Chapter 136
The location of their newly acquired shop pleased Coux . It was in a secluded part of town with good traffic of the worst kind . Qin Yun was no stranger to how things worked in the abyss . She wouldn't be the fox mistress if she was naive . Even in organised towns like this, territories and power struggles existed . Without announcing their alliance, this new shop would definitely be targeted .
Coux wasn't too surprised to have unwelcomed guests waiting for them . The estate agent appointed by the bank ran away as fast as he could the moment he handed the keys over . Amaraline cowered behind the two experienced ladies in fear when several rough looking demons approached . It wasn't very different from back on Earth . Apparently, gangs were still a thing even in Hell and the cockatrice girl wished Clowis was here . Her brother would have no problems teaching these punks a lesson or two, demon or not .
Qin Yun placed a hand on Amaraline's shoulder, sliding her serene expression into place . Coux seemed undeterred by the nuisance and smiled as if she was welcoming customers .
"Good day gentlemen . How may I help you?"
Amaraline counted eight demons with two particularly tough-looking ones . If the respect the others had for them wasn't an indication of their superiority, Amaraline could easily see the difference in their physical constitution by the bulging muscles . What were three helpless ladies going to do against a group of muscle-headed fools? Even if they managed to thwart the threat now, who was to say more wouldn't come for them?
Coux was calm . It wasn't her first time dealing with whippersnapper underlings of some shady two-bit syndicate . The big fish wouldn't bother with such trivialities in their area unless it affected their pockets . Pummelling a few empty-headed goons wouldn't leave any significant impact on their business credibility . If anything, it might buy the trust of their very first customers . Nothing sounded better than free advertising and that was exactly what Coux sorely needed at the moment .
The leader of the group of twats sneered and brandished his weapon of choice – a spiked club full of rusty nails coated in dried blood . His followers rounded them and Qin Yun pulled Amaraline closer to her . Although she had no doubts that the fortune-teller could hold her own, the fox matriarch preferred to leave the young girl out of any direct confrontation . There was nothing like a good old one-two combo to take the eight punks out, there was no need to put the child at risk . Amaraline was far too important to them .
"Lady, you're operating business in the Cool Bull territory . I suggest you offer some taxes to our boss if you don't wish for anything unpleasant to happen to your pretty little shop . "
Cool Bull? Coux wanted to snort and roll her eyes at the lame sounding name . Couldn't they come up with something more original and spectacular? Then again, Cool Bull sounded just about right for this no-name gang with not a single ounce of class . The succubus wondered if their names were equally lame sounding like Diesel and Angus but brushed that thought aside . It wouldn't matter even if she knew, she wouldn't bother remembering them .
Activating her succubus bloodline magic, the trader flashed them a charming smile . "Well," she purred and Amaraline shuddered . "I believe it's only fair, isn't it? How about coming inside for some tea to discuss the terms?"
Like a cliché plot in some oversold erotica, the boys followed her into the building with hearts in their eyes . Qin Yun smirked as they entered the building . Amaraline was about to follow when Qin Yun stopped her . The cockatrice descendant was confused but didn't question it . They took a stroll in the neighbourhood scouting for groceries and information . Qin Yun introduced herself to everyone they saw and marketed their new shop artfully, impressing the fortune-teller .
"Oh my," a grocer demon smiled kindly . "That's really helpful . Here, please have some of these on the house," she grinned and pushed two bags full of fresh vegetables into Amaraline's arms .
Amaraline didn't know how Qin Yun did it . She merely trialled behind Qin Yun and let the older woman do all the talking . Through small talks, the fox demoness elicited all kinds of information . They got to know about the gangs in the area, the top powers in the city and who they wanted as their potential customers . Not only that, Qin Yun managed to build a good rapport with the business owners suspicious about a potential rival of theirs in the area . Amaraline couldn't understand half of what Qin Yun talked about but she knew the older woman merely offered them some advice while pushing for an opportunity of a partnership with them before worming her way into their good books .
"Oh it's too much… I can't possibly impose on you!" Qin Yun mocked gasp but the grocer lady insisted .
