Chapter 96: Investigation

Everything, if prepared in advance, will succeed; if not prepared, will fail.

Slapping one's head, getting hot-headed, doing things without a plan—unless luck is on one's side, eight or nine times out of ten it ends in failure.

Lin Ke firmed up his idea and began drafting a research plan.

Generally, research has nine commonly used methods: field observation, interviews, questionnaires, meetings, seeking expert predictions, sampling, typical cases, statistics, and literature.

This afternoon's spot-check investigation belongs to field observation, yielding direct, vivid, and reliable firsthand data.

But what is observed is often the surface phenomenon or external connection of things, carrying a certain randomness and being greatly influenced by the investigator's subjective factors, making it unsuitable for large-sample surveys.

Lin Ke certainly needs to combine several other survey methods to obtain a highly credible research result and form a meticulous, thorough research report.

After several rounds of consideration, Lin Ke decided to set the research subjects into two categories, naming one market-available fragrance and the other store-specific fragrance.

For market-available fragrance, one can first approach through literature survey and statistical survey methods to obtain a phased result, then consider how to refine it;

For store-specific fragrance, especially the signature fragrance of the Lukia Family Pharmacy, Lin Ke plans to hire some people to conduct field observation, typical investigation, etc.

Where would the investigative manpower be hired from?

Naturally, it's the xc District!

Although that's how they're divided, in concrete operation they can be carried out together.

After careful consideration, Lin Ke took action.

He first pulled out all the relevant materials he could find in the East District Library.

Although records concerning pharmacy in the East District, especially those related to fragrance, are few, it's not a total loss.

At least Lin Ke learned which administrative agency to approach for cargo import-export records.

He recorded each useful piece of information, and seeing the sky draw near dusk, Lin Ke ended the information search and returned to the pharmacy to pick up Mo Li after work.

On the way back to the Academy by rail transit.

Mo Li hesitated several times before speaking: "Lin Ke, this afternoon you weren't in the shop, and Ala Wizard said some nasty things about you."

"What nasty things?"

Lin Ke knew Mo Li wasn't the type to enjoy gossiping behind people's backs; bringing up the topic like this surely had a reason, so he took up the cue.

"She said, she said..."

Mo Li weighed her words, hesitating as she said, "She said you are an extremely cold-hearted person to the bone; having just seen Antoine Hilton die in the arena last night, and then personally killing Lifusi Fulansi, today you act as if nothing happened, as if nothing could move your heart."

c〇

Lin Ke remained silent.

Ala Wizard's assessment was spot-on, hitting the nail on the head.

Even though he was striving to integrate into the wizard world, Lin Ke still felt a strong sense of detachment.

It was like playing an immersive virtual game with a first-person perspective, where all senses felt real and nothing differed from the real world.

But there is always a voice reminding the player, "You are not a person of this world!"

Therefore, regarding Enrique Bernalis, Harold Andrews, and Lifusi Fulansi, whom he killed with his own hands, and Antoine Hilton, whom he saw die before his eyes, Lin Ke, aside from some inner moral turmoil, paid no attention to anything else.

It seemed as if those were not human lives.

He displayed extreme cold-bloodedness.

Lin Ke thought for a moment, then smiled and comforted, "Mouths grow on people themselves; let her say whatever she likes."

"But..."

Mo Li raised her tone slightly, a bit anxious, "But Sallya Wizard, Tina Wizard, and even Serin Wizard heard it, and it will affect your impression in their hearts."

Lin Ke laughed, "I don't live for others' impressions; I don't need to worry about these."

To divert Mo Li's attention, Lin Ke switched the topic: "Right, I went out this afternoon to investigate a bit; your idea from last night really has a slight chance of being realized."

"Really?"

Mo Li knew Lin Ke was changing the subject, yet she did her best to go along.

She knew Lin Ke didn't want her to dwell on this, so she took up the thread and asked, "Then what can I do?"

There's plenty Mo Li can do in this matter.

Gathering literature, organizing data, seeking research materials and development directions, launching R&D, and so on and so forth.

Mo Li is already a fairly competent assistant, and she still has the potential to stand on her own.

Returning to the Academy, after filling their stomachs at the cafeteria, Lin Ke and Mo Li headed straight for the library.

Whether it's books in the library or materials in the advanced literature archive, anything related to fragrance was gathered up.

After a rough browse, useful items were kept, useless ones discarded.

The next day.

Lin Ke and Mo Li went to work as usual.

