Chapter 284: The Newspaper Office

"The Burt Building, headquarters of Burt Textile Company, a very old twenty-story building, but its appreciation prospects are still quite good. It's located right at the end of Commercial Street. And Atlanta's commercial center is shifting eastward."

Karl quickly discerned Li Mochen's intention: "You're planning to buy it and build a flagship store for Rising Sun Company, right? If so, it could save quite a bit on taxes. But it would require a lot of investment in renovations—it's too old as an office building."

"I'm hesitating. If I really go ahead with a flagship store, it might get very busy."

Li Mochen indeed had such an intention, and the Burt Building, located almost in the city center, was quite suitable.

It must be mentioned here that after the great success of the first step, Kadirun Jebson's ambition grew rapidly. He planned to increase the number of stores to fifty-six in the next three months, covering all of Atlanta and surrounding cities.

Considering the need for personnel training and maintaining reputation, this was already the maximum expansion speed for Rising Sun Company. Going faster would affect the service quality of the stores.

But even if Li Mochen bought all these stores, it would probably cost less than 120 million gold shields, so the Burt Building also came into his view. It was not only suitable as a flagship store for Rising Sun Company in Atlanta but also for opening a department store.

Then he also planned to use this part of the assets as collateral for loans, continuing to hoard suitable storefronts in major cities throughout Georgia, as well as neighboring states like New Manchester (fictional), Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and coastal cities like Portland, Boston, New Haven, and Manhattan, as support for the next phase of Rising Sun Company's expansion.

Li Mochen had some understanding of real estate and knew that due to the economic crisis caused by 'Black Monday' three years ago, real estate prices across America were at a low point, generally less than 45% of their value three years ago.

Buying those storefronts at this time would save the company rent equivalent to 1.4 to 1.8 times the bank interest. Although this approach would affect the pace of store expansion, it would lay a foundation and stockpile ammunition for future competition with peers.

Li Mochen was also optimistic about the future of real estate. As the American economy recovered, this investment would surely yield huge returns.

But Li Mochen also realized that if he really intended to do this, the affairs at Rising Sun Company would inevitably become busier, and he estimated that he would hardly have any free time in the next month or two.

"Then you really are busy."

Karl sighed. He knew that Li Mochen indeed had many matters on his hands. The guy was also a magic energy professional and a fighting star, needing to spend a lot of time on training.

"So, can you spare some time to pay attention to Claude Antel in Macon and St. Macon High School?"

"Macon? Another new opponent, right? Does this person have the strength to defeat me?"

Li Mochen knew that Macon was a major city in Georgia, located southeast of Atlanta.

"No, only a monster can defeat a monster—that's the recognized rule in the industry. And this Claude doesn't have that kind of strength yet."

Karl shook his head: "But he is a paladin, and a blessed one favored by the Lord of Radiance, mastering three types of sanctified divine arts. So their goal is not to snipe you in the individual competition, but in the cold weapon team competition. They plan to send you packing in the Georgia Top Sixteen match two months from now."

"Team?" Li Mochen's eyes narrowed slightly: "Is St. Macon High's team strength really that strong?"

Karl shook his head: "It's definitely not as strong as Linden Academy. Your academy, including you, has four seventh-level professionals. I predict that by then, Louise Linden and Lina will likely have reached eighth level. But A-Mo, do you know about Divine Grant Martial Arts?"

"I've read about it in books."

Li Mochen fell into thought: "The name sounds nice, but in essence, it's about making sacrifices to gods, even evil gods, to gain knowledge and power. However, the offerings required are far greater than ordinary sacrifices, though the consequences are much smaller."

"But this time, several large groups have joined forces. Including major sports brands like Arcadis, Saber-Tooth, and Kaffia. They will stop at nothing to suppress your momentum. The team competition is a good direction, after all, in America, team cold weapon combat still has the most viewers. If Linden Academy loses in the Georgia team competition, it will also affect the perception of some of your fans. So the company hopes you will put more effort into this—"

Just as Karl said this, he received a call on his mobile phone. It was from his superior, Dwight Payton. He didn't bother to keep it from Li Mochen, so the latter caught fragments like 'publisher,' 'comic,' 'crap,' and Karl occasionally showed a sneer. Of course, he didn't make a sound; he wouldn't dare let his boss notice.

After Karl hung up, Li Mochen pressed for details: "What's going on? Sounds like it's related to my comic?"

"Mr. Payton saw your comic a few days ago and thought it had great potential, so he wanted to help you promote it. But he hit a wall with the president of Ferguson Cultural Media Company. They were willing to publish it, but the terms weren't much better—they demanded a complete overhaul of the artwork and a change in style. You know Mr. Payton; he's very stubborn and headstrong. After being humiliated by that Mandywin Ferguson, he's been obsessed with marketing your work these past few days."

When Karl said this, his face was full of strange amusement: "Unfortunately, all failed. Until today, he finally found a suitable publisher. But Mr. Payton asked me to suggest that you simply buy it out and publish it yourself."

At this point, Karl's tone gradually became serious: "Their publishing qualifications and channels are quite complete, at least covering the entire state of Georgia. Additionally, they own the 'Atlanta Labor News,' which covers the Atlanta metropolitan area with an annual subscription of seventy-three thousand copies, mainly concentrated in the southern suburbs of Atlanta. The current owner, due to difficulties in his family business, intends to sell this publishing house. The price is quite reasonable—just seven million gold shields, though you'll also have to assume the publisher's four million gold shield debt."

Li Mochen was visibly moved. He understood the significance of a media outlet. It meant influence over public opinion and the power to interfere in Atlanta's political scene.

Seventy-three thousand subscriptions might seem small, but due to the concentration of readers, it could affect the constituencies of three to five city council members.

"Also, Mr. Payton told you to beware of the Fenrir Wolf."

"Why?"

"The Fenrir Hunt has been crippled. Recently, several major powers have struck against them, and more than half of their three thousand members have been scattered. However, the Fenrir Wolf and his most capable subordinates have returned to the Bright World through special channels. So far, no one has found any trace of him. Mr. Payton estimates they are probably planning some major operation."

Karl's expression was relaxed: "I guess he probably won't come after you, since his main enemies now are those who drove him to the brink. But we can't be too careful—"

As Li Mochen heard this, he suddenly felt a slight disturbance from the 'Divine Sky Spirit Fortune Purple Gold Pagoda' behind him.

His expression turned strange. His 'Divine Sky Spirit Fortune Purple Gold Pagoda' was giving a warning, but the reaction was very mild. It didn't seem like a life-threatening danger.