Divine Convenience Store

Night had already fallen when Luhan and his fellow Poison-bearers were released by the City Guards. Just like what Lin Mo said to them, they only needed to tell them what they told him.

Nonetheless, despite being released, they noticed that they were being followed on their way back to where they were currently staying.

His two companions couldn't help but feel uneasy as they walked through the dimly lit streets of Fanling City.

The presence of their unseen watchers was like a boulder hanging above their heads making every step feel like they were treading on thin ice.

"Luhan… they're still following us," One of his companions, Jiao, whispered nervously. His voice was barely audible over the distant chatter of the city's night market.

"I know," Luhan replied, "Don't panic. If they wanted to arrest or kill us, they would've done so already."

The third member of their group, Sheng, swallowed his spit. "Then why are they still watching? What if they're waiting for us to lead them back to our hideout and then kill us there?"

Luhan shook his head. "No. If that were the case, they wouldn't have let us go in the first place. They're just making sure we don't do anything suspicious."

"Suspicious? We're already suspicious!" Jiao hissed under his breath.

Luhan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Think about it. We were caught, yet the Shopkeeper didn't hand us over for execution. Instead, he convinced the City Lord to let us go. That means they don't see us as a direct threat. At least, not yet. As long as we act normal and follow the plan, they'll eventually ease up."

Having decided to follow the Shopkeeper and reach for the hope he dangled in front of them, Luhan had already all-inned on this gamble.

Still, his companions needed more convincing. Or in better words, show that their value would never amount to anything other than pawns in the cult.

"And if they don't?"

"Then we're already dead men walking," Luhan said bluntly. "But if we play along, there's a chance we might actually get out of this alive. Don't we all dream of it? If we're successful, we can stay here. Work for that Shopkeeper and have a fill of those delightful selections of snacks."

That shut them up. The reality of their situation was grim, but Luhan had a point and the enticement of the store's offerings was too much to bear. Their only option now was to follow the Shopkeeper's plan and hope for the best.

They reached their small rented house in the slums of Fanling City, a run-down shack barely big enough for the three of them. It was a temporary hideout, meant to be abandoned the moment they received orders to return to the cult.

Jiao peeked through the window before closing the wooden shutters. "I don't see them anymore."

"They won't tail us inside," Luhan said as he sat down on the creaky wooden floor. "They're just keeping tabs from a distance. We'll still be watched, but as long as we don't try to run or make contact with the cult in secret, they won't interfere."

Sheng let out a shaky breath and sat down beside him. "Alright… so what now?"

"Now, we wait," Luhan said. "The Acolyte will contact us soon. We'll tell him exactly what we agreed upon—no more, no less."

Jiao looked uneasy. "And if he gets suspicious?"

Luhan gave a confident smile. Something he hadn't done after all these years, "Leave it to me. You two just need to watch and follow my cues."

—

The three didn't have to wait long.

As the moon climbed higher, a faint scuttling sound echoed through their cramped space. The three of them tensed as they saw the source. The Acidfang Spider. Its sharp legs clicked softly against the wooden floor as it emerged from the shadows.

Luhan's stomach churned at the sight of it. These creatures were the cult's primary means of communication. Each was linked to an Acolyte or Priest, allowing them to relay messages over long distances. But their appetite was horrendous. They're carnivores that could melt flesh and bones for their consumption. Many Poison-bearers had gotten the fate of being fed to them.

The spider stopped in the center of the room and raised its grotesque head. A moment later, a chilling voice echoed into their minds.

"Report."

It was the Acolyte's voice, cold and emotionless as ever.
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Luhan steadied his breath and started, "We've been caught."

A brief silence followed. Then, the voice returned with a sharper tone. "Explain."

"The Divine Convenience Store is unordinary, esteemed Acolyte. The moment we entered today, we were exposed. The Shopkeeper and his assistant knew we were cult members immediately. We were captured and interrogated."

The spider twitched as if conveying the Acolyte's irritation. "And yet, you are still alive."

Luhan nodded. "Yes. The Shopkeeper didn't kill us. Didn't hand us to any authority. We were possibly followed but they wouldn't act."

Another silence, most likely trying to decipher the reasoning of the Shopkeeper's actions.

"Why?"

Luhan hesitated, then carefully chose his words. "The Shopkeeper… he's strange. He doesn't care about the cult or our origins. He only cares about running his store. He even said he welcomes all customers. No matter their background."

The Acolyte's voice darkened. "Hmph. A fool, then. I'll feed him to the spiders when we take over that store."

Luhan shook his head. "No, esteemed Acolyte. He's dangerous. Not because he's an enemy, but because he doesn't act like one. He doesn't see us as threats. He sees us as potential customers. He's trying to lure us in, not with force, but with his products."

The spider's many eyes gleamed in the dim light. "Enough. He's still a fool with that mindset. And what of the samples? Did you acquire more?"

Luhan grimaced. "No. We ran out of funds. We were supposed to trade for store credit, but after being exposed, we couldn't risk drawing more attention. There are many cultivators from the sects present back then."

The spider twitched again as the Acolyte's irritation became more noticeable. His voice became more grating, "You expect me to return to the High Priest with nothing?"

"We can still gather information. The Shopkeeper didn't ban us. We can continue observing, listening, and reporting. But if we want more samples, we need spirit stones to buy, esteemed Acolyte. Our cover jobs here are mortal workers, we cannot earn spirit stones."

The Acolyte was silent for a long moment.

Then, finally, "Understood. Remain in position. Do not act without orders. And since you've been exposed, don't come out for a few days. That Shopkeeper might be trapping you. I will see what can be arranged though. You really have to procure those samples or else…"

Leaving a threat that hinted at how they were also in danger if the High Priest's desires weren't satisfied, the connection severed, and the Acidfang Spider scuttled back into the shadows, disappearing as swiftly as it had come.

The three Poison-bearers let out shaky breaths.

"That… could've gone worse," Jiao muttered, wiping the sweat that accumulated on his forehead. Even though he didn't say anything, he could feel the intense pressure.

Sheng did the same and looked on with gratitude to Luhan for being the most courageous among them. "We're still alive. That's all that matters."

Luhan nodded. "Yeah. We survived another day."

He slumped down on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. The plan was in motion, but the real challenge was yet to come.

Would the High Priest take the bait?

Would the cult truly send spirit stones just to buy from the store?

And more importantly…

Would the Divine Convenience Store really be able to convert a follower of a Chaotic Deity?

Luhan didn't know.

But for the first time since joining the cult, he felt something he hadn't in a long time.

Hope and… pleasure.

Before long the three pulled out something hidden underneath the floorboards, packs of Spicy Taihao Noodles, and some warm Heavenly Dew Soda.

They're eating well tonight.