Vol 2 Chapter 15: Untested
Early in the morning, Zheng Fa arrived at Senior Sister Zhang’s residence.
“You need something?”
She looked at him with slight confusion.
“Senior Sister, I’ve been reviewing past financial records these past few days… and the market’s revenue has dropped significantly.”
Senior Sister Zhang thought for a moment, then gestured for him to sit.
“When I first took over the Administrative Hall, the market’s revenue was over two thousand spirit stones per month,” she stated plainly. “But over the past hundred years, both rental income and transaction taxes have steadily declined.”
Zheng Fa was genuinely surprised.
That was a lot of lost revenue.
“This isn’t just Jiushan Sect’s problem,” Senior Sister Zhang reassured him. “We can only do our best.”It was clear she thought he was worried about being blamed if the decline continued under his management.
By openly admitting the issue, she was trying to put him at ease.
Zheng Fa remained silent for a moment before speaking.
“I’m not worried about that. I actually have an idea, and I’d like your advice on whether it’s feasible.”
“Oh?”
She glanced at him, then suddenly realized something.
“You think your cultivation isn’t enough to command respect, so you want to make an impact through market operations?”
Zheng Fa chuckled.
“Senior Sister sees right through me. Since I lack the cultivation to intimidate others, I have to use my head instead.”
That was the reality.
To secure his position, he had two options—either be like Senior Sister Yuan and use raw Golden Core power to suppress any opposition, or turn the market into a thriving success.
Senior Sister Zhang nodded, but her expression showed little expectation.
Clearly, she didn’t think he’d come up with anything groundbreaking.
“Go on.”
“Senior Sister, you know the revenue decline ultimately stems from the decline of spiritual energy,” Zheng Fa began. “But on a more immediate level, it’s because the vendors and shop owners in the market simply aren’t making money.”
The market’s income came from them.
If they had no business, then the market had no revenue.
“The situation is especially dire for talisman vendors. We have too many talisman masters, and their products just aren’t selling. Even Han Qi and the others have to bundle high-grade talismans with low-grade ones just to make sales.”
Zheng Fa’s expression turned strange.
That strategy was entirely Han Qi’s idea.
And somehow, it was working absurdly well—so well that it was putting pressure on all the other talisman vendors.
Senior Sister Zhang nodded.
“Some stalls have indeed been difficult to rent out in recent years.”
Her tone remained calm.
This wasn’t a revelation.
The higher-ups of Jiushan Sect had long been aware of the problem.
But with the entire cultivation world experiencing an economic downturn, there wasn’t much they could do.
Zheng Fa continued, “If we want to boost their income, it comes down to two things—cutting costs and increasing revenue.”
“I haven’t figured out how to cut costs yet, but I do have an idea for increasing revenue.”
“Oh?”
Zheng Fa pulled out a small booklet and handed it to Senior Sister Zhang.
She flipped through it, her expression changing slightly as she read.
“You want to send reception boats to the various sects and market districts of the Hundred Immortals Alliance to attract customers… and provide free transport?”
“Yes.”
“My thinking is simple—our surplus of talisman masters is only a problem because we don’t have enough customers.
“And if we offer free transportation, we can reach cultivators who don’t have the means to travel here themselves.
“Onboard, we can have staff take orders for those who can’t make the trip, delivering goods directly to them.”
In essence, it was the cultivation world’s version of those free shuttle buses that supermarkets used to attract elderly customers.
And paired with a primitive mail-order system.
Not exactly a revolutionary concept—but in Xuanwei Realm, no one had tried it before.
Even in the modern world, this kind of business model had only emerged recently—one that required a well-developed commercial mindset and an emphasis on customer service.
But in Xuanwei Realm, market districts functioned more like slumlords.
They collected rent and protection fees but never actively promoted their vendors.
Zheng Fa’s plan envisioned them as something closer to modern shopping malls—responsible for marketing as well.
Especially for small-time vendors who lacked the means to advertise themselves.
It required a fundamental shift in the role of the market district—one that few major sect-backed markets would ever consider.
