While most of the site was cordoned off by the Police, Dungeons and Panda was the only shop that was still operating in Tiangong Shopping District, and a high number of customers came in to share their sympathies on the day after the incident.
Many of those regular customers petitioned to Jin to set up a fund for the victims, and since it was additional money for their reconstruction, he accepted graciously. However, as shrewd a businessman as he was, Jin did take advantage of the situation and their kindness (to a certain extent.)
First, he asked the System to create an impromptu page within the Pandemonium app similar to a Gofundme account in the West. The icon for it within the Pandamonium was shaped as Panda wearing a construction cap holding onto a donation box. The System made sure to create the most innocent looking pair of eyes for the Panda to attract even more sympathy from the crowd.
On the very top of the page, it stated that 15% of every purchase made through the site, regardless if it was from dungeons, food or items, would be used for the reconstruction efforts of the Tiangong Shopping District.
Alternatively, they could choose to put it into a donation fund for the residents and store owners that were affected by the triad attack. After their first purchase, they would get a physical Donator Panda badge from Yun which they could wear showing off that they had helped out as well as an electronic one to show their contributions to everyone.
To spread the news, Jin conducted a brief Q&A session together with Kiyu where he also promised that all the dealings for the funds would be transparent for all to see and a breakdown of the funds received would also be reported in real time. The customers were surprised that Jin was willing to be so open about it and they poured in their support significantly, some were even from overseas which Jin had no idea how.
Qiu Yue’s ex superior Yi San who happened to pop by as part of the Urban Development Ministry to assess the destruction also took the time to pay them a courtesy call. Qiu Yue informed the older woman that Jin was currently busy and they spent some time with small before she introduced Jin to Yi San.
“You have a troublesome headache ahead of you.” Yi San said after exchanging some pleasantries. Though she wasn’t part of the department of the Urban Development Ministry that dealt with this, she was called down to assess the damage as a visiting consultant since Yi San was involved in redeveloping this particular region of Tiangong District previously. Yet, with one look, she knew enough to know its a major trouble.
“Yeah, I am doing what I can to get things going as soon as possible, especially considering this is supposed to be the time of the year where shops should be earning the most money. It is definitely a blow to all of us.” Jin lamented.
“I’m sure the banks definitely make it hard for you to lend some money and only do so by devaluing the land here based on its past history. I also doubt money you can receive that way will be sufficient unless you get it from external sources.” Yi San remarked, and Jin understood what that meant.
The quickest and ‘safest’ way to get the money would be to turn to the Triads and people with influence like Hou Fei, his Panda Remnant that had a decent position in the Royal Zodiac Snake Clan or Yang Ling, the Tiger Princess.
Perhaps, Jin could try to coerce Grandma Yuan into giving him a bit of money, maybe as some sort of development fund from JODE since she was going to create a branch here in Shenzhen using his dungeon supplier store.
However, given his prior history with her, he could already foresee Grandma Yuan yapping away with her constant nagging turning this into a Trial he would have to overcome by himself.
“You are not wrong, Old Birdy is certainly that type of person. She’d rather see you suffer and wring in pain-” Kraft commented in the System Channel before hearing a loud thump sound in the background.
“Do not listen to him, Jin! You’ve done a good dead and have taken in her former disciples. It won’t hurt to ask her.” Yun replied and surprisingly sided with her old instructor.
Yi San then gave Jin a few additional pieces of advice and her contact number if needed help in the redevelopment portion. She figured she could try and squeeze a bit of funds to help ‘redecorating’ the place since the district was also slated for major reworks previously.
“Ehh…let’s just say I have someone in mind. If I contract a private construction company to rework the stuff and send you the bill, will you ever consider that? Perhaps pay the necessary reworks?”Jin tried his luck since he knew he should be able to match whatever criteria they needed to meet with the help of the System. Every bit of cash helps, even if it was obtained by somewhat cheating the government funds.
“I am not exactly sure, but I can check it out for you. The most, I can repay you a given amount. Let me check if I can increase the funding at my side.” Yi San as she bid Jin and Qiu Yue goodbye.
“Thank you, Senior, for helping me a lot. I surely owe you one.” Qiu Yue bowed as she walked her out to the front door.
“No need. I received an anonymous donation right around the time that leecher went missing and you transferred jobs.” Yi San replied with a cunning smile. “Take this as a repayment of the favour as well as the revenge taken.”
“But I did not do anything!” Qiu Yue tried to counter, but Yi San placed a finger at her mouth.
“I totally agree with you. It must have been just a lucky coincidence.” Yi San winked and left the area.
“Kraft.” Qiu Yue rolled her eyes, and she called out his name via the System Channel only to get an innocent bird like whistle before he disappeared into nonexistence as always.
——-
Later in the day, Jin met up with Xiong Da and Grandma Yuan to finalise the development lease deal of Tiangong Shopping District. Just as expected, Grandma Yuan decided not to render any help to Jin when he hinted about it as subtlety as he could.
“I expect you to pay the full amount just as agreed… however, we can arrange a delay for the remaining payment due in half a years time. Is that agreeable?” Grandma Yuan suggested, and the System immediately recalculated the expenses at lightning speed.
“According to System’s calculation, User should have the budget to begin basic reconstruction with this delay.” The System stated before it paused for a while. “Should the User promise to complete a Dungeon Takeover for at least one Rank 80 Dungeon Run in the Dungeon World by the end of December, System will consider releasing the funds for operating cost of a month for the furnishing of the town.”
Jin happily agreed to Grandma Yuan’s proposal, and they concluded the finer details of the lease contract. “After you clear this hurdle, I will provide you with the necessary funds for the creation of JODE branch. Do your best.” Grandma Yuan left a voice transmission to Jin before exiting the room.
