Who is spreading rumors that my filial piety towards them has changed?

"This is your chance to become a full-fledged business owner, a rare opportunity to start from scratch. Do you really want to go back to your old ways?"

Qingse has good reason to:

Qun Liu San 8 San Ling Liu Si Jiu Qi

"It's out of necessity. All legitimate businesses in the Sword Dynasty are government-run. The only thing ordinary people can do is small businesses. If I were to do small businesses now, I might as well just take a piece of hemp cloth and set up a stall in the market."

"My 'Fairy Needle' Pavilion has such an elegant name, how come no one has come after being open for half a day? The cheongsam-clad maids are all ready!"

Chu Mingkong was somewhat helpless. It seemed that Qingse's abilities were truly concentrated in management after achieving some success; she had absolutely no talent for starting from scratch...

Chapter 83 Returning to Old Trade

Chu Mingkong would not deny the difficulty of "maintaining the status quo." Expanding territory is a skill, but maintaining a foundation is a skill that many people have mastered.

The decline of many commercial and religious families is linked to the poor ability of their descendants to "maintain the status quo".

However, Chu Mingkong was still surprised when he thought about the difference between Qingse's later management and her early development capabilities.

However, Chu Mingkong still respected Qingse more. He knew that he only had an advantage over her in terms of vision and was a theorist who talked a lot, while Qingse was a person with real ability who could produce practical results after listening to her.

After all, there are quite a few people who can still make mistakes even when copying answers directly.

Qingse sensed an impolite thought in Chu Mingkong's eyes, but finding it difficult to refute, she chose to ignore it for the time being and asked:

"Then tell me, what's wrong with the Immortal Needle Pavilion?"

"Do you remember how that jade pillar business started, given the difference in customer traffic?"

"Selling them as spirit stones and then making up stories for the Koreans, Your Highness calls this 'product added value', right?" Qingse's memory is still good, but it's also hard for her to forget. Her Immortal Treasure Pavilion started going astray from that moment on.

“Yes, but the first group of customers didn’t come entirely for this jade pillar! They came because they knew of your ‘Immortal Treasures Pavilion’ and were just making normal purchases.”

Qingse instantly understood the crux of the problem—there was no customer traffic!

Previously, it was known as "Xianzhen Pavilion" and benefited greatly from the reputation established by its predecessors. However, it has now changed its name and adopted such a cryptic shop name.

Those who don't know better might think it's a shop selling needles and thread. Once they come in and ask, they realize something's wrong and immediately run away. As for potential customers who actually have a need, they won't know what "Fairy Needle Pavilion" does when they see the name. They're more likely to just ignore it. Only a few people might happen to walk in.

However, doing business doesn't rely on the patronage of a few customers. You can't expect a customer to buy five or six sticks to help you increase sales, and then when the customer goes home to relieve stress, they'll use all their hands and feet, or blow them around like a trumpet.

In short, the customers who come don't buy her products, and the customers who do buy her products don't even know what she's selling.

Seeing Qingse's sudden realization, Chu Mingkong knew she had understood again and said:

“These signboards and shop names are also a form of advertising. You’ve misplaced these advertising resources; it’s like trying to flatter someone in the wrong place—like slapping them in the wrong spot.”

"Who would go looking for trouble?" Qingse retorted irritably, feeling embarrassed. "So what do we do now?"

Chu Mingkong pondered that when he talked to her about the parent brand and sub-brands, he had made it quite clear that using the larger brand to drive the smaller ones was the best way to attract customers.

With its financial advantage, Qingse neither went to prime locations nor invested in advertising, but instead came to this backwater to start from scratch. Is it just a joke?

The only solution Chu Mingkong could offer her now was to simply replicate past experiences, honestly revert to the "Xianzhen Pavilion" brand, then observe which female customers had specific needs, and secretly recommend some stress-relieving magical items accordingly.

After listening, Qingse felt lost and deeply melancholy.

"So now that I'm in a foreign land, I still can't shake off the reputation of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion? I'm worried that when future generations come to the Sword Dynasty, they'll find that I've ruined the reputation of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion."

"Hey! How is it smelly? Helping people calm their minds and reduce the impact of mental tribulations is a blessing and a merit! What you should worry about is that in the future, your predecessors from the Immortal Treasure Pavilion will come to the Sword Emperor Dynasty and use your experience to seize the market."

