Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

The Grandmaster tested all the Massage Chairs. It was a great success, especially with the latter two. They were of much higher quality thanks to both Aiko and the Bronze Fox.

The parts were much more precise compared to the blueprints and Aiko got a better grip for her Inscriptions. She also adjusted a few parts so that they worked better with the rest.

Aiko nodded. ”With this, we can open the business again.”

Mei also nodded. ”The last two will have a higher price.”

”Are they that good?” Aiko tilted her head.

””Yes.”” The Grandmaster and Mei said at once.

Mei then added. ”We can raise the price without any issues thanks to the higher quality.”

Aiko nodded slightly. ”It’s still not the best I can do, but my hand feels strange...”

”I know.” Mei nodded. ”Part of the poison is deeply rooted in your marrow. While it is harmless, there might be some slight discomfort until your body cleans itself up.”

”You can’t clear it?” Aiko asked Mei.

”It’s nothing that would require such drastic measures. Though, it is better to leave the marrow alone if possible.” Mei shook her head. ”It would be bad if something happened to it as we currently don’t have enough wealth to deal with such complications...”

Aiko nodded gently. It seems like she will have to be careful in the future and not get poisoned again.

...

Mei moved around to set up the business. Aiko helped her here and there with the Massage Chairs and possible complications.

Mei would always nod away, but she didn’t understand most of the things Aiko said. She didn’t understand why it was important to adjust the vibration or movement. A part of her admired her little cutie that was able to do so many things so easily.

Aiko moved out of the business and back into the Grandmaster’s abode. She collected a few more tools before returning.

”So, we will only work for two months, with two months rest?” Aiko suddenly asked.

”We will look over the business for two months since the Grandmaster isn’t here. Once she returns, we will head back for Alchemy while the Grandmaster will take care of the Business.” Mei explained and then continued. ”Once something happened, we could always come back and solve it.”

Aiko nodded gently. It didn’t seem like she would have that much time to rest...

”You don’t have to do much during these two months other than maintenance of the Massage Chairs.” Mei said to Aiko gently.

”Okay.” Aiko nodded. It seems like she will be able to rest with Mei, but she will probably take the Jade Slip with her. It was important to finish it soon and get rewards from Mei~.

...

The final preparations for business went smoothly. Mei also noticed many eyes on her, watching her in the shadows.

It seemed like the interest in their ’little’ business was only getting higher and higher, but she was unsure if that was a blessing or a curse. She still wanted to refine Pills, but if there were too many Foxes coming... that would turn out to be difficult.

Mei prepared many replacement covers for the Massage Chairs; it serves as defense against those wanted to stop their business by ’staining’ the Massage Chairs. Moreover, she also put out a sign that no sex toys were allowed. This would prevent 99% of the stains from happening. If they did happen, she would just ban them from coming back and all problems would be solved.

Aiko walked towards Mei. ”I have everything. Where will we live during the business ’days’?” She asked Mei as she was curious.

”There is room inside. We will be there during the day, but return to Dai Lu’s abode at night.” Mei said softly.

Aiko nodded. ”Okay, I will go explore the insides.” She was curious how this hastily built structure compared to the carefully built city structures.

And to her surprise. Aiko was shocked that this hastily built building was better than those in the cities.

Seeing the shocked Aiko, Mei chuckled. ”It’s important for the building to look good.” She had a mean smile on her lips. Mei would naturally charge extra for the nice atmosphere.

Aiko didn’t like that smile, so she went inside. The outside looked cheap, but the inside was pretty lavish. There were special waiting mats and chairs. You were able to rest before the Massage Chair was freed.

It also had a small Array that you could activate with Qi. This would isolate the meditation mat from the outside world and would allow you some peace of mind.

There were also small carpets under those mats. On the side, there were flowers or small trees, like really tiny trees. Aiko was very curious about how such a small tree could exist! Even saplings of normal trees were bigger!

Mei walked inside and she was curious about Aiko’s reaction. She saw Aiko curiously stare at the bonsai and chuckled gently. ”That is a Bonsai.”

”Bonsai?” Aiko tilted her head. She never heard such a name.

”They are special small Trees.” Mei came closer. ”Moreover, you can make other trees like this if you ’adjust’ them with Qi. There are collectors of rare trees that pay a lot for this kind of thing.” Mei smiled gently, she was one such collector.

”But won’t they destroy it?” Aiko talked about those who would use the Massage Chairs.

”Try touching it.” Mei smiled mischievously.

Aiko tilted her head and tried to gently touch the small tree, but her hand passed through like nothing happened.

