Although the arrays were already installed, difficult to move, and had specialized uses, the brokerage wouldn’t take a loss even if they were just dismantled and salvaged.
With this in mind, the Antelope Spirit added.
"However, I need to see the site myself."
"That’s only right."
...
The Antelope Spirit accompanied Xu Chang’an to the shop on Pear Blossom Lane, inspecting the storefront’s decorations and the courtyard’s layout.
Then he went up to the second floor to check the condition of the Meditation Room and the Alchemy Room.
"Honored customer, you... you really spared no expense."
The Antelope Spirit chose his words carefully, hesitating for a moment before finally saying this.
It had to be said that in terms of decoration and investment, the Gray Mouse Elixir Shop ranked among the top on all of Pear Blossom Lane.
’What a pity. Despite such a large investment, the shop still couldn’t last!’
’Competition in Peacock Demon City is fierce. Without some truly impressive Skills, it’s not so easy to run a shop.’
Looking at the Gray Rat Demon before him, the Antelope Spirit vaguely recalled their first meeting.
At the time, he had been quite curious that this Mouse Demon was an Alchemist.
He had wondered whether the demon was a Middle-grade or Upper Grade Alchemist.
"Honored customer, I’ve finished my inspection. I’ll head back to the brokerage and report to the Steward, then we can proceed with the termination paperwork."
The Antelope Spirit said with a smile.
’Setting aside everything else, the two Arrays alone are more than enough to cover our losses.’
’This time, our brokerage actually made a small profit.’
"Alright."
Xu Chang’an nodded.
"Honored customer, if you ever need to rent a storefront again in the future, you can come find me."
The Antelope Spirit did his best to leave a good impression.
There was no helping it; competition within Peacock Demon City was just too fierce. He had to seize every opportunity he could.
He said this to basically every customer who terminated their lease.
It might not always work, but if it worked just once, that would be repeat business!
"Okay."
Xu Chang’an replied.
’Though, I doubt there will be another chance.’
’I’m about to head to the Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop in the Inner City and won’t need to rent a storefront for the next ten years.’
’When I eventually strike out on my own, I’ll need one. But the class and scale I’m envisioning will be far beyond what this Antelope Spirit can handle.’
As he left the Gray Mouse Elixir Shop, the Butterfly Spirit was just outside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, talking with a Monkey Spirit.
Xu Chang’an recognized this Monkey Spirit. He was the owner of the No. 9 Demon Talisman Shop, and his name seemed to be Monkey Sun.
"Grey Rat, what’s all this?"
Seeing Xu Chang’an emerge with the Antelope Spirit, Monkey Sun approached, feigning great surprise.
"It’s nothing. I’m just closing up the shop."
Xu Chang’an said flatly.
"Oh, I see.
Everyone says your Alchemy Skill is superb, Grey Rat, and I didn’t believe it before. But look at you now, you’re clearly something else. Closing up shop because you’re moving on to the Inner City.
Getting to know you, Grey Rat, is truly an honor for us shopkeepers of Pear Blossom Lane."
The Monkey Spirit, Monkey Sun, said sarcastically.
His expression and tone were quite exaggerated.
Xu Chang’an looked up and gave him a cold glance.
He was a Foundation Establishment Great Demon to begin with; he just usually concealed his aura and was friendly toward other Demons, which made him seem very easygoing.
But now, his face darkened and his gaze turned icy, exuding an indescribable aura of power.
It wasn’t just the Monkey Spirit, Monkey Sun; even the Butterfly Spirit behind him was stunned by Xu Chang’an’s imposing presence.
Intimidated by Xu Chang’an’s aura, the Monkey Spirit Monkey Sun felt a surge of panic. His eyes instinctively darted away, not daring to meet Xu Chang’an’s gaze.
"Move!"
Xu Chang’an snorted coldly.
As if his soul had left his body, Monkey Sun subconsciously stepped aside.
He only recovered after Xu Chang’an had left.
"Th-that...
Fellow Daoist, what was that just now?"
The Monkey Spirit Monkey Sun’s face was pale and drained of color.
"He’s just a fraud. Says he’s going to the Inner City, but who knows where he’s actually running off to set up a street stall.
Sheep Horn Daoist asked around—the Rainfall Pill Workshop isn’t recruiting any Alchemists at all! Ha, haha..."
Monkey Sun muttered to himself as if in a trance, trying to console himself.
The Butterfly Spirit ignored Monkey Sun. She pursed her lips, watching Xu Chang’an’s departing figure with a sense of wistful loss.
...
Back at the brokerage, the Antelope Spirit said he needed to consult with the Steward and asked Xu Chang’an to wait in a private room for a moment.
He had assured Xu Chang’an that there shouldn’t be a problem, given the obvious value of the two Arrays.
Xu Chang’an sipped his Spirit Tea, waiting unhurriedly.
The Spiritual Qi in the Spirit Tea was almost negligible. It might have some effect on a Qi Refining First Layer Demon, but to him, it was utterly useless.
However, the taste was decent enough. It could serve as a simple pastime.
’If I strike out on my own one day, I’ll have to give serious thought to the Spirit Tea and Spirit Fruits I serve.
Maintaining client relationships and entertaining guests are things you can’t be careless about.’
Xu Chang’an mused.
His future plans were to establish his own business, set up his own base of operations, build his reputation, and run a business specializing in custom, High-grade Elixirs.
Since he would have his own base and be running a business, there would surely be no shortage of visiting guests and friends.
When guests came to visit, it was only natural to bring out the good stuff to entertain them.
Speaking of which, his future vision was to be backed by a major power, establishing channels with several other parties to run his business of High-grade Elixirs.
He already had a direction for advancing his Alchemy Skill and building his reputation.
He also had ideas for which channels to establish; places like Lion’s Mane Cave, Lujiao Mountain, and Langlang Mountain were all potential partners he could consider.
But he still had no leads on a major power to back him.
The Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop was a decent size, but it was far from what could be called a major power.
Even a faction led by a Top-tier Great Demon wouldn’t be enough.
Here in the Red Cloud Mountain Range, only a power with a Quasi-Demon King at its helm could truly be considered a major power.
’I have a ten-year buffer, so there’s no rush on this matter. I can take my time and consider it carefully!’
"Honored customer, I am terribly sorry. You will still have to pay the compensation in Demon Stones as stipulated in the Contract."
The Antelope Spirit walked into the private room, blushing, his gaze toward Xu Chang’an full of embarrassment.