BXBX NOVEL Chapter 32 The Store Is Open!
"Monsters! They are monsters!"
One of the challengers voiced the words every other participant was thinking in their mind. They had lost any hope of actually winning the Battle Technique manuals through this arena.
Even when Chu Qing came out, no one dared to challenge him. Ikasa noticed their discouraged attitudes. He brought all the kids into the arena.
"If you do not want to challenge Chu Qing, you can duel with any one of them. Whom do you want to fight?"
The participants still did not come forth. But they did not relinquish their rights to challenge either. The kids had left a deep impression. They were afraid other kids might also have some tricks to make their defeat painful as well as embarrassing.
Ikasa thought about using the other actors he had hired but the situation would not change.
'I guess it is time to end this arena!'
He took the stage and drew the attention of all the people present.
"While the Contestants are deliberating their strategies, I have an announcement to make. Everyone here has heard of my incredible manuals. I had found them in ancient ruins I will not disclose the location of."
Then he lowered his voice as if he was revealing a big secret.
"In those ruins, I had another chance encounter. A will left by a Sage taught me the method of creating these Single-Use manuals. To benefit the entire city of Sal, I will be selling these manuals in my store located across the street for a nominal cost of 100 Gold. Please give my store your patronage."
His announcement caused a wave of uproar. The commoners grew excited at the prospect of cheap high-grade manuals while the big families had an expression of greed.
"Haha! Even my son can have a high-grade manual now."
"Yes, he is truly a great man. Even the Mid-Grade Cultivation Manuals cost 300 Gold and yet he is selling his High-Grade manuals for 100 Gold."
"He is the benefactor of all the commoners of Sal City. But will he be able to survive those influential families' greed?"
Similar conversations were happening in all the stands where ordinary citizens of Sal city were seated. The discussions among the residents of the inner city were very different.
"Check if he has any background."
"Look if he has made any deals with other families for exclusive usage rights."
"Keep an eye on him. Find out who those kids and that girl with him are… "
Instructions like these were passed to numerous butlers and servants accompanying their masters in the aristocrats' stand.
It was obvious that none of these instructions were well-meaning.
Commander Du who heard every word that was said sighed in frustration.
"First you offended the Lotus Pavilion and now you have aroused the greed of all these bastard nobles. Even I cannot help you."
Yao Han, who was sitting beside the commander, looked worried. He gave a suggestion that caused Commander Du's eyes to light up.
"Commander, how about we procure some Battle Technique Manuals and Cultivation Manuals for our new division? It will indirectly provide Ikasa protection..."
"...and our new division will be stronger than any other private force in the city. Yes, let's do it this way."
Du Man understood Yao Han's line of thought. He clapped the man's back with jubilance.
"Very good, Captain Yao! I think you should lead this division."
Captain Yao Han humbly accepted the offer.
Once he had found the means to accomplish his task, Commander Du looked for a hooded man in the crowd of commoners. He couldn't find him so he closed his eyes and thought to himself, 'Feng Yan, I have done my best. Rest is in his hands.'
Ikasa knew he would be on the target list as soon as he announced his secret. But he also knew that the families would not move right away.
They will spend some time checking his background and use carrots to seize his secret. Only if he resisted would they resort to sticks.
But right now he could not worry about it anymore. Questions from stands and challengers were thrown at him.
"Which manuals will be available for sale?"
"I will sale the High-Grade Cultivation Manual, [Dumb Belle's Guide to Strength] and all the Battle techniques used by them."
When Ikasa answered this question the Challengers began to give up their right to duel. Instead, they began to ask Ikasa to sell the Battle Technique Manuals.
"I would like to buy one [Fast-Faster-Fastest] manual."
"Give me one [Peek-a-Boo Defense]"
….
The twenty-five contestants, all crowded around him to place their demands. Seeing this the members of the Li Family, Xue Family, and even the other smaller families couldn't sit still.
They too sent their representatives to register their orders. When the situation got out of hand, Xin Ruo escorted Ikasa from the rowdy crowd and brought him to the stands.
"Everyone Listen Up! I can only make two of either Battle Technique Manuals or Cultivation Technique manuals every day. So please register your name and the manual you want at the store." He yelled the instruction at the top of his lungs, twice.
Then as he was going to end the arena, Xin Ruo added some new instructions.
"Orders with lower quantities will be fulfilled with priority!"
Ikasa almost palmed his face. Xin Ruo had taken his words as truth and chose a convenient way for him. She was looking out for him but it had actually foiled his plans.
If he received a big order of 100 or more manuals, he could use the x100 function for the first time. It was the most economic way to earn CP or BP.
But he couldn't contradict her before such a huge audience. So he played along. Either way, he was going to earn the cultivation points.
When they reached their Store, there was a long line of customers waiting for the doors to be opened. Many had not even waited for Ikasa's closing words and had lined up here.
He sent Chu Qing to purchase Three large rolls of paper as well as some inkstones.
Luo Qiqi and Pei Yuan were tasked with grinding ink. Chu Qing and Hei Ying were responsible for maintaining order. Yan Xiao shouted at the top of his lungs to remind everyone in the line of the rules.
With preparations done, Ikasa opened the doors to the shop for the very first time.
As soon as people could see the figures of Ikasa and Xin Ruo behind the open doors, all hell broke loose.
"I want one Cultivation Manual for my daughter!"
"Please, give me one movement technique manual."
The ones who lined up earlier scrambled to get their orders registered. Since they were buying for themselves or their near and dear ones, their purchases were usually in the single digits.
Another group of people represented the ones who frequented the wilds. They wanted a number of different manuals to cover their weaknesses and enhance their strengths.
"We want six of Peek-a-Boo Defense manuals for our Adventurer's group."
"Three Nutcracker Kicks and two Cultivation Manuals for the Blood Blade mercenaries!"
And then there were the trouble makers. They assumed the commoners would bow to their whims. One such person was a servant belonging to some prestigious family.
"Move out of the way! My young master sent me to purchase all the manuals you have in store!"
His words generated public outrage. The people in front pushed him all the way to the back. The name of his Family did not cow the vicious mercenaries. Instead, his pompous talks triggered them.
"Beat this little piece of crap!"
"How dare he take our opportunities from us!"
The gathered mob took vented their frustrations on the servant. They were unafraid of the consequences as no one would be able to track them.
But Ikasa was scared by this reckless mob. If the blood of someone from the Inner-city was spilled before his store, it would be the perfect reason for those arrogant families to act.
"Chu Qing, Hei Ying rescue that servant and throw him near the Inner City's gate."
Ikasa immediately took action to save his ass. Once this small hurdle was taken care of, other servants did not dare to cross the line. They were cowed by the ferocious gazes of the crowd.
'Really, when people are together, they can do crazy shit without fear!'
Ikasa wiped the drops of sweat on his forehead and went back to selling the manuals.
Soon, every manual available was sold. And yet the line had not shortened by even 1/3rds.
"There is no way these people would leave empty-handed."
Xin Ruo stated while clasping her hands nervously. Putting up an 'Out of Stock' sign was not an option. The strong would then target the weak who stood in line for hours to get their hands on the manual.
Ikasa smiled and showed her the rolls of paper.
"We will now start taking the Pre-orders. Are you ready to write till you can't feel your arms anymore?"