Investing in Black Magic Potion (Seeking Follow-ups)

The moment Luke revealed his identity, the imposing aura of the four men blocking the path withered away instantly.

They were nothing more than a black magic potion workshop, possessing no means to contend with the tiger-like Imperial Secret Intelligence Bureau.

The old man hurriedly bowed to Luke: "Meteor Detective Chief, greetings. I am Ralph, and these three are my sons.

I know that our illegal manufacture of potions violates Imperial law; we accept the penalty."

Ralph spoke of accepting the penalty with practiced ease; it seemed they were frequently visited by the Secret Intelligence Bureau, and likely the Security Bureau as well.

As long as the fine was paid, the black magic potions would continue to be produced as usual.

But Ralph could not have anticipated that this time, a Detective Chief from the Secret Intelligence Bureau would show up in person, and he had no idea how much money it would take to send this one away.

At this thought, Ralph's expression turned grim.

It seemed that this time, he wouldn't just be losing a chunk of meat—he would be bled dry!

Luke, however, smiled and said: "Old Ralph, I am not here to collect fines; I am here to talk business with you."

Talk business?!

Ralph was deeply puzzled.

I am a black magic potion workshop that primarily deals in improved aphrodisiacs.

What kind of business could a dignified Detective Chief of the Imperial Secret Intelligence Bureau possibly have with me?

"Detective Chief, please, do not joke with me."

"Why would I joke with you? This is not the place to discuss business; find us somewhere else to talk."

Not knowing what this Secret Intelligence Bureau chief was truly after, Ralph could only invite him into his office.

Which also served as the potion-mixing room.

On the workbench, curved glass tubes connected various vessels, and a hemispherical glass pot was boiling some green liquid.

Upon entering, Ralph first removed the oil lamp from beneath the glass pot, had his sons bring in chairs, and then chased them all out.

"Detective Chief... we merchants who make black magic potions may look like we make money, but the profit margins are actually very thin.

Between purchasing raw materials, hiring labor, transportation, and greasing palms, there really isn't much money left in our hands.

If we were truly making a fortune, we wouldn't still be living in Black Potion Alley.

Sir, please, sit, sit..."

Luke did not sit, but instead walked around the small potion-mixing room, inspecting the equipment.

"Old Ralph, other potion workshops likely don't have such professional mixing equipment as you do."

Speaking of the equipment, Ralph couldn't help but say proudly: "Sir, most potion workshops here rely on existing formulas to make their products. It's safe, sure, but it lacks competitiveness.

I just happen to enjoy making adjustments to the formulas to make the effects more potent.

The improved aphrodisiacs we produce are hot commodities in the Rich District."

"But... someone died."

Ralph immediately denied it: "No, no, no. That gentleman who passed away was not drinking the potion we produced. Before we finalize the formula for any potion we make, I test it myself.

If anyone is going to die, it would be me first."

"You test them yourself?" Luke looked at Ralph, who was so old he could barely walk, and expressed his disbelief.

"If the Detective Chief does not believe me, I can drink a bottle right now."

"No need, no need..." Luke stopped Ralph.

If a gentleman in the Rich District had truly died from drinking black magic potions, someone would have come knocking long ago.

This rumor was likely fabricated by jealous competitors.

Or perhaps that gentleman's death satisfied many people, and those who benefited were unwilling to stir up trouble.

But regardless of the truth, it had nothing to do with why Luke was here.

Luke sat down, and Kailina stood behind him to his side, her hand still gripping her magic wand.

"Please, sit..." Luke gestured for Ralph to sit, then said: "I want to invest in your potion workshop."

Ah!

Ralph was greatly shocked: "Detective Chief, did I hear you correctly? You want to invest in my potion workshop?"

Luke said: "You heard correctly. As for the specific reasons, you don't need to ask. You provide this workshop as your stake, and for the profits... you take two, I take eight.

What I can provide you is protection and sales channels. From now on, all potions produced here can receive special item clearance from the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau and be shipped to all parts of the world under the escort of Imperial Secret Agents."

Luke's words immediately made Ralph grow excited.

A special item clearance from the Secret Intelligence Bureau was enough to make the Ralph family prosper, let alone having the Bureau proactively send people to provide protection.

This was the equivalent of the Imperial Royal Secret Agents shoving gold bars into your arms, the kind where you couldn't refuse even if you wanted to.

But Ralph still asked with some disbelief: "Detective Chief, will there be no problems doing this? We are a black magic potion workshop; this is illegal..."

"Isn't that why I'm here? To make you legitimate. With the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau and myself backing you, what do you have to fear?"

"Are we doing this or not? Give me a straight answer. If you're afraid of the risk, I can go find someone else."

"We're doing it!"

That's right... with a Detective Chief from the Secret Intelligence Bureau leading the production of Black Magic Potion, what do I have to be afraid of!

"Splendid!" Luke pointed to the green potion Ralph had just set aside and asked, "This is your signature aphrodisiac, right?"

"Yes..." Ralph hurriedly brought the vial over and said proudly, "This aphrodisiac acts fast, has a potent kick, doesn't put much strain on the body, and its effects crush every similar product on the market. The gentlemen in the Rich District all love it. If we can push this to the world... we're guaranteed to make a fortune!"

Luke took the vial, shook it in front of him, and handed it back to Ralph.

"Using your previous formula, make another bottle with the ingredients I'm about to tell you. Reduce the plantain chrysanthemum powder by 10 grams, increase the whale fat by 5 grams, and before stirring the slime gel, add 8 grams of cotton seeds and roast them over the fire until they reach a pudding-like consistency. Once the base potion is mixed, heat it over the fire until the color turns... the same blue as my secretary's eyes, then place it in a freezer at a constant temperature of negative 5 degrees for half an hour."

Ralph asked in astonishment, "Detective Chief, how do you know my formula? That's impossible. Only I know the formula for this potion; not even my son knows it!"

Luke said mysteriously, "You don't need to worry about where I got the formula. Just make a bottle exactly as I said, and then evaluate how its efficacy compares."

Ralph dared not ask further and immediately began producing the potion on the spot, following the steps for the aphrodisiac while incorporating the modifications.

Kailina whispered a cautious reminder to Luke, "Detective Chief, as a high-ranking official of the Empire, personally participating in the production, transport, and sale of illegal potions... if this is exposed, it will certainly affect your professional record."

Luke said to Kailina, "You should know that I shoulder a heavy responsibility coming to the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau. Everything I do is to complete the mission the Grand Princess has entrusted to me. I brought you along because I trust you."

Kailina suddenly realized.

Since the Detective Chief was so highly regarded by the Grand Princess upon taking office, everything he did must have a profound purpose. As the Detective Chief's confidential secretary, I only need to consider how to best assist him.