Divine Convenience Store

Luo Ming felt like he was in a haze. One moment he was furious and in the next, he was handing the spatial pouch containing the spirit stones to the Shopkeeper.

"Your total is 495 intermediate-grade spirit stones. I received 50 high-grade spirit stones. Here is your change, 5 intermediate-grade spirit stones. Thank you for your purchase, dear customer! Please come again!" With a wide grin on his lips, Lin Mo handed over the neatly wrapped bag filled with various products. Luo Ming, still dazed, accepted it without complaint.

As soon as the pouch touched his hand, the realization of what had just happened struck him like a bolt of lightning.

'What the hell just happened?'

He had entered the store with the intent to gather information, maybe even subtly intimidate the Shopkeeper. Yet, somehow, in the span of a few minutes, he had not only failed to get a single satisfying answer but had also been talked into making an expensive purchase!

His grip tightened around the bag as he took a deep breath, scanning the items he bought and forcing himself to calm down. No use making a scene, especially in a place where logic seemed to work differently.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo, still wore the same professional yet eerily knowing smile, as if he was fully aware of the turmoil in Luo Ming's mind.

"Would you like a receipt with that?" He asked with a subtle sarcasm in his voice.

Luo Ming took another deep breath before shaking his head. "No. That won't be necessary."

Then, with slow, measured steps, he turned around, his face composed once more. The three Poison-bearers who had accompanied him waited anxiously by the entrance, their expressions torn between relief and confusion. They had expected a confrontation, maybe even a battle, yet here was their superior, walking out with a bag of purchases as if he had simply run errands for the sect.

As they stepped outside the store, Luo Ming could feel the shift in the atmosphere. He could sense his boiling rage from being talked down bubbling up but one glance back into the store and his rage became like a bull that had been tamed.

He clenched his fist around the now-empty spatial pouch, suppressing his irritation. He had to report back to the High Priest, but what would he even say?

That the Divine Convenience Store was an enigma? That its keeper was neither hostile nor afraid, yet somehow held an invisible power that made even him, a trusted agent of the Poison Demon Cult, lower his head without realizing it? That despite his training and devotion, he had somehow been led into making a purchase he never intended?

It was absurd.

And yet, it had happened.

No. Luo Ming thought.

He's not thinking clearly. Did he not complete the task given to him by the High Priest? He infiltrated the store as a customer and bought the samples. He may have bought more than he has to but he can tell each item is genuine.

Now, if the Acolytes and Priests show up in the battle with the store's products, won't the Neutral and Righteous Faction turn their swords at the store for playing both sides?

Arriving at this thought, Luo Ming began chuckling inwardly. He turned around and gave the cursed establishment one more glance before walking away with the products he bought.

Cater to everyone? That will be your downfall!

"Sir... what do we do now?" Luhan finally spoke as he and his fellow Poison-bearers lumbered behind him. He was hesitant as he observed the young man's brooding expression.

Luo Ming exhaled sharply, composing himself. "I will return to the cult with these samples. Remain on standby and observe the store.

The three nodded before they looked at each other.

When Luo Ming appeared before them earlier, they thought they had been caught changing sides. However, the reality was a pleasant surprise. They even witnessed how the Shopkeeper easily played the Priest as a fool, making him empty his pouch for store products.
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If such a high-ranking Priest could be dealt with easily by the Shopkeeper like that, wouldn't it be the same for the High Priest? The day of regaining their freedom is already on the horizon!

—

[Daily Tasks]

[Earn 30 high-grade spirit stones in a single transaction: 1/2]

[Sell any bundle: 23/50]

[Repeat customers: 11/15]

While watching the Priest he managed to dupe into forking out a huge amount of spirit stones for pretty much everything the store has to offer, Lin Mo stared at the system window showing the Daily Task's progress.

Behind him, Yangyang who kind of got invested in how he dealt with that customer was peeking at the system screen, slightly in awe at what she witnessed. "Shopkeeper Lin, you're incredible. Almost feel bad for the guy."

Lin Mo chuckled, crossing his arms. "Almost. But hey, a customer is a customer. He walked in willingly and paid without a fight. Can't blame me if my sales pitch is just that good. Too bad, he only brought that much with him, otherwise, I'd push more expensive items. No one can delay our advancement to the next tier tomorrow."

"Aren't you worried that he can use this against you, right? Selling to both sides of a conflict is..."

"... what a clever merchant does." Lin Mo finished her sentence, "Miss Yangyang. If our other customers complained about our products appearing in the hands of the cultists, we will simply use the same argument. Everyone is a customer."

"Still, you're taking an unnecessary risk. This can cause more lives to be taken. Furthermore, the City Lord and the other forces should be aware of you letting the Poison-bearers go… They will come to demand an explanation from you."

"Miss Yangyang, you're our customer service representative. It'll be your job to receive their complaints, no?" Lin Mo smirked.

The bespectacled functionary puffed up her cheeks, "That's right! Y-you… Unbelievable, Shopkeeper! You're dumping it on me?"

Lin Mo laughed, clearly amused by Yangyang's indignant reaction.

"Of course, who better to handle customer complaints than our customer service expert?"

Yangyang adjusted her glasses with a huff. Nonetheless, there was no real anger behind it, in fact, she was more intrigued by how Lin Mo's mind works. It's like he fully fitted himself into his role of this unscrupulous merchant who'd do anything for profit.

"I swear, Shopkeeper, you get away with too much."

"I apologize. Miss Yangyang. This is merely a process. The fact that the High Priest sent someone like him here was a sign that our store had made an indelible mark on his head.

Yangyang sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. But if this escalates into something beyond my control, I'm dragging you into it."

"Duly noted." Lin Mo said as he watched Yangyang return inside.

With his eyes narrowing to a slit, he murmured to himself, "If that High Priest is smart enough, he has to know when to back down after confirming the effectiveness of the store's products. Insisting on attacking this region and potentially hurting the store's interests will lead to us siding on this side. After all, we're profiting more from having these forces as our patrons."

Shortly after, the energetic figure of Liu Xiaoyu reappeared in the store followed by the meek young girl who looked like he had just been fed with a mushroom that strengthened her will.

"Boss, we've returned! I brought back our new employee! Xiao Ya, greet our boss, Lin Mo!" Liu Xiaoyu exclaimed.

Lin Mo's eyes focused on the girl and noticed the sign of struggle in Xiaoyu's uniform.

"Mhm. Welcome back. Did you run into the cult's forces outside the walls?"

"Oh? This? No. I tested Xiao Ya's bloodline physique. Boss, you won't believe it!" Liu Xiaoyu raised both hands excitedly as she half-dragged Xiao Ya toward the counter.

The young girl, still looking overwhelmed, hesitated before clasping her hands and bowing deeply.

"B-boss Lin," She said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for the opportunity."

Lin Mo rested his chin on one hand and smiled, "No need to be so formal. Xiaoyu didn't force you, did she?"

Xiao Ya shook her head quickly, "N-no. Miss Assistant explained to me what might happen. And I… I believe it'll be more beneficial to come here than to join a sect to help me. I'll do my best to learn, Boss Lin!

Liu Xiaoyu couldn't contain herself anymore as she hopped like a rabbit, bouncing behind the girl. "Boss, listen to this! I tested Xiao Ya's bloodline just in case, and guess what? She has the Golden Lotus Constitution!"