Seeing that it was Bonis, he hurriedly opened the door and invited her in. "You said I was lucky? What happened?"
"After we left this morning, the family discovered that something strange had happened inside the mine. Not a single Kobold remains in all of Fargodeep Mine. Even the adventurers who went in to explore have vanished without a trace. The mine is now completely empty, and I've sent people to guard it." Bonis gave a seductive smile, her eyes flickering as she glanced at Li Shaolin. "Of course, ownership of the mine now belongs to you. I'm merely looking out for a friend, worried that outsiders might seize the mine. So, what do you say? Shall we cooperate with my family?"
"Cooperate?" Li Shaolin was somewhat confused.
"Yes. I assume you don't know much about the mine's production process yet, do you? And Lin, what are your plans for the future?"
"I plan to continue adventuring and traveling, raising my class level." After a moment's hesitation, Li Shaolin answered.
"Then that settles it. Fargodeep Mine was previously operated by the Stonefield Family. No one understands its circumstances better than we do. We can maximize its output, naturally with your consent. But I'm sure you wouldn't refuse such a poor, helpless woman, would you?" Bonis looked at him pleadingly with pitiful eyes.
"Ahem. Well, what kind of cooperation are you proposing?" Li Shaolin felt rather awkward. This young married woman was truly too much to handle. If he stayed around her too long, she might charm his soul away.
"That's more like it. We provide the manpower and resources, handle the mining and sale of the ore, and all you need to do is enjoy the profits. We split all income fifty-fifty. Naturally, the family commission of ten gold coins per year for the mine will be waived as well. What do you think?" Bonis said with a smile.
"About how much can the mine produce in a year?" The proposal was not bad. He could sit back and receive half the earnings without doing anything, but he should at least understand the income from this vein.
"The mine mainly produces copper ore, with the occasional rare ore mixed in. Annual revenue is estimated at around six thousand gold coins. Naturally, our family will cover labor costs and the like. In other words, you'll earn at least three thousand gold coins per year!"
"That much?" Li Shaolin was immediately shocked. He had not expected such an unremarkable mine to earn so much. An ordinary civilian household only earned about one gold coin a year. Then again, although Fargodeep Mine looked unimpressive from the outside, it was enormous within, with rich veins buried deep underground.
"You needn't worry about our family tampering with the accounts. Taxes have to be reported in Goldshire, and we wouldn't dare take such a risk. You should know that the town's mines and lakes are currently occupied either by the Defias Brotherhood or by Murlocs and Kobolds. There's barely any fiscal income at all. This is the first source of tax revenue the town has had in years!" Bonis made a face. "How about this? Come with me to the farm and discuss mining the vein. Naturally, we'll prepare a private wooden house for you there as well. What do you think?"
"Mm, you can arrange things over there. I want to learn some professional skills today, and there's no rush. I'll go in a few days. I won't interfere with the mine." They had made it perfectly clear: they would take care of everything in one go, and he only needed to wait for the money. Why refuse? He knew that mining it alone would likely bring in more income, but he was unfamiliar with the place. If he made enemies or something similar, it might end badly instead. Ever since witnessing the Death Knight's strength in the mine, all he could think about was growing stronger. Money had become secondary.
"Fine, but we should still sign an agreement." Like a magician, Bonis produced a sheet of parchment from behind her. Its contents had already been filled in. She had clearly planned this all along.
After bidding Bonis farewell, Li Shaolin wandered alone along the broad road outside Goldshire. The things he had experienced these past few days would take quite some time to digest. As he walked, he thought, Why can't I open my spatial backpack? Is it because of my class? Would learning a professional skill change that? And what skill should I learn? Without realizing it, he had walked a long way.
Before long, the sun was already setting. It had been afternoon when Bonis woke him, and after wandering aimlessly, he had traveled far. After changing classes, such a stroll barely drained his stamina. By the time he noticed, Goldshire was no longer within sight.
