Chapter 118 - 115-117: With Affairs Settled, Cultivating Longevity, Part 4

Chapter 118: Chapter 115-117: With Affairs Settled, Cultivating Longevity, Part 4

Then he turned and went back into the shop.

The Butterfly Spirit didn’t say a word, but Xu Chang’an felt as if she had said everything.

The look in her eyes seemed to carry a sense of vindicated triumph.

’The other day, you ignored me; today, I’m out of your league?’

’A triumphant return home in silken robes!? A glorious homecoming!?’

It felt like no single phrase could capture it all, yet her look seemed to encompass every one of those sentiments.

Xu Chang’an couldn’t help but chuckle.

He had weathered many ups and downs over the years and possessed a mature Mental Realm, so naturally, he wouldn’t let such things sway his emotions.

He just found it amusing.

’Just a little spice to the daily life of the streets!’

’A moment of pleasant relaxation on the Demon Path!’

The opening of her new shop allowed the Butterfly Spirit to join the circle of the Pear Blossom Lane merchant alliance.

For this occasion, the Pear Blossom Lane merchant alliance naturally decided to organize a gathering to let the demons in the circle get to know each other.

First, to welcome the Butterfly Spirit into the circle.

Second, they hadn’t gathered in a while and were looking for an excuse to get together.

To foster strong Demon Emotions, one had to keep in regular contact.

"Grey Rat, the Pear Blossom Lane shops are having a small gathering in two days. You’ll be going too, right!"

The Wart Hog Spirit had the head of a pig on a man’s body, covered in numerous Demon Patterns, giving him a ferocious and menacing appearance.

However, Xu Chang’an had known him for a long time and naturally wouldn’t be fooled by his appearance.

This Wart Hog Spirit was actually quite easy to get along with.

"Yes, I’ll go and take a look. In two more days, I’ll be heading to the Inner City."

Xu Chang’an said with a nod.

Speaking of which, when Xu Chang’an had first arrived in Pear Blossom Lane and joined the circle, there had also been a small gathering.

That had been the beginning.

Now, he was about to leave Pear Blossom Lane to take up his post at the Flame Leaf Elixir Workshop in the Inner City.

And this would serve as the end.

"Then I wish you a bright future, Grey Rat!"

The Wart Hog Spirit said with a grin, clasping his hands in a salute to Xu Chang’an.

During a previous conversation, Xu Chang’an had mentioned to him that he was preparing to leave Pear Blossom Lane for the Inner City.

So the Wart Hog Spirit was already aware.

Going to the Inner City was a good thing, of course—certainly better than staying in the Outer City.

From what he’d said, it seemed he was going to join an Elixir Workshop in the Inner City, not open his own shop there.

Opening a shop in the Outer City meant being your own boss. Joining an Elixir Workshop in the Inner City meant becoming a demon specializing in the Alchemy Skill.

Comparing the two, it was hard to say which was better or worse.

Well, without the prestige of the Inner City, being in the Outer City was definitely better.

Joining another’s shop meant dealing with many restrictions, far less freeing than running your own.

But they hadn’t discussed the finer details.

They were both demons well-versed in social etiquette; sometimes, if the other party didn’t elaborate, you didn’t press for details.

The Wart Hog Spirit guessed that Xu Chang’an wasn’t good at business, his shop was struggling to stay afloat, and he was losing a lot of money.

Therefore, he probably wanted to use his Alchemy Skill to accumulate some wealth in the Inner City before making other plans.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen to leave Pear Blossom Lane before his storefront lease was up.

"By the way, Grey Rat, I heard about this gathering.

That Dao Companion of the Butterfly Spirit is going too!"

The Wart Hog Spirit lowered his voice, speaking to Xu Chang’an in a secretive, conspiratorial tone.

"Is that so!"

Xu Chang’an replied faintly.

As for why the Black Sheep Spirit would participate in a small gathering of the Pear Blossom Lane merchant alliance...

...Xu Chang’an could guess the reason without the Wart Hog Spirit having to say it.

The Black Sheep Spirit had a Qi Refining Eighth Layer Cultivation.

His Cultivation was secondary; the main thing was his status.

He represented a major power and served as the Manager Shopkeeper of a shop in Peacock Demon City!

Most importantly, his shop was in the elixir business and collaborated with many Elixir Workshops in the Inner City of the Demon City.

Such power and resources naturally made many of the shop owners in Pear Blossom Lane green with envy.

If they could use this opportunity to connect with him, it would be of great benefit to their businesses.

Even if they couldn’t use his business channels, just getting to know the Black Sheep Spirit was a good option.

The Butterfly Spirit setting up shop in Pear Blossom Lane and joining the circle provided the perfect opportunity.

Thus, the few demons who organized the Pear Blossom Lane merchant alliance would naturally invite the Butterfly Spirit’s nominal Dao Companion, the Black Sheep Spirit, to join the gathering.

"Grey Rat, the Black Sheep Spirit might not know that you were in close contact with the Butterfly Spirit before, but there’s no guarantee some schemer won’t tell him to curry favor. If you attend the gathering, you’d best be careful."

Seeing that Xu Chang’an didn’t seem to care, the Wart Hog Spirit said gravely.

I have to say, this wart hog really has a sense of demon camaraderie.

He looks fierce, but he’s a good demon.

"Thank you for the warning, Fellow Daoist Wart Hog."

Xu Chang’an said with a serious expression.

"However, I’m about to leave Pear Blossom Lane. I imagine that even if the Black Sheep Spirit holds a grudge, he won’t go out of his way to make trouble for me.

Besides, there’s nothing going on between me and Fellow Daoist Butterfly!"

"Mmm, it’s still better to be careful.

This Black Sheep Spirit’s Energy is nothing to scoff at, and he knows many demons in the Inner City. If you offend him, Grey Rat, you’ll have a hard time even after you go to the Inner City."

The Wart Hog Spirit emphasized again.

"Mmm, I know."

Xu Chang’an accepted the Wart Hog Spirit’s goodwill.