Divine Convenience Store

Chapter 2: Trouble Already?

The man's cold eyes swept across the store, pausing briefly on Lin Mo and Liu Xiaoyu before settling on a shelf of glowing talismans. Without a word, he strode forward, his footsteps echoing in the unnervingly silent store.

Liu Xiaoyu took an instinctive step back, her earlier bravado faltering.

Lin Mo's mouth went dry, but he forced himself to step behind the counter. The seemingly modern cash register was turned on and a barcode scanner was set neatly on the side.

What was he supposed to say? Welcome to the Divine Convenience Store? Would this guy even care? And what's this? Did the old man advertise this as a store for goods? How did this guy know what to look for?

The cultivator picked up a talisman labeled 'Heavenly Shield – Negate Mortal and Low-Level Cultivator Attacks'. He studied it briefly before turning to Lin Mo.

"This," he said, his voice like ice cracking over a frozen lake. "How much?"

Lin Mo's heart pounded in his chest. He glanced at the floating system panel, which helpfully displayed the suggested price even without scanning it.

"Twenty spirit stones," Lin Mo managed to say in a composed tone as if slowly fitted into the shoes of the store's manager.

The cultivator's eyes narrowed. "Twenty? Do you think me a fool? This talisman is worth half that at best."

Lin Mo's mind scrambled for a response. The system didn't exactly come with a manual for haggling with overpowered cultivators.

"Uh... Its quality is high-grade. As you can see..." He answered, reading its details on the system panel. "... it's Guaranteed to work under... uh... extreme conditions?"

The cultivator's gaze darkened.

Lin Mo thought he might simply destroy the talisman and the store, out of spite.

But then, the man smirked.

"Fine. Twenty spirit stones." He tossed a small pouch onto the counter, the clink of spirit stones loud in the tense silence.

Lin Mo exhaled as he tried not to let his relief show. He picked up the pouch and poured out its contents to count it. Exactly twenty spirit stones.

He then gestured for the man to place down the talisman which he surprisingly did without making it difficult for Lin Mo.

After scanning it, the register showed the price on its display, Lin Mo almost fumbled to place the talisman in a neat little bag before handing it to the man.

"Pleasure doing business with you," Lin Mo forced a smile even though the cultivator was already turning to leave.

However, before he could reach the exit, a cold, oppressive energy rolled into the store, making Lin Mo shiver in cold.

On the other hand, his currently useless assistant Liu Xiaoyu gasped as her face paled.

Where was that aggressive young woman from earlier? And to think she had the gall to set up some ground rules for them.

The cultivator stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he stared outside the store.

Lin Mo followed his gaze and a group of figures stood just beyond the store's entrance. Their silhouettes gradually became visible as they approached.

Each of them radiated an oppressive aura, nearly as powerful as the cultivator who'd just made a purchase.

"What... now?" Lin Mo muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Shortly after, the door creaked open once more and a voice like thunder echoed through the store.

"You there. Shopkeeper. Hand over everything you have, or face the consequences!"

Lin Mo swallowed hard, his earlier relief replaced by a sinking dread.

Taihao's words echoed in his mind: Sell the goods, ensure customer satisfaction, and survive. Right?

Then, what is this? First customer and a first experience at being robbed? Did he sent them here to test his resolve?

Old Taihao! Your store will be cleaned within the first few minutes of its opening! Lin Mo called out in his head.

The leader was a hulking man with arms thicker than Lin Mo's torso, his eyes glowed faintly with power of a seasoned cultivator. Of course, he had no idea how strong they were exactly but he knew he wouldn't be able to cope with them.

Behind him, similarly imposing figures entered, each exuding an aura of barely contained violence. They're even holding different types of sharp weapon as if they're not bothered robbing a store in broad daylight.

A bunch of thugs.

As it turns out, even a sophisticated place such as the Realm of Nine Heavens has them.

Liu Xiaoyu instinctively retreated behind Lin Mo and grabbed his sleeve. She's now like a scared bunny who had nowhere else to hide.

"We're screwed," She whispered.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Lin Mo muttered, sweat beading on his brow. His hand hovered over the counter, uselessly

Lin Mo could hardly believe his ears. Was this guy... defending the store? The sudden shift left him dizzy. Liu Xiaoyu tugged on his sleeve again.

"Boss, do you have any idea who that is?" She whispered, equally confused.

"Girl. Do I look like I know anything?" Lin Mo shot back.

The thug leader and the mysterious cultivator locked eyes as their auras crackled like opposing storm fronts.

Lin Mo, caught between the two forces, desperately tried to think of a way out that didn't end with him or his newly-opened store reduced to ash.

'That old man. At least leave behind something to defend against this kind of event. The little helper you sent is useless.' He complained inwardly.

The leader of the thugs sneered, "You've got some nerve, acting high and mighty. Let me guess. Are you one of those self-righteous sect dogs? What are you doing in a place like this, anyway? Shopping?"

The cultivator's smirk didn't waver. Instead, his aura flared even stronger, sending a visible ripple through the air. "That's exactly what I'm doing. And you're interrupting. Tell me, should I waste my time teaching you manners or simply clean up the mess that is your existence?"

The trio of thugs behind the leader shifted uneasily. Their brave front faltered under the suffocating pressure of the cultivator's power. Still, their leader remained defiant, gripping the hilt of his blade with an arrogant grin.

The cultivator clearly had a higher cultivation but they're holding onto their numerical advantage.

"This ain't your business, stranger. Walk away before you regret it."

The cultivator tilted his head, his smile fading into something far more dangerous. "Regret? You'd best pray I'm feeling merciful."

Lin Mo, meanwhile, had to suppress the urge to scream. Here he was, caught between ticking time bombs, and his so-called divine system was about as useful as a damp matchstick.

[System Notice: Shopkeeper's survival odds are rapidly declining]

[New Objective Unlocked: Resolve the conflict with minimal property damage]

"Minimal property damage?!" Lin Mo hissed, glaring at the translucent panel floating in front of him. "How about resolving it without anyone dying? What the hell do you want me to do?"