Perhaps realizing what he had just said was a bit inappropriate, the general store owner immediately corrected himself. "Our ancestors put down their roots here. What else can we do but stay and guard this place?
"As for the lack of goods you mentioned, there's a reason for that.
"Fewer merchants are traveling from the north and south, and we don't dare venture out ourselves. With no new sources of supply, isn't it only natural that our stock keeps dwindling?
"I have so little left as it is that my family doesn't even want me to keep the shop open every day. If you had come a few days later, I might not have had anything left to sell."
Ancient Wen Heng knew the situation here would be grim, but he hadn't expected it to be this severe.
"Shopkeeper, as you know, we've just arrived and are short on everything. But only a few shops are open, and we still have to live. I was wondering if there's any way you could help us procure some supplies."