“This idea…” Senior Sister Zhang tapped the booklet against her palm, a glimmer of approval in her eyes. “It’s targeted at lower-level cultivators, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Most of our low-grade talisman masters cater to them. The biggest hurdle for those customers is travel costs.
“But if we eliminate that expense, they’d be much more willing to come.
“At the very least… they’d take a look around.”
And once they arrived?
There was an old saying—since we’re already here…
Senior Sister Zhang read further and found that the booklet contained quite a bit of detail.
It outlined which sects and market districts to target first for trial runs.
It included marketing strategies—such as decorating the boats with banners and inscriptions.
It even proposed how to select staff for the boats—specifically recommending Han Qi, who had exceptional potential as a pushy salesman.
“You put real effort into this,” she remarked, genuinely impressed.
“I originally just wanted you to hold onto the position, but this is a pleasant surprise.”
Zheng Fa shook his head.
“This will require investment. That’s why I wanted to discuss it with you first.”
“No harm in trying.”
She handed the booklet back to him.
“I’ll make the arrangements.
“As for the market district… do as you see fit.”
Today was the day Zheng Fa would formally meet the market disciples.
He arrived at the small administrative building.
Senior Sister Yuan was already waiting.
“Nervous?” she asked curiously. “I was a wreck when I first took over this job.”
Zheng Fa smiled and shook his head.
He had done all he could to prepare.
He had condensed the Frost Blade Talisman.
He had secured further backing from Senior Sister Zhang through his commercial plan.
Whether or not the plan succeeded wasn’t the main issue—the important part was that it proved his competence and initiative, making Senior Sister Zhang more willing to eliminate obstacles for him.
He was ready for resistance and political maneuvering.
As for outright hostility?
He had long since come to terms with it.
His background—whether in the Estate or the modern world—had exposed him to plenty of it.
Not liking conflict didn’t mean he feared it.
Seeing him shake his head, Senior Sister Yuan pouted slightly, as if disappointed.
Soon, her subordinates arrived.
There weren’t many—fewer than thirty in total.
Even so, they filled the first floor of the building.
What surprised Zheng Fa was…
All of them looked nervous.
As he scanned the room, not a single one dared meet his gaze.
Regardless of their cultivation level, every time his eyes landed on someone, they would avert their gaze.
If he stared at them for too long, they would hesitantly lift their heads… and give him a flattering smile.
…What the hell is going on?
Senior Sister Yuan observed for a while before clearing her throat.
“Everyone, let me introduce you—this is Junior Brother Zheng. From now on, he and I will be managing the market together.”
Before Zheng Fa could even put on a friendly smile…
The disciples erupted.
“We’ve heard so much about Junior Brother Zheng!”
“The market district needs someone like him!”
“I’ve been waiting day and night for Junior Brother Zheng to take over!”
…Why do they look like peasants welcoming a benevolent ruler?
Zheng Fa tried to be modest.
“My cultivation is still low—”
“Nonsense!”
An older disciple cut him off.
“Age doesn’t determine ambition! So what if your cultivation is low? Ours is high!”
“That’s right! If there’s ever a need for force, just leave it to us!”
“Exactly!”
“…And you are?”
“Humble me—surname Yang!” the disciple declared warmly. “If anyone causes trouble, just let me know!”
Senior Sister Zhang’s faction is a lot more unified than I expected…
“Well then,” Zheng Fa said, “I’d like to discuss a proposal with everyone.”
He outlined the plan he had presented to Senior Sister Zhang.
Truthfully, he wasn’t confident in his business skills—he had never run a company, let alone in another world.
So he genuinely wanted their input.
“Brilliant!”
Before he even finished, Senior Brother Yang clapped his hands in praise.
“…”
“…You all have no objections?”
“Your plan is flawless, Junior Brother! No objections at all!”
“…Huh.”
Later, in his courtyard, Zheng Fa conjured a blade of frost with his new talisman technique, slicing a leaf cleanly off a potted plant.
Senior Sister Yuan looked puzzled.
“Junior Brother?”
“…Just testing it out.”
For some reason, he felt a little disappointed.
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