An hour after the Divine Convenience Store closed, Lin Mo received a follow-up report from Shadow Scythe.
[Shadow Scythe - Mission Update 03]
[Target: Soul Lure Array & Operators - Neutralized]
[Status: All three Core Formation targets have been eliminated. The array is yet to be dismantled. It was close to completion. Need the assistance of a Formation Master to deactivate it overnight. Already sent a ssage back to the clan. However, targets might have a soul candle that indicates their life status. The Violethaven Temple will know of their deaths soon. Awaiting further instructions.]
Lin Mo let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. Phase one was a success. The imdiate threat of the array’s activation was gone. But Shadow Scythe’s report highlighted the next, inevitable problem.
"Soul candles," Lin Mo murmured as he rubbed his chin. "Of course, they would have them. The Violethaven Temple and the Impervious Fla Sect would know their operators are dead and the exact mont they died. They might’ve already reacted to it by now."
"Indeed. They may already be on high alert, Shopkeeper." Wu iyu said as she peered at the ssage while sitting next to him.
"More than that," Lin Mo shook his head. "It’s not impossible for them to interpret this as a direct counter-attack. A declaration that we already figured out their plan. Their next move will be cautious, but it will also be far more ruthless. They have lost face."
"The good news is, it buys our raid force ti. The Temple will be scrambling to figure out how we knew. They’ll second-guess their own security. The bad news is that Anchor is now a ticking ti bomb they know we’re aware of. And, that dismantling of the array might face so problems."
The elent of surprise would be gone for both sides but the gathered cultivators for the raid would still be a force to be reckoned with. Instead of an ambush, it might beco a siege. The Impervious Flare Sect remnants would fortify the Anchor’s entrance, and the Violethaven Temple would likely send reinforcents. Not to ntion, they’ll possibly send a new detached force to ensure the Soul Lure Array is still activated.
He opened a new private ssage to Shadow Scythe.
Shopkeeper: "Excellent work. Your clan’s formation master has my authorization to proceed. Maintain vigilance and retreat if things change. Forget dismantling the array if reinforcent arrives."
He needed this assassin alive and well for future ’inconveniences’. Pushing him to take on stronger reinforcent alone was a waste of a valuable asset.
Just as he sent the ssage, another notification pinged, this one from the ’Southern Wilderness Report’ channel he had set up for Xun.
[ArachnidMistress - Mission Update 01]
[Target: Crystalweb Tyrant - Engaged]
[Status: The ’Landlord Eviction’ is proceeding as planned. The Tyrant is formidable, its psychic aura and crystalline armor are proving... resilient. My enhanced broodling is currently holding its attention. The other two ’uninvited guests’ remain as observers. It seems they are waiting to see who wins before making their move. A very inconvenient stalemate. I will break it. Expect a... spectacular conclusion by morning.]
Lin Mo remained silent as he read that. anwhile, Wu iyu comnted, "It appears we have no other choice but to wait for the morning to bring the results of these two operations. They are both crucial, yet happening so far away."
"Waiting is part of the job," Lin Mo replied, though his mind was already churning, thinking of what else he could do. He set all these things into motion. He should at least be as involved in it as realistically possible. "But we don’t have to wait passively."
He stood up and walked towards the staircase, his expression thoughtful. "Your Highness, as our Temporary Staff Manager and a key advisor, your insights have been invaluable. Now, may I present another task for you, one that requires your unique royal perspective?"
"Oh?" Wu iyu’s interest was piqued. "What do you have in mind, Shopkeeper?"
"The Divine Lecture is the day after tomorrow," Lin Mo began, his gaze sweeping over the now-quiet space of the first floor. "The most powerful and influential figures of this entire domain, and now a delegation from the West, will be gathered under our roof. The highlight will be the proving of the divine beings’ existence and their lecture. However, we could also see it as a political summit. And we need to set the stage."