The only difference from the previous two weeks was that Lin Ke deliberately recorded the categories, effects, prices, etc., of the women's fragrances sold in the shop.

This action was noticed by Serin Wizard.

She knew just how high Lin Ke's talent in botany and potion-making was, and instantly realized he had again gained inspiration and direction for R&D.

Without hesitation, Serin Wizard immediately beckoned Lin Ke over and asked bluntly, "Are you interested in women's fragrances?"

"Yes."

Lin Ke candidly replied, "Earlier, developing Lixuan grass essential oil ran into trouble; midway I considered switching to fragrance, gaining some understanding. Yesterday afternoon, strolling through the East and South Districts, I noticed several large pharmacies briskly selling women's fragrances, which sparked the idea of making one or several fragrances."

"The main function of fragrance is to calm, soothe, and ease the mind; women indeed often use it in daily life."

Serin Wizard nodded in approval, "The market for this is indeed worth developing, and our shop's selection of women's fragrances is indeed somewhat lacking."

After a pause, Serin Wizard asked, "How do you plan to proceed—develop it alone, or continue collaborative development?"

Serin Wizard asked this not because she coveted the profits from women's fragrances, but because she needed to provide different support based on Lin Ke's choice.

Paro Wizard sends the talented individuals she approves of here to work part-time—is it really just a part-time job?

This is cultivation!

Ordinary wizard apprentices don't get the chance to start practicing potionology and alchemy potionology a year or two early.

Lin Ke firmly replied: "I plan to first develop it myself; if I encounter an unsolvable obstacle midway, I will then ask Witch Selin for help."

That works too.

Witch Selin greatly approves of this approach.

The previous "co-development" model of Lixuan grass essential oil was a special case.

At that time, Witch Paro made two preparations.

If Antoine Hilton doesn't dare to face the challenge from Lifusi Fulansi, then Linke Grand will be sent out.

That's why Linke Grand was given a chance to obtain a large sum of Magic Stones in a short time.

This time, let's get the research back on track.

Lin Ke couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

This is a carefully prepared probe.

To tally the ladies' fragrances on sale in the shop, any time period will do.

Why specifically choose a morning when other staff are absent but Witch Selin can notice?

It's precisely to draw Witch Selin's attention.

The conversation that followed to draw attention seems simple, but actually contains much meaning.

Lin Ke confirmed from Witch Selin's reply that Witch Paro will not have anything similar to what happened the previous night anytime soon, and that Lin Ke needs to do it.

The promise of two manageable tasks given in exchange for six months of lab usage has been settled.

Witch Paro keeps her word!

Why have this probe?

After all, regardless of whether Lin Ke admits it, the deranged Lifusi Fulansi has already planted a thorn in his heart.

That thorn is called "distrust," or "suspicion."

At that point, having lost most of his sanity and acting mostly on instinct, Lifusi Fulansi knew he had no chance whatsoever of retaliating against Witch Paro.

The shadowy figure who controls the Newblood Mutual Aid Society, holding a fishing rod, uses bait to catch fools like him and Antoine Hilton.

Like a drowning person seeing a lifeline, he placed all his hopes on Linke Grand, who appears extraordinarily talented in every way.

To bury that thorn deeper, Lifusi Fulansi spared no expense of his soon-to-wither life.

Mere words—nothing compares to a bloody death for leaving a deep impression!

Anyway, he's doomed to die.

What if that thorn takes effect in the distant future?

Then we'd strike it rich!

Reassured, Lin Ke began to advance the research progress in an orderly manner.

After finishing the pretreatment of plants and herbs in the morning and having lunch, Lin Ke asked Witch Selin for a letter of introduction to borrow data, then headed to the Central City District.

Among the many management agencies in Ruiwosuosi City, there is one that is very inconspicuous yet highly important.

That is the Goods Import and Export Management Bureau.

Goods entering and exiting Ruiwosuosi City via the airport and freight train station, regardless of category, must have all entry and exit tallies aggregated to the Goods Import and Export Management Bureau for archival and review.

Even the West District black market follows this, except for genuine contraband whose leakage would bring deadly retribution.

Without Witch Selin's letter of introduction, if Lin Ke dared to come asking for recent years' data on ladies' fragrance imports and exports, he would definitely be seized by intelligent law enforcement puppets.

But with this letter of introduction, Lin Ke easily obtained the data he wanted.

Afterward, without time to analyze the data, Lin Ke went from the South District into the West District.

