Strongest Businessman of the Cultivation World

“What 100 uses for just 50CP? Doesn’t that mean that for every 50 CP I spend, I can get back 100 CP!”

Without wasting any more time, Ikasa checked if this applied to other Manuals as well.

“Dumb Belle’s Guide to Strength? Yes, the x100 option is open. Nutcracker Kick? This one also has it. Fast-Faster-Fastest? Yep!”

His eyes gleamed with ecstasy, and he cheered loudly.

“Hahaha! Now I can open a shop without having to worry about running out of manuals.”

He printed five more copies of [Around the Body in 80 Breaths] without worrying about the points. He also printed four more [Fast-Faster-Fastest] manuals for other kids.

The punching routine taught by Feng Yan fulfilled all the basic attacking necessities of the kids. A good movement technique and a special technique to excel in; that’s all they need to truly shine.

Ikasa printed [The Backhand] for Yan Xiao. He and Chu Qing were the only ones without an exclusive attacking technique.

Yan Xiao’s large palms made him suitable for this palm/slap technique. Chu Qing’s sturdy build was more suitable to be developed as a defender.

Before disconnecting from the Printer, Ikasa went through the relevant sections on upgrades.

The energy absorption and utilization capability of the Printer are dependent on the Energy Efficiency Star….

‘So, each Energy Efficiency Star gives 1 chance to randomly print or copy. Since I have two stars, it is like getting 2 points in either CP or BP.

This means I don’t have to use my chances to randomly print or copy existing manuals every day. Instead, I can use the two chances to use the targeted print feature once!’

Now, only the case of extra 5CP was left. Ikasa glanced through the upgrade section for any useful info. His search bore fruit.

“So after the extra energy absorbed by the printer upgrades silver button to gold button. And after that, whatever is left is stored in the form of CP or BP.”

Ikasa did mental calculations. He was away for two weeks. A week’s worth of energy was exhausted to form a golden button. Then why is there only 5 CP and not 7?

‘Anyway, it is a good thing. So, let it be.’

And he disconnected from the Printer.

—

The sun was setting outside when Ikasa heard a commotion outside his room. He opened the door and was greeted by the sight of Chu Qing and the others.

“Brother Ikasa, we are here to get our share of the treasure we discovered.”

Chu Qing took the lead to state their purpose of visit. On the way back, he pestered Ikasa throughout the journey. The teenage boy had successfully extracted a promise from Ikasa that he would give them a share in the form of Gold coins.

Ikasa rubbed his head. He had promised to get Chu Qing to shut up. He didn’t expect him to bring everyone here to cash in on his promise.

“Big Brother, you will not renege on your word now, right?”

Chu Qing asked slyly, smiling.

“Of course not! You guys did a great job. I will give you guys 100 gold each!”

He brought out the pouch filled with gold coins. The eyes of these innocent kids glimmered with excitement. Chu Qing wiped the drool and extended his hand to receive the money bag when Ikasa took it back.

“Now that I think about it, 500 gold is a very large sum. Since you guys are still young and immature, what if you lose it? Or worse, what if someone steals it from you?”

Chu Qing’s eyes narrowed. He was about to retort but Ikasa didn’t give him a chance to.

“How about I act as your treasurer and keep these gold coins for you? When you need anything, just come to me. I will get it for you.”

Chu Qing grew flustered.

“No, absolutely not…”

“Chu Qing, listen to your Big Brother Ikasa. He gets us everything we need. So, it is not a bad idea to keep the gold coins with him.”

Xin Ruo entered as if it was her queue.

“Brother Chu Qing, why don’t we listen to sister Xin Ruo?”

Yan Xiao asked, hesitating a little.

“How can you say that, Yan Xiao? Did you not want to eat Kebabs? How will you buy them without any money?”

Luo Qiqi hissed at Yan Xiao.

“You want to eat Kebabs? Why didn’t you say so earlier? They don’t even cost 50 coppers, why do you need to carry 500 gold around for it? If you want to eat them, I will ask caretaker Han to buy them for you.”

“Really?”

Yan Xiao asked excitedly. Ikasa ruffled his hair with a smile and nodded.

“I also want the sugar-spun candy they have in the weekly market. Also the Sweet and salty jujubes at the western gate…”

Luo Qiqi listed the delicacies she wanted to taste with their locations. Ikasa nodded as he listened to the long list.

‘Did I find a little Foodie along with a Money Grubber?’

Chu Qing’s face fell when Ikasa acquiesced to all of Luo Qiqi and Yan Xiao’s demands. He looked at the other two hoping to get their support. Ikasa noticed his gaze.

“Do you two want anything as well?”

Pei Yuan and Hei Ying acted as if they were silent bystanders. They knew they wouldn’t be getting a single gold from this cunning fox of a Big Brother. They might as well add in whatever novelties they desired or delicacies they wanted to try.

And the list grew longer. Ikasa asked Caretaker Han to take note of each item and bring it home by the night. Then he wrote 100 gold on five pieces of paper and signed below.

“Here. This note signifies I am holding 100 gold for each of you. Because you guys wanted to use this money to buy the items you listed, I will deduct the expenses incurred from your deposited amount.”

The kids’ expressions changed. They hurried to remove any unnecessary items from the list. He smiled as he saw kids scratching their heads about what to add to the list and what to remove.

He was reminded of his time on Earth. He had to think hard to maintain a healthy balance between expenditure and bank account.

‘Now that I think of it, shouldn’t this be considered the first bank of this cultivation world? Even though this form is very rudimentary, I can popularize it. But for that, my name must be known all over the empire.’

As he fantasized, Ikasa noticed Chu Qing sulking in a corner.

‘Since this guy likes gold so much, let’s develop his skill tree in that direction.’

“Chu Qing, I have an offer for you. If you look after the finances of the house as well as their expenditure, I will pay you 20 coppers every week.”

Chu Qing thought for a moment. He shook his head.

“Twenty coppers is nothing. I am ready to work for one gold.”

“Just say you don’t want to do it. Why bother to reject my offer by raising the price so high?”

“Twenty coppers are too low. Give me at least 5 silvers.”

“Hiring an experienced accountant might be cheaper, I think?”

Chu Qing gritted his teeth.

“One Silver! I won’t agree to any less.”

“I might as well do them myself.”

Ikasa retorted and turned to walk away. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Chu Qing biting his lip, on the verge of crying. But he didn’t utter a single word and held back the tears.

Ikasa took pity on the poor lad and gave him a way out.

“Look, I will give you one silver as your weekly wage.”

Shine returned to his eyes immediately and the tears that were welling up were nowhere to be seen. Then his eyes narrowed as he voiced his suspicion.

“Seriously? You won’t go back on your words?”

His expression changed so fast that Ikasa even doubted his decision.

‘Am I choosing the wrong skill tree for him? Should he be an actor?’

Ikasa shook his head to throw the useless thoughts out.

“Listen to me first. You will make a lot of mistakes in the beginning and I will have to review and correct everything you have done. I will charge 80 coppers as my consultation fee during that period.”

Chu Qing tried to protest against this arrangement. But Ikasa shushed him and continued.

“Once you can do everything on your own, without mistakes, I will stop taking consultation fees. If you don’t make any mistakes, I will even raise your salary to 2 silver.”

All of Chu Qing’s worries were replaced by the joy of earning two silver every week in the near future. He agreed on the spot to Ikasa’s proposal.

Ikasa smiled at his naivety. Because he would soon come to know how hard it is to keep track of every coin being spent.