Schedule and Ring

Aili closed the door and saw Li Shaolin grinning lecherously, which irritated her. She cursed, "Pervert!"

"Heh heh, well, I didn't perv on you. By the way, weren't you going to ask Sulonna for some necklace? Her clothes are all upstairs—go find it yourself. I'll keep watch down here!" Li Shaolin pursed his lips, pointing upstairs.

"You're trying to get rid of me? Don't tell me you have some shady designs on Sulonna? I'm warning you, stuff all those pervy thoughts back in your gut. If you mess up the real business, I'll... I'll... I'll geld you!" Aili had only taken two steps when she seemed to recall something important, whipping around to threaten him fiercely.

"Uh... wouldn't dare, really wouldn't dare. You go on ahead, rest assured." Li Shaolin's face went pale—this little brat was way too violent and domineering.

"Pfft," Aili laughed at his nervous expression. For a moment, the beauty's face was caught between anger and amusement, her willow brows like mist, and he found himself staring dumbstruck.

"What are you looking at? Never seen a beauty before?" Aili scolded lightly and headed up the stairs.

She'd barely taken a few steps when "Ah!"—a startled cry came from upstairs, Aili's voice. Li Shaolin's heart jolted. He bounded up the stairs in a few strides, one hand already drawing the Infantry Sword at his waist. As he turned, "Bam," he collided head-on with Aili, who was fleeing out.

"You idiot, trying to get yourself killed!" Aili was startled, then burst into curses when she saw it was Li Shaolin.

"Hey, what did I do?" Li Shaolin looked innocent, puzzled.

"You killed him, fine, but at least cover the guy up with something! I walk in and there's a naked man lying there—scared me half to death!" Aili patted her chest, a bit embarrassed.

No choice. Li Shaolin went over, kicked aside the guy named Morgan, and started searching through the scattered clothes. Then, a slightly exposed piece of parchment in a leather pouch caught his attention. He gently opened it, and a passage came into view:

Collection Schedule:

Sunday: 12:30 PM

Tuesday: 12:30 PM

On the designated days, gold ore mined from the Elwynn Forest mines will be gathered at Blackwell's Pumpkin Patch. The "Receiver" responsible for collecting these goods will wear a Special Ring I have given him.

A team from the Defias Headquarters will contact the Receiver, who will then hand over the gold he has received.

Ensure this process is completed with caution and without error. The Receiver is in charge of transferring the gold, but every member of the Defias Brotherhood has a duty to help him accomplish his task.

My brothers, remember—we were once proud craftsmen. We must carry out our current task with the meticulousness and caution befitting craftsmen.

No signature, no notes—just these few brief lines written on it, somewhat disjointed. "Huh? Mining gold ore in the mines? That can't be right—aren't Fargodeep Mine and Jade Mine both occupied by Kobolds?" Li Shaolin's brain short-circuited. Were the Kobolds doing business with the Defias Brotherhood?

He glanced at Morgan's hand—sure enough, a gold ring was on his middle finger. He yanked it off with force; it seemed to have a tiny line of text engraved on it. Holding it up to his eyes: "In gratitude for your service.—VanCleef."

"VanCleef? The boss of the Deadmines? That's ridiculous, right?" Li Shaolin found it unexpected. Killing some random Defias Brotherhood member and suddenly getting tied to the big boss—if he pissed off VanCleef, he probably wouldn't be mining at Fargodeep Mine anymore. But this wasn't the time for doubts; Aili was still waiting downstairs, and a long night meant trouble.

He searched carefully and sure enough, found a delicate Silver Necklace in a small box. Looked like Sulonna couldn't bear to wear it—was Dark Necromancer Jajin having a teacher-student romance with her, ending in love turning to hate and a crime of passion? Li Shaolin couldn't help but think melodramatically.

After tidying up, he also found 6 gold coins, stuffing them all into the Space Belt before turning to go downstairs.

"Found it?" Aili asked quietly.

Before he could answer, a pounding knock came from outside the door!

