Wang Yanfeng hurried off, and Wang Hao began structuring his time right away.
Cultivation came first. Everything else was to support his cultivation, so he planned to devote at least five hours a day to it. He would also set aside two hours daily for body-conditioning practice, crucial for boosting his chances of reaching Foundation Establishment. After all, the Jade Flesh & Ice Muscle Technique wasn't mastered by medicinal baths alone—it required time spent tempering the body and fully absorbing the herbs' power, just like with pills, demanding full circulation cycles to absorb their effects.
He knew he needed at least two hours of sleep each day. Even Refinement-stage cultivators could go days without rest, but long-term deprivation damages the body. That totaled nine hours. The remaining three hours would be for attending the shop and refining pills. Wang Hao intended to be on duty for only half an hour each day, at a fixed time, so clients would know when to find him. The rest of his time he'd devote exclusively to alchemy!
Drawing talismans and practicing new techniques would have to wait—for now.
Once his schedule was set, he set about overhauling the Clan-Wang shop.
The shop occupied five mu of land. The front façade had eight rooms—but half were abandoned and two were rented out to outsiders. That left only two rooms serving as the "General Goods Shop" of the Clan Wang.
A clunky name and brand. Wang Hao decided to split the businesses: one shop strictly for pills, the other for general trade.
He summoned assistants Wang Wenxin and Wang Wenli:
"I'm opening a new store. Eighth Uncle has already informed the clan leadership, so don't worry. For now, clear out the empty rooms over the next few days—scrub them, bring in tables, chairs, display cases, new signs, everything!"
"Fifth Brother, may I ask… what exactly are you planning?" Wang Wenmei inquired, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"I told you—you're not to worry. Just follow my instructions." He flashed his manager's token.
Both, with middling aptitude and low clan standing, dared not refuse and immediately set to work.
Ten days later, the clan's official approval arrived. When Wang Wenmei and Wang Wenyan delivered the verdict, Wang Hao recognized the green light.
He opened the envelope: Clan Wang granted him full control over its Qingniu market shops—on one condition: annual profits must not fall below previous years'. Should they dip, he'd have to cover the shortfall from his own pocket, or else relinquish the manager's post to another family member.
He chuckled to himself:
"Heh, treated like an outsourced contractor, am I?"
"Fifth Brother, what do you mean by 'outsourced contractor'?" Wang Wenmei asked, genuinely intrigued.
"Nothing. You two must be tired from the journey—go rest in the courtyard. The new pill shop opens tomorrow; I'll need you both busy then!" He handed each a box. > "Here are your new outfits. Don't forget to wear them tomorrow!"
"Wow—new clothes!" Wang Wenmei tore hers open to reveal a light-green ruqun with wide sleeves. He'd commissioned them days ago: First-Order, mid-grade magical robes, custom-fitted. And he'd asked the tailor to cinch the waist just so to flatter the feminine silhouette…
"Such beautiful magical robes!" she exclaimed, beaming at Fifth Brother. > "Thank you so much!"
Wang Wenyan accepted her own set shyly, and soon both dashed to the courtyard to try them on—neither noticing the "little design detail" he'd slipped in…
Wang Hao shook his head, smiling. Ah, women—even cultivators—remain vain!
The next morning, the new shop opened beside the old one. He named it Mystic Pill Pavilion, while the old storefront became simply Clan-Wang General Goods.
Inside Mystic Pill Pavilion, a spacious hall awaited. He even tore down part of the second floor's ceiling and installed a skylight to flood the space with natural light.
A waist-high counter stood in the center, separating customers from clerks. Behind it, shelves brimming with pills, spirit herbs, spirit wines, spirit fruits, and more.
On the left wall hung boards of wooden plaques listing herb-gathering commissions: if a customer couldn't find a desired herb in stock, they could place a bounty—leaving a deposit—and Clan Wang would collect it and claim their commission upon delivery.
On the right hung boards listing pill-refining commissions, exclusively handled by Clan Wang. Customers would discuss details in person. This transparency let clients know price and wait times ahead of time.
No grand ribbon-cutting ceremony, no congratulatory wreaths—Wang Hao didn't care. He issued a few instructions, then dispatched the four assistants into the bustling market.
They spread out, calling out his carefully scripted pitch:
"Come one, come all! Daoists, the Mystic Pill Pavilion's grand opening specials start today! Spend 100 spirit stones and get 10 back, 200 spenders get 25, 300 get 40, 500 get 70! The more you buy, the more you earn!"
"Tired of low herb prices but sky-high pill costs? Mystic Pill Pavilion has promos for you! From now on, we take pill-refining orders for any First-Order ingredients. If we fail to deliver, we refund 80% of your material cost—no risk, no hassle!"
"Group purchases now welcome! Spirit-Gathering Pills, normally 30 stones per bottle, now just 27 when you form a trio! Plus: any spending over 50 stones enters a lucky draw! Everyone walks away with something—minimum one-stone voucher, maximum a full Yellow-Dragon Pill!"
…
His alchemical skill wasn't stellar, so he made up in volume. His courtyard's own yields were modest—barely enough for his own use—and burning through them would hamper his cultivation. By taking commissions, he could scale up inventory. He guaranteed a 30% success rate at no extra fee; if he fell below, he'd compensate with spirit stones. If he outperformed, he profited. As his success rate rose, he'd eventually break even at 60%… then dare Second-Order pills. No matter how the math ran, he'd never lose!
And the sales tactics—old hat from his past life. Classic bait-and-switch? Sure, but if everyone uses the same hack, why not join in?
Within hours, curious cultivators flocked to the Mystic Pill Pavilion, and soon the shop was ringed by a crowd eager for deals.