He turned back to her, a strategic glint in his eye. "I need you to help plan the seating arrangent for the Divine Patron and Golden Patron tiers in the Divine Arena. I’m not talking about just putting nas on chairs. It’s how we can send ssages. Who sits closer to the stage? Who sits next to whom? The Liu Clan next to the Red Lotus Academy? The Poison Demon Cult across from the righteous sects? Where do we place the humbled Golden Carp Trading Guild?"
Wu iyu’s eyes lit up, a brilliant spark of understanding and excitent in their depths. What Lin Mo was trying to accomplish wasn’t a simple administrative task but sothing similar to court politics on a grand, unprecedented scale. A ga she knew how to play better than anyone.
"You want to use the seating chart to subtly establish a new political hierarchy, with the Divine Convenience Store at its apex," She surmised, her lips curving into a rare, genuinely impressed smile. "You want to foster the already established alliances and display the breadth of your influence without saying a single word. A masterful, ’convenient’ stroke of diplomacy if I must say."
"Exactly," Lin Mo confird but inwardly, he’s already wryly smiling. Mixing politics would always leave a bitter taste in his mouth. He avoided it even in his office work back on Earth. But given the scale of events in this realm, it was unavoidable. Exercising control over it would be best done sooner rather than later.
"I need a layout that communicates stability, power, and unity under our banner. I’ll handle the logistics of the event itself. You, Your Highness, will be the architect of its political landscape. Can you handle it?"
"Shopkeeper," Wu iyu said, rising to her feet and giving a graceful, yet undeniably powerful curtsy, "it would be my profound honor. The Southern Wu royal court has been arranging seating charts to start and end wars for centuries. This will be a refreshing challenge."
As she focused her attention on the floating interface, which showed a list of confird attendees to begin her work, Lin Mo felt a sense of relief. With her handling of the delicate political maneuvering, he could focus on the other pieces of the puzzle. He trusted her judgnt implicitly.
He then made his way to the staff quarters, a small but comfortable set of rooms that had been generated in the back of the store. He found Pan Ruo about to tuck herself into a freshly made bed. The reincarnated immortal looked peaceful, the deep lines of exhaustion on her face having softened considerably.
"Uhm... Shopkeeper Boss. Do you need sothing?" Pan Ruo asked, quickly sitting up, her posture respectful.
Lin Mo held up a hand, a gentle smile on his face. "At ease, Pan Ruo. I’m not here as your boss. I just wanted to check in. It was a hectic day. How are you settling in?"
"It... it is more than I could have ever hoped for, Shopkeeper," She answered with a voice filled with a quiet, sincere gratitude. "A warm bed, good food, and a purpose. This is a life I never thought possible. Thank you."
"You earned it," Lin Mo replied. "Your insights during the interview were invaluable. You have a keen mind. I’m just providing the environnt for it to flourish."
He paused for a mont as his gaze turned more serious. "Pan Ruo, your body is absorbing spiritual energy at an incredible rate. You will likely break through to the Spirit Gathering Stage tonight, if you haven’t already. Do you have a cultivation manual?"
She looked down at her hands, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. "I... no, Shopkeeper. The manuals available in my village were crude and incomplete. The Bone Ash Syndicate hoarded any true techniques for themselves. I have only been able to absorb ambient energy through instinct."
Lin Mo nodded. As he expected. "Instinct alone can be dangerous. It can lead to an unstable foundation. As an employee of the Divine Convenience Store, your well-being is a company asset. It would be inconvenient for you to have a qi deviation."
Although he said that, he knew that with her past life being an immortal, there wouldn’t be any problems for her breaking past her current state.
"Look for Liu Xiaoyu when they return later or tomorrow morning. That girl would be able to pick sothing suitable for you."
"Y-yes! Many thanks, Shopkeeper Boss! Uhm... Are you not planning to sleep again?"
"Well, maybe I will. Later." Lin Mo let his voice trail there and stared at the young woman for quite a while. But before Pan Ruo could feel awkward from it, he opened his mouth again, "Pan Ruo, do not hesitate to talk to us if... sothing flashed in your head again. It might be mories or just a fleeting dream. Those things can be disorienting. I want you to know that this is a safe place."
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