Divine Convenience Store

Within the main chamber of the Shadow Veil Clan's territory, Clan Leader Wei Fang stared speechless at the glowing words of Lin Mo projected on his Viewing Jade.

Around him, the clan's highest-ranking elders, including the fierce Elder Ji and Elder Chen, held their breath as they waited for the clan head to gather himself and relay the Shopkeeper's reply.

They knew their entry into the alliance was all because of Lin Mo's intervention. And now, they had proposed a high price for the services of their Shadow Scythe, a price they thought was bold. But instead of getting offended, what they got in return was something they hadn't even dared to imagine.

"An... 'Official Security & Intelligence Partner'?" Elder Ji finally whispered as he was unable to contain his shock. "What does that even mean?"

"It means…" Clan Leader Wei Fang replied with disbelief still contained within his voice, "... that the Shopkeeper is testing us. He's dangling this offer to us after just commissioning a single mission. If Shadow Scythe is successful, he is offering us a chance to get a seat at the main table."

He took a deep breath and read Lin Mo's proposal aloud, his voice carrying the profoundness of his cultivation base.

As he spoke, the whole chamber filled with the elders of the clan became wrapped in stunned silence. The men and women who had spent their lives dealing in secrets, sabotage, and any other ways to continue existing within this lawless region of the Inner Abyssal Circle were struggling to comprehend the sheer scale of the offer.

"To become the... blade in the shadows for the Divine Convenience Store itself?" Elder Chen was still dumbfounded. "We came to his store with a nefarious motive. And when we were ambushed by Venom Master Xun of the cult, the Viewing Jade's Bulletin Board feature saved us. Indeed, Shopkeeper is testing us. To see if we're deserving of being in the alliance. However, the Violethaven Temple is a behemoth that our clan cannot hope to offend, no matter how far they are. To strike at them is to invite their eternal wrath."

"Their wrath is coming whether we strike or not," Wei Fang countered as he started connecting the dots with the cold logic of an experienced clan leader and spymaster. "Think about it. The Shopkeeper's convenience is a tide that cannot be stopped. The Violethaven Temple and their ilk represent a threat to that 'convenience'. They will fight it and they will try to crush anyone who aligns with it. Our clan, the Poison Demon Cult... we have already chosen our side by becoming patrons. Can we still back out now that we've tasted the wonderful effect of the Divine Convenience Store's convenience?"

His gaze swept over the elders. "For centuries, we have been the Shadow Veil Clan. We survive by claiming this territory while also selling our services to the highest bidder. We are always on the periphery, never truly at the center. We are tools, blades for hire. And this… Shopkeeper… The Convenience Saint. He is offering to make us the official, recognized masters of the craft. Not just hired blades but the blades he can trust."

Granted, the weight of the decision was immense. To accept meant declaring open war on one of the Western Sacred Lands' most powerful sects. It was a gamble that could lead to their annihilation.

But to refuse? To refuse was to turn their back on the future. To remain as minor players in this game while the world reshaped itself around the store.

A figure detached itself from the shadows. He was a slender man, seemingly ageless, and his presence was so faint he seemed to be an illusion. He wore no armor, only simple, dark gray robes.

This was Shadow Scythe, the clan's strongest assassin, who shares the equal prestige of the clan leader.

"The Goddess of Refinement," Shadow Scythe spoke in a chilling whisper that seemed to absorb the light in the room. "Her lecture may tackle the refinement of one's core, one's techniques. My path... has reached a bottleneck. I cannot progress further by simply killing. I need... enlightenment to cross that threshold to the Spirit Severing Stage."

His gaze then shifted to Wei Fang. "The risk is immense. But the reward... is a path forward. I will accept this mission, Clan Leader. For the clan... and for myself."

His words were the final push. None of the elders objected. The decision was made.

Wei Fang nodded and turned back to his Viewing Jade.

ShadowVeilFang: "Shopkeeper. Your terms are... audacious. But the Shadow Veil Clan has always appreciated audacity. We accept your proposal. The contract will be honored. Shadow Scythe will depart for the store immediately. Do expect him to reach your store via the hub. The Soul Lure Array will be neutralized before it can be deployed. You have our word."

