Before long, the shop owner arrived.
After some negotiation, they settled on a rent of one hundred fifty thousand per month. The black market saw plenty of foot traffic—practically a second city center for Nanjiang—and since every business there revolved around beast taming, rental prices ran steep. Just three months of rent ate up four hundred fifty thousand, leaving Chen Shu's bank balance looking rather thin.
"Boss, are you hiring?"
The former shop clerk sidled over with a sycophantic smile. With the shop leased out, he'd naturally lost his job.
"Sure am. Same work you were doing before. Four hundred yuan a month. Internship period is half-pay—don't worry, it's not long. Just one year..."
The man's mouth twitched. He turned and walked away in silence.
So you basically don't see me as human, huh?
Wang Tianbao asked, "Young Master Chen, are you actually hiring?"
"Of course not. We've got enough people for a shop this small."
Chen Shu had everyone tidy up the place, then headed to the Beast Tamer Association. Once again, he posted a purchase request for Power Flowers—three thousand yuan per stalk, but limited to only four per day.
After the Xiaxing Company incident, Chen Shu didn't dare disrupt the market too aggressively. On one hand, Huaxia's regulatory departments might come knocking for a chat. On the other, competitors would have their eyes on him.
Four Power Flowers daily wouldn't cause any ripples. He planned to sell only ten bottles of High-Grade Strength Potion per day—enough to make money, save time, and stay out of danger.
Chen Shu then took Wang Tianbao and the others to an ordinary herb shop to stock up on the other ingredients for High-Grade Strength Potions. The main purpose was to familiarize everyone with the workflow. From now on, Chen Shu only needed to brew once a day, and the Huaxia Currency would flow in steadily month after month.
After a full day of work, Wang Tianbao and the crew had the process down.
"Our shop won't open for a while yet. Take some time off for now."
With Xiaxing Potion Company still in business, he needed to keep a low profile.
That evening, Chen Shu returned to school. He grabbed a quick bite at the cafeteria and headed back to the dorm.
"What's up? Don't recognize me?"
Xie Sunan and Xu Xingxing were both staring at him with strange expressions, as if they wanted to say something.
After a moment, Xie Sunan spoke. "Chen Pi, you pulled that stunt today without asking permission first. Teacher Shen's a bit pissed."
Chen Shu couldn't care less. "Class monitor stuff. What's a little homeroom teacher got to do with it?"
Xu Xingxing chimed in. "Chen Pi, you're really not scared at all?"
"Obviously not. I'm the goddamn Nanjiang Bandit—why would I be afraid of some teacher?"
Chen Shu waved dismissively, utterly unconcerned.
Xu Xingxing's mouth twitched, a hint of fear creeping into his eyes. "Chen Pi, doesn't your scalp feel... a little cold?"
"Cold?"
Chen Shu had no idea what he meant. He touched his head—sure enough, it was slightly damp.
"Is the dorm leaking? Wait, this is the first floor."
Frowning, Chen Shu looked up at the ceiling.
In that instant, a hideous snake head glared down at him with savage eyes. Drool dripped from its maw, and at the corner of its mouth curled an unnervingly human-like smile.
"HOLY MOTHER OF—!"
Chen Shu's cocky expression froze solid. Almost instantaneously, he summoned his Slime. Moving at blistering speed, he leaped onto its head and jammed his fingers into its nostrils.
"FLY! FLY NOW!"
The Slime's mouth blasted gusts of wind as their combination skill activated instantly.
But just as they were about to clear the balcony, the Black-White Python unleashed Binding—yanking the Slime out of midair.
CRASH!
Chen Shu and his contract spirit slammed onto the dorm floor together.
"Isn't this the Nanjiang Bandit?"
Shen Wushuang strolled in from outside, a faint smile playing at her lips.
As Chen Shu lay sprawled on the ground, options materialized before his eyes.
[Option 1: Cry and admit fault. A real man knows when to bend! Completion Reward: Medium Beast Taming Power]
[Option 2: Shout indignantly: "You ambushed me! You can't take a loss! You little piece of trash!" Completion Reward: Death Potion]
[Option 3: Pretend to be seriously injured and fish for sympathy. Completion Reward: Unlock new potion blueprint—Leap Potion]
Chen Shu lay there, mind racing, and decided on Option Three.
He wanted to pick Option Two, but something about that "Death Potion" reward felt like a hint...
Chen Shu remained motionless on the ground.
"Hm? Chen Pi?"
Shen Wushuang frowned and approached.
This doesn't make sense. His body's tougher than anyone's...
"Well, since it's come to this... let's just bury him."
Chen Shu's heart lurched. You're damn decisive!
The Black-White Python coiled around his body and carried him out of the dorm, heading straight for the hill behind the school.
Just as the python began digging a hole, Chen Shu's body suddenly convulsed.
He cracked his eyes open and started coughing violently.
"Cough... cough... Teacher, I think I can still be saved..."
Shen Wushuang stood with arms crossed, smiling coolly. "I don't care what you think. What I think is what matters![1] Today is an auspicious day—he MUST be buried!"
"What the hell!"
Chen Shu's mouth twitched. You're picking auspicious days to dig graves and bury people now?
"Teacher, I'm fine. Really, I'm fine..."
Chen Shu struggled to sit up. As he spoke, he suddenly spat out a huge mouthful of blood.
He happened to have one of Wang Tianbao's new blood packs on him. The guy had insisted the effects were remarkable and demanded Chen Shu try it out.
Ha! Let's see if you panic now!
"Hm?"
Shen Wushuang's expression turned serious. She walked over to Chen Shu and sniffed.
A smile immediately spread across her face. "Dig! Keep digging! We're absolutely burying him today!"
"..."
Chen Shu was completely dumbfounded. You figured it out that fast? Could you at least show some respect for Wang Tianbao's research?
"Reward received: Leap Potion Blueprint!"
Though he'd been exposed instantly, in the moment Chen Shu spat blood, he'd still managed to stir Shen Wushuang's sympathy.
"Teacher, I was wrong."
Chen Shu watched the pit beside him grow deeper and deeper. A night breeze blew past, and a chill crept into his heart.
You're a python—since when are pythons this good at digging graves?
Chen Shu eyed Shen Wushuang suspiciously. Has she... buried people before?
Shen Wushuang smiled faintly. "So you know you were wrong? Is this a notice, or a discussion?"
"A notice! If I say I was wrong, then I was WRONG!"
Chen Shu's tone was aggressive—using the harshest voice to say the meekest words.
Shen Wushuang pressed on. "Now tell me honestly—where did you go today?"
"To the doctor. I really went to the doctor."
"With that body of yours? What illness could you possibly have? A mental illness?"
"No way. How could I have mental problems? The doctor said my condition is rare—needs long-term treatment."
A flicker of interest crossed Shen Wushuang's face. "Oh? What exactly is this illness?"
"Uh... viral stitch..."
"DIG! KEEP DIGGING!"
Shen Wushuang's mouth twitched. You really can BS your way through anything, can't you? Viral stitch? Seriously?