confined in the small building for three lonely years, Old Song’s family was both apprehensive and eager about their impending reintegration into society.

"Don’t worry," Lin Bai said with a smile. "As long as the first ’crab-eater’ gets out safely, others will follow in a continuous stream."

"Big Brother Lin, if we suddenly change our faces while people are eating, wouldn’t that be bad?" Song Ling asked timidly.

"Not changing our faces would be worse," Lin Bai said. "You need to understand the customers’ psychology. Do you really think they come here just to eat? They come for the thrill, for the experience! If you act like normal people, how could we charge such high prices?

"So, when it’s time to blow out the candles, blow them out. When it’s time to change faces, change them. Most importantly, Old Song, you must guard the door. Even if they’re scared witless, they have to pay their bill before they can leave!"

"I’ll listen to Big Brother Lin," Song Ling said playfully, blinking her eyes.

Ever since Lin Bai arrived, her life seemed to have been filled with color. Her heart had long ago shifted its focus from her parents to Lin Bai.

"Keep up the good work," Lin Bai said with a slight smile, making an encouraging gesture.

Just then, a familiar voice came from the doorway, "Lin, the Storekeeper, is there a discount for singing tonight?"

"See? Customers are here already." Lin Bai raised his eyebrows and stood up to welcome them. "Young Master Song is a regular. You get a discount even if you don’t sing."

Outside the shop stood Song Qing and Zhu Huan, among the first to support Lin Bai’s business.

"Aren’t you afraid, Young Master Song, with no Daoist from Return to Dragon View present?" Lin Bai asked as he walked.

"Whether the Daoist is here or not doesn’t matter. The crucial thing is that I trust Lin, the Storekeeper," Song Qing said, craning his neck to peer into the shop, his expression eager and anticipatory. "If he weren’t absolutely sure, how would he dare to open for late-night service?"

As they spoke, Lin Bai reached the entrance.

"It’s you?" an angry voice sounded from behind Song Qing.

[Anger from Luo Congwen; +1+1+1...]

Well, now. Another acquaintance!

Standing behind Song Qing was none other than the restaurant’s Angel investor, Young Master Luo.

The moment he saw Luo Congwen, Lin Bai’s face lit up with an enthusiastic smile. He clasped his fists and said, "It’s a small world, isn’t it? Young Master Luo, we truly are fated to meet!"

"Brother Luo, you two know each other?" Song Qing asked curiously.

"Know each other?" Luo Congwen glared at Lin Bai and said through gritted teeth, "He’s the scoundrel who swindled me out of two hundred taels of silver!"

Dumbelldore glanced at Lin Bai. Shopkeeper, just how many shady things have you done? It would be no injustice at all if someone decided to kill you!

Song Qing looked at Lin Bai in astonishment.

Lin Bai shook his head and, smiling at Luo Congwen, said, "Brother Luo, you are such an Ignorant Child! We were brought together by ghosts, and now we meet again because of ghosts. Do you still think I’m an ordinary person at this point?"

"..." Luo Congwen was stunned.

"May I have a word in private?" Lin Bai clasped his fists in apology to Song Qing and the others, then took two steps aside, positioning himself perfectly beside Dumbelldore. He smiled and beckoned to Luo Congwen.

Luo Congwen looked up at the pitch-dark Chef’s Divine Food Stall, then back at Lin Bai. After a moment’s hesitation, he walked over. "What are you planning this time?"

"I am here to Teach Brother Luo," Lin Bai said with a smile, lowering his voice.

Such a familiar line of reasoning. Dumbelldore’s ears perked up.

"Teach me?" Luo Congwen looked up at Lin Bai.

"Does Young Master Luo still remember what his dream is?" Lin Bai asked.

"Cultivation," Luo Congwen blurted out.

"Have you ever wondered, Brother Luo," Lin Bai chuckled, "why I specifically came to you to talk about matters of the Cultivation World? Why, after taking your Silver Coins, I didn’t go far but instead opened a restaurant in the Dreadful Mansion, not far from you?

"How could an ordinary storyteller know so much about the Cultivation World? What storyteller would dare open a shop in a Dreadful Mansion and even have ghosts serve customers?"

"..." Luo Congwen’s breathing quickened. He pointed at Lin Bai excitedly, "You... You..."

Lin Bai smiled and nodded. "Constant yearning will surely bring a response. Young Master Luo, Immortals guide those with affinity!"

Immortal? Dumbelldore’s breath hitched as well. Is Lin Bai’s background that significant? Can I really kill the Shopkeeper? No. It can’t be true. He’s probably on the same level as Daoist Priest Qingfeng, Novice Village tier. How powerful could he possibly be?

"Master, please teach me...!" Luo Congwen suddenly came to his senses. He lifted the front of his robe, about to kneel, but before his knees could bend, Lin Bai supported his arms.

Luo Congwen used all his strength but found he simply couldn’t kneel. His belief in Lin Bai’s words deepened by another three parts.

"Young Master Luo, the affinity is not yet sufficient!" Lin Bai said softly, looking at Luo Congwen. "Cultivators can only achieve greatness if they possess benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith. You, Young Master Luo, have barely passed the test of resolve.

"That day, Young Master Luo, you failed to discern cause and effect and drove me, Lin, away, utterly failing in wisdom and benevolence.

"Lacking wisdom, one is easily lured by Monsters. Lacking a benevolent heart, one would harm all living beings upon learning the Taoist law.

"Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, faith; warmth, kindness, respect, humility, yielding. To embark on the path of cultivation, Young Master Luo, you are still lacking much. Kneeling to me now is futile..."

"If I can achieve those, will it be enough?" Luo Congwen asked, his voice trembling, not at all discouraged.

"Naturally," Lin Bai nodded. "Your arrival at Chef’s Divine Food Stall today, Young Master Luo, is also due to affinity. That is why I, Lin, am offering you some pointers. Otherwise, your immortal destiny would have already passed you by."

Could it be that he knows I came here because of Little Qian? Yes! He just said we were brought together by ghosts and met again because of ghosts! This is affinity!

Luo Congwen’s face flushed, and he clasped his fists awkwardly. "Many thanks for Brother Lin’s guidance. If I, Luo, can one day embark on the immortal path, I will surely repay Brother Lin generously."

Shopkeeper, didn’t you promise to take me as your disciple? Why are you still casting your net so widely?

Nearby, Dumbelldore’s eyes widened, a strong sense of crisis welling up within him. I must hurry with these matters of a gentleman’s virtue! After investing so much, it would be a terrible injustice to lose out to an NPC in the end!

[Joy from Luo Congwen; +1]

[Resentment from Dumbelldore; +1+1]