Of course, this is unlikely, because the supply of Niu Niu is a major problem.

Qingse sells jade oxen, but they are also high-quality spiritual jade. Unless it's to differentiate the price from other oxen, the price is based on the quality of the spiritual jade, with the oxen being an added bonus.

However, one thing is quite strange: despite Qingse releasing such a large quantity of high-quality spirit jade into the market, the price of the spirit jade did not fluctuate much.

This is partly because Qingse only allows female nuns to purchase a limited number of these items.

On the other hand, female cultivators who intend to resell them feel that they can appreciate in value in the future, so keeping them is not a loss, and they can also use them for cultivation. Therefore, very few niu ...

There were even rumors that some resellers commissioned female cultivators to buy "special products" from Qingse, and then the female cultivators would run away with the goods for their own use.

In this back-and-forth, Chu Mingkong's dumping of spirit jade did not actually inflate the price of spirit jade, nor did it affect the spirit jade market.

However, it can't be said that the price has no impact at all, after all, the record for the sale of spirit jade at the Immortal Treasure Pavilion auction house is Chu Mingkong's sky-high price "Ancient Red Bull".

......

After experiencing a huge business setback with zero sales for several days, Qingse decisively put her "Xianzhen Pavilion" signboard back up, changed the interior layout, and returned the familiar layout to Qingse.

Chu Mingkong guessed that she had been thinking about whether or not to "take a dump" for a while. She had made all the preparations, but she was still struggling with her inner conflict, thinking about starting her own business on her own.

After consulting Chu Mingkong, "Immortal Needle Pavilion" went bankrupt at lightning speed.

An hour later, the first women's treasure pavilion of the Sword Dynasty appeared in the same place, completely transformed inside and out, almost a replica of the treasure pavilion in Wine Fragrance Town.

Many male cultivators came to check, but were turned away by the maids, muttering that the Immortal Treasure Pavilion was now separating men and women.

Some curious male cultivators summoned their Daoist partners and asked them to go inside to see what good things were for sale.

"Look at what this Immortal Treasure Pavilion is up to. What kind of place sells rare treasures and is only open to women? Senior sister, please go in and confirm for me."

"Madam, go inside and ask the herbalists if they sell the kind we have. We finally got a license from the Ministry of Commerce to sell spiritual herbs. If this out-of-town Immortal Treasure Pavilion is selling them indiscriminately, we'll have them shut down immediately!"

"My lady, you must keep a close eye on the fabrics sold inside. If you find any Wood Spirit Silkworm Cloth, come out and tell me right away. I need to tell the Chamber of Commerce. This Immortal Treasure Pavilion is really inconsiderate."

There are indeed curious people, but most are xenophobic and probing.

Before long, a strange situation appeared outside the Women's Immortal Treasure Pavilion. A group of male cultivators surrounded the area with wary eyes, but female cultivators walked into the gate one after another.

It was still the early days of the business, and Qingse, the proprietress, had returned to the front lines after a long absence. After introducing customers to a variety of stockings, intimate apparel, and soft nail polish with different functions, she affectionately took the hands of a group of customers and held their hands like a close confidante:

"My dear sisters, how much pressure do you feel during your daily cultivation? Are your married life as Daoist partners happy and fulfilling? I have some unique spiritual jade here, would you like to take a look?"

......

The first group of female cultivators emerged from the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, and the male cultivators who had been waiting outside immediately rushed forward, eager to inquire about the results.

Although the Immortal Treasure Pavilion did not exist in the Sword Emperor Dynasty before, they were still aware of its wealth and reputation. The world's major auction events were dominated by a small group of people from the Immortal Treasure Pavilion.

They were still very wary of the Xianzhen Pavilion, which had opened earlier. Regardless of why it had opened in the Sword Dynasty, all parties were determined to find evidence to bring it down!

"So, have you found out if the Immortal Treasure Pavilion is selling spiritual herbs without a license?"

"What's the situation inside? Have they violated any of the Sword Dynasty's taboos? We absolutely cannot tolerate this!"

However, the married female cultivators who came out of there had flushed faces and their hair was slightly damp with sweat, and they vehemently denied it.

