Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 504: He Xi Arrives at Chaos Residence

Chapter 504: Chapter 504: He Xi Arrives at Chaos Residence

The shopkeeper suddenly understood Chen Nuo’s intention, "So you handed over the technical knowledge and the raw materials for the rapeseed oil to me because of my father?"

"You’re mistaken," Chen Nuo denied.

The shopkeeper was confused. If he had been given the management of the Oil Shop, and he didn’t even know this person, wasn’t it because of his father that the shop had been entrusted to him? Why was he now saying that wasn’t the case?

"I didn’t hand over the management of the Oil Shop to you because of your father’s influence," Chen Nuo said, surveying the shop as he spoke.

The shop hadn’t changed much since he had first come to this small town. Although the building had aged a bit, it wasn’t dusty; on the contrary, it was very clean, and there was only the smell of grains inside.

The shopkeeper had taken over his father’s shop and wasn’t just idling away his inheritance. He had been running the shop just as his father had before him, and he even found time to clean.

Chen Nuo smiled and said, "Since I’ve decided to entrust the operation of the Oil Shop to your store, it’s after careful consideration. Your father was very kind and hardworking, and I see that you are too. I feel at ease handing over the management here."

The shopkeeper was very touched. He had simply been doing his work diligently; he had never imagined such great fortune would come his way, and now he was told it was a reward well-deserved for his hard work—nobody would be anything but delighted by this.

"That’s wonderful, wonderful," the shopkeeper said, overcome with emotion yet also very apprehensive, "Mr. Chen, now that you’ve entrusted your Oil Shop to me, what if I fail to manage it properly?"

"You won’t. I will also pass on the oil-pressing techniques to you later. How you manage it is up to you. Even if you sell the method, I won’t interfere," Chen Nuo stated.

"Ah?" The shopkeeper was even more surprised, "Mr. Chen, then what are you aiming for? If that’s the case, why don’t you just release the oil-pressing recipe and let them press the oil however they want? Why bother to find me specifically?"

"It’s like this, if I release the recipe, the wealthy households in the town will definitely seize this opportunity to make a fortune. They’ll raise the prices, monopolize the market, and, in the end, it will still be the nobles and high officials who can afford the oil."

Upon reflecting, the shopkeeper realized that might be true and quickly apologized to Chen Nuo, "In that case, I hadn’t considered it thoroughly. Don’t worry, Mr. Chen. If you give me the oil-pressing recipe, I’ll treat it with care and definitely won’t let others deliberately raise the oil prices."

"Good," Chen Nuo nodded. He still believed what the shopkeeper said, at least for now.

As he was preparing to leave, Chen Nuo said to the shopkeeper, "By the way, if a merchant from outside wants to buy the oil recipe for a hefty price, and you think the price is fair, you can sell it."

"Why? Aren’t you afraid they’ll monopolize it if it’s from outside?" the shopkeeper asked, not understanding.

"It’s not that I’m not worried about outsiders monopolizing it. It’s because such a low price is something only the people in our town can enjoy. Those from outside would have to come to our town. Otherwise, even if they’re willing to pay double, they wouldn’t be able to buy the oil."

The shopkeeper was still puzzled, "Mr. Chen, could you please explain it to me in more detail? I’m really slow to catch on, and I truly can’t understand what you mean."

"If outsiders get the recipe, they will start selling oil in their own areas. Let’s not worry about how much they will charge at first—anyway, the oil-pressing technique will spread," Chen Nuo said.

"But that’s still useless, right? The recipe may spread, but if the price is high, the common people still won’t be able to afford the oil. What’s the use?"

"Oh, you really are something. How can you have so many questions? I’m getting irritated," He Xi responded impatiently. "When those oil merchants buy the recipe and start producing oil, initially those who can afford it will enjoy the novelty. But over time, they’ll realize that lard actually tastes better."

"Lard, better tasting than vegetable oil?" the shopkeeper was somewhat incredulous, "Then why is the oil business still so good?"

"For most people, animal fat indeed tastes better than vegetable oil because it retains the flavor of the meat. However, vegetable oil generally does not have that kind of taste, unless you use it to fry meat," He Xi explained to the shopkeeper.

"As time passes, those who can afford meat oil will still go for it. If this oil doesn’t sell, we can only lower the price. After all, our price here sets a reference. Over time, this price will become affordable for the common folk," Chen Nuo continued from where He Xi left off.

"Right, so the oil would get spread around, wouldn’t it? After some more time, everyone in the Great Tang will be able to afford oil," He Xi said.

It was at this point that the shopkeeper understood the meaning of these words.

Indeed, with this approach, there was no problem. The original purpose of Chen Nuo was indeed to distribute the oil. Although it took some time, the oil was still able to be spread.

Not only that, but they could also make a great deal of money without much effort, as if the profits were blown in by a strong wind.

"Mr. Chen, rest assured, if you entrust me with the recipe for this oil, I will manage it well according to your instructions. I will make sure that the ordinary people can all have access to oil!" the shopkeeper said.

Chen Nuo nodded, "Good, if I have time, I will come over to see if you have completed the task I entrusted you with."

The shopkeeper, holding the recipe in one hand and the rapeseeds in the other, was so moved he almost cried.

Could Mr. Chen really not be Guanyin Bodhisattva? How could someone as ordinary as him stumble upon such fortune? Was this perhaps a blessing earned in a past life?

After Chen Nuo had taken care of everything, he returned to the second floor of the small shop with He Xi. It was very safe and concealed here, allowing for casting spells without anyone seeing.

When He Xi opened her eyes again, they were already deep in the forest.

The forest was lush, the surroundings very quiet. She couldn’t see the sun overhead; it was entirely blocked by the tall trees.

He Xi was a bit stunned. Don’t immortals live in the Immortal Realm? Why would they be in such a deep forest?

Even though these thoughts crossed her mind, He Xi still followed Chen Nuo’s footsteps and walked forward. Only a few steps later, He Xi was attracted by the signboard of a shop.

Chaos Residence.

He Xi repeated the name on the signboard in her mind. One had to have a lot of confidence to pick such a name.

So what exactly was Chaos Residence? The environment didn’t seem special. Could the uniqueness be on the inside?

With this suspicion, He Xi followed Chen Nuo’s footsteps, walked past the signboard, and entered the courtyard.

This small courtyard seemed quite an improvement over the one in the mortal world.

The mortal courtyard, if not looked at carefully, resembled a vegetable garden, with only four rooms and vegetables all around.

Inside, it was empty except for a table, chairs, and a bed—hardly resembling a home, more like a temporary residence.

However, the truth was that Chen Nuo’s courtyard in the mortal world was indeed just for temporary lodging. He never intended to stay there permanently, but in He Xi’s heart, that empty courtyard was the home she and Chen Nuo shared.