Divine Convenience Store

After asking a few more tamer questions, Wei Xian stopped probing. There was only so much he could squeeze from the Shopkeeper.

Nonetheless, he finally understood why there was an assessment that talked about the Shopkeeper's peculiarity. Lin Mo had deftly handled his questions, offering solutions that were practical and even beneficial to the city. It was as if he already had a hand in leadership. It was difficult to gauge if he was simply audacious or exceptionally shrewd.

Little did he know, Lin Mo was simply pulling up knowledge from his world. He might've lived as an ordinary salaryman but he was quite a leader during his university days. But without connection and luck in landing a good company, he could only climb so little on the ladder of the corporate world.

Comparing Earth to the Realm of Nine Heavens, the civilization here was still so backward that it was possible to apply the tried methods from his previous world.

"Shopkeeper, you've given me much to consider. Your proposal to manage your patrons' behavior through bans is quite bold. But it remains to be seen if it will work. I will be watching closely. If your influence falters and chaos ensues, be prepared to be held accountable."

"That is fair, City Lord. Rest assured, the Divine Convenience Store values stability as much as you do. We will do our part to ensure Fanling City remains harmonious."

Seeing Lin Mo remained unwavering, Wei Xian's sharp eyes softened just enough to reveal a glimmer of satisfaction.

"You've made an impression, Shopkeeper. I'll reserve judgment for now. So, do you have anything here that suits me?"

Lin Mo's smile brightened as he gestured toward a nearby shelf filled with premium products.

This was another big fish to catch. If this City Lord became satisfied, he might as well advertise not just to his citizens but also to the entire kingdom they belong to.

Maybe in the future, the store can be expanded enough to open another branch in a different location. But that's still too early to think about. The business is still nothing more than a fledgling.

"Certainly, City Lord. As I've said, we offer convenience first and foremost. Rather than my suggestion, I believe it will be better if you browse our products yourself. Just like the other customers."

Wei Xian raised his brows as he followed Lin Mo's arm.

He stepped away and began walking towards the shelves, his curiosity growing as his eyes captured the array of peculiar items neatly arranged on their shelves and then looked at the other customers excitedly browsing.

With that, he turned and began to browse the shelves, his imposing figure drawing the attention of the other customers.

Liu Xiaoyu, who had been peeking from behind a shelf, whispered to Linn Mo, "Boss, isn't the City Lord suspicious? Won't he ask you to pay taxes?"

Lin Mo smirked, leaning slightly toward her. "Relax, Xiaoyu. I believe he heard about this place being backed by a divine being. He went here to check that out. If he wanted to tax them, he would've brought it up from the start. Maybe he'd think of a way to do it later but for now, he's nothing more than a curious customer."

Liu Xiaoyu looked at his boss in a new light and thought, 'Is he always this… intelligent?'

Meanwhile, Wei Xian swept over the shelves as his feet brought him near them. His gaze lingered on the snacks and beauty products with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

Finally, he stopped in front of a shelf displaying the Spicy Taihao Noodles. Picking up a box, he turned it over in his hands, examining it closely.

"Shopkeeper," he called, his voice carrying across the store. "This… 'Spicy Taihao Noodles.' What exactly makes it worth 3 low-grade spirit stones?"

Lin Mo's ears perked up. Will he be another customer hooked by the instant noodles?

He stepped out from behind the counter and answered, "City Lord Wei, the Spicy Taihao Noodles is an easy-to-prepare special meal. Not to mention, its taste is savory enough to hook the Emissary of the Verdant Sky Pavilion,"

Wei Xian raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Huh? How can someone as sophisticated as that woman get hooked on something as simple as this? Sounds like an exaggeration."

Lin Mo's inwardly grinned. 'Go on, doubt it. But even if you're the City Lord, you're still someone who hasn't tasted the modern artificial flavoring yet.'

He had already confirmed it through Xiaoyu. The food in this realm was often lacking in flavor. Only those who can afford to hire someone who walks the Dao of Cooking can taste a savory meal. But even then, Liu Xiaoyu attested that even the riceballs we were eating during their meals tasted better than spirit grains.

"City Lord, perhaps you'd like to try a sample? I'm confident the noodles will speak for themselves."

Wei Xian's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Lin Mo wondered if he'd overstepped.

But then the City Lord chuckled, "Alright, let's see if these noodles are as extraordinary as you claim."

Liu Xiaoyu, who had been eavesdropping, immediately sprang into action, darting to the noodle section and grabbing a single pack. "I'll prepare it for you, City Lord! Just give me a moment!"

Wei Xian watched her go, his expression softening slightly. "Your assistant is… enthusiastic."

"She's the heart of this store," Lin Mo replied with a grin. "And quite the connoisseur when it comes to snacks."

Minutes later, Liu Xiaoyu returned with a steaming bowl of noodles, the rich aroma wafting through the store. She placed it on the counter with a flourish, beaming proudly. "Here you go, City Lord! The Spicy Taihao Noodles, ready to impress!"

Wei Xian eyed the bowl skeptically before picking up the chopsticks and taking a cautious bite.

The moment the noodles touched his tongue, his eyes widened slightly. The flavor was bold and complex, a perfect balance of heat and umami. As he swallowed, he felt a faint surge of energy, a subtle but undeniable boost to his vitality.

Wei Xian set the chopsticks down, his expression carefully neutral as he regarded the bowl. For a moment, Lin Mo thought he might dismiss it entirely. But then the City Lord reached for the chopsticks again, taking another, larger bite.

"H-how is this possible? This rich flavor is compressed from that small packet?" Wei Xian admitted, his tone grudgingly appreciative. "And there's a hint of spiritual energy infused into the broth."

Lin Mo's professional smile broadened, but inwardly he was celebrating. Another convert to the power of instant noodles.

"I'm glad it meets your approval, City Lord. It's a popular item for a reason. Convenient, delicious, and with a touch of spiritual enhancement. Perfect for cultivators on the go."

Wei Xian nodded, setting the bowl down with a faint smile, looking like a tamed bear, "Indeed. Its price is justified. But what about your other items? I heard you adjusted your prices recently. Isn't it due to selling your products at an expensive rate?

"Regarding that, City Lord, It is because we're still testing the waters from the past few days. If you wish to know more. Please refer to the hotline, someone will patiently explain it to you."

Upon saying that, he pointed to the poster. And once again, the imposing figure of the City Lord bounded over there, his face switching between different expressions.

Lin Mo and Liu Xiaoyu watched him from the side, whispering to themselves.

"Boss, you found a great use of that hotline. But I'm curious. Who's behind it?"

"I don't know. I haven't tried checking yet but whoever they are, I'll give them a thumbs up. They're extremely helpful. You know what? I should've referred him to the hotline from the start. In the end, even someone like a City Lord is nothing but a customer to us." Lin Mo shook his head before ringing up the next customer.