Divine Convenience Store-Chapter 514 - 514: Delegating Duties

"You… who are you exactly? You're a supreme master and yet, you claim only to be here to sell these godly items?" Ying Sha asked as she clutched the mint packaging in her hand. "I may have been stuck for years in opening my Sixth Gate but I can tell… this contains an essence of the world. Pure, untainted essence. The kind that hasn't existed since the Age of Cataclysm."
Hearing that, Lin Mo couldn't help but smirk, "Good catch, dear customer. To answer your question, I am merely a simple shopkeeper. My products, however, came from the hands of the divine."
"Divine?" Everyone in the room produced a question mark on top of their heads as it had been a long time since someone mentioned a divine existence. Although some ambitious martial artists often take up a title with a 'Divine' suffix, that didn't mean anything other than their attempt to appear peerless.
"Less questions about its origin, I can assure you of its quality. Besides, the most important thing is that these are products to provide convenience."
"Now, do you understand? You fight over scraps of Star-Forged Iron and legacy manuals, killing each other for a chance to open one more Gate. Meanwhile, I can offer you products that can heal wounds in seconds, restore energy instantly, and clarify the mind for a breakthrough. On top of that, my selection of equipment is something not many blacksmiths in this place can replicate. Tell me, which is the more efficient path to power?"
The three leaders were silent. The answer was obvious. The items they had just consumed were worth more than their entire treasuries. But what could they offer? Violence was naturally not an answer.
Lin Mo could've easily killed them if that was his intention. Luckily for them, he only meant business. And if he killed people without any regard, who would be his customers?
Even if they called for someone, the strongest person they know would be demanding their whole fortune, while only being at the Transcendent Stage who opened his Sixth Gate. Can he even fight Lin Mo?
Of course, Lin Mo wouldn't just let them off easy. Who knows how many locals they have terrorized? They should make amends. And what better way to do it than by turning over a new leaf?
"What… what do you want?" Lei Hu asked, devoid of his earlier bluster. "You didn't come here just to feed us."
"Simple. I want order," Lin Mo stated, his expression hardening. "I want Sleeping Dragon City to stop living up to its name and actually wake up. I intend to establish a distribution network here. A place to propagate our convenience."
Opening a branch was impossible, considering this was an entirely different plane where the Divine Convenience Store existed. At least, at its current tier, branches can only be opened in the First Heaven.
He pointed to Luo Lanyi. "The Luo Merchant House will be my primary partner. They will handle the logistics and the sales."
He then pointed to Ling Qiumei. "The Silent Rain Sect will be rebuilt. They will act as the… moral compass, ensuring that business is conducted fairly."
Luo Lanyi and Ling Qiumei looked at each other.
Luo Lanyi was only the young miss of their merchant house. Her father was still the head of it. And even if that's the case, they're just an ordinary merchant house. They didn't even have an expert at the Peak Stage. Tie Zha was only a first-rate martial artist and he's the leader of his Escort Group.
Meanwhile, Ling Qiumei's sect had already been destroyed, and all they had left was their name and the price on their heads because of their legacy manual. What did Lin Mo mean by rebuilding it? How will he handle the consequence of it being a fat target for those legacy hunters?
Before they could say something, the focus already moved from them since Lin Mo wasn't done delegating duties yet.
"And us?" Iron Pan asked, a hint of fear creeping back into his voice. "Are we to be disbanded?"
"Disbanded? No. That would be a waste of manpower," Lin Mo said. "You will be… repurposed. Or let's just say rebranded."
He stood up and began to pace the room, outlining his vision. He naturally didn't believe that they could turn over a new leaf right away. They may be submissive now, but once he leaves this place, who knows what fate Ling Qiumei and Luo Lanyi will get from them?
"The Iron Crane Dojo. You are strong, disciplined, but rigid. You will become the city's official security force. No more protection rackets. You will be paid a salary from the city's trade revenue to keep the peace, guard the caravans, and ensure no unauthorized fighting happens within the walls. You will be the shield of Sleeping Dragon City."
Iron Pan blinked. "A salary? To… protect?"
