Ch 48: My Multiverse Supermarket

The supermarket had barely reappeared when the guards Gong Qiongxian left behind discovered it.

Just as they were about to report, Zhao Changyan approached.

“Deputy Envoy Chang, the goddess’s dwelling has appeared.”

Zhao Changyan nodded. “Go inform His Highness Prince Wei, but do not alarm the villagers.”

She noticed the storefront of the supermarket looked slightly different. Moving closer, she saw two large iron-like blocks fixed by the wall.

They resembled the automated checkout counters inside the store but were much taller.

While everyone was still marveling curiously at them, a calm female voice suddenly rang out:

“I am the intelligent assistant Xiao Wan. What would you like to purchase?”

The unprepared guards nearly drew their swords in fright. “Is there someone hiding inside?”

Zhao Changyan herself had been startled but quickly steadied her composure so no one could tell. Casting them a cool glance, she said, “What’s the panic? This must be one of the goddess’s celestial attendants brought from the heavens to handle her affairs.”

The guards suddenly understood and were full of admiration.

“The deputy envoy truly deserves to be called the immortal’s emissary—so knowledgeable about these divine matters.”

Zhao Changyan didn’t respond.

In truth, she was only guessing.

The word “assistant” implied someone who aided or supported; the term “hand” suggested a helper or close aide.

And “Xiao Wan” had asked what items they wished to purchase.

It followed that this “Xiao Wan” must have been brought by Zhou Li to help with the store’s daily work—perhaps to handle customers when Zhou Li was not present.

To test her theory, Zhao Changyan said to the vending machine, “I would like to buy a bottle of water.”

“Here are all available brands of the product ‘water.’ Please select the one you wish to purchase.”

Zhao Changyan picked a bottle with a red label and, following Xiao Wan’s instructions, scanned her membership card.

Moments later, the bottle dropped neatly from the slot at the bottom.

Xiao Wan’s voice followed: “You have two purchase slots remaining today.”

“Thank you,” Zhao Changyan replied politely and calmly, though her tightened grip on the bottle betrayed her excitement.

The supermarket had not opened, and Zhou Li was nowhere to be seen—yet she had obtained a real, physical item.

Could this “Xiao Wan” truly be a celestial attendant?

“Retrieving objects through air? That’s divine magic!” the guards exclaimed.

“Maybe the celestial child is hiding inside the machine,” one muttered.

They looked eagerly to Zhao Changyan.

“What, you expect me to summon the celestial child for you?” she asked dryly.

The guards chuckled awkwardly, though that was indeed what they’d been hoping for.

Zhao Changyan ignored them, took a sip of water, and waited quietly for Prince Feng Zhang and the others to arrive.

*

Feng Zhang had been half-asleep when woken. He’d wanted to lash out, but the moment he heard that the “Immortal’s dwelling” had reappeared, he was instantly alert and insisted on going up the mountain.

Eunuchs had already arranged for four local peasants to carry him in a sedan chair, but Gong Qiongxian advised, “Your Highness, since the goddess descended atop the mountain, surely she intends that all who seek her climb the heavenly path on foot, to show sincerity.”

Reluctantly, Feng Zhang waved away the chair and started climbing with Gong Qiongxian.

Before long, he realized he had underestimated the climb’s difficulty. “Have people pave this road immediately!” he ordered, panting.

Gong Qiongxian said, “The village has been ravaged by malaria, Your Highness. There may not be enough healthy workers.”

Fan Yuxian interjected, “We saw many refugees coming this way. Surely they’ve come for the Immortal’s dwelling too. If so, let them build the road—it will prove their devotion.”

In the past, Gong Qiongxian might have agreed. But her thinking had shifted.

Flattery had brought her quick promotions, but endless submission and blind obedience would never make her more than someone else’s pet.

If her superiors fell, she would fall with them.

Better to become the power behind the throne herself. She didn’t crave the crown, but to influence it—that was true authority.

And now, with the divine woman’s influence, the opportunity was hers.

“Your Highness,” she said smoothly, “that’s an excellent idea. Paying the refugees for labor will both calm their unrest and put their energy to use.”

Fan Yuxian’s smile froze. That wasn’t what she’d meant—she’d wanted the refugees to work for free.

But before she could correct it, Feng Zhang nodded approvingly. “Good thinking. You take charge of it.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Gong Qiongxian said, bowing.

Fan Yuxian’s chest tightened. She could feel Gong Qiongxian stepping past her, winning the prince’s trust.

Once, she and the eunuch Shao Chenshu had elevated Gong Qiongxian from a palace maid to an imperial aide. But now, with a real goddess behind her, Gong Qiongxian no longer needed a fake celestial.

Feng Zhang eventually noticed Fan Yuxian lagging far behind. “Immortal Envoy?” he called.

She hesitated. If she went up the mountain, her false identity might be exposed.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “Please go ahead, Your Highness. I can meet her spirit in the heavens.”

Feng Zhang didn’t question it and continued on.

By the time they reached the peak, dawn had broken. Feng Zhang was breathless but exhilarated when he saw the strange building before him.

“Is that the Immortal’s dwelling?”

