Talking a Soul Douluo into It

Seemingly sensing someone watching him, the old man stopped and looked up at Tang Xuan. He rose and walked over to him.

"Young man, if I'm not mistaken, you're the owner of this shop, aren't you?" he asked Tang Xuan. The old man was tall and imposing; standing before him, Tang Xuan had to look up.

"What makes you ask that, sir?" Tang Xuan did not answer his question, asking one of his own instead and addressing him respectfully.

"I heard that the owner of this shop was a young man," the old man replied. He studied Tang Xuan curiously as he spoke. He could tell that Tang Xuan was very young and seemed rather incredulous.

"And he's following you around. Judging by how respectfully he treats you, I must be right." The old man pointed at the manager behind Tang Xuan.

"Your eyes are sharp as a blazing torch, sir," Tang Xuan flattered him, then continued, "Please allow me to apologize for their earlier discourtesy toward you." Tang Xuan bowed to him.

The old man cupped his hands. "No matter. I was the one who broke your rules. The fault was mine, not theirs. To be honest, this is the first time I've seen an establishment maintain such good service after a customer ate and drank without paying." He stroked his beard as he spoke.

"How about this? I won't take advantage of you for nothing. My name is Lin Ao, and I'm a rank eighty-six Power Attack System Soul Douluo. I can grant you one request as compensation for all the free food and drink I've enjoyed here. What do you think?" The old man clasped his hands behind his back, putting on the air of a lofty expert. Inwardly, he thought, With my strength as a Soul Douluo, people could batter their heads bloody fighting for a favor from me and still never get one. Surely you won't refuse! Lin Ao was quite confident of this. His strength earned him exceptionally distinguished treatment in both great empires. Settling his bill with a favor was already a considerable loss on his part.

Tang Xuan, however, was thinking, Good grief, this old man is actually a Soul Douluo! That's a whole realm above Flender. Good thing I didn't act rashly just now, or I'd already be cold.

Aloud, though, Tang Xuan said, "You're too kind, sir. Someone of your strength could dine at far finer restaurants, let alone my little shop. It's our honor that you enjoy our food. As for granting a request, you're being far too generous. There's really no need!"

Lin Ao found Tang Xuan's flattery very pleasing.

"However, there is something I'd like your help with."

"Oh? Tell me. As long as it's within my power, I'll certainly fulfill your request," Lin Ao said magnanimously.

Seeing that Lin Ao had agreed, Tang Xuan immediately said, "It's nothing major. I just need you to help keep things in order at a few of my other shops." Then he shifted tack. "And I won't ask you to help for nothing. Whatever you like to eat, I'll have someone deliver it straight to you. I'll also be opening a restaurant before long, with a wide variety of dishes that taste every bit as good as the barbecue. They'll all be exclusive specialties you won't find in any fine dining establishment or restaurant. When the time comes, you're welcome to try them free of charge."

Lin Ao's eyes immediately lit up at Tang Xuan's words. Tang Xuan had guessed correctly: this old fellow was a foodie. Getting his help was secondary; the key was getting him to stay. How did one keep a foodie around? By catering to his tastes, of course. Keeping him here was Tang Xuan's true aim.

Tang Xuan understood perfectly well that a tall tree caught the wind, and a tree that rose above the forest would surely be battered by it. The larger his business grew and the more wealth he accumulated, the more he would attract covetous eyes and malicious intentions. Having a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse stationed here would spare him a great deal of unnecessary trouble. Even if he could not keep Lin Ao for the long term, he had to get the greatest possible value out of him in the short term.

"No problem. That's a trifling matter. I agree," Lin Ao readily answered. In truth, he had wanted to agree the instant he heard the benefits Tang Xuan offered; only his dignity as a senior had held him back. Whatever else you might say, the food in this boy's shop really is delicious. I've roamed the continent for decades and never tasted anything so good. Besides, there's no harm in agreeing. With my strength as a Soul Douluo, what could come of it? Whether I want to leave or stay, he can't stop me. Having thought it through, Lin Ao walked away looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

Tang Xuan turned and gave the manager instructions concerning Lin Ao.

"Treat Elder Lin just as you would treat me. You must be respectful, and everything he spends here is to be free of charge. Make absolutely sure you keep him happy. Understood?"

"Yes, boss," the manager replied respectfully. He understood very well the weight a Soul Douluo powerhouse carried. Moreover, they held their mysterious boss, Tang Xuan, in considerable awe. No one knew his true origins, yet he had amassed enormous wealth in Nuoding City in a short time. He acted mysteriously and never appeared in public, yet maintained a firm grip on every business under his name. It left them feeling that someone was watching them at all times, and none dared entertain improper ambitions.

Next, Tang Xuan gave instructions regarding the restaurant's opening and had the manager summon the chefs they had recruited. He personally taught them how to prepare several dishes from Earth. Then he once again left everything in others' hands and departed.

Those chefs had all been carefully selected. Their awakened Martial Souls made them better suited to cooking than ordinary people. Once taught how to prepare a dish, they could produce it themselves, and even become the blue dye that surpassed the indigo plant it came from.

Over the past year and more, the booming barbecue shop and gambling business had increased Tang Xuan's fortune to several hundred thousand gold coins. He could now truly be called the richest man in Nuoding.

Once he had capital, Tang Xuan no longer needed to personally concern himself with minor matters. The managers under him could handle them well. He only needed to ask about the final results.

Being the boss really does feel good, Tang Xuan marveled inwardly.

Tang Xuan returned to the academy to see Grandmaster. Afterward, he came back and told Tang San and Xiao Wu that he planned to enter secluded cultivation for a month. He had remained at the peak of rank nineteen for half a year; it was time to break through to rank twenty and prepare to condense his second soul core.

For this period of secluded cultivation, Tang Xuan had even specially applied to the academy to purchase a secluded, quiet room on its grounds for his exclusive use. Cultivating in seclusion within the academy would allow him to avoid a great deal of trouble.