Welcome to the Ability Shop!

Chapter 21 The Saint and the Witch

As evening approached, more and more customers began to arrive.

Most of the people who come here to buy things are residents of the community. For example, Chen Xuan has seen the old man standing at the counter choosing cigarettes several times. I guess when a store has been open for a long time, it will naturally have repeat customers, even if it is a small shop in a remote location without a proper sign.

Chen Xuan had considered changing the signboard and the name to something more niche, such as real estate sales or convenience insurance, which would deter most residents and indirectly increase the time available to attract special customers.

However, he invested most of his first pot of gold in instant noodle trading, and with insufficient capital, he had to abandon the plan for the time being.

"Speaking of which... if we really put up a second-hand house sales sign, it will confuse new customers who want to make a purchase," Chen Xuan muttered to himself as he looked at the customers wandering around the store.

If they hesitate and then choose to turn back, it would be a case of losing more than they gain.

"Young man, which building do you live in?" The old man handed over the cigarettes he had chosen.

"This one costs 22 yuan... Building 6."

"Scan the code." He expertly tapped out the payment code. "You look quite young. Are you working for someone else or helping out at your family's shop?"

"I'm just doing odd jobs. It's close to where I live, so it's pretty easy. Here, take the cigarettes."

Chatting with guests was a piece of cake for Chen Xuan, and he also casually used the barcode scanner to peek at his uncle's abilities.

He discovered that as long as he didn't initiate a transaction, the other party wouldn't see the transaction box. Of course, scanning like this could only reveal a maximum of four abilities. Against someone with many abilities, it was impossible to directly probe their true strength unless one scanned repeatedly.

"Business" LV1, White.

"He's actually quite capable," Chen Xuan thought to himself.

He initially thought everyone possessed abilities, differing only in quantity. However, after taking photos of the customers coming and going in the store, he discovered that only about half of them had real abilities, and most possessed only one or two. These abilities were more prevalent among people aged 10 to 30 and closely related to their social status. For example, he had witnessed the ability of "knowledge of the past and present" twice, both times on people who appeared to be students.

In contrast, the probability of the elderly having no skills was much higher. Chen Xuan speculated that they must have had some expertise when they were young, but these skills gradually deteriorated and were forgotten over time. In other words, abilities are not permanent; they improve with continuous practice and fade with the aging of the body and memory.

As for someone like myself who had four abilities from the start, I was considered one of the chosen ones.

This "talent" is something few people can detect, and even if they do, it's of little use.

"Sigh, young people should really try their luck." Hearing Chen Xuan say this, the old man's face immediately showed a hint of disappointment.

If I say it's my own shop, are you going to ask me if I have a boyfriend/girlfriend next?

"I've overcome it, but I can't adapt to it," Chen Xuan said with a smile.

"Hmm... So, do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?"

Huh? Sir, why aren't you following the proper procedures?
Just as Chen Xuan was unsure of the other party's intentions, another customer lifted the curtain and entered the store.

He glanced at him subconsciously and immediately realized that this person was no ordinary person.

In the pleasant autumn weather when everyone was still wearing short sleeves and shorts, the newcomer was wearing a gray-black cloak, covering himself completely. The cloak looked as dirty as if he had been rolling in the mud.

Such an unconventional outfit immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Even the old man forgot to ask him if he had a girlfriend.

Facing the gazes of the crowd, the man seemed to hesitate for a moment, taking a small step back. But soon he made up his mind and walked towards Chen Xuan.

"Are you the legendary envoy?" He leaned forward as he approached the bar, his fists trembling slightly as he placed them on the counter, seemingly trying to suppress his emotions. "I need your help!"

Well, from that tone and wording, Chen Xuan knew the other person wasn't from this world.

The problem is that the view outside the shop is still that of a residential area!

How exactly did he get in?
"What foreign language is he speaking? Can you even understand it?" The old man put away his cigarette with a look of disgust. "Why don't we just call the police?"

"Uh...it's nothing. This is a friend of mine who likes playing murder mystery games. He gets into character very easily." Chen Xuan looked at the man and held up one finger. "Shh...go sit over there. I'll come over in a bit."

The other party hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did as instructed.

“I’ve met several people online,” Chen Xuan said, then turned to the old man with a smile. “Welcome to come again next time.”

