In a grand chamber illuminated brightly by golden lanterns that could dazzle anyone with their luxurious design, a figure was seated atop a raised throne with a massive jade screen obscuring his appearance.
Two rows of officials flanked the red carpet, murmuring cautiously under the weight of the sovereign’s unseen gaze.
At the moment, there’s another figure kneeling below the throne. A royal messenger, head bowed in deference, presenting a jade scroll.
"Your Majesty," the messenger said respectfully, "I bring urgent news from Left Minister Shen Jinhai."
The man on the throne hummed, revealing a pair of piercing golden eyes. They may not see his entire figure but the aura behind the screen carried a calm yet sheer weight of his presence that could make everyone feel the pressure.
It’s the prestige of His Majesty.
"Oh? Go on. Read his message for me."
His voice was deep and measured wherein each syllable carried an undeniable authority.
The messenger gulped down, carefully choosing his words as he unfurled the scroll.
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The grand chamber fell into an anticipatory silence. The message from Left Minister Shen Jinhai was bound to be significant. After all, he was one of the most trusted officials in the court, and his judgment was rarely questioned.
"Your Majesty, on my way back from my trip to inspect the southwestern region of our kingdom, I was informed by a report regarding the successful defense of our border territory, Fanling City, against the Poison Demon Cult beyond the Abyssal Forest."
"I am writing this to report a most extraordinary discovery during my visit to the said city. A store, one like none I have ever seen before, has emerged within the city. And its existence pivoted the city’s successful defense through its wondrous products."
"Its influence has already stretched far beyond its modest beginnings. It is called the Divine Convenience Store and it is no mere merchant’s shop but a force that may alter the economic and strategic balance of the kingdom…’"
The messenger paused for a moment as he was afraid to continue without checking the faces of the other officials, especially the Right Minister standing in his position or hearing the reaction of the king with that first part of the report.
The officials lining the hall exchanged wary glances. For Shen Jinhai to use such grand words, they knew that it was no exaggeration. He was not a man prone to hyperbole.
The Right Minister meaningfully stroked his beard but didn’t say anything as he knew the king himself would want to hear more of it.
"Continue."
The authoritative voice echoed causing the messenger to quiver slightly before straightening his back and continuing to read on.
Swallowing the pressure, the messenger resumed. "During my inquiry, I observed operatives from Silver Lotus Hall of the Royal Intelligence Division investigating the store under Your Majesty’s decree. To avoid disrupting their mission, I refrained from interacting with them. The store’s owner remains enigmatic, yet its potential cannot be ignored. I urge Your Majesty to consider its implications carefully."
"My decree? Right Minister, enlighten me."
The Right Minister stepped forward and bowed next to the kneeling messenger, "Your Majesty, two days ago, Her Highness, the First Princess, asked for your audience to send her subordinates, the Silver Lotus Hall to this peculiar establishment. I believe she has mentioned Heavenly Dew Soda and Spirit-Infused Potato Chips that she encountered from one merchant who brought the product to the royal capital from the faraway border city."
The moment the Right Minister finished speaking, the chamber fell into a deep silence.
The First Princess.
The officials immediately understood the weight of those words.
The First Princess was not merely a royal by blood; she was a force unto herself. Her influence stretched far beyond the capital, her intelligence and decisiveness making her one of the most formidable figures within the royal family. If she had taken an interest in this store, then it was no small matter.
The King’s golden eyes shone with a trace of clear intrigue.
"Oh? Zhen remembers," He finally spoke, his voice carrying an undercurrent of amusement. "That daughter of mine always has an eye for valuable things."
There was a momentary pause before his tone turned thoughtful. "To think she would move so quickly… and for a merchant’s shop in a border city, no less."
The Right Minister bowed again. "It seems Her Highness sensed something extraordinary about the store’s goods. If I may speculate, her involvement may be more than mere curiosity."
The King tapped his finger lightly against the jade armrest of his throne. "Indeed. The Heavenly Dew Soda she mentioned… the royal court alchemists have been trying to replicate it, have they not?"
"They have, Your Majesty," One of the court officials stepped forward. "Yet even with the finest ingredients, they fail to match its effects. The soda’s restorative properties are unprecedented. The same goes for the Spirit-Infused Chips. The alchemists claim the infusion process is unlike anything they’ve ever seen."
"Hah." The King let out a soft chuckle. "An unknown merchant, selling wares that defy conventional alchemy and crafting methods… and now even Shen Jinhai is convinced of its strategic importance."
"This Divine Convenience Store. It seems it has already made waves within my kingdom. Well then, continue with the report."
The messenger hurriedly nodded and the Right Minister returned to his position.
"I say this in certainty as the products sold within this store are… beyond mortal comprehension. Talismans that surpass even the royal treasury’s best stock, pills that act with the precision of divine elixirs, and artifacts forged with artistry unseen even in the most advanced sects. It is not simply the goods that are astonishing but the way they are sold. They are freely accessible, without the restrictions of sect lineage or noble status, under the flag of ’convenience’.
"The store operates under its own rules and is said to be backed by the legendary divine beings. The Shopkeeper himself is an interesting young man."
A ripple broke through the officials. Some frowned, already sensing the implications of such a place. Others listened intently, waiting for the full report.
The King’s voice echoed again. "The Shopkeeper? What does Minister Shen say of him?"
This time, the messenger summarized the next part of the report as he answered.
"Minister Shen describes him as a man shrouded in mystery but possessing an intellect sharper than any blade and business acumen that rivals the greatest strategists of our time. He further states that this Shopkeeper possibly holds knowledge that should be impossible in our era, introducing inventions and concepts that, should they spread, will forever change how commerce and even cultivation function in this land.’"
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At this, the murmurs grew louder.
One skeptical official dared to ask. "Inventions? What kind of inventions? How can one small, insignificant store change those two fundamental aspects of our world? This must be an exaggeration."
The Right Minister spoke again and then turned to the throne. "The Left Minister is not one to make baseless claims. If he has gone so far as to send an urgent report regarding this so-called Divine Convenience Store, then it warrants our full attention."
The King raised a hand, and silence fell once more.
"Right Minister, summon the First Princess. I wish to hear her thoughts personally."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The Right Minister bowed and swiftly withdrew to order someone to inform the First Princess.
The other officials remained tense, uncertain of how the situation would unfold.
After a moment, the King glanced at the messenger still kneeling.
"Continue, I wish to hear more about the Left Minister’s discovery," He commanded and the messenger obeyed immediately.
—
Back at the Divine Convenience Store, Lin Mo sneezed.
Twice.
Rubbing his nose, he muttered, "Someone must be talking about me."
He shook his head and put it at the back of his head as he confirmed that the store was already closed for the night.
Xiao Ya, now with boundless energy from her cultivation breakthrough, was still humming happily as she organized the counter and Liu Xiaoyu had disappeared to the lounge to prepare their dinner. As for Yangyang, she’s probably still answering a complaint or an absurd suggestion.
"Well then, let’s see how much we made today."
Upon saying that, the familiar chime echoed within the store as the translucent window appeared in the air, showing them the summary of today’s operation and revenue.