"What are your plans?" Luo Chuan asked, his calm gaze settling on Yao Ziyan.
"Plans?" she murmured, her thoughts swirling.
Now that her identity had been exposed, returning to the Shadow Kill List was no longer an option. The betrayal within the monster royal family made her people unsafe, and with the ruins on the verge of opening, the peace of the Nine Stars Mountain Range wouldn't last long.
For a moment, Yao Ziyan felt adrift, unable to think of a safe haven.
Luo Chuan watched her silently, his expression unreadable. He had a good idea of what she might be struggling with.
---
Suddenly, the system, which had been silent for a while, chimed in:
"Mission: The man who seeks to be the strongest shop owner cannot run a one-person operation. Recruit a clerk for Origin Mall. Reward: One chance to draw a lottery."
Recruit a clerk? Luo Chuan thought, glancing at Yao Ziyan. The timing seemed too convenient, and he began to suspect the system had already chosen a candidate.
---
Yao Ziyan sighed softly, shaking her head. "I don't know."
After a moment of thought, Luo Chuan spoke, "I'm short a clerk in my shop. Would you be interested?"
---
As he finished speaking, a notification panel appeared in his vision, visible only to him:
"Name: Yao Ziyan
Status: Member of the monster royal family, ranked first on the Shadow Kill List.
Cultivation: First Grade of Eminence."
Luo Chuan raised an eyebrow. The description was reminiscent of character profiles in online games.
---
So, she's part of the monster royal family... he thought. It became clear that Yao Ziyan was a monster who had taken on a human form.
Surprising? Yes. But as someone who had grown up in modern China, Luo Chuan had seen and read plenty of wild scenarios in stories and legends. Comparatively, this wasn't too shocking.
He couldn't help but think of certain historical "role models" like Xu Xian and Ning Caichen...
Cough, let's not go there.
---
Luo Chuan's attention returned to the profile. The Shadow Kill List didn't sound like an ordinary organization. And her cultivation? First Grade of Eminence. That was impressive.
He glanced at Yao Ziyan with renewed interest.
The system chimed in again:
"Recommendation: This candidate meets the recruitment criteria. It is advised that the host also consider her as the shopkeeper's wife."
Luo Chuan: …
System, you've changed. You're not the pure system you used to be.
System: Heh.
Ignoring the system's antics, Luo Chuan flipped his palm, and a blank piece of paper materialized in the air. Invisible energy guided the formation of elegant black writing on the paper.
---
Yao Ziyan's eyes widened, her pupils shrinking in shock.
The seemingly ordinary piece of paper radiated an aura of rules. It wasn't something just anyone could create.
Luo Chuan handed her the paper. "These are the terms for becoming a clerk. If you agree, just mark it with a drop of your blood."
---
Yao Ziyan hesitated briefly but ultimately accepted the paper. Scanning its contents, she was astonished to find she could understand it effortlessly, despite the unfamiliar characters.
The terms were straightforward, outlining the rights and responsibilities of Origin Mall's staff.
After a brief pause, she made up her mind. With a slight flick of her fingertip, she pricked it.
Purple blood, shimmering faintly with starlike specks, flowed out.
This wasn't ordinary blood; such a vision was a unique trait of those with the purest lineage among the monster royal family.
Luo Chuan watched the scene quietly, his expression as composed as ever.
-----
Visit patreon for advanced chapters: pat reon/Siuteo