That night, Su Han didn't return to the Hall of Rebirth, instead spending the night at his shop.
After all, the grand opening was tomorrow, he had to make sure everything was ready.
Advertising, hiring assistants... Everything took time.
At dawn, accompanied by the sound of firecrackers, the Myriad Worlds Comic Store officially opened for business.
To Su Han's surprise, Hu Tao showed up with Zhongli to celebrate. Both were carrying flowers and gifts, grinning as they entered.
"Hehe, congratulations on getting rich, Su Han... no, I should say Boss Su now! So, got any tea and pastries for us?"
Su Han didn't have many friends. Aside from Hu Tao and Zhongli, the only person he was close with was Xiangling. But the little chef had gone traveling last month, and since he didn't know Master Mao well, he hadn't been informed.
"Of course. Please, come in."
Though the shop was small, it was fully equipped, it even had a rest room upstairs.
Once inside, Hu Tao's attention was immediately captured by the comic-themed wall. The entire wall was covered with manga-style illustrations, some depicting landscapes from Wind and Cloud, others showing the characters.
Just looking at it was dazzling.
Hu Tao gasped. "Whoa! That's amazing! This one's Bu Jingyun, right? So cool! You actually used manga for your wall décor? Su Han, maybe I should do the same in the Hall of Rebirth, it looks awesome!"
Cold sweat trickled down Su Han's back as he quickly stopped her. "Please don't, my dear Hall Master, calm down! The Hall of Rebirth should stay solemn!"
That was a place for conducting funeral rites, turning it into a colorful manga-themed hall would be absurd. If Hu Tao really did that, her grandfather would probably start pounding on his coffin lid in protest.
Hands on her hips, Hu Tao pouted. "Why not? It looks great!"
To be fair, the wall was stylish and eye-catching; a little change of atmosphere shouldn't hurt, right?
Su Han forced a smile. "Hall Master, this was just me being broke. And besides, the Hall of Rebirth serves the departed, it should stay dignified and serious. Don't you agree, Zhongli?"
As he spoke, Su Han frantically signaled at the old man with his eyes. Zhongli immediately caught on.
"Su Han is right," Zhongli said calmly. "Hall Master, I believe keeping the hall as it is would be best. Our clients come in mourning, the black décor conveys solemnity and respect."
"Mmm... I didn't expect you to agree too. Fine then, I suppose it's better to keep things serious."
Hu Tao's thoughts were whimsical, her suggestion to redecorate had been nothing more than a passing fancy. Once she cooled down, she quickly dropped the idea.
As the three chatted, the first customers arrived.
"Comics? What's that?"
"Welcome, sir. These are illustrated martial arts stories, beautifully drawn and full of exciting plots. Only 2,000 Mora per copy!"
The clerk had barely started explaining before the customer's gaze was drawn to the vibrant artwork on the walls.
"'A golden-scaled fish is no pond dweller, when wind and cloud meet, it becomes a dragon.' What a line! I'll take two copies."
"Thank you for your patronage!"
The man, though down on his luck, harbored lofty ambitions but lacked opportunity. Seeing that verse stirred something in his heart, it was as if his feelings had been spoken aloud.
Though short on money, he felt it was worth the price.
The artwork and poetry alone were exquisite; he had to see what the story was like.
As more and more people gathered, the shop quickly grew lively.
Hu Tao looked around in astonishment. "It's only eight in the morning, and you already have this many people? Su Han, how did you pull this off?"
Seeing her shocked expression, Su Han smirked proudly. "Simple, yesterday, I hired a few kids to pass out flyers with comic illustrations around Chihu Rock. The art was so striking that everyone wanted to check it out."
Zhongli shook his head. "I doubt it was that simple. From what I can tell, you've already sold a hundred copies. Su Han, what else did you do?"
"Heh, caught me. I also enlisted a certain friend of yours."
"A friend?"
Zhongli thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Ah... you mean Mister Tian."
Indeed, "Brother Tian" referred to Tian Tiezui, Liyue's famed storyteller. (TL/N: They are talking about Iron Tongue Tian)
The man was a true professional, or rather, a self-proclaimed expert, who often told tales of the Liyue Adepti and the Geo Lord. There was no way Zhongli wouldn't know him.
Su Han had reached out to Tian Tiezui to help promote the comic. With the arrival of illustrated stories, traditional oral storytelling was becoming obsolete. If Su Han hadn't involved him, Tian might soon have been out of work.
So this was also a favor to Zhongli.
At that very moment, in the marketplace, Tian Tiezui stood before a folding screen decorated with panels from Wind and Cloud, speaking animatedly to a crowd.
Normally, he would've refused such a commission, but Su Han's offer was too generous: 80,000 Mora for one day of storytelling, plus commission on sales.
He didn't even know what "commission" meant, but "more money" was good enough reason.
"Now then!" he declared. "Ten years later, Xiongba once again visits the Clay Bodhisattva, who gives him a new prophecy: 'He shall rise by Wind and Cloud, and fall by Wind and Cloud.' Furious yet fearful, the mighty Xiongba secretly plots in the shadows…"
The crowd listened intently, captivated.
Someone asked, "What story is this? It's so new!"
Tian Tiezui grinned. "This tale is a brand-new martial arts epic, written by none other than the former guest consultant of the Hall of Rebirth, Mister Su Han himself! You all know him, don't you? If you want to read it, head to the commercial street, the comic just launched today! The illustrations are as stunning as this poster behind me."
He held up a copy for them to see.
The crowd gasped.
"Whoa… how beautiful!"
And for just 2,000 Mora, even as a collectible, it was worth it.
The comic's popularity exceeded even Hu Tao's expectations. Within a single hour, over a thousand copies had been sold.
"Wow, this is insane! Zhongli, it looks like we're seeing a new tycoon in the making."
"Exquisite artwork, fresh storytelling, it's no wonder," Zhongli said mildly.
At 2,000 Mora per book, a thousand copies meant two million Mora.
In just one hour, Su Han had earned enough to pay off his debts, and still make a profit. Unbelievable.
As they spoke, Su Han returned, holding a stack of banknotes.
"Hall Master, here's what I owe you."
"Hehe, no rush. Su Han, your business is booming, you should reinvest your profits instead. I'm not in a hurry."
Hu Tao waved it off with a smile, even encouraging him to expand further. Mora was never an issue for the Hall of Rebirth.
With Su Han's skill, she figured he'd be making tens of millions within days — her loan was mere pocket change.
Knowing her temperament, Su Han didn't argue. He really did need working capital right now. "Alright, then. I'll pay you back in a few days."
As more customers flooded in, Hu Tao and Zhongli took their leave, reminding him before they left:
"When the next volume comes out, make sure the Hall of Rebirth gets the first copies, or else I'll be mad!"
Su Han chuckled. "Of course. I'll deliver them myself the moment they're ready. Take care!"
Once they were gone, the shop fell quiet again.
Smiling faintly, Su Han finally had time to claim his reward.
[System: Would you like to claim the first-stage reward for "Wind and Cloud"?]
"Claim."
The moment he confirmed, a faintly glowing reward wheel appeared in midair, visible only to him. Books, treasures, and glowing artifacts spun rapidly before the pointer finally stopped, on a crimson fruit.
[You have obtained the treasure "Blood Bodhi."]
[Blood Bodhi can be enhanced with points.]
[Next stage requirement: sell a total of 2,000 copies of "Wind and Cloud."]
Su Han's eyes lit up as he examined the blood-red fruit in his hand.
"Looks like my luck's holding up!"
A treasure that strengthened the body right from the first reward, with this Blood Bodhi, his physical strength would soar.
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