They exchanged glances. Li Shaolin made a shushing gesture, peered through a side window, and saw a young Defias member, all in black with white leather shoulder armor, knocking. He lightly activated Detection: Erland Dudmore, Level 8 lit up before him.

He held up his index finger in a "1" shape to Aili, signaling only one person outside. Tiptoeing to the door, he gestured for Aili to open it. The knocking grew more urgent.

"No way—what if I can't kill him?" Li Shaolin suddenly thought. He was a Necromancer, not strong in physical power. If this swing failed and the guy summoned others, Old Li would be done for today. Right—Aili was a Warlock.

He grabbed Aili, who was about to open the door, and whispered in her ear, "Fear Spell!"

Aili felt the warm breath on her earlobe, a tingling numbness that made her body go soft, her face flushing red again. She shot him a glare and nodded.

"Creak!" The door opened gently.

Erland Dudmore stepped in, complaining, "Sulonna, why'd you take so long to open—" Before he could finish, "Bam," the door slammed shut, and an Infantry Sword stabbed through his back!

Before he could cry out, a black skull, already prepared, appeared above his head. A deep, nameless terror surged from the depths of his mind, his feet refusing to obey as he staggered around the room! Then, two Fangs "hissed" into his body, while Aili's Shadow Bolt finished casting and struck him.

Poor Erland Dudmore, without even understanding what was happening, was slain!

Li Shaolin made a victory gesture to Aili, inwardly shocked. This Warlock's Fear Spell was too overpowered—a nightmare for every class! No, he'd have to study his skills later and see if there was a way to counter it.

Aili pointed at Sulonna lying behind them and made a cutting motion.

"Uh, forget it. I can't kill a woman who can't fight back," Li Shaolin said quickly.

Aili snorted, "So you do have a soft spot for the ladies. Fine, we've got the goods—let's get out of here."

He nodded, gently pushed open the wooden door, looked around—no one in sight. They crept out like thieves. And at that moment, Sulonna, lying there, twitched an eyelid and opened her eyes!

They retraced their steps. Luckily, no obstacles met them on the way. After an hour, they skirted the entire pumpkin patch and returned to where they'd first met.

"Here, I keep my word—take it!" Aili pulled 10 gold coins from the small pouch at her waist and placed them in Li Shaolin's hand. "The rest is a gift because I like you, kid!"

"Heh heh, how embarrassing!" He quickly pocketed them, looking like a total miser. But after taking the stuff, they both felt a bit awkward, an awkward silence settling in.

"So, Aili, are you heading back to Stormwind City?" Li Shaolin made small talk.

"Yeah, once I turn in this necklace, I'll complete my trial and can learn to Summon Voidwalker." Aili looked down at him, replying softly.

"Well, take care then. It's getting late—if you can't make it back to Goldshire, you'll be camping out in the wild, and getting eaten by wolves wouldn't be fun." Li Shaolin joked lazily.

"Tch, you think a Level 10 Warlock is just for show?" Aili seemed to snap back to her tough self, retorting immediately.

A few more words, and the atmosphere lightened. With a whinny, the tall red horse was summoned again. Aili swung onto its back and said, "Well, I'm off. Come find me in the Town of Dusk sometime!" With a "Giddyup!" the steed galloped away, the hoofbeats growing fainter and fainter until they vanished, leaving only lingering echoes.

"Sigh, no beauty to keep me company—back on the road alone." Li Shaolin let out a mournful sigh and started trudging forward.

"Clop, clop, clop." He was walking along bored when hoofbeats sounded behind him, a fast horse approaching. His heart leaped—could it be that little Aili couldn't bear to leave him, coming to share a ride? Heh heh, would she sit in front or behind? Lost in pleasant thoughts, he couldn't wait.

"Hey, kid!" A gruff male voice shattered his daydream. "Some lady up ahead said a guy was heading to Eastvale Logging Camp—that you? Come on, hop in!" With a "Whoa," a four-wheeled carriage pulled up in front of him.