"What place is this? Could this be the road to Stormwind City?" Li Shaolin was alarmed. One moment of carelessness, and he had gotten lost! Fortunately, he spotted a guard ahead and hurried over.
"Hello, adventurer. How may I help you?" the guard asked politely, dressed in a standard set of Stormwind City armor.
"Um, I'd like to ask where this road leads."
"It leads to Northshire Valley." The guard gave a slight bow.
"Isn't that where beginners start? Well, that works too. I'll go take a look. Maybe I'll find some answers." After thanking the guard, he continued down the Official Road.
The sky had grown completely dark. As Li Shaolin walked, he silently regretted forgetting to ask the guard how far it was. He had walked for most of the day, yet there was not even a bird in sight. Out here in the wilderness, with no village ahead and no inn behind, not even a passing carriage on the roadside... was he going to spend the night on this road? Still, his feet did not stop. With his current stamina, he could keep walking until morning. The Official Road should not be dangerous, either. As if to prove him wrong, a wolf's howl sounded from ahead!
"Damn it!" It seemed complaining really did invite trouble. Two blood-red eyes lit up, and a Forest Wolf charged straight at him!
He casually summoned a Skeleton Warrior, then summoned another Clay Golem in the open space. With a point at the Forest Wolf, the three summons instantly surrounded it. Before the beast could howl a second time, two Bone Blades and a pair of fists struck it down. It died beyond any doubt. Li Shaolin clapped his hands and looked at the wolf corpse on the ground. What a pity. If he had learned skinning and had a spatial backpack, this would have been perfect.
Just then, faint light appeared ahead.
Li Shaolin was overjoyed. It looked as though there were houses ahead, perhaps even the outskirts of Northshire Abbey. At last, he would not have to sleep in the wilderness. He quickened his pace and ran toward the lights. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the two Skeleton Warriors, but kept the Clay Golem following behind him. In this pitch darkness, it was better to remain cautious.
As he entered the lit area, he heard the soft sound of flowing water. Looking up, he saw a small dock, with what seemed to be a lake ahead. The lights came from two standing lamps beside the dock. Two iron cages were mounted atop wooden posts, each emitting a faint flame. Seeing that it was only a dock, Li Shaolin could not help feeling disappointed. But after sweeping his gaze around, he noticed a small path leading uphill from the dock, where several wooden houses stood. He had been too hasty just now, running toward the lights, and had missed those houses entirely.
He turned around and was about to follow the path when two soft splashes came from the dock. Was someone fishing?
Turning his head, he vaguely saw a child of five or six standing there with a fishing rod, staring intently at the water.
"Whose kid is this? Why isn't he asleep in the middle of the night? What's he doing out here fishing?" Li Shaolin muttered before calling out, "Hey, kid! Aren't you going home?"
The child seemed to hear him and turned his head slightly, glancing over. In that instant, Li Shaolin felt as if he could barely breathe. The child was wearing a hooded mask made of sackcloth! Three holes in the mask exposed his eyes and mouth. Faintly, it seemed as though he smiled at Li Shaolin.
"What the hell? Who wears a mask in the middle of the night to scare people? What kind of parents raise a kid this rude?" Li Shaolin shook his head. Just as he was about to take a closer look, he discovered that the child had vanished!
Had he really seen a ghost? Was he hallucinating? Impossible. He was only in his twenties. How could his eyes be failing already? Ever since becoming an adventurer, even his nearsightedness had improved. There was no reason for him to be seeing things.
Unable to make sense of it, he had no choice but to turn toward the wooden house. At the same time, he used the Book of the Dead to recall the Clay Golem.
A lantern hung high above the entrance. Li Shaolin walked over and lightly knocked on the door. Immediately, two dull thuds rang through the night.
Not long after, the wooden door creaked open at an angle, revealing a middle-aged woman. Her golden hair fell over her shoulders, and she wore a white shirt with blue trousers. Her figure was extremely full.
