Dimensional Storekeeper

Chapter 218: One Break to Lead Them All

A wave of applause rolled through the room, starting rough and uneven, but building fast. Cheers erupted. Hoots. Laughs.

Even Little Liz, Yushou Ya’er’s pet lizard beast, joined in the fun – stomping his tiny feet and letting a puff of smoke burst from his nostrils.

Someone shouted “For the Oolong!” while another raised a can of Lime Fizz.

Hao let out a breath.

Finally.

The tournament had begun.

He went over the arrangement of matches – who would be facing who, in what order, how the rounds would move forward.

Not a single person spoke.

Every ear in the room was tuned in. You could hear a snack bag being opened across the room if someone dared.

“And.” Hao ended, scanning the crowd. “Anyone got questions?”

He paused.

Looked around.

Not a hand. Not a sound.

“Alright.” He nodded once. “Since there’s no question…”

“We’ll start with the first match.”

“Elder Feng Yuhan and Elder Tang Sheng, you may now head to the billiard table.”

He glanced at the rest.

“As for everyone else – find a seat, pick a corner, or stand wherever. Just don’t block the match and don’t cause any trouble.”

“You can only go to the table when it’s your turn.”

Quiet nods followed. A few people already began shuffling to the sides, forming natural clusters.

As for the employees, Hao had already briefed all of them earlier. Their job was to standby during the matches – not just to assist if someone acted out, but to enjoy the games too.

They weren’t allowed to join the tournament.

But at the very least… they deserved front-row seats.

Hao now stood beside the billiard table, copper coin in hand, twirling it between his fingers.

This was the deciding tool.

A simple coin toss – one side for Elder Feng Yuhan, the other for Elder Tang Sheng – to determine who would break first.

He could’ve gone with the more formal method, that, uh… lag shot?

Yeah, that one where both players hit the cue ball to the opposite cushion, and whoever got it closest on the rebound would win the break.

It was more professional.

More traditional.

Also, more time-consuming.

And Hao?

Hao was definitely not lazy.

He just… valued efficiency.

Yes.

Efficiency.

He cleared his throat and held up the coin.

“All right. Heads for Elder Feng, tails for Elder Tang. Ready?”

Both elders nodded with unshakable calm, but one of them was already cracking their knuckles behind their back.

The crowd leaned in.

Even Kurome, perched gracefully on her high seat, narrowed her eyes slightly.

Hao flicked the coin into the air.

It spun high, caught the light, flipped end over end –

And came down clean into his palm.

Heads.

“Elder Feng Yuhan gets the break,” Hao said.

Across the table, Elder Tang Sheng gave a smooth nod, posture relaxed and smiling like it didn’t bother him at all.

“Ah, of course. Ladies first.”

His tone was light. His aura was calm.

But inside?

Tch. Rotten coin. I knew I should’ve picked tails.

A man was kicking over chairs and flipping the board.

Elder Feng Yuhan stepped forward. She glanced over her shoulder, her smile faint but unmistakably amused.

“Thank you, Elder Tang. I promise to treasure this rare act of gentlemanly sacrifice.”

“…” Elder Tang Sheng’s smile twitched.

“Just don’t use up all your luck in one shot.”

Everyone in the room knew. Getting the break was no small thing.

It didn’t guarantee a win, but it gave momentum.

A strong break could scatter the balls well, sink a few, and give the player the first read of the table. It was like starting a battle with a surprise attack. You got the rhythm, the initiative, the pressure in your hands.

It didn’t matter if your opponent was stronger. If you set the pace first, you made them follow your rhythm.

In a real fight, that meant forcing your enemy to dodge instead of strike.

In pool, it meant they could only watch as the table slowly turned against them.

Right now?

Elder Tang Sheng hadn’t even seen the first shot, but the stars already felt misaligned. He was trying to stay calm, but a small part of him was absolutely sure the heavens had rolled their dice… and handed Feng Yuhan the sharper blade.

Elder Feng Yuhan chalked her cue stick. She lined up for the break.

The cue cracked against the white ball.

Clack!

Balls scattered across the table. Three clicked into pockets – two solids and a lone stripe.

She gave a small hum under her breath, eyes scanning the table before casually pointing at the solid group. With that, she claimed the first lead.

Both elders were evenly matched, hovering at a level just above average – not professionals by any means, but still clearly practiced.

No wild shots, no unnecessary risks. Precision and patience danced quietly between each turn.

Still, Elder Feng Yuhan stayed one ball ahead.

Every round. Every play. No fumbles, no flukes. Just steady, consistent shots that kept Elder Tang Sheng just a little behind.

She rode that small edge like a gentle wave.

And sometimes, that was all it took.

With one last calm shot, Elder Feng Yuhan final ball sank.

Game. Set.

Elder Tang Sheng lowered his cue with a sigh, expression unreadable.

He was devastated.

He had already planned a quiet evening of relaxation cultivation – reclined under the stars, cans of Cola, Lime Fizz and Peach Oolong Tea in hand, one foot soaking in a spiritual spring.

All sponsored by a hard-earned tournament win.

Now?

Ruined in the first round.

But Elder Feng Yuhan?

She simply smiled. This was only the beginning.

She had no illusions of taking the championship. Not with the monsters in the bracket.

But becoming a semi-finalist? That was her target.

Two free store products. Enough to soothe the occasional craving during her busiest sect duties. It wasn’t about lacking crystals.

It was about convenience. About relief. About a taste of comfort when she couldn’t sneak away from meetings, trainings, and endless paperwork.

A semi-finalist’s prize meant she could endure another week of responsibility with a cold Lime Fizz in hand.

For that alone, the struggle made sense.

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