With the legal documents for the lease agreement out of his way, Xiong Da remained in the client’s meeting area and asked Jin for a moment of his time. He then wrote a cheque and placed it down on the table, slowly pushing it towards him. Jin saw the cheque and turned pale from the amount Xiong Da was offering.
“No. Xiong Da.” Jin shook his head vigorously. He needed the money, but he could not accept such a massive amount of money from his most loyal customer.
“Ahhh! Don’t hesitate to take it. Even if I don’t use it, the money is just left rotting in the bank. Might as well let it do some decent work.” Xiong Da smiled.
“This is too much. I cannot, Xiong Da. I already owe you so much for all the services you’ve provided by me. People are queuing up for you, dying to pay you just a fraction of this amount for you to agree to be their legal representative. Yet, I am using you like nobody’s business!” Jin exclaimed, and Xiong Da laughed.
“And yet you still dare to say it so shamelessly right in front of me!!” Xiong Da continued to laugh before he was serious with the donation.
“Take it. This Shopping District had become one of my fondest memories. If not for you, I would neither be as strong nor as happy as I am currently. You did your part to save the district from the clutches of the evil triads. I can’t just sit and watch you getting punished for something that was burdened upon you. “
“As a regular customer, I am sure you have the vision to make it rise like a phoenix from its ashes. Allow me to provide you with the means. Make it great, Jin. That is all I request! Then perhaps, I can collect that favour back from you by enjoying the dungeons first hand.” Xiong Da insisted with glee on his face.
“Very well. But I am putting this in the Pandamonium Aid page so you can track the accountability of it!” Jin agreed, and Xiong Da approved such an action.
“With this amount of money, it will take some time for the cheque to be processed. The System is willing to forgo the previous condition and allow you to start remodelling the Tiangong Shopping District.” The System said as Jin left his office with a heart unburdened.
“I am not a saint, nor am I a businessman who does not know how to repay his debts. I will use this money to refurbish the Shopping District, but I will also continue on with the plan for the Dungeon Cave. Like you said, we need to diversify a bit, and Kraft’s suggestion was decent.”
“By creating a sort of adventurer camp near the Dungeon Cave, we can take advantage of their economy in there to fuel our workhorses. In the future, I want us to be rich enough to be able to handle such an expense by ourselves.” Jin made a promise to himself as he quietly teleported when he saw no CCTVs around.
———
Without wasting any more time, Jin had already asked Hou Fei for his help to contact a construction company to cordon the whole Tiangong Shopping District while blocking the entrance of the subway station.
There were too many onlookers such as high rise apartments around the district overseeing the rumbles and Jin needed a total enclosure or at least sufficient enough to block the view from most apartments for the dungeon supplier to do its magic.
The construction company was initially curious why they would put up only acoustic construction barriers without the start of any demolition, but a job was a job. The lead administrator tried to persuade Jin to take on their services, but he adamantly declined.
The dungeon supplier excused himself by stating that he did not have the money as off yet. Seeing how their potential client was penniless, they could only grumble for not telling them sooner the moment they received payment for the setting up of the barriers.
———
In the meantime, the Goblin King and Orc King had already sent out the announcements about the Dungeon Cave, a ruin appearing so suddenly right in the middle of both of their borders.
They both claimed in their royal decrees that it was the result of some hidden collaboration by both nations. This became the first successful case of cooperation ever since the inception of their mending relationship after the war.
“A small sized adventurer base camp has been set up near the Dungeon Cave! Our allies, the half masked humanoids have shared with us, that they had similar experiences with these caves, especially from where they came.” The town criers spread the news throughout the Kingdoms.
“They require members of at least two different races to enter the cave after paying some tribute. Those who do not fulfil these criteria are rejected by the Dungeon Cave. Our glorious King and our friendly counterpart have agreed to band powers and money together and try to conquer the Dungeon Cave!”
The Orcs were very excited about this piece of news. Finally, they would have another way to vent their frustration for losing the previous war. If this could itch their crave for a good fight, and with their new King setting the example, they would gladly temporarily join forces with the goblins for the Dungeon Cave.
On the other hand, the goblins were interested in the Dungeon Cave primarily of the relics or items that were hidden inside. They knew that such dungeons would usually have treasures of great value. The goblins did not mind working the Orcs if it helps them to earn some extra cash.
“First few scouting runs indicate that the monsters are pegged to their dungeon floors and rewards are given after the monsters are cleared for that particular floor. A reward chest has magically appear filled with relics, weapons, armours and even fresh food stock.” The town crier continued.
“Both the Kings believed that by running that dungeon, the lives of both goblins and orcs can potentially improve as a whole. The most important thing is that even after one ever gets defeated, you will not die!” The town crier said, and many of the orcs and goblins alike scoffed at the advertising part of the decree.
“More importantly, not only does one come out relatively unscathed depending on your progress, you still get a minor reward! A seemingly unlimited number of people could attempt the dungeon run at the same time.” The town crier added, and many people despite a little sceptical about it, was equally excited by the thrills of earning treasure and weirdly enough, food. Both races also believed that since the Kings were leading them, it should be at least reliable enough to trust.
The news spread fast, and so did the number of adventurers who wished to try their luck with this new and exotic Dungeon Cave. Unknowingly to Jin, some of the humans who had stayed in the goblin towns had also begun to spread such news to their counterparts. (Including the human spies and their diplomats.)
“Gosh, it looks like I underestimated this world’s crave for adventure and dungeon!” Jin exclaimed as he teleported to the site for the adventurer’s base camp upon hearing the System’s review of the situation.
