By evening, customers gradually started to increase.
Most of the people coming here to shop were residents of the community, like the old man at the bar choosing cigarettes, whom Chen Xuan had seen several times already. Naturally, if a store is open long enough, it will have repeat customers, even if it's a small convenience store located in a remote area without a proper sign.
Chen Xuan had thought about putting up a new sign and changing the store name to something more niche, like housing sales or convenient insurance, to deter most residents and indirectly increase the time for attracting special customers.
However, since most of the first bucket of gold earned was invested in instant noodle transactions, with insufficient capital, he had to set aside this plan.
"Speaking of which... if I really hung up a sign for selling second-hand houses, it might confuse those new customers looking to trade abilities." Chen Xuan muttered to himself while observing the customers wandering in the store.
If they hesitated and chose to turn back and leave, it would be a bit counterproductive.
"Young man, which building do you live in?" The old man handed over his chosen cigarettes.
"This is 22 bucks... the 6th building."
"Scan the code." He skillfully pointed out the payment code. "You look quite young, are you working or helping your family with the store?"
"Just working, it's close to where I live, pretty laid-back. Here you go with the cigarettes."
Small talk with customers was a piece of cake for Chen Xuan. He casually used the scanning gun to sneak a peek at the old man's abilities.
He discovered that as long as he didn't initiate a transaction, the other party wouldn't see the transaction screen. Of course, scanning like this could only peek into four abilities at most, and for those with numerous abilities, it was impossible to probe their trump cards directly unless scanned repeatedly many times.
"Commerce" Level 1, white.
There's actually an ability, Chen Xuan thought.
He originally thought everyone had abilities, just differing in quantity, but after scanning the customers coming and going, he found that only about fifty percent actually had abilities, and most only had one or two. The abilities appeared more frequently between the ages of 10 to 30 and were closely related to one's identity. For example, he saw the ability "Encyclopedia of Ancient and Modern" twice, and both times the person looked like a student.
In contrast, the probability of older men and women having no abilities was much higher. Chen Xuan speculated that they probably had something they excelled at when they were younger, but those skills gradually faded with time. In other words, abilities are not eternal; they improve with continuous practice and fade with the aging of the body and memory.
As for someone like him who started with four abilities, he was actually among the favored ones.
It's just that there aren't many people who can detect this "gift," and even if they did, it wouldn't serve much purpose.
"Hey, young people still need to venture out a bit more," the old man said with a hint of disappointment on his face, hearing Chen Xuan's words.
If I said it's my own store, would your next question be about whether I have a partner?
"I ventured out, but couldn't adapt," Chen Xuan smiled.
"Hmm... so are you seeing anyone?"
Huh? Why don't you follow the routine, old man?
Just as Chen Xuan was uncertain about the other party's intention, another customer lifted the curtain and stepped into the store.
He instinctively glanced over and immediately realized this person was out of the ordinary.
In the cheerful autumn still suited for short sleeves and shorts, the newcomer was wrapped tightly in a gray-black cloak that looked filthy as if it had been rolling in the muddy ground.
Such an unusual outfit instantly attracted the attention of everyone around.
Even the old man forgot to ask if he was seeing anyone.
Faced with all the eyes on him, the man seemed hesitant and stepped back slightly. But very soon, he made up his mind and walked toward Chen Xuan.
"Are you the legendary Envoy, sir?" He leaned forward on the bar, his fists on the counter trembling slightly, as if suppressing his emotions with great effort, "I need your help!"
With such mannerisms and wording, Chen Xuan knew that the man was not from this world.
The problem was, the scene outside the store was still the neighborhood!
How did he get in?
"What's he babbling on about? Do you understand?" The old man tucked away the cigarettes in disdain. "Maybe we should just call the police."
"Uh… it's alright, he's a friend of mine who enjoys role-playing games. He just gets really into character." Chen Xuan signaled the man with a raised finger, "Shh… go sit over there, I'll come to you shortly."
The man hesitated but eventually followed the instruction.
"I date online, and have several partners," Chen Xuan smiled at the old man again, "You're welcome to come back again anytime."