"No, I can't thank you enough . Hearing that Lord Baal is awake is one of the best news we've heard in a while . These gangs have been fighting over control in his territory and we suffered terribly . "
The fox demoness accepted the freebies graciously . "Don't worry, Lord Baal has entrusted us with a mission to stabilise the situation in town . However, we are lacking information so it would be great if we had a little more help from everyone . "
The grocer sighed and looked around cautiously before whispering, "I can't say much but there is one thing I could tell you about . Lately, there is some interference from an unknown power . Not even Lord Mammon knows who this is but the abyss has been in disarray because of this mysterious power who entered the scene fifty odd years ago . Gangs and low-life demons have gotten a lot more powerful and citizens under the protection of Demon Lords are suffering from the underground war going on . If you could pass the word on to Lord Baal to have someone investigate this, we would be eternally grateful . "
Qin Yun frowned . "Could you tell me what you know? What exactly happened?"
The grocer lady sighed . "I had a son . He was a stupid and useless son but he was still my flesh and blood . Ten years ago he met someone who offered him a chance to become more powerful . He didn't know who the dealer was but I know he would always carry a magic stone . The more he charged that magic stone with mana, the more 'curse power' he would get . It would amplify his latent abilities both physically and magically . However, it was like a ticking bomb . The more he used its power, the shorter his lifespan became . For us demons, our mana is our lifespan . My stupid son died because he wouldn't stop depending on this borrowed power . I know for a fact many runners of the gangs use it . It's not uncommon to find shrivelled corpses all over the city . Nobody knows where the stones are coming from but there are rumours that you can get a few from the auction house if you know who to talk to . "
Qin Yun shared a look with Amaraline . "Thank you for sharing this with us . We will do our best to get to the bottom of it . If you are faced with any difficulties in future, please look for us at our shop or send a message to Lord Baal's castle looking for Lady Van Doux . "
The grocer lady had unshed tears in her eyes . "Please, help me avenge my useless son's death . "
Amaraline didn't say anything as they parted . She had trouble understanding everything . However, Qin Yun had a look of determination in her eyes . It was as if she finally had the last piece of the missing puzzle . The fortune-teller didn't ask for details as they made their way back to the shop . They had wandered around for about half an hour, Coux should be done with whatever negotiations by now .
They reached the tiny shop in less than ten minutes and Amaraline was fairly surprised by the complete makeover . The tiny shop was no longer dusty . The interiors were decorated with a homey feel and a touch of class . The exterior was extremely eye-catching . Anyone who passed by would be able to identify their shop and Amaraline raised a brow at the shop signage .
"Belles and Begonia?"
Qin Yun blinked . It looked more like a parlour than shop . What exactly was Coux thinking about when she redecorated the shop? Inside the dingy building, there were luxurious couches and small coffee tables . The open-concept pantry area had a selection of high-classed tea leaves and pretty tea sets . Qin Yun didn't remember demons having such fanciful tastes apart from the aristocratic families .
They entered the french door and a bell chimed, alerting Coux of guests .
"Welcome to Belles and Begonia," she greeted cheerfully and blinked when she saw the two dumbfounded ladies with arms full of groceries and freebies .
"I see that the both of you have been busy," she commented as she ushered them to the staff break room .
Qin Yun sighed and massaged her shoulders while Amaraline took her time to admire the tasteful interior decorations . True to the establishment's name, there were potted Begonias everywhere . If there was one thing Qin Yun liked about the new layout, it was the plush couches . After walking around town carrying so many bags, Qin Yun needed a rest badly .
"When did you get everything delivered? I'm sure potted flowers aren't readily available in the abyss . Also, where did these couches come from? Hell doesn't have many good craftsmen or leatherworkers . "
Coux grinned . "Lord Baal gave us his mark so that we could travel freely . I had these things lying around in my severely underutilised properties so I had the gentlemen do some muscle work for me . I used the money from the loans to renovate this shop a little . We have a little over an hour to make money for repayment . How did the information gathering go?"
Qin Yun became serious . "That wolf in goat's skin definitely knows a thing or two about what's going on in town . Magic stones as I recalled, were never this valuable . Amaraline's magic trait might be rare but it wouldn't be this highly valued . The low-levelled demons are causing quite the nuisance and not even the Demon Lords are able to find the supplier of those cursed magic stones . The only lead we have is the auction house, as expected . "
Coux pulled out some dull stones and Amaraline blinked . There was a weird vibe coming from those stones and she was reaching to them when Coux smacked her hand away .
