Molting the Mortal Coil

They were now in Golden Cricket Cove and they’d also discovered a method of quick travel. Asking around town he learned that many knew about the existence of the ‘Merciful Mollusk’, but their entry fee was absurd. Only cultivators could afford the cover charge of a dozen Spirit Stones. When he hinted about the Transportation Arrays, nobody knew what he was talking about.

There must be special requirements to use the Transportation Arrays, but they don’t seem to question the people arriving from them.

Wanting to secure his return path, Sage did some more nosing around. Just like back in the Shihu Kingdom, when Sage had visited Green Plateau Province. He had done some asking around and eventually learned how to purchase information from the Lu Tavern. He did the same in Golden Cricket Cove and found it was simpler than he thought. Returning to the Merciful Mollusk, he paid a thousand Spirit Stones and purchased an identity token for their establishment. With it in hand, he could now sense the location of their Transportation Arrays and also the methods to operate them. They weren’t always in the same spot and they also changed the activation patterns required to operate them. They didn’t charge for returning to the Merciful Mollusk, only leaving from it.

Sage inwardly praised their business sense. They were operating such expensive arrays, but they still made sure to offer a bit of goodwill to the customers, or at least they made it seem that way. They probably charged more than double for everyone leaving, so even if they returned for free they’d still profit. Even if everyone knew they could save money by returning to their homes without using the Transportation Array, the convenience was just so tempting. The few freeloaders would be dissuaded by the price of the identity token and the profit from other travelers likely made up for them. They were even smart enough to key the tokens to blood, so even though Sage likely had a bunch in his bag from those centipede hitmen he couldn’t use them.

Sage purchased Merciful Mollusk identity tokens for the six Tiankong children as well as himself. Ruanfu didn’t say anything about Wanqian Lei, nor did Sage. He had the feeling that she liked to keep him on a short leash, and the man never seemed annoyed by it. In fact, he actually seemed pleased to be so protected and restricted, otherwise Sage would have liked to have another tier 5 helping battle. Wanqian Lei was more powerful than the other five, so it was a shame, but he wasn’t about to annoy Ruanfu over it.

With that task settled, Sage brought the others around town to enjoy the sights. To that end, he immediately thought of the two who’d helped him the last time. With a little effort, he tracked down the boy, Dou Deng. When they met, he was around ten years old, but many years had passed and he was now a young man in his twenties. Unfortunately, his grandpa, Dou Cheng, had passed away. Sage did a little checking and was pleased to see that Dou Deng had apprenticed at a mortal trade, likely with the pile of gold coins that Sage had left them. Dou Deng seemed to be doing well, and Sage had a different face so he didn’t bother him.

Instead, he hired another boy waiting on the streets as a guide. Having him take their party around the town, they explored the many businesses. It quickly became apparent that beside the Four Major Businesses of the Dou Kingdom, there were other very well branded business chains. It didn’t take much effort to learn that they were run by different groups from the Chong Clan.

The factions seem more competitive than I originally imagined.

Wanqian Lei was brought out and Ruanfu took him away. She was eager for a day of fun and relaxation. Her choice inspired the others and they eagerly clamored to go off on their own as well. Sage relented, but only after purchasing a set of Messaging Jades. It was a sizable purchase, a set of twelve linked jade tokens. They had only a ten mile range, and everything would be transmitted equally to all the others. Very much like a set of magical handset transceivers, walkie talkies. The set cost him nearly a hundred thousand Spirit Stones, but now that he had the Universe Ring back he still had 1.5 million more after the purchase. The thought of Spirit Stones made him recall that cheapskate Guan Zhenyan and Sage couldn’t help but to shudder.

That stingy bastard, he deserved it!

The group dispersed, the Tiankong kids bragging about how many wives they were going to find while Sage went to his next destination. Pristine Fortune Coaches. Sage walked through the doors and was greeted by a clerk. The clerk wasn’t all that friendly considering the standard appearance of Sage’s clothing.

“Are you here to put in an order?”

He must think I’m a servant on an errand.

“No, I’d like to speak to the owner about some business opportunities.”

The clerk doubted his intentions, but Sage didn’t feel like wasting more time so he released his Human Seal slightly and his eyes flickered. The clerk smiled brightly, “Come along, honored one!”

Eh, maybe I overdid it a little.

A few minutes later he was sitting across a table from a middle aged couple. Sage could feel their level was similar to his own and he smiled at them. The woman was wearing a leather apron over weathered work clothing while the man was wearing an elegant robe. Their demeanor fit their attire, the woman being straightforward and wanting to get to the point of this, likely so she could return to her workshop. The man on the other hand was all smiles and graceful action. His voice was soothing and smooth, the type that could charm you into spending far too much on far too little in return. The Husband ran the business while the Wife made the products. Quite the couple.

“I’m about to enter the market with a new product. As it’s also a vehicle, it will likely cut into your market. From what I’ve seen at Pristine Fortune Coaches in the past, your work is very exquisite.”

The woman was now glaring at him, wanting him to get to the point. The man on the other hand, was frowning. Sage’s statement so far was pretty ridiculous. Claiming to be taking away their business and then complimenting them. Was this a joke?

Sage didn’t let their looks stop him, continuing on, “Rather than be competitors, I was hoping we could collaborate. You know the local market and the tastes of the area, and your work is beautiful.”

The smile rapidly returned to the man’s face and he looked ready to launch an elaborate refusal. Sage recognized that slightly sympathetic, but also firmly dismissive look that merchants always used to turn away beggars and people asking for help. The woman on the other hand interrupted her husband, “If this vehicle of yours will be so harmful for us, why would you need our help? To compete with us, you must also have skilled Refiners. What’s your game here? You want to get us to work for cheap and then disappear, right?”

The husband could only frown at how vulgar their conversation had become. Sage realized they now thought he was trying to scam them and they likely were already planning on how to reprimand the clerk that Sage had hypnotized.

“It’s not as you think. I’m not here to take advantage of you. The truth is, I founded my company in a faraway nation. I’ve recently returned to my birthplace and so I plan to start doing business here as well. If I can get some locals on my side, it will make it much easier. I truly found your coaches exceptional, so Pristine Fortune Coaches was my first choice.”

It took a bit more convincing for them to believe he wasn’t just blowing smoke, but they remained hesitant to actually make any deals. The husband slipped into what seemed familiar to him and communicated a willingness to collaborate, but without making any guarantees.

At least it’s a start.