As the saying goes: a competitor is an enemy.

Ji Xianlong slammed the table, his face filled with rage!

You have to understand:

The entire Market only had four Elixir Shops. On this street, his was the only one. Now, another had inexplicably popped up. Didn’t this mean his future revenue would take a hit?

And most importantly, the other party hadn’t come to pay their respects.

This was a clear sign they were looking down on him!

"Who’s the owner behind this? Has anyone seen him?"

Ji Xianlong asked in a low voice.

The waiters in the shop exchanged uncertain glances.

One waiter stepped forward and said respectfully, "I’ve seen him. He used to have a stall in the Market. He’s the one who cut off Er Ya’s right hand..."

"So it’s that bastard!"

Realization dawned on Ji Xianlong. He slammed the table again and shot to his feet. "Bring a few waiters. I want to see for myself what kind of backing this brat has to dare open a shop right under my nose!"

...

"This is more than just unique!"

Ding Fei was organizing the medicine cabinet.

After placing the last Jade Bottle into its slot, he began to survey the whole shop and couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. "If I were a customer, I’d be captivated walking into a shop like this, too! It seems I was too shortsighted."

In just that short time, several Cultivators had already come in to ask about prices. When they heard the shop would only officially open tomorrow, they left with looks of regret.

’I wonder what Senior’s background is!’

But as soon as the thought appeared, he crushed it.

An overactive curiosity was not a good thing.

"Hm?"

Just as he was thinking, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded from outside.

He turned to look and saw a middle-aged man in the robes of a Pill Master, leading a large group of apprentices, marching imposingly up to the front of the shop.

The one in the lead...

"Master Ji."

Ding Fei recognized him at a glance and went to greet him with a smile. "What wind blew you over here today?"

"Cut the crap. I’m asking you, who gave you permission to open a shop on this street? Have you paid your respects?"

Ji Xianlong said with a cold face, "Get your owner out here to see me!"

Ding Fei had a sudden realization.

Indeed!

According to the rules, if you wanted to open the same type of shop on the same street, you naturally had to inform the other establishment. You had to give them a heads-up or pay a visit to avoid any misunderstandings. This was commonly known as "paying respects to the boss on the block."

If the other party was unwilling?

Even if you opened your shop, you might not be able to operate in peace.

Of course, that was only if you had no one backing you.

"Our owner is in the backyard right now, but it’s not a convenient time."

Ding Fei said with a placating smile.

"The backyard?"

Ji Xianlong turned his head to look, and sure enough, he heard bursts of boisterous laughter coming from the back door. It sounded like they were hosting guests.

"What arrogance! Since he finds it inconvenient, then I’ll go see him myself!"

With that,

He strode forward and pushed the door open:

"Where is your owner?"

...

When Ji Xianlong pushed the door open,

The backyard was a lively and harmonious scene of clinking glasses and cheerful conversation. The atmosphere grew even more fervent, especially after Chen Che brought out some Pills for his guests to appraise. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Originally, they had thought,

This was just an ordinary Elixir Shop, but they hadn’t expected Chen Che to give them one surprise after another.

"Since you are Daoist Brother Hu’s martial brothers, then you are all my martial brothers!"

Chen Che stood up, raised his cup to the crowd, and said, "From now on, all of you will get a thirty percent discount when you buy Pills from my shop!"

"Generous!"

"The owner is so magnanimous!"

This was yet another surprise.

The Jinyun Valley Cultivators who had come with Hu Yao immediately burst into cheers.

Although they each received a monthly stipend of three Spirit Stones,

This stipend had to cover Pills, Cultivation, Weapons, and all sorts of other expenses, so they were often short on funds. Now, this young owner was giving them a thirty percent discount right off the bat. Naturally, they were ecstatic!

One person even stood up, holding his wine cup, and said:

"Let me toast you, fellow Daoist!"

Before he could finish his sentence,

The closed backyard gate was suddenly pushed open, followed by a loud shout:

"Where is your owner?"

The sudden interruption was as if someone had cast a ’Silence Technique’ on the group, and the backyard fell abruptly quiet.

The crowd, who had just been raising their cups in celebration, all turned their heads in unison.

Chen Che looked up, his gaze filled with confusion. "Is there a problem??"

Ji Xianlong froze completely.

Staring at the seven or eight Jinyun Valley disciples filling the backyard, he couldn’t help but swallow hard.

In an instant, cold sweat broke out and drenched his robes.

So, *this* was the source of his confidence!

"You’re the owner of ’Ji’s Pill Shop,’ aren’t you?" someone recognized him.

Ji Xianlong’s lips trembled.

For a shopkeeper, the most important thing was to be perceptive. He would never dare to offend so many Jinyun Valley disciples at once.

"Well, it’s like this..."

"I heard you’ve opened a new Elixir Shop here, so I made a special trip to pay my respects."

He shot a look at the waiter behind him, who ran back to their shop and quickly returned with a brocade box. Ji Xianlong placed the box on the table, a broad smile on his face.

"This is some Spirit Tea I’ve treasured for many years. I’ve brought it for all you fellow Daoists to sample!"

Chen Che was a little puzzled.

He had no connection whatsoever with the owner of Ji’s Pill Shop, so why would the man suddenly come over to pay his respects?

However, one doesn’t hit a person bearing gifts, so he said politely,

"Since you’re here, why not sit and have a bite?"

"I won’t disturb you all any longer. There are still some matters to attend to at my shop, so I’ll be heading back." Ji Xianlong cupped his fists at Chen Che. "Congratulations on the opening, owner. May your business flourish and your wealth reach the far corners of the world!"

After spouting a few auspicious phrases, Ji Xianlong turned on his heel and fled.

Watching the man’s panicked departure, Chen Che grew thoughtful. With guests still present, however, he didn’t ask about it. It wasn’t until after he had seen the Jinyun Valley disciples off, leaving just him and Hu Yao, that he called Ding Fei over.

After a brief explanation from Ding Fei, Chen Che immediately understood what had happened.

"What’s that Ji Xianlong’s background?"

Chen Che asked.

"He used to be a Pill Master’s apprentice. Later, he learned a few tricks and started out with a stall in the Market. A few years after that, he rented a shop. A small portion of the Pills in his shop are made by him, while the rest are purchased from outside."

Ding Fei thought for a moment and added, "His shop has probably been open for about ten years."

"If I had known, I would have kept him here!"

Hu Yao snorted coldly, slamming the table in anger.

He had a share in this shop’s profits too. It hadn’t even officially opened, and a competitor was already at their door causing trouble.

Hearing this, Ding Fei narrowed his eyes and said, "Should I go and find out when he’s alone?"

"Why would you find out when he’s alone? Are you planning to ambush and kill him? I’m not some bloodthirsty demon who kills without batting an eye."

Chen Che gave him a surprised look.

Ding Fei shrank back.

’Right, right, you’re right about everything. You *have* batted an eye before!’

"The man brought Spirit Tea, which is already a gesture of goodwill. There’s no need to go looking for trouble!"

Chen Che said calmly.

’Most of those who could establish themselves on this street have someone backing them. I don’t want to stir up more trouble.’

’Of course, the main reason is that not everyone who crosses me can simply fail to see the sun rise the next day. Wouldn’t that be blatantly advertising that I’m the killer?’

’Still, after this incident, my shop has firmly established its footing in the Market.’