"Don't touch those, they are cursed . Whoever it is, they're very good at writing spells . I've sent a few of these to Lovina, we should hear from her soon . Those gentlemen were kind enough to tell me a few interesting things . "
"Let's hear it," Qin Yun grinned and got up to make tea .
"I'm sure you know how these work by now . They absorb mana from weak-willed demons and enslave them to become mana fodder . Addicted to power, these demons continue borrowing the curse's power until they eventually run dry and die . It didn't work on me because I had the blood of Demon Queen Lilith running through my veins . However, something really strange happened . The curse tried to steal my mana and replicate it by using something similar to mana . I don't know what that was but it certainly wasn't magic at work . "
The fox matriarch returned with tea set the tray down, pouring everyone a cup . She smiled at the familiar aroma of oolong tea . That helped to calm her nerves and Qin Yun mulled over the new information . Amaraline continued to look lost .
"I was told something similar too," she admitted . "Whoever the dealer is, they are covering their trails very well . Until we have connections with the auction house, speculating further is unproductive . You mentioned that the curse stole mana but replicated the effects of magic and amplified the abilities with something that wasn't magic . Have you sent this to Raj or Wiser?"
Coux sighed . "I sent it to Wiser seeing how it wouldn't affect him . Raj would've been affected by the curse . However, Wiser couldn't make heads or tail about it . To him, it was merely an ordinary stone and without proper lab equipment, he couldn't make any progress . It's not as if we could bring the lab over now, could we?"
Qin Yun shrugged . "That's not as important at this point, is it? I'm sure he can figure something out . Knowing him, giving up isn't an option . More importantly, we have groceries for tonight's party . How are we going to pay the loans back in an hour?"
Coux grinned . "You've spread the word, right? All we have to do now is wait . Did I tell you that I had Lovina make a batch of pancakes and Zoe bake some treats? Lemon meringue tart is on the menu today . "
Qin Yun's eyes widened and Amaraline's mouth watered . Coux went to the pantry and pulled out the treats from something that looked like a box .
"What's that?" Qin Yun asked, noticing it for the first time .
Coux winked . "It's our secret weapon . Meet the cross-dimensional shared inventory box . We have a cross-dimensional voice message system too . "
Amaraline blinked . "Isn't that . . . ?"
"Yes, it is . Wiser found the error in your formula and after some tweaks with Sekkin's help, we got it working . We have something similar for spying on our targets . All we have to do is lure them over and slap it on them while they're distracted . "
Qin Yun was impressed and praised Amaraline who blushed . As soon as the desserts arrived, the fox demoness moaned in appreciation at the sweet treat . Amaraline dug her fork into the tart and the three ladies ate in contentment .
From outside the glass window, the passers-by watched as three very beautiful ladies ate mouth-watering treats and chatted care-freely . It was a sight for sore eyes in a district as barbaric as theirs . Whenever Coux or Qin Yun saw someone staring at them, they would throw them a wink and beckon them inside . Amaraline noted how the majority of their newly attracted customers were male but chose not to comment . Money was money and she played her part by serving the customers tea and sweet delights with a smile .
The level of service provided by the three beautiful ladies started spreading like wildfire . Slowly but surely, more people from other districts began travelling over . Many customers paled upon seeing the ludicrous figure of their bill but sighed in relief when Coux and Qin Yun gave them the option of paying via magic stones . This unusual form of payment reached the ears of a certain bank manager . Usually, magic stones were only accepted at the bank or auction house . Nobody valued magic stones due to how common it was . It didn't take long for him to realise his mistake .
"I should have known better than to trust the seductress!" he hissed . Enraged, the goat demon threw the paperweight to the wall nearby, causing a huge commotion . The loan accepted magic stones as a form of payment . In the terms and condition of their loan contract, the bank accepted the worth of five high-grade stones and not specifically five high-grade stones . Blinded by his greed, the manager accepted the hastily drafted contract without checking . He only understood his folly when news about their shop's overwhelming success reached him .
Bitter at his loss, the manager could only force a smile when Coux returned an hour later to repay her loan at the counter below with an assortment of low-grade and middle-grade stones . The down payment of that one high-grade stone by the rare magician was returned and with that, the manager lost his only chance of a promotion through the cult .
"Coux Van Doux . . . Demon Lord Baal . . . you will pay for this, I swear upon the name of my lord," he growled, watching as Coux left the bank from his tiny office window .