The latter stormed out of the shop, his beard bristling and eyes wide. After the remaining customers had all left, he quickly pulled down the roller shutter and closed the curtains.

Only he and the stranger remained in the shop on the first floor.

Is this person a new customer?
Why does it feel like he knows me? He addressed me as his messenger the moment we met.

Moreover, the title "envoy" sounds rather familiar, as if I've heard it used before...

“There’s no one else here, you can take off your hood now.” Chen Xuan poured him a cup of coffee as usual. “Tell me about your situation, what kind of help do you need?”

“My name is Gildre.” The man removed his hood, revealing an extremely haggard face. “I am a general under the Holy Maiden.”

Chen Xuan had no reaction to the name, but the word "saintess" in the second half of the sentence instantly reminded him that the girl had also called him that when he parted ways with Joan of Arc.

"Are you one of Joan of Arc's people?"

He walked to the bar and immediately started looking up the person's information.

“Of course… no one but Lady Joan of Arc is worthy of the title of saint.” The man lowered his head, his eyes filled with anger and regret. “But she, who made great contributions to France and led everyone to recapture Orléans and Reims, was framed by a despicable villain and imprisoned in the dungeon! I heard reliable sources that she will be burned at the stake first thing tomorrow morning!”

"Holy crap?" Chen Xuan was startled.

Didn't she change history and avoid being captured in Compiègne?

"Let me ask first, how long has it been since the Battle of Compiègne?"

"It's been about three years."

It was three years... whereas originally there was only a one-year gap between Joan of Arc's capture and her execution. History has indeed changed.

Why couldn't she escape the fate of being burned at the stake?

Is it just another one of those ridiculous historical inertias?

"Tell me slowly, how was she framed?"

"It's all because of a woman named Mad Judy!" Gildrei jerked his head up at the mention of the name, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. "She's clearly a witch who practices evil magic, yet she's inexplicably become His Majesty Charles's honored guest! His Majesty not only appointed her as his chief advisor but also allowed her to interfere in military matters—this is utterly illogical! Now everyone in the palace is bewitched by this damned witch, practically obeying her every word… Lady Joan of Arc couldn't stand it anymore and stood up against her, only to be accused of heresy—it's utterly ridiculous!"

Who is Crazy Judy? Could anyone really have that name? Chen Xuan searched for the keyword but found nothing.

Because history has changed course, new butterfly wings have emerged?

But who can guarantee that what Gildre says is the truth? After all, he was just a general who led troops in the field for many years, and his knowledge of court affairs was all based on hearsay, so the credibility of his information remains questionable.

“Lady Joan of Arc cannot die at the hands of such a man… The Saint Maiden of Orléans should not die so ridiculously!” Gilles de Rothschild hissed. “With my strength alone, it’s impossible to break into the Chinon Palace where she is imprisoned… It’s heavily guarded; not even a bird can fly in. Just when I was about to despair… I suddenly remembered a story she told me, a story of encountering light in the endless darkness and being granted great power by the gods!”

"You are God's messenger, so you must know that Lady Joan of Arc could never have conspired with heretics! She was the most devout believer in the Lord! I beg you, let the light dispel the darkness once more!"

That's what happened.

Chen Xuan seemed to be thinking about something.

He wasn't there to trade skills; he came to this shop to rescue his boss.

But is this really acceptable? For a shop to respond to his request based solely on a story about Joan of Arc seems a bit against business principles. Or perhaps… Joan of Arc, as a customer, is already a valuable resource for the shop, hence the special treatment?
If that's the case, why didn't Joan of Arc herself ask for help?

Given the shop's capabilities, Chen Xuan felt it would be perfectly normal for it to open the door to the dungeon.

"How did you find your way here? Did you go to Compiègne?"

“No, I’m in Chinon, near the Royal Fortress.” Gilles de Rais shook his head. “Lady Joan of Arc told me your story before, and said that as long as you have a devout heart, you can see the glory of God anywhere. So I wandered around the alleys of the nearby town on a whim… and I never expected to actually find such an incredible shop.”

Chen Xuan walked to the window, lifted the curtain, and peered outside.

It was still dusk outside, but the houses along the street had all been replaced by low gray-tiled brick buildings, with withered vines climbing all over the old walls, just like the weathered face of the man behind me.

(End of this chapter)