Upon stepping out of the Celestial Shuttle Hub inside the main store, Lin Mo and Liu Xiaoyu imdiately went back to their posts.
Liu Xiaoyu went to the counter to check on Pan Ruo, who was still sward with a long line of patrons waiting to pay for their items, before moving towards the arcade corner where her little brother and Xiao Ya were now among the patrons playing on one of the cabinets.
At the very least, they were only playing a casual mode. Their fingers tapped furiously against the control panels while those watching behind them cheered on their bets.
"Ha! Gotcha! My [Peony Blade Dancer] is faster than your [Ashen Blademaster]! You can’t hit what you can’t catch, Xiaoping!" Xiao Ya cheered, slamming a button to execute a finishing move command on the screen.
Liu Xiaoping groaned as he slumped over. "That’s unfair, Sister Xiao Ya! You used a Spell Card to enchant your unit! All I have in my hand are higher-level units!"
"Heh. It’s your fault for putting in more high-level units in your deck, Pingping! If you don’t have the necessary sacrifices, you won’t be able to summon them." Xiaoyu interjected, ruffling her brother’s hair before stealing a handful of his popcorn. "Besides, why are you fighting against Xiao Ya? Didn’t you know she beat the genius trio from the Red Lotus Academy? She’s an expert in that ga."
Xiao Ya grinned at the praise before saying, "Sister Xiaoyu, you’re back! Is Shopkeeper Boss back with you? How’s the tower? Can I climb the Jade Hollow Conduit Tower again? I feel like I can climb higher this ti!"
"Oh, there he is. But he’s probably going to be busy again. Look for him later. Besides, you have so explaining to do, don’t you think so? How co you’re the ones playing here?"
"Ah... Erm... We–"
The young girl tried to explain but before she could do so, Liu Xiaoyu cut her off with an exaggerated thumb on her chest. "You should’ve waited for so I could play with you!"
Lin Mo, who was watching from where he was, could only facepalm. Just when he thought Xiaoyu would be more responsible, she remained whimsical.
Not that he’s going to prohibit them from playing on their shift. There must be a reason why they’re the ones playing there, after all.
In any case, he left them to their devices and started scanning the floor for Wu iyu.
He found her near the entrance of the Celestial Hot Spring, speaking in low tones with Li Li. The mortal girl looked relieved to see him, offering a quick bow before scurrying back to her post.
"Shopkeeper," Wu iyu greeted with a graceful smile. Her expression was masked with a professional calm but her eyes held a glimr of sothing sharper. Like a wife asking her husband how his business trip is.
"You’ve returned. I trust the tower climb was... educational?"
"Mhm. Educational and beneficial enough. We cleared up to Floor 9 and gathered a lot of rewards. However, Liu Xiaoyu, that girl, had buy us the most expensive al on our shelves."
Wu iyu chuckled, "So, it seems. Pan Ruo inford that two portions of that al had disappeared, followed by the draining of your Personal Balance and Dinsion Essence."
Lin Mo scratched his cheek with an embarrassed smile, "It was recorded, huh? Well, no matter. It proves to be beneficial to us anyway. You should also try it out when you climb a tower again, Your Highness."
"I’ll keep that in mind." Wu iyu nodded before reaching for his collar, straightening the crease on his uniform that he didn’t notice.
He cleared his throat and held his composure, "Mhm. I assu you have a lot to report to . What’s the situation with our ’guest’?"
Wu iyu put on a aningful smile before tilting her head slightly towards the won’s changing room curtain. "The vagrant cultivator, ’Lia’. She is still inside. She has been soaking in the [Spirit-Cleansing Pool] for over an hour. It seems the purifying waters are having quite an effect on her. Perhaps lting away more than just travel dust."
"Is that so? Did she cause any trouble?"
"On the contrary. She was... a model. Too model," Wu iyu narrowed her eyes. "There was an incident earlier and she was about to step in if not for my arrival. She was soone who possibly could not close her eyes in front of injustice. And when she saw the Poison Demon Cultists mingling with the righteous disciples, her spiritual fluctuations spiked with a rigid, righteous indignation before she forcibly suppressed it. She reeks of soone from a Righteous Faction, Shopkeeper. Specifically, the scent of a sanctimonious order."