"It pays better than extortion, and people will actually respect you," Lin Mo noted dryly.
"The Crimson Tiger Sect," Lin Mo turned to Lei Hu. "You are aggressive, mobile, and you know the wilderness better than anyone. You will become the 'Harvesters'. You will venture into the Shattered Blade Gorge and the surrounding wastelands. You will hunt the Resentful Wraiths, mine the Star-Forged Iron, and gather the herbs that grow in the danger zones. You will bring the resources back to the city, where the Luo Merchant House will buy them at a fair price. You will be the hunters, not the bandits."
Lei Hu rubbed his chin, intrigued. "Hunting wraiths… mining… It is dangerous work. But if we have these… 'snacks'…"
"You will be supplied," Lin Mo promised. "With healing tablets and energy foods, your survival rate will triple. You will become one of the wealthiest sects in the region within a month."
"And the Shadowblade Union?" Ying Sha asked, her voice carrying a hint of anticipation.
Lin Mo said. "I need eyes and ears. And you are good with stealth and moving in shadows. You will be the intelligence network. You will map the unexplored regions, track the movements of other cities, sects and experts and find… curiosities. Specifically, I am looking for information regarding the 'Graveyard of Sages' and any other locations where secrets of the Martial World remain buried."
He leaned over the table, placing his hands flat on the wood. "This is the deal. You stop fighting each other. You stop bleeding this city dry. You work together under the framework I have laid out. In exchange, you gain exclusive access to purchase my goods before they hit the general market. You gain the opportunity to break through your limits using resources that don't exist anywhere else in this plane."
He paused, letting his aura flare just a fraction, enough to remind them of the power that pinned them to the street.
"Or… you can refuse. In which case, I will find new management for your organization. It would be… inconvenient, but I am very efficient at cleaning up messes."
The three leaders looked at each other. They looked at the miraculous items in their hands. They looked at Hu Gan and Ling Qiumei, who were living proof of the Shopkeeper's benevolence to those who served him.
It wasn't really a choice. It was a lifeline thrown to drowning men.
"The Iron Crane Dojo… accepts," Iron Pan said, bowing his head. "We will be the shield."
"The Crimson Tiger Sect… is tired of starving," Lei Hu grunted. "We will hunt for you, Shopkeeper."
"The Shadowblade Union lives in the dark to find the truth," Ying Sha whispered. "We will be your eyes."
"Excellent," Lin Mo smiled, the tension in the room dissolving instantly. "Welcome to the Coalition of Convenience, Martial World Division."
He turned to Luo Lanyi. "Miss Luo, you have your work cut out for you. You are now the coordinating head of this city's economy. I will leave you a stock of goods to get started. Use them wisely. Prioritize equipping the Crimson Tiger Sect for their first expedition and the Iron Crane for their patrols. Meanwhile, hire Tie Zha permanently, and I'll hand you this."
He waved his hand, producing four wooden crates. Inside each crate was the Vindicator's [Argentum II - Legionary Set].
He then glanced at Ling Qiumei and Hu Gan. "The two of you will also have this. These are set artifacts that bind to your soul, enhancing your capabilities.
"Soul... bound?" Hu Gan repeated, his hand hovering over the gleaming silver breastplate in his crate. "You mean it eats our souls?"
"No, it recognizes it. It imprints upon it," Lin Mo corrected in a casual tone as if discussing the fit of a new pair of shoes rather than alien technology. "You cultivate your inner energy, tempering your bodies and wills to open your Gates. This armor... it appreciates a strong will. It will augment your strength. It will become like your second skin, harder than Star-Forged Iron and equal or even stronger than a Peak Stage master."
"Hu Gan. Your role is to assist both Miss Luo and Miss Ling. You've left your sect, am I right?"
Before he could finish his sentence, the man was already on his knees, acknowledging it.
Lin Mo then looked at the recipients. Tie Zha, the loyal bodyguard. Ling Qiumei, the righteous swordswoman. And Hu Gan, the repentant bandit.
The fourth crate. Who should get it?
As he thought of that, Lin Mo's eyes fell on the three leaders. His lips curving up into a sly smirk.