“Yes,” said Gong Qiongxian. “Its name is the ‘Good Life Supermarket.’ It opens at the hour of the Dragon and closes at the hour of the Boar.”

Feng Zhang checked the clock on his wrist. It was still half an hour before opening time.

He pointed toward the crowd. “What are those people doing there?”

A guard rushed up to report, “Your Highness, there is a celestial child!”

“Where?” Feng Zhang demanded.

The guards led him to the vending machines and explained what had happened earlier.

Feng Zhang was eager to try, but Xiao Wan’s voice coldly refused: “Non-members cannot make purchases.”

“What does that mean?” Feng Zhang asked.

Zhao Changyan produced her membership card. “Your Highness, only the goddess’s followers—her believers—may purchase from the supermarket.”

Feng Zhang turned to Gong Qiongxian. “Father named you the Celestial Envoy and granted you authority to serve the goddess on behalf of Dà Yuè.”

Gong Qiongxian’s heart leapt, but her expression remained calm. “I am deeply grateful for His Majesty’s grace. I shall serve the goddess with all my strength. However, Your Highness, these membership cards are granted personally by her—after offering tribute.”

“Has the tribute been brought up?” Feng Zhang asked an attendant.

“Yes, Your Highness. It’s all here.”

“Good. See if it’s enough,” he said to Gong Qiongxian.

Ten carts of gold, silver, and jewels were piled high before the supermarket, drawing envious and bitter gazes from the refugees nearby.

The nobles had hoarded the world’s wealth, growing fat while the common folk starved. Not only did they refuse to show pity—they exploited the people even more.

The heavens were unjust!

No—perhaps not unjust, for hadn’t the heavens sent the goddess to save them?

But how would she treat these nobles…?

Sensing the growing hostility among the crowd, Gong Qiongxian and Zhao Changyan exchanged a glance. Gong Qiongxian stepped forward to address them.

“His Majesty, in his boundless compassion…”

She began with flattery for the emperor and the prince, then shifted her tone to appeal to the people.

“…has sent me to serve the goddess and obtain distribution rights to her divine goods, so that the blessings of the supermarket may reach every corner of Dà Yuè and benefit all citizens.”

The refugees muttered among themselves. “What’s she saying?”

“I only caught the word ‘distributor.’”

“Sounds like she wants to be the clan chief in charge of supplies.”

Gong Qiongxian: …

Zhao Changyan suppressed a laugh. “She means the court will purchase grain from the goddess to lower food prices, so even the poor can afford rice.”

The refugees were skeptical. “Won’t the corrupt officials just take it all for themselves?”

“What corrupt officials?” Feng Zhang snapped.

Before he could provoke further anger, Gong Qiongxian quickly urged him to rest inside a tent.

She reassured the people that she would personally convey their grievances to the emperor.

Whether or not she would follow through, the refugees simply wanted to hear such words, and their temper cooled.

Still, their attention soon shifted anyway—someone had noticed the supermarket lights flick on.

They were about to see the goddess herself; who had time to listen to speeches?

*

After performing the dimensional shift around five, Zhou Li had slept another hour.

When she woke, it wasn’t yet seven.

Remembering she had to teach the ancient-plane customers how to use the vending machines, she decided to open early.

She went downstairs, took a sticky-rice chicken from the warmer, and had it for breakfast.

After hours of gentle steaming, it was soft, fragrant, and rich with tender chicken meat—the authentic flavor she remembered from childhood.

The ones she’d eaten as a girl had real chicken inside; most stores now used pork instead.

She’d thought the ever-cutting Aunt Mu would keep cutting corners, but it seemed the sticky-rice chicken was made with genuine care.

As Zhou Li ate and opened the door, she was met with dozens of eager eyes staring at her.

…

Good thing she was used to this by now, or she might’ve jumped.

“Welcome back, divine lady!” they chorused.

Zhou Li thought wryly, What’s next, ‘Three years have passed since your promised return’?

Zhao Changyan, following modern custom, greeted her with a smile. “Good morning, little boss.”

“Good morning,” Zhou Li replied with a polite smile.

Zhao Changyan’s eyes flicked to the food in her hand.

Zhou Li held it up. “Had breakfast yet? If not, I’ve got plenty here.”

Zhao Changyan’s gaze shifted to the glass display case by the counter, filled with buns.

“Is this your new business venture?”

“Yeah. From now on, I’ll sell breakfast in limited quantities. Oh, and the supermarket’s been upgraded with two vending machines. Even if the store’s closed, you’ll still be able to buy what you need from them.”

“Vending machines…” Zhao Changyan asked cautiously, “do you mean the celestial child, Xiao Wan?”

Zhou Li blinked. “What?”

The system said dryly, “They appear to think I’m your attendant.”

Zhou Li said aloud, neither confirming nor denying, “So you’ve already met… it.”

Zhao Changyan asked, “How does the celestial child hide inside that iron monument?”

“It doesn’t,” Zhou Li said. “Though it does control the vending machines… Anyway, if you want something, just call to it. But the supermarket’s rules still apply.”

Zhao Changyan didn’t fully understand, but that was fine—her imagination would fill in the rest.

☢️☢️☢️