Lin Mo nodded as he muttered to himself, ’Of course she would be. Otherwise, that broke-ass monk would not be too keen on traveling with her. Speaking of that monk, where is he?’
"Keep watching her, but don’t interfere. If she wants to soak, let her soak. The more she experiences the store, the harder it will be for her to raise a sword against it. Conversion by comfort is a slow but potent poison."
As if summoned by their conversation, the curtain to the won’s section parted.
Aurelia stepped out. She was dressed back in her simple traveler’s tunic. Her hair was still damp and clinging to her neck. Her face, which had been previously a mask of stoic discipline, looked flushed and unnervingly relaxed.
The tension that held her shoulders tight had evaporated, replaced by a fluid grace.
However, the mont she spotted Lin Mo and Wu iyu standing together, the steel returned to her spine. She adjusted her hood, trying to retreat into anonymity, but it was too late.
"Are you satisfied with the service, dear custor?" Lin Mo called out with a pleasant voice, projecting perfectly across the lobby.
Aurelia froze. She hesitated for a heartbeat before turning to face him. She couldn’t ignore the owner of the domain she was infiltrating.
"Uhm. It was... adequate," She replied in a steady voice despite the clear rigidness. "The waters are potent. Different from the healing springs of my holand."
Lin Mo smiled as he stepped closer. "Oh. We aim for more than adequate. Let’s see. I heard you’re one of those from the west. I noticed you didn’t avail yourself of the private suites. A sha. It’ll be a personalized suite that can truly cater to all of your needs. Perhaps next ti?"
Aurelia t his gaze. She felt stripped bare, as if the man before her could already see the golden armor she was used to wearing.
Still, she’s a Sun-Blessed Paladin. She’s not simply going to give up on her mission.
"Perhaps. If my funds allow. Your currency... Dinsion Essence... is difficult for a traveler to acquire. The monk I travel with introduced to these towers where one can earn them. I aid to test my luck in it."
"Oh. Good to hear. But you see, the Bulletin Board also offers many ways to earn it. The Harvester’s Guild, the rcenary’s Guild... even the Leaderboard. Opportunity is everywhere, Miss Lia. You just have to be willing to grasp it. And also... you must get your hands on our best seller. The Viewing Jade."
He let the words hang in the air, a subtle challenge.
Aurelia bowed slightly, acknowledging the point without conceding ground. "I will keep that in mind. Good day, Shopkeeper."
Before Lin Mo could say anything, she turned and walked briskly back into the lounge area.
She needed to find Monk Huiyin. She needed to re-center herself. The ’convenience’ of this place was insidious. It made one want to stay, to consu, to forget the mission.
Watching her leave, Wu iyu murmured, "She is dangerous."
"She is," Lin Mo agreed, his smile fading. "But a sword that stays in the sheath too long eventually rusts. Or so that’s what I imagine Sect Master Li would say. Let her wander for now. Since she’s here with the monk, they won’t be leaving any ti soon. Any other urgent matters to attend to?"
"There is Guildmaster Jin but he has been too occupied with the Harvester’s Guild at the mont."
"I see. Then, if there’s nothing else... I think I should prepare to take another look at the Martial World. I told them I’d be back in five days but with our upcoming return to venture further into the Sunken Caverns Anchor, I might not have ti to do so. It’ll be quick. The stock I left behind might’ve already sold out."
"Oh. That’s true." Wu iyu chuckled. "Do you require an entourage? I can... accompany you this ti."
Lin Mo stared at her, looking at him expectantly. But in the end, he shook his head, "Mhm. I appreciate the offer, Your Highness. But the store still needs your expertise. Maybe once things truly settle down there. I’ll take you on a sightseeing trip."
"That’s a promise, Shopkeeper." Wu iyu conceded before following him out of the Celestial Hot Spring and back to the store proper.
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