If they really wanted to thank someone…
Then they should be saying that to the System.
It was the one that made the store possible.
The one behind all those so-called miraculous products.
The real deal.
And right on cue –
A familiar line pinged inside Hao’s head.
[Correct, host.]
Hao’s eyebrow twitched.
’Oi, system. You’re not even gonna deny it a little?’
[Why would I? Recognition is part of optimal user engagement.]
’You’re flexing again, aren’t you.’
[I am simply presenting facts, host. It is not my fault facts happen to be impressive.]
Hao looked up at the ceiling like he could strangle it.
’One day… I’ll get you back for this.’
[Acknowledged, host. Revenge objective registered. Estimated success rate: 0.0002%.]
’YOU’RE RAGE-BAITING ME ON PURPOSE!!’
Behind the counter, Hao remained normal as ever.
Of course he knew. This was just their usual back-and-forth.
The system had been with him since day one.
The first voice that welcomed him to this ridiculous new life.
And now? It was like bickering with a smug roommate who powered the store with flexes and sarcasm.
But Hao didn’t mind it.
He kind of liked this version of the system.
At least it wasn’t some boring-ass A.I. that only cared about numbers and progress bars.
That stuff was cool and all, sure.
But it hit different when the thing guiding you through life also knew how to talk trash like an old buddy?
It felt more human.
Even if that “human” might bestow you a mini lightning heavenly retribution if you ever stepped out of line.
But that went both ways.
After all, Hao wasn’t exactly known for backing down either.
If the system wanted smoke, it’d get the whole barbecue.
But for now, behind that counter, the flames of divine banter were temporarily extinguished.
Empress Shen Qianrou placed her hand gently over her chest.
“Once again. Thank you, Senior Hao.” For everything you’ve done for our daughter.”
She bowed with grace, then stepped back beside her husband.
This wasn’t a secondhand gratitude.
She truly meant it.
Back before coming here, Emperor Yunlan Haorang had already explained everything to Empress Shen Qianrou in great detail.
About the man who helped their daughter.
About the strange, incredible store hidden deep in a dark alley of Sovereign City.
She had been wanting to come ever since.
But her special situation at the time made travel impossible.
If not for that… she would’ve appeared long ago.
Still, what mattered was that she was here now.
And just as her husband had said…
Senior Hao was truly humble.
Even now, when she felt like saying more – pressing her heart into words – she held back.
Her husband had warned her already.
Senior Hao had no interest in grand thanks or tributes. Pushing too much might even upset him.
They couldn’t exactly offer him gifts either.
They’d talked about it.
They assumed he already had everything they could offer.
Treasures? He sells things they’ve never seen before.
Pills? His drinks hundred times better.
Techniques? He probably had millions of them.
So they gave up on that thought.
But – had Hao heard any of this?
He would’ve raised both hands.
“Who said I can’t receive gifts?”
“Who said I have all your stuff?!”
“No! You’re wrong! Hand it over!”
Unfortunately, Hao wasn’t psychic.
So the quiet decision passed without his knowledge.
He was completely unaware that possibly most rare offerings thats gonna be given to him had been blocked by his own reputation.
In Empress Shen Qianrou’s mind, there was only one proper answer left.
Respect Senior Hao’s wishes.
Support his store.
They wouldn’t promote it to the public. No way.
That would be asking for a city-wide stampede or directly inviting a calamity.
But they could continue to visit. To support.
To quietly become this store’s strongest customers!
After all… this wasn’t just a coincidence.
The three groups hadn’t come here by chance.
They had planned it.
Not to gather and greet each other – though that naturally happened too – but because according to the reports from the disciples of the Drifting Sword Sect and Snow Petal Sect, the store was no longer rooted in just one place.
Not only Sovereign City.
But another location, far away.
A different region entirely.
And yet – it was the same store.
Sect Master Jiang Xianwei himself confirmed it.
That when he was inside this store yesterday, he saw people that absolutely, definitely, without question – were not from Sovereign City!
Their clothes, their speech, even their aura was completely different.
It wasn’t a stretch anymore.
They had to see it for themselves.
As the disciples wandered the aisles, Empress Shen Qianrou stuck close to her daughter, who was busy pointing out her favorite products.
The princess’s assistant, Li Mei followed behind, arms already full of cup of instant noodles, a bag of potato chips and a suspicious number of canned drinks.
Meanwhile, the rest of the three group had naturally gravitated toward the table in the side.
Where two men had been sitting since who-knows-when.
Dou Xinshi and Old Tiger Zhao.
Still in the middle of whatever long-winded debate they’d been caught in earlier.
Still in the middle of their ongoing… whatever
At first glance, they didn’t even react to the newcomers.
No greetings. No bows. No nods. No looks.
But of course…
That didn’t mean they hadn’t noticed.
They definitely noticed.
They just chose not to care.
Talking about the store’s products was way more important than introducing themselves to a bunch of strangers.
Well – “they” wasn’t exactly the right word.
Old Tiger Zhao was the only one who genuinely didn’t care.
He was too busy explaining why the new Spicy Chicken-Flavored Instant Noodles were superior to the just normal Chicken-Flavored Instant Noodles, using a wooden chopstick as a pointer and knocking it on the table.
Meanwhile, Dou Xinshi?
He wasn’t ignoring them on purpose.
He was just absolutely brain-bungee-jumped into the conversation.
Mentally wrapped in a tortilla and air-fried.
Locked into Old Tiger Zhao’s noodle theories.
If he actually saw who had arrived, he would’ve combusted on the spot out of sheer respect.
Those weren’t just random sect disciples and elders. That was the first wave.
The first generation. The OG customers.
The holy seniors and elders of the cu – store!
The pioneers of this sacred land.
A beat slipped by before three figures slowly drifted forward from their group.
Emperor Yunlan Haorang.
Sect Master Jiang Xianwei.
Sect Master Bing Xuan.
They didn’t rush. They didn’t raise their voices. But they did one thing before saying a single word –