"Um, hello. I'm an adventurer passing through, and I wanted to ask about this place. Um..." Though the sight before him was enticing, Li Shaolin did not dare entertain improper thoughts. He quickly explained his purpose, but could not bring himself to ask to stay the night. What if she misunderstood?
"Mm, honored adventurer, please come in. You need a place to stay for the night, correct? When one is traveling, everyone has inconvenient times. There's no need to stand on ceremony." The woman pulled the door wide open and welcomed him inside, her face full of hospitality.
"Then thank you. I truly can't thank you enough!" Li Shaolin was delighted and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
"You're too polite!" The woman brought Li Shaolin a chair and led him to warm himself by the fireplace in the middle of the room.
"Helenny, who is it?" Another soft, charming female voice called from a room beside the main hall.
"Oh, Adler, it's an adventurer passing through who needs to stay the night." Helenny busied herself bringing Li Shaolin a cup of water as she answered.
At that moment, a middle-aged woman in a gray linen shirt with black hair emerged from the room at the back. She was roughly similar to Helenny in height and build.
"Honored guest, your arrival is a great honor for us!" Adler gave a slight bow and spoke politely.
"You're too kind." Li Shaolin felt flattered.
Adler sat down and kept him company while Helenny turned and said, "Forgive me for asking, but you haven't eaten, have you? I'll get some bread and cheese." She then headed into the small room at the back.
"Um, may I ask where the man of the house is?" After hesitating for a long while, Li Shaolin finally asked.
"Ever since my husband went to the front lines, there has been no news of him. Helenny has stayed by my side ever since. Without her all these years, I fear I would have struggled to survive those difficult days. Without her, I don't know what would have become of me." Adler spoke to Li Shaolin with a dejected expression.
"I'm so sorry. I brought up something painful." Li Shaolin quickly apologized. At that moment, Helenny returned with bread, cheese, and a small bottle of fruit wine.
After eating a little and drinking some wine, Adler smiled. "We have not yet asked our guest's name. You must stay a few more days and try Adler's roasted meat!"
"My name is Li Shaolin. I've troubled you too much. I seem to be a little dizzy. Is there somewhere I can rest? I'd like to sleep early." As soon as the wine entered his stomach, his head began to feel light. He had no idea how strong it was, but it was far too intoxicating. Afraid to drink more, he quickly asked. If something improper happened after drinking, he would never be able to face anyone again. They were kindly hosting him, after all.
Adler and Helenny exchanged a glance and smiled. "Then go upstairs and rest. Here, take this lamp." Helenny casually handed Li Shaolin a small oil lamp and pointed to the wooden stairs beside them.
His head grew increasingly dizzy. Carrying the oil lamp in one hand and gripping the stairs with the other, he slowly climbed upward.
A half-open attic came into view. Two bookcases were packed with books, while several books lay scattered across two desks. He glanced at them briefly. One seemed to be called the Skinning Trainer's Manual, but he paid it no mind. Seeing a side door next to it, he turned and walked through.
The fireplace below connected to the upper floor, and waves of warmth drifted out from the reddish earthen corner of the wall. A wooden bed with blue canopy curtains stood there, covered with two soft quilts.
The moment he saw the bed, waves of exhaustion washed over him. Li Shaolin leaped onto it and lay down, feeling somewhat dazed. This damn wine is way too strong. Just a few sips and I'm drunk like this. He seemed uncomfortable lying on his back, so he turned over—and immediately saw the deer head mounted on the door!
He could not help mocking himself. Back when he saw that bull head at the Lion's Pride Inn, it had frightened him badly and reminded him of that ghost story. Only later did he learn that it was simply a local custom, and then he understood.
Wait, no. Damn it, a ghost story? There was supposedly a strange room in Goldshire. Two women lived downstairs, both skinning trainers, and their man had disappeared. People suspected that one of the women had killed her husband and hidden the body beneath a cabinet. Wasn't this exactly that place? But hadn't they said their husbands had gone to war?
Cold sweat instantly covered his body, and he sobered up by more than half!
Before you continue