Chapter 114: Chapter 112: Getting the Demonic Night Market Started (Part 1)

Celeste Grant placed one hand on her hip.

She began, "My new barbecue has been a huge hit with the disciples of our sect. That proves the flavor is on point. But you can’t have barbecue without something to drink, and it’d be even better with some wine to go with it. So, it’s time for the next phase of the plan. With how popular this barbecue is, it’s bound to take the entire Cultivation World by storm."

"Who knows, even if those dirt-poor Sword Cultivators show up, we could probably squeeze a few coins out of their pockets."

Javier Sinclair: "..."

’That’s her, all right!’

’This is practically daylight robbery!’

But then he pictured those members of the Immortal Sects, the ones who style themselves as righteous, hating their guts while still scrambling to give them money. Suddenly, the money itself wasn’t important. The sheer satisfaction of it all was enough for him.

At this thought, a hint of a smile touched his eyes as Javier Sinclair’s gaze shifted to her face.

’As expected of the mother of his child.’

Celeste Grant grabbed his arm and said, "We’re wrapping up for today. Summon the elders. We need to hold a meeting."

This wasn’t the first time he had heard the word ’meeting’ from Celeste Grant’s mouth. At first, he hadn’t known what it meant, but he learned eventually. Her so-called ’meeting’ was just a council session.

He glanced at the hand gripping his arm.

’Hmph!’

’She’s getting more and more audacious!’

With a flick of his wrist, he grabbed her own and followed her.

’This woman’s hand is quite soft.’

He subconsciously gave it a light squeeze with his fingers.

Then he saw her turn her head and look at him with a sinister gaze. "Exalted One, I suspect you’re taking advantage of me."

Javier Sinclair: "Hah! Am I that kind of person?"

Celeste Grant gave him a look that was not quite a smile.

’Only he knew in his heart whether he was or not.’

’Men... Hah!’

’Was my hand nice to touch?’

...

「In the Council Hall.」

The high-ranking members of the Bloodfiend Den were seated on both sides of a long table. Every one of them was dressed in black and wore a cloak.

At this moment, Elder Sawyer of the Hall of Apothecary had an arm-thick green, poisonous snake coiled around his neck. The snake’s head kept slithering onto the table, its movements impossibly smooth.

Then there was Elder Yardley of the Hall of Enforcement, who rarely made appearances. A black, bowl-sized poisonous spider rested on top of his head. This man had a full head of white hair but an extremely youthful face. He looked like a devilishly handsome young man, the type who regards everyone with a passive-aggressive air.

If it were your first time in a place like this, anyone with a bit less courage would be scared to tears by the atmosphere. This was truly the stronghold of the Bloodfiend Den’s Demon Cultivators.

’But after getting to know them, I actually think they’re decent people,’ she thought.

Celeste Grant, however, was perfectly calm.

As a member of the Demonic Sects, keeping a venomous creature as a pet was perfectly normal. It wasn’t just the elders; even Javier Sinclair himself kept a green centipede on his person.

"Greetings, Exalted One."

"Greetings, Madam. Greetings, Young Master."

Everyone rose in unison to salute them.

Aaron Sinclair said, "Alright, alright, everyone sit down and listen to my mother talk about important business."

Javier Sinclair raised a hand in a gesture.

"Be seated."

"Thank you, Exalted One. Thank you, Madam."

After everyone was seated.

Celeste Grant stood up, her gaze sweeping over the crowd as she began, "Now that everyone is here, let’s get down to business. I want to talk about the new venture the Bloodfiend Den will be expanding into. You’ve all tried the new barbecue I introduced. What did you think?"

Hearing this, everyone nodded repeatedly.

"It was delicious."

"So fragrant! I finished it and immediately wanted more."

They already found themselves craving more, wishing they could eat it often in the future.

Celeste Grant raised a hand to gesture. "I know what you’re all thinking. Don’t worry, you’ll definitely be able to eat it again in the future."

She glanced at the crowd, paused for a moment, and continued, "Here’s the deal. I have a proposal: I plan to open a night market within the territory of the Demonic Sects, near Primal Immortal City. There, all disciples of the Demonic Sects, as well as outsiders, can set up stalls to sell whatever they want. We’ll give priority to stalls selling various kinds of food. All they need to do is pay a fee of ten Spirit Stones per month to operate a stall normally. As the saying goes, ’take their money, solve their problems.’ Since they’ve paid their Spirit Stones, they are our customers. And while on our territory, we must guarantee their personal safety and the security of their property."

"Additionally, we can occupy a few prime spots throughout the night market ourselves, where our own disciples will sell our new barbecue. You can barbecue more than just meat—there are many things you can grill. We’ll have clearly marked prices: one Spirit Stone per skewer, with a ’buy ten, get three free’ and ’buy five, get one free’ deal. Of course, you can’t have barbecue without something to drink, so we can also sell Spiritual Wine and fruit juices. Drinks will be charged separately in Spirit Stones."

The more Celeste Grant spoke, the more excited she became.

"Of course, that’s not all. The disciples of our Bloodfiend Den can also set up their own stalls elsewhere—for example, at busy crossroads or outside the mountain ranges where people hunt Demonic Beasts. In short, they can set up a stall wherever there’s a crowd. This will absolutely be a huge moneymaker. It’s a long-term business that will increase the Bloodfiend Den’s income."

On that day,

Celeste Grant spoke for a long time.

She explained what a "night market" was to the elders... until they finally understood.

Her proposal received unanimous approval.

After the decision was made to open a night market, Celeste Grant personally took Nerida and the others to the location they had found. As for planning the layout and handling construction, that was left to the professionals.

Elder Lowell of the Bloodfury Hall, Quentin Rhodes, was the one who had led the construction of Breezewind Town; he had drawn the blueprints himself. Celeste Grant was relieved to put the night market’s planning in his hands.

’You have to admit,’ she thought, ’the Demonic Sects really have all kinds of talented people.’

After arranging all this, Celeste Grant continued to follow up on the "APP" with Elder Lawson and the others.

「A few days later.」

The night market Elder Lowell was in charge of was already planned and built, spanning a full two streets. It was located in the southwestern part of the Demonic Sects’ territory, close to Primal Immortal City.

The reason for choosing this location was, of course, the high foot traffic. When the time came, it wouldn’t just be Demon Cultivators visiting the night market; people from the nearby Cultivator City would surely come over as well, since it was so close.

At that moment, Elder Lowell was holding a blueprint and pointing at the two streets before them. "Madam, what do you think of this?"

Celeste Grant looked at the wide, antique-style streets and the various buildings. ’The design is absolutely brilliant.’ As she looked down the way, she saw all sorts of shops and stalls, as well as a variety of exquisitely crafted lanterns hanging overhead.

These lanterns were all inscribed with Arrays, which would cause them to light up at night for illumination.

To display the might of the Demonic Sects, she had already spotted several ancient totems of the Bloodfiend Den in various places, as well as flags bearing its sigil. For instance, above the entrance, next to the words ’The Demonic Night Market,’ were carvings of a giant sword and a red-eyed skull. That sword was, naturally, modeled after the one Javier Sinclair carried.

’The atmosphere is excellent.’

Just then, Elder Lowell, who was walking beside Celeste Grant, seemed a little anxious.

"If Madam feels it is acceptable... if not, this subordinate will make further changes." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

’Change this? There’s no need to change a thing.’