—

Back in the Divine Convenience Store's second-floor lounge, Lin Mo read the reply and a satisfied smile touched his lips. They bit it. While he could rely more on the Verdant Sky Pavilion or the Golden Car[ Trading Guild when it comes to gathering information, the Shadow Veil Clan's specialty could be properly used to deal with things that needed to be done discreetly.

Not that he could send to assassinate high-ranking elders of the Violethaven Temple. They're just right for when he needs a quick response to a threat. For example, they could also be sent to scout a newly discovered Anchor or travel to the Fractured Plane connected to a newly integrated Tower.

Speaking of which, he was still in the process of waiting for an opportunity to announce the Martial World exploration. Maybe after dealing with the nearby Anchors, the Violet Haven threat, the Divine Lecture and opening the new branch.

It might have sounded overwhelming for all those things to happen so close to each other, but what could he do? The realm doesn't revolve around him. For now, he just had to ride the wave and deal with them as they came and went.

Shopkeeper: "Excellent. I will prepare his equipment and the Divine Patron token. The mission details will be provided upon his arrival. Welcome to the future of convenience, Clan Leader."

Upon sending that reply, he closed the interface just as Xiaoyu bounded up the stairs again as though she sensed that Lin Mo would need her.

"Boss, did that clan actually accept your terms...?"

"They did," Lin Mo confirmed, relaying the news to the two women with him. "The Shadow Veil Clan is officially on board. And their best assassin is on his way."

Suddenly, the Divine System Interface chimed with a new, automated notification.

[System Notice: Shadow Veil Clan has been designated as Security & Intelligence Partner (Temporary)]

[Details: A dedicated, encrypted communication channel will be established between the Divine Convenience Store and the Shadow Veil Clan's members' Viewing Jades. Additionally, they will receive a 10% discount on all stealth and information-gathering products.]

['Shadow Commission' section has been added in the Mercenary & Adventurer's Guild. This section is visible only to the Shopkeeper and the Shadow Veil Clan command. It allows for the posting of highly sensitive, high-reward black-ops missions and information.]

Lin Mo's eyebrows shot up as he lifted his head. His gaze seemed to pierce through the roof of the store and the two more heavens, staring directly at the old man watching him from above.

The Divine System Interface might have been automatically adapting, but it's a creation of the divine beings of the Divine Pantheon. This development was clearly well within their expectations. Even if it's not the Shadow Veil Clan, something was already in place in case Lin Mo started leveraging the store's influence to rope in the patrons.

"Wow," Xiaoyu breathed, peering at the notification. "That's... kinda terrifying. Security and intelligence partner? Are they… like, working for us now, Boss?"

"Partner, Xiaoyu. They're going to be our tool for discreet problem-solving," Lin Mo corrected gently. "And our first problem is arriving soon."

"Oh! I see… What a convenient setup." Liu Xiaoyu nodded before giggling at how she worded it.

Wu Meiyu smilingly shook her head but didn't say anything else.

Lin Mo stood up as his brief moment of rest was over.

"Alright. Go downstairs and retrieve the items the Clan Leader requested, Xiaoyu. [Void-Step Talismans], [Silent-Death Poison], and the [Shadowmend Salve]. That Shadow Scythe will be coming to pick it up. You deal with him, Assistant Manager."

"Got it, Boss!" Xiaoyu excitedly saluted and dashed away.

Lin Mo watched her dart out of sight, a fond smile playing on his lips as he returned his attention to the complex interface of the Divine System. There, he sent a quick message to Venom Master Xun, checking on her status, and sought updates regarding the Blazing Maw Tribe's progress in assessing the situation with the Emberfall Tribes.

Wu Meiyu broke the brief silence that followed. "So, Shopkeeper. What's your next plan?"

He paused for a moment to ponder her question, "Next plan? I suppose… nothing in particular? We just need to run the store and wait for things to develop."

Wu Meiyu stifled a laugh, "Pfft. That sounded like what a carefree prince, one who's not in line for the crown, would say. But I get it. Other than addressing the issues that land on your doorstep, you can't simply charge into the fray and obliterate the realm's problems."