"This Immortal Treasure Pavilion is designed to cater to women's needs, taking into account the many restrictions imposed by the Sword Emperor Dynasty. It mainly sells items such as intimate apparel and carvings made of spirit jade. The medicinal herbs are not particularly rare or precious."

"Then why is your face so red, Madam?"

"There's a Fire Spirit Jade inside, it's a bit too big, it's so hot it's almost stimulating... no, it's incredibly hot, I'm sweating from the heat of the Fire Spirit Jade..."

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PS: Author's note: →

Chapter 84 Grandma's Underworld

With Qingse's operations running smoothly, Chu Mingkong didn't go over to check on things yet. Based on past experience, at least the start was normal, so it was unlikely that Qingse's subsequent operations would encounter any major problems.

If they really encounter issues like local trade barriers, Chu Mingkong's side does have an official backing.

It's not even certain who's an outsider yet; this guy is just being unreasonable and domineering. Humph!

Chu Mingkong's current priority is to take a bath and wait for his grandmother to come up. After completing his daily routine of cultivation and checking for any deficiencies in his Five Elements cultivation, he would go to the bathhouse and soak for half a day.

Considering that Bai Niang is currently in a strong protective phase, Chu Mingkong is hesitant to take her for a bath, fearing that she might also develop hostility towards his grandmother.

"Kitty, come here~" Chu Mingkong waved to his daughter on the baby bed.

This month, the cat has returned to a size where she can barely crawl. When she saw her father coming to find her with cookies, even though she couldn't chew them, she still couldn't wait to crawl towards him.

When the little four-legged beast cub came over, Chu Mingkong took the opportunity to take both Bai Niang out of his sleeve and had the cat hold them steady.

When it comes to accompanying the elderly, the children in the family are all very experienced.

"Bai Niang, slippery~" The cat immediately crawled over, staggered to its feet, and hugged Bai Niang's graceful snake body.

The older kittens still have the strength to climb onto Bai Niang's body, but now they can only be held, as their backs are not strong enough.

This wasn't the first time Bai Niang had cared for a kitten. Her upper body had transformed into human form, while retaining her rounded serpentine form below her waist and hips. She picked up the kitten, placed it on her pinkish-white belly, and then let go—

Amidst the little one's melodious laughter, the kitten seemed to be riding a winding slide, spinning around and around until it reached the snake's tail. Finally, Bai Niang gently lifted the snake's tail, tossing the kitten high into the air, where it landed in Bai Niang's full embrace.

Then the cycle begins again. If Bai Niang moves her snake body slightly and changes its position, it becomes a new slide.

Games like this can keep the little ones in the family entertained all day long without getting bored.

Chu Mingkong took the opportunity to pick up the other two babies as well, restrained Bai Niang with triple restraints, and then went to the bath to soak in the tub.

------------

The steaming hot bath was filled with mist.

Chu Mingkong lay quietly in the hot water, closing his eyes to meditate.

He wasn't just there for a bath. When he couldn't find Grandma Sword Emperor while waiting, he used the "shared knowledge" between his aunt and his master to gain some insights, hoping to improve as much as he could.

"After finishing training, this 'shared' power effect will gradually weaken, and it can only be restored by training again... It's hard to guarantee that others will give me time to 'recharge' before the enemy arrives."

To achieve the best results, it is best to maintain a state of "connection" at all times.

Unbeknownst to many, the baby pheasant had already grasped the essence of "Taoist magic" years earlier than the previous version!

However, if it were truly connected at all times, it would really become that black relic, the Joyful Mother and Child Buddha.

What story lies within this black relic? It doesn't seem like something simple. I'll have to ask the Asura King another day.

Now that I have a Buddhist friend by my side, asking questions is much easier.

After meditating for a long time, Chu Mingkong opened his eyes and prepared to get up and leave.

I didn't manage to spot Grandma Sword Emperor today either, but I'm used to it by now. I'll try again next time. I'll focus on meditation and treat Grandma Sword Emperor's appearances as random, unexpected events. It'll make me feel much better.

"Splash!"

Water flowed down Chu Mingkong's three legs, and amidst the chaotic sound of the water, one could vaguely hear the sound of a jade-like leg splashing into the pool.

Chu Mingkong paused, then retreated back into the bath and sat down next to Grandma Sword Emperor.