The latter blew his beard and glared as he walked out of the store.
After the remaining customers also left, he hurriedly pulled down the shutter and closed the curtains.
Only he and the stranger were left in the shop on the first floor.
Is this person a new customer?
Why does it feel like he knows me? As soon as we met, he directly called me Envoy.
Moreover, the title of Envoy sounds somewhat familiar, as if I've heard someone call me that before...
"There's no one else here. You can take off your hood." Chen Xuan poured him a cup of coffee as usual, "Tell me about your situation. What kind of help do you need from me?"
"My name is Gildre." The man took off his hood, revealing an extremely haggard face, "I'm a general under the Holy Maiden."
Chen Xuan had no reaction to this name, but the mention of Holy Maiden instantly reminded him of the time when Joan parted ways with him, she also called him that.
"Are you one of Joan's people?"
He walked to the bar and immediately checked the person's information.
"Of course... Except for Joan, no one else deserves the title of Holy Maiden." The man bowed his head, eyes filled with anger and remorse, "But even though she's achieved glorious war victories for France, reclaiming Orleans and Reims City with everyone, she was framed by vile men and locked in a dungeon! I've heard reliable news that she'll be sent to the stake early tomorrow morning!"
What the hell? Chen Xuan was shocked.
Hadn't she already changed history and not been captured in Compiegne?
"Let me ask first, how long has it been since the Battle of Compiegne?"
"Almost... three years."
Three years already... Originally, there was only a year between Joan's capture and her sentencing. History has indeed changed.
Then why can't she still escape the fate of the stake?
Is it that absurd historical inertia again?
"Take your time, how was she framed?"
"It's all because of a woman named Mad Judy!" Upon mentioning this name, Gildre suddenly looked up, the murderous intent in his eyes visibly apparent, "She's clearly the witch who can use Evil Magic, yet inexplicably became the honored guest of His Majesty Charlie! Not only did His Majesty appoint her as chief advisor, but also let her interfere with military matters, which is absolutely absurd! The entire royal court has been blinded by this damned witch and obeys her every word... Joan stepped up against her, only to be charged with heretical acts, it's utterly ridiculous!"
Who is Mad Judy? Could anyone really go by that name? Chen Xuan searched for the keyword, but found nothing.
Because history has already shifted, a new butterfly effect emerges?
But who can guarantee that what Gildre says is the truth? After all, he's just a general who has been leading troops outside for years, and his understanding of the court's affairs depends on hearsay, how reliable can it be?
"Joan must not die at the hands of such people... The Holy Maiden of Orleans shouldn't die so laughably!" Gildre muttered hoarsely, "With my strength alone, I can't break into the Hino Palace where she's held... It's heavily guarded, not even a bird can fly in. Just as I was about to despair... I suddenly thought of a story she told me, a story of encountering light in the boundless night, divine intervention giving her great power!"
"You are the Envoy of the Lord, you must understand, Joan could never collude with heresy! She's the most devout believer of the Lord! I beg you, let light dispel the darkness once again!"
So that's the case.
Chen Xuan pondered.
He didn't come to trade abilities, but to rescue his superior, he sought out this store.
But is that possible? Based on Joan's story, his plea can receive a response from the shop, which seems a bit counterintuitive to business principles. Or is it... because Joan, as a customer, is already a valuable resource for this shop, so it opens a back door for him?
If that's the case, why didn't Joan herself request salvation?
With the shop's capabilities, Chen Xuan thinks even opening a door directly into the dungeon would be entirely normal.
"How did you find this place? Did you go to Compiegne City?"
"No, I'm near Hino, close to the Royal Fortress." Gildre shook his head, "Joan told me your story before and said that as long as one holds a pious heart, they can see the light of the Lord anywhere. So with this mentality, I walked around the alleys of nearby towns... unexpectedly, I found such a miraculous shop."
Chen Xuan went to the window and lifted the curtain to peer outside.
Outside, the sky remained at dusk, only the street had transformed into low gray-tiled brick houses, with dried vines covering the old walls, much like the weathered face of the man behind him.