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After Lumine and Paimon left, the alley returned to its usual quiet. Han Feng wasn't in a hurry to open the new volume of Digimon Adventure. Instead, he poured himself another cup of tea and reflected on his first successful business transaction. 200,000 Mora was a decent start, but the real value lay in the potential of his "customers" to act as walking advertisements.
"System, since I've reached the two-customer milestone, isn't there a reward for the shop owner too?" Han Feng asked mentally.
[Ding! Milestone reached. The host has been rewarded with a 'Physical Enhancement' based on the current library stock. Integrating 'Observation Haki' from the One Piece series.]
A cool sensation washed over Han Feng's mind. Suddenly, the world felt sharper. He didn't even need to look at the window to know that a stray cat was currently chasing a butterfly three alleys over, or that the wind was picking up near the Cathedral. This sensory expansion was intoxicating; it was the ultimate tool for a shopkeeper who wanted to keep an eye on things without leaving his chair.
"Not bad," he murmured, testing his new vision.
Just as he was settling back into his chair, the chime of the door signaled a new arrival. This time, the footsteps were heavy and rhythmic—the gait of someone trained in combat.
A tall man with tanned skin and an eye patch stepped into the store. He wore the distinct uniform of the Knights of Favonius, with a fur-collared cape draped over one shoulder. A playful, yet sharp, glint shone in his visible eye.
"A bookstore in a place like this? And with such a modern interior. You certainly have a unique taste, Boss," Kaeya said, his voice smooth as silk. He began to pace the room, his eyes scanning the shelves and the unfamiliar decorations.
"The location is for those who are meant to find it," Han Feng replied, not rising from his seat. "Welcome to Jieyou Bookstore. I am Han Feng."
Kaeya stopped in front of the counter, leaning against it with a casual grace. "I heard a rumor from a certain Outrider that a traveler and her floating companion found a 'magical' shop today. Paimon was apparently babbling about flying without wings and a device that captures moving images. Naturally, as the Cavalry Captain, I had to investigate such... interesting claims."
Han Feng gestured toward the bookshelf. "The claims are true. Here, we read comics. If you finish a volume, you receive a reward. It could be a weapon, a skill, or something even more exotic."
Kaeya raised an eyebrow. "100,000 Mora for a book is quite the steep price, even for the Knights' budget. What's to stop me from thinking this is just a very elaborate scam?"
"The traveler, Lumine, gained the power of the Wind-Wind Fruit. She can now turn her body into a gale," Han Feng said calmly. "You can verify that with her yourself. As for the scam... well, why would I open a shop in a dead-end alley if I wanted to rob people? I'd have better luck at the plaza."
Kaeya laughed, a short, barking sound. "Fair point. And you seem remarkably unbothered by my presence. Most shopkeepers get a bit nervous when the Knights come knocking."
"In this shop, there's no reason to be nervous. I'm just here to sell stories," Han Feng replied.
Kaeya looked at the two available titles. His eye lingered on One Piece. A story about pirates and the sea? That was almost too ironic given his own history and his current role in Mondstadt. "I'll take the pirate one. Let's see if your books are as life-changing as the rumors suggest."
He tossed a heavy pouch of Mora onto the counter. Han Feng checked the amount—exactly 100,000.
"Take a seat. Coffee and tea are self-service," Han Feng said, nodding toward the break area.
Kaeya took the volume of One Piece and sat on the sofa where Lumine had been earlier. At first, his reading pace was slow and analytical. He looked for hidden codes, map markers, or any signs of subversive propaganda. But as he got deeper into Luffy's recruitment of Zoro and the fight against Captain Morgan, his posture relaxed. The art style was vibrant, and the storytelling was surprisingly tight.
"A boy who eats a fruit and turns into rubber... and a swordsman who uses three blades," Kaeya whispered to himself, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. "It's absurd. Yet, strangely compelling."
He spent the next two hours engrossed in the journey. He saw the loyalty of the crew and the corruption of the marines in the story—a nuance that didn't escape his sharp mind. When he finally closed the book, he let out a long breath.
"I must admit, the story alone is worth quite a bit. It's unlike anything the Yae Publishing House puts out," Kaeya remarked. "Now, where is this 'guaranteed reward' you mentioned?"
[Customer Kaeya has finished reading One Piece - East Blue Saga. Generating reward...]
[Reward: Marine Six Powers - 'Soru' (Shave).]
A flash of golden light centered on Kaeya's legs. He felt his muscles tighten and his nerves tingle with a newfound explosive energy. He stood up and took a tentative step, feeling as though he were standing on a coiled spring.
"What was that?" Kaeya asked, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword.
"A technique called 'Soru,'" Han Feng explained. "It allows the user to move at superhuman speeds by kicking the ground multiple times in the blink of an eye. To an untrained eye, it looks like you've vanished."
Kaeya's eye widened. Speed was the essence of his combat style. If he could move faster than the eye could follow without even using his Vision, his lethality would skyrocket. He looked at a spot across the room and gave it a try.
Whoosh!
In a blur of motion, Kaeya disappeared from the sofa and reappeared instantly by the door. The air pressure shifted, fluttering the pages of a nearby book.
"Incredible," Kaeya breathed, looking at his hands. "No elemental trace. No Vision required. This is... a bit dangerous, don't you think, Boss? If everyone in Mondstadt had this, the Knights would have a nightmare on their hands."
"That's why it costs 100,000 Mora," Han Feng said with a wink. "And only one person can read a volume per day. It's a self-limiting market."
Kaeya leaned against the doorframe, his mind already racing with the implications. "You're a very interesting man, Han Feng. I'll be reporting this to Acting Grand Master Jean. Though, I suspect she'll be more interested in the books than the security risk once she sees what they can do."
"She's welcome anytime. I even have a series about a magical girl that might help her relax," Han Feng joked.
"I'll be sure to tell her," Kaeya said, waving a hand as he walked out into the evening light. "Expect more visitors soon, Boss. Mondstadt isn't a city that keeps secrets for long."
Han Feng watched him leave, his Observation Haki tracking Kaeya's rapid movement as he tested 'Soru' through the streets. With three major customers handled, the reputation of the Jieyou Bookstore was officially established.
"System," Han Feng said, looking at the empty shop. "Update the shelves. Let's put Digimon Adventure out there. I have a feeling the kids of Mondstadt—and maybe a certain Spark Knight—are going to love it."
He placed the new volume on the shelf next to the others. As the sun began to set over the stone walls of the city, Han Feng closed the shop for the day, heading upstairs to enjoy the quiet. The peaceful days of his retirement as a transmigrator were likely over, but with the power of his shop, the chaos of Teyvat seemed like nothing more than a fresh adventure.