”Eh???” Aiko was confused. She was sure this was not an illusion, yet she couldn’t touch it?

”It’s projection. It does not count as an illusion, so the way you uncover its secrets is different.” Mei liked Aiko’s reaction to her work of art.

”Ohhhhhh.” Aiko was surprised at how this thing worked. It seems like she would have to pick some kind of Ability or let Mei teach her about it...

In the corners were thin bamboo canes with leaves. This added to the natural atmosphere.

Being slightly deeper inside, were the counter and individual rooms. Everything was littered with Arrays, so Aiko didn’t want to touch them.

The counter had its own door and Aiko presumed that it was this door that led to their room.

Aiko went inside the room. It had a bed for lazing around and a few low tables around for work. The decoration was also light, but there were also small trees around. Aiko felt familiar with those trees and looked back into the main room.

Those looked exactly like the trees in the main room. It seems like these were the real ones and those were projected into the main room.

”Good observation.” Mei praised Aiko when she saw her observing those bonsai trees closely.

There were also cabins and doors, but Aiko was not really interested in them. It’s not like she would try to steal any underwear from here.

There was also a large fur carpet on the floor. It was fluffy and nice to lie on, but the warmth could not compare to the real thing.

While Aiko didn’t need to seek that much warmth any more, she still wanted to hug others. It was fun and warm, she could also grade their softness.

Naturally, the Blood Fox was first when it came to softness, but Mei won thanks to fluffiness. Mei’s tails were much easier to sleep in than the Blood Fox’s.

The low tables were supported by Arrays.

”Qi Gathering and Qi Strengthening Arrays.” Mei replied briefly. She didn’t want to elaborate too much on it since it would only confuse Aiko who specialised in Inscriptions.

Aiko nodded once again. The bed was on the ground yet again, but she noticed that Mei once again stockpiled many sheets on it to make it as soft as possible. There were even some furs and other things to make it more pleasant.

Aiko returned to the main room. The counter was simple, but likewise had many Arrays. Aiko didn’t pay too much attention to them, since she wouldn’t need to use them. She was more curious about the rooms with the Massage Chairs!

Aiko walked towards one of the rooms and opened it.

In the middle of the room was the Massage Chair with a strange cover. Aiko didn’t question it and looked around. There were more bamboo shoots, so many that it felt like you were in a bamboo forest. There were also a few small trees, but those were probably just projections.

Deep inside was a strange small ’boat-like’ thing.

”That is an incense burner.” Mei said. ”The Muscle Peak likes to use incense burners to relieve muscle pain, so I thought that it could be paired with the Massage Chair.”

Aiko nodded. This was a really nice incense burner. It felt like this room was very high-class. There was also one wall missing in this room. Unlike their own room which had a normal window, in this room, there was a missing wall!

”That is an illusion.” Mei smiled. ”If you keep walking, you will hit your head.” She pursed her lips gently.

Aiko paused her steps. She was a few steps away from the greenery and she really wanted to test it, but at the same time... she didn’t want to hit her head or become an embarrassing mess.

She returned to Mei’s side and hugged her. ”Are there any more secrets?”

Mei didn’t try to dodge the small Aiko and gently caressed her head. ”There are, but those are for bad people.” Mei smiled. She prepared many traps that would harm those that mean harm to them.

Aiko nodded. She was a bit saddened that she could not look around to find those things, but it was fine for the time being. She still has some things to do and keep her busy.

Aiko separated from Mei. She replenished her warmth, but she was slightly upset that Mei was now so easy to hug. It was more fun when Mei struggled or squirmed her body...

Aiko went outside once again. This truly looked like a shabby place on the outside.

”Is there any reason why the outside is not decorated?” Aiko asked, tilting her head.

Mei blushed and looked away. ”I didn’t have time to do that yet...” She said in a very quiet voice.

”But you still have enough time to carefully craft the insides?” Aiko felt there was something amiss...

”I don’t know how to do the exterior...” Mei mumbled.

”What?” Even Aiko had a hard time hearing her.

”I don’t know how to do the exterior!” Mei shouted with a red face.

Aiko blinked a few times. She could not believe that the heavenly Mei could not do something.

Aiko laughed happily and hugged Mei again.

”Why are you laughing?” Mei was wronged by Aiko. She felt like she shouldn’t confess.

”It’s nothing~. You just feel more humane now~” Aiko hummed happily. ”When we can’t do something, we just need to ask others or pay them.” She smiled at Mei.

”And who would be able to do that?” Mei was doubtful that Aiko could find someone to do it, since most Fox buildings were simple in nature...