Without venturing deep into the West District, Lin Ke loitered around its outskirts, hoping to find some easy-to-control thugs to work for him.

Lin Ke's luck has always been good; he actually caught those five street thugs from before.

"Come over."

Lin Ke waved at the thugs who, upon seeing him, wanted to turn and flee.

The awakened fear made the thugs dare not defy Lin Ke's will, even though they were in the outskirts of the West District, not as chaotic as the interior.

"Big… big brother, is there… something?"

The thug leader, hunched over with his neck half-retracted, voice trembling, asked timidly:

Lin Ke glanced and knew what the thugs feared.

He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, gave a refined smile, and spoke gently: "Don't worry, I have good news for you."

As his words fell, the thugs grew even more afraid.

"Big brother, you said last time you meant no harm, yet you scared us half to death without explanation and even got us to help you kill someone."

"Now you say there's good news—doesn't that mean you want a massive slaughter?"

"We're just useless street thugs; please spare us."

The thug leader's inner thoughts were rich, yet his reply was straight from the heart: "Big brother, just tell us what you need."

"This is the deposit; there will be another upon completion."

Lin Ke, without a word, pulled out a bag holding ten standard first-grade Magic Stones, shoved it into the thug leader's hand, and said seriously: "I need to know the types, quantities, effects, prices, and approximate monthly sales of each specialty ladies' fragrance sold by every apothecary in the East District. You have three days—can you do it?"

He paused, then emphasized: "Remember, it's the specialty ladies' fragrance each apothecary makes themselves!"

The thugs, especially the leader, exhaled a long breath after hearing that.

As long as it's not killing, it's fine.

Last time's incident had them anxious for a while.

Although during that period their lives went fairly smoothly.

Not only did he take ten magic stones from Lin Ke's hand, but he also scavenged a lot of loot from the corpses and sold many magic stones.

This time it's just gathering information, a piece of cake, no problem at all.

The gang leader clenched the bag holding the magic stones and asked, "Big brother, we've tallied the data—how should we hand it over to you?"

"East District, Selin Witch Pharmacy."

It's not like two weeks ago; Lin Ke isn't afraid to reveal some of his information, and he said frankly, "Just organize and copy the data, then come find me here."

Then we'll head back to prepare?

The gang leader probed, asking.

"Go ahead."

Lin Ke waved his hand, watched the gang members turn back into the western district, and he also returned to the eastern district.

Since there's now a new project and Selin Witch has also given new support, borrowing space from the pharmacy is quite reasonable.

Returning to the pharmacy, he entered Operation Room A.

Lin Ke pulled out his portable smart brain and carefully analyzed the data he had "copied" from the Import/Export Administration.

Especially the procurement data for the ladies' fragrances from the Lukia Family's pharmacy.

From the data it can be seen that the mainstream market fragrances mainly operated by the major pharmacies in the four districts share a common trait: they are practical-oriented.

However, Lin Ke didn't jump to conclusions, nor did he rush to set the fragrance development direction.

He then turned to reading the fragrance-related materials and documents downloaded from the Advanced Archives.

By evening, Mo Li got off work, and they returned together to the academy.

After a simple dinner, the two went into the lab to prepare for formal development.

Afterward, two days passed peacefully.

The gang members clearly took Lin Ke's instructions to heart; before noon on the third day, they sent the collected data to Selin Witch Pharmacy.

Lin Ke readily paid another ten standard-grade magic stones.

One must keep one's word; if you promise to give something after success, you give it.

The gang members left happily.

After looking at the data, Lin Ke felt an unexpected joy as well as a sense of urgency.

The Lukia Family Pharmacy is preparing to hold a new product launch for potions soon, which includes a new fragrance line.

The opportunity for a strike has arisen, and the target has been identified.

The question is whether Lin Ke and Mo Li can develop a high-quality fragrance product in time to compete with the Lukia Family Pharmacy's new fragrance offering.

Moreover, the question is whether they can win.

Lin Ke thought it over and felt they still needed to compete through differentiation.

Perhaps, not overly practical, while ensuring the effect is not weaker than other fragrances, they could highlight the scent and focus on charm?

To make money from women, one must consider reputation and beauty.

A big shot recommends a book:

《One Lifetime's Sovereign: Gu Changsheng》

Taking one lifetime as the main focus and myriad worlds as supplementary, it witnesses various famous scenes, fast-paced, not draggy; interested friends can go check it out.

(End of chapter)