Lion's Pride Inn

The current was not very swift. The little fishing boat drifted down the river, huge Elwynn Ancient Trees sliding past on either side. Now and then, lone Forest Wolves or packs of them could be glimpsed in the distance. Li Shaolin secretly broke out in a cold sweat. If he had not followed this uncle by water, getting through would have been quite a trial. After traveling slowly for about two hours, the river ahead suddenly narrowed. Seven or eight naturally formed boulders lay half-submerged in the water, reducing the channel's width by half. The uncle chuckled. "Once we pass this, we'll be halfway there. Another hour and we'll reach the road. Young man, you can get off there." Li Shaolin asked in confusion, "Uncle, aren't you stopping there?" The uncle said, "We still have a long way to go. We won't arrive until Stonefield Farm up ahead. We're only a quarter of the way there now. We got back a little late today, so his mother will probably nag again." He reached out and rubbed the boy's head, smiling with unconcealed sweetness on his face. This old married couple really had a happy life. The boy was sharp-eyed and alert. "I just hope we don't run into those hateful Gnolls. Sigh, every time we come out fishing each week, Mom worries." Gnolls—another kind of monster. It really was a balanced world. There also seemed to be someone called Hogger. Li Shaolin remembered that, back when he was around level ten, it had taken a whole party to bring him down.

When the moon stood high overhead, lights faintly appeared ahead, and a wooden bridge gradually came into view. As they drew near, the uncle smiled. "Young man, you're here. There are carriages heading to Goldshire even at night. Good luck." Li Shaolin thanked him repeatedly. After he stepped off the boat, the uncle poled away, his voice still carrying from afar. "Come visit Stonefield Farm when you have time! Remember to have a drink with this uncle then!" Li Shaolin answered and stepped onto the wooden bridge.

The wooden bridge was six or seven meters wide and over ten meters long. He had barely crossed it when a voice called out, "Who goes there?" Looking up, he saw two guards in silver armor, holding swords and shields, standing on the bridge. Damn, aren't those Stormwind Guards? Li Shaolin grumbled inwardly. But he did not dare be careless. He remembered that in the game, these guards could take down a Forest Wolf in just a few strikes. He was probably no match for them. He hurriedly said, "I'm an adventurer. I'm heading to Goldshire." The two guards looked him over without much suspicion. There were simply too many adventurers around. One of them, a long-faced guard, said, "Wait here. A carriage should pass by soon." Li Shaolin hurriedly nodded. Sure enough, before long, a two-horse carriage came racing through the night. It stopped by the guards, and the old driver took out several copper coins and handed them to one of them. The guard nodded. "There's another adventurer here heading to Goldshire. He wants a ride. Fifty copper coins. Take him along." So tolls are popular here too, Li Shaolin thought. The old man pulled open the carriage door and beckoned him aboard. "It's a two-hour ride to Goldshire." Fortunately, Li Shaolin had two gold coins on him, so he was not worried about the fare. He bent down and entered the carriage, only to find it packed with seven or eight people. Five were ordinary civilians, while three were adventurers!

One was a human female mage. Wearing a blue mage's robe and carrying a curved staff, she sat in the corner reading something like a scroll. Beside her sat a middle-aged Paladin and a middle-aged Rogue. The Paladin had flowing golden hair, and a massive two-handed warhammer rested at his feet. He looked exceptionally dashing. By comparison, the Rogue looked much more sleazy. He was also solidly built and muscular, but he had a close-cropped buzz cut and wore a full set of flax-colored leather armor. Two daggers were tucked diagonally into his belt. His thick, stubby eyebrows and small black beard made Li Shaolin snicker inwardly at the thought of him using Stealth.

Li Shaolin casually found a place on a bench and sat down. At the old driver's shout outside, the carriage began to rumble forward. Unfamiliar with the place, Li Shaolin did not dare strike up a conversation with the three adventurers. He could only close his eyes and rest. The three ignored him as well; picking up passengers along the road was simply too common. The female mage's gentle voice softly rang out. "Jack, Aunt Bonis Stonefield posted this quest to find a necklace. We tracked it from Billy, the child who stole it, only to discover that it ended up in the hands of Kobolds. The three of us may not be able to complete it." Before the Paladin could reply, the sleazy Rogue answered first, "Those damn Kobolds! They've occupied several mines in Elwynn Forest. And that damned Defias Brotherhood too—they're all bastards!" Paladin Jack glanced at him, and the Rogue immediately shut his mouth. But then he continued, "That greedy little brat made us get him a pie. Only after we gave him the pie did he say the necklace had been snatched by Kobolds. Why don't we just give up on this quest? The Kobolds around there are all gathered in Fargodeep Mine. I heard their leader, Goldtooth, is incredibly powerful." The Paladin shook his head. "Although the Kobolds do not clash with humans too often, and there are rarely incidents of Kobolds harming humans, they have still occupied what little mineral resources humanity has. I heard Remy and William Speed in Goldshire are posting quests for gold dust and candles. When the time comes, we can find a few more adventurers and go together. It shouldn't be too difficult." The Rogue and mage said nothing after hearing this.

Goldtooth, Kobolds... Back then, he had cut them down whenever he pleased. When had they become so damn formidable? Li Shaolin could not help thinking. This mage has a pretty nice figure too. Curves where they should be, slender where they should be—not at all like those bloated, chubby ones in the game. Heh, maybe I should try to pick her up? A lecherous expression appeared on his face. Seeing that this guy had looked dazed ever since boarding the carriage, the mage tugged on the Paladin's sleeve and whispered, "Does this guy have mental problems?" The Rogue merely rolled his eyes at the female mage.

He did not know how much time had passed, but Li Shaolin felt that he had practically fallen asleep. Then a horse neighed outside the carriage. The old driver slapped the carriage shaft and said, "Young men and ladies, we've arrived in Goldshire. Everyone, get out." Li Shaolin clapped his hands and jumped down. Wooden houses and stone buildings stretched out before him in layers, while four broad roads ran through them in several directions. It was already midnight, and their carriage had stopped outside a huge three-story building. The inside was brightly lit, and several large words hung above the entrance: Lion's Pride Inn. The old driver called out, "Emma! Emma! Where are you? Come take my horses to the stable and feed them some hay. They've had a hard trip." A stout middle-aged woman answered and came over. The old man said to Li Shaolin, "Young man, you haven't paid the fare yet." Li Shaolin froze, then hurriedly pulled out a gold coin and handed it to him. The three adventurers getting out nearby were startled. They had not expected this odd fellow to be carrying such a large sum. One gold coin was enough for them to complete dozens of quests. The old man shook his head. "I can't make change for that much. Go find Fale, the innkeeper, for a room. I'll get it from him later. Haha, that guy still owes me a few cups of Lion's Black Beer!" With that, he slowly headed toward the cluster of buildings, disappearing into some wooden house in the blink of an eye.

A wave of drowsiness washed over him. The three adventurers had already entered the inn. Li Shaolin put the gold coin back into his pocket and followed them inside. After turning a corner, a great hall suddenly opened before him. Rows of tables were covered with beer, candles, milk, and all manner of goods. A huge chandelier hung from a wooden beam overhead, while blazing firelight shone out from the fireplace.