Su Mo's gaze landed on the bookstall in the corner.
Those books had made money in Holy Soul Village. They ought to sell in Notting City, too.
Besides, there were more people here, and they had more money.
Su Mo's eyes lit up.
"Tang San."
"Master?"
"Starting tomorrow, we'll set up a stall again."
Tang San blinked. "A stall? Renting out books?"
Su Mo nodded. "That's right. Notting City is so big, there have to be people willing to pay to read."
Tang San thought it over and decided it made sense.
"But, Master, where should we set up?"
Su Mo fell silent for a moment.
That was something they really needed to think about.
Notting City wasn't like Holy Soul Village. There was no regular spot to set up a stall. They needed somewhere suitable, with lots of foot traffic, where they wouldn't be chased away.
He looked out the window.
In the moonlight, Notting Academy stood quietly in the distance.
There were over a thousand students inside the academy, and almost all of them were rich kids.
Rich kids were the easiest people to get to open their wallets.
Su Mo smiled.
"We'll set up inside the academy."
Tang San blinked. "Inside the academy? Will that work?"
Su Mo nodded. "It'll work."
He remembered that in the original story, Tang San and the others had also gotten their start by selling things.
Only they had sold Hidden Weapons, while he was selling books.
Different paths led to the same destination.
As for whether they'd be allowed to set up there—
They'd find out by trying.
At any rate, it beat sitting around in the dorm waiting.
Su Mo glanced at the pile of Copper Soul Coins on the table, then at the bag of books in the corner.
"Tomorrow, we'll go scout out the place."
Tang San nodded vigorously. "All right!"
Xiao Wu had overheard them and hurried over, too. "Master, I'm coming, too!"
Su Mo glanced at her. "What for?"
Xiao Wu answered as if it were obvious, "To help you make money, Master! Then we can buy more delicious food! That hot pot just now was so good!"
Su Mo: "..."
The way that girl's mind worked was always so straightforward.
But that was fine, too.
Many hands made light work.
As soon as Wang Sheng and the others heard, they said they wanted to help as well.
"Moo~" If Su Mo was doing it, Big Black Ox was naturally coming along.
Su Mo looked at the two little ones in front of him, then at Big Black Ox lying in the corner, and finally at Wang Sheng and the others clearing away the dishes.
Suddenly, he felt that this group, strange as they were, might actually...
Be pretty reliable?
Late that night.
The residents of Dorm Seven finally finished getting everything ready for the bookstall the next day. One by one, they sprawled across their beds and fell fast asleep.
Only Wang Sheng stayed up, writing in a diary:
Our Dorm Seven has gained a two-meter-tall monster.
Then a crazy girl who can fight.
And a Soul Beast disguised as an ox.
And that guy with several bumps on his head. He can't fight all that well, but when a fight breaks out, he doesn't care if he lives or dies.
I think life in Dorm Seven is going to be dangerous from now on!
Hmm... Or maybe it'll be lively?
But whatever happens—
Let's just survive first.
After all, hot pot is really delicious. I want to eat it again...
(A large drool stain)
At the same time.
Big Black Ox lay in the corner, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Four words kept echoing in its mind—
Emergency rations.
Emergency rations.
Emergency rations.
It was a dignified six-hundred-year-old Demon King. Being ridden around by a little brat for two years was bad enough.
Now it had become "emergency rations"?
Big Black Ox raised its head and gazed mournfully at Su Mo's bed.
Su Mo was already asleep, breathing evenly, the hint of a smile still on his lips.
Big Black Ox narrowed its eyes.
"Moo." (Just you wait.)
One day, it would make that brat understand—
A Demon King wasn't food.
The next morning.
When Su Mo woke up, he found a steaming bowl of rice porridge beside his bed.
Big Black Ox stood nearby, wearing an ingratiating expression.
Su Mo froze. "What are you doing?"
Big Black Ox nudged the bowl with its head.
"Moo." (Drink up. It's fresh.)
Su Mo eyed it suspiciously.
Something was off about this ox.
Big Black Ox continued to wag its tail ingratiatingly.
"Moo." (Once you're full, you won't be hungry anymore, right?)
Su Mo: "..."
He seemed to understand what was going on.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to eat you."
Big Black Ox's eyes lit up.
Su Mo added, "At least, not right now..."
The smile froze on Big Black Ox's face.
"MOOOO!!!"
(Just you wait!!!)
Su Mo picked up the porridge and leisurely took a sip.
Mm, it tasted good.
Today was the opening ceremony at Notting Academy.
Early in the morning, a platform had been erected on the sports field. Colorful flags fluttered, and gongs and drums rang out.
Students from every grade stood in class lines, while the teachers gathered beside the stage. The principal and several administrators sat atop it, creating a solemn and dignified scene.
Only Dorm Seven's line looked a little off.
Wang Sheng stood at the very front, trying his best to straighten his back and look like a proper student.
But his eyes kept wandering uncontrollably toward the back of the line.
Gou Dan stood behind him, just as distracted.
Er Gou, San Wa, Tie Zhu, Shi Tou... Every one of them looked like their minds were elsewhere.
That was because at the very back of the line, Su Mo was squatting on the ground in front of a simple bookstall.
A dozen or so books were stacked neatly, their covers bearing all kinds of enticing titles—Battle Through the Heavens, Martial Universe, Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms...
A wooden sign stood beside them, with several crookedly written words:
Book Rental.
Standard Edition: 20 Copper Soul Coins/hour (effects comparable to meditation and cultivation)
Advanced Edition: 100 Copper Soul Coins/hour (personally written by Su Mo; those with high comprehension may find an opportunity)
Tang San and Xiao Wu stood on either side of the bookstall. One collected money and kept accounts, while the other called out to attract customers.
"Come on over! Take a look! These are incredible books—read them and get stronger!"
Xiao Wu had a loud voice, but it was soon drowned out by the noise around her.
There were just too many students crowding over.
"What's this book, Battle Through the Heavens? What's it about?"
"Journey to the West? A story about a monkey?"
"Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Is it about war? I like war!"
"Twenty Copper Soul Coins an hour? That's so expensive!"
"What's expensive about it? Spirit Hall gives us a monthly subsidy of 20 Silver Spirit Coins. That's enough for a hundred hours of reading!"
"I want to borrow Battle Through the Heavens!"
"I was here first! I want Journey to the West!"
"Don't push! I paid first!"
In an instant, the space in front of the bookstall was packed with people.
Upperclassmen and underclassmen, boys and girls, nobles and commoners... They surrounded the little bookstall until not even a drop of water could pass through.
Tang San's hands were practically cramping from collecting money, and Xiao Wu's voice was nearly hoarse from shouting.
Su Mo squatted beside them and watched the scene, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Business was good.
At the teachers' stand not far away.
Mo Hen stood among the teachers, his gaze habitually sweeping over the Work-Study Student class he was responsible for.
Then he froze.
Half of Dorm Seven's students were missing.
The other half were also completely distracted, their necks twisted at strange angles as they strained to look toward the back of the line.
Mo Hen frowned.
What were they up to?
He followed the students' gazes—
A crowd packed the corner of the sports field, so dense it looked like a dark mass.
Mo Hen's brow furrowed even deeper.
The ceremony was about to begin. Why weren't these students standing in their places? What were they all gathered over there for?